Name: Alexander "Walram"*Houston
*means: ruler and raven

born anno Cadaris 991, Kadra 14th

Height: 5'64"
Eyes: green-brown

special characteristics: black tattoo on his left bicep, which marks the sign of the Houston clan, which is sept clan of the House McGreggor. It shows the picture of a falcon's shadow and is used to show origin, but in the case of Sir Alexander Houston, it also symbolizes his leadership, which is marked through a red eye in the shadow.

~~~

Alexander's life has been affected very much by his father's past. Sir Richard Houston had been highly honoured by his kin, for he had been a very skilled fighter. He won every tournament, had the affection of every lady, and had the pride to suit.

His clan was a small clan of the highlands, their lands lying in a part of the mountains, which couldn't really be counted to either Teshwan nor the midlands, for it was hard to define the borders in these pathless lands.

One day a bunch of knights in shiny white armour came to Richard's fathers house. They presented themselves as 'White Knights of Cadaris', and accused Hakon Houston of heresy against their god, of whom the Houstons had never heard...
When Hakon declined to renounce the belief of his forefathers and to confess to the god which the white knights called the only true god and light of Othala, they killed him, right in front of his son's eyes.
They told the horrified boy that this had been a warning, and that they would come back. They never returned. Maybe Berkana had punished them for their crime...

Richard was now forced to lead his clan at the young age of seventeen for a year in hiding, until he finally was able to receive an audience with the Earl of Queribus and Albigan, Gavin McGreggor. After several meetings he was able to convince the earl to take his clan on as a sept.

Some years later, Richard's only son Alexander was born. He didn't have the strength of his father, and could never reach his father's skill in combat. Richard was disappointed of his only son, and Alexander suffered from the high demands his father made on him. Richard rarely spoke to the boy, and spent most of the time outside with his men, haunting and fighting the White Knights who had killed his father, so he didn't notice that his son became very skilled in hand-to-hand combat and fighting with smaller weapons, like daggers. Alexander wasn't very strong, but extremely fast and dexterous. Furthermore he spent many hours studying, gaining knowledge of many different things. One day, the message of Richard Houstons death reached his home, and Alexander took the reign.

But some of his clansmen thought him to be a weak leader and plotted against him. His cousin Tanarus wanted to overpower him and take his title. But Alexander knew of his cousins plans, for he had already built a small net of spies, who reported him everything that was going on around his house. He led his opponents into a trap and all were killed by him and the few loyal souls who accompanied him. Only his cousin was spared, who now yelled out his insults and challenged Alexander to duel him.

Much to his surprise, Alexander accepted, and a quick battle arose. Tanarus wasn't able to follow Alexander's swift moves, and though his blows were very powerful, they never hit the smaller man. Alexander just slid around him and slit his throat from behind. From this day on, Alexander was accepted and honoured as a wise and strong leader by every man of his clan.

During his reign he has come to the conclusion that every man has his advantages and should strive to strengthen them. He believed that "He who is not strong must be clever". Therefore he has organized his men into the Raven and the Bull.

The Raven is made up of men who are very clever and sly. These men make up a team of spies that are used by the House McGreggor for their own purposes. Alexander is their lead.

The Bull is made up of warriors of great physical strength. These men are in full service to the McGreggors as soldiers. Their commander is Alexanders most loyal friend, Sir Sarolf Oakwood.