Herbert Rosenbacher

Scholar & Explorer

Scholar and Explorer Haribert Rosenbacher

Hairbert Rosenbacher was a famous gnome scholar and explorer who's most famous for the fatal attempt to navigate a passage east through the treacherous ice floes of the Kylighaf sea. Though not the first one to attempt to pass, he was the best known, best recorded and the only one whose journal was found to provide even an inkling of what transpires in those waters.

Hairbert was known to be a vivacious gnome, with a healthy lust for life despite his profession. He had shown an aptitude for many different scholarly branches, before settling on geography and exploration. Before his ultimate maritime journey, he gained some notoriety for mapping out many of the northern hills of Cor Danath. Some of his observations and notes are even taught today in many higher education organizations across the continent. Another notable trait that he was famous for was ample embellishments on his mapping attempts, and therefore his maps are not as accurate as would be expected of a scholar of his education. However, he always declined to take a dedicated cartographer with him.

His final journey was fraught with peril from the beginning, but even with the best preparation he and his organization could provide, the number of misfortunes they came across meant that it was doomed from the start. The one observation he noted in his journal warned that the whales have been spotted much further south than was normal, which should have been a sign for them to turn back, yet they pressed on. Soon they were blown off their eastward course, back towards the Kylighaf sea and much further north and west than anyone dares to sail out of their own volition. Nothing was seen or heard from Hairbert or his whole expedition until waterlogged pieces of his journal were fished out by the fishing boats out from Hyggelgarda. The pieces that were found told of strange phenomena on the far northern seas, of ice floes moving like they had a mind of their own, of strange creatures, and ultimately of the complete mental and physical failure of the whole expedition crew. Haribert himself has been considered lost at sea, and none of his remains have ever been found.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Despite his scholarly pursuits, Hairbert was a dextrous and quick gnome who valued physical fitness and enjoyed long hikes along the shores of the Hermetic Cove.

Identifying Characteristics

Because of his bald pate, Hairbert styled and waxed his moustache and beard, worn in the vandyke fashion.

Physical quirks

He would also dye his beard a variety of colours to match the seasonal colour of the foliage of the local trees.

Apparel & Accessories

Hairbert liked to wear simple clothing that would not get in the way when he chose to go on a hike at the spur of a moment. For official occasions, he liked to wear long (for a gnome) and roomy robes that hid his features. In private and when he wanted to feel comfy, he enjoyed a pair of nice checkered trousers worn with suspenders. One of his most prized possessions was a naval leather jacket made out of the rare zitiron hide.

Mental characteristics

Education

He trained under several tutors in the townships around the Hermetic Cove. He worked as a scribe and notetaker for Gudmund of Craite before finishing his education and earning the title of Cartographer and Tutor. Later, he continued his studies as part of the Baile Navigation Corps before embarking upon his faithful journey.

Failures & Embarrassments

He sought to navigate around the (!!!) peninsula and in doing so was blown off course and he and his whole expedition are presumed to be dead.

Mental Trauma

During the later stages of his final voyage, many in his crew, as well as Hairbert succumbed to madness that drove them to ever darker deeds before the end.

Intellectual Characteristics

Hairbert has always been considered a bright gnome, and one of the quickest of his generation. If he chose a more passive and studious field of research, many believe that he would've become a famous tutor and sought after by many courts in northern Dol Teroth.

Morality & Philosophy

Hairbert was pragmatic to a fault. He believed that the gods have their own ken and sphere of influence and that it was not up to a single gnome to question that. However, he chose to pursue science and never bother himself with strict dogmatic questioning.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Hairbert was a motivated person, be it in his pursuit of knowledge, exploration, or simply the day to day life. He saw life as something to explore itself, and that was something that always spurred him on. Perhaps that motivation was ultimately his downfall, as he took upon a task that seemed impossible at the time.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

No matter what, he was never able to open a jar of pickles. He often lamented that he was cursed by a hag to never be able to do it.

Virtues & Personality perks

Even for a gnome, Hairbert was hyperactive. He had a bon-vivant aura about him that was infectious to everyone who met him or spent time with him. He was a hopeless optimistic and even in his last days, never seemed to lose hope that help was on the way.

Vices & Personality flaws

Despite everything, one could say that Hairbert was perhaps a bit too overconfident. People who knew him described him as a bit of a daredevil of his time, always looking for a challenge when he was not preoccupied with studies or scribe duties.

Social

Family Ties

Father: Kloos Rosenbacher
Mother: Gritje Rosebacher

Religious Views

Hairbert was traditionally raised, but maintained that he was agnostic throughout his life.

Social Aptitude

Hairbert's confidence and love of life infected all around him. He liked to frequent gatherings and mingle with other students and scholars, but avoided the stuffy meetings of the more stoic scholars unless he absolutely had to attend. He always invited others to his long hikes, but his colleagues rarely reciprocated.

Mannerisms

A bit hyperactive in his youth, more subdued as he matured.

Hobbies & Pets

He had a succession of pet squirrels that always bore the same name, no matter their sex - Karbathoth, after a famous dragon.

Species

Baile Gnomes

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Scholar and Explorer
Cartographer and Tutor
Tutor

Age

238

Circumstances of Death

Driven to madness and possible canibalism, died of exposure or drowning or eaten - it is unclear.

Gender

Male

Eyes

Dark

Hair

Bald

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale

Aligned Organization

Baile Navigation Corps