Come on in...

My name? Of course, forgive me. I am Sebastiano Da Pachino. Hmmm? Pachino is in Sicily; that's where I'm from. But I've lived in Dragon Dormant for some years now. I don't look sicilian you say? Well, my friend, you can blame that on the Normans.

I was born in Pachino in the thirteen twenties, the second son of a lesser nobleman. When I was old enough he gave me a horse, and I left to travel far and wide seeking knowledge, experience, women and the odd battle or two. Mercenary? Well, I'd rather think of myself as a scholar in search of knowledge who happens to know how to use a sword.

You're right. Scholar or not, I've seen battles and wars. I remember one in particular, between this kingdom and the Middle Kingdom. Oh, you've heard of that one, eh? Yes, it took place at Pennsic. I was there; I could tell you some stories...

Yes, that's a crossbow; have you never seen one? A fellow by the name of Barnetti made it. I got it in Genoa while serving with their merc... their army. A handy thing to keep around. I've become quite good at it, too.

No, that's not my family coat of arms; my elder brother will get to have that. I earned my own serving with the East Kingdom and this shire. "Gules, a merlin migrant with in dexter chief two stars of four points in bend within a bordure nebuly argent." Yes, I do know something of the heraldic arts. I even served as the local pursuivant for a while.

What's that? Why red and white? Well...

You see, In Pachino I was known as Sebastiano lo Bianco, "the white". You can well imagine why. That's what happens when you're descended from normans and everyone else look more typically sicilian. Well, one fine mediteranean spring day I was returning home by the coast. Feeling hot, tired and hungry by mid day, I thought it would be a good time to rest my horse. The ocean looked inviting, so I went in to cool off, then I ate. Then I slept. When I woke, well, they've called me Sebastiano lo Rosso, "the red", ever since.

You're done? I hope you've eaten well. How long are you here for? I see. Well, I was just passing through too, a few years ago. Come, stay a while. Visit the shire, and if you come across any of my friends please say hello for me. You might find a home here too. Come by my place anytime and I'll tell you more stories...