Baran is a tall and powerfully built; with his electric blue eyes and golden hair; As he grew in stature, strength and boldness maidens of Dale would talk of how he was more comely than the elf princes of old- and that he was as big and strong as Hador, the golden haired hero and strong man of the ancient world. Dale men of the north tend to be almost exclusively dark haired and featured; as such Baran he would be teased mercilessly as a child by the other boys. Often they call him the elf boy, and say he should be sent away to live with in the trees with the Wood Elf King!
A warrior born; he prefers the blackened chainmail and plate of northern make rather than the finery of a station of one of the royal court. His long hair is braided, his mighty war hammer has often reminded many of Dramborleg, and is said to be heavy with the souls of those whose blood Baran has vanquished. So much so few men can hope to lift it. He is nearly seven feet tall and a true mountain of muscle, his hair is so light is it nearly platinum; as fair as his armor is black as night. His cloak, sanguine and flowing is as pronounced as either feature, alarming and strong as his glowing blue eyes.
Personality
Baran is a strong, stout-hearted and spirited man. He has a keen sense of honor, a powerful wrath, a wide ambition. Somewhat arrogant- prideful; he fights as ferociously as an angered dwarf, he hunts with a sharp eye, he can drink any of his soldiers under the table. He has great reverence for skill at arms and values his strategic mind. A descendant of the Bowman; he continues the tradition of being an excellent marksman, but is better with his hammer, and an excellent rider. Equally, he holds great respect for the accomplishments of his line and noble house, and great reverence for the now late king.
Quick to make friends, he is a loyal friend when one proves themselves to him, and slow to forgive when crossed. His ambitions are far higher than simply being a forgotten relative of the royal court, and he seeks glory and power wherever he can find it.
Baran has little use for the free people that are not counted among men, he tends to see them through the prism of how useful they can be for his own plans. While considered a dwarf friend, the pacifistic and smug nature of the elves have never rubbed him the right way.
Baran was born the son of the of the Prince of Dale, Prince Brandt. The identity of Baran’s mother remains a subject of rumors and tall tales within the court. His unusual features for their family have led to stories of his father’s infertility after suffering injuries on the battlefield. it is said that one night he came upon a beautiful elvish princess, a woods witch, or even a spirit depending on who you ask- who was able to give him a child, and then disappear again into the wood after the deed was done.
Baran’s father died soon after- some say of a broken heart- his uncle the king made sure he was given the typical upbringing of the finest tutors in all things, from languages to warfare. When old enough the boy was fostered with the royal court in Rohan, where he became a notable rider.
Tall and strong as a great bullock; the other boys began to call him “Helm” as like Hammerhand he charged boldly into the fray against an Easterling war wagon to save a comrade in his first sortie with the Riders of Rohan. Seeing this, his compatriots followed behind and this charge broke their lines! In this time he learned how the cavalry of Rohan effectively fought off the servants of Sauron, a lesson he would strive to employ once he returned home.
Baran utilized all he had learned about different forms of warfare against the enemies of Dale; Turning the small kingdom into a great military power in the region! He began training the Barding cavalry with their heavy armor- it was durable as dwarvish armor, their tactics like those the dwarves employed- with mounted cavalry like he had learned of in Rohan; he was able to push back the Rhun to the well beyond the River Running and establish a bulwark for the other kingdoms of men.
It was during one of the many retaliatory campaigns into Rhun that he stopped one of his men from assaulting civilians of one of their captured villages. When a quarrel broke out; Baran struck the man, killing him. In doing so, because they were distant relatives he was viewed as a kinslayer and was sentenced to exile by the King of Dale.
Baran sought refuge in the Reunited Kingdom of the elderly king Aragorn. Seeking to hide his bloodline from the king he enlisted as his bodyguard, a ruse which the wise old king saw through almost immediately. Although he allowed Baran to remain as his royal guard for a time, soon he gave him a prestigious captain rank, and the two mediated treaties with Harad and Rhun; though he would be sent out to dole out punishment to the tribes in those lands who would cross into the borders of the free people and plunder them. The King would christen him Rómendacil- “East Victor” a title which would become his courtly name for all intents and purposes; forever honoring him among the High Men of the court. After the death of the King Baran was moved- not only by sadness for a great booster of his, but knowing that he would have to help hold together the court.
