Sir Cassius Meridian Assyrius (Patreon)

Sir Cassius Meridian Assyrius

“I’m a Ranger, Sexy and Roguish is kinda my thing,”

Place of Orign: City of Naveah, Assyrian Region of Lioncourt

Species: Lion

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Hair Color: Half Blonde, Half Burgandy

Eye Color: Marigold

Class: Archer

Specialization: Ranger

Eldeidan: Galveira’s Reach; The Dragonwood Bow

Occupation: Knight Ranger of Lioncourt, Master of Scout and Hunt of the Sacred Order of Raven Knights

Noble Titles:

Youngest Son of the Assyrius Pride, Ranger Elite of Theria and Recipient of the Sterling Cross of Valor, Master of Scout and Hunt, Arl of Lanrio

Knightly Deeds:

Earned the title of Knight Ranger upon gaining full knighthood for completing training under the tutelage of the Faerorian Striders, Assassinated the Wildering Leader Zolt in the Moorlands, Help save the rabbit Queen of Faeorie as the Knight Apprentice of Count Adolyn Valenrow. Earned a ‘Crest of Valor’ for the defense of Fort Halibro in Evandale. Won the golden arrow for the yearly archer competition in Bast. Slayed the elderian beast Korthos with a light arrow, sealing a hole in the forbidding, earning him an Obsidian Wing. Recipient of 78 classified deeds that are only on record to the Sacred Order.

Appearance:

Cassius or Cassie as he is known to his friends is rather short for his breed. Standing just above five-foot six, he’s considered the runt of his siblings. Despite his short stature and comparatively slight form in comparison to most lions, Cassie is none the less both healthy and physically fit. His slender form is muscular and curvaceous, most notably he is known for having incredible hips. He’s is almost always mistaken as female by those who do not know him. His full lips and alluring face are mostly to blame for this. His fur pattern is similar to other lions, though his face is one solid color, a maize yellow, this color follows his neck, down his chest and front of his torso, ending in his inner thighs. His fingers and toes are also this color, with the rest of his body being a rich sepia brown, from his shoulders and back around covering his legs and arms. Although the color darkens from his forearm to his hands and from his knees to his feet.

Like the entire Assyrius Pride his hair is two colored, half blonde and half burgundy. His hair is extremely long, tied in a braid in the back that flows down his back, alternating the colors from the two tones in his hair. He does not have a maine like other male lions, he instead has two meticulously kept side braids that frame his feminine face. His eyes are almond and almost always seductive looking, they look to almost glow marigold when he turns his gaze to others. His eyes are framed by orange fur that resembles eye shadow to the untrained eye. Cassius is viewed as one of the most gorgeous individuals in Lioncourt by those who adore the female form, though many females in the kingdom resent his massive popularity with the males in the court and knighthood.

Personality:

A confident and self motivated individual. Sir Cassius or Cassie as he is known to his friends, is well liked for his personable demeanor and positive attitude. Sir Cassie seems to have the ability to befriend anyone, a chameleon in his attitude, able to adapt to his surroundings and relate to just about anyone on a personal level. Well aware of his physical gifts and how they are perceived by others, he is usually flirtatious with men as a rule. Those who are receptive to his advances are easier to manipulate, those who are uncomfortable are easy to unbalance. With women he manages to either stay charming and personable, often times acting like just one of the girls to his friends; or as a flirtatious ladykiller, always impressively attracting them. He enjoys the attention.

Despite his reputation as a paramour, he himself is actually quite vulnerable to the charms of others. Cassie is enamored with strong warriors both male and female and is giddy from their attention. With that said Cassius is of the Assyrius Pride and shares a few of their distinguishing personality traits. He is fiercely competitive and prideful, unable to accept losing with any manner of grace. A fact that isn’t often seen as he very rarely loses. As his family's motto is ‘Victory begets all else in life,’. Cassie can also be rather bratty when he doesn’t have his way, often times being pouty and difficult when he’s forced to do things he doesn’t agree with. He takes his duty seriously and excels at the things he attempts, but is less likely to do things he isn’t confident that he will win at. Despite these shortcomings he is none the less seen as a respectable and trustworthy knight, well liked by the court and the knighthood. Like all of his bloodline he is an Elioudan, being the descendent of one of the ‘God King’ Leodin’s siblings, Kimbra.

