Lord Haakon Eswynd
What we have been matters nothing against what we must become.
Description: Dark brown hair is shorn close atop his head, and worn in a short beard on a strong jaw. Dark blue eyes are shadowed by a high forehead and heavy brows, with a scar marring his lip to the right of his nose, naturally tugging one side of his mouth upward. In stature, he is the upper end of average, with a lean, athletic build. He looks years past thirty, though his tanned and weathered face lead some to guess older.
Personality: He doesn't want to be in Arx. The city is huge, smells of rats and urine, and sits half the world away from his home, where at any moment, a new battle could start without him. Moody and mercurial, on his better days he takes amusement in the unfamiliar world around him, showing good humor and wit. On his bad days, everything is irritating. He is comfortable with motion, and grows restless when kept still and idle.
Background: A near-brother (cousin) to the king of Eswynd, Haakon grew up on the sea. Being of noble blood among the Abandoned meant being a warrior, and he was raised with callouses on his hands from oars, rigging ropes, and spear hafts. Never able to openly challenge the Thraxian navy, his people were raiders of the reavers, striking any merchant ships or fishermen who fell within their reach, and fleeing from any war fleet. Twice he was part of a battle against Thrax warships; neither could be called a victory.
The Darkness in the Deep was known to the Eswynds for many years. At first, Haakon and his kin had been all too willing to accept bloody silver to hunt the Arvani (they did that, anyway) but as the shadows spread and tales of the blood madness trickled out, Eswynd's old allegiance to Marin grew dangerous. When Margot Tyde and her diplomats came to them, offering alliance and protection, backed by the threat of destruction before a united Thraxian fleet, the Eswynds accepted
There were noises made about honor and their ancestors in protest, but for such things "the wind does not care." All that mattered was surviving the coming storm. His near-brother the king (now Marquis) married an Arvani woman to seal the alliance and remained in their home island, making heirs. Haakon and his people took their small fighting ships to sea for battle among the Tyde fleet, and did their duty against the Gyre. After the war, Haakon was sent to Arx on Eswynd's behalf, to represent his people in the court of their ancient enemies, now overlords. What could possibly go wrong?
Relationship Summary
Family:
Ally:
| Name | Summary |
| Aine | He didn't seem to find me particularly tolerable, but I did get him to laugh. Sort of. And he's put the enchanting idea of sailing away in a wardrobe with sails of honeysilk into my head. |
| Alarissa | Fresh prodigals can be interesting. This one is interesting. Useful too. Though mostly interesting. |
| Alecstazi | A prodigal Lord of the Isles. One bound to Tyde. He seems clever enough, and, for a moment there was kinship, a sense of familiar customs and beliefs. A self-described survivor. It makes one wonder how deep their alligence goes. Do they cloak themselves in the Compact's protection just to stay alive? Does that mean they will turn tail and cleave to another the moment the Compact shows weakness? Will they ally with Eurus or the Cardians if they prove superior powers? I will have to take the measure of this man to find those answers, and that will only come in time. |
| Alessia | He's a fast one, glad we had him on hand to help catch the runner. |
| Anisha | Lord Haakon Eswynd is an interesting figure to be sure. We've had a few encounters now, and the steel in his spine has always been present. He knows who he is. He knows who he serves. And he is committed, thoroughly, to doing what needs be done. |
| Bahiya | A powerful voice full of conviction and an edge that would be self-deprecating if it wasn't the complete opposite; gives me the impression that holds himself to the highest standard of all. It is not his fault very few can rise to meet it, which makes the respect I heard in his voice when he spoke of Kenjay all the more resounding. While I could not see him fight, Kenjay's vow that Haakon held nothing back and met him with skill furthers my vicarious esteem. |
| Bianca | Perhaps a touch rough around the edges, but that by no means is a negative outside of social expectations of decorum in the forum of the Peerage. While I did not have much of an opportunity to truly speak with him directly beyond introductions, my experience in his presence was a positive one and I hope another occasion presents itself in which a more personal conversation could be had. |
| Brigida | He demolishes that food as mercilessly as his comments about other's riding is apt. |
| Calla | So I finally got to meet the famous reaver who is going to marry my darling friend Medeia. I approve. |
| Calypso | I'd REALLY like to see where the tattoos are. |
| Cambria | There's something familiar about him...Nothing like the rumors say, though. I expected a taciturn man, unhappy to play dinner guest. Instead, I found him to be perfectly companionable, with a good sense of humor. |
