King Hugh the Tall
King of Tiranar and Lord of the Halsats Hugh Merobaud-Du Palais (a.k.a. The Tall)
The imposing Hugh the Tall, the famed soldier-king of Tiranar, and the Hammer of Powyar. A dedicated military reformer and cultural progenitor of Halsat chivalric virtues.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Hugh amazed those around him with his quickness and prowess despite his gigantic size for the time. Said to have stood twice the size of a normal man and be no less as quick, Hugh must have been a terror on the battlefield and is applauded for his chivalric gallantry and skill in personal combat.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
The first son of King Adrien le Hardi and his influential wife Aliénor de Marteau, the countess of Hailen. Prince Hugh would initially be raised by his mother at her estate in Hailen as his father Adrien suspected Hugh was not his son but the son of her lover, Provin de Orene. Life at Hailen would be among Hugh's fondest moments as he was incredibly close with his mother whose famous "Court of Love" had a tremendous impact on the young Prince. During his time at Hailen, Hugh became known for his joyful and playful nature as well as a lover of songs and stories about Rosyn the Granger, his distant ancestor.
During his adolescence, Hugh was called back to Caistnac to be by his father's side. It was at Caistnac that Hugh's size truly became apparent as the boy grew and grew until he eventually towered over every person in his father's court. Life at Caistnac was totally different than Hugh's previous life at Hailen as he was surrounded by scheming courtiers and ritualistic court etiquette he found monotonous and lifeless. Hugh and his father especially did not get along as Adrien carried a stern resentment toward a boy he did not believe was his while Hugh treated his father as a distant and reclusive figure in stark contrast to his warm and receptive mother.
Eventually, at the age of 23, Adrien died and Hugh became the King of Tiranar. Coming to power, Hugh was faced immediately with a revolt from his barons in Archeau who wanted to take advantage of the change in leadership to claim new privileges for themselves. The 1st Baron's War was Hugh's first taste of warfare and would draw out for five years as the inexperienced King failed to siege castle after castle and eventually the two sides began to reach a stalemate. While on campaign with his half-brother Theude, Hugh is said to have been imprisoned by Baron Philip III of Beoux and kept in captivity there for some time while Theude and his mother assembled a hefty ransom for the King. During his imprisonment, Hugh wrote anguished poetry and was reportedly treated quite poorly by his captives who weighed the large man down with "chains large enough that a mule would struggle to move under them". As word of the acceptance of the exchange reached Theude, he is said to have written to his mother saying simply, "God be with the rebels, for the devil is loose". When conflict broke out once more, Hugh was more competent and ruthless in his conduct. No longer afraid of conducting a thorough war on his rebellious vassals, Hugh, his half-brother, along with his friend and ally Count Roger de Carnigan marched the army through enemy territory burning and pillaging as they went and soon the 2nd Baron's War was brought to a close with Hugh reasserting his authority in the northern regions of his realm. In the aftermath, with his defeated former vassals convened to sign treaties of noncombatance towards him, Hugh recollected his ransom from Philip of Beoux and apparently dropped at his feet, the same chains he bound Hugh in during his captivity.
Hugh's next gaze ventured south, toward the Gwerins of Powyar, who had aided his barons but were now embroiled in a crisis between the two claimants for the throne of the realm, Rhodri Vere, and his rival Gwyr Cadelr. Hugh backed Rhodri in his war with Gwyr and eventually, the Gwerin lord would win his conflict and ascend as Prince of Powyar. By this time, Hugh's sister Olera was married to Rhodri's son Amren, marking the two realms as allies. This was not what the nobles of Powyar had in mind and without the authority of their ruler, launched an unsuccessful siege of the castles of Gower and Vilois. This aggression was matched by Hugh's invasion of Powyar with a 10,000-strong army commanded by himself and Roger de Carnigan. In quick succession, Hugh lifted the sieges of Gower and fought the Gwerin army at Vilois, winning a triumphant victory there. Hugh then proceeded to place Rhodri back in power and demanded the punishment of the nobles responsible for the attacks on his lands.
Peace existed between the two states before Rhodri was formally usurped and executed by Cadelr. This was the precedent for Hugh's 2nd invasion of Powyar and once again he mustered an army and marched south. The 2nd Gwerin War was hotly contested but some 9,000 Gwerin deserters joined with the Tiranar army of an already impressive 15,000. As the Tiranar army marched through Powyar, they encountered resistance in the form of the castles of Kardwell and Orwein. Cadelr had taken command of the defense of Kardwell and the siege dragged on for some time before the Gwerins were forced to withdraw. With starvation and desertion rampant in his army, Gwyr Cadelr surrendered to Hugh in 551 A.E, bringing an end to the 2nd Gwerin War.
