Bernard Heiser
Bernard Heiser is a male human who serves as one of the Reeves of Hin’s Drift and is notorious for being the loudest and most arrogant voice on the Council of Elders. His presence is impossible to ignore, not only because of his boisterous nature but also due to his self-absorbed demeanour and the sharp edge to his every word. He is a man with grand ambitions, a keen desire to elevate his own status, and a deeply ingrained belief that he is above the common folk of Hin’s Drift.
Bernard Heiser’s appearance is a carefully curated combination of youthful charm, arrogance, and subtle imperfections, all of which serve to enhance his image as a man of power, wealth, and authority.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Bernard’s appearance is striking, albeit in an unpleasant way. He has a hooked, beak-like nose that gives him a bird-like quality, making his face sharp and angular. His features are pale and lean, accentuating the sharpness of his nose and the hard lines of his face. His most noticeable feature, however, is his arrogant sneer, which seems to be a permanent expression. It’s as though he’s always looking down on those around him, his lips curled in contempt for anyone he deems beneath him, which is essentially everyone who isn’t part of the noble elite or useful to his schemes.
Apparel & Accessories
Bernard’s attire is always designed to make a statement about his wealth and status. He wears fine silk clothes, the finest available in Hin’s Drift—often in colors that reflect both his refined tastes and his desire to be noticed, such as rich purples and dark reds, offset with golden embroidery. His wardrobe is excessively ostentatious, adorned with numerous rings on his fingers, each one more extravagant than the last. The jewels that glint on his hands are symbols of his self-perceived superiority, and he enjoys flaunting his wealth and influence to those around him.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
One of Bernard’s primary goals is to undermine the other members of the Council of Elders and usurp their power. He views the council not as a body of governance, but as a stepping stone for his own ascent. The other elders—whether they are honorable or corrupt—are simply obstacles to his goal of establishing his own noble house and making a name for himself among the nobility of the region. To this end, Bernard has been working tirelessly to sabotage his fellow council members, using everything from dirty politics to covert threats, all while maintaining a public face of being a respectable elder. He often spreads rumors and lies about rivals, or engineers situations that force his adversaries into compromising positions. His main goal is to weaken the council from within and turn the rest of the town’s elite against each other, leaving him in a position of power to take over.
Virtues & Personality perks
Despite his boisterous nature, Bernard is no fool. He is politically shrewd, using his loud presence and the wealth he has accumulated to manipulate the political landscape of Hin’s Drift. While he is the loudest member of the Council of Elders, he is also the most dangerous behind the scenes, pulling strings and influencing decisions in favor of his own ambitions. Though his voice is often heard in public, the real power he wields is secretive and subversive, often exerting control through covert alliances with those in the city’s underworld or among less savory elements.
Vices & Personality flaws
Bernard’s tastes are as refined and elitist as his personality. He has a palate that demands only the finest foods and drinks, and he cannot stomach what he refers to as “peasant’s food”. Simple fare such as stews, bread, and vegetables are beneath him, and he often turns his nose up at the offerings of the common folk, viewing such meals as beneath his dignity. His banquets, on the other hand, are lavish affairs, often attended by only the rich and powerful. He insists on exotic dishes, imported wines, and rare delicacies, all in an attempt to solidify his image as a man of taste and culture. This disdain for the common people extends beyond just food. Bernard’s arrogance also shows in his interactions with the less fortunate citizens of Hin’s Drift, whom he treats as inferior. He views them as nothing more than tools to be used or obstacles to be crushed. His attitude fosters a deep resentment among the poorer classes, many of whom have grown increasingly wary of his influence on the town’s governance.
Representation & Legacy
Ultimately, Bernard’s goal is to establish his own noble house, a legacy that will outlast his tenure as a reeve. He believes that by outsmarting the other council members and reaching the heights of power, he can create a dynasty of his own—one that will forever bear his name. He seeks to be recognized as a true noble, and to do so, he must eliminate or neutralize anyone who stands in his way. His ambitions are not just for wealth, but for immortality, in the form of a legacy that will make him immortalized in history. In the coming years, Bernard may prove to be one of the most dangerous figures in Hin’s Drift, a man whose ambition knows no bounds and whose power lies in his ability to manipulate, deceive, and destroy those who threaten his rise to the top. His voice may be the loudest, but his true power is the subtle web of manipulation he weaves behind closed doors.
Social
Contacts & Relations
While Bernard may appear to be a powerful public figure, the true nature of his influence lies in his ability to control the less savory elements of Hin’s Drift. Beneath the surface of his well-groomed image and noble aspirations, Bernard has cultivated a network of underworld contacts, using his wealth and influence to control smuggling rings, bribing officials, and extorting merchants. His ties to the Shifting Hands smuggler guild are rumored to be especially strong, with Bernard using the guild’s underground network to move both illicit goods and favors around the town. His dirty dealings and covert manipulations are what truly give him power. While other council members may be tied up in open political battles, Bernard is always working in the shadows, moving pieces behind the scenes to strengthen his own position. His hidden alliances with the criminal underground and corrupt officials ensure that he has both political leverage and the resources to undermine his rivals.
Social Aptitude
Bernard’s personality is that of a man who believes he is born to rule, a sentiment he constantly projects through his loud and forceful presence. He is a master of grandiose speech and bluster, often dominating conversations at council meetings and in public gatherings. His voice is always the loudest, carrying an air of self-confidence that borders on arrogance. Bernard has no shame in cutting down others to make himself appear more important and is quick to dismiss anyone he feels is beneath him.
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