Desmond Clegane is the first-born son of Beric Clegane and Joan Westerling, and is the current Lord of Clegane's Keep and the head of House Clegane. He is a man of three-and-thirty, and like all Clegane men, is of truly monstrous size. He stands a full head taller than the tallest man you've ever seen, with hands that could wrap around a man's neck and arms the size of tree trunks. His face is marked with scars from tourneys and battle alike, and his body shows healed wounds from bolt and sword. The Clegane wears his brown hair short so as to keep it harder to grab in battle or a brawl, though he's so tall it's nigh-impossible to reach in the first place. Desmond's nose has been flattened and cocked from repeated blows to the face, and above it he bears unremarkable green eyes.
History[]
Desmond is the firstborn son of Beric Clegane and Joan Westerling. He grew up in Clegane's Keep with his brother and two younger sisters, where it was quickly learned that the boy would grow to be of monstrous size. He had already grown to be the size of a man by two-and-ten, and there was time yet for it to continue. By this time, it was also readily apparent that he enjoyed a fight, and flattened a nose or two of full-grown servants. When he was six-and-ten, he became squire to Ser Aldrick Lannister, a cousin to the heir and renowned Knight.
He remained in Ser Aldrick's service until being Knighted by him after saving the Lannister's life during a raid of Ironborn. Desmond took his new title in stride, patrolling and serving his Liege-Lord until the First Targaryen Rebellion. He followed his father Beric as he led Clegane forces with the rest of the Westerlands in support of the King. It was in this great war that he truly proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with, even killing Viserys Targaryen, brother of the claimant Matarys.
Beric, however, did not prove so worthy. His age had gotten to him, and he was killed in combat nearer the first half of the war. Command of Clegane men fell to Desmond, which he led to victory when all was said and done. With the death of his father, Desmond became the new lord of Clegane's Keep, and he and his brother Donnel found themselves under consideration for a position on the Kingsguard. However, he requested that the nomination go to his brother, who was also a great fighter and proved his worth during the war, so that he himself could inherit the Clegane seat.
After the Rebellion, Desmond was betrothed to Lady Anne Crakehall to bind the two Houses that are so closely located. The Clegane grew very fond of the woman, and those feelings were reciprocated on her part. However, Lady Anne died from a pox a few months after their wedding, taking their unborn child with her. Desmond was heartbroken for years afterwards, and that prevented him from searching for another betrothal for some time.
Current Events[]
400 AC.[]
Desmond was invited to the Tourney at Seagard, and accepted the invitation. He intends on bringing his youngest sister to the event, Melesa.
Desmond parted from his sister Johanna on bad terms as he set out with Melesa to Seagard for the upcoming Tourney. Johanna was incensed that he was taking the girl to show her off to prospective suitors.
On their way to the Tourney, the Cleganes and their wagons were ambushed by a group of highwaymen while sleeping. They were only saved due to one of the bandits warning them, who Desmond rewarded with safekeeping at Dog's Rest.
Upon first arriving at the Tourney, Desmond interacted with a number of other individuals attending the festivities, namely Lann Marbrand and Deria Martell. He was cordial if unwelcoming to Lann, perhaps forming something of a grudge between them, and was openly hostile to the Martell Princess.
Desmond and his youngest sister Melesa attended the welcoming feast put on by the Mallisters the night before the Tourney events were set to begin. At the feast, the Cleganes encountered the eldest of Lord Alyx's daughters, Elyana Mallister. The three held an interesting conversation for a time, before returning to the feast. This was not before all parties expressed an interest in meeting in the future. He would go on to gift Elyana a book that once belonged Lady Anne Crakehall, his deceased betrothed.
The Clegane participated in the melee at Seagard, and was quite a spectacle to behold, eliminating at least 15 men out of the 150. He was finally beaten near the end of the event by Arianne Baratheon, after an intrusive flashback and haunting memory prevented him from delivering a coup de grâce to the woman.