Roeben Saltor

**Roeben Saltor**, also known as **The Wanderer**, is a character who made his debut in *Münster Quest*. He is a hunter and mercenary from the Kingdom of Forwick. After living in isolation on Rombald's Moor for several years, Roeben was recruited by Wyke Stanton to join the Münster Mercenaries.

## Profile

### Early Life

Roeben was born in 1520 in a tavern in Basildon, Kingdom of Forwick, to parents who belonged to a company of hunters. In 1526, the company of hunters were hired by Sir Jeremus Humberdean during the War of Münsterian Succession, and were amalgamated within his army as trackers and pathfinders. Roeben travelled with his parents as the army met with King Job's army, which later merged with Emperor Franz von Waldeck's Imperial Army. During the Siege of Kobmand, both Roeben's parents die from disease and he is raised by other members of the company. In 1530 at the Battle of the Nellenese Fields, the majority of the hunting company are killed. In the same year after the Peace of Münster, Humberdean's army was disbanded. At the age of 10, Roeben returned to the Kingdom of Forwick and initially survived as a pickpocket in Basildon. A year later, he was exiled from Basildon and Roeben was never seen again by locals.

### The Wanderer

Failing crop harvests, widespread disease and a shrinking economy in the aftermath of the Münsterian War of Succession saw an increase in banditry and incursions from Forwickian Highlanders. Roeben would patrol Rombald's Moor, using his tracking skills to locate bandit hideouts, before ambushing them at night from range using a bow and arrow. Rumours began to circulate in Basildon about "The Wanderer", a legendary solitary individual who guarded the town at night from raiders, as well as freeing people kidnapped by bandits. This urban myth was in fact Roeben, who since being exiled, had used his survival skills to live in isolation on Rombald's Moor. Many people claimed that they had spotted The Wanderer, but all claims were dismissed as untrue. The Wanderer remained a mysterious yet provoking figure and there were several attempts by residents from Basildon to try and find the legendary figure, but all were unsuccessful. Word about The Wanderer reached Bingheleia and the courts of Forwickian nobles. Ballads were written about The Wanderer and due to his alleged defence of Basildon from bandits, The Wanderer became a folk hero.

### Münster Mercenary Company

Following the disappearance of King Job, Sir Wyke Stanton founded the Münster Mercenary Company with King Job's son, Prince Saul. Sir Wyke's first idea for a recruit was the legendary Wanderer on Rombald's Moor. Despite being discouraged by Prince Saul out of fears that The Wanderer may even exist, Sir Wyke journeyed to Rombald's Moor to search for The Wanderer. After a week of searching, Wyke eventually encountered The Wanderer. Believing that Sir Wyke had been sent to hunt and kill him, Roeben prepared to defend himself from Wyke and Saul. In an attempt to deescalate the situation, Wyke informed Roeben about the concurrent events and how he needed a good scout for the newly established Münster Mercenary Company. Wyke then offered Roeben payment in gold if he joined, which he denied. Instead of currency, Roeben requested that he is paid in meat. Wyke happily accepted and Roeben "The Wanderer" became the first official recruit of the Münster Mercenary Company.

## *Münster Quest*

In *Münster Quest*, Roeben is one of the starting units available from the beginning alongside Sir Wyke and Prince Saul. His starting class is a barbarian, equipped with an iron axe. He is the only starting character to already be an advanced class.

### Act I: On Rombald's Moor

Roeben makes his first appearance in *Münster Quest,* in the first stage of the game. Sir Wyke, Prince Saul and Roeben are patrolling Rombald's Moor when Roeben claims that he could 'smell' enemies. He gets low to the ground, deducing that bandits had passed towards the town of Basildon. The trio crest the hill and it was clear that Roeben was correct. The town was occupied by a group of pillagers. The three men storm the village, liberating its inhabitants. Even in the aftermath, the villagers were not aware of Roeben's identity as The Wanderer. The group return to the barracks where Roeben is present when King Job addresses Sir Wyke and Prince Saul about his summoning to Münster by Emperor Franz von Waldeck and the subsequent temporary handover of responsibilities to Sir Wyke.

### Act II: The Last Patrol

Roeben goes with the other mercenaries back to Basildon after a herald from the House of Humberdean informs them that the town has been attacked again. Roeben was the first mercenary to realise that they had been lured into a trap. When an assassin attempted to slay Prince Saul, Roeben pushed the prince to safety and slayed the assassin. Once again, Roeben was able to 'smell' the enemy. Mercenaries of an unknown allegiance corner the group and a fight begins. Roeben is present when the company defeated the enemies.

Whilst the company were resting, Roeben expresses his fury at the assassins and mercenaries that tried to kill them. Unable to comprehend what exactly had happened, he talks with Tybalt Morghant and Karl Woodman, exploring the possibility that they may have been betrayed by somebody within the kingdom.

