Post by Admin on Mar 22, 2021 22:19:21 GMT
Thom Rainier originated from Markham in the Free Marches. It appears Rainier had a sister named Liddy, who is deceased now. He won the melee of the Grand Tourney in his youth, albeit with the crucial aid of a fellow competitor - a chevalier called Ser Geoffroy de Bordelon. The chevalier put aside his own ambition to help Rainer win the tournament, and even offered to mentor him, but Rainier refused him out of pride. Many years later, he came to regret that decision.
Thom quickly squandered his winnings from the tourney and took up mercenary work for two years. Eventually he enlisted in the Orlesian imperial army. For the next few years, Rainier campaigned in Perendale and the Dales. He learned strategy and honed his martial prowess. Despite his Marcher heritage, Rainier's skill and dedication allowed him to become a well-respected captain in the Orlesian army. An ally of Grand Duke Gaspard, Ser Robert Chapuis, ordered him to attack one of Empress Celene's allies, Lord Vincent Callier. His soldiers were simply told that they were on an important mission and not told that they were attacking an innocent civilian. The attack turned into a slaughter, as they massacred not only Callier but Callier's wife and children (who were accompanying Callier at the time). Despite not initially expecting the children in Callier's carriage, Thom knew they were present with enough time to call off the attack - and he chose not to do so. When word of the massacre got out, Gaspard disavowed their actions, Chapuis committed suicide and Rainier ran. His men were arrested and sentenced to traitors' deaths. Rainier once again took up mercenary work. In 9:36, Rainier was visiting a tavern near Churneau and saved the barmaid from rowdy village militia harassing her. This was what brought him to the attention of another tavern patron, Warden-Constable Blackwall.
Blackwall saw Rainier's potential and resolved to recruit him into the Grey Wardens. On their way to the Warden stronghold in Val Chevin, they stopped by a Deep Roads entrance on the Storm Coast and Blackwall sent Rainier to retrieve Darkspawn blood for his joining. They were ambushed and Blackwall sacrificed himself to protect Rainier from a fatal blow.
Rainier was inspired by Blackwall's nobility and belief in the Warden's cause, but he had no proof that he had been recruited and feared the Wardens would think he had murdered Blackwall. So he assumed Blackwall's identity and used his status as a wandering Warden recruiter to try and do good in honor of the Warden's memory. He resurfaced as Blackwall in Ferelden in 9:41.
Thom quickly squandered his winnings from the tourney and took up mercenary work for two years. Eventually he enlisted in the Orlesian imperial army. For the next few years, Rainier campaigned in Perendale and the Dales. He learned strategy and honed his martial prowess. Despite his Marcher heritage, Rainier's skill and dedication allowed him to become a well-respected captain in the Orlesian army. An ally of Grand Duke Gaspard, Ser Robert Chapuis, ordered him to attack one of Empress Celene's allies, Lord Vincent Callier. His soldiers were simply told that they were on an important mission and not told that they were attacking an innocent civilian. The attack turned into a slaughter, as they massacred not only Callier but Callier's wife and children (who were accompanying Callier at the time). Despite not initially expecting the children in Callier's carriage, Thom knew they were present with enough time to call off the attack - and he chose not to do so. When word of the massacre got out, Gaspard disavowed their actions, Chapuis committed suicide and Rainier ran. His men were arrested and sentenced to traitors' deaths. Rainier once again took up mercenary work. In 9:36, Rainier was visiting a tavern near Churneau and saved the barmaid from rowdy village militia harassing her. This was what brought him to the attention of another tavern patron, Warden-Constable Blackwall.
Blackwall saw Rainier's potential and resolved to recruit him into the Grey Wardens. On their way to the Warden stronghold in Val Chevin, they stopped by a Deep Roads entrance on the Storm Coast and Blackwall sent Rainier to retrieve Darkspawn blood for his joining. They were ambushed and Blackwall sacrificed himself to protect Rainier from a fatal blow.
Rainier was inspired by Blackwall's nobility and belief in the Warden's cause, but he had no proof that he had been recruited and feared the Wardens would think he had murdered Blackwall. So he assumed Blackwall's identity and used his status as a wandering Warden recruiter to try and do good in honor of the Warden's memory. He resurfaced as Blackwall in Ferelden in 9:41.