Being a noble of the bastard branch of House Lenouvi or the minor House of Ivounel, as it is more often referred to, there was little perspective for Baldwin but to become a knight like his father and grandfather. The stain that serves as basis for his family, put more stress on the young man than on other nobles striving for that position, and so Baldwin had to prove from the beginning he was better than the rest, dutiful and principled to attain knighthood.
He was born as the first child to the younger Ivounel twin Sir Erek and Lady Amera of House Gatwick, a respectable minor noble family of the region. From the start he was brought up to meet the high standards that would be imposed on him. And luckily enough, Baldwin proved to be an intelligent and capable young squire, clever enough to know when to stay silent, and when to let deeds speak instead of words.
And although he would have liked to squire for his uncle Berec, the current Marshall of the Two Rivers, who is especially in charge of the cavalry, his father decided otherwise and insisted he'd learn and earn his spurs in the service of Lord Patric Istivean. Which meant that he had to leave the Duchy of Athereyne and go to Granville.
Baldwin found Sir Patric do be just yet firm, and under his tutelage he improved his skill with the sword and his riding ability. Horsmanship was easy enough for him, as the squire already came from the region with the best horses of the realm and had had some prior knowledge in that area. The people of Granville, both noble and common, were less friendly in welcoming him, holding his descendance and his being of that proud and pompous self-indulgent House of Lenouvi against him.
Still the young squire stayed within the bounds that were set for him and never enaged in any brawl, despite being tempted several times. He grew up to be a dutiful squire, making up for his status with his eagerness to excel as a squire, and later as a knight.
Being in Granville, Baldwin witnessed the failure of the crops in the years 671-673, and in the third year of famine, the burning of the Altars of Felgurna, the Goddess of Fertility. The people of Granville were experiencing incredible poverty and need, which led to a rise of several gangs of bandits, who terrorized the area, especially to the north, towards the Dark Forest. It was there that Baldwin finally earned his knighthood, when he managed to fight valiantly through an ambush of bandits. He was knighted right away by Sir Patric Istivean, who already had started showing symptoms of a new illness. A few weeks later his knight was dead, deceased as one of the first who would succumb to the plague.
His enthusiasm slightly dampened by the death of his mentor, Sir Baldwin returned to his home, the Duchy of Athereyne, afterwards, which probably saved his life, as the plague did not rage as relentlessly there.
Recent Events:
Following a chain of events in the Isles, Sir Baldwin has fallen in love with the healer Rayne Devantry. He has chosen her over his family, and has been subsequently disinherited and stripped of his name. Even so, he has taken Rayne as his wife on July 23rd, in the year 675. Currently, they live in the Woods of Woriscant.
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This young knight stands tall at 6'3", his mien usually friendly, with grey-blue eyes even sparkling occasionally with mischief if a tasteful jest is made in his presence. Short dark brown locks that sometimes even appear almost black in colour frame a pensive face, that betrays a dutiful and principled character. His agility might surpass his strength, as he moves about with swift sure-footed steps, yet the impressive longsword that hangs from his belt suggests he is a capable fighter that has survived many a skirmish - as does the slightly worn appearance of his scabbard - despite this knight being of a very young age.
Quirks:
- Principled to the Extreme - He has to make up for the stain on his name and that of House Lenouvi, by being an example of righteousness.
- Shy towards women - Despite having a sister, Baldwin tends to be shy in the presence of ladies, the more he admires them, the worse.
- Dutiful - Totally reliable when it comes to his superiors, following orders and even anticipating them.
- Occasional Stutterer - When feeling extremely awkward, Baldwin tends to stutter a bit, making things even worse for him until he gives up and falls silent.
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