Korthan

Information

Player: Thoradin

Character Full Name: Korthan Wilhem Pyke

Character In-Game Name: Korthan

Nickname(s): Sir Pyke, Green-Fish, River-Knight

Association(s): House Oren (formerly, left when the last, Garibald Oren, died with no heirs), Kingdom of Gilneas, Brotherhood of the Thorne, House Thelwind

Race: Human

Class: Warrior (Knight)

Age: 67

Sex: Male

Hair: Grey and balding. He has a full beard and mustache, which are peppered with spots of black.

Eyes: His left eye is a deep blue, his right is greyed with blindness.

Weight: 145lbs

Height: 6'1" (1.0)

Appearance

Usual Garments/Armor: His armor is a Half-plate-and-scale set, painted green with the tabard of his order (brown and green with a rosebush in the center) worn over top.

Other: An iron shield painted green with a hand-painted golden tree. He also wields an enchanted sword, named Thorne, folded with arcane dust. The enchantment is a boost to his sight, as well as his fortitude, to counteract the failings of his age.

Personality

Korthan is a man of honor and chivalry, going to any lengths to uphold tradition no matter the cost. He is a friendly man, kind heartened and generous. He'd give a man the shirt off his back if he needed it. He often allowed vagrant caravans to stay on his land free of charge and hindrance, usually visiting their makeshift camps to visit and buy trinkets for his wife and children.

Korthan is valiant and courageous, unfaltering and forgiving to his enemies. Yet his wrath can be terrible when invoked, usually finding it difficult to sway his fury once unleashed. Despite his flaws, Korthan remains grateful for his long life, his family, and his overall well-being preserved into the dark times that the world has fallen into these last few decades.

Alignment: Lawful Good.

History

Born to Sir Rodik Pyke and, his wife, Miredith Pyke, Korthan was the second son, his first brother being stillborn. Korthan eventually played eldest to two other brothers, the youngest dying of the Pox at a young age. The two young boys were inseparable, going on adventures to explore the land his family owned along the North River. Korthan and, his brother, Tomin grew to be wily young lads with sharp wits as well as strong bodies.

The two boys were eventually squired off to Lord Garibald Oren I, their father's Lord, sworn into service. The years grew on, the boys learning the appropriate mannerisms, the ways of court, and of combat. It was a frustrating existence, but a satisfying one, growing up with the knowledge of being a Knight like in the fairy tales and like his father.

At the age of eighteen, Korthan was knighted by Lord Garibald Oren I, just in time for the Summer Tournament. Korthan loved the Tournament season; the scenery, the food, the glory and honor, and of course... the ladies. Bestowing a rose to a young woman from a miniscule house in the tournament's home country of Alterac. He grew mad with the thought of her, he wanted to woo her and what better way than to win the Joust in her honor? When the flag rose, his horse sprang into action, barreling down along the fence. In a flurry of wooden splinters and gasps, Korthan won the Joust, yet received a nasty wound as much of his opponents' lance broke off in his side under the arm.

Later that year, Korthan was wed to this young beauty from Alterac. Once he recovered, Korthan set back out to earn himself some glory and honor in the name of his father and family. Mostly, the young knight ever only fought brigands or stood in for his father, when he fell ill, eventually taking inheritance of the Pyke holdings along the North River. Korthan continued this way of life, entering Tournaments held around the Kingdoms, going on mini-quests to slay foul brigands and banditry that often plagued Gilneas at this time.

A few years before the start of the First War, however, grave news came to pass. Lord Garibald Oren II, who took Lordship after his father passed, was killed in a hunting accident. He had no heirs to leave his title and land to, thus letting the Kingdom split his holdings. This was a time of challenge for Korthan, as his lands were 'set free' so to speak. He remained a landed Knight, his house a popular location for welcomed vagrant camps.

Many of these travelers were practitioners of old magics, able to help trees and crops grow at their whim. Most of them following an archaic way that had long since gave out to the worship of the Holy Light. It was here that Korthan began to find a mindset, beginning to believe himself in 'the Old Ways'. He was even invited into a near-defunct order known as 'The Brotherhood of the Thorne'. Suddenly, memories of an ancient order of knights flooded back into his head, the tales his wet-nurse would tell him as a babe.

