That final campaign was the worst he'd ever seen and may have included some things which we won't be talking about here until they have had a chance to come up in play.
Originally from Little Achington, out in the fens, he had saved up his wages to buy himself a small plot of farmland and a home to retire to, back in his old village. Everything had been paid for and the deeds signed before he mustered out, so it was a grave disappointment when he finished his long journey home to find not only his house but also the entire village missing. Even the field where he had hoped to farm was stripped, as though the topsoil itself had been spirited away, leaving an infertile waste.
Since then he has been taking whatever work comes his way to make ends meet, hoping to come up with a plan that will let him recover the last two decade's worth of savings that have been wiped out.
Still, as his old sergeant used to say, if you didn't have a sense of humour you shouldn't have signed up.
Selected Memeage (temporary answers in italics)
1. Who are you?
Abel will do. Most o' me employers don't even ask that much. A really bad day for you.
2. How old are you?
Forty three if I've counted right. Right now, I'm the last three minutes of your life unless you start talking.
3. Have you killed anyone?
More'n a few. Two so far tonight. One more real soon if you don't tell me where Gregory is.
4. What's your favorite food?
When you've seriously considered eating your own boots you learn not to be picky. Favourite'd be a hot stew where the meat is fresh enough not to need too many spices. Stake.
5. Have any secrets?
Sometimes I forget things. Mebbe I'm keepin' secrets from meself. No. The bodies are all pretty much in the open. Look, Guiseppe's head is right there on the bridge. Now it's your turn- where is your boss drinking tonight?
6. Do you love anyone?
Who doesn't? Family are long gone and far off now though and ain't never had time for one of me own. Once someone's a mate, they're family. No-one fucks with my family. What was that word you used? Capiche?
7. What is your job?
Mostly down the docks, or a bit of farming at harvest time. Right now I'm doing some odd-jobs around the Light College and some cash in hand work for the Guild. Right now, rescuin'. After that, revenge.
8. Boy of girl?
King's Legion made a man of me mate- been a long time since anyone called me 'boy' and walked away with all their teeth. He's a male kender, little taller than me, curly black hair. Talks too much and too fast. And if'n you've hurt 'im, I'll nail your feet to your hands and throw you in the river. Memory getting clearer yet, or shall I get the hammer out?
9. What do you do to relax?
Drink. Sometimes I go out to the where the village used to be and wonder what life might have been like if only I'd come home sooner. Wash the blood off.
10. There's a person who's teasing you; what could you do?
Friends can take the piss- it's what they do and I'll laugh right along with 'em. It ain't a good idea to make me proper angry though- not since Caledonia. You didn't want to do that son.
11. What do you regret most in life?
I regret not being there for my family when they were taken. I regret not being able to save the lads in my company when the Moray came. I regret being tough enough to keep meself alive but not strong enough to save the others. I regret looking into that effing lunatic's eyes when I stuck me sword in his guts. Take your pick. Right now, I'm regretting not grabbing that bastard Antonio and makin' him bleed till 'e talked. Still, since I can't find him right now, you'll have to do.
12. What do you fear?
Dreams. When I'm awake I can tell meself there ain't nothing wrong, but when I'm asleep I can feel whatever it is inside me. That me partner'll be dead before one of you bastards has the sense to talk.
13. How do you look different to your player?
Bigger, stronger and vastly more scarred.
14. What is your home like?
A small room above a workshop in the Docks district. Some wooden furniture that's seen better days but carefully repaired, although not elegantly, and a bed that isn't quite long enough. Clean though, with the rushes changed regularly and the windows opened to let the air in, even on cold days. Not much sign of any fear of being robbed- possibly because there's nothing much worth stealing. Tucked away is an old and much-darned uniform of the King's Legion.
15. What are you proudest of?
Ain't got much to be proud of. Still alive when plenty ain't, but that's no boast. Pour me another downstream.
16. Under what circumstances is it justifiable to resort to violence?
If you make a threat, you've got to be ready to follow it up. Some folks need to understand that when I tell 'em to do something, I ain't askin'. Someone kidnapping my friend and torturin' him' do the trick. Now, pass me another nail, this kneecap is just about done.
17. What would you kill for? What would you die for?
I'm retired from that business now- killin' for causes is a young blokes' game. Hurt one of me friends and all I can promise is that I'll try'n make it quick. What would I die for? What've you got?
18. What would you refuse to do under any circumstances? Why?
You don't turn on your own, no matter what they offer. And some insults you can't let slide. When your name is all you've got left, you got to take care of it or you ain't nothin' at all.
19. What do you dream about?
Hunting. Blood. Beasts. Men with the faces of other men. Becoming one of them.
20. What is your fondest memory?
Day I left, 26 year ago now. Back then I thought I'd got it all figured out. Stupid young bastard I was.
21. What is your worst memory?
Up in the highlands, facin' those tribesmen day after day, seemin' like the killin'd never stop. Then seein' them blood soaked madmen they sent up against us when no-one else could finish the job. See 'em every night, cuttin' down me company and screamin', howlin' while they did it. Bitin' into them with their teeth like a pack o' bloody wolves whenever a man went down. Ain't a day goes by when I don't remember that fight. Ain't a day goes by when I don't wonder how it ended.
22. What or who was your most significant influence? Expound.
Me cousin became a priest when I became a soldier. Him and me used to argue all the time, but don't mean I didn't love the git. Guess we each had to march our own way.
23. What do you believe makes a successful life?
Knowing that the ones you love are safe. Having enough coin to keep your bellies full and a roof over your head. Having a future.
24. What makes you laugh?
Seeing stuck-up or arrogant buggers look stupid always makes me smile. Nothing better than when some boasting prick with a sword learns they aren't as great as they think they are, or they can't get out of everything 'cause their purse's full.
25. What are your religious views?
Don't bother the gods and with luck they won't bother you.
26. What is your greatest strength?
I don't quit easy.
27. Do you have a fatal flaw? If so, what is it?
I ain't made for backin' down and sometimes me temper gets the better o' me.
28. Who is the most important person in your life?
Guess that'd be Imayn. Crazy lass has got more power in her casting hand than I'll ever understand, but I still feel I ought to protect her like me own kin. Wish I'd had a daughter like her.
29. How would you describe yourself?
A dock worker or labourer, sometimes a farmer. Someone you shouldn't have pissed off.
30. How would others describe you?
Some drunk bastard. Oaf with a sword. That idiot just started a gang war.