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Duke Ryhalt Farshaw

Wait, I've seen something like this before, if I could just remember... Sod it. Run.

Social Rank: 3
Concept: Adventure-minded mercantile duke
Fealty: Valardin
Family: Farshaw
Gender: male
Marital Status: married
Age: 33
Birthday: 05/12
Religion: Pantheon (Mangata)
Vocation: Noble
Height: tall
Hair Color: black
Eye Color: blue
Skintone: light tan

Titles: Duke of Westrock Reach

Description: Cutting a tall figure, Ryhalt's build is long-limbed and rangy, with a narrowness that makes him seem taller than he is, though not exactly skinny. He wears his hair long, down around his shoulders mostly, and brown so dark as to be black except when caught by the light. He's in his early thirties, though in some ways his expressions make him seem younger, while the laugh lines around his clear blue eyes counter that by a few years. His jaw and lip are kept shaven save for a pair of long sidewhiskers that make a bare L at the corner of his jaw, adding some width to his narrow face. His features look like they once were a bit too fine for his demeanor, but salt and experience have hardened them, though his mouth has never quite lost it's slight resting smile.

Personality: In some ways, Ryhalt Farshaw is exactly what is thought of when it comes to the Farshaw family of Westrock Reach - Spirited, adventurous, curious, finding a joy in travel, and having a mind for trade. In other ways, he is not what people have come to expect from his family. Namely in that he is diligent, personally courageous, and has a streak that some might call 'spitefully cunning'. He is an avid reader, though does not consider himself a scholar, and enjoys fine things in the form of clothing, art, precious things, food and wine, but always manages to remind himself that these are fringe benefits and not the goal itself. He is also ambitious, wishing to pull House Farshaw out of its languor caused by being an island hold with no navy, forced to rely on the goodwill of neighbors for their defence.

Background: When Ryhalt was born, it wasn't a particularly momentous day. The son of the duke's younger brother. His SECOND younger brother. People took notice a bit more when the middle brother was killed in a freak boating accident, carried off into a reef full of sharks by a jib that broke away. They started paying more attention when his uncle continued to have no legitimate heir. There were bastards about, and people knew about them, but the old duke Warwick refused to have them legitimized. Ryhalt has always just sort of assumed that it was out of meanness or pettiness, though he never got a chance to ask.

    As a young man, he put to sea as part of the mercantile fleet, getting to see the sights of the world, visit the Lyceum, narrowly escape being kicked out of important places, that sort of thing. Not exactly regarded as a rakehell, but perhaps criticized at home when it became clear that he was to be his uncle's heir, when stillbirth took both mother and child, leaving the duke a widower. His pursuits were not entirely flippant, however, and were purposed to give him the breadth of knowledge to make him a better duke than his uncle had ever been. He returned home, remaining at Lightsend Keep while he trained for the rest of what he would need to know - no witless inheritor would he be. Fearing a schism, and perhaps out of fondness as well, he located his uncle's eldest bastard son, Thorley Sandreef, and though he could do nothing for his legitimacy, secured him a knighthood and an apprenticeship that would one day secure the man's position as the Sword of Lightsend Keep, as well as the ascerbic sailor's his friendship.

    After his uncle died and he secured his rule, with the help of Sir Thorley along with his younger sister and cousin, he set about refitting the merchant fleet of Westrock Reach, as well as revising their mercantile policies into something more responsible, brokering a trade agreement with the Duchy of Laurent to trade Westrock coffee to the mainland. He has struck what might seem a curious friendship with the Wyrmguard family of the Duchy of Telmar, and he and his household have recently traveled to Arx, apparently amidst negotiations for a marriage match.

Relationship Summary


Friend:
  • Mabelle - A rare treasure.

  • Spouse:
  • Clover - Wife and most indispensable advisor.