CHARACTER BIOGRAPHY

Childhood:

Cassius Assyrius was born to Archduchess Ariella Assyrius and her husband Duke Dane Eliwood of Ferndor. The youngest of five children, he drew his first breath in the frigid winter of 235 AC. Cassius birth came several months earlier than expected. He was born weak and sickly, much smaller than any of his brothers and sisters. It was feared that he would not survive. His mother solicited clerics, healers and shamans from all over Theria to try their hand at seeing the weakened cub through his first fragile days at life. However, despite the famed healers’ efforts, Cassius life seemed to be destined to only last a few days.

Desperate the Archduchess travelled to Harlock Hold, a Druidin Archive built into the base of Mount Dorn. There she pleaded with the Druid’s Arcane Knights to present her case to the order. The Knights refused, citing that the life of one child, even one of nobility such as hers, was not enough to sway the Druid’s from their path of noninterference. Ariella’s cries of desperation soon became shouts of anger. As Archduchess of Assyria she’d made many concessions to the Druidin Order and demanded nothing in return. She argued in her darkest hour the Druids owed her at least as to deny her to her face.

The Arcane Knights were not swayed by her argument and ordered her to leave, threatening force. Ariella’s rage at being threaten could not be contained. With a desperation and ferocity that could only be called up by a mother in defense of her cubs, Ariella attacked the Druid’s protectors. Though Arcane Knights are known to be powerful beyond measure, so too was the might of the Assyrian line. Descendent of Kimbra the Braver, sister to the ‘God King’ Leodin and one of his ‘Five Claw Generals’; the Assyrian bloodline has birthed many mighty Elioudans. Ariella is no exception to this. A powerful and feared warrior of great notoriety, Ariella’s natural abilities were far above that of normal furkin. Her Eldeidan, ‘Revelent Dawn’ is one of the four ‘Queen’s Blades’, powerful weapons created before the baptism. This one had belonged to Kimbra in the past and it’s reputation, much like Ariella’s was well known.

Though as powerful as rumored, the Knights Arcanus were were simply not enough to match the determination of the Archduchess. She throttled the four knights impeding her path and forced her way deep into the Hold’s sanctum. It is rumored that she sustained grievous injury and nearly killed several knights before she stood before the lone Druid in the Hold. When she reached him, she politely bowed and lowered her weapon in his presence. Nearly in tears she begged him, ‘Lord Druid, please hear me. My child will die if something is not done.’ she begged. Impressed by the lioness’ ferocity, skill and determination the Druid dismissed his guard and order them to tend to the wounded. The guards obliged with a bow, not only to the Druid, but to Ariella as well. With a smile the Druid bid the noblewoman to rise. Using Druid’s magic, he healed her wounds and sated her fatigue.

After a long moment he spoke.

“I know why you have come,” he said.

“What makes your child any more important than the countless others who were not too strong to survive their birth?” he asked. The Archduchess struggled for an answer, struggled to justify herself. Suddenly her eyes narrowed and her jaw set, the Druid could see the resolve as it stilled in her face.

“Because I am willing to trade my life for his and I know a Druid can do that.” she said, ice in her voice. The Druid stared at her, genuinely surprised by her answer. She was an Archduchess, a valuable member of the nobility. One of the major political and military powers within Lioncourt and she would throw away her life and her responsibilities so simply.

“That is an incredibly foolish admittance. As Archduchess you have a duty to the countless citizens depend on you. Certainly one of your station can understand that this one child’s life cannot come before the many who you would be forsaking over foolish sentiment.” scolded the Druid. Ariella did not blink, her gaze was fixed and her expression was intense.

“He is my child!” she growled.

“Have another, you’ve proven to be adept at it,” the Druid replied with a laugh. Ariella visibly strained to control her rage. Biting her lip for quite sometime before she slowly got control of her emotions.

“Each of my children are precious, they may die in battle, to sickness or to the ravages of time. But as long as I draw breath they will be given the opportunity to find that death on the other side of adolescence.” She growled. The Druid smiled and nodded, agreeing with her sentiment.

