Gavriel Bayard
From Valwiki
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| Player: | Sinna. | |
| Title(s): | King,Lord Protectorate and Warden of Valikorlia, Former Knight Marshal of the Vanguard of Steel.. | |
| Age: | 33. | |
| Race: | Human. | |
| Eye Color: | Blue. | |
| Hair: | Auburn. | |
| Skin Tone: | Fair. | |
| Height: | 5'11. | |
| Weight: | 210 lbs. | |
| Alignment: | Lawful Good. | |
| “ | The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper. | ” | |
—Aristotle
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Personality
Gavriel will do good out of self respect and compassion for others. He does not feel it is ethical to do good out of fear of punishment or the desire to gain a reward. He is a man of the people, and almost always holds a calm demeanor, his warm personality makes him more approachable and well liked among the citizens. He puts a large amount of his faith in men, more so then in the Righteous. At times his sense of honor and chivalry causes him to stray from the bigger picture. However, his Consul and fellow Armsmen make up for that. The Knight Marshal is also well known for his "heart-raising" boisterous voice.
Lineage
Father - Gideon Bayard
Mother - Iola Baudry
Brother - Gareth Bayard
The Boy
“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.“
-Sir Siegmund Duncan to Gavriel.
Gavriel was born twenty-three years after the flood into a peasant family. His father left for the military when he was five years of age to fight in the Imperial Dalmar/Second Valikorlian Empire War. As a young boy he always tried to help his mother, as someone he cared about immensely, he heard her rambling on about trouble with finances. Out of compassion for his mother he attempted to steal a woman's handbag, after a lengthy chase he was caught by, and in a way saved by Sir Duncan the Firehearted, who called the rest of the guards off, walked him home, and discussed the situation with him and his mother. Sir Duncan saw that Gavriel did not steal the bag out of evil or greed, but out of compassion. To Bayard's surprise, Duncan asked him if he would like to become a Knight.
Squire
Many Knights were weary to take him as their Squire because of his peasant background and reputation. Bayard spent many years travelling from estate to estate working on different land owned by the Nobilty, mostly Knight-Landowners. He was squired by many, each Knight (or family) he was sent to had an impact on him and brought him many different perspectives instead of following the dogma of one Knight.
Sir Siegmund Duncan
The man mainly responsible for the Knighting of Gavriel. However, he could not squire Gavriel himself because he had promised to squire the first born of the De Lionnes. With no other Knights interested in Gavriel, he had him shipped off to basic .
Valikorlian Military
Here Bayard received basic training which developed his naturally talented, yet lacking of discipline, combat into a structured and disciplined one.
The First Knight; Rejection
Duncan was able to talk a Knight into taking Gavriel as his Squire, after several weeks the Knight decided he had no interest in Gavriel and he was shipped off yet again. It hit Gavriel hard and he questioned whether he would ever become a Knight.
Sir Yaroslav Yusupov
Being a foreigner from Dalmar, Yaroslav was also faced with great adversity during his path to Knighthood. He took Bayard in and taught him to never give up, that the best knights come from adversity because nothing is given to them, everything is earned. Sir Yaroslav took it to heart and had Bayard stripped of all clothing and equipment, he would have to earn it back during his time under Yaroslav.
Here Bayard was put under the cruel methods and training of the Dalmarite military. He'd have to fight to earn everything, even a meal, under the most harsh conditions. To earn his sword back, Bayard was sent to kill an ogre that terrorized the Knight's estate. Yaroslav only armed Bayard with a glass sword and his loins. Realizing he only had one shot or else the blade could shatter he had to be precise, and when facing the ogre, after a long series of evasive actions, he was able to cut it through the neck and defeat it.
This brought Gavriel great fame at a young age, and many other Knights took interest. After his training with Yaroslav was finished, the Knight suggested that he leave and train under some of his different Knight 'suitors', because he could only take Gavriel so far with the knowledge and skills he had.
