THE BASICS

Name: Taran Worthington


PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Gender: Male

Age: 25 years

Hair: Dark brown (easily mistaken for black)

Eyes: Dark blue

Distinguishing Marks: Small scar at the tip of his chin, mostly covered by stubble. Various scars on his body, the worst being one along his right shoulder-blade. He also has a long zigzagged scar on his forearm.

General Appearance: Standing at 6'2 Taran has the height and coloring typical of his house. He looks a lot like his father, muscular, broad-shouldered, with well toned arms and legs. He dresses well, favoring fine clothes of leather and silk and tunics of quality. He is a lazy shaver, usually sporting a day or two of stubble (this is more prevalent during his bouts of heavy drinking) and on the occasion of being cleanly shaved the scar on his chin is more obvious. Which is probably why he seldom shaves closely even when otherwise well groomed. Although his swagger seems a byproduct of his persona, the gait is due to an injury at the age of 10 years. The hip healed, but his right leg remained weaker, and slightly shorter than his left. As he grew, the swagger developed, covering any sign of limping.


HISTORY

Personality: With a twinkle in his eye and a devil behind his smile, Taran Worthington seemingly goes through life somewhere between light and shadows. The twinkle is obvious, playful personality, zest for life and self-deprecating humor. The devil is a bit more complicated. He is not a cruel man, but he is capable of doing cruel things. Taran does what is needed to get by, to survive, even when it conflicts with his philosophical thesis. He soul searches and sells his soul, both in turn. In many ways, he has lived the lives of different men, finding none completely suitable. He lacks an overall ambition toward politics, but understands the need for his family to gain more significance in the grand scheme of things. In upheaval, he would rather be recruited over to the side that offers the most gain than worry about the political ramifications. His loyalty to his friends is never questionable, even if his actions carry risk.

Having inherited the typical Worthington know-how, he is shrewd enough to make business decisions, and protects investments with dogged cunning. He has the skill, if not the love, of a dedicated bookkeeper. His ledgers are neat and orderly, and mind quick and calculating. He understands wealth and the power it brings, even if he lacks an overall attitude of greed. For his own ends, earning enough to supply his indulgences and maintain a comfortable lifestyle is the key aim in any trades deal or transaction. Any surplus is put away for a rainy day. He guards his late father's investments with care, and has set his out his own business endeavors. Dice games and cards have awarded him the art of bluffing, this comes in handy when trying to win over members of the merchant class. All in all, Taran can get by as a businessman and doesn't shame House Worthington in this regard.

Taran has always been something of a womanizer, in deeds if not in traditional mindset. He can be charming and is gallantly inclined. It was often said he won his horns before his spurs. He took up damsel sampling around the age of seventeen, and by the ripe old age of twenty his bed was never empty of female companionship. There has never been a woman too pretty or too plain for his taste. He tends to be slightly more particular where personality is concerned. However, much of this playboy glow has faded since the war... Taran now has an attitude of 'been there, done that'. He broods over his life, and though young, feels he has wasted opportunities. He suffers from bouts of depression, during which he empties bottles of wine, and staggers around the corridors, looking a wretched mess. These episodes are not to be confused with Taran's more social drinking habits. Beyond his darker episodes, he still has a spark... just dimmer than it was before. He is friendly and outgoing, enjoying conversation and companionship. He enjoys conversing with people of different backgrounds, finding out what makes them tick. Since his former reputation is well-known, Taran is open about his life.

As a warrior, Taran has natural skill. He has polished his style with sword, even if he boarders on the flamboyant. He is a decent jouster, and has won notice on the tourney field. He picked up a solid right punch from his boyhood days, and can hold his own in a brawl. He puts care into keeping fit and sharp. Thanks to his mother, he plays the lyre and enjoys good music (even if he can't write a decent song to save his life). He enjoys hunting, archery and games of cards and dice. He has a fetish for naming swords, his current favorite 'Brimwalder'.


Sexual Preferences: Straight / Heterosexual

House: House Worthington is a minor house, holding a small coastal barony. Despite their relative political insignificance , their coffers are always full. The family wealth was gained, rather than inherited. House Worthington is often referred to as the House of Merchants, due the fact they hold close ties to merchant trade. It started as a business endeavor, and soon grew into a large scale establishment of a merchant guild and port management. The Worthingtons have gotten rich as a result. The family has expensive taste and for the most part are viewed as obsessed with money. The Worthington men are considered good swordsmen, with soldiering and military service being a traditional vocation. They have a love of the sea and sailing, and it is said their womenfolk have the talent of singing bestowed by mermaids.

