Born the third son of a lesser lord in the town of Melfesh, Adrastal Forgath (Esquire) had the advantage of wealth and education was not in line for titles or land. He spent his adolescence reading about questing knights and the Shining Crusade (leading to his worship of Iomedae). Instead, he was trained to become a merchant, a profession he quickly came to loathe. Scarcely in his profession a year, his exuberance got the better of him and he abandoned his home for the 'big city' in Korvosa, wrangling a position in the Endrin Military Academy, in training to become a griffon-riding member of the Sable Company.
A year later, Adrastal was selected for special training as a military strategist, with potential for a leadership role (actually, his eldest brother took pity on his younger sibling and made secretive 'contributions' to the Sable Company in exchange for the treatment, not that Adrastal knew this).
Adrastal has juxtaposed his personal code of ethics with the qualities of a Sable Company officer, although his training is far from complete for the latter. He has sworn a personal oath to King Eodred II and an official oath to the Seneschal (who he sees as the true master of the Castle Korvosa. After all, the crown has not been formally recognised by Cheliax and the seneschal has the legal right to place any sovereign under house arrest. So, who holds the real power?) He has no respect for the Queen, seeing her as a selfish foreigner with no respect for fair Korvosa. He tends to keep his prejudice to himself however.
When the rioting broke out Adrastal was given the rank of (acting) Lance-Corporal and rushed into action (which, considering his inexperience, was surprising and illustrated how desperate things were) with a small team to subdue thugs in the docks area. Unfortunately, the group was ambushed by local toughs, his sergeant fell first and although he did his best to hold the team together, Adrastal was forced to retreat. Suddenly surrounded by an angry mob, he fled into an abandoned warehouse and managed to evade them. While in hiding Adrastal tended to his wounds and rested for the day.
After emerging, Adrastal was shocked at the devastation, even moreso when he realised the vile Hellknights had been called in. He blames himself for the loss of the squad and feels honour bound to find them (or at least give them a decent burial).
