Raynald Marbrand

Raynald Marbrand is the current Lord of Ashemark and the head of House Marbrand of Ashemark. He is the son of Robert Marbrand. He inherited the Lordship of Ashemark in 390 AC following his father fall to madness. He built himself a reputation as an impassive, stern but exceeding commander throughout the years and is also known as a decent fighter through his use of the flail.

Appearance and Character
Albeit tall, with broad shoulders and a strong neck; cold blue eyes, dark grizzled hair and an impassive face are what most people would use to describe Raynald Marbrand. As early as his thirties, streaks of gray started appearing in his hair and added to the rugged look of his stubbles and hard facial features. Born and groomed as a man of action, Raynald rarely exhibits the usual extravagance of people of the nobility. Both his silent mannerism and practical dressing style reveals a man that is more comfortable on a horse or on battlements than anywhere else.

What humble reputation he has garnished over the years describes a man of few but sharp words with little patience but overwhelming self-control and calm. Although a decent fighter, he is more known for his stoic leadership and his tactical mind. Unless one grows to know the man personally, that is about as much as he can learn as Raynald is also a man of secrecy and trusts very few people. However, he has often been described as a trustworthy man which will put duty and necessity well over honor.

Youth
Robert Marbrand and Melene Marbrand nee Farman first child died during childbirth in 368AC and three years later, their second child was named Raynald. His father was stern and distant but placed much trust in his son. He rewarded success and punished failure. Raynald grew reading words of his grandfather's fame as a fighter and for many years wished to also became of fighter of renown. But his father insistance convinced him that war was not won by a single sword and that Lordship entailed many other skills more essential than one's ability to win in combat. Raynald's education was one of a soldier.

The Hammer Uprising
At age seventeen when they began, the Hammer Uprising was one of the first real challenge of Raynald's competence. Although still ruling over Ashemark, his father was then deep within his growing madness and ordered the quelling of many peasant uprisings through violent repression. This quickly lead to growing dissension and lesser nobles began expressing their worries that maybe Robert Marbrand would not be getting better and was far beyond saving. Raynald's intervention and leadership proved to many that he was capable to taking over after his father.

Lordship of Ashemark
After 388 AC, Robert Marbrand delved deeper and deeper in madness. Raynald also began spending time in King's Landing, acting as House Marbrand's representant as his father could not fulfill the role. Having just recently gave birth to a boy, Raynald's new wife, Amelia Hawthorne, stayed in Ashemark. In late 389 AC, Lord Robert became unmanageable and in a fit of symbolic madness he had himself, his wife, Amelia Hawthorne and her child tied to a tree in the courtyard of Ashemark. Shouting his will of keeping the lineage of his blood burning bright, he had fire put to the tree and the family was burned alive.

Raynald rode back to Ashemark to find himself without wife and child. Then aged nineteen, he inherited the Lordship of Ashemark and set himself to the task. Rumors of these events did wander outside of Ashemark, but Raynald never spoke much of it.

The Great Famine
Raynald couldn't grief much as following his rise as Lord of Ashemark, the first signs of the Great Famine appeared. Of all the lordships of the West, Ashemark was perhaps the most affected. Many other houses in the West helped the people of Ashemark by sparing what little food they could but in the end many died and many ghost hamlets were later put the torch.

The War of the Three Thieves
Closing on his twenty-fifth birthday, Raynald had already proven himself in the West has a decent fighter and a capable leader. The War of the Three Thieves became his first opportunity to prove his capability as a commander. He participated in many battles of the war most notably the Second Battle of Splinters and the Battle of the Broken Arm. He, alongside other Lords of the Westerlands, participated in the siege of the Gallows that ended the war.

Recent Events
With the growing tension building up the realm, Raynald Marbrand began spending some time in King's Landing to maintain some of the Westerlands influence in the capital.

Current Family

 * Lord Raynald Marbrand, Lord of Ashemark

Past Family

 * Ser Lann Marbrand, Former Lord of Ashemark. Father of Robert.
 * Ser Robert Marbrand, Former Lord of Ashemark. Father of Raynald.
 * Lady Amelia Marbrand née Hawthorne, Former wife of Raynald.
 * Cedric Marbrand, Son of Raynald and Amelia.

Household/NPC's

 * Ser Ermund, Captain of the Guard of Ashemark
 * Ser Polliver, Man-at-Arms of Ashemark
 * Master Allar, Kennelsmaster of Ashemark
 * Maester Gyles