Stilicho Ricimer (a.k.a. Owain's Hand)
A man bustles down the castle halls, carrying a loose stack of papers and a finely bound leather book. He walks quickly and with purpose, seeming eager to reach his business. An exceedingly tall, thin man, his strides are long and a scribe trails behind him, struggling to keep up with his pace while carrying an even larger pile of papers. While his face doesn't seem unfriendly, his eyes are cold and unflinching, and it is clear he can analyze someone in an instant. His clothes seem carefully managed and kept fastidiously clean, but for the few smudges of ink along the underside of his sleeves.
Physical Description
Stilicho is spry and fit for his age, clearly as a result of his constant activity. He moves with precision and intent, and his height makes him an imposing figure, especially up close.
Stilicho is left hand dominant, but always makes a point of shaking with his right hand and some ambiguity exists about the degree of his ambidextrousness.
Stilicho dresses simply but well, his clothes clearly functional but also conveying his importance and distinction. He typically wears a hat.
Stilicho carries a number of quills and inkwells on him at almost all times, as well as spare parchment, a bag of sand, and a coin purse. He also usually carries a short dagger for self defense.
Mental characteristics
Stilicho was born in Whiteport as the son of a prominent fish merchant. Through his fathers connections, he rose quickly as a young bureaucrat and manager for a small Whiteport Trading Company, building it into such a well-managed business he was recommended to Duke Owain as a quartermaster during the Drakehoff Terror. He and Owain became good friends and Stilicho proved himself during his years of devoted and loyal work in service of Duke Owain and Whiteport.
Stilicho always had a talent for numbers and negotiations, and took rapidly to the personal tutors his parents provided. Over time, this interest grew, and Stilicho personally paid for a number of further tutors in natural philosophy, science, law, and politics, and maintains a personal library. He is self taught in a number of subjects, including two instruments.
Stilicho rose through his families connections with Whiteport's merchant elite to a position as a quartermaster and bureaucrat for a major trading company. During the Drakehoff Terror, he was recommended as a Quartermaster for Duke Owain's army, and distinguished himself as both a logistician and political theorist, and rose to his current post as Chancellor, eventually earning Owain's trust and respect from his years of loyal service.
Stilicho firmly believes that as good enough end can justify any motive, and is willing to do things most would consider totally immoral in pursuit of these ends. He is utterly concerned with protecting Whiteport and its citizens, and is willing to sacrifice anyone to achieve that goal.
Personality Characteristics
Stilicho dreams of receiving a noble title and being granted his own estates where he can write a treatise on the lessons he has learned as a statesman.
Stilicho is both a masterful diplomat and a talented logistician, making him an ideal chancellor for Whiteport. He is an extremely hard worker, but is otherwise not known to have much personal life or personality beyond his work.
Stilicho despises tardiness and laziness. He also prefers professionalism and formality.
Stilicho is an extremely motivated, hard-working individual, who is genuinely concerned with doing the greatest good for the greatest number. He seeks to promote peace and prosperity whenever possible.
Stilicho seeks peace and stability above all else, and this can cloud his judgement and make him over cautious and unwilling to confront things that contradict his established worldview. He is also totally unflinching in his desire to do the greatest good for the greatest number, and believes that a sufficiently good end justifies any means, and is therefore more than willing to kill, betray, or sacrifice to protect Whiteport.
Stilicho has very little tolerance for distractions or frivolous behavior. He is not remotely hesitant to insist someone "cut to the point" or "get on with it" if he feels the conversation ceases to be relevant.
Stilicho keeps himself almost immaculately clean but for smudges of ink around his wrists and sleeves,
Social
Stilicho lacks interpersonal skills, but compensates with gravitas, confidence, assertiveness, and the authority of his office. He is utterly concerned with his business, and therefore is an excellent negotiator and advisor. When he speaks and negotiates he is extremely charismatic and convincing, as he is extremely logical and well mannered.
Stilicho has an interest in astrology.
Advisor (Vital)
Towards Owain Bronzecourt
History
Stilicho rose to high status during the Drakehoff Terror and earned Duke Owain's trust and loyalty. Since then, he has served Owain unfailingly and with great success, and has emerged as Owain's closest advisor and one of his most trusted confidants.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Stilicho and Owain are overwhelmingly concerned with the prosperity, security, and well-being of Whiteport.
Advisor (Important)
Towards Gavin Bronzecourt
History
Stilicho and Gavin have had a long and complicated relationship. Stilicho was briefly assigned as Gavin's tutor before their clear incompatibility drove Duke Owain to reconsider, and Stilicho is still willing to advise Gavin or tutor him (but privately feels he is a lost cause and his efforts would be better directed helping Duke Owain educate a more suitable heir, Rhiannon). For his part, Gavin resents his father's closeness to Stilicho and feels Stilicho has poorly advised his father, while Stilicho views Gavin as a brash, petulant lordling who has yet to mature into his power.
Nicknames & Petnames
Gavin has been widely known to derisively call Stilicho "my father's quill," "the great bore."
Tutor (Important)
Towards Rhiannon Bronzecourt
History
Stilicho has been a recent advocate of Rhiannon's position at court, and is known to those in power as one of her greatest supporters. It is clear he respects Rhiannon as a worthy successor to her father and has privately advocated she replace Gavin. Rhiannon views Stilicho as a wise mentor, meeting with him frequently or accompanying him on his errands to understand his duties better.
Friend (Important)
Towards Nicolleta Bronzecourt
History
Stilicho and Nicolleta are friends more by association than anything else. Nicolleta was generally content to tend to the household and manage the Duke's personal and family life, while Stilicho became Owain's closest advisor, and therefore the two have grown close over the years and are friends.
History
Stilicho and Bastian have a complex relationship, as both respect one another for their competences, while they view one another as potential rivals and threats to their position, as they frequently disagree in council meetings with Duke Owain. For now, Stilicho continues to have Duke Owain's ear, Bastian is actively working to replace Stilicho as Owain's chief advisor and expanding his powers as the border raids worsen, threatening Stilicho's position.
Stilicho is fairly wealthy, though not as wealthy as many expect, given his office, as he takes a fairly small stipend for his personal affairs and unlike many other high courtiers and officials, Stilicho would never even consider skimming from his office to line his own pocket. He lives in a small residence on the castle grounds, though he also has a small farm in the countryside near Rushford where he retires to when he needs to rest or think. He also maintains a quaint farm where he grew up, and where his sister lives today with her husband. His living quarters are comfortably furnished, and respectable enough that he can entertain company without evoking disdain, but Stilicho is truly comfortable living a modest life as a benevolent public servant.
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