  • Deceased:
  • Aahana - Former protege and I am proud how far she's risen. Sadly lost during the massacre of Volkov Woods.
  • Armand - One of my regrets.
  • Sunniva - Missing her light

  • Ally:
  • Jack - Our household physician and a rather talented apothecary. We're lucky to have him, usually.
  • Orvyn - Dedicated to making the fealty prosper, I could not hope for a better vassal.

  • Family:
  • Thorley - He's like family now, pulled up and earned every bit of being our Sword.
  • Lisebet - Little sister, and perhaps the most excited of us to come to Arx.
  • Ivy - First daughter - beloved bundle of joy
  • Elsbetta - Little sister, cheerful but dedicated to keeping strong relations with our people
  • Ciaran - Younger brother, newly arrived to Arx and glad for his help.
  • Alban - A fine general and supportive cousin.
  • Ryland - First son and sure to be a warrior

  • Protege:
  • Norah - Graceful with a side of knowledge and ambition we will work together well.
  • Name Summary
    Alecstazi A curious man, the Duke of Farshaw. Seems to be interested in merchant affairs and bartering, but is wise enough to know it is beneath his station. Still, a genteel sort, an Oathlander if I remember my heraldry. Kind to Brianna and generous with praise. Interested to know him better.
    Arcadia The duke of coffee. He is very business minded. I didn't know I'd be told so much about coffee
    Athaur A rather fascinating man, and one who shares much of my desire for trade and growth
    Clara The Duke seems like the nice sort. Didn' get ta talk ta him fer to long but he seems ta have a sense of humor an' that is usually a good indicator of character.
    Clover The Coffee Duke and my loving husband. How much I've missed him in my absence. He's just as due diligent with protecting our home, family and friends as he's always been. I look forward to being at his side once again.
    Dianna Undoubtedly handsome and curiously quiet. I should like to know what goes through his mind.
    Domonico My wife's former patron. While it is clear that the man is no warrior he does seem to be quite accomplished in his own field. A shrewd merchantile mind by all accounts.
    Esme He's a duke. Okay, that's a given. It was my first time meeting him, but I feel as if something weighed upon him. Surely though he was polite in meeting me and that speaks to his character. We shall be friends.
    Hickson A duke of courtesy and fine tastes. I admire his dedication to rooting out piracy.
    Ian In the dictionary next to the phrase 'fearless leader', there's a portrait of his face. I don't know how I feel about that.
    Keely He was kind enough to overlook me inserting my foot into my mouth several times, and his shop is delightfully cozy. I will return again!
    Mabelle An easy going Duke, fond of coffee and cats. Classy, calm man.
    Mikani Duke with an interest in history. There is a man I could speak with for hours.
    Niklas The duke has taken his domain from little known to economic splendor in only a few years. Impressive. Good coffee, too.
    Noah You know, I might like this one. I'm not sure how he feels about this. I'm not sure how I feel about this.
    Orvyn My Liege lord, and caring about his lands and people. A good thing to have in one whom is served. Also has a sense of humour which is dreadfully needed in these trying times.
    Pepper A sense of wisdom and humor seems to follow this one tonight. It will be interesting to see if both will persist through further meetings.
    Ras Farshaw... I can see the family in him'n'Alban. He don't seem like as much of a jerkwad though. Who knows.
    Reese A friendly and easy going Duke of the Oathlands who likes coffee. He is easy to speak and quite likable.
    Sabella The Farshaw duke is a fine dinner companion with a keen insight into difficult topics.
    Siegward A softspoken Duke whose mild-mannered ways I'm certain hide a shrewd statesman. Old Lineth won't believe it when I tell her I met the man of her coffee-dreams. She definitively won't believe he lacks blue eyes and blonde hair, but that's beside the point.
    Verity A fierce negotiator! Though Westrock Reach is not so far from my native Chevalle, I have never visited. Yet, he is everything I could imagine in a duke of Farshaw, and his skill stokes my pride as an Oathlander.
    Wash Farshaw has an interesting history. If anyone can transcend it, it is Duke Ryhalt. Urbane, cultured, and yet still competent.
    Zoey Either the playful type, or I caught him in an exceptionally good mood.