Legends of Belariath

Nobles and Other Significant Characters

Ryo

Ryo, the oldest son of the House of Narylin, a land to the west of the Emperor Stormbringer and longtime ally, came to age in troubled times. War and small skirmishes all but decimated the outlaying areas. The Guards and Knights on constant patrol, his Father at the head of each new excursion. Ryo always left behind as the Heir to the title of Lord, and to protect his Mother and sister's, to protect the Serfs that relied upon the castle for their protection. Without leadership none could survive as the insurgants led them a merry chase, further and further from the stonghold.

He was forced to wear a mantle of responsibility at a tender age, yet too much time around the feminine gender caused him to explore facets of his personality his Father as a Warlord would disdain. Yet the years of warring, Ryo left behind as the Battles went further afield, left their mark on the impressionable lad. His softness, if it could be considered such, was not weakness, rather compassion. The widows and children, the starving and homeless, his heart cried out to them. His father put him in charge of taking care of the castle and its inhabitants.He took it seriously, as he does everything.

He was a scholarly type in many ways, learning everything he could, but without a man's hand to guide him in a Warriors path. He took his own intelligence his love of the land, the tenants and his Family, he shaped his life around them. Riding out to the feilds one day, he saw an overseer whipping a serf mercilessly. In a rage at the cruelty, he leapt upon him from his mount but being burlier, it took the overseer less than a minute to get him down. "Now Boy, be alookin' yer nose down on me, will ye?" and proceeded to whip the Noble senseless. Hurt, stunned, almost insensible, he crawled toward his horse. Mounting painfully, he slumped over his stallion's mane and kicking his side the young Noble fled.

He spent many a year moving from town to town and encountered all types of people, and finally learned the arts of warfare, of mapping, of tactics his Father neglected to teach him and is now an expert swordsman. He has never returned Home. His good looks, the Courtly charm he learned from his Mother and sisters, his gentlemanly manners leaving him in good stead. For despite he was without a coin, he was Nobility and welcomed in the best Houses. He eventually made his way to his Father's own Liege, and was inducted into his Court easily. His breeding and manners, his roguish laugh and impeccable bloodlines soon made him a favorite.