Dorian Blackwood

Lord Dorian Blackwood is the current Lord of Raventree Hall and the senior most member of House Blackwood. He is married to his cousin Lady Alysanne Blackwood. Born the fifth day of the Ninth Moon, ten years after his parents had his older sister Bethany Blackwood, his birth was celebrated as both his parents thought they were cursed to only have one child. Most of his life was spent in Raventree Hall. However he has spent time in various other holdings as well.

Appearance and Character
A taller man, Dorian has an intimidating appearance to many. He often wears shades of black and purple, sometimes including red for his house colors. His dark hair and dark eyes add to the intimidating visage. He is lean, lending his time and talents to education rather than to war.

Youth
Dorian was bookish from the beginning of his life, always interested in learning more than the maester taught others of his age. He didn't often spend time with his elder sister, as she was ten years his senior. However, he was oftentimes spoiled, his father didn't expect to sire a son. His family life turned sour after it was revealed Edmund sired a bastard Royce Snow. His mother was colder towards his father, sometimes even towards Dorian.

Yet, his younger sister Bellena was born even during the rough times in Raventree Hall. No more children were sired by his parents, the two drifted apart. The bastard too much for them to overcome. However the two stayed married as long as they lived. Dorian began to worry for the legacy of his house, a young lord unsure of how he and his family would be thought of in the future, he began to listen. Listen to conversations about him, about his family. But most importantly... listen to the ravens.

Adolescence and the Citadel
Much of his time in Raventree Hall was spent with his future wife, the unfortunate death of her parents left her to be raised in the castle proper. The two of them were oftentimes inseparable, she seemed to be the missing piece. The ravens stopped speaking when she was around, he enjoyed the respite. While the ravens told him what he needed to know, he didn't always enjoy being told things.

His education grew as he did. The library at Raventree Hall was too small for him, he begged his father to allow him to travel to the Citadel. At twelve his father finally relented, and in 382 AC, Dorian was sent to study alongside the Maesters of the Citadel. He stayed a novice a year and a half, unused to the politics of the Citadel he struggled to forge his first chain. However, he found his affinity once more and forged his first link of black iron in late 383, shortly after at the beginning of 384, he had crafted a second link, this one of silver.

The Archmaesters often spoke amongst one another, plotting and scheming to advance their own interests as the Citadel's interests. Dorian often had novices listen in to those conversations. While Dorian studied and earned each of his links, he ensured he couldn't be held down by petty squabbles. In late 385 he forged a secondary silver chain, deciding to focus his studies upon the human body. However, the voices he heard still intrigued him, so in 386 a second link of black iron was forged. Bringing his total to four. Dorian couldn't resist knowledge and in 387, after much mapping and stargazing, he forged his second to final link, one of brass.

The ravens however spoke once more during his studies before he decided what his next link would be. For the first time in his life he heard a voice directly from the raven, a voice he didn't recognize but identified itself as Lenore, his aunt who passed before he was born. She insisted he study the higher mysteries. House Blackwood had a history of interest in sorcery. And he would study the same. Dorian finally decided on forging a Valyrian Steel link. Something only one in a hundred maesters could do. However, finally in the beginning of 388 he had enough knowledge on divination and greenseers he could forge the final link he would create.

At this point in his life Dorian was at a crossroads, would he forsake his name and take the vows? Or would he return to Raventree Hall and stay true to his birthright? The letters from Alysanne he received from the age of thirteen on began to gnaw on his conscious. How could he leave his cousin and closest confidant alone in Raventree Hall. At the age of eighteen, he announced he had no intention to take the vows and he returned to Raventree Hall to take his position as the heir of Blackwood.

Marriage
It wasn't long after his arrival that he was married to his cousin. A common practice, and one his father thought was prudent. He and Alysanne were married in front of the dead godswood in Raventree Hall. Within the year their first son was born. Damion Blackwood was born in 388, near the end of the year. However, in 389 Dorian found himself approached by a kitchen maid during his prayers in the Godswood. A foolish and lustful youth, Dorian gave into his desires and bedded the maid.

Feeling horrid, he admitted his transgression to his wife, who was furious at first, but for the sake of their son discussed the issue. Eventually after a few months, she forgave him. Both of them understanding it was a mistake and a desire that shouldn't have been fed. Hostella, the maid, revealed her pregnancy. Alysanne insisted she would support the birth, as moon tea was a sin in the gods' eyes. Dorian out of respect for his wife, did not attend the birth. However his wife did, and Hostella died during childbirth.

The rest of their marriage went without major issue, the two were truly in love, and Dorian's guilt kept him from betraying his wife's trust ever again. During the course of their marriage they were blessed with three more children, Ambrose, Lenore and Lysa.

The Great Famine
House Blackwood was not safe from the effects of the famine, in 392 AC the crops froze and the castle's supplies dwindled. Dorian's paranoia was at an all time high, he was sure others intended to steal their grain, it was at this point he began to use the education at his control for subterfuge. His "Ravens" were stationed throughout Raventree Hall, watching the household and the peasants. While the household survived, Dorian realized his Ravens could be used for many different purposes. As such he began to truly use them, finding information for his own use.

Lordship
His life was calm until the death of his father in 397 AC, he was officially named Lord of Raventree Hall. He used his Ravens extensively during this time. Oftentimes using the information to advance house Blackwood's goals. The ravens still speak to him, he can often be seen in front of the godswood at odd hours of the night, listening and speaking. His personal guard ensures none trespass in the godswood as he speaks to the ravens.

Does the Lord stay true to his Blackwood blood? Perhaps so, but only he knows his true intentions.

Recent Events
(To be recorded as major events unfold)

Family Tree
Blackwood Family Tree