“I agree and your’s is a bloodline that has benefitted the land and it’s people. Not many of the Assyrius children have disappointed. I will do what I can for the boy,” he said much to Ariella’s relief. However, before she could let out the long breath she had no idea she was holding, the Druid spoke again.

“I will however ask a boon of your child when the time is right, should he be saved. A request that will not be refused.’ Though visibly disturbed by the idea, Archduchess Ariella reluctantly agreed. It was this bargain that saw Cassius Assyrius survive his infancy.

Though his life was saved with Druidin magics, Cassius did not grow like his brothers and sisters. Though he was not frail or sickly, he was never the less much smaller than his kin and by far more feminine than his sisters. Many would mistake the young lion for a lioness, to his father’s endless irritation. The Duke was very embarrassed by his sons physique, manner and effeminate voice. His father hated everything about the young lion cub, going so far as to admit he’d have rather the boy died and insinuating that the Druid’s magic was to blame. A claim refuted vehemently by the Archduchess.

Despite the feelings of shame and dismay felt by Duke Dane, Cassius mother bore an unrelenting love for the boy. Unwilling to entertain the idea that anything was wrong with Cassius physical appearance, her reaction to any negativity aimed at him was often times swift and violent. The Duke unable to bare his wife's fury, kept most of his displeasure to himself. But his words and feelings would echo through the court, making certain that his son knew the truth.

Cassius was always a determined child, he wanted to follow after his brothers and sisters. Unwilling to accept that he was so different he could not compete. His efforts were made more difficult by his mother's insistence on his safety. With her own special brand of overbearing protection, Duchess Ariella made the boys early years slightly unbearable. Due to his look and mannerism, Ariella had no problem treating her son like a canary in a gilded cage. Cassius began to protest his mother by wearing feminine clothing and embracing his physical features by spending time practicing girlish mannerism and behavior. He spent time with the ladies of the court and often said; ‘If I’m to be treated like a little girl, I will act accordingly.’ Many of the court was well aware of Cassius behavior and the reason for it, as many had been warned and some punished for secretly training Cassius in the combative arts. Despite the advice of her council and the admonishment of her husband and children, Ariella refused to loosen her overbearing grip on her son. She challenged Cassie’s commitment to his chosen protest by hiring artisans and seamstresses to make clothing for Cassie. These outfits were frilly and obnoxiously girly. Cassie defied his mother by wearing these outfits with pride and soon his boldness actually got the attention of other female nobles. Though many males thought the boy fancy, he showed at a very young age his interest in the opposite sex. Many learned noblemen observing that his look made him popular with noblewomen who were a fan of the young lord.

By the age of eight, Cassie was notorious in the Assyrian court. Well spoken, sharp witted and always accompanied by the daughters and sons of his bannermen, Cassie was quite a celebrity amongst many in the court. Many believed he would grow up to be quite the diplomat and that his unfortunate appearance would actually aid in his future as a dignitary for his house and kingdom. Cassie however had other plans. He wished to be a warrior like his siblings. House Assyrius had always birthed ‘Claw Generals’ that served the King well. In times of war, only House Valenrow was looked on with more reverence for tactical and martial skill among the great prides. Cassie was determined to undermine his mother's plan for him and become a warrior, but wasn’t quite sure how. He had only been allowed to learn basic fencing and swordplay for defense and archery for hunting. His practices were low impact and his instructors were not masters. To compensate, Cassie tried to sit in on provings between his siblings, but was unable to gain much as their aggressive style of fighting required mass and power he did not possess.

Frustrated he began to study the great female warriors of history, noting there were plenty of warriors his size that made combat work. Their lack of size and strength being supplemented by their speed, cunning and control of mana. As an elioudan, his control of his own quintessence was high, but unnurtured. He had not been assigned an adept to train him in the practice of the preternatural arts. Without training or tutelage he began working to develop these skills from the books he read, focusing on becoming a quicker more efficient hunter and duelist. His marginal improvements showed in his training; but did not stand out enough to catch the attention of his mother. That was until he met a young lord who would change his life forever. That boy was the son of Duke Palence Valenrow of Evandale; the young Count Adolyn Valenrow.

