Lord Wayland of Dowford
Lord Regent Wayland Dowford
“Lion’s Company, forward, Mac’Korak, level rifles, and provide cover fire!” Richard shouted, his voice echoing over the din of the dispersing Ashworth men. “Focus those returning to the Keep!”
“Lord Dolcaster!” The woman that approached him was unknown to him, dressed in Somer colors. He blinked at her unannounced approach, glancing to Brentwood, who looked at the woman steadily, as well. He didn’t know her, either, then. Thankfully, the woman seemed to remember herself, after a moment. “Alyssa Pentecost,” she introduced, as if uncaring of the breach in protocol. Understandable enough. The Pentecost branch was a minor family, a vassal of the Somers with only nominal monetary ties to their liege lord. Richard motioned loosely with his sword for her to continue. For just a single moment, there seemed to be a twinge of hesitation across the woman’s face. It quickly passed, however. “We found the Lord R...” she paused, clearly catching herself, “The Lord Dowford. Down by the Dragon’s Steps.”
Richard swallowed. Breathed out. “Captured?” He asks, keeping his voice steady. Calm. He tightened his grip around the hilt of his sword. He felt Brentwood’s eyes on him.
The woman shook her head. “Shot. Three times. Caught by one of the Dwarves, I’d suspect.”
“Dead?” He forced out the words. He forced his footsteps to stay even as he stepped toward her. He kept his breaths even. Eyes forward. Alyssa seemed to consider him for a moment.
“Soon. Bullets got him in the gut and chest.” There was another moment of hesitation, before she seemed to motion him to follow.
“Show me. Now.”
“My Lord—” Brentwood’s tone, to anyone else, would be only considering. Richard heard the hint of slight reproach. Richard ignored him, sheathing his sword, decisively. He heard Malrick call out, as well. He saw him lower his rifle. Richard shook his head.
“Lead, Angus. Malrick. I’ll be back, shortly. We will not lose this advantage. Especially if the Ashworths just lost their General.” He didn’t wait for an answer from either of the men. He just followed Alyssa.
It didn’t take long to find the Hound of the Mad King. He had been in the battle, where the fighting was thickest, protecting the entrance toward the Keep with blood and sweat. That didn’t surprise Richard. Wayland had always been the type to directly lead his men. The King had called it noteworthy. Richard had always called it naive.
He wondered, now, if it truly was so. Or if the other had known what might come. If he had wanted to die protecting his charges. Or, perhaps, die first.
Richard shook his head.
Wayland was resting against a wall of the stairway, leading to the entrance, still and pale. Blood pooled from his armor, even as he held at his stomach with one of his hands. A trail of red dripped down his mouth. Richard forced himself to stay stone-faced. The bullets had nicked a lung. Wayland looked out, his eyes at half-mast. Richard leaned down beside him, the sheath of his sword clinking upon the ground. He heard Wayland’s breath rattle in his chest.
“Richard.” His name was a hiss. He watched as Wayland's left hand trembled, almost seizing on the hilt of his blade. He didn’t have the strength to lift it. They both knew that. Richard just sighed.
“It’s over, Lord Dowford.” He watched, as the hand tightened on the hilt. He looked out, following the other’s gaze toward the ocean. There were no ships. There would be no ships. He knew what the other was searching for. He could tell the man about the five Florin vessels, all of which lacked colors, that they had already sunk. He could. He should, but something stopped his tongue. “It’s over.” He repeated.
Wayland flinched. “Don’t.” He whispered. “Let them go. They won’t come back. Let them go. Please...”
“The world must let go of its reliance on dead gods.”
“He’s a child.”
“He’s a symbol. The entire bloodline made sure of that. He is his house.”
“He is fourteen.”
“It must be done.”
“Don’t...” there was a frantic note in the other's voice. His hand left his sword, and he latched on to Richard’s arm with a firmness that almost surprised Richard. His nails dug into Richard’s wrist. The pain was a dull throb.
“Heavy is the Dragon’s Crown. It is time for it to fall, Lord Dowford.” Richard softened his voice, only for the other to hear. “It is time to let go, Wayland.”
