Gerold Grafton, Lord of Gulltown

Lord Gerold Grafton is the current lord of Gulltown. He was born on the 12th day of the third moon of the year 399AC to Lord Vardis and Lady Anya Grafton. As the firstborn son, he was raised to be a lord from his birth. Most of his childhood was spent in Gulltown while his teenage years were mostly spent in Pentos.

Appearance and Character
Slightly above average in height with a thin and slender build, Gerold is far from muscular. He has the shimmering blue eyes of his mother and the brown hair of his father. A slight stubble combined with scars across his face and lip make him seem far older than he really is. Growing up as heir apparent of House Grafton he was taught from day one about respect and authority. As with most lessons from his father Gerold ignored it. Instead, he prefers a more relaxed form of conversation, often forgoing titles altogether. After his years in Pentos Gerold converted to R'hllor and while he worships him actively he lets his red priests take care of the conversion of Gulltown on their own. Personally he had done large initiatives to help the poor, such as building care houses and sick homes. He also refuses to give any red priest access to the homes, with great ire from the priesthood. He idealises Pentos to a large degree, taking major steps to change Gulltown into a carbon copy of it. While he most definitely has the skills to undertake such a massive mission his main enemy is himself and his own lack of confidence. Ambition without confidence is a sword without a handle after all.

Early life
Gerold was born in 399 to a loving, but overbearing mother and a strong and kind father who had finally gotten the heir he wanted. Lord Vardis tried to forge his son into a man. At the age of six, he was introduced to smithing. This quickly proved wildly unsuccessful after his arm got burned by boiling hot water. Then he was introduced to sword fighting where he promptly broke his arm. Despite the protests of his mother after his recovery, he was quickly back in training. Only two months after recovering from his broken arm he was struck in the face and both his lip and nose received large permanent scars. At this point, his father frustrated by his son's shortcomings decided that his bad luck must come from a lack of faith. In the year of 407, Gerold’s sister would be born. The day after he was forced into an education of faith. While all schooling of lords included religion it was quite rare for someone to be all, but excluded from any other line of education. Maester Allard complained about the situation and was soon barred from visiting the boy. Days passed, crops were sown and harvested. Every day that passed the animosity between father and son grew. After four years of hatred and bitter infighting, Vardis lost all hope for his son and at the behest of his brother sent them both to Pentos.

Life in Pentos
To the young lord, Pentos was a symbol of freedom. It was a new world where the faith of the Seven was rare. He and his uncle were renting a small villa and had their own small collection of servants. Due to his status as the heir to Gulltown, he was quickly approached by Pentoshi merchants of all calibers. Constant interaction between him and the merchants served him well, as time went on he slowly became more and more used to the intrigue of the city. He had no personal interest in participating in it, rather he learned how to counter the spies of merchants. It was in Pentos where Gerold would discover the only weapon he ever had an affinity with, the poleaxe. After purchasing it from a Norvosi warrior he started training with he became a functional fighter. While he still remained mostly incompetent with most weaponry he had finally fulfilled one of his father's wishes.

As time went on the trade of Pentos grew more and more interesting in him. He would start attending the meeting of merchants and pretend to be interested in their wares. He bought numerous books on finance. At the age of fifteen, he opened an enterprise in Pentos producing milk for cheese production, but his interests would soon change.

For the Red God had arrived at their doorstep.

The Return
A Red Priest came knocking on their door. The Red Priest introduced himself by the name of “Embers” insisting that the Red God had sent him to this house to spread the word. Gerold at first wanted to throw him out, but after the insistence of Gerold, he was allowed entry. Inviting the red priest into the solar him and Gerold discussed theology for hours. Despite Gerold despising his education, he had been educated.

They would continue to have these conversations almost every day for a month before Gerold joined a sermon. A few days later he officially converted to R’hllor. Over the next year, the old Gerold was burned away and replaced with something new. Then good news arrived from across the sea. His father had been struck with illness a year ago and it had finally claimed him. Quickly Gerold, his uncle Gerold and his new personal Red Priest “Embers”. By the end of the month they had returned and in 415 they arrived at the harbour. Change was in the air for Gulltown.

Family
Gerold Grafton
 * Vardis Grafton

Catelyn Grafton
 * Ser Gerold Grafton
 * Harrold Grafton
 * Saffron Grafton

Household
Maester Allard

Steward: Howard Shett

Master-at-arms: Harrold Grafton

Captain of the Guard: Gerold Grafton

Guardsman: Ser Tybett

Master of Horse: Brant Arryn of Gulltown

Stablehand: Endry

Armourer: Breo Mott

Cook: Gawen

Bard: Alysanne of Plankytown

Kennelmaster: Arys

Embers, the Red Priest

Anya Grafton

Saffron Grafton

Catelyn Grafton