Masterharper Bertram

Player: Aria

Name: Bertram
Age: 53 (6.03.4623)
Rank: Masterharper of Pern

Description: Standing a solid six feet tall, with broad shoulders, and about 180 pounds, he cuts a trim, strong figure. His hair is dark brown and curly, but he keeps it cut fairly short to keep its unruliness to a minimum. His eyes are a very rich golden-brown.

Personality: Confident, with a definite presence, but doesn't stand big on unnecessary formalities. He prefers to be approachable, even by new apprentices, if they need to talk to him. Not that this will work however, considering the respect his new position commands! He is very conscientious of his new position, and thus finds his status as most-available-male-Harper-on-Pern a little alarming where women are involved, as he has never married.

Gender/preference: Male, Heterosexual

History: Son of Harper parents, Bertram grew up in and around Harper Hall. When he officially apprenticed at the age of ten, one of his teachers was Liam, who became a Master when Bertram was twelve. Bertram remained his Apprentice until Liam was framed for murder and sentenced to the mines only a couple of years later. Bertram always believed Liam had been innocent, and felt very vindicated when he found out he had been right. He continued his studies after that, and became very good at Instrument Making, and was trusted to help out with the Administrative duties of the Hall. He also showed a head for politics. He spent his Journeyman period at High-Reaches and Bitra holds, returning to the Hall when he became a Master at age 39, and taking over the instruction of Instrument Making, as well as keeping track of all of the out-of-Hall Harpers, and Harpers who were of the less traditional type. While not at all surprised when Farrell was removed, he never expected to gain the Masterharper's position! Especially at his young age. Focusing hard on his studies, Bertram has managed to remain unattached too closely any women, having had only one serious relationship at the Hall, which ended badly when Messeria left him for someone else. That was while he was a Journeyman, and he hates to talk to about it. There was one other relationship that had an impact on his life.  Nalina, Weyrwoman of  High Reaches, was new to her position when Bertram came to the Weyr, and her Weyrleader had a habit of sharing other beds. When he crossed the line by bringing one affair out into the open, Nalina decided to make him jealous and pulled Bertram into her bed. Unfortunately, things became awkward very quickly, and Bertram wound up leaving the Weyr because Nalina made him uncomfortable. When Nalina discovered she was pregnant, she made an attempt to contact Bertram, but he never opened her letters when she sent them. Then, one day, much to Bertram's surprise, a girl arrived at the Hall, who turned out to be his daughter! Bertram was furious that Nalina hadn't at least told him he had a child, or warned him she was coming, but he didn't hold any of that against the girl, keeping out of her way and making sure not to show favoritism. She looked just enough like him that it wasn't really possible to keep their relationship a secret. They reached, and have stayed on good terms and he is quite fond of her. When Kasitara Impressed Gold at Mountain Song by accident, Bertram was surprised, but very proud of his girl. Even putting up with being in Nalina's presence during the hatching and the feast afterwards, and knowing that Kasitara still harbors a wistful dream of he and Nalina making up and getting together again. There is a recently developed snag in her plans however, as not long after returned to the Hall after the hatching, Bertram met a Senior Journeywoman Papercrafter several years his junior named Ginnia, who returned his immediate attraction.. He was definitely disappointed when Ginnia was asked to go to Mountain Song Weyr, though their relationship continued, culminating currently in the birth of their son, Niam. With the opening of the Southern Harper Hall within Mountain Song's walls, Bertram and Ginnia get to see each other much more often.

Pets: 
Name: Descant
Species: Flit
Color: Blue
Age: 24
Description: A big blue for a flit, and dark, almost a perfect Harper blue.
Personality: A rather hyper blue, who only sits still and quiet when listening to music. He loves to sing along, usually on a higher counter-point to the melody...hence his name. He Impressed with Bertram when Bertram was still a Journeyman at Bitra hold, and has traveled many places with him.

Crafter: Yes
Craft: Harper
Craft Rank: Masterharper
Specialties: Instrument Making, Administration, Political Issues