Lorcan Laoch

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Chivalry, when uncorrupted, is a life of sacrifice. It is in that life in which I desire to make myself a name.

~ Lorcan Laoch ~

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Search for Chivalry

Born to the small Laoch family in Rivertown, after his three older brothers Brian, Oisin, and Connor, Lorcan knew from an early age what his aspirations were. To become a knight. His father, Brian Laoch had lived as a decorated and humble military officer many years ago, and Lorcan hoped to live up to that name one day. However, it seemed as if his older brothers were destined for that honor. Not him.
From a young age, twelve, Lorcan knew Gregory Boulderdash, a noble of Enendale who'd studied magic. They'd met one day when Lorcan's family had visited the capital, and Lorcan had snuck off to spy on the stables at the Boulderdash estate, envisioning the horses like wyverns. It made him think about the Wyvern Riders that he always heard stories about; he especially wanted to become one of those.
He was stopped when Gregory had caught him, of course. However, they became good friends because of it; good friends that did not see each other for long time after Lorcan returned home.
When their father's earned land was inherited to his children, Lorcan had received none of it, something which earned him the nickname, "Lackland". Sure, it initially stung to feel left out, but in the end Lorcan didn't care. He didn't care, because on his sixteenth birthday, his mother, Cathleen Laoch gifted Lorcan his father's old sword and shield that he had wielded through all his years of service. He didn't care about land, because shortly after, he left and ventured to become a squire and a knight errant.
It was a decision that left his oldest brother, Brian Laoch Jr. very frustrated.

Out in the Empire

Out on his own, Lorcan came into the service of a dwarf named Liam Perennis. He was a blacksmith from Kor who Lorcan remained with for several months. From him, Lorcan learned the craft of smithing, and ended up crafting the very set of chain mail he wore from that day onward. Alongside Liam, Lorcan made a small name for himself in that small city at the time. But, feeling his instinct pushing him elsewhere, he then left Liam's service with a hearty goodbye.
Coming to Enendale, Lorcan met Gregory again after being apart for five years. Lorcan was welcomed into the Boulderdash estate, and upon his first steps into their foyer, he met the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Theresa Boulderdash, Gregory's sister was a woman who he became infatuated with at first sight.
Yet, he did not interact with her, realizing he was a peasant and she was a noble. She was out of his league, and he had no right to think such things. Even so, that warmth was still there.
Lorcan so desperately wanted to impress the young woman, but feeling as much a novice now as when he'd left his home, he wasn't sure what to do. Lorcan wondered how obvious these feelings were to everyone, because Gregory caught on very quickly and made an offer to Lorcan that he couldn't refuse. On that day, Lorcan was sworn in as a squire under Gregory Boulderdash.
A practicing wizard and an aspiring swordsman. It was a combo that Lorcan enjoyed the thought of.
Shortly after becoming a squire, Lorcan found an opportunity in the ranks of the Imperial Corps. For the next half a year, Lorcan returned to Kor where he began his military training at its numerous legion camps. The training was rough, and he was mocked on a few occasions by other legionnaires who assumed he'd never live up to the prestige of the sword and shield he carried. But, he carried on.
When his training finished, he expected to be dispatched to one of the many legions across the empire. Such was the normal process for a newly trained legionnaire. However, he was surprised when he was assigned back to the Boulderdash House in the capital.
It was something he suspected Gregory had something to do with.

The Tenelean Incursors

Nevertheless, he was a legionnaire and a squire underneath the good friend of his. And by that point, he and Gregory were summoned to join a special unit with a special purpose.
A second war had just broken out between the empire and everywhere else. Lorcan saw the logic in inviting someone like Gregory Boulderdash to a special forces unit, but for Lorcan to receive the same thing was truly a mystery.
He didn't shy away from this opportunity, though. This could be the surest way to become a Wyvern Rider. This could be the one thing he needs to feel worthy of courting Theresa. This could be the doorway to becoming something like his father was.
In the Tenelean Incursors, this could be the greatest moments of his life.

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Every night, I feel more and more doubtful Lorcan will return home. He never should have left; he's just going to get himself killed.

~ Brian Laoch Jr. ~

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Year of Birth

1549 AC

Aligned Organization

Tenelea

Sword and Shield

Someone may as well have gotten Lorcan a wedding ring, because in the past five minutes, he and the mud had become well acquainted.
Half his eyesight was blocked by the wet earth in his face. He could barely see his father's sword and shield still gripped in his hands, half-submerged in the ground drenched from the downpour around him. There was a sharp burn in his legs as he staggered back onto his feet.
With the back of his left hand, Lorcan wiped as much of the mud from his face as he could. When the hand pulled away, he also saw red mixed with the brown.
"You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Lorcan's eyes focused as hard as they could on his opponent in front of him. The man was taller than him by a large margin, and as he'd learned in these moments, much stronger too. Aulus' clothes were also not nearly as mud-ridden as Lorcan's.
Deep down, Lorcan could feel the fatigue brushing against his mind, whispering to him to just give up, to feel the relief of not having to fight anymore. But, he visibly shook his head and banished those thoughts.
He had been training half a year for this very moment. He'd endured countless ridicule for this very chance to prove everyone otherwise. A legionnaire's final test of approval ended with a duel between another training legionnaire. The victor gained the privilege of joining the Imperial Corps. The loser had to suffer their training all over again.
No matter how many times he hit the ground, Lorcan would not - could not - stay down.
Of all the people who'd belittled him, Aulus had proven himself worse than all the others. Based off his question, Lorcan surmised now was a perfect opportunity for Aulus to unleash everything.
Either Lorcan won, or Aulus did. But, Aulus was going to have fun doing so.
Gathering all the strength in his arms he could, he raised his sword and shield against Aulus. "Tenelean's never quit. And neither did my father!"
Aside from the raging rain, the training ground's observers were dead silent. Lorcan doubted anyone thought he was going to win. They more wondered how long he would last.
"There's only one man here who will live up to their father!" Aulus taunted, charging with his sword at Lorcan.
In retaliation, Lorcan raised his shield, barely deflecting the sword as Aulus' body crashed into him. For a few seconds, the two were locked against each other, their noses inches from the other.
Finally, Aulus broke away, giving Lorcan a chance to collect his footing while Aulus backed up, preparing for another charge.
"That shield was a weapon in your father's hands, not in yours!" Aulus shouted. "Block with it all you want, in the end you'll just break it!" And Aulus charged.
But, in that split second, Aulus' taunts had given Lorcan an idea.
A weapon... block with it... a weapon... Those thoughts circulated through him as it shined a light in his head. Hopefully it would work.
Aulus sprinted through the mud, sword and shield positioned to attack. Lorcan raised his sword high into the air as if to strike right as Aulus closed the distance. As Lorcan hoped, Aulus' sword and shield instinctively began to move to cover Locan's blade. That was when he moved all his strength into his left arm which held the shield.
Curling his fingers into a fist, he launched the side of the shield straight for Aulus' face like a punch.
There was a crack as shield hit skull. Aulus hit the ground for the first time. And a lightning bolt struck the distant mountain sides.

The youngest son of Brian Laoch bested my oldest? How interesting.

~ Decimus Scahl