Anson Highhill

Baron Highhill, known better as Anson by some chosen, is a Knight-paladin of Sarenrae and minor landholder in eastern Catania's wilder lands. He serves as the headmaster of the Academy of Military Performing Arts, and occasionally still functions as a courier or herald of important news among noble houses. He favors negotiations, a well-turned phrase, and hearty food and drink, but when words fail he usually prefers the bow. He is a character played by JR.

## History

Anson has been a handsome, cheerful, and well spoken fellow as long as any can remember. He most enjoyed learning stories and telling them to others, frequently acting out parts or doing different voices for dramatic effect. He grew up on the outskirts of Derstable in the Avim Forest, the son of a successful hunter frequenting the deeper forest, and it was expected he would follow in his steps. He was more interested more in social interaction and magical powers than the quiet perseverance of the hunt. While Anson did become a fair hunter, he felt he had more to offer others than providing food, skins, and beasts. Then one day he touched a waystone in a town and knew he'd been right. Wherever they went from then he tried to pick up stories and little bits of magic from any tomes he could find. Over time he picked up enough to help in more ways on the hunts, and his father was fine with that since it reinforced the belief in halfling luck rubbing off on those around them.

After his father began guiding the hunts more, his family traveled for longer periods to where different game might be abundant or difficult to handle. While the family was close-knit, they made a point of bonding with the different village communities where they stayed. In one such village Anson befriended an older warrior of Sarenrae, whom his family followed, having some difficulties. It turned out he was a warpriest and over the months his family remained nearby he would often call on the man and learned more of the holy warrior ways under his guidance. In fact, due to his dedication to the practices and their code, and possibly an awareness of either his chosen nature or celestial blood, when it came time for his family to move on the man offered to take him on as his squire. He parents were already aware Anson could use the stones and would unlikely be content just hunting, so if the goddess had chosen him then who was he to say otherwise.

So Anson trained more intensively in things martial, magical, and spiritual for quite a few years, mostly managing to honor the Dawnflower's fierce traditions. While he earned the goddess' blessings in some areas, his prior experience with arcane magics seemed to mix him up when it came to divine magic. He could not master all the requirements of a priest, but his master has seen much in the world previously and knew some students had different callings so he eventually sent him to Sarenrae's temple for evaluation. There it was decided he would take on less priestly that they might find he better provided the cause. He ensured Anson took an oath to pray and persevere in his attempts to overcome his shortcomings in the orders teachings. He was told to rely on what other skills and magic he could manage until then, seeking the keys to the rest of the goddess' blessings.
and eventually his
**EDIT**
For several years the church mainly had him travel village to village and town to town as a courier and armed escort for pilgrims and important figures, mostly within Catania but to other kingdoms as well. He'd help out and get to know the people in the settlements, but didn't stay anywhere longer than it took for another delivery to be needed. He refined his skills and developed a network of contacts, even joining a society interested in field exploration and reporting. It wasn't the easiest life, but before long
**EDIT**
it kept him on his mission and some gaps began to fill in. Luckily he also developed contacts and even friends in those places and his communications skills and good nature aided him in finding work as a messenger, courier, and even herald. Such work often kept him moving about enough that he didn't have to finance his own trips in his search. After searching many of the lower small places he finally made it to Catania where he decided to plant more roots with the fruits of his more recent works, even if not settle down.

He invested in a small vineyard and oversaw its expansion with another variety of vine, a winery to allow with more blends and fortified varieties, a restaurant featuring the hearty food of his people and both house wines and notable bottles, and a small inn for travelers like himself. The wineries spirits proved popular enough that he later built a shipping depot to handle exports and the additional storage needs.

After years of serving the church and gaining recognition for impartialiaty in dealing with the noble houses and wealthy of different lands he was formally given the accolade, joining the white scarved Knights of Sarenrae. Between his businesses and frequent need for troops or other support he already employed quite a few people, and with more responsibilities he expected he'd need more before long so he built more centralized housing for them.

Some months afterward he was approached about serving as headmaster at the new Academy of Military Performing Arts in Lightreach. While his holdings and heart remained in Catania, he recognized that he could better serve both his goddess and kingdom by helping produce more able military leaders as well as research improved techniques. With the main temple to Sarenrae in the same city he had easier access to their combined resources. After a number of successful months and field campaigns with the academy, the Catanian peerage elected to reaffirm his allegiance there, awarding him an eastern barony conveniently interposed near the border of Senfalas and the barbarian kingdoms, and beset with bandit problems.

## Appearance

Anson looks to be a handsome but largish halfling, well proportioned with thick chocolatey spikes of curly hair, twinkling sapphire eyes, and cinnamon skin. Some in the know may realize he is more than this, but so far even he is unaware of his full heritage. His attire is mainly practical but always appears appropriate to the need even among nobility, with occasional flashes of white and golden celestial armor underneath. When appropriate, he carries a range of magical archery implements and, as befits a Knight of Sarenrae, scimitar. It all seems to be kept exceptionally clean. His manner is more colorful and jovial than most knights, and he usually sports a bright grin and and has cheerful words for any around him not of ill manner.

## Personality

Protective, fair, devout, fierce, friendly, supportive, and practical. Outside of battle he is usually quite cheerful and entertaining even while subtly directing affairs without seeming to order anything. In battle he's more fiercely devout, commanding in a direct but inspiring manner while he brings out allies best and protects them.

He currently supports himself through a combination of land and business holdings, leading the academy, and social charm with nobility and other elites for other opportunities. He has also functioned as a herald, negotiator, and occasional entertainer, and sometimes still does to aid the church, Catania, or other contacts.
while improving his own metal.

## Friends

Budgie, a parrot usually found with Anson.

Baron Ulysses, noble smith of Tamwall.

Numerous officials and clergy in Sarenitne temples.

Numerous members of the Academy of Military and Performing Arts.

A number of Catanian nobles.

Friend to many who wish it.

## Foes

No individuals, but by code any obvious undead or fiend.

## Goals

Protect allies, redeem evil-doers by bringing them back into the light, eliminate undead, fiends, and other unrepentant evil-doers wherever he finds them, and spread the word of the Dawnflower by being a shining example of her teachings.