Who is Ulbrecht?
Ulbrecht Schildhauer is a human swordsman with an aristocratic origin. Born and raised in the noble Courts of human society, he understands better than most how to navigate the complexities of diplomacy and politics. Ulbrecht is not just a proficient speaker, however, as he has trained extensively in swordplay, working for many years as both a guardsman and a mercenary. Stern of disposition but kind of heart, Ulbrecht now seeks to start a new life, away from the painful memories of his homeland.
History
Early Life
Ulbrecht Schildhauer was born the son of one Lord Gernot Schildhauer, a lord and father who came to despise him. As the younger of two sons, Ulbrecht's youth was filled with mistreatment and abuse. His father was an overbearing man, and punished harshly. Despite this, being born into aristocracy had its advantages, as he was able to benefit from proper tutelage in both swordplay and the finer points of the courts.
Adulthood
Once he had formally come of age, the young Ulbrecht found himself stationed as part of his father’s personal guard detail, and was frequently present for noble and political meetings. As a private guardsman, he frequently found himself embroiled in skirmishes with rebellious locals, and thwarting assassination attempts.
During a meeting under truce with rebellious nobles, his father, Lord Schildhauer, was slain by a sudden ambush, with very few of his retinue surviving. The treacherous assailants had worn tabards of a strangely familiar design. Upon his return, Ulbrecht discovered that his older brother Volkmar Schildhauer had already seized power following their father's death, and without hesitation blamed the death of Gernot on Ulbrecht. As a result, Ulbrecht was hunted down for execution, and forced to go into hiding.
On the Run
The disgraced knight-lordling found himself fleeing for over a year, finally settling away from his former homeland’s borders. Having nothing but the armaments he wore and his charisma, Ulbrecht turned to mercenary work….and quickly found it wholly unsavory. To make matters worse, the mercenaries he worked with caught wind of the bounty on his head, and betrayed him, attempting to cash it in. Making quick his escape, Ulbrecht fled that life as well. During his travels through the countryside, he heard tales of an adventurer's guild that piqued his interest. The idea of taking jobs to help people piqued his interest, as something he could take genuine pride in… and perhaps it would help shake the shame of his past.
Becoming a Pathfinder
Ulbrecht and Percival meet Leif during their first visit to the guild.
After hearing of the mysterious adventurer's guild hidden in the nearby woodlands, Ulbrecht made his way into the brush, but found himself hopelessly lost. After encountering a young and exceptionally curious fox beast-kin named Percival, fortune would finally favour him. Stumbling across a helpful individual named Xinoth, Ulbrecht and Percival were brought to a hidden guild house nearby. There, Ulbrecht met Leif, and after a brief explanation of the guild's workings and how one might go about undertaking quests, Ulbrecht and Percival were made official members of the Pathfinders.
Fey Misfortune
Ulbrecht discusses plans for the fey diplomacy quest alongside fellow Pathfinders, Viz and Drisful.
Shortly after joining up, Ulbrecht attended a guild meeting to discuss a quest of significance. One of their members, named Button, had unknowingly taken a fey crystal without permission, and had been cursed with a slow-progressing paralysis. In order to cure them, the guild would need to send a party into the fey wilds to entreat with the fey council, consisting of the most powerful fey in existence. Given their capricious and unpredictable nature, Leif was forced to vet the party members with strict scrutiny, as those capable of artistic and diplomatic capabilities would be required. Given Ulbrecht's history in the courts, and his skill with words, he volunteered to join the party, and his application was approved. He was even able to convince Leif to allow Percival to join the party, due both to the fey's positive disposition towards beast-kin, as well as Percival's personal goal of recording the histories of all worlds and cultures. Together with the other members, Ulbrecht devised a plan to craft a tapestry using threads imbued with fire resistance. The tapestry would display fey and mortals, and after burning the tapestry, only the fey and their environment would remain: a display meant to appeal the implied superiority of the fey people.
Personality
Ulbrecht initially comes across as a stern man, but one who takes a moment to speak with him will quickly find him to be an agreeable and kind individual. He is capable of taking a joke, as seen by his flustered (but not angry) reactions to the other guild members' comments regarding his accidental urination on a fey-owned tree in the forest. Though he knows little of magic or magical creatures, Ulbrecht keeps an open mind when encountering any such beings.
Family
Ulbrecht's only known family consist of his late father Gernot, for whose death he has been blamed, and his estranged brother Volkmar, who is believed to have been the one to frame Ulbrecht. For obvious reasons, Ulbrecht has no open lines of communication with his brother, and prior to joining the Pathfinders was effectively alone in the world.
Equipment
- A steel longsword, generic and without embroidery, but honed to a fine edge
- A sturdy kite shield
- Battered plate and chain armor
- Flint and steel
- Small waist pouches containing bandages, salt, and a whetstone
- A small handful of coin
Abilities
Swordplay Savant - Ulbrecht has incredible skill with the use of bladed weapons, with a particular preference for traditional swordplay. Thanks to inborn talent coupled with years of training, he is more than capable of holding his own against multiple foes simultaneously, when in melee.
Death before Dishonor - Given the shame he bears from his past life, and the fact he was forced to flee, Ulbrecht vows to never do so again. His mind is hardened with resolve, and he knows no fear. If he should die, it is because he deserves to for his past cowardice. Never again.
Weapon Maintenance - Ulbrecht has full knowledge of every aspect of weapon upkeep, including proper sharpening technique, armor buffing, hunkering down a hand-guard, and much more. He effectively knows every in-and-out of keeping weapons and armor operational.
Man of the Court - Ulbrecht understands human political hierarchy, and the complex machinations that accompany it. Should he come across people of higher standing, be it enemy or ally, he knows how to play to the minds of nobles.
Silver Tongue - Ulbrecht is a charismatic man. He is often found to be eloquent and persuasive, and more often than not, it can get him what he wants, at times even avoiding armed conflict. He may be a skilled swordsman, but diplomacy is indisputably his finest weapon.
Weaknesses
Sluggish - Due to his preference for heavier armor and the particular training associated with its use, Ulbrecht relies on his armor to glance blows, and his swordplay to deflect attacks. He is not very agile, and it is very hard for him to dodge attacks outside of blocking and parrying.
Arcane Ineptitude - Ulbrecht has no real understanding of magic. He knows it is dangerous, and he is aware of its use for deception and traps, but has no idea how it works, or how to counter it. Should he face a magical being without instruction or prior knowledge, he will not last long.
Convicted of Regicide - Ulbrecht is wanted in his family's provinces for the murder of his father, the former Lord. While he may not be guilty in truth, that will not stop anyone who is looking for a hefty sum of gold from coming after him…
Stubborn - Once this man has made up his mind, it is very hard to change it. Be it charging a foe, or a dangerous course of action, he believes he knows best, and will not relent easily.
Loathes Mercenaries - Being what he considers a man of honor, and due to previous betrayals in his former attempt at life as a mercenary, Ulbrecht has come to distrust people who merely kill for money. This distrust is so extreme as to border on unadulterated hatred.
Trivia
- On Ulbrecht's first venture to the pathfinder's guild, he peed on a fairy's tree and was chased for nearly half a mile by the fairies, his head being pelted with rocks
- Ulbrecht is an experienced painter, raised in the noble courts, though he will never claim to be a master
- Ulbrecht feels ashamed by his name, and is open to any nicknames people give him. The first to nickname him was Viz, who chose to call him "Blue" in reference to his sparkling blue eyes.