Giles "Old "Iron Fist" Giles" "Jack" Cooper



"I've forgotten more fist fights than you've ever been in, sonny."

Having spent almost his whole life farming in the village of Stratford, Giles was well-known locally as someone who is easy to get along with, and someone with whom you should endeavour to. He once even got so far as to be crowned the Nottinghamshire Fisticuffs Champion of 1165.

Despite his advanced age and rough life causing cauliflower ear, arthritis and his general physical decline, Giles remains a very capable fighter, having often taught the local lads how to throw a punch and slip a grapple.

Though he didn't see as much action as he would like due to his local fame, he had the opportunity to stay sharp playing in the village's traditional football game. Unfortunately it took a turn for the ugly, and Giles along with several others were arrested and due to be executed by Guy of Gisborne. After being broken out by the magi of Sagehollow, he accepted their offer of employment as payment for his continued existence.

Description
Born: 1144 (Aged 49) Height: 5'6" Weight: 128lbs Build: Wiry Nationality: English

Old Giles is a quiet, unassuming looking man - the oft-broken nose and cauliflower ears are unmistakable signs of a history of fighting, but many would be forgiven for assuming those days are behind him, due to his wiry build and advanced age. However, under his tunic he is a mass of corded muscles, and though his age is taking its toll on his eyes, ears and joints, he has frighteningly quick reflexes and a punch that few would wish to be on the end of.

Downtime: Old Giles spends much of his day exercising - lifting weights, going on runs, or trying to talk covenfolk into a sparring match. Occasionally he tries to wrangle together enough covenfolk to make a small football game, though they're under strict instructions not to get too physical - not even a single broken bone, if they can help it.

In the evenings, when he's not napping, he can often be found at The Red Boar or in the covenfolk barracks, exchanging stories.

Notable Features: Old Giles has cauliflower ear from being boxed in the side of the head many times, and a misshapen nose due to it being broken multiple times.

Fun Fact: Hasn't lost a fight in over twenty years, by his reckoning - though he wasn't fool enough to fight back against Guy of Gisborne's men when they arrested him after the Stratford football game.

Greatest Fear: Becoming too old to be of any physical use.

When Drunk: Old Giles doesn't tend to get insensibly drunk, preferring to maintain a good buzz throughout the night. However, when he does get drunk, it can be surprisingly difficult to tell.

Characteristics
Strength +2 (2 Aging) Stamina +2 (1 Aging) Dexterity +2 Quickness +1 Perception -1 (2 Aging) Intelligence +0 Presence -1 (1 Aging) Communication +1 (1 Aging)

Decrepitude: 2

Virtues

 * Improved Characteristics
 * Lightning Reflexes
 * Peasant Free
 * Tough

Flaws

 * Arthritis
 * Poor Hearing
 * Poor Memory (Names)

Reputations
Iron Fist (Sherwood) 27

Personality Traits

 * Brave +2
 * Loyal +2
 * Proud +1

Key Abilities

 * Brawl
 * Awareness
 * Carouse
 * Folk Ken

Languages
English 5

Abilities

 * Animal Handling (Horses) 22
 * Athletics (Upper Body Strength) 310
 * Awareness (Alertness) 5
 * Brawl (Punching) 9
 * Carouse (Power Drinking) 44
 * Charm (Being Witty) 3
 * Etiquette (Peasants) 21
 * Folk Ken (Peasants) 47
 * Guile (Hamming up his age) 25
 * Intrigue (Finding Gossip) 2
 * Language: English (Slang) 5
 * Leadership (Intimidation) 3
 * Nottinghamshire Lore (Personalities) 313
 * Profession: Farmer (Crops) 3
 * Survival (Villages) 2
 * Swim (Cold Waters) 1

Combat
Soak: 8 (Part Leather Scale 3 + Tough 3 + Stamina 2) Encumbrance: 0 (Load 3 = Burden 2 - Strength 2)

Typical Gear
Leather Scale (part), a Mastiff puppy named "Dog", and two geese, named "My Goose" and "My Other Goose".

Opinions on Others
Mages The Bird - A quiet lass, but she ain't half as bad as most mages here. At least she lets us go about our business while she does... whatever it is mages like to keep so mysterious. Scary Woman - The lass seems alright, as they go. Doesn't give me the heebie jeebies like a couple of the others. Not one to get on the wrong side of, though - that glare of hers isn't something I want to be on the receiving end of again. Crow Boy - God knows what the damn crows see in him, 'cause he freaks me out. Still, better to have him on my side than not, I reckon.

Companions Tall n' Holy - I worry for the kid - someone that gentle weren't made for a world like this. Still, maybe that's why we need more folk like her. Big Bastard - A big lad with an even bigger mouth. Definitely seems to know his way around with that axe of his, but how can you be that damned big and be that damned useless in a brawl?

Grogs Cook - Big lad can cook. Having him around makes for a nice change from the overcooked stuff the others make. Imp - The little imp's good fun, so long as she ain't turning her mischief onto you. Lucky for both of us she ain't tried nothing on me, I get twitchy when someone sneaks up on me. Bootlicker - Knows his shit, that's for sure. Though it beats me why a lad would spend his life learning about the rich bastards. It ain't exactly like he's gonna be one, is it? Scarry Woman - Poor girl's clearly sweet on young Will. Not sure why, the boy's an oaf, but it's painful seeing that mopey look when he's not about, and that yearning look when he is. Bard - Ain't bards meant to talk? Seems she just hung back until singing time. Still, she puts on one hell of a show once it starts. Mercenary Girl - Lass must have a hell of a time trying to earn a living in battle. Wouldn't see that back in my day... The Weasel's Lad - Still wet behind the ears and the kid drives as hard a bargain as I've seen. I hope nothing happens to that pig of his, he really loves it. Battering Ram - He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he seems alright. Weasel - Slippery little fella, ain't he? Comes across as friendly enough, but one to watch your coinpurse around. Whatsherface - Not sure who to be more wary of, Silk or this lass. Quiet and watchful - those types are either as dependable as they come, or likely to stab you in the back. It's funny, though - I can never seem to get her face in my mind's eye. Must be my age catching up...

Experience
Spring 1190: Nottinghamshire Lore 5xp (Adventure - Journey to Coventry) Summer 1190: Nottinghamshire Lore 2xp (Exposure) Autumn 1190: Guile 5xp, Etiquette 2xp (Adventure - Trials at Normanston) Winter 1190: Athletics 2xp (Exposure) Spring 1191: Etiquette 9xp (Training - Richard) Summer 1191: Carouse 4xp, Athletics 3xp (Adventure - The Red Boar Lock-in) Autumn 1191: Animal Handling 5xp, Nottinghamshire Lore 2xp (Adventure - The Goose Fayre) Winter 1191: Nottinghamshire Lore 2xp (Exposure) Spring 1192: Athletics 2xp (Exposure) Summer 1192: Animal Handling 5xp, Folk Ken 3xp (Adventure - Diplomatic Introductions) Autumn 1192: Profession: Animal Handling 2xp (Exposure) Winter 1192: Animal Handling 4xp (Practice) Spring 1193: Athletics 3xp, Folk Ken 4xp (Adventure - Exploring Sagehollow II)