Name: Ciardric, Son of Caenric
Age 36
Clan: Ethias

 

 

Background:

 

Grandson to a Dunlending (sympathises with Dunlenders) although this is not spoken of within the clan beyond his immediate family. His Grandfather took the unusual step of acknowledging ownership of Caenric when his mother approached him publicly and alone save with babe in arms.

 

Has history of befriending/courting a Dunlender in his early teens before being sent away to Gondor to know the difference between men and Dunlendings

 

Returned from Gondor in his late 20s after serving some time in its military to take his place as an eored patrol rider, though his return was met with little merriment within the clan beyond a few friends and more forgiving family members.

 

Although a rider, in current times his duties allow a main occupation as a woodsman and small blade to longsword metalsmithing hobbyist

 

 

Aware that he will soon start slipping away from his physical peak so spends more time honing his skills as a woodsman to maintain his fitness and his usefulness to kinsmen.

 

His time within patrols has seen itself reduced as younger riders gain more experience, though on occasion he will find himself called upon to lend his own experience to others.

 

Rarely seen as someone to one day take on formal authority. Rumours are enough, though no rumours agree with one another, to prevent serious consideration to acknowledge Ciardric's service beyond that already given.

 

However in times of desperation or when no others are able to take a stand, Ciardric invariably does step forward to leadership without little obstruction from anyone else, though cedes such command quickly and without comment once the situation changes.

 

Perhaps one day the rumours will abate or diminish in significance as deeds take their place. Perhaps not.

 

Attitude:

 

His childhood was crueller than most and this has left him with a strangely apathetic approach to life, though not without firm principles on the responsibilities of the individual and (perhaps in part because of his heritage, though certainly from his time in Gondor) a more liberal and fair minded approach to foreigners. That said he is certainly suspicious of the unnatural, but brave enough to hide from sight in its presence and observe rather than flee. As such he has indeed seen elves - and was possibly seen himself by them on the few occasions that this occurred, though they made no move against him - but has struggled to form any useful opinion about them other than they do not share the same place in the world as the Eorlingas, but do not seem to offer threat though they certainly could if they so wished (and perhaps that wish might one day come true for all Ciardric knows!).

 

Skills:

 

Specialised towards his place at the outskirts of civilisation. He is able to forage and hunt efficiently, though more notable are the few signs that he leaves behind (perhaps the reason why he was able to observe elves and other unnatural happenings).

 

As a rider he is able to use the spear with competence upon horseback and join the charge of the Horse Lords, though his skills as a scout in heavy undergrowth and forest has meant that a shorter blade and sword are his preference whilst on foot (and indeed he holds an affectation towards this style of combat, savouring examples of both types of weapon to the point that he has taken to fashioning his own).

 

His relationship with Ciardha has meant that she will remain content to stand idly in environments that must frighten other steeds without his immediate presence being obvious (she assumes he is nearby even when he is not, but is trained not to call for him). This benefits Ciardric at times where he must go on by foot to maintain the element of surprise should the ground become too difficult to remain mounted. Ciardha's rare breeding and a particular prize for orcs despite her stunted size also make her a prize decoy, usable to quickly deviate a few orcs from their large group, suiting Ciardric's fast ambush approach and combat style.

 

Name of Steed:
Ciardha - undersized black light steed

 

 

Steed's background: On his return journey from Gondor, Ciardric was gifted a relatively rare Rohirric black filly (a small breeding line derived from the original Rohirric stock before it was depleted though since maintained by a Gondor breeder). However the filly was sickly and not expected to survive except at Ciardric's intervention who begged mercy and an offer of his own care, which was granted to him by the breeders in recognition as one of the famed Eorlingas and perhaps a helping hand towards re-establishing the line in the Mark. Ciardric successfully nursed the filly to health and named her Ciardha, their almost familial bond having rapidly established. Sadly her growth was ultimately stunted by her illness.

 

Ciardha's attributes: Light steed highly agile though not as fast as other light varieties, trained and suited to Ciardric's specialised role as a scout in wooded areas/ambush/counter ambush.