“Lord Edmund...” the name was whispered. Richard wasn’t certain if he meant the dead father, or the soon-to-be dead son. The name hung in the air, almost in the form of a prayer. It rang with the same weight as the whispers their fellows uttered in prayer to the Sisters. The same echo that came from the cathedrals, as the populous prayed to the Lords of Good. So was the way that Wayland had always prayed to the dragons of old.
“Estelle—” The name was cut off. Broken. A pained whisper. As though Wayland knew the danger he wrought in uttering it.
Richard winced. He couldn’t stop it, at that point. Thankfully, no one was watching. Thankfully, no one had heard the other man. “No harm will come to Lady Ambroise.”
“You fool.” Wayland whispered. “You damned fool.”
Richard had nothing to say to that. Instead, he unsheathed his sword, and rose to his feet. “It is time to let go, Lord Dowford. May Maal judge you well.”
He watched as Wayland let go of his stomach. He watched as his bloodied hand reached up to grab at that golden scale pendant he wore. He slashed down before the other’s hand grasped it. He watched as Wayland’s eyes widened. He watched as his body stiffened. He watched as Wayland went still. As his hand fell, back to his chest.
Reaching down, Richard tore off the pendant from the other’s neck. Then, without a word, he turned away.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Wayland Dowford was born to Count Lionell and Rebecca Dowford at dawn on the first of Eliwus, 1635, in their country home of Broswick, in South Lovenrey. The first son of the couple, Wayland was a bright and eager child, blessed his father's ear for music, and his mother's tactical mind. He excelled at basic arithmetic, rhetoric, and language, startling many of his tutors with his dedication to the varied subjects. It was said that he could play both the harpsichord and lute by ear, and often accompanied his father for his performances during the winter sessions of Court. Therefore, it was of little surprise to anyone when Wayland was granted entry to the University of Garland at the age of twelve.
Surprising to many, however, Wayland had a difficult time at the start of his university career. Accustomed to the private instruction of the tutors from his parent's manor, it was reported that Wayland experienced a great amount of difficulty coming to grips with the larger classroom environments. He had a hard time connecting to his classmates. Most of the students from the University were from the city of Gravenwall, and were accustomed to the familial circles, which were foreign to those coming from outside the city. This changed, however, when Wayland enrolled in a sparing course at the behest of his mother, after she argued that he needed an avenue for protection, as the Long War was starting to drag into its first half-decade. The Goblins had begun encroaching on Imperial heartland, and numerous nobles had begun voicing concerns regarding Cadoran holdings on the Mainlands. Wayland's inexperience with the blade caused most of the other students to avoid him, forcing the instructor to pair him with one of her star pupils as a means to teach him more individually. This was the first meeting of Wayland and Richard of Dolcaster. Much like his previous experiences with his parent's hired tutors, Wayland exceeded expectations when given individual attention. By the end of his third year, he capable of nearly holding his own against Richard in the yearly Grand Duel, going toe to toe with his former mentor.
The friendship of the two only strengthened when both of their families entered the Long War. Despite the County of Dowford and the March of Dolcaster being relatively distant from each other, the two families both sent banner-men to protect Cadoran holdings on the Mainland, at the request of the King. Few of those stationed at Angers had any idea of the encroaching goblinoid force approaching them, as the vast majority of their scouts had been captured or killed in the two preceding days. Thus, the Battle of the Burning Fields started on the evening of the second Shalday of Morwen, in a bloodbath. The ill-prepared bannermen and cavalry of the Dolcasters, Gascons, and Hawkes quickly became overcome by initial strike of the goblinoid forces. Richard's older brother, Henry, was killed in the initial assault by hobgoblin elite forces. Richard's life, was only saved when a contingent of the University's mages, led by King Edmund III, himself, arrived via teleportation as reinforcements, having received word of the attack via the sending spell. During the counter-attack, Richard and Wayland rallied the remains of the original forces, and pushed toward their monarch. This maneuver saved the lives of countless men, as the King unleashed a wall of fire separating his forces from those of the Goblins, providing the battle its name. Multiple goblin alchemists and Terrors were caught in the blast, spreading the initial fire.
