Garlan Sunglass

Ser Garlan Sunglass is a knight of the Crownlands and the heir to Sweetport Sound. He is known as a bold and effective naval commander.

Appearance and Character
Ser Garlan is a lean man with light brown hair and brown eyes, typical of Andal Crownlanders. Those who knew his father as a younger man swear that he was cast in the same forge, as they appear very similar. While not considered especially handsome he has an intense bearing which many find compelling. He prefers to wear the practical leathers of an outdoorsman when at all possible, but when the occasion calls for it he wears a white doublet lined with golden marten fur, a feathered white cap and a gold chain set with moonstones.

Ser Garlan appears at first to be a very serious and perhaps even dour man, but he can demonstrate flashes of humour and warmth that win over men and women alike. His faith in the Seven is strong, but he lacks the stuffiness and pomposity of a Septon. He takes his knightly vows seriously and is much respected by the smallfolk of his domain.

Early life
Garlan Sunglass was born in 377AC, a period of relative peace in Westeros. His father, Tristifer Sunglass, was the young lord of Sweetport Sound and his mother Maia was from House Hayford, another ancient line. He was the fourth and youngest child of his family, although his two brothers had died in infancy leaving only Garlan and his sister.

Before Garlan was old enough to walk or speak his father was maimed in a terrible accident at the Kingswood Tourney. A head injury left him unable to live without constant assistance, so Garlan was raised jointly by his mother, the castle Septa, and later on the Maester and the Master-at-Arms as well. He was kept away from his father, whose condition made him behave strangely and frightened him as a young boy. As he grew older he spent as much time away from the castle as he could, taking boats out on to the Sound and developing a love of seamanship that would serve him well in the years ahead.

War and Knighthood
By the time the War of the Three Thieves began Garlan had taken command of the Sunglass fleet, and had cut his teeth patrolling the shores of Blackwater Bay to deter brigands from the coastal road. He had also seen a tour of duty on the Narrow Sea, alongside the greater fleets of Velaryon and Celtigar. With a naval war brewing he saw his chance to achieve some glory and eagerly added his ships to King Aenar's armada. He was tested many times, as both a captain of men and as a fighter, but found that he thrived on a ship at war. His greatest challenge came when he faced Thoridor the Wicked, Daarius Ormollen's most feared captain. After a gruelling naval engagement Garlan's ship was boarded by Thoridor's pirates, but Garlan was able to turn the tide and slew Thoridor in single combat. For this feat at arms he was knighted by Prince Maekar Targaryen, a leader he greatly admired. He returned home to a hero's welcome and the great relief of his lady mother.

An Unconventional Marriage
After returning from war plans were made for him to marry as soon as possible, to capitalise on his boosted reputation. A daughter of the wealthy House Brax of the Westerlands was found for him, and they were wed quickly as virtual strangers. It soon became apparent that this was not to be a normal marriage. Raised largely by and among women, Ser Garlan had developed a keen instinct for what women looked for in a man and was able to charm the opposite sex despite his indifferent looks. From his new wife Tanda, though, it was clear there was not a shred of romantic interest. She was later to confide in Ser Garlan that she did not find any man attractive, preferring the company of women in all things. And so a discreet deal was struck between them: Ser Garlan was to exercise his marital rights only for the sake of producing an heir or two for the Sunglass line. For the rest of the time the two would lead separate lives, she in the arms of a favoured lady-in-waiting and he with whatever women he pleased to encounter on the long periods he spent away from home. Since bearing him the required children (twins Ryman and Roanne) Tanda and Ser Garlan have not shared a bed. For all this, the pair would earnestly describe their marriage as a happy one.

Life at Sea
Ser Garlan Sunglass now spends more than half of his days away from home, hunting pirates along the Narrow Sea or as a guest at neighbouring castles or at King's Landing. He is a restless figure who dislikes spending too long in one place, and after a fortnight on land he always begins to look wistfully at the open sea.

Family

 * Lord Tristifer Sunglass, Lord of Sweetport Sound
 * Lady Maia Hayford
 * Ser Garlan Sunglass
 * m. Tanda Brax
 * Ryman Sunglass
 * Roanne Sunglass
 * Brienne (a humble Septa)

Household/NPC's
Donal Greybeard, First Mate of the Sunglass flagship Sevenstars

Septon Challis, Septon of Sweetport Sound

Talysa, Tanda's lover