‘Ma, why do I have ta wear this stupid patch? The kids always make fun of me and I have to hurt them to stop ‘em from hurting me.” Armon Fitzhugh yelled as he slammed the kitchen door. One eye was beginning to swell and turn black and blue, and blood was running from his knuckles. Otherwise, the boy with short black hair and grey eyes seemed rather unremarkable. On one shoulder of his very rumpled and dirty tunic was sewn a half torn off patch with the device of a knight of Ulaid.

“Child, thou knowest the right of thy speech. Why fore hast thou spoken thusly in thy gutter speech?” An older woman entered the tiny kitchen from the only other room in the tenement. The low, dark, rough room contained little, but is immaculately clean.

“But Ma, then they’ll make even more fun of…” Armon’s protest was cut off by a gesture from his mother.

“Thou art the child of a knight. Thou shalt comport thyself in like manner.” The mother’s stern expression showed that this conversation had occurred before on more than one occasion.

“Yes milady.” Armon’s accompanying courtly bow of apology was precise, but marred by the clumsiness of his youth. “But forsooth, milord hath barely acknowledged his get. Why fore must I continue with this farcical charade?

“Thy only chance for betterment is by swearing thy service as squire to a belted knight.” Armon’s eyes began to glaze over at the familiar lecture when it took an unusual turn. His mother began to cough harshly and leaned against the rude table until she finished and could continue. “My son, please pledge thy troth to seek service as a squire no matter what happenstance befalleth thy mother for thy father may never acknowledge his bastard.” The woman’s eyes had unshed tears standing at the corners of her eyes as she looked pleading at her son.

Armon was shamed by the entreaty and seriousness in his mother’s eyes and tone, and hung his head slightly. As he digested her words, a change began to come over him. He drew himself up into a stance of attention; half saluted his mother, and dropped to one knee with his head bowed. With as much solemnity as he could inject into his boyish voice he swore, “As ever breath passeth these lips and life beateth within this breast, never shall I break this troth.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Interview with Armon >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

1. Describe the perfect room.

Forsooth, that be a leafy bower upon the highest room of yon tower.

2. What is important status, monetary gain or self satisfaction?

Verily, a man hath little besides his name that will live beyond his life

3. What is the perfect time of day? weather?

The last light of day that painteth the sky the color of blood and roses.

4. What is your chosen profession and why did you choose to begin your life as such?

I pledged my troth unto my mother before she died to seek service as a squire of some noble knight and to seek to attain unto the rank of knight.

5. What is your totem and why?

The boar be the most noble of forest creatures

6. What is more important honor or success at all costs?

Thy honor is everything. It would be better to die than to betray.

7. If you had to live forever what would keep you going throughout the long years?

Though my years were to wax long in the land I would seek to aid young squires in the betterment of themselves.

8. Describe your most vivd childhood dream/memory.

The day whereunto my mother first presented me unto my father. He turned away from his bastard.

9. If you were to travel out of Stonegate what 3 items would you carry?

Most needful unto my journey would be my sword, my horse, and water.

10. Would you rather be powerful or unique?

Forsooth, this is a foolish question, for I am both.

11. What object/creature most represents you as a person?

My sword embodies my honor and my life.

12. Describe the perfect Kirtiganthian meal.

Braised boar cooked upon a spit with fine Ulaidian wine.

13. What is your favourite color?

Magenta doth grace much of my apparel

14. How far could you be pushed before becoming violent?

That dependeth upon whosoever yon threat was directed toward. Be it toward my person, were they to touch on any matter excepting mine honor their person would remain inviolate. Be it toward my liege or a lady, a varlet would have but to wag his tongue to have it removed.

15. What is the purpose of war?

To restore honor, and redress wrong.

16. Describe the perfect weapon.

A lance carved straight and true, shod butt and point in steel.

17. If you had one more day of life on Kirganthis what would you do?

Seek to conclude remaining affairs, and beg leave of my liege lord to die.

18. What is your preferred way of attacking an enemy; by challenging to a duel or waiting and attacking?

You ascribe to me the craven heart of a coward?

19. Describe your appearance in detail, from head to toe (no need for an eq list please).

A man stands here. The most striking thing seen at first glance is his clothing. Dressed, from shoulder to toe in steel armor, he gives the appearance of the quitessential knight. A grey cloak edged in brilliant magenta hangs from his shoulders, matching the two foot tall plume standing up proudly from the helmet tucked under one arm and the edging on his gauntlets. At about six feet tall, with well developed muscles through years of use, he has the bearing of one who has warred most of his adult years. His craggy, almost forbearing features, from raised cheekbones to aristocratically hooked nose, only serve to emphasize the martial display of his bearing. His twinkling grey eyes show more of the sense of humor concealed by the plate and chain. Long black hair is pulled back into a paul revere exposing a high forehead and widow's peak.

20. Is it more satisfying to achieve success after a long battle or the struggle to success?

Forsooth, little compares to the feeling of triumph upon winning through thy opposition, but in the struggle lies much reward as well.

21. Have you commited any crimes?

I? I? Thou darest to impugn my honor?

22. What traits in others do you not tolerate?

Falseheartedness, cowardice

23. What quality in yourself do you respect the most?

There reside in my person no unworth traits.

24. What gains your greatest loyalty Family/House, Friends, or Totem?

Thy lord hath the highest call upon ones life and loyalty, excepting the safety of ones family.

25. Describe the perfect trap/attack.

Trap? I fear thou mistakest me for the basest of cowards. Surely thou shalt not commit so grevious an error a second time.

26. Do you have living relatives? Parents, siblings, extended family?

I know not mayhap my father liveth. Mine mother died of plague not a quarter score years past.

If so, what are their names?

Forsooth, mine father had the honor of being named Hugh, hence my surname of Fitzhugh. My mother was named Alice.

27. What town, village, or region do you hail from?

From the noblest of all cities, and capital of these realms, Ulaid.

28. Have any major events shaped your life or the lives of those near to you?

The refusal of my father to acknowledge his bastard get. The death of my mother.

29. Do you have a surname? If so, is it a family name, or based on occupation Hast thou no ears? As I hath related previous, my surname be Fitzhugh for I am the bastard of Hugh.