Gallowglass
From Changeling Venue
| Seeming | Wizened Soldier |
|---|---|
| Court | No Court |
| Freehold | Freehold of Azure Hills |
| Player | Chris Burns |
Contents |
Overview
Name: Gallowglass
Mortal Alias(es): None currently
Lost Aliases: The Broken Blade; 'Glass;
Real Name: Troy Liam Nolan
Location: Freehold of Azure Hills - Eastern MA and southern NH
Date of Birth: February 29th, 1936
Date Taken: August 14th, 1950
Date Returned: April 3rd, 2000
Apparent Age: Mid/Late 30s
Place of Birth: Iron Mountain, Michigan
Seeming: Wizened
Kith: Soldier
Court: None
Titles: None
Concept: Knight Errant - Champion, courier, and craftsman
Overview: Used as a slave for his skills, today Gallowglass is a sought after bodyguard, courier, and craftsman. Payment for services rendered is what defines his new life in the society of the Lost.
Gallowglass is based out of the Freehold of Azure Hills. He is commonly seen around the Goblin Markets, and tends to stay near each Court when their season is in. A friend to all Courts, Gallowglass barters his services to any who would ask for them.
He is often seen traveling the area, ranging across the United States even, performing work as a courier as a member of the White Stag. In addition to his courier duties he is an active member of the Freehold, regardless of his standing as one of the Courtless. Each season he can be seen working with various court members on whatever tasks and challenges need to be dealt with.
In his scant spare time, Gallowglass maintains a small forge and crafts and repairs swords and other blacksmithing items for the residents of the Azure hills.
Mask: A tall, athletically built man of about thirty. His dark hair and beard show signs of gray, and his eyes harbor the secrets of a man who has lived twice as long. For his imposing stature and sureness of movement, something seems off about him. Sometimes it shows up as a deferential attitude; overall he just seems smaller than a man of his build and overall demeanor should.
Mein: As tall as his mask, but impossibly thin. A stretched and starved parody of the goblin Wizened, his ashen skin envelops his bones and sinew like a too small glove. Black eyes, like mirrored onyx, dart about in constant vigilance of this Soldier's environment.
Mythos
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Timeline
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The Broken Blade
Shortly after his escape through the Hedge, Gallowglass was asked why he carried a broken sword. As a Wizened, artificers of great reknown, could he not have fixed the giant two handed bastard sword? Why fight with half a sword? For the price of a meal, his first real one in over two decades, he told this story:
"When I was brought to Arcadia, I was sent to fight. I was given a sword, this one, a giant sword of immense weight. It was not fit for a child to wield. How could one? The Dread Lord of Trespasses cared not.
"Food would come only when the battle was done and I was so very hungry, so I went to war with my oversized sword. It was miserable. At some point ... I do not remember when ... I placed the sword against a rock and threw my weight against it, snapping it in two. It was easier to wield then and I had more success on the field of battle.
"Yet when I returned, The Gentry did not care about my success. They only cared I ruined one of their precious works. I was made to feel hunger as I have never felt before, and made to always carry the broken blade. We have served each other since."
To this day, regardless of what other weapons he carries about him, always is the broken blade strapped to his back, watching it for him.
A Very Good Year - 2004
Since his escape from the Hedge at the turn of the century, Gallowglass had accomplished much. He had made a name for himself locally and, to a small extent, regionally. He had yet to test himself on a grander stage.
To earn honor and contracts for the White Stag, and personal glory for himself, Gallowglass entered into the Summer Tournament of the Magistrates of the Wax Mask, a nationally celebrated tournament of great prestige. With effort, skill, luck, and perseverance, Gallowglass won the day and was crowned the Summer Tourney champion.
That fall he entered and won the Autumn Hunt. In a few short months he had gone from a locally recognized Changeling to the national champion in two major events. Surrounding these momentous occasions, even the little things seemed to work out for the best.
2004 was truly the best of times for Gallowglass. Now he waits, knowing that everything has an opposite and that fate has a way of making sure the good years balance out with the bad.
Those Known
Friendlies
- Caius Arctorus Paendragon - Your arrival came with a high price, is it any wonder why we don't trust you fully?
- Echoe - Which way will you go, Echoe? Will you follow your King or will you be a strength to your court?
- Gaea - Skilled and capable ... and still growing. Her strength will help us all.
- Gaius Arctorus - We are all accountable for our actions, General. Will you accept this when the time comes?
- Green Man - Your sight is great and your talents immense. I only hope they are enough to hold your court together.
- James Daniels - A cool headed breeze. We're gonna need cool heads.
- Maze - He's been a busy bee in a short time. Nasty sting too.
- Ox - Simple soldiers the both of us. Why is it our type always gets caught up in intrigue?
- Tanith - The Freehold needs Summer's strength.
- Race - I hope you can keep the Legion in check if it comes to it. I can't fight you guys and bring King to justice.
- Ras - I saw your rage at my accusation of King. Hopefully you are with me and not against.
- Varyn - What is your place in all this? Will you help Saga overcome, or drive him to act on his rage?
Family
- Cerannen - I will see your quest through with you; Isadora cannot lose another.
- Creanna - It will be okay.
- Dan Ling Wei Ying Xiong - While spring is here, none will ever forget the Eternal Winter. Never let us forget.
- Edria Meredith - There is much to answer for, but the fault is not yours alone, and there is much forgiveness in our hearts still.
- Isadora - You are hurt, Spring Queen, but always remember there is Hope.
- Saga - He has taught us fear. We will teach him Justice can be far scarier.
- Stephan Glamourdust - You are the most self-sacrificing person I know, and we are all indebted to you.
Fraternities
- Magistrates of the Wax Mask - They help us tell our stories. They turn our stories into legend.
- The Praesidium - A noble purpose, but not always noble people. Then again, neither am I. It is a good fit ... from time to time.
- The White Stag - You tell us what, when, and where. We'll take care of the rest.
Foes
- The Twilight King - He stole me away to barter me off. Without him I would be dead now. Without him I would have lived.
- Dread Lord of Trespasses - I served my durance to him in hunger and darkness. I will never serve under those conditions again.
- Suicide King - Your lesson has been learned, Judas. Now you will learn the lesson of Justice.
Fallen
- Dargo Hawke - The Eternal Winter.
Character Inspirations
- Broken Sword - Hero
- Ka D'Argo - Farscape
- Hunter - Neverwhere
- Prince Josua Lackhand - Memory, Sorrow, Thorn
- Frank Martin - The Transporter
Quotes
- "You wish for my services now? They are yours for the asking, but the rituals must be observed. Do you know how to begin? No? Then I would suggest you find out." - Gallowglass
- "Not all that wander in shadow are evil. Some are simply mean." - Gaius Arctorus
- "He has guarded those that this one considers treasured friends in the past. And now he guards a place that was once considered home and still has many treasured friends in its borders. All aid will be given." - James Daniels
- "Honorable and true. I trust him at my back." - Cerannen
Rumors
- The price of negotiating with Gallowglass is a meal. At the end of the meal the Pledge is made or it is not.
- Gallowglass has never refused a meal or a Pledge; and he hasn't failed a Pledge either.
- The broken blade of Gallowglass is cold iron and he brought it with him from Arcadia.
- Has championed people not only in physical duels, but also Hedge duels and Dream Combat as well.
- Rumored to be a field agent of Nemesis.
- Gallowglass has an unnatural affinity for Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Categories: Wizened | Soldier | No Court
