Author Games: A Knight's Valor

Lord Roland Delamere, Royal Adviser

♔ Full Name and Titles: Roland Delamere, Royal Advisor to the Throne of Lemaria

♔ Gender: Male

♔ Age: Unknown. Rumor places Roland anywhere between 60 and 600. He has been advisor to the throne as long as even the oldest citizens of Lemaria can remember, and it is said that Roland will live as long as the throne of Lemaria remains.

♔ Physical Description: Whether in the high heat of the summer or frigid chill of winter, Roland remains laden with thick layers of loose robes and endless yards of material. It is often the court's jest that Roland's garments outweigh even the heaviest of knightly armor, that weight only increased by countless number of vials and trinkets hidden within an unknown number of hidden pockets. His wrinkled face and calloused hands are the only hints of flesh ever glimpsed, leaving many to wonder if his long life is due to not having a body at all, but rather by some dark machinations of sorcery. None dare to ask, for it is believed that anyone who dares look into his piercing grey eyes will instantly be turned to ice, save for the King himself.

♔ Personality: Somber and often ill tempered, Roland's dedication towards the crown has never been questioned. He does not give in to the temptations of his station or the bribes of nobility, but rather decries any distraction to his duty, be it gold or flesh. Roland's single focus remains on maintaining the power and might of the throne, and his willingness to destroy any perceived threat to that sovereignty is a whispered legend. Roland is not above the use of poison or hired assassin.

His knowledge of both the kingdom and its key figures is unmatched, though he mostly makes use of those considered least in station. Long experience has taught him the most effective assassins and spies are those who can move silent and unrecognized, and Roland has an uncanny knack for putting just the right person in just the right job. Find any guild or gang, and chances are you'll find Roland's influence.

♔ Past: Little is known about Roland's origins. He has no known family or homeland, and doesn't possess any of the accents or mannerisms associated with any of the known kingdoms or cites. It is as he were born within the walls of the castle itself, completely unaffected by the surrounding world. Nobles mistrust Roland for his lack of personal ambition, and Kings mistrust him for whispers of dark misdeeds. It is said that Roland has on more than one occasion killed off members of the royal family he didn't consider worthy of the throne, though it remains nothing more than speculation. Roland has and always will maintain his position, no matter what whispers follow his steps.

♔ What Roland's looking for in a knight: Raw strength and fighting skill are much less important to Roland than the knight's loyalty and intelligence. To Roland it is not important that they win, but more about how they win. As long as the knight's loyalty remains unquestioned, lies and deceit are considered nothing more than required skills in a world of political subterfuge. He wants a knight who will not only survive the world he or she will be thrust into, but thrive in it. But that knight must be careful, If Roland feels for even a moment that they will become a threat to the throne, than that knight may end up never see the light of another day. Impress Roland and he will do what he can to help you ascend to power, but fail to maintain his good will and you may find the consequences severe.

♔ Gifts Roland will bestow: Roland will offer three gifts, some multipart.

The first gift is to give his chosen knight continued help and advice throughout the competition. This means what he thinks you can do to improve your writing, as well as help with a single task if needed, but he will not offer proofreading. In addition to that help, Roland's chosen knight will have an additional 250 word count on all tasks prior to the semi-finals. But be careful, disappoint Roland and he will remove 250 words from the word count of your next task. This may happen if a knight is late delivering a task, or if that knight tries to "fluff" their task with anything other than that task's assigned goals. (He will explain the latter to his chosen knight after they have been chosen.)

The second gift is a one-time immunity if put up for vote, OR a one-time gift of three points added to score. Only one of these options can be used, and only before the semi-finals. Choose wisely.

And finally, like the King's chosen knight Roland will offer a safety net. But as Roland is only advisor and not the King himself, the safety net will be 9 points, not 10. This means Roland's chosen knight will have a 9 point guaranteed score on all tasks before the semi-finals.