Gydwïyr the Last Hero of Mankind
Gydwïyr (a.k.a. The Last Hero of Mankind)
Son of the heroic queen Gadael of the Coedwids and her husband Haedrhyten. Gydwïyr led humanity in the last war against the Jotnar, and the Kunkal, wielding Llafnor the greatest sword in the world. Gydwïyr slew the last Jotun king of the line of the Dawn, Thared Eldingar, and was buried in the wasteland of Hautkrig, the site of the final battle between humanity and the giants.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
A notable warrior and acclaimed many times for his valor and courage, Gydwïyr typified heroic virtue in his quest to reunite the fragmented alliance of men and gods. Numerous times, Gydwïyr perseveres through obstacles that would have thrown back lesser men yet he succeeds due not just from his skill and strength, but also due to his personal character.
Specialized Equipment
Gydwïyr was given the dragon helm of his mother while in the cradle. The Dragon Helm was once an heirloom of the Kings of Ellandun and was crafted with the scales of the great draig Basdūh after he was slain by Finbhar Lasirian, the first King of the Tirdôla and Gydwïyr's ancestor. Often called "The Dragon Helmed" Gydwïyr's helmet was what signified him in battle and was often what his men rallied around in the heat of battle.
Gydwïyr also famously wielded the sword Llafnor, a blade with a legendary history dating back to mankind' enslavement under the Dawn Kingdom of the Jotnar. King Finbhar was gifted the sword and Gydwïyr gained it rallying the gods to fight alongside him. Llafnor has numerous attributes and binding charms made during its forging.
Also attested to is Gydwïyr's shield, while not given a specific name, it was often spoken of for its golden trim that would reflect all light that hit it and for the sparks and fire that would spark when hit with sword, spear or ax.
Gydwïyr also famously wielded the sword Llafnor, a blade with a legendary history dating back to mankind' enslavement under the Dawn Kingdom of the Jotnar. King Finbhar was gifted the sword and Gydwïyr gained it rallying the gods to fight alongside him. Llafnor has numerous attributes and binding charms made during its forging.
Also attested to is Gydwïyr's shield, while not given a specific name, it was often spoken of for its golden trim that would reflect all light that hit it and for the sparks and fire that would spark when hit with sword, spear or ax.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Thus it was deemed in the waning years of the elder age so long ago, a hero finally would come so long awaited to end the song of war so long sung between the West and the East. This was Gydwïyr, son of the wood and the stone, of Gadfael who was the loved queen of the Coedwids and crowned mighty in her own age. For she was the war woman of the west, and in the fury of battle she commanded Men and Fae alike. The queen herself was one of many worlds, her father was Saracel, the hidden child of Princess Frinda of Ellandun, and Taliesin of the Lone Isle, who dwelt in Arallfyd where the night is ever long. Their love is a tale told elsewhere, and a great union was theirs that produced their son Saracel. Gadfael's mother was from the Naharainil, the rangers of Mànallaig and the riders of the Capail Ganalaea. Their domain was a wide one once, but now shrunken and dwarfed, it came to reside in the great forest of Gohion Bhradain. There they came to be called the Coedwids, and they dwelt there a long while. Gadfael's husband was Haedrhyten, a Man of magic and mystery, it is said he died when his son was very young, but he received a great prophecy from above which announced the arrival of the Lost Heir foretold long ago in the days of Ardenwulf and Gamelin.
Gadfael fell in victory at Balengar, and spirited away to the grove throne in Gohion Bhradain, Gydwïyr was taken by the god Mabinog to safety there. Watched from above by the high ones, when he came to be of an age deemed enough, he was told of his mother's fate and many poems and songs are told of his sorrow for in childhood he was not told of her valiant deeds. When he came to be a man, he set upon a great journey to reforge the alliance of his mother, of all mankind's clans to continue the fight with the giants.
