Ser Paul

Ser Paul is a Shimmershore-born mercenary, trader and former smuggler who became the founding council president of Asmardia. His career has moved repeatedly between commerce and war, often because the two were impossible to separate.

From Shimmershore

Paul was born the fifth son of Sebastian Guerria in Shimmershore. He refused to follow his father and siblings into fishing. At eighteen, he joined the Avant Group and travelled with the company as a mercenary and tradesman.

During these journeys he became close to his teacher, Ser Iduun, and familiar with several smuggling networks. Paul helped move goods between distant cities while taking whatever caravan and escort work kept the company paid.

The First Cardinal War

The Avant Group entered the First Cardinal War as a hired company, offering its services to both sides and defending ships and caravans against pirates, bandits and privateers. Paul saw his first sustained fighting during this period and was knighted by Ser Iduun.

The war also broke the company. The Avant Group suffered heavy losses on one of its journeys, and Ser Iduun did not survive. Paul emerged with money and experience, but little desire to remain trapped in another mercenary campaign.

The founding of Asmardia

Paul joined a group of smugglers, mercenaries and fugitives seeking new land near the Bay of Montana. Together they founded the city-state of Asmardia. Styling himself a merchant rather than a soldier, Ser Paul became president of its council and led the young city through the Second Cardinal War.