Rickard Stark

Rickard Stark is the head of House Stark and The King of Winter as of 57 A.I. when his father Jon took the black after he sought a life of simplicity following two major Northern Wars. 'The Laughing Wolf' was best known for leading the armies of Winter against the Bolton and Frost campaign in 54 A.I. of the Bolton-Umber conflicts and his efforts in defeating The Warg King in The North in 60 A.I., assisting House Glover of The Wolfswood and House Greenwood of The Greenwood.

Arms of House Mudd. Words: 'Virtue, Perseverance, and Victory'

Appearance

Rickard stood just under six feet tall with a lean body. He was dark of hair that he kept long and tied down with muttonchops as his primary facial hair. He typically where a white high winter tunic with brown vest that echoed his house colors.

As King, he wore the Crown of Winter which was an open circlet of hammered bronze incised with the runes of the First Men, surmounted by nine black iron spikes wrought in the shape of longswords.

Personality

Rickard from an early age was the exact opposite of his parents. While they were content and inward focused, Rickard worked hard to succeed his father and live up to The Stark name as the premier house in all The North. He worked diligently at all placed in front of him, whether it was his skills with the blade, in command of his forces or even just in fostering diplomatic relations. He was ambitious and nothing was going to stop him from succeeding any goal he set out for. His gregariousness served him well when it came time to forge alliances that otherwise may not have been had, as he did with The Umbers, The Glovers, and The Ryders. All Northern houses who might have viewed The Starks as a threat to their existence in The North.

History

Rickard was the only son of Jon Stark and his fathers cousin, Lyanna Stark. The entirety of the Lands of Winter were Rickards proving grounds in his youth, He visited each banner-men at least once, and sparred with the best warriors in every keep. This made him one of his lands best swordsmen before he was even a man grown. He focused on martial education as well much to his fathers chagrin, yet, he did pick up skills in diplomacy as he traveled. In his youth he was well known for speaking his mind, easily insulting many.

He served his father Jon loyally even when they disagreed on approach with Northern Rivals. While Jon focused inward and cultivate the lands, Rickard looked to expand and eyed nearby regions that were ripe for the taking.

Rickard helped to establish relations with The Umbers and later The Glovers and Ryders that proved pivitol to Northern relations and helped maintain a true balance of power, but it ultimately solidified and strengthened The Land of Winter.

When wars in The North finally broke out that Jon could no longer stay out of, Rickard led the forces of Winter Wolves in both the lastest edition of the Bolton-Umber Conflicts and when The Warg King awoke.

Quotes by Rickard

“I must say, he’s smart enough to realize he has no chance against the Men of Winter. They lost the Mouth of the White Knife and The Hornwood. Before long we will leave him with just the Dreadfort itself. He’s lucky my father does not desire his lands.” — Rickard to Hoarfrost Umber at a dinner when speaking of Rogar Bolton.

"I had to prepare, to really come back and show you all I have grown up..” - Rickard to his future wife Kella of Hornwood upon his return visit for the first time since offending as a child.

“You will see father, I will make all the kings in the crypt proud! Not just the Kings of Winter, but the Kings of The North!” - Rickard to his father at an early age

Quotes about Rickard

“Son of Stark, you may be, but this old man tells you true. Folk won't follow a green boy, nor will a woman give you her womb just for your name. You best learn some sense 'fore you try to be your father.” — Lorick of Hornwood frustrated with a young Rickard Stark