Gydwïyr rode far north, to the land of Casúr the king of the Teaghasí, to the forest realm of Uairdel, brother of his ancestor Finbhar. To the High King he went, who had once been called Ciaenmóir, the Great Chief and who had fought alongside his mother in the long war. But the king lay lazing, no longer did he raise his great warhammer, nor don his fair armor. And yet as Gydwïyr came, Casúr's droves of sons and daughters arose in fervor, "Can nothing be done? Is glory passed?" They cried so, but the word of the king's greatest son Dunlen stirred the king's heart to a whirlwind, "Has the light faded father? Have the mounds grown silent?" For the prince has spoken of the mounds of the old kings, of Meginil, Elmdùin and Ceradairn, Guisgarn and Cearógil. And Casúr arose from his oak throne and a great hope was renewed in him, and he said aloud
And Casúr's heart was reignited, for one last fight, lest his lands be brought to ruin and his heirs enslaved. And with their rallied bands behind him, Gydwïyr set off from the groves of Uairdel, and west he went to the great land of his great-grandmother, to the greatest lands yet ruled by Men in that age, past the Vale of Finbhar, to King Ceredin's fortress, to Ellandun. Greatest in splendor in those days, the host of Gydwïyr was nothing beneath the high walls of the citadel of Ceredin. Atop its walls gazed King Raedwil. Raedwil rode outside his high walls atop a white horse and blew a horn of parlay. The king admonished the young hero for attempting to once again war on the giants while also extending his sympathies for the loss of Queen Gadfael. Raedwil did not believe another war would bring victory, Raedwil was another veteran of the wars and seemed content behind his strong walls and great hosts of warriors. It was then that Gydwïyr spoke, he spoke of the danger posed by the scattered giants, how in their desperation they were at their most dangerous and only another combined alliance of mankind's great clans could scatter them once and for all. Gydwïyr spoke on the honor of his mother and the honor of the son seeking to avenge a parent's death. King Raedwil was convinced, however, he considered himself too old to lead his people. The old king then lowered himself before Gydwïyr, displaying a sword shrouded by a cloth. Once unveiled, it became apparent that Raedwil had now offered the great sword of the Tirdôla, the sword of Finbhar, wielded in splendor by Ellan, Ceredin, and passed now to him. Gydwïyr took the sword into his hand, it shone yet upon his hand, Gydwïyr felt a great sadness in the blade, passed on so many times. Llafnor now, called Eorre once, and Fresli in an age so long passed none there yet knew of it, the sword of men, the dragon's bane, the sword of many colors, all those who once felt the pommel of the blade in their hands watched on far away as Gydwïyr, their mighty and last descendant, rested the sword of his forefathers at his side.
With the Teaghasí, the Tirdôla of Ellandun, and the numerous scattered tribes of the Sureno, who had once been the residents of the Southlands before being scattered when their citadel of Rielar was destroyed by the Kunkal Táramaðurinn. With his new allies, Gydwïyr now rode to the high seat of the land, Tirordol, the Throne lands, the earthly home of the gods. There, clad in shining armor, stood the Aleuasatok, the God's Wolves, a host of men in impenetrable armor and known for their unmatched skill and ferocity in melee. To even be granted an audience with the gods, Gydwïyr would need to be granted passage into the inner keep of the Aleuasatok's fortress of Erolbeltz. Gydwïyr however, of great valor and undaunted from his task, challenged the giant Wolven Captain Penda the Many Armed. The Wolven captain roared and boasted, he clapped his shields together, and with each strike, thunder was heard and the earth trembled. Gydwïyr was unfazed and with steel determination and swift feet, he dodged each strike by the great warrior, landing blow after blow against the tough armor of the Wolven captain who tired as the dragon helmed one ran him in circles. After so many swings, Pendr fell to his knees and surrendered to swift Gydwïyr who beckoned the captain to fetch his masters, for the mortal had need of their friendship.
