Baradir
Oct 23, 2018 6:20:12 GMT -5
Post by Baradir on Oct 23, 2018 6:20:12 GMT -5
.The Facade.
Character Name: Baradir
Name Meaning: Tower/Fortress
Age: 37
Date of Birth: 2974
Race: Man
Residence: Peraglir/Minias Tirith/Lossarnach
Profession: Soldier (Autherdir/Colonel)
Appearance: Baradir is a large man, standing at 6'4, and weighing in at nearly 250 pounds of muscle, he is a monster of a man who lives up to his namesake of Fortress. His face is weathered and grim, his eyes a deep, fierce brown that convey his stalwart and unfaltering nature. His face is marked by scars from the blades of many a Harad warrior who have fallen trying to best him in combat, and is further marked by a well trimmed beard that skirts his jawline. His hair black, it is marked with grey hair that his wife finds attractive, he keeps his hair short, and remains well groomed, even in the inhospitable lands of South Gondor.
Usually adorned in armor displaying the sigil of the white tree, Baradir rarely dresses fashionable, sticking to simple colored tunics, he does have a few fancier outfits in lavish colors that his wife picked out for him for more regal or prestigious encounters; Baradir often likens such fancy outfits to a polished turd, and is beyond uncomfortable in them. At the same time he is often covered in dog hair, as he owns, and lives with a pack of hounds that accompany him both to battle and on hunting trips; sometimes to the annoyance of everyone else around him. Armed with a grim face, Baradir rarely offers any show of personality on his face, save for his frustration or annoyance with a scowl, making a smile from him all the more unnatural and unnerving to those that may see it.
Personality: Baradir is a complex man, forged in the fires of conflict, he is the embodiment of a career soldier from the land of the white tree. Having fought and served since he was old enough to pick up a blade, Baradir has seen more than his fair share of conflict, the man left hardened in the wake of adversity. His time and service affording him a no nonsense attitude, often making him a disciplinarian, he is harsh but not cruel. He is the man that is both feared and respected by his subordinates, and while he lacks the charisma of others he strives to lead by example and merit.
However Baradir lacks an ability to convey emotion easily, he speaks in a monotone nature, and his face is almost always either scowling or keep in a neutral, blank stare. Some have joked that the man has no emotions what so ever, or is incapable of feeling, this is just not true. While he rarely raises his voice, when he does it will often quickly quiet a room and grab the attention of all around him. He is blunt, but honest in his wording, and is never afraid to say it like it is. While he will not be captivating an audience of nobles anytime soon, his wisdom is often sought after.
While slow to anger, he is quick to be frustrated with things out of his control, and while he has difficulty showing it, Baradir deeply loves his family. His wife, Athlena is the love of his life, and his children are perhaps his most treasured possession. His wife is often considered the opposite of Baradir, being from the land of Rohan, she is very free spirited, passionate, vocal, quick tempered, and otherwise almost everything he is not personality wise, but in this case opposites attract.
A man of martial prowess, he values honor, integrity, and strength. He loathes weakness, deceit, and dishonesty in people, and has often sat atop his horse and pondered the workings of a lowly farmer in Gondor. Unlike his brother who embodies a carefree attitude, Baradir is very meticulous, he plans things out in advance, and is very prompt, often arriving 15 minutes early to meetings or gatherings.
Baradir is not a believer in fate or destiny, he believes that the individual forges their own future, and places great merit in decision making. All actions carry consequences, and none should be made in haste. A skilled commander with a great grasp on military tactics and strategy, he places a strong emphasis on conventional methods. He believes in the fluidity of battle, and that for one to be successful, individual commanders must be able to make, within reason, their own decisions in the face of battle. This design to minimize micro-management ensures a far more effective fighting force on the tactical level. At the same time Baradir plans out each move, though his experiences have made him anything but slow to react, if he chooses not to capitalize on a new initiative it is because he believes it to not be worth it.
He pushes his men to their limits, and will drill them, him alongside them, until they have mastered their art; however no one is a master. As such he believes that discipline and training will carry the day, not passion or emotion. He strives to lead by example, and place himself in the same situations as his subordinates; he has been recalled several times by higher authorities for leading from the front.
