Robert Athelstone

This is the Origin Story of Robert of the House Athelstone.

Origins
34 years ago John of Woodbury married a girl from his village, Margaret. She bore him two sons; Robert, the elder, and Criston, the younger. They lived happily together in a house he had built in the middle of the woods, by a small lake. Until King Charles went to war with a neighboring realm, and John was called to serve in the Royal Army. For three and a half years he was away, leaving his wife and sons in wonder where he was, and whether he was still alive. When he finally returned, he was almost immediately called to the capital by the King himself. And so he went. He took Robert, who was 16 years old at the time, with him. Upon their arrival they were greeted by the King's guards, and were escorted through the city all the way to the keep. King Charles, sitting on his throne, called John forward. "Kneel." he said. so John kneeled before him, scared of what the King had to say. "For your loyal service to the Crown and for your valor in battle, I knight thee. Arise, Ser John." Surprised, and relieved, John rose. "Thank you, Your Grace." He said, "I had never imagined the honor." After that he rode back home with Robert, and told his wife all about what had happened.

For 10 years they lived wealthily and peacefully. But then one day, on a cold winter's evening, a band of outlaws came riding by John's house looking for food and shelter. They broke in, and John and his sons tried to fight them off. After killing two of the bandits, John took a crossbow bolt in the heart and died in his own home. Criston fought on, but ultimately was decapitated by one of the men. Robert tried to escape together with his mother, but Margaret fell from her horse and was raped and killed by the outlaws. Robert rode West, on and on and on, until he stumbled upon a small castle. The lord to whom it belonged let him in, gave him food and let his doctors patch up his wounds. Robert swore to take revenge, and assembled a small band of hired swords to track down the men that killed his family. Finally, after months of riding around, he found them drunk in a bar in a small village. Robert took his mercenaries and stormed in. He tortured and killed all of the outlaws.

Over the following years Robert served as a commander under countless Lords and Kings, and became renowned in the world as a strategic mastermind, a great warrior and a more than capable tactician. He founded House Athelstone after he was knighted for his service by King Durrandon. He is a just and stern man, but is also fair and generous. He has been afraid to form any bonds, and has therefore taken no wife and has no children, out of fear of losing them. As of now Robert is wandering around the world, looking for work and a permanent residence. He is known as "The Black Lion", taking inspiration from his sigil.