And before them, he now stood, high above in their glory, he felt their gaze before him. And to him, the world seemed changed, he gazed below and in his thought wondered if he had grown six fingers, and on he thought to the machinations and saw deep to the very depths and foundations of the earth. In this place all seemed changed, but on he pressed and he gazed high and saw them above him, resting and sitting, looking upon him. Before the blazing fire of their thrones, one of them announced with a high voice, "Hail thee dragon helm, for thy valor has won thee this audience and spied afar, we have seen the burning valor of thy warrior-soul." But Gydwïyr took no heed to their flattery, he spoke of an age once seen and now arrived, when Men would unite and throw off the giant yoke once and for all. For Gydwïyr knew well of the oaths of Men, of their prophecies and he knew well what the purpose of his coming had been. And from a low voice he spoke of loss, of the loss of his mother and his father. He told the very gods the nature of Man's struggle and high atop their thrones they turned a keen ear to his words. Some were taken aback greatly by the words of the mortal Man before them, and just as a squabbling was to take place, a great grunt was heard and soon mighty Taranais arose with the full weight of mighty Magan at his side. And he said aloud "Hail full well oh Gydwïyr, word-master and spinner of tales! Oh how you have made the very thrones envy thy courage, I say but this, you shall have mine own strength at thy side, and if these here are good, many here soon will you also have, if war is to be made, let it begin here!" Once more he seemed to arise even higher and with one arm he arose his great hammer Magan, and with the other blew a horn which sounded with a deafening bellow. Now all seemed to muster, Gods and Men, there at the fields before the Thronelands. And upon the head of that mighty host was Gydwïyr, now donned in the full splendor of his people. The banners had been raised, and then the alliance set off, and it seemed a rhythm was in their step as they did. For all the free lands of the earth arose behind, and those who breathed the free air joined them in this last struggle. So was the stage set, all the players had arrived to their places as the great battle was to come, and to come quite swift. For new power arose in the East as well, Thared of the House of Vitugr had claimed the giant crown and threw it into the gutter. For crowned he was of Elden oak, of the bark of the Muhaitza, and ordained by giant law as their high lord and savior. His ax Hefnd commanded the quick fire of lightning and he wielded it with doom, at his side were many scores of giants from the great houses of their race. The war-forged king he was, and by his power he rode East to Buranden, to the mountain of terror, to awaken one final time the great scourge Táramaðurinn and arose the great Kunkal for this, the final struggle. Eldingar he was, the Lightning Bringer and he arose the once meager droves of the Eutunaz into the war-hounds of yesteryear once again. The two immense sides met at a place once named Adda, due east of Orithoir, but now known to us as Hautkrig. The fighting at Hautkrig was apocalyptic, all the clans, tribes, and nations of man were present, and with the gods at their side, they fought against the giants and their Kunkal machines that brought untold death to the land. Of Gydwïyr we say, his sword was long and gleamed with the brightness of a newborn moon, and his shield sparkled and sparked with every glancing blow. The dragon helm of Finbhar was seen afar and brought strength to the arms of his companions. The star above shone with never-before radiance as all the universe seemed to stand still in anticipation of the victor that day on the field. The towering lord of the giants, the master of Táramaðurinn, and the king crowned of the world's oak opposed Gydwïyr and the fate of the world stood at stake on the field of Hautkrig. The forces of man and god fought tirelessly but no victory could be had if the vile black titan Táramaðurinn still stood. No man could defeat such a foe and so with bellows from a myriad of horns, the god Taranais was called upon to fight Táramaðurinn. The clash between the mightiest of the Kunkal and the mightiest of the gods truly shook the universe, Táramaðurinn's fury contrasted with Taranais' own relentless battering and soon, with time, the billowed armor of the war beast caved in and the Doom fell upon the battlefield, taking scores of man and giant with it.
With the fall of Táramaðurinn, King Thared proved vulnerable and faced the hero Gydwïyr on equal footing. The two titans of their age clashed all manner of weapons together and the sparks of their great weapons ignited the surrounding land into a blackened wasteland. All ceased their fighting as they dove for safety amidst the towering walls of fire that now engulfed the land. Blow after blow passed between them and once more, the world shook and bent as creation seemed to be torn in two with the force of their attacks. The sky was lit with fire before turning black as the sun did not cast light and the stars were blocked out by smoke and fog. With both ailing, Gydwïyr charged the giant king and managed to run him through with Llafnor but was struck in the side with a dagger, and both fell as the destruction of the battle settled and those still alive drove off the remaining giants. With the battle won, the hosts of humanity honored their dead, building vast pyres which burned for years after the battle ended. Thus ends the tale of Gydwïyr, the last hero and savior of humanity.
"Sosanna Lae! Torigann danla síoraí aer bíorah áthlas ar Fhir!"
Day Breaks! Eternal hope comes and let Men be glad!