Count Adolyn was milk-brother to Cassie’s favorite sibling, his older brother Glendriel. Both Glen and Adolyn were four years Cassie’s senior. When Cassie was a small cub, he remembered Adolyn and Glen always being within each other’s presence. With hostilities on the borders and the Raven King’s mad adventures; the Lords of House Valenrow spent a great deal of time in Assyria during the early years. Cassie was far too young to remember Adolyn completely and only heard of the boy in stories and tales about his brother’s misadventures, but when Adolyn suddenly returned to visit, Cassie was immediately taken with the boy. Adolyn’s personable attitude, cheerful demeanor and matter of fact honesty was an incredibly refreshing change from what Cassie had experience his entire life. He had been told that the dalish were quite different than other nobles and Adolyn had certainly lived up to that.

Cassie’s first encounter with Adolyn would not be forgotten. The dalish caracal walked right up and hugged Cassie’s mother, earning a bit of a gasp from the lords of Assyria who despised the boys presumptuous attitude. Cassie’s father looked to want to admonish the boy, but Duchess Ariella just embraced the Adolyn and asked after his mother. He did not bow or kowtow to her or any of the lords. He gave a respectful nod to those who addressed him. Though his sister Sophira seemed excited and happy to see Adolyn, Ashina their eldest sister seemed a bit put off by him. Cassie would later find out that Adolyn had outdueled their eldest brother, the Marquis Calian Assyrius earlier that day. A feat that to that time only Shina had managed amongst their generation. Extremely competitive and combative, Shina’s pride would not permit her to give the bordermen his due. The lioness didn’t have a high opinion of Adolyn and was constantly put off by the notoriety of dalish bordermen, as were many Assyrians. When Glendriel and Sophira would tell stories of Adolyn, Shina would scoff and dismiss his prowess and skill. But even at a glance, Cassie could tell that Shina too was intrigued by Adolyn.

Cassie was enamored with the way the count carried himself. He was polite but off putting. He did not act like other nobles Cassie encountered. His culture fascinated Cassius making him want to know more about the caracal. Adolyn was dalish and the kinlings of the dales rarely bow to anyone. It is a cultural thing amongst their people. They only bow to those who defeat them or their betters. It is said that many dalish do not even bow to King Essien himself. Cassie was intrigued by this and thought it a sign that the dalish were indeed worthy of their reputation as the proud guardians of the dales and borders of Lioncourt. Adolyn would tell Cassie of the legends of the dales and the Border Legion that had existed since the time of Leodin. Cassie grew close with Adolyn and adored his stories, but that would become infatuation once he saw Adolyn fight.

Unable to bare the so called ‘fanciful’ tales and rumors of Adolyn’s exceptional skills any longer, Shina challanged the young count to a proving. Originally, Adolyn refused, but Shina pushed the issue. Shina shared her mother's temperament and sensibilities. Cassie had heard that their father had only bested their mother with wit and strategy in a proving; getting Ariella to disqualify herself rather than beating her outright. The women of Kimbra’s bloodline were always powerful and expected the same from their men. Cassie knew right away Shina’s constant challenges and prodding of Adolyn to fight had as much to do with her interest in him, as it did with her curiosity at whether or not he was as good a fighter as they said. She would find out definitively that day.

Cassie marveled at the spectacle of Adolyn and Shina’s bout. It changed his life. Adolyn fought like he was moved by the wind and struck like he knew Shina’s heart and mind. Shina grew frustrated with the Adolyn very early in the bout, as the boy tried to parry and dodge her without striking. Shina, who was older, larger and much more physically imposing began to press Adolyn. The borderman used speed and cunning to avoid her, Cassie noticed that most of Adolyn’s movements were fluid and graceful... a little too graceful. The young lion realized with a start that Adolyn had mastered assisting his movements with quintessence and mana. He would not tire and he was using this advantage infuriating Shina into exhausting herself. Adolyn was intentionally misleading those around him. A few of the older warriors seemed to catch on to what the count was doing, but most were oblivious. Eventually Adolyn struck back at Shina and though an untrained eye would believe that the clash was Shina’s reflexes getting the best of him; Cassie suspected this was just what Adolyn wanted. The impact was enough to break both wooden swords and the proving was declared a draw. It was then that Cassie knew he needed to get Adolyn to help train him to be a warrior like the rest of his kin.

