Michael Cave

Michael Cave is the Lord of Strongcliff. Known throughout Crackclaw Point as "Mick the Marauder," his actions during the Second Hammer Uprising and the subsequent Four Year Winter have earned great notoriety in the eyes of neighboring lords - and a heroic status among his own smallfolk.

Though not always the most imposing presence, Mick's unpredictable volatility can easily compel fear and discomfort. At times he can sport a level of decorum fit for a lord, but just as often he behaves with an aggressive crudeness. Never one to turn down a fight, he takes great pleasure both in giving and taking a beating; even his most humiliating defeats are experienced as thrills.

Michael was born in 416 AC to Lord Hoster and Lady Amarei Cave, second cousins of the same house. His weak-willed mother was wholly unable to check the worst impulses of his father, an abusive man with a zealous streak. Under such circumstances, the young heir to Strongcliff learned the importance of self-defense - and by the time he reached adolescence, the violence in his home was no longer one sided. Though Mick received the majority of Lord Hoster's ire, he frequently found himself defending his mother and siblings.

Michael came of age just in time for the outbreak of the Second Hammer Uprising, during which Lord Hoster distinguished himself as the only claw lord to support the Warsmiths' cause. Initially compelled to fight by his father's side, Mick and two dozen of his house's fiercest men turned cloak and joined forces with Lord Desmond Brune, who was leading local efforts to quell the uprising. His ruthless band, known as "Mick's Marauders," proved successful, if controversial; it was Michael who personally captured and imprisoned his rebellious father.

While in his son's custody, Lord Hoster Cave perished, allegedly due to the abuse and neglect of his gaoler. In his first act as the rightful Lord of Strongcliff, Michael sentenced the gaoler to death.

His status as the hero of Crackclaw was short-lived. The Second Hammer Uprising was followed by the Four Year Winter, which proved exceptionally harsh for the region. To feed his own people, Mick sent his Marauders to steal from the lands of his neighbor, Lord Criston Pyne, and gave refuge to any smuggler or bandit who could help to provide food. By the winter's end, Mick was seen as a savior by his own smallfolk - and despised by the other lords of the Claw.

Family

 * Hoster Cave, Lord of Strongcliff b. 395 AC d. 434 AC
 * m. Amerei Cave b. 399 AC
 * Michael Cave, Lord of Strongcliff b. 416 AC
 * Ellyn Cave b. 418 AC
 * Baelor Cave, Heir to Strongcliff b. 420 AC
 * Denys Cave b. 422 AC

Mick's Marauders

 * Black Jack Claw
 * Jon Waters
 * Simon Slim
 * Howland the Wolf
 * Ned the Dread
 * Florian the Fair
 * Tricky Dickon