Dana Freeblade
Dana Freeblade
Knight of the Realm, Oathsworn to Baron Orin Kharne“There’s only two kinds of Freeblades in this world—those running from something, and those running toward it with a sword out. Dana? She’s both, and she’ll smile while the world burns behind her.”— Sir Sorek RedmarchDame Dana Freeblade has renounced all claim to the Sylvanranth name, properties or any rights that may be associated with it. The cause of the dispute is unclear; if it was resentment over his short mourning period before remarrying, the whispers are people would have noticed sooner. If it was his methods, he does not shelter his family from the unpleasant side of things. If it was letting a city burn... many resent him for it. Whatever it is, she is quite outspoken in her criticism, and tries to dissuade others from associating with him or rendering him aid.
Appearance
Dana Freeblade carries herself like a woman who’s already been through the worst and didn’t much care for it. Her armor bears nicks and scars like a palimpsest of battlefield tales, and her grey hair is cut to a practical short length—neat enough for a knight, messy enough for a rebel. Her eyes are a deep, unreadable green, quick to narrow but slow to soften. She is tall, lean, and moves with the confidence of a born duelist. She rarely wears court finery, favoring hardened leathers or mail with a cloak of midnight blue. Her sword, Ghosttongue, is an old elven blade of uncertain provenance—likely looted or won in a duel. She never talks about it, but it’s always nearby.Background
Dana Freeblade is the estranged daughter of Theron Sylvanranth, better known as The Dragon. While her siblings were raised in the shadow of politics and expectation, Dana burned her own path—one marked by stubborn defiance and bitter independence. When her elder sister Elyndra was murdered, Dana was one of the few to speak her grief plainly. Her relationship with her brother Naira was once close, but it soured over the years—his descent into decadence too much even for her tolerance.“I saw my sister’s blood soak the marble and knew the world had changed. My father wept... not for her, but for his plans unraveling.”— Dana, to Beringer over wine, the night before pledging to KharneShe formally broke with her father after Elderbrook, denouncing his cold logic and what she called his “calculated grief.” She took the surname “Freeblade” and joined the royal army in the western marches. Though she never sought Titles or acclaim, she earned both through action. Her knighthood came not through patronage, but a reckless stand against a goblin vanguard at the Twin Pines Ford.
Allegiance to Stormarrow
Dana swore to Baron Orin Kharne in what many assumed was a political ploy—or a rebuke to her father. But those who know her best say it was respect. Orin’s blunt honesty and battlefield honor struck a chord. She has fought beside him since, never shirking duty, never bending the knee again... except once, in fealty. Now things are complicated. Her half-sister Blue, the product of her father’s affair with Marvelous, has become Orin’s squire—and Theron Sylvanranth himself, disgraced and brooding, has also sworn to Stormarrow.“Three Sylvanranths in one barony. That’s not a family reunion—it’s a civil war waiting for an excuse.”— Sir Beringer, dryly, after one too many drinksDana keeps her distance from Blue. It’s unclear whether it’s mistrust, discomfort, or simply not knowing how to process kin she never asked for. Still, she has never spoken ill of her half-sister and once, when Blue was injured during training, Dana stood vigil outside the healer’s tent.
Personality
Dana is a puzzle few care to solve twice. Sarcastic, reserved, and unafraid to challenge authority, she walks the line between noble knight and wild card. She is bitter about the world, but not broken by it. In court, she’s been known to bait Dukes and unsettle bishops with cutting remarks—usually disguised as compliments. She keeps secrets with frightening ease, and more than once has used them to nudge fate toward the outcomes she prefers. Yet despite all that, she is loyal—to Orin, to her men, and perhaps even to some ideal she never speaks aloud.“She tells you the truth sideways and lies straight-faced with her hand on the hilt. But I’ve never seen her abandon a comrade or flinch from the ugly work. That’s worth more than silver tongues and clean hands.”— Dame Venom
Relationships
- Theron Sylvanranth: Estranged. She once told him he had traded love for logic. He did not disagree.
- Blue Sylvanranth: Complicated. Dana keeps her distance, but watches her closely. Protective? Perhaps.
- Sir Beringer: Rivals in wit. There’s tension—some friendly, some less so. She’s hinted at knowing some of his past, but has never used it.
- Baron Orin Kharne: Respects him deeply. She chose him, not for status, but because she saw something noble. Possibly the only noble thing left.
- Naira Sylvanranth: Once allies in mischief, now strangers. She considers him lost, but not irredeemable.
- Elyndra Sylvanranth Mourned deeply. She keeps a small wooden carving of a star—her childhood symbol—tied in her satchel.
Rumors & Whispers
- She once threatened to duel a bishop who accused her of heresy. The bishop backed down.
- It’s said she has a private correspondence with someone high in House Allaric.
- Some suspect she’s keeping tabs on Blue not out of spite, but because Theron might use her.
- She refused a duchal heir's marriage offer. Twice.
Quote Collection
“Tell the king I serve Gorundia, not the pageantry.”
“You want my loyalty? Don’t flatter me. Earn it.”
“He taught me to calculate outcomes. I learned to weigh odds. But never, not once, did he teach me to grieve. So I had to learn that alone.”
Relationships
Year of Birth
1131 OR
99 Years old
Spouses
Siblings
Children
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