Mathias Briar

(ma'-thi-ahs bry-er) is a Paxian Human born to a locally important landowner on Tolrun Ridge, which lies in the Midway mountains separating the sparsely populated grasslands from the lush and heavily populated Paxia. He is a second-born son whose conflicting personal interests put him at odds with his status-conscious brother, Monrive. Once their father died and the firstborn inherited all the lands and manor, Mathias left at age twenty to travel the continent. He has not returned since. Mathias is of medium height and build with hazel eyes, wavy brown hair cut at his nape, and a shorter, well-groomed beard. He has traveled long distances by horse often enough to be skilled in woodcraft, hunting, and foraging. Having visited and done business in varied distant towns and cities, he is comfortable in groups of Humans and Dwarves.

Background

Mathias grew up curious, privileged, and ultimately bored. From a young age, he was aware of the men around him doing interesting things and going interesting places without asking anyone's permission, and how servants seemed afraid of them. Moreover, no one at Briar Manor held serious dissension with the Lord in anything he wished to do.

As a child, being made to stay around the women on one small vineyard led to him often disappearing when there were letters to learn or chores to do. This contrasted starkly with his dutiful older brother, and the remarks from the women were unending about whom they thought he should emulate.

Mathias resisted and persisted his explorations, at first out of spite but also because, at the age of four, his father had smiled a certain way when Mathias was made to stand before him to hear the complaints.

"He will not inherit the manor when I am gone, wife, what is the harm? You do not need two lords, do you?"

"But, my Lord-"

"His spirit and fearlessness will serve him well when he is grown."

"Can you at least instruct him not to sneak into the mage's cellar? I worry—"

"Sarilis? Oh, I've been meaning to tell you, he has resigned his position. He is packing as we speak."

"Wh-what? Where is he going?"

"Out west, somewhere. Does it matter? He's served me well. He may retire where he wishes."

Mathias had slumped to hear this but did not understand why. Sarilis's room had the strangest tools. How did he serve Father well?

Soon he would ask, and his Lord hesitated.

"Maybe when you're older, if the interest is still there."

Current

Lord Briar's confession one night broke open the world for teenager Mathias. "I never wanted a wife. I never yearned for a woman. I only needed one to keep what I had."

What a curious yet clearly powerful pressure.

"You can't choose anyone to take over?" Mathias asked.

"Not one whom other landowners would acknowledge."

A long sigh, another sip of liquor, and his eyes slid again to an old painting of a young man.

"Who decided that, Father?" Mathias scowled.

"I am not sure when it started, but the Bishops' influence from Manalar is as far-reaching as their torturers on horseback."

The Witch Hunters. The youth frowned deeper.

"In a way, I am glad Monrive has tastes matching Manalar's law. It will make his life easier, if unexceptional." Lord Briar smiled at his second son. "While you will be free in a way I have never been, even if I have been able to keep my…hobbies."

Yes. I will be. Mathias smirked. "Tell me about them, father."

"Better yet, I'll show you. Let me call in Jeriko."

After an enlightening six years, Mathias's father's shielding tolerance ended the night after the old Lord died from a fall off his horse. After a raging argument with the new Lord of the Manor, who'd heard too many stories from servants and believed them, the younger Briar brother left to explore the world and find his own way.

The first town which interested him for a time was Troshin Bend, a logging community deeper in the mountains to the northwest. Their double-tasked innkeeper and governor, Brom Troshin, held the respect of all in the town and maintained order like his father. He was likewise tasked to tolerate a young daughter who wanted more things her way but ultimately did not dissent.

Mathias and Brom's daughter, Amelda, were about the same age, but the lack of any attraction was obvious and, for the first time in his life, no wry comment or indirect remark was made about this. Instead, Brom found a talent and interest in the young man for bounty hunting, particularly other men.

"You must see Augran sometime soon," he suggested. "I can name some contacts who keep their business promises. You'll make good money as long as you keep yours."

Mathias could not wait to test this, his departure from the first of many visits to the logging town that very next morning. Over the next few years, the nobleman's son took freelance contracts as a man-hunter and interrogator with the Guild, but he would regularly return to Troshin Bend where sometimes surprising and unexpected names would flow through.

"Sarilis of Grelton?" Brom inquired. "You know him?"

Mathias shrugged. "Not really. I was only four when he retired, but I remember his lab."

"Why?"

"Mostly the small blades. He worked as a chirurgeon but wasn't a great healer."

The innkeeper nodded. "Death mages usually aren't."

The young man blinked. "Death…?" He swallowed. "Did Sarilis come through here?"

"He did. A memorable retirement announcement, as I recall, given how far he intended to travel with no ties I could pry out of him."

"Oh?" Mathias knew a tease, a test, or a challenge when he heard it. "Out west somewhere, wasn't it?"

Brom chuckled. "You could say that. I'd pay good coin to know if he found what he sought on the other side of the Midway."

The bounty hunter grinned.

Something Extra

Patreon exclusive content: Added secrets or insights about the Character. May include adult themes.

Born
3076 S.E., Tolrun Ridge
Midway Mountains

Affiliations
Lord of Briar Manor, landowner nobility (father)
Brom Troshin, Troshin Bend
Guild of Augran (contract interrogator)
Show Spoiler

Parents
Lord Micel Briar (father, deceased)
Lady Serong Briar (mother)
Siblings
Lord Monrive Briar (older brother)
Mates
None
Children
None

Species

Paxian

Children