Eustace
Eustace is now one of the senior grogs of Stanggore and Sandre's bodyguard. He began his service to the covenant as an apprentice stonemason in 1193, where he befriended Agnes. Magi have found him useful both for helping to run the covenant, and on adventures. He has a reputation for quick and clever thinking.
Eustace's grandfather was Daniel the Swordsman, a famous shield grog of Stranggore. Eustace long yearned to live up to his grandfather's example and achieve renown as a warrior.
Eustace's seasons are maintained by User:JdTibbs.
Responsibilities
Eustace is personal bodyguard to Sandre Paen.
Eustace is also Master of the Armory since 1207.
Motivations
Eustace strives to follow the example of his grandfather, Daniel the Swordsman, who was the shield grog of Caradoc, a magus of Stranggore long ago. Eustace is very ambitious and wants to climb to the top of Stranggore's hierarchy, perhaps replacing Brian the Mad as autocrat. He also dreams of distinguishing himself on adventures.
Key Abilities
- Folk Ken (Puissant ability)
- Speak Latin
- Craft: Stonemasonry
- Getting into trouble
- Supernatural resistance to mental domination
Reputations
- Clever 1 (local)
Personality
- Ambitious +3
- Curious +1
- Polite +1
Background
Eustace is the grandson of Daniel the Swordsman, a famous fighting grog of Stranggore. Daniel disappeared with Caradoc around 1150 and is presumed dead. Some of his exploits are written in the covenant's chronicles. Eustace aspires to follow and perhaps even surpass his grandfather's example.
Eustace's father, John, was a master stonemason who worked on the construction site of Glastonbury Abbey. As an apprentice stonemason, Eustace sometimes joined his father on work details. In 1193, Eustace began moonlighting as a repairman for Stranggore -- without permission from his father or the Stonemasons' Guild. He made friends with Agnes and with Tobias the enchanted owl.
Working under the table could not go on forever and in Winter 1193 he got caught by his father. An apprentice taking on jobs without his master present is a violation of Guild rules. He was able to negotiate a deal between his father and Brian the Mad where John worked side jobs at the covenant and Eustace works under John's supervision -- even though John was not on site every day. This only fueled Eustace's desire to work for the covenant.
Brian the Mad noticed that Eustace is smart and that he wants to read and write. He had Valera, the scholar in Barstow, tutor Eustace in Latin and the artes liberales.
In 1197, Eustace completed his apprenticeship and became a journeyman stonemason. At that time he left his father's house and signed on as a man-at-arms at Stranggore. His fighting skills were soft at first, but are coming along.
In the story The Shortest Day, Eustace acquired a couple of faerie enchanted items as gifts from Lady Bellantia, including the Mighty Cudgel of Smiting the Wicked.
In the story The Duke's Siblings, Eustace received a blessing as a reward for service to Duke Hesmesh. He asked the magical being to cure him of his terrible sense of direction. Duke Hesmesh enchanted Eustace's left eye so it can always see the stars (even in daylight, even indoors or underground) and he can find his way. Unfortunately that eye is useless for normal sight, so Eustace suffers the effects of the Missing Eye flaw instead.
Notable Stories
Relationships
- Friend of Agnes.
- protegée and sometime rival of Brian the Mad
- Comrade of Paul and Randolph
- Friend of Tobias
Eustace married Mary, the miller's daughter from Shepton Mallet, in Autumn 1204. The couple have two children: Stephen, born Spring 1205, and Rachel, born Summer 1208.
Character Sheet
Default Seasons
In case Eustace's character sheet is ever out of date, here is how he spends his seasons:
- Spring and Autumn: working as a stonemason (Exposure in Stonemasonry or Bargain)
- Winter and Summer: receives tutoring in Academic or Martial Abilities