Rodrick Gullfeather

Rodrick Gullfeather was a knight of the Winged Brotherhood for a quarter century, serving under Roland Arryn until he betrayed him during the Crisis of the Crescent. Rodrick slew his sworn brother Yohn Royce in the fighting, and thereafter served with Alaric Arryn until their defeat and death during the Battle of the Ford in the Mummer's War.

Appearance and Character
Rodrick had ever been a gruff and somber man, laconic in speech and prone neither to idle whims nor flights of fancy. His steadiness translated well into his skill as a warrior - Rodrick was known as one of the very best archers in the Vale, and possessed a steady enough hand and a sharp enough eye to fell a sparrow in full flight. His arrows were always fletched with gull feathers, which he believed gave them more distance than eagle or falcon pinions. Though he betrayed his first master, in the twenty five years of his service to Alaric Arryn there were few moments where his loyalty could be doubted.

Early Life
Rodrick first gained renowned as a masterful archer, winning tournaments and competitions around the Vale despite his noble birth. When Roland Arryn held an event to fill the missing slot in his guard's numbers, it was a young Rodrick who recommended himself by besting all comers with bow and lance. When a prize was offered Rodrick did not ask for coin or lands or titles, but rather a place at the Lord Arryn's side. Pleased with the lad's humility, Lord Roland granted him all four.

The Crisis
It is not precisely clear, then, why it was that Rodrick conspired against his liege - perhaps it was under influence from Alester Hersy, or mayhaps the youth was not so humble as he appeared to be. Perhaps his opinions of the Mountain Clans superceded his view of his lord - but whatever the cause, the outcome was the same. In 382 AC, during the Crisis of the Crescent, Rodrick Gullfeather turned upon his liege and sided with the usurper, Alaric. He slew his fellow brother-in-arms and advanced upon Roland and Vardis Ruthermont, forcing the former to attempt to flee whilst the latter fended them off. Following this Alaric Arryn appointed Rodrick to his new Winged Brotherhood, and kept the man by his side.

Later Days
Rodrick served faithfully as a member of the young lord's Winged Brotherhood, taking part in various engagements over the following twenty five years. His existence at Alaric's side did put a strain on the relationship with House Royce, for it was known that Rodrick's blade had been the one to fell Yohn Royce.

During the Mummer's War, Rodrick was sent into the Riverlands alongside Kyle Coldwater, meant to bring to heel those petty lords that occupied the lands around the Kingsroad. After a brief stint at Heddle Hall, he and the rest of his company headed south; rejoining Alaric at the Ruby Ford in time for the battle.

Rodrick rode by his lord's side in the final charge of the Valemen, defending his left flank until the two were separated. He took heavy wounds in the fighting, but was eventually drowned when his injuries saw him unable to rise.