Ruthgar was born as the second child of Duke Jon Ruxton and his wife, the Duchess Vanessa. His birth was an easy one, as his mother would later tell him. And as easy Ruthgar's temper turned out to be. At least at first. He gave his parents little reason for grief or sorrow, was always obedient. As he showed some talent in the use of weapons it seemed natural that he should become a knight. True, he was a second son, his elder brother Robben being the heir. But a second son needs to be ready to fill the place, should anything happen to the heir. And while the heir squired at home with his own uncle, Ruthgar started squiring for Sir Jarvis Kincaid, cousin to the current Duke Kincaid, which is why he spent most of his squiring years at Lakeshire. He knows Lady Aemy from that time, actually had a crush on her until it became clear that she was meant for his brother.
Following valliant showings at the great tourney in Sutherland in the year 227, Ruthgar finally got the chance to prove his worth in an ambush by bandits on the way back to Lakeshire. It was there that he managed to kill several villains and actually saved Sir Jarvis' life. Some argue his rather ruthless treatment of the bandits, others the unneeded cruelty when dealing with them. But after all he was knighted upon his return. He would have returned to Ruxton Hall to serve his own House with his abilities. Yet his stay there was only of short duration as he had other plans. Soon after the wedding of his brother and Lady Aemy, Ruthgar ventured to Darfield, under the official office of presenting the interests of his House at the Royal Court. His true ambition, however, was to become one of the famed Knights of Rioga. His ambition was at first not graced with success, and so Ruthgar lingered, waiting for his chance of a lifetime to commit the heroic deed that would finally allow him to enter that elite. His younger sister Solara had recently arrived at Darfield and already claimed the presitigious position of vice-chancellor. And so he stayed around her, ensuring her safety.
More family was yet to join him at Darfield. Ruthgar's brother Robben and his wife Aemy, heavily pregnant, arrived at the capital as well, leading to a number of awkward moments, given that they share the same flight of chambers in the Eastern Wing of the Castle. And soon Ruthgar ventured with his brother to Weston as part of the Royal Army, after Laniveer had invaded the lands there, besieging their father's castle. At the Battle of Blackbarrow Ruthgar fought valiantly enough to legitimate a certain development later, which would mean his greatest dream would finally come true. Not right away, though. They returned, the war won after two battles. Then his father the Duke of Weston arrived and news of a betrothal to Princess Caillin Kilgour left Ruthgar in a state of shock, then bewilderement, until he accepted his fate. Things had to go quickly though, so only two weeks afterwards, and merely ten days prior to the wedding he was accepted into the Order of the Rioga and received the title of Baron of Dellhaven.