Richard 'the Formidable' Whitemount
High Earl Richard Whitemount, the Formidable
Richard Whitemount, known as 'the Formidable' following his military campaigns in Tembra, was the high earl of Dregonvell and the father of Edward and Amelie Whitemount, as well as their deceased older brother Cassian. Known for his stern and unloving personality, his was a renowned military commander and ruled Dregonvell with an iron fist during his tenure. He is admired greatly as a high earl but less favourably as a father by his children.
Appearance and Character
Richard was formidable both in build and in personality. A tall and broad man, he commanded the attention of anyone in the room. His chin was chiseled and his jaw defined. He had a thick, light brown beard and very short hair that he shaved regularly. He rarely smiled and carried apparent disdain for any he perceived to be unworthy of his time or affection, most notably his son Edward. He believed strongly that great men can only be forged in fire, and aimed to fuel the fire that would forge his children. He earned immense respect from his vassal as well as the other lords of Eremere, including the king. He was one of the greatest military commanders of his lifetime, barely losing a battle. He was stubborn and occasionally cruel, never backing down from an argument or taking no for an answer. Clifford Tarnell, Richard's brother-in-law, held a personal contempt for him due to the way he treated his sister. Lord Tarnell never forgave Richard for not telling him of Maria's death.Mental characteristics
Personal history
Richard was born in 922 to High Earl Edric Whitemount and his wife Festalia Endinstead, daughter of an earl from Birkenseed.
when Edric's health began to falter in the early 940s, he ordered his council to find Richard a suitable wife. In 944, they procured the 16-year-old Maria Tarnell, Lady of Lylelor. It was a politically brilliant match, as both parties ruled high earldoms. Personally, however, it was disastrous. The rude and proud Richard and the fragile and timid child seen in Maria were not well-matched, and their marriage proved incredibly unhappy. Richard viewed Maria as weak and pathetic, and he deliberately frightened her.
In 945 their first child was born. They named him Cassian, and his mother doted on him. Richard thought this damaging to his son's upbringing, and separated them as best he could.
In 947 Edric died, leaving Richard as the high earl. He ruled well, mainly using his temper to keep his vassals in line. He did, however, garner the admiration and respect of his vassals, and some would say fear was only one half of his rule.
In 951 and 954, Richard and Maria had Edward and Amelie Whitemount respectively. They were never the child that Cassian was in either of their parents' eyes, and Richard starved them of affection in a bid to raise two hardened and stoic children.
In 959, while exploring the woods near Knightsmire with his brother Edward, Cassian died in an accident. The details exist only with Edward, who refused to speak of it. It destroyed his mother, who Richard kept confined to her chambers. In 966, however, she escaped from her confinement and leapt from a window; the fall killed her instantly. Embarassed by his wife's disgrace, Richard had her buried quickly. He didn't tell Edward, who was a squire in Beaucroft, nor did he tell Maria's family, the Tarnells.
In 972, Richard invaded Springmore in what became known as Richard's War for the Rush. Richard claimed that Ambrose Brawnby, the High Earl of Springmore, had promised him the Rush, on the Dregonvell border, in return for aid Richard gave in the Wars of the Wilted Rose. After an immensely successful initial attack, Richard died in his siege camp of stiff fever. He was succeeded by his son Edward, who ended the war immediately.
Relationships
House
House Whitemount
Father
Edric Whitemount
Mother
Festalia Endinstead
House Whitemount
Father
Edric Whitemount
Mother
Festalia Endinstead
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Species
Ethnicity
Life
922 ATD
973 ATD
51 years old
Circumstances of Death
Died of stiff fever
Spouses
Maria Whitemount
(spouse)
Siblings
Gender
Male
Comments