Baradir is also conflicted, by his sense of duty, of his service to Gondor, and his disdain for the Steward's lack of action in trying to push the enemies of Gondor back, to reclaim their kingdom, and to make Gondor great once more. While he does not voice his opinions, as he still acknowledges proper social structure and tact. He would see the realm mobilized for war to begin pushing the forces of Mordor back, whatever the cost; it is the job of a soldier to fight and die as said in the oath taken.
He often chastises his wife for her desire to consult an oracle about important matters.
Parents: Ceberion-Father Hernoril-Mother
Sibling(s): Beriedir
Spouse: Athlena
Children: Amarthaniel (15), Berendir (11), Idril (9),
History: Baradir was born the eldest child and eldest son of noble refugees of Ithilien who had fled their lands in 2954 with the resurgence of power in Mordor. The family continued their noble status and lifestyle, but they had waned in status with the loss of their lands, though they did find new success in the merchant trade. Baradir was afforded a very enjoyable life, he was tutored, educated, and never went to bed hungry. As he got older Baradir would find himself tasked with watching over his younger brother, Beriedir, who was far more adventurous and troublesome than he was; he would often have to come to the aid of his younger brother and beat up some of the bigger kids for him.
As he became a young adult, Baradir took a different path, he joined the Army, with his noble background affording him some favor within its ranks, and his desire to serve, he left home at the young age of 16. His lineage assured him a role as an officer within the Army, and Baradir found himself in the infantry, the less glamorous of roles when compared to the cavalry, the young man still took to it all the same. He would spend nearly a year training as a junior officer before receiving his first posting as a subordinate support officer to a Captain in Cair Andros. Baradir would spend another two years under the tutelage of Captain Berenor, where he would quickly learn all he could about being an officer.
His time in in the Army would see him grow apart from the rest of his family, as he would routinely be sent to the far corners of the realm. He would routinely face off against orcs, honing his skill as a fighter, he would learn how to fight in rank and file and quickly come understand the importance of such a fighting formation, as the shield wall became a near impenetrable formation against most anything Mordor could throw at it. The shield wall being a more flexible and adaptable formation when compared to the older phalanx, Baradir became a prime proponent of this in his later years. After three years Baradir would receive his first command, a young Lieutenant, he would travel South and command a platoon of soldiers, he would continuously find himself in conflict with the Harad, a people he grew to loathe as time went by. For his service in the South he was promoted to Captain after two years, and would actually join a retinue of military advisers dispatched to Rohan. With his fresh victories against the Harad, Baradir was beginning to earn a name for himself within certain circles, and was a prime candidate to speak on the matter of infantry tactics against unconventional forces.
It would be during his trip to Edoras that he would lay eyes on the woman that would become his wife, Athlena, a simple daughter of a blacksmith, the young Baradir was surprisingly captivated by her beauty. While the initial encounter did not go well, his persistence finally began to wear her down. This was also to much annoyance to Athlena's father, who did not take kindly to his daughter beginning to show interest in a Gondorian of all people, much less with all the offerings Edoras had. Never the less Baradir would court the woman during his four month stay at Edoras, and would write her as often as he could when he returned to Gondor . In perhaps an exceptionally rare turn of events Baradir, after almost a year of courting her, convinced Athlena to come to Minas Tirith, and we're wed a short time later in a very unconventional ceremony; Athlena's father was still less than thrilled. Their first child, Amarthanie would be born in 2996, while named by her mother, she took more from her father's side of the family, and quickly became Baradir's favorite; he would often bring her, and later her siblings, a gift from wherever he was stationed when he would return home. However it was no secret that Athlena was not settling into life at Minas Tirith very well, which was a culture shock to her compared to her life at Edoras, and Baradir would do everything in his power to afford his family a proper lifestyle, despite his wife's instance that she follow him. Baradir would often travel with his family back to Edoras, as often as he could, where he would often be the outsider in a land of horse people.
