Fiction:Gulvuri Navarin

Gulvuri Navarin is a Halifaxian explorer, soldier, and admiral who has come to promenance in recent years for his unexpected appointment to lead the First Great Armada into the most remote waters of Koldenwelt. A member of the aristocracy, and from a relatively insignifcant noble house, Gulvuri is very aware and proud of his warrior roots, and in many ways epitomizes the knightly virtues of loyalty and diligence. However, he secretly possesses great ambition, and a cunning mind bent on gaining wealth and power for his clan. So while he is loyal to his superiors, he is not averse to acts of cruelty or betrayal against potential rivals or enemies if it would see him or his faction gain power.

History
Gulvuri was born into a small noble house that was poor by the standards of the aristocracy. Young men from the lower aristocratic houses are often used to fill the ranks of the cavalry, while wealthier aristocrats lead the armies. Gulvuri and his family were no different. After a childhood dedicated to learning the arts of combat, writing, and military strategy, Gulvuri, then sixteen, was called upon to join a Cuirassier brigade during a brief war against several neighbouring petty barons.

During the two-year long war, the young Gulvuri would distinguish himself several times, including in one incident rallying his then-disorganized and retreating comrades around the company standard and leading a charge, winning a major battle. In the end he would return home as a well-known figure to the public, and was secretly noted by the Halifaxian government for future assignments.

Gulvuri would use his newfound fame to eventually reach the rank of captain in the Halifaxian army, which most of the time amounted to little more than drilling the townsfolk a few times a week, keeping tabs on local mercenary groups, and recieving a modest paycheque every week or so. He would, during this peace, gain connections within the government, using his incredible talent for intrigue to gain several important promotions and the favour of many within the government, while externally displaying a image of a figure of pure virtue.

This political maneuvering would pay off. Just as the construction of the First Great Armada was finishing, the Halifaxian government convened to appoint a commander for the fleet. Within a few days of convening, the King would proclaim Gulvuri, a mere 29 years old, to the position of Admiral of the Armada. Such a position brought political gains to him and the Navarin clan overnight, but Gulvuri's adventures had just begun.

Personality and Traits
Gulvuri is outwardly gregarious and brave, and to many is seen as a model citizen and aristocrat. Devoted to his work and loyal to his superiors, he is well renowned for his consistency and diligence. Gulvuri is known to take great risks and gambles on the battlefield especially, using skill, charisma, and sheer luck to see things through.

However there is also another side to Gulvuri. While he is indeed very loyal and diligent, he has a noted disregard to those he considers enemies, and is not above using underhanded tricks or out-and-out cruelty to satisfy his bloodlust and advance his goals. It is perhaps for this mixture of loyalty and ruthlessness that he was chosen to be Halifaxia's first great explorer.

Gulvuri possesses no great proficiency in the use of magic.

Appearance
Gulvuri is blessed both with an excellent work ethic and good looks. Gulvuri is, by Drodo standards, an attractive and youthful man at the peak of his physical prowess. While wealthy and naturally good-looking, Gulvuri does not stray far from his roots in terms of fashion. Gulvuri wears quite simple clothes when off-duty and on the battlefield dons excellently-made armour that is, however, extremely austere in terms of styling and appearance.

Equipment
As said before Gulvuri possesses very little potential in the use of magic, and therefore must rely on conventional weaponry and the ability to lead an army into battle to win. When marching into battle at full-dress, Gulvuri wears his conservatively-styled but high-quality steel half-plate armour and rides on a horse. For weapons he carries a heavy lance, a sabre, along with three or four pistols. Usually, he also brings a wheellock carbine, strapped to his horse's saddle. When he is not in full dress however, Gulvuri tends to carry about only his sword and a pistol or two. He may wear a cuirass as well but prefers not to.

Gulvuri's main tactic in battle to is harass the enemy from afar with firearms and cannon fire, presenting a strong line of infantry before striking unexpectedly with his heavy cavalry, usually leading the charge himself. This tactic had won him several small battles against neighbouring Drodo tribes and duchies in his years as a captain.