Magnus Faust

Bard and horseman from the Barony of Rotbrueck. Business representative for Sir Philip Parsons.

Description

Magnus Faust

Clean-shaven, dark-brown hair and brown eyes. Always wears a cloak, which he often opens theatrically when entering a room. Known for his near-constant storytelling and compulsion to gamble and carouse all-hours. While he does not have the reputation of a fighter, he is known among townsmen for being slow to anger but swift to end an argument.

Age: 23 years old

Height: 1.77 m

Weight: 68 kg

Biography

Magnus was given his flashy name by his father, a soldier who reveled in the glory of the past. His father also took Magnus for long walks in the woods while telling stories of hsitory and war, instilling in the boy both a deep reverence for nature and a love of good stories. At night his mother would tell him tales of kings and royalty, giving the boy a sense of fantasy to accompany his history.

When his mother died, ten-year old Magnus was apprenticed to the estate of Sir Philip Parsons. As he does with many of his charges, Sir Philip provided tutoring and other education for the boy, but Magnus was a bit too much of a daydreamer for rigorous studied. He did show a talent with animals, particularly horses, and at the age of fourteen was formally apprenticed to the chief groomsman of the Parsons estate. He worked several hours a day with horses but continued his studies under Sir Philip (though at a considerably different pace than other students). Magnus has not heard from his biological father in over thirteen years, and believes the old soldier to be dead. He considers the groomsman Jakob Faust to be his father and shows the man the loyalty and respect any son would toward a father.

At the age of twenty Magnus was released from his apprenticeship and allowed to decide his future for himself. He elected to remain with the Parsons estate and became one of Sir Philip's business representatives, primarily dealing in horses and other livestock but also handling other matters as Sir Philip decides. He also honed his talents at acting and storytelling by performing for some of the local families, as well as for the patrons of various taverns. He is known about town as a man fond of drink and women, with some skill at the card table. His near-constant storytelling has earned him the nickname "Silvertongue," though only his best chums dare call him this to his face as it could be considered an insult.

Since his childhood Magnus has shown considerable interest in legends and myths, particularly those concerning dragons. This interest was of course inspired by his parents' stories, but during his studies with Sir Philip he would devour every bit of information he could discover. It was, in fact, this curiosity that drove Magnus' studies more than anything else. This eccentricity is dismissed by most as the trait of a storyteller, but his closest companions know that Magnus truly believes dragons once existed (unlike most people, who believe them to be a myth, or at best an exaggerated description of actual beasts).

Around town, Magnus is reputed to have a gift with nature, which some ascribe to magic. Others say he is simply knowledgeable due to his studies and the amount of time he spends alone in the woods. His storytelling and bardic skills are widely known, and he makes a good living entertaining noblemen and townspeople alike.

Notable Talents

Acting, Animal Handling (Equines), Broadsword, Diplomacy, Expert Skill (Bardic Lore), Knife, Knot-Tying, Lasso, Literature, Merchant, Performance, Poetry, Public Speaking (Storytelling), Riding (Equines), Savoir-Faire (High Society), Streetwise, Whip