Within the swirling Mist (IC) > Biographies
Falcon Lost - Otto Weiss
Salty_Soykaf:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Age: 31
Origins: Falkovnia
Occupation: Actor for Theatre de la Cathedrale, mercenary
Distinguished traits: Zwifalk brand on forehead, ring and pinky finger missing on left hand, large bite scar on left bicep.
Tattoos: Zwifalk tattoos on his collar bones. Death tarokka card, and three flur-di-lis on left shoulder
Born to a commoner family in Weissfalkund region of Falkovia, several miles north of Lektar. The horrors of Falkovnia are well known to the outside world, but for those who've lived with it, it was merely the way of life. Born as the eighth son out of twelve children, Otto witness the deaths of five of his siblings. Each of them dying from various physical trauma, disease, or lost to the woods. Majority of his childhood was spent learning his father's trade as a bargeman running cargo from the Lamordia boarder to Morfenzi.
Eventually, through cunning, backstabbing, and outright brutality towards fellow serfs, his father earned the right to become a military commissioned merchant. This offered an easier life for the whole family, allowing them to live a life of luxury compared to the usual Falkovnian commoner. The family soon moved to Aerie in order to take over the management and sales of a few craftsmen residing within the city.
Due to the city of Aerie and his family's new ranking in life, Otto earned a reputation as a spoiled teen. Often he'd cause trouble with the local citizen at times, particularly the tradesmen of his father's rivals. While as a young boy, his father tolerated and was downright amused by these actions, but as the years passed, such actions had to be paid for due to disrupting trade. His father personally flogged him outside their home for twenty lashes, leaving him passed out and bloodied, exposed to the elements for a few hours.
When he came to and entered his home, his youngest sister met him. She wasn't spared from a beating to curb his ire. The next day, his father informed him of an ultimatum. Leave for the Academy in Stangengrad or be conscripted directly into the army. Otto, of course, picked the former. His time in Stangengrad was met with an average performance, drinking, and the loss of his pinky and ring finger due to a game of pinfinger. When his time was up, the Academy sent him to serve in Invidia as a Vistani hunter. Years went by and he received news of his father's passing, and that his youngest sister has taken over their father's role.
Weeks later, he arrived over the border of Barovia with nothing more than his family's merchant uniform, some gold, and rations.
Salty_Soykaf:
Salty_Soykaf:
Dear Diary,
I finally got over the boarder and settling in a town called Vallaki. I can find the time to write, for once. I would have been able to settle sooner if the Vistani were not, well, Vistani. Whatever ire I've gained from them due to my time hunting their ilk, I don't blame them in the slightest. The way I see it, orders were orders. It's funny having run into two other Falkovnians, both male, and both seem to be deserters. It amuses me due to their actions, I can tell they've got a good moral fiber about them. That's awful good of them to have a sense of righteousness and honor, but I'm not that foolish. [P.S. I owe one of them for not letting me die to a witch, I must deal with that favor before it costs me].
I will say it wasn't surprising to find that I've caused a stir in the local mountain town of Krofburg. Elves speaking Falkovnian with such passion, I felt it rather insulting. My presents has peaked someone's interest it turns out. I'm uncertain, as it could be any number of women at the Merriment, the Falk speaking Elf, or even my dear fráulien. Yet, I know the face of the man and his name. Joáchim. It seems he fears going back to Falkovnia, away from his little strudel of a Dementlieu woman. I, once again blame myself.
Here I come waltzing into town wearing my usual family coat, bearing the sigil of Vlad Drakov. Which, I still wear on occasion within the city or taverns. The roads are a different story, since my encounter with a witch swordsman. Joáchim did inform me of a rather interesting thing, which I could use to my advantage. Falkovnian Mercenaries have entered Port-a-Lucine to assist with law enforcement. If you think for a second that it's a mercenary company, then you're rather desperate. All them Falkovnians and not in service to the King? I'd sooner trust the Vistani to welcome me with opens arms. This does give me an idea to visit Dementeliu, that way my trail leads whomever may come after me to Port-a-Lucine. Which I will of course be in Barovia, while they go after a false lead.
Salty_Soykaf:
Dear Diary,
After countless caravans from Vallaki to Krofburg, I managed to make a modest sum. I discovered the Undead and beast-men roam these lands, and I couldn't hurt them, I shat my self. Literally, I am glad that I wear brown pants. Thanks to a shovel wielding vagrant, I found silver can harm the beast-men. So my coin went to acquiring equipment, and silver gilded weaponry. So far I've managed to purchase a longsword, a steel helm, and plate armor. These items are rather impressive quality, and I will have to maintain them by myself now. I'll now be able to practice not only bare fighting, but fighting in armour on foot.
So it seems that my idea for Port-a-Lucine would be disastrous. It turns out the company of mercenaries is lead by one; General Von Krauss Kraus..? Either way, it's a General. He has a list of his men, known deserters, and will decide the fate of any he finds. On top of that, Falkovnian mercenaries was shot dead in the streets. Murdered possibly by a veteran or a spouse who's lost someone from the last war. It may be best to just sit tight in Barovia, head to the Broken Bell, have a pint, and wait for it to all blow over.
Salty_Soykaf:
Dear Diary,
It's been a while since I've written. There's some things of note. being a mild thorn in the Fox's paw. Simple things like harassing the Korporal, calling their leader "Kommondant". I find them to be a joke, organization wise. Majority of their ranks come from Dementlieu, the others are refugees or Outlanders.
This is all well and good for a Free Company, but the joke of it is how they recruit and rank their people. If I understand my companion , they judge your worth by a rather uncivilized methods. They first must sign a contract and then try to "break" their new recruits. Depending on when they break determine their ranking within the Company. If enough time passes during this process and they decide to leave, it's desertion.
I find it a rather insulting method to "weed out" undesirables. It's as if they're mimicking Falkovnia with Borcan bureaucracy. I don't even see how they're a Free Company, to be honest. Dementlieu citizens recruited for a Dementlieu militia is more like it. The one thing that impresses me, though, is their equipment. The man-at-arms wears a thick breastplate if able, firearms, and has access to cannons. While their leader does impress me, I'm not a fan of nepotism. One should never make their wife second in command.
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