CHAMPION, kenelm ayers

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❇
simple farmers gave birth to a simple boy. the four rivers were his home, but only for a short time. a band of clerics -- a hand of god come to change fate -- stumbled upon the village and asked for recruits. young boys and girls willing to become holy men and women in service of the royal family. not even toddling yet, the simple boy was given up by his simple parents. they had always dreamed of giving him more and their chance had come. he'd cooed and waved while he was carried off, gently cradled in a monk's arms.

❇
the holy life was more simple than people had made it sound. wake up early for prayer and services, eat and then do chores, and then off with the boys to the training fields. for they were no meek priests-to-be. no, they were to be holy warriors who would show the Goddess's glory through their glory in battle. holy providence would lead their every step, and they would become some of the empire's best and brightest. the simple boy took to this life well enough, not that he'd really known any other.

❇
still just a child, the simple boy was put under a knight's tutelage. the holy warrior was to serve as mentor, father, and ideal. under the man he learned more intensely how to wield a sword and brandish a shield. he also learned how to shine armor and bind wounds. lucky for the simple boy -- now a holy page -- the wise knight he was put under was kind as well as strong. was just as likely to offer praise as scolding. some days the wise knight would run him ragged in training and knock him flat over and over. other days the wise knight would speak to him in a soft voice about the Goddess and the knight's own life. many nights the man would tuck the holy page into bed and speak excitedly about the coming day.

❇
the holy page would become a holy squire shortly after his voice began to crack and his face began to itch. he grew to match his mentor's attitude. the holy squire matched the wise knight in enthusiasm and devout ideology, but still struggled to match him in combat. the holy squire no longer spent most of a day of training covered in dust and bruises, but still found himself applying to salve to wounds after each session. stories had become less common as responsibilities became more urgent. still the wise knight enjoyed offering the odd parable, and still the squire and knight spent many evenings speaking excitedly about the morning to come.

❇
eventually the holy squire was treated to battle. he escorted the wise knight, wearing half the armor his mentor did. his swordsmanship was better but not great, and so he often hung back as his father -- for by now he truly was his father -- surged forward. the holy squire marveled as so many enemies were knocked into the dirt just as he had been in training. he realized his father had been holding back and couldn't help but grimace from under his helmet.

❇
many years passed and battles came and went. on top of bumps and bruises the holy squire had earned scars and calluses. various blades felt natural in his hands, and finally he could trudge about with shield and armor and not feel so encumbered. he had become more swift on his feet and more aware. mere months after becoming an adult he bested his father the wise knight. it was only just barely, but when it was over he threw off his helmet and smiled like he was but a page again. and his father smiled back.

❇
the holy squire finally became a holy knight after so much time. he'd earned respect from soldiers and peasantry, but more importantly from the clergy and his father. finally he could charge into combat beside his father and earn glory in the name of the Goddess. but only for so long. an arrow sailed true and the holy knight watched helplessly as his holy father spluttered and gargled his own blood. with glory came grief, but faith helped stave it off. with Her name on his tongue he plunged only further and soared only higher.

❇
many years went by. with them came many battles, many victories, and many losses. the holy knight was now another's wise one. he spoke to the boy with a smile, and spoke softly of the Goddess and her glory. opened up about his trials in between knocking his own young squire to the ground. he held back on the training grounds, and was scolded by his squire after their first battle. nostalgia misted his eyes on occasion, but he never let the young man see. with the exception of one time. battle was too cruel.

❇
enthusiasm faded to sullen wisdom. optimism turned to cynical truth. still faith held true, and led the holy knight on his conquests. faith also led him to grim stones and sad farewells. still, no matter where it led him Her name was always on his tongue. would always be on his tongue.




❇ Kenelm is a well-trained Knight with years of experience in combat both on and off the battlefield. He fits the usual description well enough. He's tall and muscled, in what many would call peak form. Stamina built up over the years allows him to run and fight in heavy suits of armor for extended time. Sword and shield can be used for hours without rest, although of course they begin to sag and ring less true as time goes on.

❇ Kenelm's swordsmanship is noteworthy. He took especially well to sword and shield techniques, but can use most kinds of bladed weapon with good proficiency. On top of this, years of experience have helped his intuition and made his reflexes keen. While not gifted by any supernatural powers, Kenelm's age and the experience from it have made him a formidable opponent.

❇ Shortly after his thirtieth birthday Kenelm was granted a holy blade. It's an Estoc named the Godess's Nail. It's an enchanted sword made for getting past enhanced armor and magical barriers. Its origins and the nature of its usage both drive Kenelm to keep it sheathed on his back in most fights. He prefers to have a sword and shield, and isn't quite as good with a thrusting blade.

[attr="class","appname"]KENELM OSGAR AYERS

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AGE: 37
SEX: M
RACE: HUMAN
HOMELAND: ROUESSE
CONTRACT: Y