| Caprice | Taciturn and suspicious at large parties, gregarious amongst his own. DELIGHTFULLY foul mouth. I'm very glad Lady Thea dragged me along to give him what for, or he might have remained the unsmiling gifter of East Winds liquor. |
| Cassimir | A more dry and unsociable a person I have never met, but at least he speaks plainly. I can handle that. |
| Catalana | I heard Tyde had a new lord. I'm certain he must be part Thrax. He swears just like them. |
| Cecilia | A loud man. Yet he seems loving enough towards his wife. I really can't read him. |
| Cirroch | I have not meet many seafarers, though this one is good, a love of whiskey is a good start. I would be proud to have them beside me when kicking people over a cliff of the mountains. |
| Cristoph | I thought I heard someone say they were surprised to see him operating as Champion at all, due to his personal opinions. But there he was, putting on a good show and acting perfectly honorable about the whole thing. They must have been mistaken. |
| Cyril | Exactly what you expect from a reaver, but this one is gifted with wisdom beyond his years. I hope not to see what he can do in battle but should that day come, I expect it would be a sight. |
| Dio | A blunt, crass, dangerous prodigal who is a terror on the sea and damn good company. |
| Domonico | Brutal in combat, possibly excessively so but... what else would one expect from those from the Mourning Isles? |
| Drake | Not a terribly cheerful one. Quite practical-minded and level-headed, however. He gets right to the heart of a matter rather than mincing his words. |
| Ember | A pity we have not fought back-to-back yet, surrounded by some terrible army, hopelessly outmatched -- or so it would seem. Give it time. It will be worth the wait. |
| Emily | There is something strong and unabashed in everything he does. A man who knows who he is and does not let the change of conventions and locales weaken that. An unforgiving strength that is at times interlaced with the a careful regard he offers at times. I dare to say I do not even know him half as well as I should yet. Yet. But there is time to slowly understand and better know the Eswynd. |
| Esme | His words are not courtly and graceful. He's pretty dry, but every bright ray of humor (me) needs a straight man (him). So I am sure we are to be the most glorious of friends. Shattered, Mistaken, or any which way. |
| Evaristo | Chances are we won't be working a lot together. I'm sure he won't be crying about that either. |
| Gaspar | Lord Haakon is without question the most vicious man I have ever seen. And I am quite thankful for that. I'm glad he's on our side. |
| Gehenna | A man who understans the way things work. He may be a prodigal, but at least he knows why the traditions are as they are. |
| Ian | Rough style. Not much training. He can apply himself, though. |
| Ilira | And as a man of the sea, he should know what depths a surface conceals. |
| Iseulet | I hope he keeps his head above water here in Arx, this is rough water for a Prodigal and a Neo-Noble. Hope he minds the sharks. |
| Jace | Sure we ain't related already? |
| Jan | Another Reaver I like. I'm surprised there is so much political tension between two houses that should otherwise get along. |
| Jaufrey | I met Lord Haakon at the Menagerie, which is unusual since he seems to have no great love of animals. Birds especially! He certainly knows how to make an entrance, such a booming voice! |
| Jyri | Sailor. Near damn well smells of the sea. Bit rough around the edges, but who isn't? |
| Kaia | Lord Eswynd is quite skilled with the bow. I was quite impressed with his performance at the Tournament of the Hart; and, look forward to competing against him on the finals. |
| Klaus | Sturdy as a granite outcrop stopping the waves from drowning the cove. We need more of his sort. |
| Laurel | Such an interesting idea and witty as well. Hands around the duchesses neck. Time to make finger bones sparkle as best they can. He seems as tired of Arx as I often can be. |
| Leena | A hard man, simple in his directness, yet in that an expressionism I'd expect to see in someone from the north. He seems so different from Medeia, though they share some simularities as well. |
| Lucita | One of the Thrax fealty, a seaman, reaver. He has an aura of strength about him is a little older than me, which is nice that he is not a young pup. Surprisingly, he can speak of fabrics and dyes, and that combination is enough to want me to talk more with him. |
| Lustry | Straight forward and to the point. Its refreshing truly. |
| Mabelle | He's funny. Managed to make Zara laugh kind of funny. I should keep an eye on him for amusing bar conversations. |
| Madeleine | He's coarse but friendly, which I'll take over genteel but hostile any day. |
| Martino | Has spent a lot of time at sea, in the rougher parts of living, which makes him a fine tool to use in some situations. Problem solving one of them. |
| Maya | How fortunate I am that he understood that I am in need of one good eye and stayed his hand. With threats and brilliant acting skills, we saved the day! |
| Medeia | Cusses and drinks and likely does other things like a sailor. Imagine that. |
| Mikani | An idiot that thinks that if you don't agree with him you have to be a mainlander. Even when you state you grew up in the isles. I don't think there is any help for that level of stupid. |