House Worthington is led by Baron Basil Worthington, Taran's uncle. Basil's son and heir was lost at sea, placing his younger son next in line. Not having much faith in his second son's ability, Basil has always had a warm spot for his wayward nephew, and is hoping Taran will help to raise the family name to a more powerful state of political positioning.

The Worthingtons are retainers of House Liddel, and have friendly ties with House Bracken.

About Your character: Amidst the rolling seas beating upon the northern cliffs of Breiton, a son was born to Sir Harold and Lady Amelia, they named him 'Taran' after his grandfather, the Baron Worthington. When Taran was nearly three years old, his mother took a bad fall while riding, she suffered a miscarriage and was informed her child-bearing days were over. Because of this tragedy, Amelia took special care and interest in the upbringing of her son. She taught him to play the lyre and attempted to share her love of astronomy. Harold supplied the early training of his son, placing a wooden sword in his hand, and teaching the boy to sit a horse. Taran was a lively child, loving, playful and talkative.

The Worthington's holding, a small barony built by the sea, afforded much trade and activity typical of a seafaring harbor. The rough and ready atmosphere was paradise to a young boy. By the age of nine, Taran had already established a reputation for mischief among his cousins and friends. Spending much of the time getting into trouble and dealing with punishments seemed to leave little, or no, lasting effect on his boyish grin. At about ten years of age, Taran was introduced to the marvelous boyhood pleasures of arm wrestling and brawling. Black eyes and bruises were not the end of it. Around the age of eleven, Taran fell out a tree, and injured his hip. He spent the better part of the year recovering, and started practicing lyre again to escape bedridden boredom. His parents (father especially) hoped the accident would be a valuable lesson to his son. But once Taran was out of bed, he was back at his old habits.

When Taran was thirteen he became a squire to Sir Hamil Greene, a knight in his grandfather's service. Taran liked the man, and what was more, respected him. Sadly, Sir Hamil was killed in combat only two years into Taran's squiring.
With the loss of his master, Taran's father decided to formally introduce the boy to the arts of mercantile, and further education by a tutor. Taran caught on fairly quick, but in the end, he didn't adjust well to being a student and landed himself back into trouble. His father was displeased, but his mother turned a blind eye. Uncertain what to do with Taran's willful mischief, Herold arranged for Taran to become the squire of Sir Japin Voyde, a friend and loyal comrade of the Worthingtons.

Taran began traveling with Sir Jaspin, and befriended two young squires
Daris Valen and Jode Kitknol. The threesome became partners in crime. By the time they returned home, the boys were as thick as thieves. Harold's displeasure was obvious. Despite lectures from his father and the usual punishments, Taran and his two compatriots found ways to go off on escapades, leaving a trail of mischief making in their wake. Shortly after his fifteenth birthday, Taran's grandfather, Baron Worthington died, Harold's older brother, Basil, took his place as the family's head. Around this time, Taran wrote his first ballad for his mother. It was a terrible song with bad lyrics, but Amelia adored it.

At seventeen, Taran was betrothed to the daughter of a lesser nobleman as part of a business deal. To cheer him up, Daris and Jode stole a barrel of ale, and held a 'party'. During their night of fun, Jode dared Daris and Taran to visit a brothel. The two made good on the dare. The following morning, Taran woke up with a splitting headache and new appreciation for women. The following year, Taran's betrothal fell by the wayside when the business deal doesn't go though. Taran didn't mind, he was too busy with damsel sampling. Harold was away much of the year, fighting for the king, and Amelia chose not to investigate too much into her son's new habits. Taran was never less than a loving son, the apple of his mother's eye.

Taran was nineteen when he started gaining notice for his fencing. Sir Jaspin began entering the youth in contests of arms, where he rubbed elbows with nobleman, met upstanding knights, and flirted shamelessly with pretty ladies. Another engagement, this time to a merchant's daughter. Unfortunately, she had an identical twin sister, Taran charmed and bedded the wrong girl. One sister was sent to a convent, the other was found a new match. Taran convinced everyone he was trying to solidify the trade deal, and was tricked and seduced as part of a plot by the merchant to reggae on the price of the deal. It was a nice bluff. Taran's uncle, Baron Basil Worthington, was amused by his nephew's defense, even if he didn't believe the lie for a moment.

