There is always a man at the head of Stapleford manor, but he should not be confused with the actual power held there. Stapleford is a matriarchy, or has been for the past four generations, its women possessing sharp tongues, sharper steel, and still sharper wits in the common wisdom. Gideon de Stapleford was born to this raucous family as the son of Barrett and Chantal in the summer of 492, with twin sisters following in the ensuing year. His grandfather was Baldwin, and perhaps more relevantly his grandmother the Lady Dulcibella, who retains an iron grip on her various progeny despite her advanced age. Barrett was poisoned at the Infamous Feast that claimed the life of Uther Pendragon, so Gideon barely knew him, though most accounts portrayed him as a bit of a boor and without tact.
Stapleford Lady Rule of Conduct 1: Be sparse with praise for your husbands and brothers, lest God decide they are worthy of Heaven.
With the passage of his father, Gideon grew up in a household that was suspiciously sparse of uncles. What he did have was his grandmother and his three aunts: Esmene, Iona, and Diana. Of these, only the eldest had remained married. The others had managed to go through no less than three husbands, though each blessed Gideon with a vast horde of cousins to play with, though the majority were girls and thus likely to also become Stapleford women. It was a world where whispers were weapons, where a woman was just as likely to hold steel as embroidery, and exhortations towards chivalry were often tempered with folk wisdom and brutal pragmatism.
Stapleford Knight Rule of Conduct 6: Never speak more than one word to your Lord’s six.
It was not a household without love, but it was often veiled in the harsh expectation of being Barrett’s heir. His grandmother and his mother impressed upon him the importance of information, to be observant and the constant interchange of favors that lay beneath the surface of Staplefords alleged chaos.Chantal and Dulcibella decided to squire him to his uncle Gore, a softspoken man of the wilds whom many claimed to be more beast than man, camping outside of Stapleford for nine months out of the year, returning during the winter months. These periods of solitude were occasionally interrupted by visits from his aunt Diana (Gore’s wife), who would occasionally join them on their hunts. Gore would have Gideon accompany him to the battles of Netley Marsh and Bedegraine, serving competently if without distinction. This lifestyle toughened him greatly, creating a sturdy, strong young man of few words and a cunning ear for bath man and beast, though it would delay his knighting by a year.
In typical Stapleford fashion, the aunts responded to his soon to be knighthood by pelting him with cabbage and suggesting he was slow in the head for having taken so long.
Stapleford Knight Rule of Conduct 9: Accomplish many great deeds and at a great distance from those who love you.
He's solid, certainly, a bit shorter than average height but with the broadness of frame to not suffer overly much from it. Dirty blonde hair is shorn on both sides, the bulk of it brought up into an upward sweeping crest, his eyes a deep pale blue. Both features are set above a nose that looks to have been broken at least once and never set completely right. His strong jaw is heavily stubbled, set above a bullish neck and barrel chest. His limbs are nearly thick as oaks and quite long, as it to offset the lack of height that nature has given.
When unarmored he wears a forest green tunic and a black cloak. There is a single iron ring on his left ring finger, bearing a simple inscription, translated from the Latin "Death knows no fear". His boots are slightly heavier than the usual make, and woolen trousers.
