Tobias Ironfoot

Tobias Ironfoot was a professional merchant sailor for 15 years (ages 18-33), skilled in navigation and cargo management. However, 8 years ago, his ship was attacked by a kraken in deep water. He watched his entire 47-person crew die over 6 hours of combat, and he was the only survivor, pulled from floating wreckage by a rescue vessel.

The Trauma

The experience left Tobias with severe PTSD around open water. He cannot swim anymore, has nightmares of drowning and hearing dead crewmates' screams, lost his career and livelihood, and found himself on a dock planning suicide 6 years ago.

Miriel happened to be in port, sensed his despair, and talked him back from the edge. She brought him to The Vale, offering purpose and landlocked safety.

As Student Storekeeper, Tobias manages the Student Store (books, parchment, quills, basic components, personal items), ensures students have needed supplies regardless of financial status, sources hard-to-find items through mysterious trade contacts, and coordinates with other departments for supply needs.

He maintains approximately 2,000 different items, from simple quills to cold-weather expedition cloaks. His notable policy is "No student goes without"—he extends credit to those in financial hardship and works with Bursar Edmund to secure emergency funds for destitute students.

Personality

Tobias is a jovial storyteller on the surface (uses humor to distract from pain), knows what students need before they ask, and is gentle with students showing signs of trauma or distress. He occasionally has flashbacks triggered by water sounds and works extra during storms (cannot sleep anyway).

Matron Helena treats Tobias with specially-blended calming teas and counseling. Progress is slow but steady—he can now hear rain without panic attacks. The Vale has a small pond, and it took Tobias 3 years to approach it. He can now sit nearby without shaking. Students consider this quiet victory incredibly brave.

Former Skills Still Useful

His navigation knowledge helps students plan expeditions, cargo management translates to inventory organization, knot-tying expertise (teaches occasionally), stories of foreign ports fascinate students, and he maintains trade contacts across the continent (uses carrier pigeons, never ships).

• Former merchant sailor for 15 years, skilled navigator and cargo specialist
• Only survivor of kraken attack that killed his entire 47-person crew
• Developed severe PTSD around open water, cannot swim anymore
• Miriel saved him from suicide, brought him to The Vale
• Manages Student Store with ~2,000 different items
• Policy: "No student goes without"—extends credit to those in need
• Uses humor to mask pain, gentle with traumatized students
• Can now hear rain without panic attacks (slow healing progress)
• Took 3 years to approach The Vale's pond, can now sit nearby
• Maintains trade contacts using carrier pigeons (never ships)