And Casúr's heart was reignited, for one last fight, lest his lands be brought to ruin and his heirs enslaved. And with their rallied bands behind him, Gydwïyr set off from the groves of Uairdel, and west he went to the great land of his great-grandmother, to the greatest lands yet ruled by Men in that age, past the Vale of Finbhar, to King Ceredin's fortress, to Ellandun. Greatest in splendor in those days, the host of Gydwïyr was nothing beneath the high walls of the citadel of Ceredin. Atop its walls gazed King Raedwil. Raedwil rode outside his high walls atop a white horse and blew a horn of parlay. The king admonished the young hero for attempting to once again war on the giants while also extending his sympathies for the loss of Queen Gadfael. Raedwil did not believe another war would bring victory, Raedwil was another veteran of the wars and seemed content behind his strong walls and great hosts of warriors. It was then that Gydwïyr spoke, he spoke of the danger posed by the scattered giants, how in their desperation they were at their most dangerous and only another combined alliance of mankind's great clans could scatter them once and for all. Gydwïyr spoke on the honor of his mother and the honor of the son seeking to avenge a parent's death. King Raedwil was convinced, however, he considered himself too old to lead his people. The old king then lowered himself before Gydwïyr, displaying a sword shrouded by a cloth. Once unveiled, it became apparent that Raedwil had now offered the great sword of the Tirdôla, the sword of Finbhar, wielded in splendor by Ellan, Ceredin, and passed now to him. Gydwïyr took the sword into his hand, it shone yet upon his hand, Gydwïyr felt a great sadness in the blade, passed on so many times. Llafnor now, called Eorre once, and Fresli in an age so long passed none there yet knew of it, the sword of men, the dragon's bane, the sword of many colors, all those who once felt the pommel of the blade in their hands watched on far away as Gydwïyr, their mighty and last descendant, rested the sword of his forefathers at his side.
With the Teaghasí, the Tirdôla of Ellandun, and the numerous scattered tribes of the Sureno, who had once been the residents of the Southlands before being scattered when their citadel of Rielar was destroyed by the Kunkal Táramaðurinn. With his new allies, Gydwïyr now rode to the high seat of the land, Tirordol, the Throne lands, the earthly home of the gods. There, clad in shining armor, stood the Aleuasatok, the God's Wolves, a host of men in impenetrable armor and known for their unmatched skill and ferocity in melee. To even be granted an audience with the gods, Gydwïyr would need to be granted passage into the inner keep of the Aleuasatok's fortress of Erolbeltz. Gydwïyr however, of great valor and undaunted from his task, challenged the giant Wolven Captain Penda the Many Armed. The Wolven captain roared and boasted, he clapped his shields together, and with each strike, thunder was heard and the earth trembled. Gydwïyr was unfazed and with steel determination and swift feet, he dodged each strike by the great warrior, landing blow after blow against the tough armor of the Wolven captain who tired as the dragon helmed one ran him in circles. After so many swings, Pendr fell to his knees and surrendered to swift Gydwïyr who beckoned the captain to fetch his masters, for the mortal had need of their friendship.
And before them, he now stood, high above in their glory, he felt their gaze before him. And to him, the world seemed changed, he gazed below and in his thought wondered if he had grown six fingers, and on he thought to the machinations and saw deep to the very depths and foundations of the earth. In this place all seemed changed, but on he pressed and he gazed high and saw them above him, resting and sitting, looking upon him. Before the blazing fire of their thrones, one of them announced with a high voice, "Hail thee dragon helm, for thy valor has won thee this audience and spied afar, we have seen the burning valor of thy warrior-soul." But Gydwïyr took no heed to their flattery, he spoke of an age once seen and now arrived, when Men would unite and throw off the giant yoke once and for all. For Gydwïyr knew well of the oaths of Men, of their prophecies and he knew well what the purpose of his coming had been. And from a low voice he spoke of loss, of the loss of his mother and his father. He told the very gods the nature of Man's struggle and high atop their thrones they turned a keen ear to his words. Some were taken aback greatly by the words of the mortal Man before them, and just as a squabbling was to take place, a great grunt was heard and soon mighty Taranais arose with the full weight of mighty Magan at his side. And he said aloud "Hail full well oh Gydwïyr, word-master and spinner of tales! Oh how you have made the very thrones envy thy courage, I say but this, you shall have mine own strength at thy side, and if these here are good, many here soon will you also have, if war is to be made, let it begin here!" Once more he seemed to arise even higher and with one arm he arose his great hammer Magan, and with the other blew a horn which sounded with a deafening bellow. Now all seemed to muster, Gods and Men, there at the fields before the Thronelands. And upon the head of that mighty host was Gydwïyr, now donned in the full splendor of his people. The banners had been raised, and then the alliance set off, and it seemed a rhythm was in their step as they