BEROLD is the son of OTGER – a despicable man who, notably, lost his family’s farm in a drunken game of cards – and of SYNNE, the sister of TED THE HUNTER. His childhood was marred by poverty and, unfortunately, by his father’s violence against himself and his mother – abuse that was always kept secret for fear that Other should lose his employment.
Berold was a shy and reserved boy. A stutterer, he quickly became the target of PIM and his band of bullies; and he would have long suffered their torment were it not for his size and strength. He learned to fight back, and they soon enough left him alone. But from then on, he was ever isolated and lonely. He found refuge in the woods at the side of his uncle who took him under his wing and taught him how to hunt.
When, as a teenager, he fell in love with GWEN, the prettiest girl in the village, he found himself torn between self-doubt and hope. He had a gentle and kind heart who wanted only to love and be loved; but, on account of his speech impediment and his uncouth and less-than-handsome appearance, he was convinced that he could never be worthy. When the local bullies noticed his lovelorn looks, their teasing became merciless. Berold became melancholic and pessimistic and, more than ever, kept to himself.
Berold resigned himself to his miserable existence. He secretly dreamed of a simple, domestic life with Gwen, but he was certain that he would never be so lucky.
Having inheriting nothing of his father’s temper, Berold is a calm and gentle giant who usually stands at the back of the hall where no one will notice him. The young man is honest, honourable, and thoughtful. But most think him to be nothing more than a dumb and mute brute. Impossibly timid and withdrawn, a stutterer and a mumbler, he is hard-pressed to say anything at all; but he has the heart of a lion, bold and fearless. He is a hard worker and a fine hunter who well knows his way in the woods.
Character objectives:
1. a simple life with Gwen, which implies to conquer his fears and ideally his speech impediment, to reveal his secret to her, and to be worthy of her love
2. to protect his mother from his father’s abuse
Player objectives:
1. to become respected and influential in the village
2. contradictorily, to become a Horizon Walker
Secret: Berold is, in fact, the son of an incestuous relationship between his mother and her brother, her uncle(!).
NOTES:
I have pointed to non-player characters in CAPS.
His personal secret is in itallics.
The short description of the character is in bold.