After the birth of their son in 3000, Baradir moved his family away from the capitol, though he would maintain a house there for himself, he would purchase a fairly large amount of land in Lossarnach, as well as several horses for his wife, going as far as Rohan to secure the best horses. This would cost Baradir a large amount, however he never once regretted his decision, and it certainly made his wife a much happier woman. She would remain head of household, sort a strange occurrence in Gondor, while Baradir was away. His marriage to a woman of Rohan would garner him some criticism from other nobles and socialites, many of whom expected him to continue the legacy of Gondor and marry within the realm, especially to increase his own social standing.
Baradir would continue to remain fighting in the South against raiding forces of Harad, he would on occasion venture North to the border of Ithilien to combat infestations of orcs, the bulk of his service was down to the South, with his force being based out of the port of Pelargir. It would be here that Baradir also developed a love of fish, as it was a common staple point of diet in the region, and much to the disdain of his wife who hates fish; it has become something of a joke in the family for Baradir to request fish whenever he returns home. Of course his time and service would see Baradir rise in ranks, and of course continue to forge a reputation, especially among the Harad he spent years fighting. He would gain a reputation among the Harad as the Warhound of Gondor for his preference to take to the field with warhounds, and surrounding himself with them off the field. The use of warhounds proved to be an effective strategy at breaking Harad morale, who would often flee, when in smaller numbers, at the sight of warhounds barreling down at them. He would quickly rise to the rank of Autherdir, or Colonel, commanding Gondorian forces in South Gondor, he would retain this rank for nearly four years before being promoted once more. Having achieved this rank in 3008, he would find himself returning to Minas Tirith far more often, he would spend a great deal more time with the Captain General of Gondor, as well having audiences with both the nobility and steward of the realm. This was much to the annoyance of Baradir, who would have preferred to have spent more time on the front, with his men, fighting, pushing back the enemies of Gondor than he would talking about such things. This became his own dislike of command, and longed for the simpler days when there was less talking and more stabbing.
The discussion of retirement has been tossed around between Baradir and his wife, who have thought about returning to Rohan, or remaining in Gondor, as Baradir is entitled certain rights as a noble that would assist the family.
Name Meaning: Tower/Fortress
Age: 37
Date of Birth: 2974
Race: Man
Residence: Peraglir/Minias Tirith/Lossarnach
Profession: Soldier (Autherdir/Colonel)
Appearance: Baradir is a large man, standing at 6'4, and weighing in at nearly 250 pounds of muscle, he is a monster of a man who lives up to his namesake of Fortress. His face is weathered and grim, his eyes a deep, fierce brown that convey his stalwart and unfaltering nature. His face is marked by scars from the blades of many a Harad warrior who have fallen trying to best him in combat, and is further marked by a well trimmed beard that skirts his jawline. His hair black, it is marked with grey hair that his wife finds attractive, he keeps his hair short, and remains well groomed, even in the inhospitable lands of South Gondor.
Usually adorned in armor displaying the sigil of the white tree, Baradir rarely dresses fashionable, sticking to simple colored tunics, he does have a few fancier outfits in lavish colors that his wife picked out for him for more regal or prestigious encounters; Baradir often likens such fancy outfits to a polished turd, and is beyond uncomfortable in them. At the same time he is often covered in dog hair, as he owns, and lives with a pack of hounds that accompany him both to battle and on hunting trips; sometimes to the annoyance of everyone else around him. Armed with a grim face, Baradir rarely offers any show of personality on his face, save for his frustration or annoyance with a scowl, making a smile from him all the more unnatural and unnerving to those that may see it.
Personality: Baradir is a complex man, forged in the fires of conflict, he is the embodiment of a career soldier from the land of the white tree. Having fought and served since he was old enough to pick up a blade, Baradir has seen more than his fair share of conflict, the man left hardened in the wake of adversity. His time and service affording him a no nonsense attitude, often making him a disciplinarian, he is harsh but not cruel. He is the man that is both feared and respected by his subordinates, and while he lacks the charisma of others he strives to lead by example and merit.
