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Gaston Mercadier
Heartbroken mercenary, wading numbly through muck and blood.
Appearance
Gaston is a hulking shape, tall and broad, almost perennially hooded in battered furs. Large, dark eyes gaze lazily from beneath thunderous brows and a chapped, scarred mouth sits below a crooked nose. Shaggy black hair, sprinkled with greys, adorns a rather round skull atop an ox-like neck and shoulders. The rest of his broad-limbed frame is covered in gnarled muscle and matted hair. His hands, broad and battered, are ingrained with dirt, and the nails are ground to the quick.
Underneath his ragged fur cloak, Mercadier wears a simple chainmail hauberk, reaching his elbows and knees, as well as a coif over his shoulders and head. Beneath these are a filthy gambeson and woollen trews, once dyed blue but now a jumble of browns, greens and blacks. Cracked leather boots reach his knees, and broad belt encloses his waist, from which hang a number of knives. On his back is a simple leather sack, and in his hand is a fearsome billhook.
Underneath his ragged fur cloak, Mercadier wears a simple chainmail hauberk, reaching his elbows and knees, as well as a coif over his shoulders and head. Beneath these are a filthy gambeson and woollen trews, once dyed blue but now a jumble of browns, greens and blacks. Cracked leather boots reach his knees, and broad belt encloses his waist, from which hang a number of knives. On his back is a simple leather sack, and in his hand is a fearsome billhook.
Skills and Abilities
Augury
- identifaction of many different species of birds
- able to interpret patterns of flight
- a wide knowledge of omens
Woodcraft
- identification of many different tree and plant species
- knowledge of different types of wood and their properties
- able to make and place traps and snares
- knowledge of flora and fauna
Physical Strength
- able to lift full casks of ale over his head
- able to crush acorns in his fist
- able to pull laden carts and wagons
Close Quarters Combat
- brutal proficiency with the billhook against both infantry and cavalry
- skilled use of knives against armoured and unarmoured opponents
- viciously adept with knuckle and skull in hand-to-hand
- savage wrestling and grappling
- identifaction of many different species of birds
- able to interpret patterns of flight
- a wide knowledge of omens
Woodcraft
- identification of many different tree and plant species
- knowledge of different types of wood and their properties
- able to make and place traps and snares
- knowledge of flora and fauna
Physical Strength
- able to lift full casks of ale over his head
- able to crush acorns in his fist
- able to pull laden carts and wagons
Close Quarters Combat
- brutal proficiency with the billhook against both infantry and cavalry
- skilled use of knives against armoured and unarmoured opponents
- viciously adept with knuckle and skull in hand-to-hand
- savage wrestling and grappling
Personality
Quiet Melancholy
Gaston is a laconic man, rarely venturing questions or statements to others. Even when directly addressed, there is no guarantee of a reply. When he does speak, his voice is hoarse from a lack of use. He cloaks himself in a melancholy aspect, his posture is hunched and his expression dour.
Cynical Pessimist
A negative lens clouds his perspective. He thinks the worst of all people and all situations, and treats all who cross his path with suspicion and mistrust.
Somewhat Agreeable
Despite his outward appearances, Gaston is agreeable after a fashion. Outright hostility is rare - instead what he projects is more a cool indifference to others. His lack of conversation or interaction makes him a reliable, if boring, travel companion.
Superstitious Fatalist
A constant reader of omens good and bad, Gaston's actions can be determined by a simple flight of birds. This makes him very mercurial, sometimes veering into outright neurotic.
Gaston is a laconic man, rarely venturing questions or statements to others. Even when directly addressed, there is no guarantee of a reply. When he does speak, his voice is hoarse from a lack of use. He cloaks himself in a melancholy aspect, his posture is hunched and his expression dour.
Cynical Pessimist
A negative lens clouds his perspective. He thinks the worst of all people and all situations, and treats all who cross his path with suspicion and mistrust.
Somewhat Agreeable
Despite his outward appearances, Gaston is agreeable after a fashion. Outright hostility is rare - instead what he projects is more a cool indifference to others. His lack of conversation or interaction makes him a reliable, if boring, travel companion.
Superstitious Fatalist
A constant reader of omens good and bad, Gaston's actions can be determined by a simple flight of birds. This makes him very mercurial, sometimes veering into outright neurotic.
