Hervis Daubeny is a character that appears in For Honor's singleplayer campaign.
Overview[]
Hervis Daubeny was a warlord and the former master of the Warden in the campaign. He was a former knight of the Blackstone Legion but he only remained with the Legion for one season before leaving and taking what he could from the Blackstone Legion in the process. Enraged by Daubeny's theft and desertion, Apollyon sent Holden Cross to punish him. Daubeny's forces were overwhelmed and Holden Cross challenged the former Blackstone to a trial by combat. Seeing that Holden was no match for him, he called the challenge an 'execution'. Cross presented his second, Ademar, as a replacement combatant and Daubeny chose the Warden as his. The Warden emerged victorious, and Cross spared Daubeny after knighting the Warden as a knight of the Blackstone Legion and giving him/her Daubeny's sword.
It is revealed by For Honor writer, Ariadne MacGillivray, that Daubeny had retreated to the south and settled down there. While he held a new castle that overlooked the Ring, his fate was unknown after the arrival of the Order of Horkos, however considering the fact one of Gryphon’s weapon sets is called Hervis’s Prize and a field order claims that Gryphon thinks “The lord may still be alive and hiding as usual” indicates that he most likely survived the Warmongers' invasion and is in hiding.
After Campaign[]
Daubeny’s brief inclusion in For Honors Campaign is no oversight. The focus of the Blackstones taking control over Ashfeld and moving north to provoke the Vikings in Valkenheim and later east to the Myre, Daubeny is working. Moving south to the quiet border with the Myre he is able to claim an abandoned Castle and begin operations. An excellent position to be fortified in with open fields for farming, ample space for food stores and far away from the immediate threat of Apollyon. Daubeny was able to make a safe haven for those who would choose to leave the insanity of Apollyon's warpath. Making an independent stronghold, any enemy of the Blackstones would happily move past an avoidable fight.
Years would pass before the efforts of Apollyon began to fail. The Treaty of Wyverndale was made, a mass ceasefire on all fronts. A wartorn land made silent for a day and roaring with celebration the next. His safe haven made even more legitimate be the efforts of those not unlike himself.
Tyranny[]
In this safe haven he remained, holding his borders and keeping to his own business. Until the neutrality of his land was disrespected by those who spit in the face of peace. When the Order of Horkos made their opening gambit there was no where else better to strike then the lone beacon of peace in a war torn land. The assault was fast, but Daubeny was faster. Successfully holding back Astrea in a duel to distract her forces, allowing the majority of Daubeny’s Allie’s to pull out and regroup. Outnumbered in the end, Daubeny was forced back and successfully escaped the trap, though the message was sent. Peace is no longer an option, and this Order of Horkos would see that message through.
Mayhem[]
Biding for time and regrouping his forces, another movement was underway. Head up by Holden, the choice to “Fight my second” was made all the more wise. Using Holdens more brash tactics to his advantage Daubeny could plan around for a massive reinforcement maneuver. That time revealed itself at the Battle of the Eclipse. At the height of the battle with Holden on his back Daubeny’s forces descended unto the field. Easily cutting his way deep into Horkos territory he took full advantage of the commotion and saved Holden, now using the title of Gryphon. This move officially making Daubeny a member of the Chimera Alliance and later hosting the Chimera Banquet.
Personality[]
Daubeny appears to be a cowardly and arrogant individual. When he dispatches an enemy Warden, he postulates to his nearby soldiers that "that is how it is done, you see?!". But when challenged to a trial-by-combat by Holden Cross, Daubeny refused, likening Holden's demand to an execution rather than a trial. When this prompted Cross to nominate Ademar as his second, Daubeny proceeded to choose The Warden as his second rather than face Ademar himself.
Though that’s only what is shown through the narration of Apolion and the eyes of the Black Stones. Being one of the first to leave the Black Stones and Apollyon, as well as in only one season of service rising in ranks and presence to have the loyalty of a sizable force and hold a castle for an unknown amount of time. Knowing a fight with Holden would mean the execution of Holden, someone who still had a part to play, he makes a claim of “That’s not a trial, that’s an execution.”, playing off the fact that it is an execution, just not his. And knowing that if he were to defeat Ademar then it would mean essentially re-entering the Black Stones, so he chose the Warden who he watched fight through the horde of Holden.
For Honor writer Ariadne MacGillivray has reinforced the fact that Daubeny is very intelligent and brave, calculating his moves and making very smart choices. As explained by the writer, Daubeny was one of the few to actually stand up to Apollyon and leave the Blackstone Legion. He would later on use The Warden as his second to purposely have Holden Cross finally leave him alone.[1] He would later show this again as explained in two of the field orders during the Chimera Banquet as he would not only save Holden during a battle, but join the Chimera Alliance as well as let “bagons be bagons” with Holden as while the two still don’t get along they have a “common enemy”.
Trivia[]
- The name Hervis was derived from the Breton given name Haerviu, which meant "battle worthy", from haer "battle" and viu "worthy".
- The surname Daubeny was most likely derived from the French surname Daubney. Daubeny was a surname for those from any of the various towns in France called Aubigny, derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name Albinus. Albinus is a derivative of the name Albus which means "white, bright" in Latin.
- Daubeny's armor is comprised of the Tedeus Chest, the Dullahan Arms, and the Arcturus Helm with the "Daubeny's Shame" ornament.
- Although only appearing briefly in the Story Mode and as a background character of the Ring, Daubeny is very popular in the For Honor community. This is primarily due to the opening scene between Daubeny and Holden Cross becoming a phenomenon among the community and an iconic moment.
- Daubeny’s new residence may be called “Feronia” due to a weekly quest stating that Daubeny’s Ludi takes place in the Arena of Feronia, and the map in which all battles occur is the Ring, where Daubeny is always seen sitting atop a throne just outside the map boundary.
- Event Orders (such as during Chimera Banquet) and other official text would confirm that Daubeny is "Lord of Feronia," with his Arena being located at Feronia Bay. The Bay may be located on the northside of Westlake based on the location of the Arena on the War Map during the Chimera Banquet event.
- During the Rise of the Warmonger event, certain maps had become devastated by the Draconite's Corruption. The Ring is one such map, and Hervis Daubeny is now missing from his throne.
- One of the field orders, "The Wings of Rebellion," during Tales of Rebellion Part 3, addresses a Knight that is heavily hinted to be Daubeny with the title "Lord of Feronia."
- It would later be confirmed that Daubeny indeed survived as well as joining the Chimera Alliance and would host the in-game event that represents the Chimera Alliance, The Chimera Banquet, as he sits on his throne in the Ring in the Trailer for Asunder as well as appearing on the stag on the title screen for said season.