After the battle, Richard was forced to return home with his brother's remains. Wayland, however, stayed close to the King, leading the remains of the Dowford and Dolcaster men as a favor to his friend. Over the course of several more defensive battles, he gained Edmund's trust and acknowledgement, as they continued to fight alongside one another. By the time that the Accord was finalized, and the King progressed further inland to fight against the Goblins in Imperial lands, Wayland was a constant presence in his Inner Circle. It was stated that Wayland's place was made at the King's right-hand. Multiple accounts recall that, even after night fall, it was easy to find the two men together, discussing tactics for upcoming battles, or local customs with one another. While some dissonant whispers sparked at the seeming hording of the King's attention, Wayland initially took no secondary title, or official place at Edmund's side. This remained true throughout the War, until Estelle Ambroise was married to King Edmund III, in a lavish ceremony at the Grand Cathedral of Gravenwall. A few months after the ceremony, the King named Wayland his new Queen's, and Gravenwall's, protector. With this decree, Wayland stayed in Gravenwall until the end of the war, though not much has been recorded regarding Wayland's thoughts on the matter. What is known is that the birth of the Prince Edmund was met with much joy from Wayland. After the end of the war, it was said that Wayland became less the protector of the city, and more the protector of the Queen and her child, especially as the King slowly continued to fall to fits of paranoia.
Despite whispered fear and reservations, Wayland remained at the King's side throughout the White Scare, and he actively led forces against the Dwarves in the Dwarven Rebellion. While stationed in Dolcaster, in the Dwarven Rebellion, Richard and Wayland reunited in the conflict. The two men fought beside one another again, acting as the other's equal. While the King's harsh response to the Dwarven insurgence caused unease among them, Wayland returned to King Edmund's side, despite Richard's protests. There he stayed, until the Mad King's death in 1668. After the King's death, and the Prince's ascension, three factions arose in court regarding who would become the new King Edmund IV's Lord Protector. One was for the Lord Dowford, one was for the Lord Dolcaster, and one was for the Queen Mother. Estelle, however, finalized the decision for Lord Regent after relinquishing her potential position, despite her late husband's wishes, and throwing her support behind the Lord Dowford. To present day, it is unknown her exact reasoning for doing so.
The appointment caused already seeded unease and tensions to rise within the Kingdom of Cador. Debts that had gone unpaid since the Long War compounded upon the resentments sparked by the White Scare and Dwarven Rebellion. The War of the Crown was sparked by Lord Richard of Dolcaster calling for an end to the Ashworth royal line, citing the late King's previous actions and the new King's own slowness to recompense said measures. Lord Regent Wayland of Dowford fought to meet him in his King's stead while the Queen Mother attempted to send word to her family in Florin.
The combined might of the Dwarves and the families loyal to House Dolcaster managed to slowly beat back the Ashworth forces, until all came to a head at the Siege of Castle Gravenwall. During the Siege, Richard managed to convince close to two-thirds of the Griffon Riders to join his cause. The Riders quickly overpowered the remains of their loyal counterparts, and aided the Dolcaster forces in breaking through the arcane defenses around the Castle Gravenwall. Lord Wayland, having led the Ashworth Forces out to meet his former friend's, was grievously wounded in the initial attack on the castle. It was reported that Richard killed him, and took his Mark of Office, a golden dragon scale, to give as proof to the Queen Mother and young King.
Gender Identity
Male
Education
Lord Wayland of Dowford was given a nobleman's education. He was taught for years by tutors that his father provided, and excelled in numerous subjects. It was stated that he had his mother's mind when it came to learning, and that he thoroughly enjoyed discovering new subjects. He had a fondness for arithmetic, music, and rhetoric, and that he favored debating with knowledgeable opponents. While he disliked the convolutions of politics, he did enjoy the give and take of scholarly debates regarding matters of the Kingdom and economic pursuits. It was well known that he played the lute with ease, and that he would occasionally do so for a crowd, when plied with enough wine and cheer.
Wayland was also well versed in languages, having picked up Imperial during his time abroad during the Long War, and Florin during his appointment as the Protector of the Royal Family. It was also reported that he could at least understand and read Draconic, though whether or not he was able to ever speak is a mystery.
