Corwyn de Soniele, 1st Earl of SonieleArms: Vert, fleur-de-lys powdered or
Livery: Vert and Sable
Badge: a horse courant argent, with a cluster of oak leaves in its mouth proper.
Married: 568 MR to Vanya of Inlé
Son: Reigan Madoc de Soniele (b.569 MR)
Illegitimate Daughters b. 570 MR (during his captivity amongst the Moriquendi)
4 in house Amitthorush
1 in house Nizar
Corwyn is a knight errant of Anuirean legend. Even though he was the first born son of his house, Corwyn did not feel the press of his noble obligations as some human heirs felt due to his heritage and long life span. So, he spent the early decades of his youth traveling to the great tournaments of Anuire, before the reformation of the Empire, making a name for himself. He found that he could win renown, as well as make some coin by taking part in the dangerous, and often deadly staged battles of the tournaments—and winning. He could also win valuable prizes by capturing and ransoming his opponents.
If the Heralds are correct, Corwyn has an impressive record of besting over 500 knights thus far. There isn’t a regent in Anuire who doesn’t know of the “Green Knight”. He is the perennial favorite amongst the commoners at tournaments in which he makes an appearance. He is the favorite target of those looking to make a name from themselves on the field of honor. If defeated, Corwyn is a good sport and offers his sincere congratulations – though he is rarely bested. He is a favorite of the ladies, both noble and common who would love his personal attentions; however, he is true knight and would never besmirch a lady’s honor. Corwyn is the Anuirean ideal of a knight.
Corwyn’s martial prowess goes beyond the lists. He is a lethal opponent on the field of battle with few peers. He is a master of lance, sword, and Boeruinean axe, both on foot and on horseback. Fortunately, anyone who crosses blades with him is more likely to be shown mercy and ransomed rather than killed if Corwyn can help it. He has won many friends and grudging admirers, including Aeric Boeruine, who had fought Corwyn at a river ford between Boerunine and Taeghas during one of the many wars for the Iron Throne. Corwyn had fought valiantly, coming within a sword blow of capturing Boeruine, before Aeric knocked Corwyn from his saddle. Boeruine lost the engagement and ended up being a “guest” of Madoc Dieme.
Corwyn is very gallant, personable, and jovial, and the face that he still tries to show most days, despite the wound in his spirit. His life changed dramatically in 557 MR, when a cabal of dark wizards known as the Black Hand, used the chaos and confusion of the war that erupted between Avanil, Boeruine, and Ghoere when Dosiere chose Darian Avan as the new Emperor of Anuire. The North was ripe for conquest and the dark cabal wasted no time and attacked Dhoesone, Boeruine, and Talinie. Through the noble efforts of Corwyn’s family, Fhiele was able to escape, but she was badly wounded and near death. Corwyn’s mother, Arduinna, an elfin mage, ordered Corwyn to see to Fhiele’s safety; she laid down her life for her duchess by delaying the minions of the Black Hand. Lugh, Corwyn’s father, and his brothers, Owynn and Tanis, fell defending the capital of Sonnelind; his sisters, Maeve and Arian, fell defending their castle in Soniele. When all the fighting was over, only two of Corwyn’s family members lived, his sisters Fiona and Saebra who were now captives of the Black Hand.
Once Fhiele was safely away, Corwyn returned to Dhoesone to continue the fight against the Black Hand but he was eventually captured; the Black Hand possessed several powerful magical artifacts as well as several of its members being magically gifted. One of the Black Hand sorceresses, Loreli Bretano, was particularly impressed with Corwyn’s martial prowess, having witnessed his lethal grace as he fought his way free of Fhiele’s castle when the Black Hand attacked Dhoesone and decided that he was worth capturing and bending him to the will of the Black Hand.
By employing several spells, Loreli was able to locate Corwyn. She traveled to his location with a task force of orogs and goblins. Then she waited before using a dream spell to send Corwyn a nightmare about his sister Fiona then gave the signal for the goblins to attack the encampment. She shape-changed into the form of Fiona and then beckoned to Corwyn, luring him into an ambush where several orogs waited for them.
Once he was in the hands of the wizards, Loreli Bretano convinced them that he would be a great asset to the Black Hand; he proved resistant to their spells and it seemed that he was destined to be killed; Loreli had become infatuated with him. Instead of allowing him to be killed, she used a powerful love charm to enthrall him and then took him as her second in command and her lover.
When the Imperial City had been relieved and Ghoere, who had attempted to usurp the Iron Throne, had fled, the Madoc Dieme sought to rescue his friends who had been subverted by the Black Hand. First he captured Aeric and Blaede Boeruine and Boeruine’s Constable, Anlen Pitkin, and then he turned his focus on saving his friend from wizards. He arrived before the gates of the Black Hand fortification and a massive battle ensued. Madoc soundly defeated the army of Ogres, goblins, gnolls, and human mercenaries in the Black Hand’s employ. Loreli, now carrying Corwyn’s child, used Corwyn as a bargaining chip. The attempt failed, in a rare fit of anger and righteous indignation, Madoc summarily executed her by slaying her with the holy sword Reclamatus, and raised her, then slew her again just to make his point. When the sorceress’ enchantment broke, Corwyn was overwhelmed by despair for all that he lost, and all the evil that he’d been forced to commit for the Black Hand while under Loreli’s spell; a side effect of the charm left Corwyn unable to cope with the death of his perceived love, Loreli; he tried to take his own life, but was prevented from further harming himself by his friend, Madoc.
Eventually, Corwyn recovered, but his spirit still bears the scars of the loss of his family. The only good things that came out of the tragedy of the Black Hand war were that two of his sisters survived, and that he has an heir. Corwyn officially recognized the child from his illicit union with the sorceress Loreli, his nine year old son Tristan.