Hugh's conquest of Powyar would have lasting effects on the region but his ambitions did not end that far south as Hugh would fight numerous skirmishes with the Haklans and Stracians of Hasdulia over the course of his reign. Fighting against the Haklans concluded in 588 A.E with portions of the lowlands being annexed. Hugh's campaigning had brought the kingdom numerous new lands to administer but his slow and methodical conduct during the wars and benevolent and forgiving gestures towards the numerous Haklan petty lords had ensured that they became productive relatively shortly after being incorporated with the realm. Domestically, Hugh was also known as an adept keeper of the finances of the kingdom as he founded an independent Court of Finances as well as implemented a standardization of weights and measures, and standardized a new singular form of currency which aided in fighting counterfeiting.
In the final years of Hugh's reign, the King was in the lowlands fighting with rebel highlanders when he was apparently shot under the armpit with an arrow. The king continued to fight but had to be taken from the field by companions after he fainted from blood loss. Hugh remained inactive throughout the rest of the campaign and upon achieving victory, he rode back to the capital. On the road, he seems to have developed dysentery and could no longer travel. The royal entourage made camp near the town of Burgoine and the King's attendants heard his deathbed wishes. Hugh wished for his embalmed heart and his hands to be carried on campaign against the highlanders, a wish that was carried out by his son. Hugh's last wish was for the rest of his remains to be entombed at Hailen, the court of his mother and the King's favorite location. The King died on the 3rd of Modia 604 A.E and both his wishes would be completed by his son and successor Romel II.
During his adolescence, Hugh was called back to Caistnac to be by his father's side. It was at Caistnac that Hugh's size truly became apparent as the boy grew and grew until he eventually towered over every person in his father's court. Life at Caistnac was totally different than Hugh's previous life at Hailen as he was surrounded by scheming courtiers and ritualistic court etiquette he found monotonous and lifeless. Hugh and his father especially did not get along as Adrien carried a stern resentment toward a boy he did not believe was his while Hugh treated his father as a distant and reclusive figure in stark contrast to his warm and receptive mother.
Eventually, at the age of 23, Adrien died and Hugh became the King of Tiranar. Coming to power, Hugh was faced immediately with a revolt from his barons in Archeau who wanted to take advantage of the change in leadership to claim new privileges for themselves. The 1st Baron's War was Hugh's first taste of warfare and would draw out for five years as the inexperienced King failed to siege castle after castle and eventually the two sides began to reach a stalemate. While on campaign with his half-brother Theude, Hugh is said to have been imprisoned by Baron Philip III of Beoux and kept in captivity there for some time while Theude and his mother assembled a hefty ransom for the King. During his imprisonment, Hugh wrote anguished poetry and was reportedly treated quite poorly by his captives who weighed the large man down with "chains large enough that a mule would struggle to move under them". As word of the acceptance of the exchange reached Theude, he is said to have written to his mother saying simply, "God be with the rebels, for the devil is loose". When conflict broke out once more, Hugh was more competent and ruthless in his conduct. No longer afraid of conducting a thorough war on his rebellious vassals, Hugh, his half-brother, along with his friend and ally Count Roger de Carnigan marched the army through enemy territory burning and pillaging as they went and soon the 2nd Baron's War was brought to a close with Hugh reasserting his authority in the northern regions of his realm. In the aftermath, with his defeated former vassals convened to sign treaties of noncombatance towards him, Hugh recollected his ransom from Philip of Beoux and apparently dropped at his feet, the same chains he bound Hugh in during his captivity.
Hugh's next gaze ventured south, toward the Gwerins of Powyar, who had aided his barons but were now embroiled in a crisis between the two claimants for the throne of the realm, Rhodri Vere, and his rival Gwyr Cadelr. Hugh backed Rhodri in his war with Gwyr and eventually, the Gwerin lord would win his conflict and ascend as Prince of Powyar. By this time, Hugh's sister Olera was married to Rhodri's son Amren, marking the two realms as allies. This was not what the nobles of Powyar had in mind and without the authority of their ruler, launched an unsuccessful siege of the castles of Gower and Vilois. This aggression was matched by Hugh's invasion of Powyar with a 10,000-strong army commanded by himself and Roger de Carnigan. In quick succession, Hugh lifted the sieges of Gower and fought the Gwerin army at Vilois, winning a triumphant victory there. Hugh then proceeded to place Rhodri back in power and demanded the punishment of the nobles responsible for the attacks on his lands.
Peace existed between the two states before Rhodri was formally usurped and executed by Cadelr. This was the precedent for Hugh's 2nd invasion of Powyar and once again he mustered an army and marched south. The 2nd Gwerin War was hotly contested but some 9,000 Gwerin deserters joined with the Tiranar army of an already impressive 15,000. As the Tiranar army marched through Powyar, they encountered resistance in the form of the castles of Kardwell and Orwein. Cadelr had taken command of the defense of Kardwell and the siege dragged on for some time before the Gwerins were forced to withdraw. With starvation and desertion rampant in his army, Gwyr Cadelr surrendered to Hugh in 551 A.E, bringing an end to the 2nd Gwerin War.
