Holst Goneril
Age: 26 (academy) | 31 (war)
Timeline:
1154 - Born the first and only son of House Goneril
1170 - Led his house to victory in the Battle of the Eagle and Lion
1171 - Graduated from Garreg Mach Monastery and took up post at Fódlan’s Throat
Strengths: Lance, Faith, Brawling
Weakness: None
Crest: Minor Crest of Goneril
Likes: The outdoors, his family, funny mushrooms feasts, art, people
Dislikes: Cowardice, wasting food, sleeping in, dishonesty
About
His hair is pink I don’t make the rules.
Holst struggled to learn to use the axe. Actually, he wasn't a great fighter in his youth and didn’t excel in any area, all awkward limbs and clumsy strength. He often felt frustrated and worked hard to overcome his weaknesses and live up to expectations.
A few years after Hilda was born, seeing little Hilda manifest the Crest of Goneril for the first time, Holst had a revelation. If he were to fall in battle, his little sister would have to risk her life to defend the Throat. That day, he vowed never to lose another battle. The frustration he’d been feeling disappeared. He started to fight with clarity and purpose. People began to marvel at his strength and soon forgot about the Holst that was anything less than indestructible.
Balthus was the one who got him into brawling. Nobles tend to disregard hand-to-hand combat training, seeing it as a lesser, uncouth way of fighting, but Holst is a believer and has found the skill life-saving again and again.
He’s generally jolly and good-natured and straightforward with his emotions. He doesn’t anger easily, but when he does, he’s said to be unrelenting.
In the Alliance he’s renowned for being an unusual force of nature in battle, but when asked, he humbly credits his triumphs to his brothers and sisters in arms, the love of his family, and the goddess’ protection.
Holst is a sentimental guy, he tucks Hilda’s letters into his armor before battle as a good-luck charm.
He has a battle scar down his left eye inflicted by Nader, while Nader also bears a scar inflicted by Holst.
He’s an avid patron of the arts and has great appreciation for paintings and sculpture. He dabbles in painting himself, but isn’t great at it. He commissions a family portrait every year.