Reginar Crakehall

Summary
A life-time spent in the military elaborately, yet not always gently, crafted the man Reginar Crakehall is today. A veteran of many wars, most of them fought still as a mercenary officer in Essos, having been engaged in every single conflict the Westerlands have seen during his life, and having risen to being appointed as Marshal of the Westerlands (as recently non-active service), Reginar Crakehall has for many years been one of the most prominent figures employed in ruling the Westerlands. Still today, even if hardly ever met again in the Westerlands, he is said to still be a close advisor to Loreon Lannister, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands, and many would list him as being personally close to the Old Lion.

Nowaydays, foremostly active in the Three Daughters, he typically works as a military consultant to states, cities and Houses. Thereby, he mainly is active in developing forces and fortifications. Reginar also acts as a mediator between mercenary companies and cities, and is involved in equipping, organizing and acting as a broker for the former, especially as he closely collaborates with a broad net of representatives of the arms industry.

The Crakehall is known his in-depth theoretical knowledge and decades of practical experience in the realm of the military. He is also known to be still a renowned fighter, having become quick, savvy and cunning over the years with the sword. He fought with the lance in his younger years, though is nowadays hardly ever seen with one.

He is feared for his quick-witted remarks, amusing irony, bold sarcasm and insulting cynicism. Though he can at any time opt to perfectly play the role of the demure, unapproachable and dutiful marshal with just the same credibility. And it is this role he preferably adopts these days.

Physical Description
Reginar is 6’1 feet tall and still very well-built with fine proportions. He has retained his tendency to being muscular from his younger age, but looks rather tall and slender instead of muscular. He is of a healthy looking pale complexion; several suitably looking scars from decades of fighting on cheeks, brow, chin. His hair is trimmed in a military short cut, the short but full beard is always elegantly trimmed. The eyes are the colour of steel, but can have a blueish tint depending on light and mood. He has an aura of conciseness and exactness to him, reflected in his permanently upright posture, the tendency of his movements to being stiff and formal. His facial expression is most often demure, unapproachable and conscientious. Many call it cold. Some speak of something like cunningness in the seldom moments one can observe him smirking, flashing good white teeth. His armour shows elegant and elaborate features, his various horses normally tend to be the best that money can buy. The sword at his side is of high quality, but has been his most faithful and closest companion for the last thirty years, the blade being as scarred as its owner, and should be replaced to prevent breakage. In general, his armour and clothes will most often be found to be immaculate - ranging in between conservative austerity, splendour of a man successful in many a field, and a hard-wearing elegant quality suited to his daily tasks.

Childhood at Crakehall: Born to lead, forced to obey (0-13)
In 357 AC, Reginar Crakehall is born as a third son to Lord Edgerran Crakehall and his wife. He is a robust child, as expected for a Crakehall. Just that House Crakehall, under a rather pacifist Lord Edgerran, more interested in things referring to scientific, historical and philosophic studies and religious devotion, the martial past of the proud House lies nearly completely neglected. He steers his sons education primarily in the direction of his own interests, granting them a degree of warfare training that is sufficient for the general lack of discipline reigning in the Westerlands these days – but nothing but mockery when compared to the stern and proud roots of the ancient House.

Both the first born Harold and Reginar rebel against being held back from a thorough martial education, both showing great talent at it from a young age onwards (and not knowing what to use their growing vigour for.) But years of Lord Edgerran insisting that theoretical studies would lead to more beneficial outcomes, it is Harold who has to succumb – and Reginar who leaves his House. After severe continuous arguments, with an ever more extrovert and difficult to control proud youth, the adolescent leaves at the age of 13 for the Vale, against his father’s permission, to squire there. As a matter of fact, the same year an extensive military restructuring enacted by the new Lord of the Rock, Loreon Lannister, takes place. But by that time, Reginar has already started squiring in the Vale.

