Gwayne of Hull

Gwayne of Hull is a lowborn man, hailing from the town of Hull on the island of Driftmark. He has spent time travelling abroad, but currently resides in Driftmark as a sworn sword to his Lord, and old friend, Lord Vaemond II Velaryon.

Appearance and Character
Gwayne, having being born into a lowly life, had never been one for fine luxuries or keeping his appearance immaculate. While he keeps the length of his hair and the shape of his beard in check, it isn’t combed perfectly, often more of a simple look, in some light armour or a simple shirt and trousers if off duty.

A cheerful man at heart, despite the scars, Gwayne is welcoming, and open to speak, not really feeling out of place around nobility given he had grown up alongside a noble himself. He doesn’t trouble himself about the politics of Westeros, content to simply follow through with his duty. A common sight in his home town of Hull, he has ensured to never forget the place, and as such has a unique connection from the Lord of the town to the local tavern keeper. Always interested in a laugh, and never losing the twinkle in his eye for whatever would happen next, Gwayne was always relaxed, but ever ready for the next challenge.

Growing up with alongside a future Lord (409 AC - 425 AC)
Gwayne was born in Hull, from humble beginnings as the son of a fisherman. He was the youngest of five, though only two of the children survived past ten, himself and his sister, Lily. Lily was much older then Gwayne, so while the two were close, it was difficult to properly connect, so both ended up finding other friends. Lily found friends around town, Gwayne did the same for a while, until he met Vaemond Velaryon. They, unusually, were similar, and eventually struck up a friendship. Through his new friend, and from the training he could get around town, Gwayne began learning the art of sword fighting, while spending time exploring the island with the future Velaryon Lord.

Eventually though, they grew distant. As Vaemond grew older, he drew closer to a fellow dragonrider and cousin of his. Gwayne not really knowing his friend’s cousin at all, felt pushed away by the other Velaryon. Vaemond’s interest in his cousin along with the boy’s own dragon, left little time for Gwayne. For a while he held resentment against Vaemond for it, but eventually he decided to accept it as a fact of life. Deciding to head out to find a place he could make a name for himself, and perhaps most importantly, fit in, he packed up the small bag of belongs he had, and bidding his sister goodbye, he took the next boat to the Essosi city of Braavos.

An Essosi Sellsword (425 AC - 436 AC)
Braavos was a strange new world for the young man. In awe of all around him, he quickly decided to start by picking up a few odd jobs around. Mainly heavy labour, moving crates, or simple guard posts for the pillow houses around. He continued for a while, slowly but surely working his way to more and more renown until eventually he caught the eye of more than just brothel owners.

Eventually, Gwayne was approached by a rich merchant, asking to hire him to hunt down some bandits, leading a small group of men hired by the merchant. Upon agreeing and succeeding in the job rather effectively, the merchant pointed the young man in the direction of somewhere he thought the young Westerosi could do well. A mercenary company called the White Blades. A small company, relatively, but one who held themselves up as not only trustworthy but clean as well. While it had its fair share of castaways and former criminals, it had perhaps more noble, upstanding men then usual, even quite a few Westerosi knights.

After seeing what Gwayne could do, and hearing of what he had done, the company agreed to take him on. So for the next almost ten years, Gwayne rode alongside the White Blade’s, completing contracts from Braavos to Volantis. During his time his skill with a sword improved tremendously, getting knighted not soon after joining, and rising quickly as one of the most competent fighters in the group.

While he never managed to, nor wished to, reach the pinnacle of the company, he was often the leader of many quiet, more stealthy parties, and he was quick on his feet, while being a unyielding opponent during a fight. He slew countless men, and celebrated gladly once it was over. He quickly gained many friends in the company, as was his way. Eventually though, the excitement dulled gradually, and having set himself up well enough, after one last contract in Volantis, he bid the White Blade’s adieu.

But he wasn’t home yet. For the next couple of months, he spent travelling, from Volantis right up to Braavos, stopping at each city on the way, keen to learn as much as he could about the places, and more importantly, what knowledge they had to impart. He had vague bits and pieces from his time travelling with the White Blade’s, but he spent months refining that skill, and eventually became perhaps more educated than most knights. His fondness for stargazing transformed into a genuine study of the sky, allowing him to move through the world just that much easier, be it on sea or land the stars were always there. Soon though, he did relent from his life in Essos, returning home to see if his sister and those he knew remained, including one soon to be Lord.

Returning Home (436 AC - Present)
Upon reaching the dock, and stepping foot once more on the island he grew up on was refreshing. But much had changed. He did get to see his sister, and her children, which he was glad for. Perhaps even more surprising, he found his old friend with children of his own, and within a couple of years, the Lord of the island they grew up on together.

Once Vaemond did rise to Lordship, Gwayne decided to officially offer his sword, becoming the Lord of Driftmark’s sworn sword for the foreseeable future. Perhaps not as exhilarating as his time with the company, but the lowborn knight was content.

Recent Events
438 A.C.
 * With the Great Council approaching, Gwayne accompanies his Lord to King's Landing

Family

 * Gyles (373 AC - 433 AC)
 * m. Joy (380 AC - 428 AC)
 * Alyn (395 AC - 403 AC)
 * Lily b. 397 AC
 * m. Elwood b. 390 AC
 * Issue
 * Rosey (402 AC - 403 AC)
 * Gilbert (407 AC - 411 AC)
 * Gwayne b. 409 AC