Bertrand Larue
Details
Race: Human
Age: 56
Height: 1,9 meter
Weight: 80 kg
Occupation: Valran/personal retainer
Relation to PC: Honorbound (reluctant) retainer
NPC Type: Companion
Influence: 6
Description:
Bertrand is a well-built man with a slightly olive complexion as was common to the people of Northern Daravin. His face is sharp and with little fat, a hooked and irregular nose (presumably from being broken) and a facial scar on his left cheek. Scattered across his body are several stab wounds, specifically on his chest, right arm and left leg. These tell the story of an experienced retainer who has seen much.
Bertrand was born the son of a minor Valran who was a retainer to the Lambert family for several generations. His mother was a local servant at the Lambert estate and Bertrand lived partially amongst the local townsfolk surrounding the Lambert estate and partially on the estate itself. Once he reached his teenage years it was decided by his father that he would serve as a retainer to the Lambert family as the rest of the family like him. His father, Jonas, began to train Bertrand but this training was cut short as Jonas was killed in a dispute between the Lambert family and another nearby Veir family. This lead to Bertrand's education and training as a retainer being left to the Master of Arms Mattis (Hugo's grandfather), a skilled Valran who properly organized the local retinue. Bertrand learned much from Mattis and the two formed a mentor-student relationship with Bertrand beginning to see Mattis as a second father, but that particular feeling was never returned.
As he grew older Bertrand served with distinction in the retinue of the Lambert family. He began to learn some of the direct marital abilities from the stern Mattis but also more discreet ability, specifically regarding gathering intel and training him in the darker and subtler parts of Daravin Nobility. He worked hard and grew in skill, but despite his actions, he watched with dismay as the family began to decline. The two primary heirs killed each other and the house was left to the weakest child Pascal, a mage with little skill in Resonance magic and even less in swordsmanship and actually managing his estates. Thus it was not too surprising that Pascal died less than a decade into his rule and the position of local Veir was shifted to the Abreo family who were the stewards of the Lamberts and effectively in charge of running the land. What was surprising was when in some kind of court decision the rival Veir family, the Rouanets, started a legal dispute about who should own the ancestral lands of the Lamberts and won in a court ruling from a Veir serving the emperor. As a result, the Abreo family and thus Matis was exiled to the sole remaining property of a cottage Thus Maxim, the former Steward and now 'Veir' was Bertrand's liege lord, but this was only due to the oaths Bertrand had sworn immediately after the death of Pascal Lambert. Because whilst he had been a good steward Maxim was a weak person just like Pascal, unable to cope with his loss and turning to the bottle. Then two years after losing their estate and losing his fortune Maxim the former steward died.
All the other Retainers and Valran dedicated to the Abreo family first left after their estates were lost, then when Maxim began to decline and finally as he died only Bertrand remained. Now of the line of Lambert and Abreo only Hugo remains. A young and inexperienced man. Bernard almost left, wanting to become a sellsword or join the Halamire but something kept him in service to the young lord. It was partially honour, respect for his grandfather and sympathy for the situation the boy was left in. But most of all it was the spark in Hugo's eyes. That passion and talent with which Hugo overcomes the challenges in front of him and grows. Perhaps he will one day leave, but first, he has to see this story to it's end. Whether it be success or a quiet grave.
Inventory:
(melee combatant starting package)
- 1 set of Clothing
- 1 Waterskin
- 1 Backpack (holding):
- 1 set of toiletries
- 10 days of rations
- 1 set of eating utensils
- flint and steel
- Heather shield
- Shortsword
- Dagger
Skills
| Skill | Skill Level | Proficiency |
| Nightfall | 50/100 | Journeyman |
| Blades | 50/100 | Journeyman |
| Shields | 25/100 | Apprentice |
| Stealth | 25/100 | Apprentice |
| Investigation | 25/100 | Apprentice |
| Interrogation | 25/100 | Apprentice |
| Intimidation | 25/100 | Apprentice |
| Teaching | 15/100 | Novice |
| Torture | 10/100 | Novice |
