Ian Dayne

Lord Ian Dayne, also known as the Sword of the Morning and The Oculus, is currently the lord of House Dayne and serves House Brightflame as the commander of the Dragon's Flame and Master of Whisperers.

Appearance and Character
Ian Dayne is a tall, sturdy man who always seems to leave other men in his shadow, literally and metaphorically. Many claim that he has a intimidating presence wherever he goes; whether that is because of his appearance, skills, or his past remains unclear.

Ian has a large scar on his chest that he received in the Siege of Meereen in 301AC. He also claims that he has major scars on both legs, but nobody has reported seeing them. On his left hand is a pearl ring, given to him by Daenerys Targaryen for his help in the Siege of Meereen. Despite his past record of being dangerous and unlawful, many of Ian's current friends and acquaintances recall him being generous, kind and thoughtful, while also showing the prowess of a great warrior like his deceased elder brother, Arthur Dayne.

Though there are still some who claim that Ian remains close to those of great power who are willing to do what is necessary to ensure the realm's continuity, even if it means sacrificing their honor and loyalty.

Early Life
Ian was taken off the streets as just an infant, and brought into the care of House Dayne. His earliest memory is of Starfall, and the day Beric Dayne took him into the Tower of the Palestone Sword to show him the ancestral sword, Dawn. It would be the only time he would see the magnificent weapon in the first 12 years of his life.

He began training as a child, beaten and bruised everyday by his older brother Arthur who showed amazing swordsmanship at a very young age. The brothers were both great warriors and had formed a strong bond, however whilst the knowledge of Ian's orphanage was a closely regarded secret, Beric Dayne reminded the young boy of his real origin every day. A whore, and a lowborn soldier in the Martell army gave birth to a boy who would never be as great as his blood-son, Arthur.

Life in King's Landing
When Ian turned fifteen, he was sent with Arthur to King's Landing to serve as a squire. When Arthur was knighted and placed in Aerys II Targaryen's kingsguard, Ian was taken under service by the prince, Rhaegar Targaryen. For the first time since he was born, Ian found life to be fun and exciting serving under the prince and watching his older-brother Arthur grow to be one of the most feared knights in the seven kingdoms.

The day Ian turned twenty, Aerys finally gave in to Rhaegar's and Arthur's requests and knighted Ian. Now Ser Ian, was immediately sent west to Ashford, where he led a small cavalry force against the growing threat of Robert Baratheon's army. It was here that he earned his first alias, 'The Oculus', after cutting down nearly fifteen Stormlanders within minutes, he was found on his knees, drenched in blood with a circle of bodies around him. Word got around quickly that perhaps the second-son of House Dayne would one day be as great as the first.

The Fall of House Targaryen
After falling into depression from the loss of his friend Rhaegar at the Trident, and Arthur's dispatchment on a top-secret mission, Ian found himself failing his family and his king for the first time in the sack of King's Landing. Though Ian had requested to have been sent to the Trident with Rhaegar, he was left in King's Landing to protect Rhaegar's wife, Elia Martell.

Waking up in a drunken state, he found the city under attack from the Lannister army. Unsure of what was happening, he rushed for Elia's bedroom, where he found nothing but the mangled bodies of her and her children. On the way out of the keep, he was attacked by several Lannister soldiers. Able to defend himself and kill them all, Ian disguised himself as one of them and quickly made his way out of the burnt city.

Having failed his mission and being unsure of Arthur's location, Ian snuck his way to Essos where he would wait for word from his brother. It never came. It wasn't until eighteen years later that he received word of a new claimant where he could finally redeem himself for his failures.

Service to House Brightflame
Upon return to King's Landing for the first time since the sack in 283AC, Ian immediately went to work by sending word of his past and knowledge of combat and deception. Before long he sent word to the king himself, Baelor of House Brightflame, requesting a position on the small council.

After a long wait, he finally received a letter back, though it was not from whom he expected. The new king Daeron, who had taken the position of his brother's death only weeks before, was in desperate need of a worthy council and was willing to grant Ian the position of 'Master of Whisperers.' Accepting with haste, Ian began to devote his time to spies and knowledge over skill of sword.

Although it wasn't long before Daeron called upon Ser Ian himself to join him on his conquest of Dorne, where they reclaimed Starfall together and united Dorne under the banner of the Golden Dragon. Naming Ian to 'Commander of the Dragon's Flame', the elite division of knights in the King's army, Ian fought in the king's wars until he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Essos, where he would hope to ensure the military continuity of House Brightflame.

A Dragon's Dealings
''Far to the east lies a hope that floats in the mouths of those oppressed by kings and priests. A daughter of ancient fire, silver of hair and violet of eyes. Meereen, once a proud slave city lying under the shadow of the Temple of the Graces has come under the rule of a queen. Daenerys Targaryen and her 8000 Unsullied have taken the city with the offer of freedom, and now wait in the temple, ruling peacefully over Slaver's Bay. Or rather, trying to. Ser Ian Dayne, born an orphan yet still a son of House Dayne, has asked King Daeron of House Brightflame for his chance to wield the sword "Dawn," the fabled sword of House Dayne, last wielded by his best friend and brother Arthur Dayne at the Tower of Joy. To receive the honor, first Ser Ian "The Oculus" must prove his worth by completing one final quest, something of great importance. Ser Ian will be sent far to the east with a companion alone, Ser Rickard of House Greywinde to meet the last of the Targaryens, Daenerys Stormborn and discuss with her an agreement that could lead to the continuity, or potential destruction of House Brightflame.''

The entire story of Ian's quest to Essos can be found here: http://www.akrealm.com/forum/m/38757276/viewthread/29531405-dragons-dealings-ser-ians-great-quest/page/1

Sword of the Morning & Lordship
After returning to his king from Essos, Ian brought word of his success and in return was granted his family keep of Starfall. And with it came Dawn, the sword he had hoped to wield since his earliest memory. It is custom tradition that the wielder of Dawn is given the title Sword of the Morning, and so he was Lord Ian Dayne, Sword of the Morning. It was the first time Ian felt as if he had finally returned honor and fear to the house name.

Quotes by Ian
''"Character does not always reflect skill..." -''Ian to Wolf Greenaxe.

“You don’t seem to understand the situation…” -Ian to a Slave-Master in Meereen

"''The world is made up of liars and cheats, not soldiers like it used to be." -''Ian to Ser Duncan Sentinel

Quotes about Ian
"''Truth be told, I've never faced a finer swordsman than you, Lord Ian..." -''Lord Artos Starkwood

"That won't happen by challenging the greatest knight in the realm to a duel..." Gascoigne about Ian

"Indeed, but no weapon can rival the one Lord Ian Dayne wields..." -Lord Ethan Lash about the sword Dawn

"I would be honored to fight alongside you, Ser Ian." - King Daeron Brightflame