An Interview with Balthazar Ironside Prose in Palimpsest | World Anvil

An Interview with Balthazar Ironside

Are you a morning person, or more of a night owl?
Rise with the dawn to let the new day know you’ve got it on the ropes!
What’s the first thing you notice about a person when you meet them?
The fear in their eyes! Bahahaha!
You see a huge spider in your room, what do you do?
In the Big Game Lodge, nothing’s ‘huge’ until it’s 15 feet or more, hah! So I’d take that spider as a trophy for my wall!
If you could go back and change one decision you made in the past, what would you change?
I’d break the neck of Colonel Sepoy when he was still a Major! Hah! And you may tell him that I said so, the crusty old blighter!
Tell me about your first kiss.
Madeleine Fitch! Spirited girl! Only female that ever gave me a black eye! Secretary for a Company man now! Won’t pass on my calls!
Do you give people second chances?
Never give them an inch! The best defence is a good offence!
Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Pitted one of my hounds against a Dire Cat on the Plane of Fire once just to answer that very question! The dog won!
Do you think you’re attractive?
That’s a question for the girls, hah! But I know plenty who said yes!
What’s your worst habit?
Forgetting to leave any drink for the others!
When was the last time you cried?
Only in the heat of battle, and only then from joy! Ask the ghouls!
Are you a good liar?
You insult my honour, whelp! I am an excellent liar!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Pansies! Bahahahah!
Have you ever had your heart broken?
It’s as iron-sided as the rest of me, whelp! Never a crack!
Are you more likely to use your fists or your words in an argument?
We’ll see who has use for words when you don’t have any teeth!
What’s something you’re naturally good at?
Putting the fear of the Soldier into blighters!
What’s something you had to work hard to be good at?
Rigid, unswavering discipline!
Can you tell when someone is flirting with you?
A good hunter is always alert to seize the opportunity when the prey presents itself!
Do you think money can buy happiness?
Happiness doesn’t come from money! It comes from courage, and boldness, and strength! But having the gold for strong drink and loud women doesn’t hurt!
Do you believe in destiny?
Great men choose their own destiny - and for this reason destiny chooses great men!
Are you a good cook?
I like my meat about as raw as you can eat it - cooking barely comes into it!
What do you think happens after you die?
I’ll fight my way to the Garden and I’d like to see who’d try to stop me!
Did you have to grow up fast?
No, lad, it was a privilege! I took down my first beast at nine years old, my first man at fifteen, and my first ghoul at seventeen!
Who do you look up to?
The stars, lad! And my destiny within them with the Soldjah!
When you go to a tavern, what do you order?
What have they got?! Ha! Dwarven beer, orcish ale, Efreeti gin - whatever’s got a proper kick to it!
What do you like most about yourself?
Never give up! Never surrender!
What do you like least about yourself?
I’m getting old! Hah!
Do you want kids someday?
Got ‘em, but I’ll always take more! More strapping young soldiers to continue the fight when I’m finally in a chair!
Are you a planner or more spontaneous?
Never be afraid to start a fight you hadn’t planned on! It probably means the other guy didn’t see it coming either!
Can you keep a secret?
My will is as iron as my sides, lad! Hah!
Do you like being the centre of attention?
Means I’m doing something right!
If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?
Take me out to the Plane of Earth, so I can die in a bareknuckle brawl with a rhino, as the Soldier intended!
Do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?
I am my own general, and I shall revel in my self-appointed uniform!
Where do you feel safe?
Nowhere if I can help it!
Do you love or hate being alone?
Can’t abide it! No-one to talk to and no-one to fight!
What’s the last nightmare you remember having?
It’s only a nightmare if you don’t enjoy it!
Do you admit to mistakes when you make them?
Loudly! Bahahahaha!
Do you want to grow up to be like your parents?
Blood and iron, no! I aim to surpass them both!
How do you deal with being sick? Are you stoic or super whiney?
I never have, and I never will!
What did your parents expect from you when you were born?
Military greatness! What every real man expects from his sons!
Do you have a strong sense of style?
I’ll leave that for my critics to decide! Bahahahaha!
Would you rather camp outdoors or stay the night in an inn?
The great outdoors! Unfamiliar skies overhead! The buzzing of insects! The cawing of birds! The rumbling of beasts in the shadows around the horizon! You haven’t lived until you’ve lived it, little whelp!
Is there a food that most people like but you absolutely hate?
Can’t take anything sweet! Women’s sustenance! Give me something that bleeds!
Are you more of a hoarder or a minimalist?
A man of achievements should keep hold of his trophies! Bahahahaha!
Are you superstitious?
Oh, probably! Who cares? Let the bad omens come, and let me see what stuff they’re made of!
Are you the kind of person who remembers people’s birthdays and pet’s names and stuff?
That’s what my wife’s for! Bahahah!
What do you do to feel better when you’re sad?
Summon something to fight! Exercise is good for you! Hah!
Is it hard for you to trust someone?
I’ll trust anyone who’s fought beside me!
Are you susceptible to peer pressure?
Not unless they can beat me into it! Hah!
If you decided to stop adventuring and settle down, what kind of job would you take?
I’ll write my memoirs, and I’ll live off those! Hah!
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The greatest hero that ever lived! And father to greater!