Despite the uproar Caladin Tar-vaniell created when he took Greensgate by storm nearly 30 years ago, not much is known about the man himself. Polite society would have him cast as a grifter, a rogue, and a vagabond, and not without good reason. That is certainly the narrative the elder Griswold Del'Amore preferred. Caladin, on the other hand, styled himself as an “archaeologist,” a man of intellect and charm. And charming he must have been to woo Griswold's eldest daughter, Valerie Del'Amore, in a whirlwind romance. After only three scant months, they had eloped, fleeing Greensgate seemingly for good.

When Valerie returned 15 months later, distraught and heartbroken, and carrying lucretia_del_amore in her arms, she refused to speak of Caladin. Or at all for that matter. But it was plain to see that she was still in love, despite everything.