Youth in the Vale: A splendid Career in the Military (13-22)
It is the conservative and strict culture of the Vale that turns out to be the best training yard for both Reginar’s physical abilities in weaponry and his innate talent for the realm of warfare. It is here he is trained and it is here he is knighted at the age of 16. He gets an officer’s commission the very same day. During the next years, the young officer makes an astonishing career in the Vale. Respected by his men and comrades alike, he is known for being strict yet capable, disciplined and efficient, ambitious and successful. And he is known for knowing all of that. His arrogance seems from the start hard to challenge by some – for it is underlaid and bolstered by such a degree of ability that whatever prideful demeanour young Reginar displays, if anyone has the right to display such one, it is him. His tongue, eloquent and quick-witted by birth, grows more veteran on the field of dealing with superiors and inferiors as it does on the stages of diplomacy. Or when bullying people that in Reginar’s eyes lack competence, ambition, abilities, or just do not know their place. It is said that he fights several duels until the other young (and sometimes older) officers and local noblemen understand that one should think twice about challenging Reginar Crakehall in any of the fields in which he is gifted: Warfare, weaponry, and debates of whatever topic he feels either competent or charismatic enough to enter. His competence and efficiency saves him. His rough charm is also popular with the ladies. And worst of all: He can deliberately choose and play the roles of the elegant gentleman, eloquent ambassador, slick businessman or cunning connoisseur just as much if it pleases him – and seems to have a natural talent of knowing when to choose which.

Kingswood Tourney: Verbal Duels and choosing Exile (22)
It is in 379 AC, at the bold age of 22, advanced in his military career as few before him at that age, that Reginar participates in the Kingswood Tourney. Though an opponent to be feared with both sword and lance, it is his quick-witted tongue that he gets rapidly known for on the tourney grounds. His reckless charisma combined with a display of self-confidence and actual abilities make him a serious opponent for those he has targeted. It is said that a series of duels are fought in the hours of the night, after the official tourney grounds have been closed in the evenings – some knights feeling offended by what has happened during the day-time hours trying to gain satisfaction. Of course, Reginar’s often ruthless remarks make him one of the prominent figures participating in these unofficial fights. While nobody knows what has really happened, it is the second to the last day of the tourney that sees Reginar resign from his officer’s commission in the Vale – and withdrawing from his last promising jousting rounds. While it is unclear what has happened, Reginar is never seen again afterwards in the Crownlands nor in the Vale for the next twenty years. The time the winner is nominated in the Kingswood, Reginar is already on board of a vessel sailing for Essos. ===

Years in Essos: Career in the Ranks of the Mercenaries (22-30)
Always one easy to adapt to new situations and people, 22-year old Reginar Crakehall, finds himself on the streets of Myr shortly after, with nothing better to do than openly question a local mercenary sergeants abilities in dealing with his sluggish men. Harshly criticizing (with the help of a translator!) a foreigner of a place completely unknown to Reginar wins him a place in the ranks of said mercenary company. And quickly, Reginar rises in their ranks.

He often switches the companies he serves in – either because of higher pay, better career opportunities, less boredom, or after “insurmountable difficulties” with other officers he has started arguments with. Over time, increasingly self-reliant and self-employed, the young and bold Crakehall becomes and independent consultant to mercenary companies, merchants, cities.

At the age of 28 he leads one of the most famous mercenary companies for two months nearly on his own in the absence of their captain. It is these years that also see him participate in real battles, being heavily involved in strategical planning and decisions.

Hammer Uprising: Putting Peasants down, in the Name of the Lion (30-31)
At the age of 30 (387-88 AC) Ser Reginar Crakehall returns to the Westerlands for the first time since he has been a child. It is rumoured the only reason for this being the fact that he could not believe that military standards have risen meanwhile – possibly just returning to mock people about it, and boast with his own career overseas. Though people find it hard to believe it, it is a mere coincidence that just at this time the peasant revolt’s following the Hammer Uprising hit the Westerlands. Not expecting any of it, Reginar is offered a command against the revolts by House Lannister. With an uncommon lack of witty remarks on it, he laconically agrees, well-aware of the fact that he was chosen for this delicate task of dealing with their own people because of being nearly a stranger back home by now. And because “Essosi means” of dealing with the smallfolks are exactly what are sought after by House Lannister. It is a “let me show you how it’s done”-attitude that Reginar displays while performing his task. Far more than being somebody who merely encounters peasants’ guerrilla tactics with enough brutality to set a shocking example, leading most of the civilian opponents’ to refrain from fighting soon enough, Reginar does not miss out on also reinforcing the discipline among the common soldiers who, by their nature, find it difficult to take such strong action against their lowly countrymen. With most of his noble young peers having grown up in an environment of martial sluggishness and neglect, with the last military disputes and real wars far behind, it is easy for Reginar to stand out. But that does not lessen his abilities. His methods appear harsh and brutal in the eyes of many. But soon enough his unit is one of the most-disciplined, most successful and most efficient in the revolt. As his command grows, so does his influence, and soon he is introduced into the most trusted consulting circles of Loreon Lannister, sometimes working personally together with the Lion of the Rock.

