Balder Durrandon (son of Durran XIX)

Balder Stormblessed with his gem-eye. Roughly 30 years old.

Balder Stormblessed (78 A.I.-) was a son of Durran XIX Durrandon and claimant during the Great Stag Duel.

Appearance

Balder was known to have a half-mad look to his only remaining eye. The gem in his left eye socket often sparked and thrummed. By the time of the Great Stag Duel, he kept a thick beard that nearly met his collarbone, and wore his hair long in the back with a small knot or ponytail. He had black hair and stormy blue eyes.

History

Balder was raised on Tarth with the Blacktydes. His youth was spent watching and listening to Andals and Ironborn and Stormmen all argue about the finer aspects of their own faiths, and came to appreciate the majesty he believed resided within storms. When he was near twenty, he sailed out into Shipbreaker Bay, and carved out his eye in offering to the various storm gods - the gods of the Ironborn, the gods of the Sisterfolk, and the gods of the Stormmen. He claimed to have been chosen by the gods to rule, and awoke on the shores of the bay unharmed, with a sparking gem at his feet. He lodged it into his empty eye socket, and when his father later abandoned the throne, he would press his claim.

Quotes by Balder

"I am the Storm King, Raina. There is no question, no loyalty to barter like barley. Your husband either follows the true king, or I will mount him on the cliffs of Storm's End in offering to the gods."

—Balder to his sister.