Gareth Trakand

[Gareth Trakand]

Name: Gareth Trakand

Age: 30

Nationality: Andoran

Place of Birth: Royal Palace, Caemlyn

Place of Residence: Black Tower, Caralain

Affiliations: Andor, House Trakand/The White Tower, Tar Valon/The Black Tower, Caralain

Rank/Title: Ishara's First Prince of the Sword & Fire Asha'man of the Black Tower

One Power Strength: 7
Air: 12 | Earth: 4 | Fire: 12 | Spirit: 2| Water: 5
Date he was raised to Warder Trainee: 101 FA
Date he was raised to a Soldier: 109 FA
Date he was raised to a Dedicated: 112 FA
Date he was raised to a Fire Asha'man: 113 FA

Talents: N/A

Weapon Skills:

Martial: 9 | Hand-Held: 10 | Stave: 6 | Thrown: 7 | Ranged: 10 | Mounted: 3

 

APPEARANCE

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 165lbs.

Build/Complexion: Toned/Cream-colored

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Sandy brown-ish; dirty blonde

Distinguishing Features:

• Piercing blue eyes
• Infectious smile
• Scar above his left eyebrow
  

 

A youthful and quite attractive Andoran of royal blood, Gareth has caused a few heads to turn his way. Despite this, he doesn't realize that he can do so and thinks himself to be unattractive. He has thick, very dirty blonde curls that is almost a sandy brown color which falls to the nape of his neck. His eyes are a brilliantly piercing blue color; they are deep and mesmerizing pools to gaze into and are almond-shaped. He has a full mouth formed often into a warm, deep smile or a sheepish grin. Some say that he has quite the infectious smile to behold.

Gareth has a rectangular-shaped face, an average-sized nose, and a non-blemished complexion. The man has a short beard upon his face that he keeps trimmed and brushed, giving him a more masculine look. He has a small scar above his left eyebrow on his forehead from when he was thrown from his horse, causing him to hit his head on a rock and almost dying.

This young royal is a man with a tall, thin frame that is well-toned and muscled. He stays active and in shape, often practicing with weapons or opponents to keep his skills honed. His complexion is a soft cream color, while his body possesses no piercings or tattoos. Being royalty requires Gareth to always be impeccably dressed. But he also ensures that his clothes are still breathable and comfortable to move in. After all, he cannot achieve adventuring and heroic deeds in stiff, decorative coats. Gareth wears a military-style black jacket made of wool with a silver sword pin on the left collar and a silver dragon pin on the right when he's at the Black Tower.

Lastly, according to those who knew him, Gareth bears a strong resemblance to his Great-Uncle Gawain, which put him in the sights of Black Sister Zamara Dagaron. She would convince him that it was due to his likeness that his grandmother Moranna keeps her distance.

(Play-by: Wouter Peelen)  

PERSONALITY

Gareth is a quiet, reserved soul that’s in every way a gentleman who is often calm, collected, and sensible. He is respectable, kind, and gracious. He thrives on obtaining as much knowledge as possible in, well, everything! He’s a bit more proper than Ishara, and when he’s not protecting her, training at the Black Tower, or practicing combat skills, Gareth often has his sketchbook in his hands. He also enjoys singing, dancing, reading, painting, horseback riding, and writing poetry.

The arts often inspire Gareth’s mannerisms, and the heroes within the stories they often tell formed him into a hopeless romantic and a dreamer. His kindness and boundless courage give him the drive to speak his mind and to act when necessary. He also stands up for what’s right and finding joy in the adventures he partakes in alongside his sister, even if he doesn’t always agree with her methods. But he does his best to support and understand her while also doing his duty to keep her safe. He tends to be the voice of reason where she’s concerned, but he lives for the experiences almost as much as she does. Plus, Gareth loves his sister dearly as the two have always been quite close. He would do anything for her, including lay down his life to save hers. He also profoundly loves both of his parents and is very close to them, but his bond with Ishara is his most robust connection to his family. There is, however, one relationship he possesses that outshines his sister's, and that is the unquestioning love he bears for Elaira Taravin. She is the love of his life as well as his inspiration to continue fighting against the Shadow.

Gareth has quite the elegant speech many would expect of his station and is known for being quite proper. His expensive education has gifted him with an impressive intellect for his age, which comes in handy in combat and politics. But the man also has a decent sense of humor that knows how to have fun when he wants to. He’s pretty approachable as well as trustworthy. Few find him dis-likable, or vice versa. He is a friendly soul that has the ease of connecting with others. The man is also skilled at comforting others with his great patience, a remarkable ability to listen, and providing the best advice in which he can. Gareth would never betray his family, friends, or his people. All in all, he is a compassionate soul generally equipped with honorable actions and a heart of gold.

