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The High King of Osten Ard.

Overview[]

High King of Osten Ard. Seventh King of the Hayholt. John was known for loving the people of his realm very much and for being the king that brought them many years of stability and peace.

Wielder of the sword Bright-Nail (Minneyar/Memory), which he found in the caverns beneath the Hayholt. Falsely claimed to have killed the dragon Shurakai which had in fact been slain by King Ealsthan Fiskerne.

Description[]

Physicality[]

In his youth[]

  • Golden haired

In his old age[]

Personality[]

  • Reckless
  • Loved battle
  • Hated the Sithi
  • Pragmatic
  • Ardent Aedonite

History[]

Prior to the Events of The Dragonbone Chair[]

Early life[]

John was born on the isle of Warinsten as a commoner around Founding-year 1063. In his later years he would dismiss his homeland as backwards and primitive.

The Dragon[]

John journeyed from his homeland to Erkynland.

Because he feared that the Sithi knew his secret concerning the dragon, he started a war of extermination against them.

Naban[]

After the Battle of Nearulagh Naban accepted the rule of the High Ward. John gained the loyalty and friendship of Naban's last heir, Sir Camaris

Rimmersguard[]

John nearly lost the battle of Elvritshalla Dale due to his own recklessness. Iseborn would accept the Aedonite faith and as a reward John elevated him as the first Duke of Elvritshalla. His son Isgrimnur would become one of the High Ward's most ardent supporters.

The Thrithings Wars[]

Marriage and Fatherhood[]

At long last it was time for John to take a wife. The bride in question was Efiathe of Hernisadarc, who was renamed by him into Ebekah. The beutiful young Queen, she was 50 years younger than her husband, became known as the "Rose of Hernystir". John was over sixty years old when Ebekah gave birth to their first child, Prince Elias. Unknown to all but a few, the Queen carried on an affair with her special protector Sir Camaris. This relationship resulted in a child, Prince Josua, who John claimed as his own. Ebekah would not survive the birth and Sir Camaris would leave on a self imposed exile. John had lost both a beloved wife and a dear friend.

The Long decline.[]

In the last years of his life he was very sick and left most of the war campaigns necessary to his older son and heir. During one of these campaigns his daugher in law Hylissa was slain and his "son" Josua lost his hand in her defense. This caused a rift between the two boys that would not heal. John was plagued by the quarreling between his two sons and resorted to giving Naglimund to Josua in order to keep them apart.

The Dragonbone Chair[]

King John dies in the Hayholt on Saint Tunath's Day of FY 1163 at the age of 100, beloved by his people.

Relationships[]

Family[]

Friends[]

Enemies[]

Skills and Abilities[]

  • Leadership abilities
  • Fighting skills to nearly rival that of Camaris

Possessions[]

  • The sword Brightnail

Quotes[]

Quotes Of[]

  • "Honor is a wonderful thing, but it is a means, not an end. A man who starves with honor does not help his family, a king who falls on his sword with honor does not save his kingdom." -John to Camaris at the Battle of Nearulagh.

Quotes About[]

  • “It may be remembered, that when the last nail had been driven into the Execution Tree, and our Lord Usires was left to hang in terrible agony, a noble woman of Nabban named Pelippa, daughter of a mighty knight, saw him and her heart was filled with pity for His suffering. As the darkness fell that First Night, while Usires Aedon hung dying and alone – for His disciples had been scourged from the Temple courtyard – she came to Him with water, which she gave to Him by dipping her rich scarf in a golden bowl and then bringing it to His dry lips. As she gave Him to drink, Pelippa wept to see the Ransomer’s pain. She said to Him: ‘Poor man, what have they done to you?’ Usires answered her: ‘Nothing that poor Man is not born to.’ Now Pelippa wept afresh, saying: ‘But terrible enough that they kill you for words, without also they hang you heels-high for the sake of humiliation.’ And Usires the Reclaimer said: ‘Daughter, it matters not which way I hang, top-first or the opposite – I am still looking full into the face of God my Father.’ So, then as was said by our Lord Usires, so may we say it is with our beloved John. The common people in the city below us say that John Presbyter is not gone, but remains to watch over his people and his Osten Ard. The Book of the Aedon promises that even now he has ascended to our beautiful Heaven of light and music and blue mountains. Others – our brethren, John’s subjects in Hernystir – will say that he has gone to join the other heroes in the stars. It matters not- Whatever he is, he who was once young John the King, be he enthroned in bright mountains or stellar fields, we know this; he is happily gazing full into the face of God...” - Lector Ranessin at John's funeral, TDC, Chapter 6: The Cairn on the Cliffs

Notes, Theories, and Trivia[]

References[]

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