Rien
Rien hails from the small border town of Tura, in Soline. He found farming boring, and decided the guard was far more invigorating and far more important than a few plants. He schooled to the point he could pass the guard captain tests, and threw himself into learning the sword's intricate dance. He studied with Tonna, the local sword expert, and worked with the Tura guard. His experiences with them developed his brawling techniques, which relied on a hard, debilitating initial punch. He had one goal in his childhood; to become Tura's guard captain. When he failed and Zaiden was named captain, he moved to Iova, looking to join the palace guard and, perhaps, achieve his dream in a far different, more important setting. The palace guard could provide an opportunity for him to help the downtrodden and desperate, while he advanced in their ranks.Early Years
Rien is the only child of Adin and Muri, prosperous Turan farmers. His hatred for farming began at a very young age. He found it a thankless occupation, and refused to follow in his father's footsteps. The guard held more appeal; they helped people and others appreciated their work. He began sword training with Tonna, the local expert, and far surpassed most of the other students, except for Zaiden. He spent the rest of his time in Tura attempting to defeat the other lad in the practice ring, which he never achieved. He hung out with the local guard, participated in some questionable acts with the more brutish guardsmen, but overall tried to stand for fairness and justice. He made a name for himself graciously helping others with small tasks. Many townspeople saw him as motivated and kind, and felt he would easily become a Tura success story. They expected grand things from him, and he happily agreed with them. When Zaiden managed to achieve the guard captain status he coveted, he decided to move to Iova, a large, exciting city, with Shiobe. He felt they could both follow their dreams where small-town life would not hold them back.Iova
Once he reached Iova, Rien realized a lot of the questionable behavior that the rural guard captains looked down upon was seen as normal in the capital. He responded by following his darker impulses, and began to rise in the palace guard ranks. Anger and brutishness became assets rather than personal failings. He developed a strong devotion to the queen, believing that serving her would help him change society to a more fair and just institution. Once he caught Queen Tinera's eye, he dropped everything from his previous life that would interfere with him serving her, including friends, colleagues, and the innocent and downtrodden he once thought to aid. He played the role of uncouth captain for her, which more closely reflected his preferred behavior than the stiff guardsman he had become so the palace guard would accept his application. When the queen made him her personal guard captain, he gloated, believing he had finally received his due. He broke with Shiobe and took Kitta as a lover, a powerful siojhetioh who would enhance his court standing rather than diminish it. He wallowed in the accolades, satisfied, but one thing still bothered him. Shiobe had yet to obtain her desired swordswoman status. Deciding tough love would prompt her into fighting harder for her dream, he slashed her palace salary and treated her harshly on the practice field. Some thought it unjust, but rather than speaking out and upsetting him to the point he spoke against them, they stayed silent.Skills
Rien is an excellent swordsman. He practices on a regular basis to hone himself into the best fighter, though he is not as skilled as some. He can hold his own in a fist-fight, and normally wins quickly, with one or two hits. He is a generous man to those who please him, and effortlessly convinces others to accept and employ those he supports. He uses his coarse background to advantage and manipulates court prejudices with an ease that shocks observers.Rien
Age
26 years
Country
Soline
Language
Jonnese
Occupation
Captain, Iovan Palace Guard
Hair
Medium brown
Eyes
Dark brown
First Appearance
Shiobe Rising
Children
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