Employment
Wayland was forever loyal to the Ashworth line, and was employed by them for this reason. He acted as King Edmund's second-in-command in numerous battles, and was granted the position of Protector of the City of Gravenwall during the King's final attacks on the Goblin forces. After the birth of the prince, Wayland stepped down from his position as the Gravenwall's Protector, and instead became the Protector of the Royal Family. This position, he kept for multiple years, even as the king's mental health degraded. He kept this title throughout the White Scare, and the Dwarven Rebellion, even as he fought and commanded troops in it.
After King Edmund III's mysterious death, Wayland was appointed as Lord Regent by the Queen Mother.
Accomplishments & Achievements
He was a hero of the Long War, having taken part in leading the Battle of the Burning Fields, the Siege of the Castor's Hold, and the Defense of Hamburg. He led both the Dowford and the Dolcaster men in these fights, having taken up the temporary mantle of commander for the Dolcaster men after Richard was forced to return home with his brother's body.
Wayland was also granted the title of Protector of the Royal Family nearing the end of the war, after the marriage of King Edmund III to Lady Estelle Ambroise. After the King's death, he was made Lord Regent by Queen Mother Estelle Ashworth, until the time that her son came of age to rule. While acting as Lord Regent, he also took up the position of General to the Ashworth and loyalist armies, during the War of the Crown. Even throughout the war, he spent the rest of his life attempt to right the wrongs that the previous king had made. While he failed in this regard, even some of his opponents saw him as more of a well-meaning, yet tragic, figure, held back by his loyalty to a corrupt and vestigial institution. To this day, King Richard I has not removed the statue of the Lord Dowford that had been placed in the castle gardens as a celebration for his accomplishments as Gravenwall's Protector.
Failures & Embarrassments
It was reported that Wayland and the Queen both attempted to pressure King Edmund III into reaching out to the neighboring Druidic Circles during the White Scare. They managed to contact said circles, though the druids were barred entry from the city upon their arrival by royal decree. Their collective inability to convince their liege to value the lives of his subjects during the White Scare was a stain on both of their public perceptions.
Wayland's failure to manage the country was also one of the impetuses toward the War of the Crown. While Wayland was a brilliant tactician, and skilled debater, he had little actual training in managing a country, and had a difficult time connecting to collective peoples on a grand scale. He had always been made a follower, rather than a true leader, and thus stumbled heavily when not provided someone to report to. As such, he was unable to pressure or lead the country into a more stable reign. He was reported to have told the Lady Catherine Hawke that he had wished the Queen Mother had instead chosen to rule as Regent.
Mental Trauma
The death of the Mad King was a very traumatic experience for Lord Wayland. To present day, it is unknown how King Edmund III died, though it had been rumored that the Lord Regent may have had a hand in his death. Wayland never spoke to anyone besides, perhaps, the Queen Mother, regarding what happened. The Queen Mother was also silent regarding the events.
Wayland's inability to stop the War of the Crown was reported to have placed a great amount of strain and guilt upon him. Nearing the end of his reign as Lord Protector, during what little free time he had, he was often found to be in the Queen Mother's apartments, or in the Grand Cathedral of Gravenwall, praying.
It has also been rumored that his death, (and the subsequent deaths of his charges, the Queen Mother and King Edmund IV) may have been so traumatic to him that it led to the Haunting of Castle Gravenwall's West Wing. However, unlike the tales of the White Lady, the Lord Regent's apparition is reported with far less frequency.
Morality & Philosophy
Wayland was wholeheartedly devoted to the Ashworth line. It was reported that he considered King Edmund III to be more akin to a walking aspect of a God than a mortal man, though it is said that he still prayed to the Lords of Good. This perspective may have led to his ultimate capitulation to the King in matters of the White Scare and Dwarven Rebellion; he remained steadfastly loyal to his King. As such, he seemed to value loyalty over reason with regard to the Absolute monarchy, much to the approval of his King's loyal followers.