did. For all the free lands of the earth arose behind, and those who breathed the free air joined them in this last struggle. So was the stage set, all the players had arrived to their places as the great battle was to come, and to come quite swift. For new power arose in the East as well, Thared of the House of Vitugr had claimed the giant crown and threw it into the gutter. For crowned he was of Elden oak, of the bark of the Muhaitza, and ordained by giant law as their high lord and savior. His ax Hefnd commanded the quick fire of lightning and he wielded it with doom, at his side were many scores of giants from the great houses of their race. The war-forged king he was, and by his power he rode East to Buranden, to the mountain of terror, to awaken one final time the great scourge Táramaðurinn and arose the great Kunkal for this, the final struggle. Eldingar he was, the Lightning Bringer and he arose the once meager droves of the Eutunaz into the war-hounds of yesteryear once again. The two immense sides met at a place once named Adda, due east of Orithoir, but now known to us as Hautkrig. The fighting at Hautkrig was apocalyptic, all the clans, tribes, and nations of man were present, and with the gods at their side, they fought against the giants and their Kunkal machines that brought untold death to the land. Of Gydwïyr we say, his sword was long and gleamed with the brightness of a newborn moon, and his shield sparkled and sparked with every glancing blow. The dragon helm of Finbhar was seen afar and brought strength to the arms of his companions. The star above shone with never-before radiance as all the universe seemed to stand still in anticipation of the victor that day on the field. The towering lord of the giants, the master of Táramaðurinn, and the king crowned of the world's oak opposed Gydwïyr and the fate of the world stood at stake on the field of Hautkrig. The forces of man and god fought tirelessly but no victory could be had if the vile black titan Táramaðurinn still stood. No man could defeat such a foe and so with bellows from a myriad of horns, the god Taranais was called upon to fight Táramaðurinn. The clash between the mightiest of the Kunkal and the mightiest of the gods truly shook the universe, Táramaðurinn's fury contrasted with Taranais' own relentless battering and soon, with time, the billowed armor of the war beast caved in and the Doom fell upon the battlefield, taking scores of man and giant with it.
With the fall of Táramaðurinn, King Thared proved vulnerable and faced the hero Gydwïyr on equal footing. The two titans of their age clashed all manner of weapons together and the sparks of their great weapons ignited the surrounding land into a blackened wasteland. All ceased their fighting as they dove for safety amidst the towering walls of fire that now engulfed the land. Blow after blow passed between them and once more, the world shook and bent as creation seemed to be torn in two with the force of their attacks. The sky was lit with fire before turning black as the sun did not cast light and the stars were blocked out by smoke and fog. With both ailing, Gydwïyr charged the giant king and managed to run him through with Llafnor but was struck in the side with a dagger, and both fell as the destruction of the battle settled and those still alive drove off the remaining giants. With the battle won, the hosts of humanity honored their dead, building vast pyres which burned for years after the battle ended. Thus ends the tale of Gydwïyr, the last hero and savior of humanity.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Unite the clans of mankind and scatter the giants
Virtues & Personality perks
Courageous
Honest
Fair
Honorable
Courteous
Driven
Faithful
Wise
Honest
Fair
Honorable
Courteous
Driven
Faithful
Wise
Social
Family Ties
Son of Haedrhyten and Queen Gadfael
Grandson of Bellalune and Saracel, Estara and Carnavun
Great Grandson of Naharmol and Nyem and Frinda and Taliesin
Grandson of Bellalune and Saracel, Estara and Carnavun
Great Grandson of Naharmol and Nyem and Frinda and Taliesin
Social Aptitude
A unifier, Gydwïyr was adept at uniting opposing forces and combining their strengths as he gathered together the clans of mankind as well as the often apathetic gods in opposing the growing giant threat. Gydwïyr used his own reason for waging war on the giants, his mother's death, as a rallying cry for those who remembered Queen Gadfael's own wars against them.
Speech
In speech, Gydwïyr was said to have been marvelous and swayed the otherwise apathetic High Kings Casúr, Raedwil, and the council of the gods. Gydwïyr spoke with passion and spoke very commonly of a united cause against the hated giants.
Species
Ethnicity
Circumstances of Birth
Son of the god Leuthero and Queen Gadael
Circumstances of Death
Died in battle at Hautkrig against the giants
Birthplace
Coedwig, Southeastern Areul
Place of Death
Hautkrig, Wasteland at the Rhor's edge
Family
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark Brown
Hair
Long, Black Hair
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Fair
Quotes & Catchphrases
Of all deeds done
we have stood tall and proud,
we men of Ellandun
commit to a promise vowed
To you, our prince we sing
to you we grieve and cry,
to you, acclaim we bring
to your deeds we will glorify
-Funerary oration by the survivors of Ellandun to the body of Gydwïyr
Character Prototype
Basically a mix between Jesus and Paul Atreides
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