However Baradir lacks an ability to convey emotion easily, he speaks in a monotone nature, and his face is almost always either scowling or keep in a neutral, blank stare. Some have joked that the man has no emotions what so ever, or is incapable of feeling, this is just not true. While he rarely raises his voice, when he does it will often quickly quiet a room and grab the attention of all around him. He is blunt, but honest in his wording, and is never afraid to say it like it is. While he will not be captivating an audience of nobles anytime soon, his wisdom is often sought after.
While slow to anger, he is quick to be frustrated with things out of his control, and while he has difficulty showing it, Baradir deeply loves his family. His wife, Athlena is the love of his life, and his children are perhaps his most treasured possession. His wife is often considered the opposite of Baradir, being from the land of Rohan, she is very free spirited, passionate, vocal, quick tempered, and otherwise almost everything he is not personality wise, but in this case opposites attract.
A man of martial prowess, he values honor, integrity, and strength. He loathes weakness, deceit, and dishonesty in people, and has often sat atop his horse and pondered the workings of a lowly farmer in Gondor. Unlike his brother who embodies a carefree attitude, Baradir is very meticulous, he plans things out in advance, and is very prompt, often arriving 15 minutes early to meetings or gatherings.
Baradir is not a believer in fate or destiny, he believes that the individual forges their own future, and places great merit in decision making. All actions carry consequences, and none should be made in haste. A skilled commander with a great grasp on military tactics and strategy, he places a strong emphasis on conventional methods. He believes in the fluidity of battle, and that for one to be successful, individual commanders must be able to make, within reason, their own decisions in the face of battle. This design to minimize micro-management ensures a far more effective fighting force on the tactical level. At the same time Baradir plans out each move, though his experiences have made him anything but slow to react, if he chooses not to capitalize on a new initiative it is because he believes it to not be worth it.
He pushes his men to their limits, and will drill them, him alongside them, until they have mastered their art; however no one is a master. As such he believes that discipline and training will carry the day, not passion or emotion. He strives to lead by example, and place himself in the same situations as his subordinates; he has been recalled several times by higher authorities for leading from the front.
Baradir is also conflicted, by his sense of duty, of his service to Gondor, and his disdain for the Steward's lack of action in trying to push the enemies of Gondor back, to reclaim their kingdom, and to make Gondor great once more. While he does not voice his opinions, as he still acknowledges proper social structure and tact. He would see the realm mobilized for war to begin pushing the forces of Mordor back, whatever the cost; it is the job of a soldier to fight and die as said in the oath taken.
He often chastises his wife for her desire to consult an oracle about important matters.
.The Blood.
Parents: Ceberion-Father Hernoril-Mother
Sibling(s): Beriedir
Spouse: Athlena
Children: Amarthaniel (15), Berendir (11), Idril (9),
History: Baradir was born the eldest child and eldest son of noble refugees of Ithilien who had fled their lands in 2954 with the resurgence of power in Mordor. The family continued their noble status and lifestyle, but they had waned in status with the loss of their lands, though they did find new success in the merchant trade. Baradir was afforded a very enjoyable life, he was tutored, educated, and never went to bed hungry. As he got older Baradir would find himself tasked with watching over his younger brother, Beriedir, who was far more adventurous and troublesome than he was; he would often have to come to the aid of his younger brother and beat up some of the bigger kids for him.
As he became a young adult, Baradir took a different path, he joined the Army, with his noble background affording him some favor within its ranks, and his desire to serve, he left home at the young age of 16. His lineage assured him a role as an officer within the Army, and Baradir found himself in the infantry, the less glamorous of roles when compared to the cavalry, the young man still took to it all the same. He would spend nearly a year training as a junior officer before receiving his first posting as a subordinate support officer to a Captain in Cair Andros. Baradir would spend another two years under the tutelage of Captain Berenor, where he would quickly learn all he could about being an officer.