HISTORY

Gareth was born to Queen Talana Trakand and Prince Consort Calyas Athaidhrin in the fall of 84 FA. Although he would never be heir to the throne, his parents still showered him with lots of love and attention. According to his nursemaid Anna, he was an easy-going, happy infant and toddler that was rarely any trouble. When he was two years old, his sister Ishara was born. As a female, she was the heir that his parents and the Andoran people had hoped for, but it changed little in the affection his parents doted upon him. And theirs was an altogether happy childhood in the Royal Palace of Caemlyn. Talana and Calyas cherished and adored both their children and spent what time they could afford as a family. Gareth loved his parents in equal return and cared a great deal for Anna, his nursemaid, but it was Ishara that the boy loved most of all. The two were peas in a pod, inseparable, and always accomplices in various adventures. However, he was always cautioning the folly of most of those adventures. Still, though warned upon, Gareth enjoyed them all the same. When he and his sister weren't playing, the young Prince could often be found with his nose stuck in a book. Even when he had yet to learn to read, Gareth would look at the pictures and words making up his own stories. The Prince loved to draw or paint, once he was reprimanded and punished by his mother Talana for painting on one of the palace walls. But despite this act, he soon after had an easel and tons of canvas to create works of art upon.

When his sister was 5, they began tutoring; while Elaira Taravin and Adela Traemane came to learn alongside them. Together they learned the basic skills and politics, diplomacy, world culture, history, science, arithmetic, court etiquette, riding, and much more to prepare them for life as rulers and nobility. When he was in his teens, his mother also often nudged him to consider courting one of the young noblewomen, explaining what an advantage it would be for the Trakand house to join with one of theirs. But Gareth disliked the pressure to 'earn a wife' from one of his childhood friends, especially when he still didn't quite understand his feelings for Elaira or Adela. The young Prince also studied hand-to-hand combat for self-defense under his father and began weapons training as one day, his duty would be to serve as the General of the Andoran army. Ishara learned self-defense from their father, too, sometimes sparing off with Gareth. And while tradition dictated that the two royal children would go to Tar Valon, it was an unexpected event that expedited their travel date.

A short while after turning 17, he and Ishara had gone for a brisk ride in the countryside. At Ishara's urging, the pair raced their mounts, and his horse caught a hoof on an unseen fieldstone. The horse toppled, rolled, and trot away, but Gareth was thrown from the horse and hit his head. His sister Ishara rushed to him as quickly as possible but unfortunately found him bleeding, unconscious, and barely breathing. A desperate need to make sure he lived filled her as she wept over him. Out of nowhere, his body arched upward, and he gasped deeply, eyes flying wide open! He then settled back, blinking at her, asking what under the Light had happened. They returned to the Palace, and Talana verified between lectures, reprimands, and exaltation's that they were both safe and well. Ishara had unknowingly healed her brother. Only a small scar above his left eyebrow remains from where he hit his head on the rock. The pair went to the White Tower a whole half a year earlier than planned.

While Ishara began her training to become an Aes Sedai, Gareth started his to become a Warder. He already had quite proficient combat skills from his father's lessons, yet he still pushed himself to the fullest of his abilities to be the best he could be. He even practiced against visiting Asha'man when possible. And though Gareth longed for heroism and adventure as Ishara did, he was the more disciplined of the two. He understood his duties and responsibilities; thus he always strove to make his parents proud. Ishara often visited him in the yard in her free time, which he always immensely enjoyed. And while Gareth trained at the White Tower he met another young man named Taivin Rashai. The two men became fast friends and often trained together. Gareth also found ease with telling his troubles to Taivin, especially when the matters involved Ishara. And before long, the man became Gareth's best and closest friend.

At 20, Gareth developed the spark in the One Power. But though he'd taken quite ill with a fever afterward, the young Prince brushed the incident off as being the flu. Without realizing he could channel or believing he ever would, he developed an unconscious block. At every occasion, Gareth did channel, which wasn't often; the man convinced himself that the incidents were mere displays in physical growth and nothing more. The headaches they produced became written off from fatigue, while he dismissed fevers as overexerting himself. Since detecting male channelers is complicated, his abilities remained undiscovered for five years. During that time, Gareth channeled here and there in such small measures that it did not register for him or anyone else, leaving him unaware of what he was doing.

Infrequent trips home were necessary from time to time for various political reasons. On one such trip, Ishara overheard a report brought to their mother, Queen Talana, of a suspected male channeler running around in Caemlyn. And, as always, the temptation to seek him out was too great for Ishara to resist. Of course, she quickly convinced Elaira and him to play as her partners in crime. But the adventure went nothing as they had planned... One such unplanned event was running into Adela once more, whose chastising of their actions helped the young Prince to realize that he had a lot of growing up to do still. Also, the whole incident resulted in tongue lashings for the ages from Talana. It also resulted in Elaira discovering a rare Talent. It would also be during this adventure in which Gareth would first display undeniable channeling capabilities. He would go to the Black Tower alongside Cirus.

