Hîratar Curvegil Rúthion
Autherdir of the Royal Guard, count of Parth Feren
Painting by Katarzyny Chmiel-Gugulskie "Kasiopea"
Race Dúnadan
Profession Warrior
Gifts & Geas Lightning Reflexes, Weapons Master
 (image: http://wiki.lindefirion.net/images/GondorVaakunaPieni.png)


Hîratar Rúthion, count of Parth Feren (1597- ) is a noted fencer, architect, mathematician and master of arms during the age of King Tarondor. He is considered to be one of the greatest fencing masters and theorists of all time.

Though born in western Anfalas, Curvegil Rúthion lived and worked in Minas Anor, where he was associated with the Knights of the Fountain Court and the literary and artistic circle around Steward Dior Hurinion. He was the son of hîr Boronglin Rúthion, a minor nobleman from the wide beechlands of Parth Feren. There are few records of his life beyong his own brief autobiographical account. He was a childhood friend of King Tarondor, who used to hunt in Anfalas in his youth. Hîratar Rúthion first rose to prominence as a master of arms in Serelond in 1638 and was later listed as a commander of a territorial army regiment. He became known for his eagerness to duel.

Rúthion wrote in his Maeth Edlothiad (S. "Flowering of battle") that he had a natural inclination to the martial arts and began at a very young age. Later he studied under many masters of arms from both Arnor and Gondor. He named only one of these, a Master Iorvegil of Serelond. He also mentions that on five separate occasions he was forced to fight lethal duels for his honor against other masters, who he described as envious because he refused to teach them, and survived each without taking any wounds. Real reason behind these duels might have been the fact that King Tarondor chose Rúthion over older masters as his personal trainer in arts of war. In 1645 Rúthion became one of Tarondor's most trusted courtiers and was elevated to the highest rank of peerage (hîratar). Next year Tarondor made him the commander of the Royal Guard, the Company of the White Tree.

As a master of arms, Rúthion proposed dramatic changes in the way swordsmanship was practiced. He teached that weapons of the same length are used similarly and that the thrust is preferred to all other attacks, as well as specifics on how to thrust and handle specific weapons. He also pointed out the effectiveness of holding the sword in front of the body instead of behind it. His many students spread the Rúthion school of swordsmanship all over Gondor. Maeth Edlothiad, published in 1659, quickly became the foremost Dúnadan fighting manual.

Although supreme in his trade in Gondor, there are some masters of arms abroad who might match him in fighting prowess. These masters include:

Notable students and masters:

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