Cassius Elmswood

**Cassius Elmswood**, born in 1582 CE to Killian and Fae Elmswood, is a human Nyempathon Knight who served on the Kingsguard in the Kingdom of Maelydor.

After spending his youth training with his father in the training yard near Clifton Castle, he decided to dedicate his life to the military and enrolled in the Oceanguard Military Academy at age sixteen where he was immediately enlisted into the First Army of Maelydor as a foot soldier. After two years of basic training, Elmswood requested to train to become a Nyempathon Knight and was accepted as the squire to Ser Jarick Lansser. Elmswood became a fully fledged Knight when he turned twenty-one and was immediately sent to the Southern Flatlands where he served in the Omarizar Border War, becoming widely known for his bravery and skill.

## Biography

### Before Birth

Killian Elmswood was born to Malrick Elmswood, a former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and spent most of his adolescents training with the soldiers and knights at Clifton Castle. As a child, he was friends with Prince Donovar, the heir of the throne, and Donovar's older cousin, Gerald, who lived with the Royal Family. Together, they all trained together, spending most of their days climbing and exploring the castle. When Killian came of age, he went off to the Winderburn Military Academy and trained to become a Nyempathon Knight. After five years, King Renan appointed him to the Kingsguard where he stayed from the ages of 28 to 47.

During this time, he began courting a young, local woman name Fae Mollen who lived on the outskirts of Crownhill. Fae was a farmer's daughter who had spent the entirety of her life with her family on their privately owned farm. The two quickly fell in love and decided to get married. In 1580 CE, the two married and two years later had their first and only child, Cassius.

### Childhood

Much like his father, Cassius was born in Crownhill during the spring and spent his adolescent years training in the courtyard alongside the crowned prince, Andren Elloway, and the City Watch. From a young age, Killian knew his son would be a great swordsman and had him train with a sword daily after his seventh birthday. He would participate in the same agility, speed, and strength tests that the City Watch went through, showing doff his natural athleticism. Cassius enjoyed training and sword fighting, often relishing in the thrill of sparring. He often dreamed of becoming a Nyempathon Knight like his father and idolized the legendary Knight, Ser Justen Norridge.

During this time, Cassius became close friends with Andren Elloway, the Prince of Maelydor. They were considered to be inseparable and spent much of their time together with the Master-At-Arms. The Prince would often invite Cassius to spend time in the castle during the evenings where Cass met Andren's younger siblings, Princess Aurelia and Prince Everan. Because of this, Cassius developed a consuming crush on Princess Aurelia but never told anyone about it.

### Military Training

After turning sixteen, Cassius decided to enlist in the First Army of Maelydor where he began his training as a foot soldier. Once his basic training was finished in 1600 CE, he requested to be a squire and was appointed to serve Ser Jarick Lansser, an older Nyempathon Knight. Cassius trained with Ser Jarick for three years, learning the Seven Disciplines of the Nyempath Combat within that time before becoming a Nyempathon Knight at the age of twenty-one.