From that point on Cassie would follow Adolyn all around over the long summer. Either unknowingly or unafraid of Duchess Ariella’s wraith for those who would seek to train her youngest son; Adolyn was more than happy to help Cassie practice. As Adolyn and Glendriel were training to be ‘Knights of the Realm’, the bordermen had no problem sharing what he’d been taught to the young lion. Cassie soaked up all he could from the young count and much to his mothers dismay, improved greatly in his martial skills. Having been repeatedly complimented for his skills in archery, Cassie started to focus heavily on that. Since hunting was a skill that everyone should have, Adolyn advised Cassie to disguise his training in scouting and combat archery during hunting trips. This advice would transform the path of Cassie’s life and his self image.

Over the course of the next few years, Cassie dedicated his time to mastering sniping, combat archery and marksmanship. Defying his mother and sneaking about became a game for Cassie. He would often wear elaborate outfits and wigs in order to blend in with commoners and hang out with less reputable individuals. Cassie pretended to be the daughter of a rich merchant, calling himself Clarissa. On the streets of the capitol he learned to hustle, manipulate and use his physical appeal to get what he wanted. Though some suspected him, he always made away cleanly before he could ever be caught or identified. By thirteen, he’d cultivated quite a reputation for himself and had amassed a tiny fortune under the guise of Clarissa. He enjoyed playing people, especially those who would take advantage of or abuse young cub. He routinely found himself getting in more and more danger as a result, eventual running afoul of a small cartel.

Cassie’s major game was to pretend to be running errands for his father. He’d learned sending a pretty young girl on such errands often flaunted how untouchable a merchant felt; secure enough in their standing that no one would dare harm their beautiful child, but arrogant enough to risk her life. Cassie found that position and good looks got him treated differently and he used this to play around the underworld. Eventually however, he stumbled across the Kang Barlo Cartel and their trafficking operations. The cartel supplied the underworld with high end drugs such as valerian root and cataria hash, but underneath that, they had a darker trade. Cassie had been given a message to take to his ‘father’, upon opening it he found a threat from the cartel. They threatened harm to Cassie if the father didn’t comply with their demands of protection money and housing for their ‘real’ industry; selling burros.

Burro was the word coined for young adepts, mostly boys who were kidnapped and placed in chemically induced comas in order to have their quintessence violently stolen from them. Then a warlock called a Lomino would draw the life energy of the victims and forcefully infuse it into a customer, temporarily granting them energy, power and stamina; but most of all an unparalleled euphoric high. Anyone could be turned into a burro, those who were adept just had a much deeper spirit well, thus were better victims. Still, this fact did not keep the cartel from threatening to make Cassie their next victim. Appalled that such a thing was happening in the capitol, right under the noses of the Assyrian Knighthood and the City Watch, Cassie decided that it was his duty to see the cartel taken down.

Making sure to slip the cartel’s goons that were following him, Cassie would return to his home in Castle Nineveh and go straight to his parents. His word alone would not mobilize the crown guard. He was too young. He would have to have his parents give the order. After waiting nearly two hours, he learned he would find no assistance from either of them. His mother had left early for Bast, having been summoned to Castle Ravenclaw by the king. His father, who had never hidden his displeasure with Cassie, his looks and cross dressing, refused to see the boy until he, ‘Cut his hair and dressed like a proper lion.’ Despite his urgings that the matter was important. Without the aid of his parents, Cassie would have to enlist one of his siblings. He first tried his eldest brother Cailan. Cailan would agree to help, but only after his men had investigated Cassie’s claims. Though Cailan loved his siblings and his little brother Cassie, they were not close. Cailan was the favorite of their father and often times shared the duke’s views. He was more concerned with Cassie ‘whoring’ it up with locals dressed as a girl. He did not believe Cassie’s earnest report and openly accused him of just wanting attention. Despite his promise to have the crown guard look into the matter, Cassius was unsatisfied and upset at the accusation. He would storm out of his brothers chamber to seek his sister.

