Simon VarletIn Peace, Vigilance. In War, Victory. In Death, Sacrifice.
General Information
Skills/Proficiencies
Equipment
Simon Varlet was born in Val Royeaux some odd thirty two years ago, brought into a wealthy life as the son of a very successful merchant and a noble lady. Brought up to take over his fathers business, he was made into a fine man of trade by his parents, and trained with a sword by a chevalier that was associated with his parents. Ready to play the Game, he took over a large part of the business from his father upon his seventeenth birthday, bringing in even more coin to the family business. It was during this time that he met the woman that would become his wife. Very little is known about this time to many, and the only name to have been shared is Eleana. They spent two years together, before Simon was set to take over the large business from his father.
That's when his life was turned upside down. Unknown to him, his father had seeped away a large sum of money into some illegal business on the side. Hoping to further his own position, he collaborated with a few other merchants and a nobleman in the city, selling dangerous substances and wares to smugglers and dissidents inside the Empire. As the Varlet family was dining one evening, guardsmen of the Imperial Army entered their home and arrested the parents, but not before Simon and Eleana could escape by a backdoor. However, Simon was forced to kill two of the guardsmen as they saw them. Just as they were on the verge of getting away, Eleana took an arrow in her thigh, making her collapse on the ground. As Simon picked her up, she was struck again, this time in her back. Watching his wife slowly bleeding to death in his arms, Simon carried her away, and managed to leave the city without further confrontation.
Eleana clung to life for a full hour, before she passed away. Simon buried her in the grove they had sought shelter in, and returned to the city. Despite his new status as a wanted man, he returned to his home, finding it unguarded. He retrieved all items of value to him, that he could carry, and left Val Royeaux. Now, thirteen years later, Simon is a Senior Warden of the Grey Wardens. His years before the Joining are a distant and haunted memory to him, only now regaining any semblance of importance as he returns from his self-imposed exile from Orlais. His years in Ferelden taught him many things, and he is now a wandering recruiter in his homeland.
Knowledge - Warden Varlet understands the necessity of knowing your enemy and your ally. These two can often seem obvious, and still turn their cloaks to reveal a new truth in all matters. Therefore, he not only arms himself with steel, but also words. Having made a number of visits to the library at Weisshaupt, many works belonging to the Grey Wardens have been studied by him, though not to the same extent as the scholars of the Order.
Herbalism - Ever since losing Eleana, Simon is determined to not let anyone die if he has anything to say or do about it. He spent some time with a Dalish clan during his earlier years as a Warden, helping them deal with some lingering ghouls and genlocks by an old Elven ruin. In exchange, he was taught in herbalism by the clans Keeper, even being granted a few items from the small vault found in the ruins. He often uses his skills in his travels, helping wounded or sick travellers that he meets on the road. As a Warden, these services do not carry a price, instead seeing it as a way to spread some goodwill around.
Magic - Despite growing up in such close proximity to the White Spire and the Circle of Magi, Simons magical talents went unnoticed. This could be explained by the fact that they only surfaced in the time after Eleanas death, and his escape from Val Royeaux. He kept the skills subdued for most of his service in the Wardens, only consulting a senior mage that he had befriended about it. During his time as a wandering Warden, and especially during his time with the Dalish, he practiced with his new talents, learning a great deal from the Keeper of the clan. As a lone Grey Warden, he feels more secure in using his powers against the few brigands and darkspawn that he usually encounters. However, when he's around people in the Order or outside, he hides his abilities to the best he can, unwilling to be labelled as a mage or apostate, even though he essentially is one.
As a Grey Warden, Simon wears a set of medium plate armour embellished with the griffon of his Order, though the armour is not one issued from the quartermaster, but one salvaged from an abandoned outpost near an old battlefield. That is why the armour is of finer quality than most others, and also why it bears the insignia of a Warden-Commander. This small oversight in rank is overlooked, as Simon secured a decent amount of equipment for the Wardens, and was therefore allowed to keep the armour for himself. The plate itself has been reforged and repaired, so it's up to date with the other gear. The metal is tinted lightly olive green, with the griffons upon his chest made of gold. To this, he wears the usual blue clothing of the Wardens.
He also wears a small degree of elven items, such as a wristband under the protective garments, a pair of rings, and a dagger strapped to his belt. Hanging around his neck is one of the very few items he kept after his escape. The necklace was given to him by Eleana, and has a small portrait of her painted inside the locket at the end of the silver chain, the one reminder he carries with him of the life before the Wardens.
His weapon of choice is the trusty longsword he carries with him, forged in Weisshaupt. The pommel is made in the shape of flames, symbolising those that enveloped Andraste in her final time. The crossguard is a griffon stretched out in flight towards the tip of the sword, wings joined out with two heads on eah side of the blade. The blade itself in emblazoned with a few small runes and letters, spelling out the Grey Warden words along the steel. The sword is always kept to a high standard of shine, the wielder taking great care to polish the metal. This passes off as a wish to keep some discipline in the field, though in reality, it's mostly to cover up any marks left by the conjured flames that Simon sometimes wishes to wreath his sword in.
NAME: Simon Varlet. AGE: 32. DATE OF BIRTH: Summer. PLACE OF BIRTH: Val Royeaux. DESCENT: Orlesian. ALLIANCE: N/A
HOUSE: N/A FAMILY: N/A
As his old life was torn from him, Simon has now focused on his life with the Wardens. He was saved from persecution by a Senior Warden just like himself, wandering the roads and doing the uncelebrated and unremembered work that often befalls those that serve the Order. He enjoyed his time as a recruit and new member of the Wardens, though he always felt uncomfortable whenever there were any large gatherings, and when mages were close to him. Few asked about his background, and even fewer gained any insight from him.
He feels much better now that he roams the lands by himself, honouring the Warden that saved him from himself by doing the same work. Many times has he come across some farmers in need of help, and many times has he given them whatever they desired. He holds no prejudice against elves or dwarves, having met many of their kin in the Order, and on his travels. He feels a sense of compassion with the elves, having seen the wrongs done against them, and gotten to know even some of the reclusive Dalish.
The Tough Solder is fearsome on the battlefield, but only a mediocre commander.
Mystic
This character has delved into the mysteries of the occult, treading a fine line between heresy and orthodox approval.
Unyielding
This character will stubbornly fight to his last breath, compelling his men to do the same while refusing to yield an inch.
Kind
This character is kind and full of empathy. The sixth virtue, 'Humanitas', is popular with vassals, but makes for a rather poor Spymaster.
Humble
Humility, or 'Humilitas', is the seventh virtue and the opposite of pride. Humble characters gain Piety where the proud gain Prestige. Humble characters tend to dislike prideful ones.
Brave
This character never shies from personal danger, enjoying the respect of vassals but the envy of cravens.
Strong
This character is blessed with a powerful physique.
Inspiring Leader
This character has a way of reaching directly into the hearts and minds of the soldiers on the battlefield, and not just with a sword.
Organiser
This character is a skillful organiser in matters of logistics and in overcoming the challenges of moving a large body of men from one point to another.
Patient
Patience, or 'Patientia', is the fifth of the seven virtues and the opposite of Wrath. Patient characters are just a little bit less prone to make brash decisions.
Content
Content characters are satisfied with their lot in life. They make loyal vassals but are unsuited to intrigue.
Just
The character has a well developed sense of justice - a trait much respected by vassals and courtiers.
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