Jorah Mormont

Ser, Sword of Winter, Lord of Breakwater, Lord Commander of the Winter Knights Jorah Mormont (a.k.a. Elder Bear)

Personality

Jorah is a simple and wise man in his elderly years. He enjoys a good drink and laughing alongside comrades around a fire, and he's quick to share insights and opinions when he sees an opportunity. That being said, he doesn't go out of his way to offer such advice if it is unwanted or unneeded. When things get serious, he becomes cold and stern as if the joyful old man is completely replaced with another person. His responses become short and to the point, and his words and tone become respectful and concise.

History

At this point, Jorah Mormont has lived many lives during his long time in this world. In his youth he worked hard under his father's leadership and divided his life between that work and his eventual family life. By the time his father inevitably passed away and his brother took over the lordship, he had all but completed what was assigned to him and was ready to spend the rest of his days with his wife and two sons. He would have considered it to be a life well lived if it continued, or even if he had dropped dead right then, but unfortunately it would only be a few years before the entire family was struck by a disease. Jorah recovered quickly and without issue, one of the first signs of his blessed constitution, but his wife and children were not so lucky. He mourned their loss for quite some time, and eventually he would push himself into his training with swordsmanship to distract himself. He had always trained with a blade, ever since he could hold up the weight of one; Such is the life of both a noble child and a resident of Bear Island. Neither could afford to lack such training, whether firstborn or thirdborn. But this time was different; he was devoting every waking moment to some form of physical training by turning everyday tasks into opportunities to challenge himself in some way, and any moment he had free time he would spend it swinging his sword and refining his technique. For many years he lied to himself and said that it gave him purpose, enough to replace the family he had lost. He lied and lied... until he made the lie into a reality. Though he never forgot those he lost and will always cherish their memory, at some point he was able to let them go. And once he did, the training he had been doing only intensified as his passion and motivation became genuine. He had decided that he would protect those that remain, rather than regret the ones he couldn't. Having made a name for himself in local tournaments and on the battlefield of war as a Master of the Sword, it became difficult for many to ignore him. And with that acknowledgement came the question of his age. As he grew older, especially as he reached his 50s, many wondered when he would begin to decline. Even then, he still seemed to posses the same vitality as he did in his youth, and those who challenged him anyway, thinking him an old fool, were soon shown the extent of his health when offered a crushing defeat in return. Such stories combined with his large stature began to build him a reputation as a "monster of a man who cannot be killed by blade nor age" and his most recent achievements would cement that reputation. Jorah Mormont would be granted the Sword of Kings in 421 AC and while originally it was offered to him as a member of House Mormont, to honor their history as the sword's original owners, ultimately he would accept it as part of a new title. The Sword of Winter, so dubbed by Lyanna Stark, would be responsible for "Protecting The North" and granted authority to that end, and Longclaw, the Sword of Kings, would be the titleholder's symbol of that authority. Using that authority, he would go on to raise an army, lead a campaign into the Bite, and seize control of the waterways and isles therein. King Jamie Corbray ultimately responded to his demands and lawfully ceded the territory to them, and the forces of King Otho Bracken eventually negotiated with Jorah and agreed to terms that recognized the territory as belonging to him as well. Despite having only just gained the title, he had managed to make two different foreign kingdoms acknowledge its authority and his military capability in one fell swoop, while gaining significant territory at the same time. Many at that point fully expected the campaign to be a way for Queen Lyanna to gain land for the Kingdom of the North, and yet she too decreed that Jorah and his newfound order would keep the land and seas they now held, and more than that, they would be granted further lands across the North to fulfill their goals well into the future. The old man that still moved and fought like a youthful knight had finally proven beyond all reasonable doubt that he wasn't just holding on to the appearance of youth and vigor in his old age, he was still fighting in wars and even leading campaigns. Even more still, he was making waves in the political world through his exploits and achievements. Though as he grows even older it is becoming more difficult, rather than less, to separate fact from fiction. To this day no one can fully verify what actually happened at the Battle of Longsister, the only fighting that took place during the Winter Wolves' campaign in the Bite... Some say Jorah bested Armstead in a duel that was so one sided that the Costayne forces went into a fury at his loss. Others say there was no duel at all, and Armstead intended to trap and kill Jorah, only to be defeated by Jorah and his men despite outnumbering them 100:1. The truth is likely far less spectacular, but such rumors persist nonetheless. Similarly, while his constitution certainly allowed him to be in his prime far longer than normal, and for his health to decline far slower, he is still only human at the end of the day. Most do not live to see their 60s, and the vast majority of exceptions only do so in a decrepit and fragile state. Only a small number of people live into their elder years with any remaining vigor, and he is blessed to be one of them... but even he has begun to succumb to the effects of aging. Despite this, he hides it well. Even now he looks to be in perfect health, his now white hair being the most noticeable sign of his age. Because of this, alongside the ever growing list of rumors, Jorah has become something of a living legend in the North. People believe he is an immortal champion of the people, like a god descended to live among us. He hates this perception, of course, but he's made it inescapable. At this point it matters not what he does going forward, because when he finally passes from this world he will be remembered for generations to come regardless.