Hugh's conquest of Powyar would have lasting effects on the region but his ambitions did not end that far south as Hugh would fight numerous skirmishes with the Haklans and Stracians of Hasdulia over the course of his reign. Fighting against the Haklans concluded in 588 A.E with portions of the lowlands being annexed. Hugh's campaigning had brought the kingdom numerous new lands to administer but his slow and methodical conduct during the wars and benevolent and forgiving gestures towards the numerous Haklan petty lords had ensured that they became productive relatively shortly after being incorporated with the realm. Domestically, Hugh was also known as an adept keeper of the finances of the kingdom as he founded an independent Court of Finances as well as implemented a standardization of weights and measures, and standardized a new singular form of currency which aided in fighting counterfeiting.
In the final years of Hugh's reign, the King was in the lowlands fighting with rebel highlanders when he was apparently shot under the armpit with an arrow. The king continued to fight but had to be taken from the field by companions after he fainted from blood loss. Hugh remained inactive throughout the rest of the campaign and upon achieving victory, he rode back to the capital. On the road, he seems to have developed dysentery and could no longer travel. The royal entourage made camp near the town of Burgoine and the King's attendants heard his deathbed wishes. Hugh wished for his embalmed heart and his hands to be carried on campaign against the highlanders, a wish that was carried out by his son. Hugh's last wish was for the rest of his remains to be entombed at Hailen, the court of his mother and the King's favorite location. The King died on the 3rd of Modia 604 A.E and both his wishes would be completed by his son and successor Romel II.
Education
Educated and raised by his mother Aliénor de Marteau at her estate in Hailen
Employment
Crown Prince of Tiranar
King of Tiranar
King of Tiranar
Mental Trauma
Subjected to harsh treatment by his father King Adrien on account of his suspected parentage
Intellectual Characteristics
Inquisitive and Curious
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Secure his throne and the betterment of his realm and his people
Virtues & Personality perks
Patient
Loving
Diligent
Virtuous
Dedicated
Loyal
Loving
Diligent
Virtuous
Dedicated
Loyal
Vices & Personality flaws
Careless
Stubborn
Wrathful
Envious
Stubborn
Wrathful
Envious
Social
Family Ties
Son of Aliénor de Marteau and King Adrien le Hardi
Brother of Olera Merobaud and Half brother of Theude de Marteau
Husband of Ariel de Carnigan
Father of King Romel II and Hiltrude Merobaud
Grandfather of King Rousel III, Amaury, and Aliénor Merobaud as well as Redald de Marteau
Brother of Olera Merobaud and Half brother of Theude de Marteau
Husband of Ariel de Carnigan
Father of King Romel II and Hiltrude Merobaud
Grandfather of King Rousel III, Amaury, and Aliénor Merobaud as well as Redald de Marteau
Social Aptitude
First and foremost, Hugh adored his mother, the two were very close throughout his life and he often wrote to her or traveled to Hailen to socialize and speak with her. They shared passions in writing, astronomy, and history and when she passed in 598, Hugh gave a funerary oration that prompted tears from the sovereign in full view of his court. With his siblings he was also harmonious, he extended the love of his mother to his sister Olera as well as to his half-brother Theude who was a constant companion throughout his life.
Speech
Hugh spoke with a low and imposing voice yet in discussion with him, made his education well known as he spoke clearly and eloquently. He frequently made efforts to attend to the needs of his servants and courtiers and was a loved figure in Caistnac for his humility and personal pleasantries.
Relationships
Ethnicity
Date of Birth
21st of Larce
Date of Death
3rd of Modia
Life
537 A.E
604 A.E
67 years old
Circumstances of Birth
First Son of King Adrien and Queen Aliénor de Marteau
Circumstances of Death
Died encamped at Burgione from dysentery
Birthplace
Hailen, Vaseau
Place of Death
Burgione, southern Vaseau
Family
Spouses
Ariel de Carnigan
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark Brown
Hair
Long, Brown Hair and Beard
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White
Height
6'11
Weight
250 lbs
Quotes & Catchphrases
"What grand fool built such a marvel for the eyes of a poor soul such as me?" -Said upon discovering the ruins of an old Rasennan triumphal arch outside Vilois
Belief/Deity
The Mundana Ecclesia
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Hasdinian
Arish
Lakic
Salic
Character Prototype
Edward I and Richard the Lionheart
(Hugh's brutal 2nd invasion of Powyar and advance to the Siege of Kardwell)
(The climactic Siege of Kardwell Castle that brought an end to the 2nd Gwerin War)
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