In Memoriam

Yanick, Samson's Late Page

Characteristics: Intelligence -1, Perception -1, Presence 0, Communication 1, Strength 1, Stamina 1, Dexterity 2, Quickness 2

Size: 0

Age: 14 [Born 1212- Died 1226]

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence Score: 1 (3)

Virtues & Flaws: Orphan (0), Puissant Animal Handling (+1), Learn Brawl from Mistakes (+1), Tough +1; Careless with Brawl (-1), Jinxed (-1), Raised in the Gutter (-1), Transvestite (-1)

Personality: Scrapper +3, Animal Kinship +2, “Oh, Bother” +1

Reputations: Samson's Page 1, Lovable Scamp 0 (2), Jinxed 0 (1), Honored Dead 1

Abilities: Animal Handling 3+2 (5) (Horses), Athletics 1 (Tumbling), Brawl 2 (Below the Belt), Charm 2 (1) (Maria), Gaelic 4 (4) (Bawdy Jokes), Guile 2 (Little White Lies), French 5 (Profanities), Latin 4 (19) (Telling Tall Tales), Legerdemain 1 (Pickpocket), Local Lore: Delvin 1 (Back Alleyways), Profession: Sailor 2 (6) (Navigator), Ride 2 (1) (Staying Ahorse), Stealth 2 (3) (Hide in Plain Sight)

Soak: 4 (Stamina + Tough)

Combat:

Punch: Initiative +2, Attack +4, Defense +4, Damage +1

Dagger: Initiative +2, Attack +6, Defense +4, Damage +4

Equipment: Modest Travel Clothing, Dagger

Background:

Born unto peasant squalor, Yanick Travers’ was a mischievous childhood. A native of Lyon, her love of a good brawl brought more than her fair share of run-ins with the local constabulary — much to the consternation of her parents. Starved for work and desperate, her parents decided to travel east, alongside a trade caravan departing for the Alps in 1217. By summer’s end, that decision, however, would see Yanick bereft of her parents. This cruel twist in fate earned her the reputation of jinx; a reputation that continues to this day, sadly.

Orphaned with little recourse availed to her, Yanick pretended she was a he, earning work as a stable hand in some town livery.

There, she would remain with her ruse until summer of 1219. That was when Rene came riding through that nameless hamlet. He said he was on a quest to gather those willing to serve in the Lord’s name. All Yanick saw, however, was a small ragtag band of criminals, most of whom – if rumor was to be believed – were scheduled for execution. Still, he and his presented a change in scenery at the least, and she had taken a liking to his steed.

She volunteered keeping to her guise close to her chest.

Theirs was a long road back to the Covenant of Icy North, however. Along that road several stops were made and more joined their cause. In that time, Rene saw through the misdirection. Pulling her aside, the two shared words on the matter. She spoke the truth of her deception, and went on to admit that she had been a boy so long she knew not how to be anything less.

At hearing her unspoken plea, Rene bowed his head and vowed to protect her secret until his last. In exchange, Yanick would serve him as page and, when he was of age, squire.

Death:

Yanick Travers' life came to a sudden end at the Burren as part of his master's hoplite expedition in spring 1226. At Rene's instruction, the page gave his life protecting his charge, Azzo Carducci, the "Profound Doctor." He was buried in a crypt of his master's making inside the Tower of Flame's lowermost basement.

Advancement:

1220: Spring -- 23 Teaching XP in Latin; Summer -- 8 Immersion XP in Gaelic; Autumn -- 23 Teaching XP in Latin; Winter -- 5 Adventure XP in Athletics, 1 Adventure XP in Ride.

1221: Spring -- 23 Teaching XP in Latin; Summer -- 8 Immersion XP in Gaelic; Autumn -- 8 Immersion XP in Gaelic, Winter -- 5 Adventure XP in Legerdemain, 1 Adventure XP in Local Lore: Delvin.

1222: Spring -- 8 Immersion XP in Gaelic; Summer -- 8 Immersion XP in Gaelic; Autumn -- 4 Practice XP in Local Lore: Delvin; Winter -- 4 Practice XP in Charm.

1223: Spring -- 4 Practice XP in Charm; Summer -- 5 Training XP in Animal Handling; Autumn -- 10 Teaching XP in English; Winter -- 10 Teaching XP in English.

1224: Spring -- 11 Teaching XP in Navigation; Summer -- 11 Teaching XP in Navigation; Autumn -- 11 Teaching XP in Profession: Sailor; Winter -- 11 Teaching XP in Profession: Sailor.

1225: Spring -- 4 Practice XP in Charm; Summer -- 8 Immersion XP in Gaelic; Autumn -- 8 Immersion XP in Gaelic; Winter -- 4 Practice XP in Charm.

Reputations:

"Samson's Page": Yanick was awarded this reputation in Winter 1219 when he presented as such before the Greater Alps Tribunal by Rene's then master, Hugh of House Flambaeu.

"Lovable Scamp": Thanks to Yanick's proclivities of sneaking off while no one is looking -- not to mention hiding a magical creature in his master's sanctum for close to a year -- has earned him this reputation.

"Jinxed": Yanick sustained a concussion -- by friendly fire, no less -- in Winter 1220 when Cor Draconis was attacked by spiders. With no other injuries reported that day, Yanick has earned the reputation of Jinxed.

