Roke Alva

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At twenty-six, Roque fell in love with Emilienne Carsi, whom he was ready to marry. His lover turned out to be bait. On instructions from her secret husband, Lansar, she was to lead Duke Alva into a trap set by the Men of Honor. In Emilienne's chambers, Roque was attacked by two dozen assassins, some of whom he recognized even behind their masks. Roque emerged from the unequal battle alive thanks to the intervention of a stranger with a sword, who slew the remaining attackers as Alva was already losing consciousness from blood loss. Alva's enemies later attributed his rescue to the intervention of Lefthand. It was then that the Raven's infernal reputation was cemented. Alva deliberately did not deny these rumors, but rather contributed to their spread. However, according to his own testimony (though not entirely certain), the stranger who saved him wielded his right hand, not his left. Alva immediately lost interest in Emilienne Carsi, but he didn't seek revenge. He allowed her to go into exile with her husband and even sent her an emerald for each son she bore and a pearl for each daughter, so they could live on.

Several more unsuccessful attempts were made on Alva's life, leading to rumors that the Canalian Duke could not be killed, supposedly protected by some forces. After the suppression of Karl Born's rebellion, Alva was promoted to marshal.

In 393 BC, another uprising occurred. This time, Duke Egmont Okdell led the rebellion. Alva defeated the rebels, breaking through the Renquahi swamps, considered impassable in the spring. Alva challenged Okdell to a duel, in which the Lord of the Rocks was killed. After Alva's return, Rudolf Neumarinen resigned as First Marshal, declaring that he saw no better candidate for his former post than Roke Alva.

Roque was born in Alvaset, the sixth child. He had three brothers and two sisters. His father, like his grandfather before him, and later Roque himself, held the position of First Marshal of Talig. Roque's older brothers died, some in childhood and some after reaching adulthood. His brother, Carlos, died shielding the former monsignor, First Marshal Rudolf Neumarinen.

Roque was raised in Alvaset until adulthood, only occasionally visiting his father in the capital. His parents loved Roque; his father, despite numerous rumors of cruelty toward his own children, was simply reasonably strict with his sons. Roque entered Laic at seventeen (a year later than usual), officially due to the illness of his mother, Dolores Alva, who later died. Roque himself claimed that his father considered him not yet immune enough to poisons and therefore decided to hold off on Laic.

At seventeen, Alva was already a master of the blade, so in a training duel he not only won, but also humiliated his fencing teacher, the cowardly and empty-headed Captain Aramona.

After graduating from Laic, Roque was chosen as a squire by General Fok Varzov (at the request of Neumarinen, who feared he wouldn't be able to be strict with the brother of the deceased Carlos) and taken with him to Torquay. A year later, then Marquis of Alvasete, he was promoted to teniete, and a year after that, to captain. In the summer of 383 C.S., after completing his service with Fok Varzov, Roque, against his father's wishes, joined the crew of the legendary "Cammorista" under the name of teniete Ruben Arrojado. At twenty-two, for repelling an attack on Gaunao, he was promoted to colonel.

Roque was twenty-three years old when Soberano Alvaro died. From that moment on, the Marquis of Alvasete became Duke of Alva and Canalloa.

In the summer of 387 BC, Colonel Alva, disobeying orders from his command, killed General Carlion with a point-blank shot at the Battle of Maletta and rushed to the aid of Fok Varzov's rearguard, routing the enemy from the rear. After this battle, which turned the tide of the campaign, Rocque Alva was promoted to general, and Fok Varzov to marshal.

He possesses a lively mind, is ironic, and, in his own words, "indecently truthful." He is well-educated, possessing extensive knowledge of medicine, including poisons, which his father, Alvaro Soberano, indoctrinated the young Roque with. He also possesses impressive knowledge of the Galtar period. He is also an expert on horses, weapons, and wines, particularly Canalian.

Alva despises the People of Honor (people who want to put the heir of the Rakan family, who were kings before their overthrow, on the throne) for their cowardice and retreat from their own ideals, and he takes pleasure in emphasizing that he himself does not belong to them.

Roque loves war more than anything else. Although skilled in diplomacy and political maneuvering, he shows no genuine interest in politics and does not aspire to become king or regent, though his ally, Quentin Dorak, was preparing him for precisely such a role.

Duke Alva can be very cruel, not only to his enemies but also to those he dislikes for whatever reason. Sometimes his cruelty frightens even his friends and confidants.

Roque treats women with condescension, as weak creatures, which can manifest itself in both gallantry and a willingness to protect them, as well as disdain and even rudeness. Roque, in his own words, "doesn't refuse pretty women a small favor," meaning he's always willing to sleep with a woman he likes, if she's willing.

At the same time, Roque is respectful to those who, in his opinion, deserve it, regardless of whether they are a man or a woman.

The Duke enjoys spending his free time alone, drinking an inappropriate amount of red Cannalian wine, his favorite being "black blood." Alva sings well and plays the guitar, but prefers to do so after a few bottles.

Roque Alva is very handsome. He has black hair and very fair, almost white skin. He has inherited the sapphire-blue eyes of Octavia Alva[1] and the Maurice features of the Dukes of Alva.

In clothing, he prefers the colors of his clan (blue and black), and in jewelry, silver and blue stones, most often sapphires. He does not wear gold. Occasionally, he dons the uniform of First Marshal Talig.

Moves easily and gracefully, in excellent physical shape.

Roque's back bears terrible scars from weapon wounds inflicted after he was betrayed by his lover in his youth.