Meet our quest giver NPC:

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[h3][b]E[/b]verard[/h3]
[sup](AKA [b]Ebrald Black-Thane[/b]; or [b]Brother Everard Barynia III[/b])[/sup]
Male Breton | 29 | Steed
Major Willpower | Expert 1H Blade
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Everard was born in Wayrest, to King Barynia and his secret mistress. His mother never told him about his father. On the night of the Corsair invasion, a royal agent named Mathieu spirited Everard away (and he would never see or hear from his mother again). Mathieu told Everard his true lineage, and how King Barynia promised protection for him, in exchange for his mother's silence. 

In the immediate aftermath, one of King Barynia's legitimate sons discovered Everard and attempted to kill him. Everard survived with Mathieu's aid, killing the prince in the process, but suffered head trauma that would impair his memory. The duo would seek asylum within Camlorn, and train with its famous nightblades. 

Upon reaching adulthood, Everard founded a mercenary company, traveled through Skyrim, defeated Orc raiders in Whiterun, and earned the title Black-Thane (though it would be revoked when the Dragonborn came to power). Soon, Everard's talents were discovered by the Penitus Occulatus. His Blackhounds were contracted to aid the Khajiit rebellion in Elsweyr, where Everard reunited with Mathieu and vowed to retake Wayrest. 

Their goal finally came to fruition in 205, with the Blackhounds spearheading the assault and Everard nominated for king. However, Everard knew full well the powers that backed him (Camlorn and Jehanna), would keep him on a short leash. So he schemed silently, until a strange dream on the night of Last Seed 17.
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Everard is a wildcard, calculating and takes the time to weigh out options at some points while acting rash and hastily in others. He is no thief, but knows how to command his men and is especially adept at small-team operations that require discretion, or bloodshed.

Everard is selfish and will take the opportunity to further his own ends, but he sometimes will make a win-win situation for both he and his allies.

To his subordinates, Everard is a strict leader, maintaining his place at top of the chain through discipline. To his opponents, he is ruthless, quick to anger, a very dangerous individual. To keen observers, Everard has been keeping his company afloat by making shady deals, while making friends with those that share his agenda. 
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Everard is an expert swordsman and can fling a few fireballs. His weapons include a steel bastard sword, an Orcish dagger, and currently, an empty scabbard. Everard wears leather lamellar and bear fur cloak, as well as a Nordic silver circlet (given to him by Jarl Balgruuf). 
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