Redwing, a Hawk of Virtue & Samson's Late Familiar

Background:

Redwing was a Hawk of Virtue given to Samson by his parens, Hugh of Flambeau, to be a familiar. Redwing was aggressive and a fighter; he was constantly on the lookout for prey, and would eagerly take on enemies many times his own size. He never thought twice about attacking armed men. He never tired and did not sleep; Redwing's magic meant that he could have flown to Constantinople and back without resting, if he wished. He also made an excellent sentry.

Importantly, Redwing was not intelligent and could not speak. He have a tendency to become very depressed when he was indoors and was prone to weakening if he was kept away from the sky for long periods of time.

Summer 1227:

Redwing made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life for his one True Friend's.

Samson was trying to outrace Sir Erwin when the better horseman caught up to him, throwing him off his stead, Pie. Dismounted and on his back, Redwing purchased his master precious seconds to regain his footing by attacking the armed knight; however, the cost was his life as Sir Erwin pierced his heart, severing the cords binding him and his master.

Shortly thereafter a heartbroken Samson held private service for his familiar, including Sander, Cernunnos, and Polumeta, wherein he cremated Redwing's remains and committed the ashes to the wind, allowing him to fly one last time.

Of Redwing's plumage Samson kept three feathers for himself: One feather is framed and mounted in his son Robert's bedroom to help assuage him of his loss; the remaining two kept on Samson's memorial shrine in his sanctum within the Tower of Flame.

Of Redwing's pawn of vis Samson had it exchanged for £10 Mythic Pounds to cover the cost of his wedding ring.

Magic Might: 6 (Ignem)

Season: Summer

Characteristics: Intelligence 0, Perception +3, Presence +1, Communication 0, Strength -6, Stamina +2, Dexterity +1, Quickness +6

Size: -3

Confidence: 1 (2) (swooping attack only)

Virtues & Flaws: Magic Animal (0); Essential Virtue: Hunter +3 (+1), Ferocity (swooping attack) (+1), Keen Vision (+1), True Friend: Samson (0); Anchored to the Sky (-1), Fragile Constitution (-1), Overconfidence: Minor (-1)

Qualities: Accomplished Flier, Extra Natural Weapons, Fast Flier, Keen Eyesight, Pursuit Predator

Magic Qualities: Tireless

Personality Traits: Fierce +3, Loyal to Samson +3

Reputations: None

Abilities: Animal Handling 1 (cattle), Athletics 6 (9) (swift flight), Awareness 5 (10) (spotting prey), Brawl 5 (talons), French 5, Hunt 6 (21) (game birds), Latin 5, Magic Theory 4 (Ignem), Stealth 5 (ambush), Survival 5 (cold climates)

Combat:

Talons Init +5, Atk +10, Defense +16, Dmg -4

Beak Init +6, Atk +10, Defense +13, Dmg -5

Soak: +4

Fatigue Levels: Redwing is Tireless and does not spend Fatigue; he can spend a Confidence point to exert himself, instead of using Fatigue

Wound Penalties: -1 (1-2), -3 (3-4), -5 (5-6), Incapacitated (7-8), Dead (9+)

Powers:

• • Aura of Ennobled Presence: The target appears more forceful, authoritative, and believable. Numerous subtle changes in appearance bring about this change, including a slight supernatural illumination of the face, a more erect posture, and a louder and smoother voice. The character gets a +3 on rolls to influence, lead, or convince others.

  • Aura of Fire: Wreath the familiar in flames, which do not burn her but do burn anything that comes within them. This is creating flame in an unnatural shape, so the fire does damage equal to its level. The Arts are Creo Ignem, with a Rego requisite. +5 levels to raise the duration to Diameter, +5 levels for range Touch, +5 for the Rego requisite, and +10 for unlimited uses. Final level is damage +25.

Vis: 1 pawn in his wings

Appearance: Redwing is a gyrfalcon with a wingspan of four feet. He has a short, hooked beak and dark eyes. His plumage is reddish-brown with a banded pattern.

Customization Notes: Redwing adds +3 to rolls involving speed while flying, +6 to all rolls involving eyesight, and +3 when hunting. When making a swooping attack, he can spend Confidence.

Advancement:

1222 Autumn -- Bound to Samson w/ Creo Ignem Lab Total of 35: Gold Cord 0, Silver Cord +1, Bronze Cord +3, 2 Exposure XP in Hunt; Winter -- 5 Adventure XP in Awareness, 1 Adventure XP in Stealth.

1223 Spring -- 5 Adventure XP in Stealth; 1 Adventure XP in Awareness; Summer -- 2 Exposure XP in Hunt; Autumn -- 4 Practice XP in Stealth; Winter -- 4 Practice XP in Hunt.

1224 Spring -- 4 Practice XP in Stealth; Summer -- 2 Exposure XP in Hunt; Autumn -- 4 Practice XP in Hunt; Winter -- 4 Practice XP in Athletics.

1225 Spring -- 12 Study XP in Magic Theory; Summer -- 12 Study XP in Magic Theory; Autumn -- 12 Study XP in Magic Theory; Winter -- 2 Exposure XP in Magic Theory.

1226 Spring -- 12 Study XP in Magic Theory; Summer -- 5 Adventure XP in Animal Handling, 5 Adventure XP in Athletics; Autumn -- 4 Adventure XP in Hunt & 4 Adventure XP in Stealth; Winter -- 4 Practice XP in Stealth.

1227 Spring -- 5 Adventure XP in Hunt, 3 Adventure XP in Stealth.