Quigmyre Graye

There is but Gold & Steel

Nickname: The Dark Hero

Race: Half-Elf

Dominate Hand: Left in some things, ambidextrous in others.

Unit: Last-Living Knight of Shadowdale, no other known official affiliations

Location: Wherever there's gold

Favored Fighting Style: Dual-wielded short swords

Alternate Fighting Style: Arching

Hobbies: Drawing, writing, conversing, sparring, having a good laugh over an ale or two....or more.

Quigmyre attended his first event at Spring War 2007. There he was loosely associated with Black Company through Olos, Katherine Espair, & Freswinn the Guildhearted.

Character Bio: Much of Quigmyre's origins remain a secret. The mention of his biological parents incites a quick anger, and for that the subject is rarely breached. He most often refers to his adopted parents as his "real" parents as he was raised in a human settlement by a kind, older couple. His adopted father was skilled in swordplay and was a member of the town's militia, dabbling with weaponsmithing and spending a few hours each day at the local tavern. His adopted mother was a quiet, gentle woman who mostly kept inside the home cooking, cleaning, sewing, and offering a gentle smile. They weren't particularly well off, but they made the most of what they had. They both enjoyed life and everything it had to offer, and among many other important lessons, passed this on to their half-elven son.

Because of his half-elven blood, he was a little smaller than other children with whom he went to school. This led to him being the subject of bullying and various pranks. Consequently, Quigmyre developed his ability to combat his enemies verbally, rapidly becoming known for his skills in wordy exchanges and debates. He absolutely detested school and everything it represented. He would come home and spend most of his time firing practice arrows in a small clearing just beyond his parents' property. Eventually he came to study various forms of martial arts, originally to be able to better defend himself against attackers. However, the training provided him with newfound patience, and rarely were his abilities ever tested.

He managed to retain a few long-standing friends from his childhood. When old enough his group would go on annual outings to a favorite spot by a lake not more than a day's walk from his home. It was when he was 17 that on one of these outings that he met a dark-haired maiden named Chloe Camille. Her religion forbade their ever being together, but they insisted on continuing to allow their love for each other to grow. Shortly after their first kiss, Quigmyre and Chloe were discovered, and by the hand of her father Chloe was torn from Quigmyre's life and never heard from again. Anguish swept him and in an attempt to escape his misery he opted to join the military.

With his intellect and physical ability, Quigmyre excelled at his job, though to his detriment his wit had never left him, and he was often being subjected to physical reprimand for his snarky remarks. Though his attitude left something to be desired, his capacity to perform could not be overlooked. He was sent to be a sniper, using a high-power bow at long range to take out any target designated. While duty and responsiblity were important to him, honor always reigned supreme. Within a short time he developed moral issues with his assignments, and when he was denied the option to leave his position, it eventually led him to thoughts of ending his life. Decorated with more medals than most a rank or two above him, he was discharged honorably and sent home, now with darkness in his heart and a gray gaze devoid of emotions other than anger, disgust, and disappointment with the world around him.

He began writing about his view of the world, his broken heart, and the hardships he underwent. A select few bore witness to his writings, and upon having his writings read and heard, Quigmyre Graye was soon dubbed "The Dark Hero", for despite his negative view of the world, he was determined to set an example of honor. He soon looked to right the many wrongs he witnessed about him. He became an assassin, taking only the contracts for whom which the target's loss of life seemed for the betterment of society as a whole. His training in the military and martial arts aided him in his profession, and his reptuation began to grow. He set off with a small party working directly under the King of the Dales. After a decisive and key victory in a battle against a regiment of enemy forces, his small band was dubbed The Knights of Shadowdale. He would eventually lose all of his fellow Knights to encounters that came about afterward, and in their memory tattooed the insignia of the Knights of Shadowdale on his right thigh, the symbol encompassed by the words "The Dark Hero".

The loss of his friends saddened him. It was the only true feeling of belonging he'd had in a very long time. However, he persisted in being a sword or bow for hire, and as his small fortune increased after many years of success, he longed to lead a normal life, settle down, and have a family. He lay down his weapons and set off in search of the quiet contentment of a small home.

He came upon another dark-haired woman after some time of being alone, and she reminded him of the enjoyment he used to get from life. He became a loyal and devoted husband, and then a dedicated and stern but loving father to his son, Maxwell. In time, his wife began having bouts with depression, the their marriage suffered. As a result, his wife lacked the energy to attempt to make things work and asked him for a civil parting of ways. In his quest to save their marriage, he accidentally learned of her deceit and treachery, and was devastated as everything for which he'd worked and all plans he'd made for the future were knocked out from under him as the foundation of his life rapidly crumbled.

He recently had taken up being a hired protector at the request of Katherine Espair, and upon discovering his proficiency with twin short swords had temporarily given up his arching. Through Katherine he met Olos of the Black Company as well as his Black Company Brother Arkodo, Freswinn the Guildhearted, Gareth the Red, and Talus, along with members of Fianna. After injuring himself in battle, he that night slung his arm and made use of it by holding the many ales he would drink. He spent much time in the camps of the House Dregoth (with Remus, Ender, and Fowler), and the Black Company who was sharing camp with their allies in Fianna. A long weekend of stories and bantering ensued, and a few days later his new friends gave him a grand send off. He's now once again taken to the role of vagabond with the only thing to surpass his belief in honor being the necessity to provide the role of a good father figure for his son.

Quigmyre roams the open road with a few changes of clothes, his swords, and the money earned from successful contracts. He operates better on his own in battle (and argueably anything else he does well), preferring one-on-one confrontations to organized combat. While he might not consider himself a leader, he's definately not one to follow orders, either. Despite his military training, his mindset disallows him to be part of a unit for anything but a short duration. He concentrates mainly on meeting new people. He recently left Esgaroth after completing His second contract for Katherine Espair. He is rumored to be heading back toward his home with the intent of reforming the Knights of Shadowdale.