Broknarra

Lord Robert Markham

Master-at-Arms

Highlights:

Nationality: Celtic

Year of Birth: precise date unknown

Birth Month: May

Birth Day:

Profession: man-at-arms, sailor, trainer

Habits:

sword-shield and two-weapon combo

Arrived in Apokrypha:

(detailed below)

Mother Name:

unknown

Mother Nationality: varies by report

Father Name:

James

Father Nationality varies by report

Siblings:

Victoria and Patrick

Coat of Arms:

Citizen since: May, A.C.I. VII

Honors & Achievements:

* Founding Citizen

* Co-founded Maelstrom

* Victor at three Gatherings

* Accorded Lordship for multiple years of service to Broknarra

* Founded Wolfpack

* Won Master-At-Arms

* Served as First Count

* ONLY Eight Time Veteran of Border Conflicts

* Co-founded Triad

* Co-founded Beorn's Return

* Co-founded Order of the Nine Hands

* Co-founded the Broknarran Free Company

* Placed 1st in Summer Solstice Pole-weapon Tourney ACI XXII

* Placed 2nd in Spring Equinox Championship Tourney ACI XXII

* Placed 1st: Winter Solstice Shield Tourney, ACI XXII

* Placed 2nd: Spring Equinox Single-Sword Tourney, ACI XXIII

* CHAMPION of Spring Equinox, ACI XXIII

* Placed 2nd: Summer Solstice Shield Tourney, ACI XXIII

Robert, or Markham as he prefers to be named, is rumored to be of Irish, or Welsh, descent. A celt, to be certain, many would say, as evidenced by his fiery mane and similarly fiery temper; at least during his youth. His precise origin remains uncertain and it is guessed by many that he wandered as a youthful brigand ere his service aboard the Maelstrom.

As near as can be reckoned, Markham was thirteen years when he took to the sea aboard Maelstrom. The tale of his meeting with its captain, one Faustus von Halstov, proved to be a fateful happening over time. For some time did Markham sail with the Maelstrom, having taken service aboard amongst his fellow brigand-mates, Kronin and Wolfgang. As it is told, Markham was ever the quiet and reserved one among his compatriots. Ever slow to anger, though similaly slow to calm, once angered.

Among the noteworthy deeds of Markham was his rescue of a rumored sorceress, while Maelstrom was put to port along the Southeastern coast of Ireland. If the tale is to be believed, he had accompanied his mates into what the locals referred to as a town (an intersection of mud paths, according to the recollections of Kronin) as was often the will of Faustus that the ever conservative Markham should watch to the deeds of his similarly youthful, if dissimilarly inhibited, shipmates, Kronin and Wolfgang.

As it happened in this visit, the three lads were drawn to some uproar, what had stirred the local rabble to a full frenzy. Having plied their path through the crowds, the three did witness that the town had uncovered a "witch", who was, by all evidence, soon to be put to fire. Though generally the last to cause a stir, and most often vigilent to Captain Faustus' requests, Markham was, by later accounts of his mates, "swept under a spell by the girl, though she was abundant in beauty." In either case, it is confirmed that Marham set straight away to her rescue. It is said that in this instance that Markham did spill his first blood.

Making short work of the few locals who mustered sufficient courage to resist them, Markham and mates, wrested free the lass, and quickly made for the Maelstrom. As it happened Captain Faustus was away from the vessel, attending to "personal matters", so the lads were afforded some reprieve and siezed the chance to put the young lady into hiding among the ship's stores. As fortune favored them, the captain was not long away, having his "personal matters" despoiled by the general uproar within the town. Being wary, he did quickly make sail, and the vessel made free ere the locals were the wiser.

Alas, the good fortune was short-lived for the crews of the Maelstrom and her sister ships the Vanguard, the Sirocco, and the Enigma. By early the next morn, Wolfgang would report the a sighting of "many" ships to the East; now lit by the rising sun in the West. By mid-day the small "fleet" was fast gaining on Faustus' four ships. By evening, the battle was on.

Markham rarely speaks of the battle that ensued. Many friends were lost in the conflict and all four ships were sorely damaged. While he and his main mates fared well (Kronin being locked below deck at Faustus' order), Captain Faustus suffered a broken nose ;his 2nd apparently.

It was some time ere Faustus did discover the maid, and though his mates pleaded in their collective defense, Markham confessed his act, being "ever of good character", as recorded in the preserved Maelstrom log.

Fortune would soon take another turn fo rthe worse, and within two score nights, their vessels were set upon by a "most malevolent storm", as recalled by Wolfgang. To Markham's, and his shipmates' surprise, the captain seemed little worried by the turn of events, though he was constant at the wheel. At the last, though, the ship foundered, and many mates more were lost.

At the rise of the sun on the following morn, Markham discovered few of his shipmates had survived. He was gladdened to discover that, as well as his captain, both Wolfgang and Kronin were among the living; and especially the young lass, Kyia, to whom he had grown most fond. Sadly, and mysteriously, no bodies were recovered of those who seemed to have met their fate amongst the waters. And, while shaken by the loss of crew and vessels, Markham's captain seemed generally satisfied with his surroundings.

After many score days of arduous travel, Markham did learn that he was now in a new land known as Apokrypha. At length, the captain (who Markham would some years later come to know as Magnus Munro) guided the remaining crew into a region of known as Broknarra. In Broknarra, the captain, and crew, were greeted as though expected; a happening which remained a mystery to Markham for some years following.

At length, Markham, along with Kronin, Wolfgang, and Kyia, would serve alongside Magnus, in a variety of campaings, within the Maelstrom unit, and amidst the many Broknarran Border Conflicts. Both Markham and Kronin were appointed as "Apex", or leftenants, of Maelstrom, and Markham would later take the "helm" as Captain.

As the border conflicts were quelled, and Broknarra prospered, Markham was a stalwary veteran and a much respected armsman within Broknarra. In time, Markham established his own "crew" as an able fighting unit known as Wolf Pack. When he grew weary of the role of leader, Markham took up service amid another fighting company known as The Forsaken. At length, this too was wearisome to him, and Markham did eventually rejoin with Magnus to co-found The Triad, a fighting company that, in time, would continue to defend the ideals of Broknarra, while Magnus and Markham set out to spread the ideals, among other realms.

Most recently Markham can be seen at whiles serving with many of his former mates on the Order of the Nine Hands; a fighitng unit dedicated to training the new fighter and supporting the weaker factions.