Sir Mardonius Hildego
Born into a noble family of White Dragonborn in the Castle District of Waterdeep, Mardonius was raised to be a mage knight from a young age. As far back as he could remember, he was trained by his father (or tutors) in magic, and his mother (or trainers) in physical combat. He, being the oldest sibling, was to inherit the leadership of his family, and so these and other skills were ingrained in him.
Eventually, he became the head of his family, inheriting the title of "Sir" from his father after serving in the Waterdeep military for a time and gaining many accolades. After he had taken over the rule of his family's holdings, he was approached by a new organization in Elturel. Journeying there, he left the family Hildego in the claws of his younger brother. There the organization discovered its leader was a vampire lord. After bringing him down, the organization eventually, after splitting a few times, called themselves The Order of the Gauntlet.
Mardonius was not one of its leaders, he had no interest in leadership after leaving his family, realizing the burden of it was no longer appealing to him. Instead he worked as an agent for decades. He was a valued member, even being favored more than some of the Gauntlet's leaders for a time for his ardent strive to right wrongs in the world.
He grew old in the Order and on his adventures, however. He eventually returned to Waterdeep, in time to fight in the Tyranny War. He participated, however, in smaller battles, having found enough glory on the large battlefields for a lifetime. Sir Hildego's goal was to defend the small outlets of civilians of his home city that were thrown into danger. This did not afford him the accolades his younger self would've wanted, but those that were saved or fought along side him still send him gifts of thanks.
It was a couple years after the war that he was traveling through the Dock Ward. A young noblewoman named Cyla Garduuli needed protection as she was on her way to visit an old servant of hers who had fallen into poverty. She wished to gather him personally and take care of him in her own estates for his good service. She had gone to Hildego, now an older 'born for help in this matter, as he was known to take on such tasks. Despite his best efforts, he was bored at home. His brother had allowed him to return, but sitting on his tail was not the life the old knight wanted, and would escape it every chance he got.
On their way through the district, they stopped to watch a performer who had caught the young lady's eye. He was juggling, playing music, and even reciting poems to whomever in the unwashed crowd would listen. It was his vibrant blue and red colors that first caught their eyes, and his performance second. Eventually, not liking to stay still too long, Mardonius urged his charge and her other guards to keep moving. They left the performer to his devices, what they didn't notice was the group that followed after.
They were headed down an alley, where the home of the servant was located. Cyla went in and brought out the frail old dwarf. He had seen better decades, thought Madonius.
As they turned to the one exit of the alley, the gang of people who had followed them blocked their exit. Knives, short swords, even crossbows were drawn. They demanded jewels, dragons and suns, and the lady. The two guards and Mardonius stepped forward, the old 'born cursing his fading senses missing the group before. Soon combat was had, and even with his experience and magic, Mardonius Hildego was older, and slower. His blade found a few of the others, and his magics others, but as the two guards fell besides him, he swore as he was too slow to stop one of the gang members getting past him and bodily grabbing the lady. He was surrounded, and he could do nothing for her, but he tried with all his might.
It was then that the flashing of daggers in the sunlight caught the fleeing thug in the head and one of the other thugs in his back, soon a third went down to a rapier, and suddenly the criminals saw they had an enemy at their backs, blocking their own exit. With his experience, Mardonius acted quickly. He cut down enemies left and right. As soon as they turned to him, he saw the flash of blue and red, and that damned white mask, and the rapier in the entertainer's hand, for that's who was there with them, cut them down as soon as his enemies were distracted. It was not honorable fighting, and he did it with such cool efficiency, that Mardonius wondered what was going on behind the mask. But eventually, the rest of the thugs either were dead or fleeing.
First checking on the Lady Garduuli, Mardonius only found her feinted with the shock. He turned to the entertainer, and found him pulling his daggers out of the thugs, and looking in their pockets for loose coin. He couldn't judge, there had been times in his life where a few extra coppers from the dead kept his belly full for a day. As soon as the man turned, he started to walk towards and then past Mardonius. The old 'born grabbed his arm and felt how thin the other was under his claws. Thin, yet he could feel a strength to the juggler.
They had a short conversation. Mardonius said the lady would probably want to reward him when she awoke. The other man laughed and said "I'm just a simple entertainer. You saved her dragonborn." Mardonius then stared into the blackness of the mask, he could see some signs of eyes underneath, but the mask did do a wonderful job of covering the wearer's features, even in the holes.
He then offered him something he rarely offered anyone: the chance to join the Gauntlet. Surely a man such as this, who didn't want the glory for what he did would fit in well, especially one who risked life and limb for strangers. The man laughed, "I'll think on it. I have other offers from others who say they want me as well. It does feel good to be appreciated."
Mardonius agreed to give him time to think, and only asking for his name.
It was a month later, and Mardonius had nearly forgotten about the man, assuming he had turned down the offer. One of his family's servants came to him then and said there was a strange man outside insisting to see him. As he walked out, there, beyond the gate in his costume, was the man. As the old dragonborn approached he asked "So?"
Illidrex responded, "Your card came up...I guess that means fate wants me in your organization. Although bear in mind...I may not exactly fit." Mardonius opened the gate, held out his hand, and shook Illidrex's. A silver necklace with the gauntlet's symbol on it was in the entertainer's hand. Illidrex chuckled "I saw you palm that. But not bad for an amateur. What do I need to do?"
Mardonius smiled "Welcome blade-brother. As for not fitting, it'll be welcome to have different skills in the organization I'm sure. As to what there is for you to do, I'll be in touch Illidrex. "
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