Gearalt Gilbertine
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Information
First Appearance: (mentioned) VIII,1; (introduced) VIII,2
Nation: Eisen
Profession: Shopkeeper, selling rare and unusual items and artifacts.
Physical Description: Gilbertine is in his mid-thirties; slim and very athletic with a sharp goatee that makes him look shrewd. One might even say 'conniving.' He wears plain, utilitarian clothing, and a small globe on a silver chain around his neck. The globe is about the size of a marble and has three tiny holes on the top. While talking, his fingers unconsciously stroke the globe. His manner is slightly agitated and there are deep circles under his eyes as if he has been terminally short of sleep for longer than you might wish to imagine.
History:
Gilbertine is the oldest son of an adventurer and sea captain. His mother died in childbirth. Gilbertine himself spent most of his time in the care of scholars and nursemaids while his father ran around and garnered wealth. When Gilbertine was 14, his father remarried and his new wife gave him a daughter. Gilbertine's father died when Gilbertine was 17 and his daughter was three. The stepmother stole most of the family fortune and abandoned the children. Gilbertine did his best to raise his sister on his own.
Relationships: He has asked Annie to help him find the cause of his episodes of memory loss. He has a younger sister who lives in Freiburg and a stepmother who has abandoned him.
Status/Last Seen: In his private office in Freiburg
Gilbertine's Problem
The shopkeeper who sold Annie her torc was the first to mention Gilbertine (VIII,1). Once the crew arrived in Freiburg, Annie tracked Gilbertine down at his shop. A mirror there caught her attention, bearing a design similar to that on her torc and bracelet. Gilbertine examined the torc and bracelet, and judged them to be from Bryn Bresail, and confirmed that the mirror in the window is likely to be from the same set of items. While attempting to negotiate for ownership of the mirror, Annie agreed to meet with Gilbertine privately the next day.
At this subsequent meeting, Gilbertine revealed the reason for his sleepless appearance. Several months ago, he began having instances in which he would fall asleep and wake up days, sometimes even weeks, later. During this time, he has apparently attended various events, made deals, purchased items, hosted dinners, all without any memory of these occasions. In one such incident, he alienated his sister to the point that she refuses any contact with him. To avoid these 'episodes', Gilbertine has been drugging himself to stay awake, but this has taken its toll on him.
Gilbertine seems to believe Annie is the one person he can trust to help him. He has asked her to come stand guard for a night while he sleeps, and if he wakes not himself, to follow and observe what happens. In exchange, he promises Annie both the mirror from his shop and his assistance to track down the other two items of the set. Curiosity wins over caution, and Annie has agreed to watch him for at least one night.
So far, only Annie and Raelith know of these events, as she has not (yet?) informed any of her friends of her secret meeting and arrangements with Gilbertine.
Gilbertine's Sleepwalking
The only bit of light comes from a faint sparkle of silvery smoke that emanates from the pendant around Gilbertine's neck. This smoke circles around the man's head like a snake, before Gilbertine inhales, breathing in the luminous fumes.
Gilbertine gets out of bed without making a sound. He seems oddly brittle, moving around as if he doesn't quite remember how. Each motion or gesture is slow and strangely unsteady. Without looking around the room, he removes his night clothes. As he turns towards the closet, Annie can vividly see a series of marks along his spine, glowing in much the same manner as his eyes glowed, forming alien characters in a line down his back. Gilbertine reaches into his closet, his glowing eyes clearly illuminating the contents within.
The Stranger's Orders
"It is time. You will obtain an invitation to the Bruetzmann costumed ball. We have obtained information that Trague will be there. He will be disguised as the Imperator. You will give him this -" she holds out a scroll case. "While you are at the gathering, you will consume a rather plentiful amount of wine. On your way home, you will step off the walkway and into the river. You will not attempt to swim to shore. You will remain in the water until your death. Do you understand?"
