Sir Anselm Von Justingen

Anselm is a potential PC companion. In order to give any player maximum freedom, his characteristics, virtues, flaws and abilities are largely left undescribed.

My source for Anselm is the children's book, "Historic Boys," by E.S. Brooks, which was published in 1885. It has a chapter dramatizing the story of Frederick's journey across the Alps and, in that story, Anselm is Frederick's ever-reliable right hand man. You can read it for yourself here. Anselm is a historical figure; in real history, Frederick appointed him Marshal but took the post away when, years later, Anselm sided with Frederick's rebellious son Henry. He died in 1236.

Sir Anselm is a knight of Swabia already in his middle age in 1212. He has a dour, serious demeanor and was notable for his fanatical devotion to King Frederick. However, thanks to an encounter with a demon in the Alps, Anselm's bond with Frederick is severed and he could find himself almost anywhere. Physically, he was notable for his impressive handlebar mustache.

The first record we have of Sir Anselm was when, in 1211, he was chosen by the German electors to bring word to Frederick of Sicily that he had been offered the German crown. This was a mission of enormous import and no small amount of danger, since Emperor Otto was already King of Germany and the electors were all rebels against his rule. Anselm managed to cross the Alps, descend into Italy, and reach Sicily by boat, whereupon he met Frederick and told him of his destiny.

Frederick would not depart for Germany until the following year. By August of 1212 he, Anselm, and a troop of about twenty Sicilian knights were about to cross the Brenner Pass into the Alps when they met Nicholas of Cologne, the Alpine Apprentices, and thousands of pueri, Nicholas's followers. They learned that Swabian mercenaries hired by Otto were searching the pass for Frederick. They could not go that way.

Anselm argued for a hard and fast ride west to Chur, where the bishop could provide help to Frederick and get him north to Constance. But Frederick decided instead to bargain with the apprentices for magical aid. Refusing to be parted with the king despite his better judgment, Anselm accompanied Frederick north to the Werfen Ice Caves, where the entire group was attacked by a Lucifuge demon.

A Lucifuge thrives on secrets which it steals from mortals. It offered to let Frederick and the a apprentices go free if they "paid the price." Frederick offered to help pay this price but Anselm insisted on taking the King's place; accordingly, the demon stole Anselm's dedication to Frederick. Both men survived, but Sir Anselm would no longer be Frederick's most loyal companion and follower.

The two quarreled over the days that followed, as they traveled with the apprentices to Valnastium. Anselm did not trust the wizards and their demons. He was entertained and feasted at Valnastium but woke up in Constance with only a dream-like memory of the entire night. Presumably, he brought Frederick to Frankfurt and then Mainz where, in December of 1212, he was crowned King of Germany.

Sir Anselm's whereabouts and activities after that are unknown.

As A Companion: While Anselm may at first seem a poor choice for a Companion because of his initial distrust of magi and his relatively advanced age, the first of these can be addressed by the player and the second is not without its advantages. Yes, Anselm was skeptical of magi and had a bad experience with them. On the other hand, he may have realized what he lost to the demon and come to magi seeking to have his mind restored. Perhaps he has been seeking out the fabled Valley of the Magicians. If he found Valnastium, or was rescued by the magi there before dying in the Alpine snows, his attitude towards wizards may have changed.

As to his age, Anselm was at least 35 in 1212 and so, by 1220, he could be no younger than 43. However, his age, coupled with his Wealth, gives him an astonishing number of Experience Points. (760, at 20 XP per year for 38 years.) His good standard of living means that he may not be suffering all that much from age at the start of play, and Longevity Potions are not that difficult to obtain for magi willing to spend vis.

Besides his fighting skills, Anselm would make an excellent Turb Captain, Autocrat, or Noble Figurehead. He might have Teaching and be able to instruct the Grogs and custos in Martial Skills. He might have the Leadership and administrative skills to run the covenant's finances or castle, and his noble title means that he could act as the magi's agent when dealing with mundane lords. English nobles tend to get alarmed when magicians have a castle, but if that castle is held by a German knight who, in turn, has sworn fealty to someone, that's far more acceptable.

Virtues and Flaws: Knight; Wealthy

Abilities: German, Great Weapon, Hunt, Ride, Single Weapon, Survival