With Glendriel and Ashina away at academy, Sophira was the only one left in the castle to help him. Sophira was loved by many, especially within the nobility and knighthood. With her help, Cassie was able to spur the crown guard into action and put together a plan to stomp out the cartel. Using himself as bait he lured out Barlo and his men, trapping them in the lower quarter. Without their leader to guide them, the cartel fell into infighting, which allowed Cassie to further infiltrate their ranks and find them all. By the end of the operation, Cassie and his men helped free a hundred-fifty people across several cities, putting a dagger into the cartela and the burro trade. Cassie’s identity as Clarissa was never found out by the underworld and the criminals cartels; though the nobility was quick to credit the young prince and princess for discovering and dealing with the criminals. Cassie found that on the street, most believed that Barlo had been ratted out by his own men or betrayers within the criminal community. A notion that Cassie had intentionally let get woven into the narrative. Most believed the credit going to the young nobles was horseshit propaganda, designed to help their royal image. Something the Assyrian Royal Spymaster, Delah Bronte, helped foster with her people.

The victims of the cartel were given over to the local Librarium, as many were stolen from their ranks. To this very day, Cassie has a sterling reputation with the Magus Librarium for this deed. Cassie showed his leadership and forethinking again, when he ordered that Barlo and every member of his cartel be executed. He also had executed any whom had encountered him as Clarissa, whom he knew were guilty of capital crimes. Those who were guilty of petty crimes, he took measure of their character from his time around them. Some he had been sent to far away work camps. Those who were seen as good people, were influenced to leave the city, with opportunities for better lives or work elsewhere. By the time he and Delah had finished, no one who involved with Barlo who knew he and Clarissa had ever spoken was gone from the city. Cassie aimed to preserve his underworld connections for further use, foresight that impressed Delah.

Everything about Cassie’s story and actions within the situation impressed the spymaster. The young noble had slipped his guards, slipped the castle and avoided her spies and minions throughout the city. He had come and gone as he pleased through dangerous areas without notice. He had talent, a talent that she felt needed to be nurtured. With his mother away in Bast and his father unconcerned about Cassie’s movements, Delah began to train the boy in the art of spying. Over the course of the four months his mother was away, he gained valuable knowledge under Bronte’s tutelage. It was she who suggested the boy may one day be a ranger. A notion that both intrigued and excited cassie. Rangers were warrior scouts trained by the elioudan of Harimal, the Faeore. They were masters of archery and able to commune with nature. Their skills were legendary, as was the magic they possessed. Under Delah’s instruction he improved upon his techniques at steal, manipulation, free running, climbing and tracking. Cassie ran secret missions with Delah’s spies and started to show real promise in everything from information retrieval to interrogations. However, when his mother returned and found out that he was preparing to understudy an assassin, her anger could be felt throughout the castle.

The Archduchess threatened to have Delah beheaded and her temper was only swayed by the logic of Delah’s arguments. Delah argued that Cassie had proven that short of locking him up in a cage, the boy would get out and find dangerous mischief. He’d been fooling the guards for years. Delah told Ariella that the boys talent for the shadow arts were greater than even her best agent and that Cassie needed those skills honed under a watchful eye or he would use them to continue to put himself in danger behind everyone's back. Ariella understood Delah’s logic, but her irrational fear was hard to overcome. She acknowledge that Delah training Cassie in order to keep him under tabs was the right call given the situation, but she refused to allow him to continue. It was at this point that Cassie confronted his mother of his treatment of him, demanding to know why she hated him so much and wanted to ruin his life. Ariella was stunned and hurt by the accusation. When Cassie told her that he hated her and that he wish she’d let him die as a baby, Ariella was crushed.

