Garrick IV Arbin

**Garrick IV Arbin**, also known as "**Garrick the Bold**" and the "**Red Strider**", was a former Lord of House Arbin and Vassal of Kaladan. He, along with his two brothers, Gedder and Gothrey, formed the Threage Council, a short-lived coalition which played a large role in the Battle at Midroad. As Vassal, he slightly reformatted the city structure of Kaladan and oversaw the reconstruction of the Road's Gate following a harsh Northstream in 1053 UA.

As a result of decisions made while leading the Threage Council, he was a wanted man for the latter years of his life, and lived in exile prior to the Battle at Midroad. He is now infamous in Kaladan lore, and is viewed ambiguously within the Arbin Lineage.

## Appearance and Character

Like many Arbin males, Garrick IV was largely shaped and rugged in appearance. His sizable nose and monstrously unkempt beard were often prone to jeer, which he commonly joked about as well. He was tall, wide, and referred to by his brother, Gedder, as a "Spawn of the Strider", which he later rephrased as the "Red Strider" during the Battle at Midroad.

Garrick the Bold was known for his outgoing, astute, yet unpredictable nature, as well as his capabilities in battle. He was seen by many as a good man and smart Vassal during his short-lived reign, and was incredibly loyal to his wife, Rose Gravisol. It was this marriage, however, that sparked controversy between House Arbin and the now defunct House Weer of Coglin, which initiated the Battle at Midroad.

## History

### **Early Years**

Born to Garrick III Arbin and Marya Weer, Garrick IV was the firstborn child and Lordling to House Arbin. He was quick in his age to crave exploration, and went on his first hunt at age four following the birth of his youngest brother, Gothrey. In his early teens, he would organize hunts with knights of the Arbin Army and close companions, one of which included Dominic Broodwin, the heir to the Vassal Seat of Goelyn. While he claimed he'd "killed every creature in the roaming plains", his most lavish confirmed kills included a Giant Elasirhyn, a white Jincara, and a Seffi.

### **Marriage & Lordship**

When he and his brothers neared manhood, their bond strengthened greatly, as their personalities and interests were all similar. Together, they would go on extended hunts and voyages that spanned many regions of the land. His brotherly escapades took a turn, however, when Garrick III died in 1046 UA by the Highlands Virus, making Garrick IV the Vassal of Kaladan. The premature death of his father was not taken well, and Garrick became much more irritable and fickle as he took the Seat. Leaving his bachelorhood beside him, he quickly came to fancy Rose Gravisol, albeit initially unaware that it was his distant relative on his mother's side. Even after discovering his relation, the two soon married, and had a son, Maldus, when Garrick was twenty-one. Rose fell extremely ill following the birth, and became permanently bedridden not even a year later. However, he remained loyal to his wife, and cared for her until she ultimately passed just after Maldus' second birthday.

### **Tension With House Weer**

Shattered by the loss of his father and his wife, Garrick fell into a deep depression, and sought out guidance and counsel by his brothers. The death of Rose Gravisol was not received kindly by members of her House, who were sworn to House Weer and who claimed that Garrick was somehow responsible. As a result, tensions rose between Kaladan and the near town of Coglin, the Seat of House Weer. Catalysts in the growing tension included severed ties of multiple Coop contracts between settlements, and Lordling James Weer renouncing his position on Kaladan's small council as an Advisor. Lord Kevan Weer was particularly harsh in his ridicule of Garrick, with reasons that went further than the death of his cousin. Lord Kevan viewed Garrick as an "abhorrent beastslayer who caused more harm than the bloody creatures he reaped."

While his widowed mother, Marya Weer, attempted to rekindle the relationship of the Houses, her efforts caused further separation between herself and her family members. During a hunt in the Gracelands, Garrick was sought out by James Weer in what was perceived as an assassination attempt by members of House Arbin. While the exact details of the events are unclear, Garrick killed James Weer in single combat, and brought his body to Coglin to demand answers from the House. Lord Kevan Weer condemned the attack, even after many participants of the hunt cited that Kevan's son James was the instigator. An array of anonymous threats were then targeted toward Garrick and his family, leaving him to fear for his life.

### **Formation of the Threage Council**

Garrick demanded assistance from trusted confidants, and soon formed a coalition that veered from the Arbin Army with his brothers. This alliance grew to consist of members of Houses Arbin, Cook, Baenilt, and eventually gained the support of Dominic Broodwin, who kept the details hidden from his father, the Vassal Domnall Broodwin. In secrecy, the Council plotted a potential siege of the town if need be, as well as an assassination plan on Lord Kevan Weer, according to unreliable sources. Garrick felt as if keeping the Arbin Army away from the affairs would prevent an economical crisis, especially since Coglin was a popular town for coops that traded within the Kaladan markets.