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William Bean
played by Jospeh Noble
William Bean stands a modest 5' 9" with softly waving blond hair and gentle sky blue
eyes. He is not bulky, but his modest 150# frame looks to be tight and sinewy.
Though of a naturally fair complexion, it is apparent by his deep tan that he has spent
much time out of doors, and the callouses on his hands tell the tale of much physical
work, possibly much fencing as well.
William Randolph Bean was born William Randolph, son of Randolph Michael the bean
farmer. At the time of his birth, Will had a mother, Agnes, his father, and an older
sister named Bessie. Bessie was three years older to be exact.
The family of Randolph Michael the bean farmer lived in a small
barony of Caladyr, nestled in a scenic valley of the lower foothills. The baron of
the barony was a benevolent man, and the valley was of gentle seasons. The people of
the valley were by and large farmers of one type or another, giving of their produce for
their taxes to the baron and keeping the vast majority for their own well fare. The
residents of the valley were a kindly lot by and far, but most of them considered the crop
of Randolph Michael to be beneath themselves. Much of the valleys farmland was
invested in the growing of wheat, barley, and flax. As a child, Will often heard the
other children call out, "There goes the BEAN BOY".
At the age of 11, Will and his sister suffered the tragedy
of losing both of their parents to a plague that swept the valley. Many of the
children of the valley were left orphaned by this plague, which struck the older residents
harder. The largest religious order of the area was a cloistered group of priests
devoted to the Church Of Charity. After the plague, the groups importance swelled as
they had been ready on the spot to lend assistance all over the valley during the plague;
indeed, it was rumored afterwords that many of the priests had been seen in more than one
place at the same time during the crises. Rumors aside, after the plague had done
its worst, the priests of the House of Humble Giving, as they called themselves, took in
many orphans, including Will and Bessie. When asked for his name during his
admittance, Will proudly stated "William Bean, sir."
During his two year stay with the priests, Will and the other
orphans were given an education that few children of serfs could possibly ever hope for.
The priests could not care for the orphans forever, and over a period of time they
educated each in a craft and sent them out to apprenticeships and new land holdings as
they felt the orphans became ready. Will remembers several of the priest often
whispering in the hallways and in closed offices whenever he was around, but never heard
them discussing a chosen craft for him or his sister as they did for all the other
orphans. Shortly after his 13th birthday, Will was called before the head priest,
Monsignor Romer. The good Monsignor was not a man of many words. He spoke only long
enough to tell Will that it was his time to go back out into the world and give of himself
to the world. To facilitate this, Will was to be sent to the barons estate, where he
would be inducted in the barons standing armed forces.
Being an obedient child, Will set about packing his meager
belongings for his departure without any questions. If the Monsignor thought that
Will should be a soldier, then Will would be a soldier, and he would be the best soldier
he could be. Shortly before he left, Bessie made a stop by his cubicle. After
the good byes, the hugs, and the crying, Bessie gave Will one last cryptic statement.
"The Monsignor is not one to explain himself, and as I understand it, in your
case it is especially important that you find your own explanations. With that said,
I want to tell you one thing. You, William Bean, are going now to be a soldier; That
is NOT to be your final fate, but instead it is to be but the next step on your own
personal road in life." With out another word, Bessie cried and hugged Will
once more, then said her last goodbye.
Will remembers his two years in the baron's arm forces as good
times. His superior officers remember them somewhat differently. Will was a
good soldier, as such things go. He took to his swordsmanship lessons quickly, did
the menial chores all new trainings must endure without complaint, and never seemed to
suffer even under the most extreme training that his exasperated drill sergeant could
invent. In short, at the end of his two years he was a fully competent warrior, but
had never been "broken" as any good soldier should be. Furthermore,
Will had a very undesirable effect on his fellow soldiers. His superiors often found
large groups of men standing in a circle around Will as he spoke at length about the
teachings of the Church of Charity and how even a good soldier could be a giving man of
peace. Unable to bread Will with training, and deciding that punishing him would
produce bad morale with the other troops, Will's superiors gave him his "walking
papers".
Will was told that the baron appreciated his services, but that
they were no longer needed. He would be allowed to keep his chain mail, shield, and
short sword. They also gave him two months salary as a "bonus" for his hard work
and then asked that travel outside the valley to find employment as the valley had too
many soldiers in it already. Not understanding fully, but understanding that he was
not wanted, Will took the bonus, collected his things, and left.
Bessie did not look at all surprised to see William when he came
to her unexpectedly. After hearing Will's brief tale she said only, "And now
you are taking the next step. Go forth into the world, find your path, and be happy
if you can." Will knew enough of his sister not to question what she had said.
After the second fair well in only 2 years, Will hugged his sister one last time,
then gave her his 2 month bonus for her to use to help those in need.
With the sun on his face and the wind at his back, he set forth
for lands unknown; William Bean, son of Randolph the bean farmer, former soldier for the
Baron Fill In The Blank of Caladyr, servant and member in good standing of the Church of
Charity, helper of those in need, defender of the unfairly maligned, crusader for the
human spirit!(But most assuredly NOT a Paladin!).
Letter Home
Dear Bessie,
I sincerely hope, as always, that my letters reach you. You
will forgive me that I do not go into great detail for fear that these letters fall into
the wrong hands. The misguided and bumbling group that I have told I am associated
with is actually doing some good despite its disparate makeup and total lack of unity.
When I am close to despairing of these people doing the right thing, I think of
your strength in the face of adversity, and I am spiritually revitalized.
I wish that I would receive some word from you. I know that
no harm could come to you while at the House Of Giving, but I still long to get some word
from you. Oh how much better it would be if I were able to return home to see you
again dear sister, but that is a journey that has no foreseeable beginning. Be well my
dear sister.
Love,
William, son of Randolph |
