Sir Daran Velric

Sir Daran Velric

"A prince must have more than clever words and polished advisors. He needs steel, and someone who knows when to draw it." — Sir Daran Velric

Full Name: Sir Daran Velric Title: Knight of the Royal Household Assignment: Crown Prince’s Honor Guard Born: 1195 Age: 35 Heritage: Oeridian, noble-born minor house from the central duchies

Overview

Sir Daran Velric is a veteran of Gorundia’s frontier campaigns and now serves as one of the Crown Prince’s foremost royal knights, leading his personal honor guard and acting as both bodyguard and martial advisor. Loyal, measured, and direct, Sir Daran is a man of action over rhetoric, the embodiment of knightly duty stripped of courtly embellishment.

He hails from a modest noble line known more for battlefield merit than political prominence. His knighthood was earned through valor, not lineage, and his steady rise to prominence in the prince’s service is a testament to his discipline, skill, and unwavering loyalty.

Role and Duties

Sir Daran’s primary role is to safeguard Crown Prince Porthos Ryomar—both in the court and on campaign. He oversees the prince’s personal guard, advises on military strategy, and accompanies him on official travel. While he is rarely involved in political maneuvering, his presence is a symbol of strength and legitimacy, especially when Porthos needs to remind others that he is not only heir to a crown, but a warrior by proxy.

Daran also conducts regular drills and readiness reviews for the royal household guard, ensuring that no enemy—physical or otherwise—catches the prince unprepared.

Personality & Traits

Sir Daran is a man of calm temperament and practical wisdom, known for his dry wit and a quiet confidence earned through experience. Though not cold, he is rarely warm—choosing respect and professionalism over familiarity, even among the prince’s inner circle.

He is known to speak plainly, even to royalty, and the prince tolerates this bluntness because it is always laced with loyalty.

"I’ll die for him if I must. But if I do, he’d better win. Otherwise it’s just a waste of a good sword." — Sir Daran Velric

Combat Style

A veteran of multiple border campaigns, Sir Daran is a master of heavy cavalry tactics and disciplined infantry command. In single combat, he favors a longsword and heater shield, and wears polished plate armor marked with the royal sigil. He fights with methodical precision—no wasted movement, no showmanship—just clean, efficient violence.

He is also known for his ability to command under pressure, rallying soldiers with quiet authority rather than grand speeches.

Relationship with the Prince

While not close friends, Daran and Porthos share mutual respect. The prince values Daran’s integrity and martial reliability, while Daran appreciates the prince’s discipline and ambition—even if he doesn’t always agree with his political views.

Unlike many courtiers, Daran does not flatter or fawn. His loyalty is not to Porthos the politician, but to Porthos the future king, and he sees it as his duty to prepare the prince for the harsher realities of leadership.

Final Thoughts

Sir Daran Velric stands as the shield beside the throne, a man who believes in duty over glory, and protection over politics. He is not flashy, but he is trusted, proven, and ever vigilant—the kind of knight every prince needs, whether he knows it or not.