“PROWESS, COURAGE, HONESTY, LOYALTY, GENEROSITY FAITH, COURTESY, FRANCHISE. Son, never forget those virtues.” – Thomas de Chansons to his newborn son… Born twenty years ago in the Hamlet of Drake, was Theomir de Chansons. His father was the local watch commander; whilst her mother was a librarian to the local temple of Toran. Theomir learned to read and write at a very early age under his mother's tutelage, learning amongst other things from her the virtues of Honesty, Generosity, Faith, and Courtesy. He also learnt the value of knowledge and religion from her. From his father, Theomir learnt the virtues of Prowess, Courage, Loyalty, Courtesy and Franchise, the value of a good shield and sword and the value of a swift and noble horse beneath you. As he grew up, there never was a doubt the young and gifted Theomir would join the flowers of chivalry. When he was 16, Theomir was shaken to the core over an incident that seriously threatened his belief system. While out riding and practicing mounted archery with his childhood sweetheart, Triladir she had an accident when the ground she was riding on gave way, causing her and her horse to plummet into a deep sinkhole. The young Triladir broke most of the bones in her body and was rendered comatose for two weeks. Theomir has never forgiven himself for not being able to prevent the accident. Through sheer determination and the aid of an outstanding healer, Triladir was able to regain her mobility, but the severity of her injuries prevented her from continuing her martial training. Theomir, not being able to look Triladir in the eye over his perceived guilt, packed his humble belongings, asked his father for a letter of introduction, and set off for the local temple of Toran in Fort Llast. It was there that Theomir was accepted as squire to a Justicar (Sir Corin du lac bleu) and began training in martial activities, getting several honourable mentions in dispatches and being granted entry the right honourable order of the Paladins of Toran. During her recovery, Triladir spent much of her time reading various legal documents, political commentaries, and essays. Though her body was broken, her mind was as sharp as ever, and she discovered she had a talent for administrative work. At the age of 18, she moved to Fort Llast and started working as an accountant for some of the local businessmen. In a chance encounter in the street there was a tearful reunion which did not go well. Heartbroken, Theomir requested a transfer to the Garrison in Hlint where he serves to this day. Perhaps one day he and his love will be reunited more happily... A final quote... “Knigts ougt to take coursers to juste & to go to tornoyes / to holde open table / to hu(n)te at hertes / at bores & other wyld bestes / For in doynge these thynges the knygtes exercyse them to armes / for to mayntene thordre of knigthode Thene to mesprise & to leue (th)e custom of (th)t which (th)e knygt is most apparailled to vse his office is but despising of thordre / & thus as al these thynges afore said appertyne to a knygt as touching his body / in lyke wise justice / wysedom / charite (/) loyalte / verite / humylite / strength / hope swiftness & al other vertues se(m)blable appertyne to a knygt as touchyng his soule / & therfor the knygt that vseth the thynges (th)t apperteyne to thordre of chyualry as touchyng his body / & hath none of these vertues that apperteyne to chyualry touchyng his soule is not the frende of thordre of knygthode” - Raymon Lull The Book of the Order of Chivalry