Confronted with her son's extreme feelings and the realization that her actions were the cause of the boys dangerous hobbies, Ariella finally broke down and admitted to Cassie why she treated him differently than his brothers and sisters. She told him of his birth and the Druids. She spoke of how the Druid would demand a boon of him, one he would not be able to refuse. She told Cassie that the a request from a Druid is never mundane and that if he was a warrior like his siblings that the Druid’s request would be something ever more dangerous. She had once fulfilled the request of a Druid herself. This request nearly costed the Archduchess her life and she feared that her child would deal with worse. She also informed him that he had a deeper than average spirit well, something she had hidden from the world. Cassie could have been a mage, but she feared that his natural quintessence was so high due to the machination of the druids. She feared they had a dastardly plan in store for him and wanted desperately to keep him safe. Cassie informed his mother that he would live his own life and that whatever the Druidin Order had in store for him, he’d meet it head on. Cassie’s cocksure attitude did not absolve his mother’s fears, but with some prodding and pressure from the nobility, it did get him into the Knight’s Academy.

As a Knight’s Initiate, Cassie excelled at the craft of being a scout and archer. His impressive skills had garnered the attention of Knight’s Academy Master of Hunt and retired Knight Ranger Sir Goran Rotar. Sir Goran was a bannerman of Pride Assyrius and had served his mother during the many campaigns. Despite being weary that Sir Goran would not properly train him at his mother's request, but the dutiful mouflon pushed Cassie in ways he had never been before. Under proper training, Cassie’s skills became apparent. He was first amongst his generation in several categories and could outduel even seasoned bladesmen with his short sword. Sir Goran was so impressed with Cassie that he took him study under the true rangers of Harimal, the Faeore. In Harimal he learned the skills of a ranger. They trained him to range, scout, commune with nature and the basics of quintessence control for the purpose of elemental archery. By the time Cassie was sixteen he was proficient in five of the six disciplines of a ranger, his talent even surpassing that of Sir Goran’s. His Faeore instructor, Wylan, saw great things in the boy, by the time he returned to the Academy he was far above his fellow initiates.

Cassie’s skills drew the notice of many seasoned knights and even lords; however none would take him under their apprenticeship. It proved impossible to find any member of the knighthood who would take him on as an apprentice. He immediately sensed his mother machinations at work. Despite his outrage and pressure from some important members of the nobility, including her own bannerman and Captain of the Kingsguard in Bast, Harlem Eridanus, she refused to relent. The nobles and knights were not bold enough to defy the Archduchess and Cassie soon found himself as more of a instructors aid than a student at the academy. A vocation he easily grew tired of, but with no Knight willing to take him under their tutelage, Cassie was stuck. That was until he turned a tragedy into an opportunity, becoming the Knight’s Apprentice to a bona fide champion of the realm.

The tragedy in question was the destruction of Elcott Manor, the summer home of the Eridanus pride. The daughter of Harlem Eridanus and her husband had been the victims of a heinous attack by an organized band of mercenaries. The manor had been burned to the ground and most of its guards and stewards had been killed. The lady of the manor, Aritrea Eridanus had been grievously injured and her husband Cress Andola was murdered. The funeral for the thylacine was not held in the lands of his lords in the west. Instead, Archduchess held the funeral outside Sterling Reach, ancestral lands of Pride Eridanus. At this funeral he again encountered his brother’s childhood friend, the grieving Adolyn Valenrow. The counts friendship with the deceased and his wife had been the stuff of legends. They along with others of their generation had completed many knightly deeds, including the defense of Herald’s Keep where they saved King Eriol from sharing the same fate as his father. Adolyn was now the Primus of the Sacred Order of Raven Knights and was famous throughout the lands. As a Raven Knight, he held special rights draft or apprentice anyone he felt could serve the order. He resolved to have the borderman take him on.

Adolyn’s depression and despondency helped Cassie’s plan. Cassie used his talents to sneak into the caravan carrying the Pride Valenrow back to the Dales, when he was discovered, he insisted that he had permission to pursue Adolyn as a Knight’s Master. First Adolyn refused Cassie, but eventually came around as the Cassie’s reminded him a bit of his fallen friend. Adolyn officially took on Cassie as his apprentice and sent raven to both Pride Assyrius and the Lord Knights of Bast to make it official. Unaware of Archduchess Ariella’s attempts to keep Cassie from continuing a career as a Knight, Adolyn immediately began his tutelage by taking Cassie with him on his adventures out in the Therian wilds. The two would not return to Lioncourt for more than a year when his apprenticeship was finished.

As an Adult:

TBD