| Miraj | He could use my mentorship, but I think that would dull his charm. I wonder what he'll think of my paintings. |
| Monique | He challenges me. I both love and hate it. And I think he's got near as much pride as I do, which is an interesting match. Still, he carries it well. |
| Neilda | Kinda rare that I like a guy exactly equally with his shirt off and on. |
| Nijah | He is not quite what I was expecting, he's a rather crude, jovial man from what I can tell. I am not used to those sorts of manners but he still seems to have a good heart, I will hopefully see more soon. |
| Niklas | Capable lord of a brand new house with a voracious curiosity about the Compact. |
| Nina | I suppose he is not one for social graces, or at least I caught him in a bad mood in a big crowd. He started growling instead of dancing, and who wouldn't rather dance? |
| Orland | Straight and to the point, in a rough way that screams 'I'm a warrior and could f you up so don't be a dick' thanks. Surprisingly, a good host. |
| Oskar | It's good to have someone remind you of where you come from. My near brother just needs to stay attentive and not let this blind him from what we can achieve by cooperating sometimes. |
| Piccola | Men of few words like this Lord are in short supply because it is easier to debate in the absence of consequences than to act with no regard for others' judgment. |
| Poppy | I think he's a prodigal. Sort of loud. But it's nice to not worry about offending him. |
| Ras | Doesn't seem to trust in anythin but the Wind. Fair way to live, I guess. |
| Raziel | Good company to watch a race with, seemed like a steady young man with the right priorities and pragmatism. |
| Razija | There would be something richly amusing about watching him bite his horse, but I wouldn't want the horse to pick up any ailments. Not a man of patience with beasts, it seems. |
| Rebecca | I visited one of the taverns in the Thrax ward hoping for good seafood but I was told all the good seafood is stuck out at sea because of the whirlpool, Lord Haakon was kind enough to explain this to me and kind enough to accompany me while I mourned my seafood stew. |
| Romulius | A prodigal, and a Shav'arvani. Reminds me of home. Glad he's on our side, now. |
| Rosalind | Collects bones of their enemies! And talks loud and has lots of scars. I wonder if I could drag him out in the snow, on adventures. He doesn't seem the adventerous type though. Maybe on a ship... |
| Samira | A man who appears to operate without pretense. He is refreshingly direct, doesn't shy away from doing what needs to be done. I wholeheartedly approve of his methods. |
| Savio | He's terrifying and easily bored by pointless trifles and we have nothing in common. I'm going to visit him regularly. |
| Scylla | I am sure there has been no greater war cry in existence than Lord Haakon's curses words and threats of brutality. I'd fight at his side at every turn, if only so that I can watch him make quick work of our mutual foes. |
| Sebastian | A thoughtful man, and what words he offers up seem to matter a great deal. He has a practical nature that one can't help but admire, and is a talent in a tight spot. I find myself liking him. |
| Sloane | A streak of red on a gray sky. |
| Sunaia | A curious man, very serious - and apparently, a sailor. |
| Svana | A Prodigal, I think, not unlike myself. He's marrying Lady Medeia. If he hurts her, I will push sharp wood underneath his toenails and fingernails. |
| Talwyn | I suppose for someone that is used to seeing everyone armed to learn that a Prince would not carry a weapon to protect himself. It must be a lot of culture shock. I hope that he grows more accustomed to things, as he and his lands may very well need all the help it can get. |
| Talwyn | Lord Haakon seems to be a good enough sort. I do not know much about him, but he has a sense of humor which says something. |
| Thea | He looks stern. But under that, there is a--well..He may have a sense of humor. And he's a formable opponant as well. |
| Titus | He has bravery deep in his heart, unafraid of stacked odds. A warrior that's one who you'd want next to you when it matters. |
| Valdemar | A fellow Islander, with a similar outlook in a lot of ways to my own. I don't envy the timing of his arrival to Arx, though. |
| Vanora | He reminds me of what I once thought the Isles were. |
| Venturo | The esteemable Mr. Medeia Eswynd, newly wed husband of the former Saik. While he may not be overly vocal, he appreciates proper sign language to get his point across! |
| Victus | Prodigal. Always have to be careful around the prodigals. Especially the ones that grew up on the rocky shores of the Mourning Isles. Those are the ones who have looked upon a watery grave and declared they don't give a damn. |
| Videl | A prodigal noble from the far east, seems intelligent if a bit too focused on matters of power and affluence. |
| Wash | A man who appreciates the finer points of sailing. |
| Zakhar | doesn't act like a nob. |
| Zara | Fought for my honor and won me the right to make as many bee puns as I pleazzze. |
| Zoey | Good gods, the mouth on that man! He must not realize that there are people in the Compact who speak that language. |
| Zoya | Useful enough to have around as things get bloody |