Five background and concept elements important to Barnabus
1) Barnabus is the eldest son of a very old, very small, but reasonably prosperous noble family. Trait: Lesser NobleAs the eldest, he was groomed to take over the family accounts and estates. Part of that included a formal education administered by the church of Mitra. He has two younger brothers, the elder, Tobias, is a knight of the realm and the younger, Oberon, has joined the church of Mitra, as most third sons do. He also has a younger sister, who recently made her first appearance at court in search of suitors.
2) When he reached the age of majority, his father let him in on the secret of the family’s relative success; most of their revenue was generated through smuggling and the trafficking of slaves. Though initially appalled, he came to accept it, since, as he father was quick to point out, without the gold coming in from these illicit activities, the family would quickly become destitute. When his father passed from a sudden illness, he smoothly took over the family accounts.
3) While not frail, Barnabus has a smaller frame than his more physical brothers and his forced focus on becoming the manager of the family estates left little time for the studying the more martial arts. His constant dealings with the shadier elements of society has led him develop the skill sets necessary to navigate in those circles always taking care to keep is identity as a noble as hidden as possible. Class: Rogue (charletan) He likes to think that he is a smooth operator, but as grubby as he tries to come across, his refined upbringing often shows through.
4) Recently, Barnabus found himself confronted at court by Tobias and a score of other knights of the realm denouncing him as a slaver. They had the proof to back up the claim and Barnabus was quickly stripped of lands and titles, all of which were then awarded to Tobias. Trait: Slave Trading
5) The fact that he is being punished for a situation that was not of his choosing and that was thrust upon him, has left Barnabus understandably bitter. Though as the date of his execution approaches, he can’t help but feel a like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders. Juggling the lies, cooking the books and the constant hidden dealing were taking their toll on him and he hasn’t felt this relaxed in years, too bad it’ll all be over soon.
Goals:
PC goals
Short term: Get his hands of some of the coin he has stashed away in various hidden businesses and other accounts.
Long term: Find out who is behind his downfall. He (rightly) believes that Tobias is entirely too dim witted to have unraveled the whole operation and that there must have been someone in the know pulling the strings from the shadows.
Player goals
I would like to see Barnabus work his revenge from the shadows, perhaps under a false identity, sort of a Count of Monte Cristo type thing. Perhaps Barnabus isn’t even his real name. While revenge is his major motivator, I don’t see him actually wanting to reclaim his title and lands. They are poor and impoverished and not really something worth fighting for, he can do better. So while he might not be initially motivated to overthrow the Monarchy, the opportunity for wealth and power that would come along with getting in on the ground floor would definitely appeal to him.
Secrets, shhhhhh
Known: More paranoid than his father, to keep the source of the income secret, Barnabus falsified the account books to make it seem that the tax income coming in is higher than it actually is. He did this while keeping most of the money that had been coming through the illicit activities hidden in various caches on the estate ground and in accounts in several front businesses. Without access to those funds and the income from the smuggling and slaving, the family will quickly go bankrupt.
Unknown: Tobias is hugely in debt to some of the shady characters involved in the family's illicit dealings. They are the real architects behind Barnabus’ downfall. They hope that with their hold on Tobias and the removal of Barnabus from the equation, they will be able to take over the operation completely, all the while maintaining the perfect patsy in case anyone legitimately discovers their activities.
Contacts:
1) Tobias: Younger brother of Barnabus. Neutral to Favorable towards Barnabus. He feels guilty about selling out his brother, since he had suspected the family’s shady dealing since before their father died. Might seek aid in getting out from his debt or help with the finances.
2) Madam Armitage: Favorable towards Barnabus. She is face of all the front businesses that Barnabus set up to hide and launder the money, mostly brothels tanneries and the like. All the sort of businesses that exist at the fringe of respectable society. He’s made her a wealthy woman and she considers him a friend.
3) Oberon: Youngest brother of Barnabus. Hostile to Barnabus. Naïve and sheltered, he had no idea that his family’s dealings were anything less than exemplary in the eyes of the crown and under the light of Mitra. As such, he sees Barnabus as a blight on the kingdom and a dishonor to his name. When he finds out that Barnabus has escaped, he will marshal any resources he can to aid in his re-capture and just execution.
Memories, mannerisms, or quirks:
1) He fondly remembers the few times that his father had taken him and his brothers out riding or falconing.
2) He absent-mindedly hums tavern songs when he is concentrating.
3) He has a twitch above his right eye that presents itself when he is trying to remain calm or trying to be patient with someone who is being obtuse.
4) He know the value to money and as such, is very cheap.