### Act III: There And Back Again

Roeben is part of the party that travels to the City of Münster to search for King Job, who still had not returned yet. Upon arriving in the court of the Emperor, Roeben once again 'smells' danger. He is correct as Imperial Münsterian troops begin to attack the company. Narrowly escaping, the group retreat, although sustain several losses. Roeben and Karl hold off several Imperial Münsterian soldiers, allowing the majority of the company to escape unharmed before the two also retreat, now under the cover of Tybalt's magic.

### Act IV: Fallen Kingdom

When the company return to the Kingdom of Forwick, Roeben 'smell's danger again. The company and Roeben are confused as they are now in the safety of their own kingdom, and so Roeben dismisses his own instincts. However, Roeben's senses were correct as it turns out that in their absence, the throne to Forwick has been seized by Sir Jude Humberdean, son of Lord Jeremus Humberdean. After the company fight their way to the capital, Bingheleia, it is revealed that Lord Jeremus Humberdean has been executed by his own son, who made a secret agreement with Emperor Franz to topple King Job. Sir Wyke orders the company to retreat west towards the Kingdom of Himmel, hoping that they can seek refuge there as well as aid to retake their kingdom. On their escape from Bingheleia, Roeben and Karl once again hold off the enemy, giving time for the others to fall back.

### Act V: Lothar The Lethargic

Roeben is present when the merceneries seek refuge in the court of Count Lothar in the Kingdom of Himmel. After negotiations over potential military aid to retake Forwick fail due to Lothar's passive state, the group journey west towards the United Provinces. On their way, they are ambushed by Imperial Bördelander soldiers. Roeben and the company successfully defend themselves and repel the enemy. On the march towards the United Provinces, Roeben expresses his depression after being betrayed twice and driven from his homeland that is the Kingdom of Forwick.

### Act VI: The Warrior Monk And The Paladin

When the mercenaries arrive in Kalverstraat, the capital of the United Provinces of the Lowlands, they are reluctantly welcomed by Steward William Klaas, the leader of the nation. Steward William explains to Sir Wyke and the company that he had been warned by Emperor Franz that the Münster Mercenary Company had attempted to stage an uprising in Münster. Sir Wyke and Prince Saul explains to Steward William the situation in Forwick and William agrees to aid them. However, he explains that he can only trust them if they can prove their martial ability. Steward William has the Münster Mercenary Company fight his younger brother, Spiegel Klaas, and his mercenary company. Upon defeating Spiegel's Mercenaries, both Spiegel, Otto Monomik and Theos von Altenberg join the Münster Mercenary Company. Roeben is unable to understand Otto and Theos' devotion to scripture and academia, much like how he struggles to understand Tybalt's study of magic tomes.

### Act VII: Ode To Basatia

Roeben is present when the Münster Mercenary Company approach Sir Matyas Thurn, the exiled Basatian king who leads a small army of Basatian loyalists. Noting that Sir Matyas is also enemies with Emperor Franz, Sir Wyke is able to convince Sir Matyas to join their group. However, similarly to Steward William, Sir Matyas insists on a battle first before he makes his decision. Roeben is present when the Münster Mercenary Company defeat Sir Matyas' Basatian loyalists. Sir Matyas then joins the party.

### Act VIII: West Bördeland

Roeben is present when the Münster Mercenary Company, alongside Spiegel's Mercenaries and the Basatian loyalists, engage an army of Bördelanders in the West Bördeland. After routing the Bördelanders, Roeben chooses to spare Sir Wolfgang Brandt alongside several prisoners of war. At night, he allows several prisoners of war to escape, fearing they may be executed in the night by angry Basatian loyalists.

### Act IX: Siege of Domkirche Part I

Roeben is present during the first phase of the Siege of Domkirche.

### Act X: Siege of Domkirche Part II

Roeben is present during the second phase of the Siege of Domkirche. Roeben helps lead the push towards the throne room.

### Act XI: Siege of Domkirche Finale

Roeben is present at the storming of the throne room during the final phase of the Siege of Domkirche. Roeben argues that Sir Werner Ertz should be spared despite his secret communications with Emperor Franz von Waldeck. Later that night, Roeben is outraged to hear that both Sir Werner and Sir Wolfgang were executed after an angry and drunken mob of mercenaries stormed the cells during celebrations.

### Act XII: The League War

Roeben is one of the few Münster Mercenaries present when the Declaration of Grotrecht is signed and the League of Grotrecht is formed. Roeben is later present when the Münster Mercenary Company are surrounded in the East Bördeland by Imperial Münsterian and remaining Bördelander troops. After being rescued by Queen Marie and a contingent of Nellenese, Roeben and the others escape to Domkirche. Roeben befriends a Münsterian prisoner named Müller and the two bond over their love of the outdoors. Later that night the Münster Mercenaries are suddenly mobilised from their barracks after several prisoners had escaped their cells. Roeben later finds Müller attempting to rape a woman and he chooses to kill him.