The Knight was more than honored to join this Brotherhood, willing to belong and garner some sense of purpose. He learned their ways, honoring their traditions and learning their histories. Korthan was announced a Brother of the Thorne by the start of the First War, combining his land in service with that of the ancient holding of Castle Rose, the home of the Order of the Thorne.

Following the start of the Second War, Korthan lent his sword to the King's forces, going out to stop the vile green horde that was washing over the south. Korthan marched forward with a small number of men under his command. His time in the Second War wasn't exceptionally noteworthy, with one particular thing to say.

Korthan Pyke slayed a dragon. A red drake, under the control of a brutal, half-witted orc rider that was terrorizing a small village in Hillsbrad. Korthan remembered the old tales, how the Knights always prevailed over the giant, evil lizards. The drake flew overhead, at first, as the orc gauged the situation as a band of soldiers arrived. Korthan had five men under his command, yet as that crimson devil swooped down at its masters command, three were left as clumps on the ground, the orc had simply had the men snatched up and dropped.

Korthan and his remaining two men stood their ground as the beast landed, the orc screaming a hellish warcry. The average soldiers, armed with nothing more than a wimpy hammer and a pitchfork, did their best. They managed to tear the beasts wings, grounding it indefinitly. This grew a rebuttal from the beast, as he snatched one man up in his jaws, clenching tight and then flinging him across the village in a heap. The other was not so lucky, his flesh and armor melting as the beast breathed fire.

Korthan, hastily, armed himself with his fallen comrades pitchfork. A quick jab and twist and the orc rider lay sprawled on the ground, his belly split and his spine broken. Victory would not come so easily, the dragon sending a great claw at Korthan, striking him across the head. Korthan's sight was thrown off, his right eye darkened with blood and blindness. His head felt light from the concussion, but he knew he must fight on.

A great tail came from nowhere as Korthan stood, sending the beleaguered knight into a nearby cottage. Broken timbers, straw mattings, and blood were all around him, unable to move thanks to a shattered leg. Korthan heard the beast, sauntering up to finish the job, savoring its kill. The broken knight uttered a prayer as the great red lizard stuck its head through the hole, a heat growing from its throat.

Then suddenly the roof gave way! The timbers falling and pinning the surprised beast as it squeeled and roared in shock! Korthan saw his moment, his opportunity. He jammed his sword through the yellow, reptillian eye that looked on at him in a primal anger. Thrust, twisted, sheath. The beast was slain, the villagers coming to help the wounded Knight. His injuries bonded, he was shipped off on a cart back to Gilneas where he spent the remainder of the Second War in his estate, recovering. He has since then taken up the wearing of an eyepatch, in order to keep from unnerving the commonfolk and the nobility alike.

Korthan then spent a good deal of time training new recruits to the Order of the Thorne, trying to keep the life of the Order going. He, essentially, lived life to it's fullest, growing old with his wife with many children and grandchildren over time. His brother, Tomin, sadly perished during the events of the Northgate Rebellion.

The Curse was another issue all together; Korthan going to great lengths to protect his family and followers of the Old Ways. Unfortunately... the Curse was unmerciful, striking many throughout the countryside, but thankfully the majority of the Pyke family remained uncursed. The same could not be said for the many refuges, from all walks, that fled to the safety of Castle Rose. Escape was determined to be necessary as the feral beasts broke upon the Rose like a tide. Korthan led his family and many others through one of the many escape tunnels under Castle Rose, leading out near a small port on the western coast.

Korthan sent off the younger members of his family, returning briefly to his home on the River with several of his sons and older grandsons to set some defenses up. A few months passed, the Pyke Manor was furbished with a barricade surrounding the immediate property. Korthan decided that it was time to head south, to Stormwind, to make sure the rest of his family and legacy were secured and safe.

After making sure everything was accounted for, Korthan was then approached by a representative of House Thelwind of Gilneas, followers of the Old Ways. Duty and Honor bound him to pledge his sword to their service and it is there he will remain until released from service by one means or another.

Skills and Abilities

Knighthood: Sir Pyke has been a knight for many decades, knowing the courtesies by heart. With Knighthood comes proficiency in multiple forms of combat and use of weaponry.

Tourney Champion: Korthan was the victor in both the Swords and the Joust in Tournaments held throughout the human kingdoms. These victories have always given him a sense of accomplishment, a boost to his morale.