After taking part in quenching a small fishermen up-rising, Taran was knighted for his valor at the age of twenty. Soon after, he was accused of sleeping with the wife of one of The Worthington's vassals. Taran denied the allegations. A duel was set. Taran killed his opponent in mortal combat, suffered injuries but cleared his name. His father pledged to repay the losses out of his personal investments. Being a matter of honor, and feeling his son had gone too far, Harold chewed Taran out. Father and son had a nasty row. Taran decided to leave and become a knight errant. For the next year, Taran traveled around the lands, fighting in tourneys, bedding women and creating trouble for himself. A chronicle of his time could be called 'Don't let this happen to you'. By the year's end, he was improvised and a more than a bit humbled. The Prodigal Son returned at the end of the year.

Welcomed back by his uncle, Taran learned his father had once again marched in the king's name to fight in foreign lands. Feeling a desire to make amends, and prove to Harold his worth and honor, Taran decided to join the path of war. His loyal friend, Jode, chose to go with him, Daris having already left along side Herold's entourage. Jode was engaged to the daughter of a wealthy merchant, so the two young knights visited the family before sailing off to war. Taran met the sister of Jode's betrothed, Lucia Maynard. Taran soon was up to his old tricks and charmed a willing Lucia into bed. After the one night stand, she expressed interest in him and they began an affair, which lasted the length of the visit. Knowing he would soon be off to war, Taran liked the idea of having someone waiting for him. He shared personal things with Lucia, letting down his guard. Lucia was beautiful, vivacious, sweet and intelligent, Taran was convinced he was in love. When it came time for Jode and Taran to depart, Lucia deliberately started an argument and informed Taran they were 'finished'. Confused, Taran stewed upon the breakup for the length of his journey. During the battles respite, he spent much time writing letters to Lucia, repeatedly asking her for a second chance if he survived. He never learned if his letters reached her or not.

The battles began to wear on, Taran longed for an end to come so they could all return home. The next battle was a hollow victory, with many good men and Sir Harold killed in combat. Taran and his father were finally mending their rift and developing a bond. His father's death hit him hard. After witnessing so many comrades dying, Jode developed a moody personality. Upon the next battlefield, Jode went mad with battle rage, attacking his own. Taran tried to reason with him. Jode fought Taran, and in a desperate moment, Taran killed him. This murder struck him harder than any of his actions on the battlefield. Jode was one of his best friends, and he became haunted by having slain him. Daris could never get Taran to talk about Jode's death. Injured and distraught, Taran had no qualms when the armies marched and sailed for home.

Returning from war, all Taran could think of was the deaths of his father, Jode and of rekindling with Lucia. He again visited the Maynard's to offer his condolences to Jode's betrothed. Lucia refused to see him and her father was livid. Fringing innocence, Lucia had lied to her father, she told him Taran forced himself on her, and repeatedly seduced her for his own ends. In truth, Lucia had been seeking a means to have her engagement to an elderly merchant broken. With Taran, she saw the perfect way to soil her reputation. Her plan worked, once her parents learned of her pregnancy. The reception at the Maynard's left Taran distraught and dumbfounded. He had been in love with Lucia, been in love with a lie.

Returning to the Worthington barony, Taran spent his time seeing to his father's investments, and helping out with any of the usual issues in the sometimes turbulent port. Daris couldn't get him to do anything remotely resembling their old antics and fun. Finally, Taran informed Daris he was turning his life around. Daris sadly reflected that ole Taran had lost his mind. Nonetheless, Taran set goals, he was not going to bed women, start fights or bring scandal. He went through episodes of heavy drinking and started writing ballads again. They were still pretty awful. Word came of The King's summoning to Rosemont Monastery, but storms and traveling problems kept Taran from arriving in a timely fashion. By the time he arrived, preparations for the voyage to the colony of Cape Fortuna were well underway. The plans suited Taran, he was ready for a change, for a new life, for a chance to put his past behind him and live up to his father's legacy.


Retinue:

Squire: Bryn Morton - aged 12, generally quiet and agreeable.