### Act XIII: Faraway Holy Land

Roeben is present when the Münster Mercenaries, alongside the forces of the League of Grotrecht, begin the liberation of the Kingdom of Forwick. After being welcomed back to the kingdom by Forwickians, the majority of King Jude's army surrenders, pledging their loyalty to Prince Saul. A group of Humberdean troops backed by Imperial Münsterians are defeated by the Münster Mercenaries and their coalition. At the end of the battle, Roeben advocates for the imprisoning of all Humberdean troops, whether they surrendered battle or not, for their betrayal to King Job and Prince Saul. He believes they cannot be trusted due to their treasonous acts.

### Act XIV: Faraway Eternal Holy Land

Roeben is present during the Siege of Bingheleia. Unable to breach the main gates, the Münster Mercenaries, using their superior knowledge of the city, sneak in through the sewer system. Roeben is disappointed by some of his comrades' reluctance to wade through the sewage.

### Act XV: The New Pattern Army Part I

Roeben is present at the Battle of Forwick Gate. He is one of the Münster Mercenaries that are cut off from the rest of the army when the New Pattern Army, led by Count Johann von Waldeck-Anselm ambush the League of Grotrecht. After heavy fighting, Prince Saul is able to break the separated Münster Mercenaries, including Roeben, out of the encirclement and back to the rest of the army.

### Act XVI: The New Pattern Army Part II

Roeben is present at the Second Battle of Forwick Gate. At the end of the battle, Roeben chooses to ignore a surrendered Umstadtian soldier's pleas for mercy as he is taken away to be executed.

### Act XVII: The New Pattern Army Finale

Roeben is present at the Battle of Heller. In the aftermath of the battle, Roeben expresses to Tybalt his fatigue with the war. They both promise to return back to Forwick and keep each other alive.

### Act XVIII: Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Roeben is present at the Battle of the Nellenese Fields. He is part of the scouts that return to the League of Grotrecht army to inform them of the approaching Imperial army before the battle begins.

### Act IXX: Flames of War

Roeben is present during the Siege of Kölner. After the League of Grotrecht storms the city, he is upset at the civilian cost of the devastating siege.

### Act XX: Imperial Citadel

Roeben is present at the Fall of the Hassonian Citadel. Attempting to use the same strategy utilised at the Siege of Bingheleia, the Münster Mercenaries attempt to sneak in via the sewage system. However, they are surrounded by Imperial Umstadian troops. Count Johann offers the Münster Mercenaries an ultimatum of 10 million gold coins and the ability to walk away freely, or face their deaths. Roeben, alongside several other Münster Mercenaries declare that they were never fighting for money but for their loyalty to the Kingdom of Forwick and King Job. The Münster Mercenaries fight their way out of the encirclement and regroup with the rest of the army who had finally broke through the main gate.

### Act XXI: Sudetiland Winds

Roeben is present at the Battle of Morawan Forest. In the aftermath of the battle, Roeben uses his tracking and hunting skills to bring back a Basatian Boar for the Münster Mercenaries to feast upon.

### Act XXII: Sudetiland Storm

Roeben is present at the Battle of Práhzit. When Roeben and Tybalt witness several Imperial Basatians being humiliated in public by Basatian loyalists, the two intervene and put an end to the punishment. Roeben is present during Sir Matyas' crowning as the returning Count of Basatia. Roeben, alongside the other Münster Mercenaries are given honorary Basatian titles.

### Act XXIII: The Last March

Roeben is present when the League of Grotrecht is ambushed by Imperial forces outside of Wenia. After capturing Sir Wilhelm Kroll, Roeben eventually decides that the he should be spared from execution. This would not matter anyway, as Sir Wilhelm would commit suicide the next morning.

### Act XXIV: The Empire of Münster

Roeben is present during the first phase of the Battle of Münster as well as the Battle of the Church of Münster.

### Act XXV: The Münster Mercenary Company

Roeben is present during the final phase of the Battle of Münster.

### Epilogue

In the epilogue, it is revealed that Roeben is offered multiple titles from the United Provinces, Kingdom of Nelle, Kingdom of Basatia and the Kingdom of Forwick due to his services in the League War. Roeben rejects every title, choosing to remain a commoner. He retires from his service in the Münster Mercenaries and returns to Rombald's Moor. He remains in close contact with Tybalt Morghant, Haans von Kaiser-Neffe, the newly crowned King Saul and of course, Sir Wyke Stanton. Instead of living as a hermit, Roeben becomes a living legend in the Kingdom of Forwick and is a well known story teller of his many adventures.

