Rufus Carraresi de Castelopea

Rufus Carraresi of Castelopea is a famous swordsman and noted duellist, especially in the upper levels of Takshendal society where duelling has become commonplace, he is said to be the finest sword and dagger man in the city.
A dark and tempestuous man with a single minded strength of purpose and a definite chip on his shoulder in most ways; Rufus is youngest son of Giacomo Carraresi, a minor noble of Castelopea. He has been forced to make his living in Takshendal where he is currently, quietly employed by Adriana Wormpole as a living extension of her will. He is officially ordered to protect Misteline against any unforeseen eventuality.

Rufus specialises in the sword and dagger technique of duelling, but is just as adept with sword and buckler, and is one of the few fencing experts that has adopted an early version of the rapier. He is credited with participation in at least 19 duels in Takshendal of which 13 ended with the death of his opponent. Nearly all these duels were fought against people who had acted or spoken out against the House of Wormpole and it is common knowledge amongst the merchants and nobility that Rufus Carraresi de Castelopea is Adriana’s living blade.

He is said to have helped The Great Misteline and Captain Silas expose and thwart a plot against the city on behalf of Adriana; killing Lord Beauforque in a duel, and single-handedly defeating five Mursulan mercenaries and their Condottieri captain in the process, but has since disappeared from the city.

Giacomo Carraresi is a minor noble from Castelopea, holding lands near Sandroto and Cattallo, who grows and bottles fine wine and cognac. With the position of his estates he is also a man of some militant skill, as all border lords, and many sons; too many sons and too little room for Rufus to live out his ambition and his honour.
Growing wine and patrolling the border with no prospect of ever inheriting or living the life in the higher circles he dreamed about made Rufus an even more hot-tempered youth than his already volatile and tempestuous nature. He fought his first real duel at 16 as a result of a Blood Feud, killing his dearest friend BASILIO D’CASTELLETO, and left his home heartbroken, as his father had to oust the troublesome and incontrollable youth as part of the peace agreement. This suited Rufus fine, after slaying Basilio his life was tainted by sorrow that he tried to purge by perfecting his skill. After a season campaigning in the south to gather some money, Rufus made his way to Takshendal, hoping to make a name for himself and attain the life he wanted- a life in the high circles, courting women and fighting in the name of honour.

In Takshendal he was soon invited to the Wormpole residence by Adriana, who already knew about the hot-tempered young man from her agents and traders in Castelopea and could employ his skills. In him, she found an almost perfect tool to intimidate rivals and slanderers- if his tempestuous nature could be properly controlled, directed and catalysed. In her, he found a way into the upper circles of Takshendal society; recognition, respect, wealth, banquets, refined women, and a way to earn more honour and make a name for himself, a purpose.

He does not live in the Wormpole residence, but in a fine rented flat on the second floor of a Merchant’s house. Here he hones his skills and receive the few people outside The Wormpoles he calls friends, while passing the day at ballgames, races, fencing, dicing and carousing in inns, or in the Wormpole residence, when not participating in balls, dances or banquets; or courting some high-ranking woman. Rufus prefers maids of great beauty or married women of the upper levels of Takshendal society, as pleasures and trophies.


Rufus is tempestuous and passionate, almost obsessed by his honour and enhancing it in any way, duels, sexual conquest, war, all of it and more. The companionship of The Great Misteline and Captain Silas has opened possibilities for this and as such he sees it not just as a service to his patroness, but a chance to gain even more fame as well as wealth. For though honour is the most important aspect of his life, he is keenly aware that he has no other means of income than serving as Adriana’s blade, and eventually wants his own estate or fencing school, for a career taking orders and being bored in the military will never be for him...

Rufus is a typical southern noble; short but strong, lithe and athletic. His grace as a dancer and fencer is evident. But in contrast to some other noted bladesmen, he does not flaunt or pose while fighting- though there is some of both to his nature when not in a fight- instead he focuses all his energy and resources in a single-minded purpose; to defeat his opponent quickly and effectively. His dress is not as flamboyant as other Castelopeans’, for like many other southerners he has adopted local dress. He does like large, broad brimmed hats with feathers though, and his clothing is always of good quality.