A free knight
A genuine and good hearted person, Caim has a tendency towards single mindedness that has led some to label him simple. He is not altogether stupid, though his good and honest nature often allows others to take advantage of him. Headstrong and with a strong moral compass he abides by his own personal sense of justice at all times, even when doing so contradicts the chivalric code. He believes strongly in this code, and will adhere to it, often preaching the virtues of honour and discipline. He is not the type of person to turn down someone in need and will go out of his way to help others.
He seeks out the simplest solution at all times, often relying on his strength to see him through the trials that assail him.
Warm, kind, Caim is the kind of person you only have to befriend once. Minor slights or disagreements do little to change his opinion of people. He makes friends easily and enjoys the simpler things in life, food, drink, women (though he hates to admit it) and good friends.
He counts Vincent de Fanel as his closest friend and trusts the man utterly and implicitly. Though they may argue frequently, even coming to blows on occasion they have never needed to reconcile.
Having grown up in a noble house, Caim is well versed in matters of manners and etiquette, though he finds the politics involved distasteful and tries to avoid such settings whenever possible, preferring the simplicity of the road and life with the common folk. Due to his family and his life of adventuring Caim is well connected, having many friends and acquaintances all over the world in all kinds of positions.
Caim’s tactics in battle are simple. Hit the opponent first and hit them hard. His particular style of fighting is simple in its execution and brutal in its effectiveness, utilising long, sweeping chops and deft thrusts that allow him to keep enemies at a distance and annihilate anything that comes within range of his attacks.
His weapon of choice is a Zweihander, a large sword that totals six feet in length with a thick blade. The weapon is designed primarily to counter the greater reach of a spear or pike user and its great weight allows it to cleave through a human in one strike when weilded correctly. It is especially effective against cavalry, however in confined spaces the space required to swing it makes it a liability. Caim’s current sword is a plain looking Zweihander with a thick blade six inches in width and with short, ornate quillons and a pointed pommel. He wears the blade on his back and a large leather sling that allows him to quickly draw the large weapon.
As a knight Caim has trained with many weapons including the quarter staff, battle axe and mace. However he has always found the simplicity of the sword to his liking, and is considered a master with the Zweihander. He has trained extensively in all elements of warfare including tactics and strategy, and while he prefers simplicity over complexity he can quickly understand the plans of an enemy and form a counter.
Caim’s training and his experiences in battle have earnt him an iron constitution, both mentally and physically, with the ability to ignore pain and shrug off all but the greatest of blows. However, while tough he is only human and only after battle will his wounds take their toll.
Caim was born the son of a wealthy military family in the Vectian court and he grew up learning the ways of war. As a youngster he was raised on stories of heroes and their acts of bravery and sacrifice. Even as a child there was no doubt in his mind or his parents that the boy would one day become a knight. It was expected of him and, spurred on by dreams of his childhood heroes, was what he wanted. He apprenticed under a friend of his father’s a high ranking member of the Sacred Order of Holy Knights, quickly proving himself a genius and a man of strong moral character. Eager to prove himself, Caim devoted himself utterly to his training, and his mentor’s harsh and unforgiving lessons instilled the boy with an iron will. At the age of fifteen he defeated his mentor in single combat, earning him a place in the Sacred Order.
Restless and searching for purpose in his life, Caim left to travel the world in search of a cause to devote himself to at the grudging acceptance of his parents. He traversed many harsh lands, wandering from place to place earning a meagre living performing whatever deeds he could to help others. It was during this time that Caim earned himself the nickname ‘The Sentinel of Madsteihl’ for his defence of the town of Madsteihl, by single handedly defending the only bridge into the town for over a day.
Then, on one fateful day, down on his luck after being cast out of a mercenary band for turning down payment from a poor farmer he witnessed a young man being roughly ejected from a local academy. The two struck up a conversation and there began a life long friendship. That man’s name was Vincent de Fanel. The two travelled together, entrusting their lives to one another through many desperate situations. To this date they have accomplished many great deeds, becoming minor folk heroes for their acts of valour.