Richard Allen History

Richard's Family

Richard William Allen was born on the 24th Septimus 1647 to William Allen and Hannilore Allen (nee Gross) probably in Carleon. His parents were both musical performers and courtiers. His mother is Eisen and was born in Gottkirchen in Heilgrund. She was a singer with a high reputation across Théah (a sort of singing equivalent of Madeleine Provoye) who probably started out as an opera singer. She was (and is still for her age) a very attractive woman and is probably where Richard’s looks come from. His father was also a flautist (from whom the young Richard learnt to play). His parents met while they were both performing in a royal court, in Charouse (Avalon was still occupied at the time).

Richard’s Sidhe glamour came from his father but since decedents of the Lady of the Lake get around a little may also have come from his mother. He was induced into Sophia’s Daughters from an early age. He is not quite sure if either of his parents belonged but if they were of the Lady of the Lake’s bloodline then they would probably have been known to the daughters for their Sidhe heritage.

Richard’s parents made the decision to settle in Avalon based on the events of the Wars of the Cross in Eisen which was another reason why his mother was performing in courts away from Eisen when she met his father.

Richard, probably named after King Richard (Queen Elaine’s father), is an only child – something went wrong at his birth which resulted in his mother being unable to conceive again or carry another child to term. However, his parents had already made the decision to only have one child and to give that child the best chance in the world they could. They didn’t want to lower the quality of life they could afford for him by having too many children. His parents were a love match and have remained happily married since.

He had a happy childhood and a happy life in Avalon until his unfortunate resemblance to the infamous swordsman turned bandit made his life in Avalon too difficult to remain there, especially for someone who was dependent on the court to succeed. He has been in Montaigne ever since and has gathered as much information about courts in other parts of Théah in case he has to turn up there if his doppelganger’s bad rep reaches Montaigne. He has also acquired an impressive array of Théan languages for the same reason. A patriot forced from his own country by a cruel twist of fate – is how he sees it.

He writes to his parents and occasionally sends money back to them but can’t return home until in his own thoughts ‘that bastard who resembles him’ gets killed and his memory just fades from the memory of people. He has a bit of mixed attitude to being forced into exile on the one hand welcoming the opportunity to travel and experience life in other parts of Théah and the other missing his homeland and upset he can’t return there. He feels a bit like someone kicked him out of Eden, especially since the more he finds out about other parts of Théah the more he’s convinced Avalon got it as right as it’s gonna get. He also feels guilty at having to leave his Sidhe blooded friend from childhood behind