Benno Swann

Prince Benno Swann

Related Character Bio

Allegedly fearing for her son's safety during the War of the Six and following Hazdahn Raids, Ellyria Mopatis sent Benno to become a ward of the Black Goat, Vargo Mott, in 420 AC as the Free City of Qohor had long been an ally of House Mopatis. This led to disaster, as Vargo Mott shortly after met his end halfway round the world. As news of his death spread, the Qohorik state quickly fell victim to numerous warlords vying for power, with Benno and his escort falling prey to one. Unable to escape on foot, Benno was thrown into the Darkwash before his protectors were felled. The young boy was later found on the shores of Ar Noy by an old fish-mongering couple. Though they kindly took him in, the Hazdahn Khalasar was sighted riding for Ar Noy shortly after. Benno fled south with them (along with hundreds of other refugees) to Sungrove. It was there Volantene survivors turned back the Dothraki warbands dogging them (along with aid from Lys). The old couple however passed shortly after from wasting disease caught on the trail. He fell in with a rather large group of war orphans after that. Young ne'er-do-wells who didn't ask who the others were or cared where they were from, as they all struggled alongside one another just to survive. This band of street rats took to calling themselves 'The Nobles', and elected to follow the Volantene armies as they marched north to claim Qohorik land. The urchins looting dead Qohorik and Dothraki they passed, all while thriving off the scraps of food soldiers threw their way. When the Volantenes finally reached Ar Noy, they found Ny Sar already claiming it. But as the Volantenes turned back, the Nobles stayed. Unlike in Sungrove, they thrived in the lawless ruins of Ar Noy. They thieved, they fenced, they gambled, and challenged all who passed them to duels with their newly procured weapons, fancying themselves bravos. Even when Ny Sar 'sold' the land to those of the New Vale, little changed. Benno earned infamy within the Nobles for his talent with a lute, gaining them much coin with the nearly stringless instrument he reclaimed. And due to his upbringing, it also became apparent that Benno was the most proficient with a blade, his technique undeniable to even some of the more seasoned sellswords that the rambunctious children challenged. After several years, the presence of the Nobles became impossible to ignore for the New Vale. As they were to be expelled from town, a mercenary captain offered to take the young group of aspiring bravos as his band's personal squires. Seeing no other choice, they agreed, and soon learned what exactly the life of a sellsword entailed. Though he gets his wiry locks and button nose from his father, the only other thing they share is a love of adventure. A lack of adult supervision for nearly 10 years has allowed Benno to fully indulge in his wild impulses. Despite the passage of time, his demeanor is still just as rowdy as it was when he was a boy, always yearning for the next adventure, and overcoming the challenges it brings. But having gone from a lavish household to impoverished anarchy has hardened him. There is a ruthless nature to him, that many would say comes from his mother. And perhaps House Mopatis in general. The boy has been known to carve men like cake if the idea suited him. Those who knew his Uncle Aelyx would even say Benno shares his cold, gray eyes, and unfeeling gaze. Never hearing his name from town criers, or that he was missing, or of any even searching for him, Benno has forsaken any interest in returning home to Pentos or House Mopatis. He believes his family cared not for his fate entirely. With the turmoil coming to Essos however, and Ny Sar central to it, he may soon be forced to confront his origins soon.