Derric Bracken

> *"Remember, child. This town is yours. These walls are yours. Those trees are yours. Enthor's Way is yours. Never forget that."*
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> - Derric Bracken speaks to Brendyn Snow
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**Derric Bracken** is a member of House Bracken and the Lord Mayor of Everwinter for House Snow. He has served as the mayor of the town for eleven years after being selected by Lord Robherd II Snow. He is held in high esteem by the Snows and is particularly loved by Bren and Aria. He is deeply protective of all the noble children and his relationships with them are extremely meaningful and touching for all of those involved.

### Appearance

Derric is described as a man of middle height, neither especially tall nor short. He has shoulder length brown hair and a closely kept beard, both of which are streaked with gray. He has a hard, weathered face that resembles pale leather. His eyes are set deep beneath an overhanging shelf of a brow. They are dark and seem to Aria to possess an almost preternatural ability to hold candle and firelight. He is less broad of chest and large of stature than other members of the Snow house guard. In recent years he has experienced aching joints and walks at times with a slight limp favoring his right foot. It is believed he is in his late forties.

### Character

> *"I welcome your counsel because it is wise. You hold the wisdom of four good men and twice that in sense. You honor me with the loyalty you have shown my house. I cannot give you enough of my thanks."*
> - Robherd II speaks to Derric
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Derric is well-liked and highly respected by the local town residents and the household of W

## Derric Bracken

### Title

Paladin, Sworn Sword to House Snow, Lord Mayor of Everwinter

### Born

summer of 1403 B.A. at the Dane Fort, Anthem

### Cause of death

Killed in battle

inter Keep. Robherd II once said that he possessed the wisdom of four men and twice the sense. He is a pragmatic, levelheaded leader. He has great courage and a strong sense of honor and what is right. He is not quick to anger or to laugh. His generally serious nature is sometimes broken up suddenly by jests or bouts of merriment. He is unfailingly loyal to House Snow and seems most fond of Bren and Aria. He would not ask anything of those under his authority that he is not willing to first do for them. He is thoughtful, contemplative, practical, just, determined, and hardheaded. At many times he has shown great kindness and compassion for others. Above all he commands immense respect due to his unwavering commitment to honor. To live and die with honor is his singular purpose.

### History

Before becoming mayor, Derric lived with his elder brother Cadder and Cadder's family at the Bracken seat of Dane Fort. Their younger sister Menna was wed to a lesser son of House Corgray.

At age twenty-three he wed the eighteen-year-old daughter of the Fort steward, Elleia Benner. She died before they were able to produce any children.

During Derric's young years the mayor of Everwinter was Dreth Bracken, the elder brother to Cadder and Derric's father Tonhen and former head of House Bracken. After Dreth died from swallowing sickness, Robherd asked Cadder to take up the rank, but he expressed interest in remaining at the family seat and continuing to manage the surrounding plowland. Conceding Cadder's wishes, Robherd granted Derric authority over Everwinter and gave him Everseat Hall, the stone manor house near the southern gate.

Throughout his years in the station Derric has served the people of Everwinter with a hard yet fair hand. Most everyone agrees that he rules with justness and steadfast guidance. As mayor, he oversees a variety of regional administrative duties. He oversees the thralls and agricultural production, the collection of residential taxes and gate tolls, the local laws and census records, and many other functions of the town with the assistance of the council of elders. He holds public council meetings to hear grievances and makes routine reports on his duties to Robherd II at the Keep. He is the dispenser of justice in all trivial matters and petty crimes that do not require the authority of the lord.

Although Everwinter has its own Watchman who heads the rotating forces of residents that patrol the streets and watch the gates, Derric has made rounds on the night watch and served at the bell tower, ringing the bell at sunrise and dusk. He can be seen sometimes walking around the town, scanning the different buildings and groups of people as though looking for something amiss.