Ladron Du Castleport's father (Tragger) had unknowing fathered another son (Jules) on a woman (Hemione) he visited just before his last voyage. Unaware of this illegitimate offspring Ladron had never looked for his step-brother following his shipwreck, rescue and eventual escape from the pirate ship Bedisia.
As was the custom in those islands Jules married early, 14, and within a year had a son himself who he named Gerhart. As Jules had taken up the life of a sailor himself he had often heard of the stories of Tragger Du Castleport and his son Ladron, not only from his own mother but from others as well. The young Gerhart was fascinated by the tales of this long lost relative of his by his mother and other sailors who he met visiting his father. Jules himself was somewhat ashamed of his illegitimacy and would not speak of either Ladron or Tragger. This only added an air of mystery for the young Gerhart. After many years it became know that not all were lost when the Spirit of Free Enterprise went down. Gerhart determined at an early age he would apply him self until he could earn enough to seek out this famous and mysterious relative of his.
Had history been only slightly different this ambition would have faded and Gerhart would have followed the footsteps of his own father, but his mother after a short illness died when he was 6. His father being away a sea at the time, Gerhart determined to look for his idol immediately. As it happened one of Ladron's ships had been running messages to the islands at this time. Knowing that Ladron worked mainly out of Midwinter the young Gerhart stowed away on the ship as it left on its return journey. He was quickly discovered but by claiming his relation to Ladron and the family resemblance he was able to convince the Captain to take him to Midwinter. When in Midwinter he met with Ladron and was able to convince him of his ancestry. Ladron felt sympathy for the child as he had lost his own mother at an early age. Ladron determined that Gerhart's future would be better with him than with his sailor father so determined to take him in as a ward. A message was taken to Jules to tell him of this matter. Jules reply said he was content that Gerhart stay with Ladron but he would not accept the post that Ladron had offered him on one of his ships.
Gerhart did not have the same stature as his grandfather, but he was 5'11” and 198 lbs so still a solidly built man. Gerhart did have the hearty constitution if not the strength to make a good warrior. Ladron tried to teach Gerhart how to be a Monk like him, but Gerhart fpund that boring. Ladron tested him in many aspects and determined that Gerhart would never be more than a mediocre warrior by his standards but his mind was quick and retentive. Using his contacts Ladron was able to arrange for Gerhart to study with the Academical Society. Gerhart specialised in Divination and dabbled in most of the other fields of magic, but was totally lost when it came to Necromancy, therefore he chose to ignore that field in the future.
The long exposure to Ladron had let many of the elder man's opinions and attitudes rub off on the impressionable youngster. Gerhard developed an abiding hatred of slavery and piracy, in fact any abuse of people without due cause. The influence of his training in the Academical Society gave him some respect for the law, however it could not totally negate the chaotic approach of Ladron. In the end Gerhard became somewhat ambivalent about the Law, if he felt it was a good one he would follow it, if not then he would try to get it changed or ignore it. By the time he was a young man Gerhard's alignment had settled down to Neutral/Good.
Gerhart's aim was to make his own way in the world and if possible to become widely known, not to mention rich. He decided that the best way to do this would be to make famous weapons and armour, after all most warriors had heard of legendary or cursed swords, shields and whatnot. The trouble was that there were many varied and exotic materials required to make the really good swords, and they were just not commonly available. The only way to get these materials was to get out there and find them for yourself, it also vastly reduced the costs.
By the time Gerhard was 22 years old he had decided it was time to get out there and make a stab at it. Taking advice from various people he determined that going it alone was stupid and dangerous, so he started looking for other adventurer's to help him. He tapped his benefactor again to outfit himself with reasonable equipment, but tried to keep the cost down as the whole point was to make his own way. All he needed now was a suitable group to escort him to his pickings.
Jewels was killed by Vettori using the Frostfell Orb in June 1043.
