Mercurio is originally the third son of a Merchant Prince in Genoa,
and as such is not in Line to inherit his father’s business,
(which goes to the first Son),nor to be given the education of
Clerical life, which is the normal station given the second.
Being a Kindly man, his father therefore entrusted him with the Captaincy of one of his Merchant vessels, to trade on the silk route from Genoa to Acre, in the Holy Lands. Tiring quickly of the boredom of shipboard life, he sold the cargo and the vessel itself, and has been living of the proceeds since.
Not being inclined to return and face his father,
Mercurio travelled extensively, spending much time in France,
where his dark face and unusual style of clothing earnt him the
epiphet “L’Estranger” (the Stranger).
After many exploits, he took
the position of Captain of Archers in Politarchopolis, in the Kingdom
of Lochac, and won many Competitions of Archery and Fence. He has now
gained the station of Baronial Huntsman, and aspires to join the Royal
Company of Archers.