The Buxton Estate
After receiving an invitation from the Buxton family, who had strong ties to the Taronian bloodline, Gavriel traveled to their estate and was well taken care of and well trained by, Robert Buxton.
There he learned all the tricks and tactics of mounted warfare among their famed Buxton Horses. During this time Gavriel and Robert's son Steven became close friends.
More to come.
Imperial War
"Boys, my body is old and broken. You are young, you have much to live for, don't let my death spoil your splendours. A father couldn't be more proud of his boys. You are my knights in shining armor. Now go, for my last request is to see my boys depart from this city safely."
-Gideon, to Gareth and Gavriel shortly before his death.
Heroes Fallen
During the Imperial War, Sir Yaroslav was stripped of his Knighthood when he spoke out against the Empire. Yaroslav joined back up with Imperial Dalmar. Gavriel met his former master on the battlefield and after a battle of epic proportions and high-running emotions, the apprentice laid waste to his former master.
Between the ages of seventeen and eighteen Gavriel fought alongside Gareth, and Gideon in the Imperial War. The trio fought together in favor of Valikorlia. When they were last called upon to defend Greendale, Gideon was mortally wounded by a crossbow bolt, he demanded that his boys leave him behind before the city was destroyed. Gareth departed from The Empire. Gavriel remained faithful and continued on his path to become a Knight.
Knighthood
Shortly after the Imperial War, Gavriel was knighted by King Cedric Alber before departing to find the Sword of Light.
Inspired Conflict
Bayard took part in the battle of Gatling Flats, and helped evacuate Esthras at the time of the Infintium.
Vanguard of Steel
After the Inspired Conflict he heard rumor of the formation of the Vanguard of Steel and that Sir Duncan, the man responsible for his Knighthood was leading it. He decided that he owed Sir Duncan his sword, and that the Vanguard is where he could get things done best for the Empire. He has gained a lot of respect and followers in the Vanguard because of his dedication to the group and was granted to sit on the Council. Eventually, Sir Duncan passed leadership of the Vanguard down to him.
The Peasant King
For years, Gavriel Bayard had served the Empire as the Knight Marshal of the Vanguard of Steel, the elite of the Empire's fighting forces. He works to eliminate the problems that threaten the people of Valikorlia and enlist those worthy into the Elite Vanguard of Steel. Gavriel he has become a symbol.
During the Vinnish invasion of Ganelon, a majority of the people made their call, their call for a King. Gavriel decided to answer the peoples call and form a New Kingdom of Valikorlia.
Now many more problems arise: Will the Empire heed to this Peasant King, or will endless civil war emerge? Can Gavriel defend his people from endless threats and emerge one of the great Kings of Valikorlia? Or is it all forfeit, will he and his people fail, and Valikorlia be smite with ruins?
Only time and events will unravel these questions.
Skills
Horse riding
Not only is Gavriel an exceptional rider, mostly due to his training from the Buxton family, but horseback riding is one of his favorite hobbies, he enjoyes the speed and adrenaline which ensues when he rides. He is able to use weaponry such as blades, javelins, lances, etc. while on horseback.
Combining his skills with a Buxton horse make him a deadly opponent.
Sword and Shield
Bayard's bread and butter when it comes to combat. He is also skilled in the use of javelins and spears.
Constitution
Gavriel's willpower goes a long way in this category, he can take numerous blows before being taken down. Some credit this to his burning passion for his kin and country.
Morale and Leadership
From Gavriel's striking sharp physique to his morale raising voice he is a symbol to the people of Valikorlia on and off the battlefield.
Quotes
On Theology
- "Thought of? Yes. Will I ever become a paladin? It is not my calling. I like to put my faith in men, and through men carry out deeds of good will and charity. The grit and courage of men can go a long way without the use of divine powers."
- "I -am- a man of faith. Simply because I do not put all of it into a deity does not mean I do no put my fair share of it into other things."
