Burnoth was a 28 year old Rohir Man who lived in the kingdom of Rohan during the War of the Ring.
Biography[]
His father was a high-ranking retainer in the employ of Thane Sparláf of Fenmarch. From an early age, Burnoth yearned to be a warrior, though his father – embittered by constant fighting with Orcs out of the East Wall – did all he could to guide him into more peaceful pursuits. As a result, Burnoth was proficient at playing the harp and a good storyteller. Despite his father's efforts, however, Burnoth still found ways to train at arms, and proved himself by hunting and killing a band of four Orcs when he was just 16. Grudgingly, Baldeg allowed him to become a squire to the Thane, and Burnoth fit into the role of warrior easily. Within three years he was a retainer himself, and at the age of 25 he was invited to Aldburg to serve Éomer, the Third Marshal of the Mark. There he trained in command, and became leader of a small band of warriors. He also met and married Merewen, the strong-willed daughter of one of Éomer's counselors. They had a young daughter, Céolwen, together: during the War of the Ring sje was three and a half years old, precocious, and already a good rider.
Burnoth was a proud man, a natural leader and teller of tales. Éomer himself had his eye on him as a future captain, and Burnoth admired the Marshal greatly. He honored his heritage, and would do anything to protect his family. As a result, he had accepted a mission to lead a small band into the Eastemnet to harry the enemies of the Mark who dwelt there. While the éored rode hither and yon, bringing ruin to the enemy, Burnoth's band striked quietly, from the shadows, in an attempt to find the head of the serpent and cut it off.
His most prized possession was Fyrbrand, the sword of his forefathers, which had been handed down through his family since the days of Helm Hammerhand. His father gave Fyrbrand to Burnoth when he set forth for Aldburg, as a sign of his respect and esteem. Burnoth still did not quite believe himself worthy of such a gift, and took good care of the blade. His second greatest possession was his horse, which was foaled on the same day Céolwen was born. He named the steed Brynmód, but his daughter has taken to calling it Prancey for its springing gait – a fact his fellow warriors often reminded him of with mirth. He was gruff about these jokes, appearing to weather them grudgingly, but in private he often called the steed Prancey. He feared losing the horse as much as his own life, for he knew that Céolwen's heart would break if it did not return alive from the field.