> "*Roeben is no longer a wanderer in the sense that he is aimless. He has found purpose in his life, and he is at peace. He is happy to live out the rest of his days in the place he calls home. People visit him often, and he is always happy to share his tales of adventure and bravery. They are amazed by the life he has lived and inspired by his courage.*
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> *Roeben continues to wander the moorland, but now he does so with a sense of purpose. He has come full circle, and he is at peace. He has served his country, fought in wars, and traveled the world. But now, he is happy to call Rombald's Moor his home, and he is proud to be known as Roeben, the Wanderer.*" - Roeben as described in Tybalt Morghant's *Münster Mercenary Company*
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## Later Life and Legacy

After the events of *Münster Quest* the League War, Roeben returned to Rombald's Moor to live out the remainder of his life. He remained in close contact with other former mercenaries that remained in Forwick such as Tybalt Morghant and Haans von Kaiser-Neffe. Roeben's identity as the Wanderer was made public and he was welcomed back to Basildon. Roeben chose to retire from mercenary life and did not accept the call to war from King Saul during the events of *Münster Quest 2.*

Roeben rejected several titles from many allied nations, including a lordship from King Saul. After Roeben announced his retirement from the Münster Mercenary Company, Spiegel Klaas attempted to recruit him into Spiegel's Mercenaries but failed.

Later, Roeben learned to read and write under the guidance of Tybalt. He wrote several manuscripts about hunting, as well as manuscripts about skirmishers and their implementation in battle. Most of his work was heavily edited by Tybalt before being published and it is therefore heavily debated as to how much of the completed work was originally Roeben's.

Roeben is mentioned throughout *Münster Mercenary Company* (published by Tybalt Morghant). He is referred to as Roeben and the Wanderer interchangeably throughout the book.

Roeben was last sighted on Rombald's Moor ten years after the end of the League War. He vanished and was never seen again.

Roeben has cemented himself in Forwickian history as a folk hero, remembered in history as a mysterious, elusive hunter that protected the citizens of Forwick. Popular interpretations of Roeben focus mainly on his life as a hermit on Rombald's Moor and his vigilante lifestyle, freeing prisoners from bandits and protecting farms from raiders. More historic accounts focus on his service as a mercenary during the League War as documented in Tybalt Morghant's *Münster Mercenary Company.* Interpretations of Roeben vary and is discussed frequently by historians. Whilst it is mostly agreed that Roeben was indeed a real historical figure (as historical military documents mention a Roeben Saltor several times), it is difficult to tell exactly what abilities Roeben had. Most sources that discuss his ability to smell enemies from afar could easily have been influenced by Roeben's legendary status. Furthermore, Roeben's disappearance around 1550 has also lead to theories that Roeben may never have even existed in the first place. Instead, some theorise that Roeben was actually an amalgamation of several different people but was widely assumed to be the same person. This would explain why records about Roeben's life are few before and after his military service. There is also a possibility that the Roeben that served in the Münster Mercenary Company, was in fact a completely different person to the 'Wanderer'.

## Character

### Personality

Roeben is reserved, efficient and isolationist. He prefers to work alone than in groups unless absolutely necessary. Roeben enjoys the outdoors and is incredibly active. His passion lies in nature and despite not receiving a formal education, is incredibly articulate and knowledgeable in agriculture, hunting, farming and textiles. Roeben dislikes being in one place for too long and enjoys travelling. Despite being a skilled fighter, Roeben has an aversion towards killing humans. Roeben is always willing to give a second chance to people, even if they are his enemies. Only for the most grievous of offenses is Roeben willing to kill. During the League War, Roeben aimed to protect as many prisoners as possible so they could receive a fair trial after the war. Later however, Roeben adopted a more brutal stance after Müller was caught attempting to rape a woman. By the end of the war however, Roeben returned to his pre-war stance. Roeben is illiterate and has little patience for theology, academia and chemistry.

### Skills

Roeben has excellent survival skills and is able to sustain himself in a variety of environments through hunting and foraging. Roeben is able to set effective traps and can navigate difficult terrain with ease. Roeben also has the unique skill of being able to 'smell' danger. This has allowed Roeben to detect potential hostile enemies from at least a mile away. It also aids him in tracking animals. Roeben is incredibly resourceful and is able to utilise nearly every body part of a hunted animal effectively. Roeben is proficient in tanning and has rudimentary skills to craft weapons.

Roeben is incredibly nimble and is capable of scaling difficult obstacles with little problem. His athleticism means he can cover large distances in a short time with no breaks. As a result, Roeben is often deployed as a scout or skirmisher due to his ability to find good vantage points and odd 'smelling' skill. In addition, Roeben is also incredibly strong, capable of lifting heavy objects. Not only is he skilled in hand to hand combat but Roeben is also an expert with the bow and arrow.

### In-Game Stats (*Münster Quest*)

Roeben Saltor (*Münster Quest*)
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