Sir Walther Baer

This is the sort of hero that one might actually hold out for. At least, he certainly looks it. He's tall and strong. His head is crowned with flowing locks of blond hair. He has classically handsome features, almost outrageously chiselled - what a jaw! - and with striking blue eyes. It may not be clear at a glance though that he has ever been fresh from a fight: while one might expect a warrior to bear some marks of battle, there is no physical sign that he has ever been wounded.

Walther comes from a minor noble family in the county of Westgate. The Baers are known mostly for the horse breeding on their estate, and while they retain a modest guard, Walther's abilities as a knight far exceeded what was needed on the family land. Beyond that, he's a third son and unlikely to have inheritance.

In 628, he travelled to Lest to participate in a grand tournament - maybe less grand than in years past, with the strained coffers of House Gabel. He won a dazzling victory, and afterwards was approached by Bernd Gabel, then the eldest son and heir of the late duchess, and now the Duke of Southreach and Count of Westgate and the Plain Between, who asked Walther to enter his service. Walther did so, and has been a strong arm for Duke Bernd ever since, whether at his side or out in the field.

Since the Gabels only have limited immediate military requirements, Bernd has given Walther leave on a number of occasions to travel farther afield to assist other imperial houses. Walther has seen his share of skirmishes. In 630, he had the, to his mind, good fortune of being in Summer's Abode, seat of House Anadun, when Min Nome, was attacked. He has some local fame there for having fought through a contingent of hobgoblins to slay their commander.

Walther enjoys being a hero. He adores the adulation of a crowd. It doesn't particularly matter to him whether that is the crowd at a tournament, the people listening to tales of his exploits in a great hall, or even other soldiers as he races ahead atop a swift courser to be the first into the fray. He is a mighty champion for his duke and for the empire. He is not, however, a tactician or strategist by any stretch of the imagination. He might generously be described as a close student of the Adanan approach to warfare of lining up and charging directly at the foe.

Walther gives a good speech and tells a good story, though he does not make for the most engaging conversation partner ever. Once topics diverge from tournaments, battle and various heroic exploits, he tends to flounder somewhat.

Walther is a mighty knight and an inspiring speaker, but neither much of a tactician nor conversationalist.