Baron Beltran Gael Dillestone (a.k.a. One-Eye)
Adventurous, Wounded, Obsessed. Eadvard Dillestone's brother and the
Baron of Tatcher. Corrupt, obsessed with preserving the family line. Wants to put his own son or daughter on the throne instead of Mair. A former knight, now retired after losing an eye and an arm in battle during a border skirmish with
Ostamber .
In the aftermath of his brother
Eadvard III's passing, Beltran refused to bend the knee to
Artigan Dillestone and has found himself unexpectedly leading the breakaway branch of the great Dillestone line. Headquartered at
The Anvil, Beltran now faces the prospect of meeting his brother on the field of battle to settle their dispute, and he's well aware that a divided Dillestone family is a tempting target to the other Great Houses who have dwelled in their shadow for too long.
Physical Description
Stocky, sturdy, missing an arm from the elbow down and his right eye.
Beltran hired several learned scholars from the Continent to create the prosthetic that replaced his lost arm. It is particularly well-designed and maintained, allowing Beltran to wield a shield effectively in combat if is securely strapped to his prosthetic.
Personality Characteristics
Knowing full well how the Dillestone dynasty earned their crown generations ago, Beltran is determined to keep rulership over Banteave firmly in Dillestone hands... even if that means acting against those within his own family who might inherit the throne but lack the means to keep it. To Beltran, Eadvard's star has long since faded and Artigan's line is stained by Katrin's alleged support of the Tambarists. Beltran may be an old, maimed soldier, but he knows his descendants deserve the crown, even if they need a little shoring up and straightening out first.
Social
Beltran still maintains good connections with the Calistan Order, and can call upon several knights in a time of need.
Beltran loves his brother Eadvard III dearly, but believes he has lost his way since the death of
Erick Eadvard Dillestone . His dalliance with the opportunistic Annabeth of Risevar may wind up costing the Dillestone line dearly in Beltran's eyes should Mair sit the throne; a regency council would result in years of petty politicking and infighting in the court; it would be better for all concerned if another Dillestone sat the throne. Of his two children, however, neither are particularly well-suited;
Markham Dillestone is a notorious wastrel (but Beltran firmly believes he can turn him around,) and
Sabine Dillestone is much more at home stalking prey in the woods than at court but could still become an ideal successor given time. But how much time do they have?
Brusque, blunt and to-the-point. Beltran isn't afraid to speak his mind when the time is right, and does little to couch his words in elegance or flattery.
Brother
Towards Beltran Dillestone
spouse
Towards Beltran Dillestone
Father (Important)
Towards Sabine Dillestone
Daughter (Important)
Towards Beltran Dillestone
History
Beltran did not initially have high hopes for Sabine. Born sickly, she was not expected to survive her first winter, but she has gone on to surpass every expectation that the physicians had held. She went on to impress Eadvard III during a hunting trip so much so that when the old Baron of Urre passed away without an heir, he granted her the title.
Half-Sister
Towards Beltran Dillestone
Relation (Important)
Towards Beltran Dillestone
Relation (Important)
Towards Annabeth of Risevar
History
Annabeth needs to secure support from the Dillestones to support Mair's legitimization, but Beltran is furious at the notion that Mair may earn the crown instead of his own children.
Brother (Important)
Towards Artigan Dillestone
Brother (Important)
Towards Beltran Dillestone
History
Beltran has always resented Artigan for holding a higher rank than he, and the taxes and levies he provides always seemed to be excessive. Beltran has sacrificed much for his family, and is almost ashamed of his brother Eadvard, who seems intent on pissing away the last years of his life in sadness and squalor. Beltran wants to put his own children on the throne, something that Artigan will fervently oppose.
After the death of Eadvard, however, the relationship between Artigan and Beltran has taken a turn for the worse. Beltran left Redehall Castle under his own colours, refusing to back Artigan's claim for rulership of Banteave. Beltran believes that Artigan had a hand in Maire Dillestone's disappearance and likely murder, a foul that in Beltran's mind invalidates any claim Artigan may have on the throne.
As the
Baron of Tatcher, Beltran's coffers have grown fat from the rivers of iron that flow down from the mountain town towards the forges of the Heartlands.
