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Silas is, or rather was, a scion of the wealthy Mercier family. He grew up in a lofty manor with servants who were more attentive towards him than his parents, resulting in a childhood rife with mischief and trouble. It wasn't long before it was clear he wasn't suited for the family business, and his father focused on grooming his other two children instead. Upon watching his first tournament, Silas decided he was going to become a knight. He was happily sent away to squire for a knight sworn to House Decalmbre. After making it clear he had no experience with handling a sword in spite of his assinine teenage confidence, Silas was quickly chastened and slowly adapted. He learned the previously alien concepts of honor, patience, virtue... and losing and getting back up. He returned to Arx still green, but greatly changed and finally with a solid sense of what he wanted to contribute to the world. He joined the Iron Guard and eventually got himself made a Knight of the Compact. His youth paired with his status as a commoner made it difficult for him to climb the ranks, but his friendliness made him well-liked among his colleagues and among the commoners he mingled with on the streets. Then, like a dam giving way, everything seemed to happen all at once. Silas became the benefactor of the people around him screwing up spectacularly, in spite of his adjacency to such scandals: in fact, perhaps -because- of it. In the summer of 1005 AR, his Lord Commander turned on the Lady Regent when she attempted to have him arrested for conspiring against the Compact and being involved in the murders of deaths of several prominent nobles. A third of the Iron Guard turned on the rest and fled the city, leaving blood and chaos in their wake. At the Assembly of Peers following the betrayal, Silas was nominated and appointed Lord Commander of the Iron Guard, at the age of 22. Tolomar Brand loomed on the horizon, and Silas was tasked with whipping the remainder of the Iron Guard into shape and oversaw a recruitment drive which replenished their ranks and then some. The Iron Guard still saw grievous losses during the Siege, but ultimately survived stronger than ever - or at least in recent memory. In the spring of 1006 AR, his brother Lazarus's ongoing feud with House Grayson spilled into the public eye after his family was reprimanded for their involvement in a dispute over post-siege alcohol. Though supportive of his brother's decision to part ways with House Grayson, Silas's oaths as a knight made it impossible for him to follow, which ultimately lead him to being publically disowned by his older brother. Then, in an awkward and sudden turn afterwards, he was ennobled by House Grayson and given a castle in the northern reaches of the Crownlands. He was named Baron Silas Whitehawk of Hawkhold. A cavalcade of young Mercier cousins soon arrived to help Silas with the stewardship of his lands, and House Whitehawk became a full-fledged neonoble family.

No one feature makes Silas especially noteworthy; he is conventionally handsome, at least in the physical sense. He is broad-shouldered and tall, standing just shy of six feet, with the muscular build of an athlete who trains regularly. His cheekbones accentuate his well-defined chin and nose, and his dark hair is swept back behind his ears in gentle waves. His eyes are deep cobalt in hue, the richness of the color showing when there is ample light. Wry charm seems to come easily to him, in the quirk of his lip and in the expressiveness of his brows.

Ambitious, focused, and resilient - typically good, but sometimes infuriating traits for a commonborn nobleman to possess. At first glance, Silas is outwardly friendly, and quick to smile and offer a compliment. He gets a rush out of competitions, and anything that physically challenges him will generally make him happy. He can lead and follow, he is not afraid of risk or failure, and will help most people if they simply ask. But still waters run deep, and his pride is often a double-edged sword. He is stubborn and strong-willed. He has an ego, even if it doesn't manifest in a blatant manner, and he is resistant to criticism or change. When it comes to his loved ones being attacked, the limits of his patience fray easily and he lashes out. Apologies don't come easily to him. On the whole, it has so far worked out for him, though.