Gilon
Duke Gilon of Aquitaine was a renowned, and ageing Grail Knight who defended Bretonnia against the legendary Red Duke.
Gilon was a Grail Knight and thus even in old age, far mightier than any mortal man.
Family
His son was Sir Richemont, known for his martial prowess but also for his impetuousness which made his father reluctant to give up the Dukedom. [1a]
History
In his youth he achieved the Grail Quest. [1a]
Gilon was veteran of a dozen gruelling campaigns, a great leader of men and a fearsome Grail Knight, despite this he was nearing the end of his long life and many expected his son to soon succeed him. When the Red Duke returned to Bretonnia from his 1000 year imprisonment, he lead a massive undead army into Aquitaine,[1b] believing Gilon was a usurper. In reality Gilon was descended from the famed Galand of Aquitaine, the Red Dukes own son.
The Duke raised his war banner at Castle Aquin, gathering knights and retainers from across the dukedom before he led his men to fight against the undead horde [1b] and his evil forefather, knowing it was a great gamble...
The Battle of Ceren Field
The Bretonnians arrived early in the morning and Duke Gilon, fearing that the undead would encircle them and the villages they were defending, sent scouts to investigate the movements of his enemies. The Squires entrusted with the mission returned quickly and brought word of the approaching undead. They warned of the great flights of bats that flew as a vanguard for the undead army and that the Red Duke himself rode at the head of his forces.
As the mists cleared the Bretonnians took advantage of the slow deployment of undead and surged forward. Duke Gilon used all his experience to command his troops to fullest effect, commanding his son Sir Richemont to lead his Questing Knights into the fray, whilst Gilon plunged into the fray atop his mighty Pegasus. The Red Duke attemted to enter the tomb of a Grail Knight, using its ancient magics to empower him, wiping out half of Gilons Knights of the Realm. At this crucial moment the ageing Duke soared from the skies and challenged vampire to single combat, smiling coldly the Lord of the Undead instead sent forth one of his leitenants, the Wight known as Sir Corbinian. A fierce duel erupted, with Corbibian injuring Gilons peagasus before being destroyed by his blessed blade. Gilon now rode towards his hated enemy and what followed was a struggle of epic proportions. Despite his advanced age, Gilon was still a Grail Knight and mightier beyond any mortal, swinging his holy blade into the Red Duke and wounding him greatly. The Red Duke however was one of the mightiest Blood Knights in existence and responded with his own glittering blade, cutting through Gilon's armour and inflicting a mortal wound.
The Red Duke howled in triumph, but soon noticed the reality...his army was withering away, despite his advantage of numbers, the bravery of Bretonnia's knights and the sacrifice of Duke Gilon had ensured his defeat. Soon he discovered the truth from within the ancient tomb, Gilon was his own descendant, not the usurper he had believed. As the last rays of sun fell on the battlefield he turned and fled into the night, screaming in hatred and vengeance. Gilon had ensured the defeat of one of Bretonnia's greatest enemies.
Weapons and Equipment
- Fulminer: His Pegasus mount. [1d]
- Giant Blade was Gilon's most potent artifact, an ancient heirloom of his house that bestowed its wielder the strength of a Giant. [1e]
Quotes
| No, our only option is to ride out to challenge our enemy where they stand, and pray to the Lady of the Lake that she will bring victory to our weapons. Who is with me? I will ask no man to accompany me against their will.
~ Duke Gilon. [1c] |
Sources