With that being said Wayland was a fan of many of Queen Estelle's more liberal-minded pursuits in the city of Gravenwall. He supported her dedication to reestablish the arts and sciences within Gravenwall, and fund more non-military pursuits in the University of Garland. He was a major financial backer of many musicians, and even some reported bards. He also promoted partnerships with Imperial and Florin diplomats, having established a firm friendship with former Elven General of the City Guard, Hans Kirstenson during his time in the Long War.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Wayland's first ever true friend was Lord Richard of Dolcaster. They met at the University of Garland and became fast companions, writing to each other constantly. They fought together, both in the Long War, and in the Dwarven Rebellion. In the Long War, Richard even asked Wayland to lead his men so that he could return to the Isle in order to bury his brother. After the Dwarven Rebellion, however, the friendship between the two soured. Richard felt betrayed by and angered at the Mad King, due to his younger sister's death at the hands of the King's men in the White Scare, and the treatment of the Dwarves after The Long War, and their failed rebellion. Richard believed that the Dwarves would not have had reason to rebel had the King simply fulfilled his promise to make them citizens of Cador, after the Long War's end. Wayland, however, remained loyal to his King, and defended Edmund III's actions. The two parted on bad terms after the the end of the Rebellion, and did not speak to one another until the end of the War of the Crown.
King Richard I, Present Lord of Cador
While Wayland was incredibly loyal to the Ashworth line, it was easy to say that he was closest to the Queen Estelle. The two quickly became one another's companion during the last few years of the Long War, and they often acted as each other's buffer and support against the King's more emotional or outrageous decisions during his final years. While Wayland supposedly chaffed at being called the King's Hound, such disagreement was not noted when he was called the Queen's Falcon. Together, they acted as a united front to shield the Prince Edmund from the majority of his father's condition. They only seemed to grow closer to the other after the Mad King's death, as the Queen Mother stepped down from her potential position as Regent, in order to give the title to the Lord Dowford. These actions have often led to the speculation that the two were closer than friends, however such has never been confirmed.
The Queen Mother, Estelle Ashworth
Given the Lord Regent's closeness with the Queen, it was not surprising that he had close relationship with the Prince Edmund, soon to be King Edmund IV. When he was young, the Prince reportedly adored the Lord Dowford, and was reported to have asked numerous times to be the Lord's squire. As he grew older, this idolization cooled, slightly, especially once Edmund was named King. However, the teen showed a healthy amount of respect for the other man's opinions, and was reported once to have considered Lord Dowford "...As one might a father." It was reported that the young King handled the news of the Lord Dowford's death at the hands of Lord Richard of Dolcaster very poorly.
The Last Dragon King, Edmund IV
Family Ties
Wayland was known to be quite close to both of his parents, Lionell and Rebecca Dowford. Throughout his professional career, he took the time to visit their estate at least once every year. He was also close to his younger brother Fergus, and his wife Cynthia. He purchased them a winter home in Gravenwall, a building that still stands in the Castle Ward despite the wars. Both Fergus and Cynthia fled after the Siege of Castle Gravenwall.
Despite his status, and position as the firstborn son and heir of the Dowford household, Wayland never married. Even during the war, numerous betrothal requests and meetings were sent to his lodgings, though almost all of them were returned, unopened. It was said that his mother attempted to arrange a betrothal for her son after the end of the Long War.The young woman, Lady Genevieve Westwater, a close friend of the Queen, backed out of the arrangement at Lord Wayland Dowford's request.
Religious Views
Wayland was a religious man, though his views on religious matters differed from most of the nobles. Unlike many of the nobles of Gravenwall, Wayland was fond of the Lords of Good, rather than the Sisters. He was reported to have grown more devout during his friendship with the Queen Estelle.
While he was faithful, Wayland also had a respect that bordered on religious for the Architects of Kings, specifically for the Bright Lord Xoddrem, and the Bright Lord's progeny, Xandolin the Bronze. This devotion and admiration was then transitioned to their derived houses. He viewed the Ashworths as beings from a bygone era, living relics worthy of adoration and respect. This respect was especially true of Edmund III, while Wayland's position as Regent might have lessened this effect for Edmund IV.
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Life
1635
1677
Circumstances of Birth
Born to the esteemed Dowford Family in their Manor in South Lovenrey
Circumstances of Death
Personally executed by King Richard I, the Red King, after the Siege of Castle Gravenwall
Children
Current Residence
It is unknown where the Lord Dowford was buried.
Eyes
Hazel
Hair
Brown; generally worn around his shoulders
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale; fair complexion
Height
6'0"
Weight
170
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
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