Cael Kilgannon

August 1 480 (480-08-01) (age 34)
Sentinel Spire, Crucible, Guardian

Cael was born fourteen months after his oldest brother, Eamonn. He was raised in a noble family - well aware of his older brother's preference, well aware of his obligations. At sixteen he chose to enter the military, training for six months as a cavalry legionnaire. No discipline was spared for the young noble - after all, officers must be as strong as the men they command. At the end of the six month period he was sent to officer training - and then promoted to junior lieutenant. Second in command of a ten-squad unit he learned how to command men - how to earn and demand respect from those under him. He was no brilliant officer - a bit above average, but most of that was due to very hard work. At the three year mark where he would be expected to leave or stay he chose to stay in the cavalry - he had grown to love the somewhat elite feeling of the units he served in. He was promoted to senior captain and commanded his own ten-squad unit for the next five years.

In his military time he served during attacks against rebels in Dun Artan before the civil war, assisted in the rebuilding of Sentinel Spire and the rebuilding of a customs port there and helped hold a defensive line during the wereshark attacks. In the attack on Gateway he was wounded - an arrow wound to his arm and a sword slash to his thigh - and while he was wounded and recovering in bed he received a pair of visitors. A younger brother, and an envoy from his father. Both encouraging him to leave his military career and return home to help his older brother Eamonn. After some thought Cael agreed to do so, and resigned his commission to return home once he was healthy.

Since May of 496 Cael (Second born and younger brother to Eamonn Kilgannon) has been serving in Guardian's military. First for six months as a trainee Legionnaire in the cavalry and then as a young officer. He served in various military battles -- from fighting before the civil war to holding a defensive line against weresharks and helping put together a customs port.

He was wounded in June of 504 and chose to retire from military service after eight years upon request from his father and younger brothers. In the time it took him to return home his father died and now he joins his older brother Eamonn in trying to assist as best he is able as well as adjust to civilian life. He came to serve as the captain of Duke Eadric and Duchess Arianell's guard.

After serving as head of the guard for some time in the summer of 505 with the death of the existing Lord Sentinel Spire (and his family, for treason against Duke Conway and his family) Cael was elevated to Lord Sentinel Spire. Within a few days he was also promoted to Guardian Exchequer, handling all the accounts and monies for the duchy, including the treasury.

Cael has had long-standing tensions with his older brother, Eamonn, over their separate support for the Conways and the Barcas respectively. Cael has come to respect the Conways and supports them wholeheartedly. Eamonn supports the Barca family without reservation.

With Philip Barca's ducal challenge in November 505 (and the death of the existing Dux Bellorum Trahearn Conway and his wife) Cael was elevated by Duke Eadric Conway to the position of Dux Bellorum. In this position he commanded the Guardian Legions. He moved to solidify his power, attempting to keep the Legion from fracturing under the threat of the two powerful families that were vying for control of the island. Also during this challenge Cael was one of the most vocal supports of Eadric Conway, issuing a public proclamation that pronounced his support, the support of his lands (Sentinel Spire) and the support of the Legions. While many saw this as a bold and loyal move it caused the young Lord no small amount of stress and tension as the Barca supporters gained yet another reason to dislike the young, outspoken and loyal Lord. In particular his relationship with Baron Eamonn Kilgannon was further fractured.

In November 505, Cael received compensation of the barony of Smithfield on Guardians in recognition for his service.

In late November 508 Cael led a group of 50 Legionnaires into the fallen mine in Twisted Forge. They were ambushed by a nine foot tall shadow-demon who's howls would shake the very foundation of the mine. Cael dealt the killing blow after Lord Crispin Althelstan (Copper Run) determined that fire would hurt the creature.

Cael has taken the skin from the demonic creature and it's claws to be formed into items. The blood from the creature was secretly a key portion of the ritual that the Mistians used to break their dependance on the Breath.

In December 508 Cael's courting to Charlotte Noir was announced.

On April 01, 509, after several bumps along the way, Cael announces his abdication of the Smithfield Baronial seat.

On Apr 23, 509 Duke Aaric Barca announces Cael is hereby appointed Lord Seneschal of the Isle of Guardian. The Lord Seneschal will sit as master of high ceremonies, officiate all tests of arms, foster goodwill and comity with the other islands of Gateway, and serve the ducal seat as agent where need dictates.

Along with this announcement, the betrothal of Cael and Charlotte is announced as well, to take place in six months time.

On Sat, 15 Feb 510 AG he and Charlotte were wed after an epic wedding battle.

October 25th, 510 AG Cael moved his items out of the Guardian tower, apparently having left his job as Seneschal.

• Cael wields a saber, his preferred weapon.
• He often goes running down by the beach in the morning - when he was head of the ducal guard he would often have his men running in full armor and gear along the surf.

Members of the Kilgannon family have ruled Crucible since the Barca victory that consolidated ducal power on the isle 500 years ago. From that time, they have grown progressively more loyal to the Barca rulers. Though obviously the relations between individual dukes and barons have varied, they are for the most part known as backers of ducal policy, and certainly that seems to be true of the current Baron.

In addition to their notable loyalty, the Kilgannon family is known for its history of large (legitimate) families, but is said to avoid much of the more public in-fighting through a consistent practice of primogeniture. Younger sons traditionally find careers in the military, particularly in the cavalry and other specialized forces, which train on Crucible's open plains. It is not unusual for sons further down the line to become sailors, traders, or artists and entertainers of various stripes, either. Many of the Kilgannon line are said to possess a special knack for the telling of tales, though it's said that a weakness for drink and a tendency toward bouts of melancholy temper often accompany that talent. The family's main ancestral home is a villa outside of Sentinal Spire.

Since 505 Cael has been excommunicated from the Kilgannon main family branch by his older brother, Eamonn. Stripped of his heirship, Cael has had to start his own family branch. This is his 'new' family tartan.

• June 504: He is wounded by a wereshark attack.
• Late summer 504: Cael arrives in Gateway.
• Early fall 504: Cael promoted to head of the Ducal Guard for Duke Conway and his wife.
• Summer 505: Cael appointed to Lord of Sentinel Spire.
• Summer 505: Cael promoted to Ducal Exchequer for the Guardian duchy.
• 21 Nov 505: Cael appointed temporary Dux Bellorum, commander of the Guardian Legions.
• 28 November 505: Lord Kilgannon of Crucible is elevated to the baron of Smithfield.

Cael has a very close relationship with Bane, Charlotte Noir's huge dog. In fact, his enjoyment of that dog is what led him to find twin puppies (and an older brother of them) at the local animal stalls.

Declan is the few-minutes older of the two dark Guardian warhounds and is very playfully aggressive and dominant. He bonded with Cael and very much enjoys being around him.

Tara is his sister, and likes Charlotte a great deal. She likes to play, but will follow Declan's lead.

Both puppies promise to be huge when they grow up.

Their older brother was a gift from Cael to Tristan, his half-brother who previously was his baronial chamberlain and head of his guard.

UPDATE:

The puppies have grown by leaps and bounds. Tara is still attached to Charlotte and has shown herself to be the more laid back, quiet and nurturing of the twin dogs. While Charlotte had eight tiny pups, Tara would watch over and care for them. Declan is far more head strong, willful and stubborn - he does not take 'no' for an answer. The twins have started their wardog training and surprisingly Tara has shown herself to be the fastest of the two, while Declan has more weight and lack of 'quit' in him.