While some envious peers wait for the day that Reginar’s snobbishness would turn House Lannister against him, this day does not arrive. Instead, it is observed that Reginar Crakehall is receiving continuing invitations to even private dinners with Loreon Lannister. In the end, Reginar is offered a prestigious and lucrative position in the Lionguard - he politely turns down the offer and returns to Essos.

An Iron Banker: In the Name of Returns! (31)
Back in Essos, Braavos, to be specific, a quite new task awaits Reginar: He becomes an Iron Banker. The ancient credit institute employs him as a specialist for risk assessment in the field of war bonds and as a supervisor of the department of creditworthiness calculations relating to "Other Contracts". After three months, the former officer becomes completely bored-out by this job. After a series of cynical comments against the Board, he takes his leave. Until the recent day, he is remembered as one of the best, best-dressed, kindest and most polite and courteous employees the Iron Bank ever had.

The Great Famine:  Protection Money Business (35-37)
Crop failures open up new fields of business for those that are quick to respond to the new market conditions. Reginar, along with several “good old friends”, arrive in the main grain producing regions of Essos. Under their organization, several mercenary companies unite to take control of vast agricultural regions. Producers’ lands, wholesalers’ fairs, merchants’ convoys, warehouse owners and harbour administrations soon underlie “protection” – guaranteed by the mercenaries. With no cap set to the price of grain during these days, there’s free lunch for everybody. Except for the starving Westerosi.

War of the Three Thieves: Businessman in the Arms Industry (39-41)
After the end of the famine, Reginar Crakehall settles in a suitable manse in Tyrosh. A period of “re-orientation” is spent mainly with quarrelling with his local neighbours and - during that time of peace - losing his money on failing, largely civilian investments. He becomes annoyed and intends to leave – when suddenly new business arises. He acts as a coordinator of mercenary companies to the Tyroshi nobles, while his eyes are already on the growing demand of armament goods demanded by the Stepstones. Reginar invests in Tyroshi smith production first, then reallocates most of his investment into the Myrish ballistic industry. It is Reginar’s money that is working now for him – meanwhile he tries to find something else to do. He acts as a military consultant again, and finally leaves to get some “practical” experience again in the regions of Slaver’s Bay.

Demand of armament goods in the Stepstones keeps rising still upon Reginar’s return to Tyrosh. He faces several disputes with business partners – and can settle them. He keeps watching the unfolding conflict – and starts disinvesting. "Having grown annoyed by all the nasty administrational work that comes with being a successful businessman", Reginar sells his business and all his contracts, contact info and customers "overnight" as some call it. He arrives in Lannisport shortly after, some mercenary companies alongside him (coincidentally on the same ship).

War of the Three Thieves: In the Name of the King, the Crown and Loreon (41-45)
As if having done nothing else during his whole life, he serves Loreon Lannister directly during the whole War of the Three Thieves with unknown strictness and obedience. Though obedience is hardly needed for both men find themselves naturally agreeing on the majority of whatever they discuss. The Crakehall is given a commission as a high-ranking officer and consultant, rising with rapid speed in the ranks of the Lion. He participates in and increasingly often commands land attacks and conquests of islands. Often showing and “unexpected knowledge of the local geography of the Stepstones”.

The end of the conflict sees him risen to some of the highest ranks of command available in the army of House Lannister, ranking high in the favour of House Lannister, being considered one of those closest to Loreon Lannister.

