Born in the troubled time leading up to the Rivanan war of Succession, Gawain's childhood was lived in interesting times, to say the very least. Gawain is the youngest son of Lord Marlin Rosendal and Patrience Rosendal, and cousin of the sitting Baron.
Gawain was groomed for knighthood from an early age, the strong tradition of the Rosendal's, coupled with the unrest in the kingdom would assure a more martial focus then might have occurred in peacetime, and at the age of six Gawain went to his grandfather's household in Fairgarden to serve as Page.
Gawain learned much from his Grandfather about what it meant to be a knight in those years as a Page, and even though he was still quite young, the impressions and tales of the thirty years war, and the famed Raymund Durante have remained an inspiration to the young man to this day. It was further during these formative years where the Rosendal traditions and practices were instilled into him, a sense of loyalty, a basis in the faith of the Many, as well as a familiarity with art and its impact on the world.
When Gawain was finally squired, it was to the Greycen heir at the very tail end of the War of Succession. Much of Gawain's earliest service was simply mop-up duty, and it wasn't much better following the end of hostilities, living in the Greycen lands, helping rebuild and going out to sea with the Red Sails and spending more time learning about sails and rigging then horses and lances. It wasn't all bad, of course, getting to meet a variety of colorful characters in the sailors of the Greycen fleet, and helping build a unique foundation most squires don't get to experience.
Gawain's time at sea wouldn't last, as Thaddeus was named Knight Marshal, and they would return to land for more traditional duties, as well as starting to introduce Gawain to more of the movers and the shakers of the kingdom of Rivana, thrusting him in the midst of the political world. This was punctuated by the wedding of Thaddeus to Princess Ariane, where the young Squire got to meet and mingle with Royalt and nobles of all variety, and getting a first-hand taste of the Couviere, and the venomous city state of Pacitta, including an assassination attempt on King Maris before returning to the south once again.
The months following would orchestrate to thrust Gawain into the forefront of Rivanan politics, and put him center stage to combat that any Squire would be envious of, fighting at Thaddeus side in the retaking of Goldhollow, and a fixture amongst the various leaders uncovering the growing treachery of Alphard Haldis and the growing thorn rebellion.
By Janvier of the following year, the Lord Marshal had been struck down and grievously wounded at Charger's Rest, and Lord Thaddeus himself appointed to that position. Most squires, at this point were filling a more traditional role, Gawain was given more responsibility, mirroring his lord, running important messages, helping in some small way in running the Loyalist Campaign, and learning first-hand how to lead knights in battle, and organize a military campaign, rather than simply participate in it.
Gawain was no stranger to combat during the rebellion, however, as an older Squire now, he was taking a more active part in the fighting, and was at the forefront of the fighting at the Black Hills, and later at Sunsreach, storming the keep and present in the fighting that slew Ranulf Gerrell and saw the Queen rescued from the Duchess clutches, distinguishing himself as quite the talented swordsman, for a young man of his age during the fighting. There would only be a scant several weeks following the liberation of Sunsreach before the army was marching north once more to come to the rescue of the Couviere, instrumental in the victory at Valetta over the Tirians.
Gawain would once again get to experience a royal affair, in the form of the coronation of Lord Thaddeus brother-in-law at Rovilion before finally returning to the Kingdom of Rivana, and some relative peace. The whirlwind of war, sieges, intrigue, and travel north has helped Gawain meet many people, and leave a rather good name for himself, and his exploits at the side of Lord Thaddeus secure a name for himself as a pre-eminent Squire, but it has kept him away from his home, and his family for many years, making him a bit of a stranger in many ways to his kin.—]