Three years more would pass when Gareth would rise to the rank of a Dedicated as well as a Blademaster at the White Tower. His test was held at the White Tower instead of the Black because his sister was also testing. If she were successful in her test, she would become an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, and she would bond him to be her Warder. It had been the plan for him and his sister to bond for several years, but fate has a funny way of changing events unexpectedly. Though they both passed their tests and Gareth agreed to the bond, they both realized that they should wait until Gareth became an Asha'man. Wanting to uphold his promise of always protecting Ishara; he asked his best friend Taivin to protect and defend his sister for him while he worked towards becoming an Asha'man. After a night of extreme alcohol consumption, a blood pack, and other shenanigans, Taivin agreed to look after Ishara in Gareth's place.

Before Ishara, Taivin, and Elaira ventured to the Borderlands, Gareth and Elaira professed their love for each other. The plan was to further explore their feelings upon the trio's return. Unfortunately, fate would not be on the new lovers' side as Jadin al'Vyron, M'Hael of the Black Tower, would meet his end just before the Bonding Ceremony was to take place. His assassin was a young boy that Julian sent Gareth after to arrest and return to the Black Tower. But instead, Zamon, a member of the Shadow, kidnapped the young Prince before he could fulfill his duty. Zamira Dagaron, a Black Sister at the White Tower, then faked Gareth's death to keep the Black Tower and his family from sending out search parties for him. For several months he was tortured, broken, conditioned, and brainwashed into believing he's an orphan named Leon Aldyr that Zamon rescued off the streets.

He then became a member of the Nai'al Cor as one of Zamon's prized assassins, spending three months as a servant of the Shadow. And with each death committed by his hands, his soul grew darker. After news of his ‘death’ finally reaches Ishara: She and Elaira Taravin learned of Taivin Rashai’s gift in viewing when he reveals that Elaira and Gareth shared an aura/vision of double-bonding together and it is still present in Elaira. So the trio began their search to find him. Eventually they ended up in Caralain so that Ishara could inquire why the Black Tower hadn’t done anything to locate her brother before she collects his sketchbook and clothes. They bump into Taivin’s cousin Natasia Rashai during her search for an assassin that killed one of the M’Hael candidates in a nearby camp. She presents the trio with a journal page the assassin dropped that happened to have a drawing of Elaira amongst his notes. They recognize it as Gareth’s hand and retrace Natasia’s tracks back to a small village. They find Gareth trying to hide in a stable and immediately he tries to escape. Taivin catches up to him and the two engage in a duel. Gareth stabs Taivin in the kidney during their fight, forcing Ishara to have to bond him in order to save his life. Elaira goes after Gareth while Ishara tends to Taivin and traps him in a tied-off shield of air. The quartet then take Gareth to Taivin’s family estate in Sidona to heal his mind.

After recovering, he, Ishara, Taivin, and Natasia journey to the palace in Caemlyn while Elaira returns to the White Tower. The Trakand children spend a month at home with their parents. During this time, Gareth is visited by Varian Mathayas, the newly appointed M’Hael of the Black Tower. After spending a few hours in a private conversation together, Varian affirms that Gareth is a servant of the Light and may return to the Black Tower whenever he was ready. Gareth returned a week later and after jockeying the Fire Captains to join their legion, he becomes an Asha’man of the Fire Legion. Near the end of 113 FA, Gareth joins Captain Leander Varned, and other Fire Asha’man, in teaming up with the Reds to root out Black Ajah sisters from the White Tower. After their success, he and Elaira double-bond.

Now Gareth must find the strength to overcome his tormented past so that he can reclaim his life and fight against those who wronged him. He is determined to dedicate his life to redeeming his dark actions and helping the innocent.

Timeline

84 FA - Born

86 FA - Ishara is born

88 FA - Punished for painting on a Palace wall

91 FA - Began to receive tutoring alongside Ishara, Elaira Taravin, and Adela Traemane

101 FA - Received the scar above his left eyebrow and was sent to the White Tower to become a Gaiden Trainee

102 FA - Gareth meets Taivin Rashai

104 FA - Gareth unknowingly develops the spark and therefore develops a block

109 FA - Gareth's channeling is discovered by Elaira Taravin whilst they track a young Wilder, he and Cirus are then sent to the Black Tower

112 FA:Fall - Gareth is raised to Dedicated as well as receiving a heron marked blade for becoming a Blademaster

112 FA:Spring - Gareth is kidnapped by Zamon when he's sent after Jadin al'Vyron's killer Shae, his death is faked by Zamira Dagaron, and he is brainwashed into becoming an assassin

113 FA:Summer - Gareth is rescued by Ishara, Elaira, and Taivin before spending time at the Rashai homestead being rehabilitated

113 FA:Summer - Gareth becomes a Fire Legion Asha'man

113 FA:Late Winter - The Fire Legion and the Red Ajah join forces to uncover several Black Ajah Sisters, including Avyanna Sarat

113 FA:Late Winter - Gareth and Elaira double-bond 

   

Books read: Eye of the World