And while he has not led House Crakehall’s soldiers, the House has lost its heir, Harold Crakehall, and the latter one’s son as well. Those ranking above Reginar in the line of heritage are but Septons – namely his older brother and the second son of Harold. After a life-time spent in Essos, hardly ever caring about his House and family, even his country again, Ser Reginar Crakehall has become heir to one of the most powerful Houses in the Westerlands.

The Scarlet Winter: Business as Usual – and Becoming a Respected Man back Home (45-48)
It is on the very funeral of the deceased heirs to Crakehall that sees the conflict between Reginar and elderly yet fiercer than ever Lord Edgerran revived. The unexpected heir starts arguing with his father at once – and leaves for Casterly Rock, where he settles down as personal military consultant to Loreon Lannister.

The Scarlet Winter sees Reginar very concerned with caring for the welfare of the Westerlander soldiers – not only those of House Lannister, but also those of other Houses. And reinforcing the borders, especially against the North. He takes on one of the leading roles in seeing Loreon Lannister’s habitually assertive programmes through.

In 404 AC, Ser Reginar Crakehall is named Marshal of the Westerlands, the highest-ranking officer of the realm, apart from the Lord of the Rock himself.

It is the end of the winter that has finally left Lord Edgerran Crakehall so weak that he passes away, leaving Reginar Crakehall as the new Lord of Crakehall.

The Hornvale Rebellion: Observation and Rebuilding (49)
When disputes over the rule of House Brax arose in 406 AC, Reginar is sent as military observer, inspector and intermediator, to make sure to keep the conflict under control and not see the martial strength of the Westerlands unnecessarily weakened. With obviously few orders given from Loreon Lannister, Reginar does what is needed – and if that means watching the Battle of Hornvale as a mere spectator in the end due to being ordered not to intervene. It is a new experience to him, at least. After the winner of the conflict has emerged, Reginar assists Meredyth Brax and those around her to ensure that stability is quickly regained and sustained. He finds himself dealing not only with vassals and levies, but also with Lords and administrators.

Mummer’s War (and the way thereto) - Amazingly little to tell about (50)
After he has returned from inspections along the coastlines, Reginar has set off to accompany Loreon Lannister and his massive Westerlander entourage to the Tourney at Harrenhal. Overseeing himself the military might accompanying the noblemen and acting as sizeable escort at the tourney itself, Reginar is busy with avoiding to watch the “silly chivalry nonsense going on in the arenas”. On the feasts accompanying said nonsense, however, he gets to talk to Berena Tully and her brother Lord Landon Tully, with whom he gets into discussions about border guard cooperations, and possible further alliances. Similar conversations are led with the Lord of the Reach.

Returned from the tourney, the Marshal of the West resumes preparations for sizeable manoeuvres and drills in the inlands. The forces gathered there, however, are soon used to be sent to and across the borders for the onset of a war has started. Reginar, with Ser Lorimer Lorch as second in command, is sent along the way near Wayfarer’s Rest up to Riverrun with a massive detachment at his command. For a long time, this Western army would constitute the major part of all forces assembled to defend the Riverlands for the Riverlords under an instable Tully government prove reluctant to take up their weapons. Yet it is a series of insults and “offenses against the military decorum” that makes up most of the Riverlords thanks for their proactive Western ally. When the Blackwood host appears nearby, Damion Blackwood along with a Bracken scion (Sarya Bracken) are arrested and kept as hostages for much of the rest of the war, with no pursuit of their fleeing forces possible.

A lack of Riverlander diplomatic abilities, complicated communication lines back to the Rock and the threat of a rebelling House Blackwood in their back forbid the Western army to follow the slowly gathering Riverlords eastwards, where the dragon of Maegor Waters alongside the forces of the Vale threaten to become an invasion into the Riverlands. Reginar Crakehall along with the majority of the Western army spend the rest of the short-lived war in Riverrun.

After The Mummer’s War - About Peace and Related Boredom (51)
Back at the Rock, Reginar spends a year to see the Western forces and potential levies rebuilt and restructured. On the request of his relatives, he also sees to it that Crakehalls assume ever more promising positions in the forces and Household guard of House Lannister and the West. Without overly much interest, Reginar also agrees to his House making a substantial donation for the altar of the Warrior at the Grizzled Lion’s Sept of the Faithful.

