CAST: Lord Paganini, Queen's Champion

DESCRIPTION:

Paganini is of above average height and medium build, and apart for being several years older is almost identical to Nathan E. Banks Paganini. He carries himself with confidence bordering on rashness, and exudes the air of a man who thinks with his sword.
Paganini is the lord of Cliff Castle, a seaward settlement in south-eastern Hyeron, but was brought up at the court of Hare from an early age: he remembers little of his home. His loyalty to Rabbyt IV is deep, but it seems that his love of his motherland is even greater. Certainly he has jeopardised his career for the sake of Hyeron on more than one occasion -- although his detractors suggest that his own honour is the prime consideration in all his actions.
Paganini first came to notice when he and Lord Adam of Chironeia, the young hero of the Silver Shields, rescued a caravan of noble ladies from the clutches of bandits. The two swore blood-brotherhood and fought alongside each other on many occasions. Adam was generally acknowledged as the more skilled of the two, but Paganini fought with selfless heroism and inspired the greater loyalty among his followers. Their friendship cooled somewhat when Adam was appointed Queen's Champion, an office for which many believed Paganini to be better qualified, but Paganini was still devastated when Adam lost his mind and was banished to the Library. Chosen to take his place as Queen's Champion, Paganini was soon confronted with the task of defending Hyeron against two armies. Failing to secure allied support for the western army, he returned to find his army scattered by the forces of Zorag the Barbarian, and swore an oath to kill the monster or perish. With only a few companions, he secretly rode off to find the mystical Knife of Glaneth...

HISTORY:

Karlingalas, Jared and Morwen encountered Paganini and his guard not far from the southern border of Hyeron, to which they had been transported by Shadow Guy. Unfortunately, Karlingalas attempted to bluff his way through the confrontation by asserting that they were on a mission for (their) Paganini, and in the ensuing unpleasantness the other knights were dispersed. However, on seeing the Knife of Glaneth in Morwen's hand, Paganini became somewhat more friendly and revealed that he was on a quest to find that very weapon and use it against Zorag the Barbarian, the leader of the western army threatening Hyeron. Jared consented to act as bait and lure Zorag into an ambush prepared by the others. Although they were victorious, Paganini's left arm was broken in the struggle, and so they had to decide for themselves how best to follow up their victory while the knight lay in a miruvor-induced stupor. With the extra firepower supplied by the addition of the Count to their party, they decided to assault the enemy camp, leaving Paganini in the care of the pacifist Karlingalas. When they eventually returned, Karlingalas was gone, and they decided to return to Castle Hare and use Paganini as collateral to secure their safety. For a moment they were prepared to hand him over to Lord Graham, but although the Count has now healed his arm he remains very reluctant to part with him. Paganini served as the front man in their return to Castle Hare, and 'led' the others through the castle on a mission to eradicate the remaining rebels. He protested vehemently when the Count and Morwen opted to compare notes with Morgil, Rakeis and Sir Confused-a-lot instead of arresting them for treason, and his ire can only have been increased a hundredfold now that he has been left behind in the company of none other than Comrade-Captain Leila, the 'brains' behind the Black and Red Army.

ATTRIBUTES:

SKILLS:

DESCRIPTORS:

• Reckless
• Determined
• Zealously loyal to Hyeron
• Burning grudge against Zorag the Barbarian
• Mystical streak
• Has acquired an unfortunate liking for Morwen's miruvor

WEAPONS:

• Sword
• Dagger

EQUIPMENT:

• Chain mail
• Shield
• Hyeronian pennant