TRAITS
13
- Chaste
|
Lustful -
7
13
- Merciful
|
Cruel -
7
10
- Energetic
|
Lazy -
10
16
- Modest
|
Proud -
4
13
- Forgiving
|
Vengeful -
7
10
- Pious
|
Worldly -
10
10
- Generous
|
Selfish -
10
10
- Prudent
|
Reckless -
10
10
- Honest
|
Deceitful -
10
13
- Temperate
|
Indulgent -
7
10
- Just
|
Arbitrary -
10
10
- Trusting
|
Suspicious -
10
15
- Valorous
|
Cowardly -
5
ATTRIBUTES
Size:
16
Dexterity:
10
Strength:
14
Constitution:
13
Appearance:
10
Damage:
5
HR:
3
MR:
2
THP:
29
Unconscious:
7
SKILLS
Awareness:
10
Boating:
1
Compose:
1
Courtesy:
6
Craft:
{$craft}
Dancing:
2
Faerie Lore:
1
Falconry:
3
First Aid:
10
Flirting:
3
Folklore:
5
Gaming:
3
Heraldry:
10
Hunting:
12
Intrigue:
15
Orate:
3
Profession:
{$profession}
Play:
3
Read:
{$read}
Recognize:
8
Religion:
2
Romance:
2
Singing:
2
Stewardship:
2
Swimming:
2
Tourney:
2
COMBAT
Battle: 15
Siege: {$siege}
Horsemanship: 10
Sword: 10
Lance: 10
Spear: 15
Dagger: 5
Bow: {$bow}
Axe: {$axe}
Famous TraitModest — Gideon began to reckon from a young age that lying was bad. There were too many chances for a mistake, too many things to remember. By simply understating his actions and passing on credit to others he was able to gain a kind of invisibility among his peers, and muted tone of dress and conservative speech have allowed him to slip amongst those who might otherwise object at the presence of a knight. Deeds that must be done regardless of the glory or honor in them can be downplayed by simply letting someone else take the credit.
Fae-Statured — Gideon's lack of height has been a topic of amusement and fascination for pagan women in a manner he only understands on the most superficial of levels. Apparently he is short, drinks a great deal of milk, and does occasionally crave a dab of honey…this does not make him some pixie from under the Earth. Certainly though he stands only at the neck of most men, his limbs are solid and of such a length that he exceeds the reach of many of his peers. And yet the jests still seem to write themselves.
Court of Shadows — Gideon prefers the dark and ancient places of Brittania, the hidden paths of forest and glen and the seconds between whispers when he must be at court. A hunter in the shadows and a keeper of secrets, his mien seems to call to the sort of person who has not care for the code of chivalry or in some cases even common decency. Certainly leading a manor of serpents and widows does lead to a certain temperament and a subset of skills that the bards may condemn but a ruler may find himself in need of…
Soundtrack
"Death holds no fear, and neither shall a Stapleford."
"Even a serpent knows rage and frustration."
"Shadows and whispers have always been my language of choice. Drizzle a bit of useful advice or honeyed compliment if you must, but know that truth is something that must be strained to be heard…and is all the more beautiful for it."
Surprise your enemy as you would the beast in the thicket. If he cannot turn fast enough, he was not worth the risk of a fair fight.
A Garden of Shadow and Blood
A legion of shadow and deceit, collectors of bones and knives in the dark. Beautiful, terrible, ever aware of just how little time we have and racing towards immortality. But still, so much to do first, so much to do…
Adwen De Stapleford
My cousin. Exceedingly formidable like her mother. Fortunately her sense of money and her skill with a blade are nearly as sharp as her tongue.
Claire De Stapleford
Better with a sword than I am, keeps our faith and our traditions. A little too aware of just what our aunts and grandmother expect of us.
Melusine De Stapleford
Whispers to all of God's creatures so I don't have to. Wise and practical as her forebears but a thousand lifetimes of tending to skinned knees and supervising the household has gentled the suspected homicidal tendencies oft alleged to the Stapleford woman. Not to be crossed, will be difficult to part with.
Creatures of Sublime and Terrible Excess
Scholars and savages both. To be handled gently…placate the ladies with bits of lore, and make sure they do not guard our flanks or our back.
Catryn De Burcombe
Potential asset, but of limited versatility…superb when a nail must be hammered down, but dangerous when a needle is to be threaded.
Eirian de Burcombe
Fascinating conversationalist, but all the more dangerous for it.
Morag De Burcombe
She speaks of the tolerance of the Pagan faith and wonders at our traditions. I wonder if she knows the truth: the Old Gods are there, simply newly dressed and reordered. Or perhaps that the "White God" is simply more amicable to our traditions and to our charge. For such light must cast an equally dark and terrible shadow…
Aeron De Berwick St. James
Solid fighter, good head in a crisis at least so far as I have seen. Owe him for the Saxon.