In general, the peace after the Mummer’s War seems to have left political powers and borderlines cemented. Not much to do for a man of Reginar’s abilities and calibre apart from being bored and annoyed by the Lordly duties he could restrict himself to. Typically, however, he leaves his Lordship at the hands of his related castellan – and returns to Essos.

Return to Essos - Setting up Business again (52-60)
Essos has far more to offer for a versed warlord – and Reginar does not need to wait for long until the first contractors, old friends, former customers and old enemies line up again to welcome the famous Essosi veteran back home.

In general, Reginar’s main focus is on the Three Daughters. There, he soon takes up work as a mediator of the arms industry again. Yet his services span far more than that: As if never having been away, cities and Houses turn to him again at once for consultation and development of their forces or fortifications. He acts as a mediator between mercenary companies and cities, and is active in equipping, organizing and acting as a broker for the former.

As to his relations with the Westerlands, on Loreon Lannister’s request, Reginar has kept the title of Lord Marshal of the Westerlands, but would typically not place much emphasis on it in his Essosi environments when it does not suit the situation. Otherwise, he is now often addressed when locals and partners are interested to establish relations to the Westerlands, and now finds himself more often than expected in nearly diplomatic settings. It is only twice, in 412 and 414 AC that he travels back to the Westerlands because of mainly military duties over there. Else he leaves running his lands to his relatives. Meanwhile, the name Crakehall would become ever more spread among the ranks of Western forces as more and more of his kin would assume officer postions.

Among the Crakehall’s tasks during the years in Essos were the following:

Focusing on the Three Daughters for a start, House Drahar employs Crakehall with organizing, equipping, educating and drilling the Drahar forces for a while. Among others, he thereby gets to know Saras Drahar.

With the onset of 411 AC, he resumes working for Phaedrus Sathmantes – a very old acquaintance Reginar has known since his own youth in Essos. One of the first people he had ever met on the Eastern continent, actually.

Acting partly as salesman for the arms industry and a mediator and organizer of mercenary employment, Reginar also gets to know Selwyn Storm when assisting the latter’s company The Stormbringers.

412 AC sees Reginar also assisting House Tramyr. Having known their head Thoros Tramyr since 379, it is now the Princess-Admiral Titania Tramyr that Reginar often assists with aid and guidance to restructure Myr's bastion and military.

In his role as versed and reliable consultant and assistant to mercenary captains, Reginar Crakehall gets into contact with The Windblown and Lyle Bracken for whom, amonng other mercenary companies, he acts as mediator, organizer and equipper.

It is 414 AC that sees a battle take place that Reginar gets involved in – and brings him close to Norvos. To his surprise finding even the Crown Prince of Westeros involved, alongside Selwyn Storm and his mercenaries, Unsullied and Norvosi forces, Reginar accepts with a laissez-faire and unimpressed, unworried attitude that he has been assisting both warring parties shortly before the conflict. For he is also well acquainted to the Company of the Raven that Ambrose Blackwood had brought to fight against the Norvosi allies.

Recent Events – A Possibly Fateful Return to Westeros (60)
Still of unimpaired health, unquestioned abilities, unfaded wit and never ending ambitions in the more or less direct fields of war, Lord Reginar Crakehall has recently, unexpectedly, with no notice before, returned to Westeros. With his reasons to do so still unknown, many of those who know him – his art, his ambitions, his relations to the Lord of the Rock – have now become nervous and wary to suddenly see one of the most skilled and most experienced generals returned to the continent’s shores…

Family - House Crakehall
+ Lord Edgerran (d. 405 AC, aged 82) married to Lady Crescenthys (82)
 * + Harold (d. 401 AC, aged 51) married to Elda (62)
 * + Roland (d. 401, aged 29)
 * Ambrose (Septon, 42)


 * Edgard (Septon, 63)

Umbert Crakehall (80) married to Leyna (80)
 * Adalbert (56) married to Adelle (53)
 * Ademar (37)
 * Arland (36)
 * Adelaide (28)
 * Mildred (62)
 * Regibald (58) married to Waldra (50)
 * Tristane (32)
 * Mildred (29)
 * Irmyn (27)
 * Theomore (25)