His time in in the Army would see him grow apart from the rest of his family, as he would routinely be sent to the far corners of the realm. He would routinely face off against orcs, honing his skill as a fighter, he would learn how to fight in rank and file and quickly come understand the importance of such a fighting formation, as the shield wall became a near impenetrable formation against most anything Mordor could throw at it. The shield wall being a more flexible and adaptable formation when compared to the older phalanx, Baradir became a prime proponent of this in his later years. After three years Baradir would receive his first command, a young Lieutenant, he would travel South and command a platoon of soldiers, he would continuously find himself in conflict with the Harad, a people he grew to loathe as time went by. For his service in the South he was promoted to Captain after two years, and would actually join a retinue of military advisers dispatched to Rohan. With his fresh victories against the Harad, Baradir was beginning to earn a name for himself within certain circles, and was a prime candidate to speak on the matter of infantry tactics against unconventional forces.
It would be during his trip to Edoras that he would lay eyes on the woman that would become his wife, Athlena, a simple daughter of a blacksmith, the young Baradir was surprisingly captivated by her beauty. While the initial encounter did not go well, his persistence finally began to wear her down. This was also to much annoyance to Athlena's father, who did not take kindly to his daughter beginning to show interest in a Gondorian of all people, much less with all the offerings Edoras had. Never the less Baradir would court the woman during his four month stay at Edoras, and would write her as often as he could when he returned to Gondor . In perhaps an exceptionally rare turn of events Baradir, after almost a year of courting her, convinced Athlena to come to Minas Tirith, and we're wed a short time later in a very unconventional ceremony; Athlena's father was still less than thrilled. Their first child, Amarthanie would be born in 2996, while named by her mother, she took more from her father's side of the family, and quickly became Baradir's favorite; he would often bring her, and later her siblings, a gift from wherever he was stationed when he would return home. However it was no secret that Athlena was not settling into life at Minas Tirith very well, which was a culture shock to her compared to her life at Edoras, and Baradir would do everything in his power to afford his family a proper lifestyle, despite his wife's instance that she follow him. Baradir would often travel with his family back to Edoras, as often as he could, where he would often be the outsider in a land of horse people.
After the birth of their son in 3000, Baradir moved his family away from the capitol, though he would maintain a house there for himself, he would purchase a fairly large amount of land in Lossarnach, as well as several horses for his wife, going as far as Rohan to secure the best horses. This would cost Baradir a large amount, however he never once regretted his decision, and it certainly made his wife a much happier woman. She would remain head of household, sort a strange occurrence in Gondor, while Baradir was away. His marriage to a woman of Rohan would garner him some criticism from other nobles and socialites, many of whom expected him to continue the legacy of Gondor and marry within the realm, especially to increase his own social standing.
Baradir would continue to remain fighting in the South against raiding forces of Harad, he would on occasion venture North to the border of Ithilien to combat infestations of orcs, the bulk of his service was down to the South, with his force being based out of the port of Pelargir. It would be here that Baradir also developed a love of fish, as it was a common staple point of diet in the region, and much to the disdain of his wife who hates fish; it has become something of a joke in the family for Baradir to request fish whenever he returns home. Of course his time and service would see Baradir rise in ranks, and of course continue to forge a reputation, especially among the Harad he spent years fighting. He would gain a reputation among the Harad as the Warhound of Gondor for his preference to take to the field with warhounds, and surrounding himself with them off the field. The use of warhounds proved to be an effective strategy at breaking Harad morale, who would often flee, when in smaller numbers, at the sight of warhounds barreling down at them. He would quickly rise to the rank of Autherdir, or Colonel, commanding Gondorian forces in South Gondor, he would retain this rank for nearly four years before being promoted once more. Having achieved this rank in 3008, he would find himself returning to Minas Tirith far more often, he would spend a great deal more time with the Captain General of Gondor, as well having audiences with both the nobility and steward of the realm. This was much to the annoyance of Baradir, who would have preferred to have spent more time on the front, with his men, fighting, pushing back the enemies of Gondor than he would talking about such things. This became his own dislike of command, and longed for the simpler days when there was less talking and more stabbing.
The discussion of retirement has been tossed around between Baradir and his wife, who have thought about returning to Rohan, or remaining in Gondor, as Baradir is entitled certain rights as a noble that would assist the family.