Tarján
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Background
Loyal man-at-arms and retainer to Hywel's family, accompanying her on her expedition. Bastard son of neighbouring noble estate; afforded certain privileges as a foster child by Hywel's family, but never given the privilege of knighthood. Feels a level of resentment about this, but has mostly reconciled himself with it, and essentially indulges the rest with a taste for fine things - albeit preferably not intoxicants or other addlers of the mind which might make it too difficult to perform his sworn duties. Clothes, food, spices, beautiful trinkets, a modest but never extravagant level of gambling (especially on horse or hound races); at the most expensive end, fine horses the equal of any that Hywel's family rides to battle. Has now served in the field and at home for many years: Hywel is the third generation of the family he's guarded, and he's earnt the trusted position of a bodyguard who'll accompany the young scion abroad with only one other retainer. Cunning, with a flair for battle, but never a great hero.
At 12, is serving the eldest Hywel ("the Mighty"); younger Hywel ("the Gracious") is 7
The Gracious reaches majority at 15; Tarján enters his service at own age of 20
The Gracious begins a family at 25, about the earliest year for minotaurs
The Glorious is born within the year, reaches majority at fifteen
The Glorious is now 17, when Tarján is 47
(Mighty had Gracious at, say, an unhurried but respectable age of 28; 35 when Tarján is 12, so now 70 - elderly but not in dotage yet, although by all means concerned that Glorious is yet to appear ready to take on the family headship; probably an out-married/distaff relation is being tapped up to provide some administration for the family affairs in the event the Mighty passes before the Glorious is ready to take everything on).
Other character notes
Insistent on continuing an impressive regime of flexibility exercises each morning.
Mild claustrophobia - prefers the open air whenever possible.
"A place for all things and all things in their place."
A surprisingly fervent advocate and follower of the feudal contract.
Loyal to Hywel the Mighty, who was his first knight-master and who treated him as no different from any other man-at-arms of good capability.
Hesitancy in the moment. Not cowardice - he stands when he's committed to stand. But will delay committing to action or intervention for too long. Often regrets it after.
Creaky knees belie a relatively powerful upper frame that can still string and bend a bow.
Weatherbeaten from much time in the field - never one to enjoy the inside.
Greying and a little shaggy.
Escutcheon
Lesser family members and men-at-arms of the house would usually carry a plain bull's head or on the azure escutcheon (to put the bull's head en soleil is a distinction of the head of the family and their direct heir); Tarján is given the black quarters in acknowledgement of his own noble lineage but also as a mark of his bastardry, all the more marked because it breaks the rules of tincture. It's the sort of thing Sudvall does.
