Roland Bluethorn
Jami
Age: 40 (m04/d02)
Position: Weaponsmaster
Gift(s): Strong Fetching, Limited Mindspeech
Appearance: Roland is a rather square fellow, with broad shoulders and hips that
make him rather formidable. His square jaw and heavy brow only seem to
emphasize that formidability. He has dark brown hair that's just a shade above
black, and is often mistaken as black when indoors or out at night.
His eyes, dark green, are very keen, though some might argue that this is
because he's grown accustomed to knowing everything that went on in the salle.
Standing at the equivalent of approximately 6'2", he's not overly tall, though
never short by any means. His hands are large and calloused, and his physique
resembles something that most women would fawn over - if he ever let them see
beneath his Whites.
He has a few scars on his hands and arms, distinguishing him from others in that
he uses live steel on a regular basis, and while none of his wounds were
acquired in battle, he has the look of someone who's seen his share of war.
Personality: A hard man, though fair, Roland is sometimes talked about in
whispers amongst the Trainees in the Collegium. He's widely known for his
innovative ways of thinking, and his application of daily tasks to weaponry.
While teaching, he is a stern taskmaster and will accept nothing less than
absolute obedience, but outside of class he is a little more forgiving.
He has a close bond with his Companion, though they are seldom seen together
since Roland's work keeps him indoors most of the day, and amongst his fellow
Heralds he can be quite comical if the mood arises.
However, he tends to keep quietly to himself, making trips into the Collegium
only when necessity calls for it. It does a lot to bolster his 'reputation,'
too, which is all to the good in his opinion.
Short Life Story: Roland grew up in a mining town in the hills, to a family of
middle classmen. Both his father and mother had the characteristically broad
shoulders that Roland sports, and in fact, most of his family did as well. They
were a stony people, quiet, hardworking and determined. His father, the foreman
of a team of miners, was hoping that some day his son would follow in the family
footsteps and become a miner himself.
Roland, however, had no desire to spend the rest of his life toiling away inside
the dark, damp ground, and drew out the 'initiation' as long as he could.
And then, almost six months after his thirteenth birthday, an incident with a
cave-in opened Roland's Gift. He'd managed to Fetch a very large boulder just
enough so that it missed most of the crew in its path.
Unfortunately it did not miss his father, who was paralyzed from the waist down
for the rest of his life. Roland's guilt never faded, despite constant thanks
from both of his parents for saving the man's life.
Shortly after the incident, he was Chosen by Aniya, who began her little speech
into his mind with, :Sorry I was late.:
Companion: Aniya, mare
Description: Aniya thinks much like her Chosen, in that she's very practical,
expects rules to be followed, and has a strong sense of loyalty to friends and
fellow Heralds.
She is rather sturdily built for a Companion mare, and has to be in order to
carry Roland, who is by no means a small man. Were she a common horse, she'd
resemble a Lusitano or Andalusian, with a thick neck, stout body, and strong
legs.
Like her Chosen, she is quiet, though when she does have something to say, it is
usually very powerful. When she Speaks, Roland makes sure to listen.
Family:
Thomas Bluethorn -- Roland's father, now deceased.
Arin Bluethorn -- Roland's mother and only living parent, stubborn and often
times outspoken.
Stone Bluethorn -- Aptly-named younger brother who took up the family business
after their father died.