Lord Godrick Darkwater | |
---|---|
Gender: |
Male |
Race: |
Human |
Nationality: |
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House: |
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Titles: |
Marcher Lord of The Range |
Affiliations: |
Grand Alliance |
Status: |
Deceased |
Family: |
Vala Darkwater† |
Lord Godrick Darkwater was the last lord of the House of Darkwater and a somewhat problematic figure in the history of The Range. He was one of the casualties of the Summertide Illness.
History[]
Born to the House of Darkwater, Godrick rebelled early on against the Old Ways following of his people, making him somewhat of a black sheep among his family. He joined with the clergy within Gryphonvale, and studied to become a warrior-priest. His attitude was known to be somewhat stand-offish and arrogant, leading to many conflicts that were ultimately started due to his headstrong nature.
During the Invasion of Gilneas, Lord Xavier Greydon held onto the city of Gryphonvale. He rode out alongside the House of Darkwater to attempt to save many of the other prominent leaders of the Ashen Coast; though this effort ultimately left the Darkwaters being ambushed in Brandon's Stead; where Godrick was left the last of his family alive. Becoming the new lord of Darkhaven, Godrick ascended to become Xavier's second in command.
After Lord Xavier was killed during the Battle of the Bite, Lord Darkwater took command of the forces of the House of Greydon, and was later granted provisional lordship of the Range until the return of Oliver Greydon. Due to Oliver leading forces afar, the eldest Greydon son wasn't able to return until the events of the First Range Rebellion; where he was misled by Lord Simeon Houndsbane to believe that Lord Darkwater assassinated Xavier and that Lord Berenal Grayblade was in on the plot. Due to wanting to meet with Berenal first, Simeon orchestrated an ambush that ultimately started the First Range Rebellion, making it seem as if Oliver had returned and aggressively claimed his family seat and sought to kill Lord Darkwater.
When Oliver was liberated at the end of the Second Range Rebellion, he was spared by way of Lord Grayblade, though his family was disinherited. The remaining Greydons remained in hiding during this time out of fear of potential reprisal. The rebellion was unsuccessful and Lord Darkwater was rewarded for his loyalty; being granted Marcher Lord of the Range and the city of Gryphonvale. Despite this, his rule was deeply troubled by repeated absences of duty, favoritism, and arrogance that bled towards his vassals and the nearby Gabhatine.
This rule led to a number of problems, though it was ultimately ended when the Summertide Illness swept the Range. Killing several members of the nobility, including Godrick, the Darkwater bloodline ended with him. As his wife, Vala, had perished in the Second Range Rebellion and his later marriages and lovers never produced any children, there were none left to carry on the family.
The remaining Greydons came out of hiding after Lord Darkwater's death, with the second eldest son, Ryan Greydon, taking lordship of his house. With the Darkwater bloodline having died out with the demise of Lord Darkwater and his wives having produced no children; Ryan Greydon and his family petitioned for the restoration of their ancient titles. This petition was granted, albeit with a caveat. Due to the relative inexperience of Ryan as a lord and the controversy that remained in the aftermath of the Discord, Ryan was arranged into marriage with Idrya Haven, and Aeliren Chesterhill was installed as Warden of the Range. In addition to this, Lord Chesterhill was also married to Marilyn Greydon; solidifying the ties of the families in this period of upheaval.