{"id":2908,"date":"2018-10-04T12:07:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T20:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/?p=2908"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T19:53:07","slug":"profiles-in-character-sir-eric-wilkinson-foster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/profiles-in-character-sir-eric-wilkinson-foster\/","title":{"rendered":"Raven’s Tears: Sir Eric Wilkinson-Foster, a Romantasy Writer’s Dream"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u00a0Introducing Eric Wilkinson-Foster, a supporting character introduced in the romantasy novel\u00a0Raven’s Tears<\/a><\/em>. He serves the plot as a potential love interest for Lady Angelique Blakesly<\/a>.\u00a0He appears as the heir to a powerful earldom, one with a voting seat in the House of Lords. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric was raised in the religious traditions of the Guardian Paladin Church <\/a> and will assume his parents’ place one day. As such, he’ll be a leader not only of an earldom, but also an earldom with a powerful voice in Cascadian politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Race:<\/td>Human<\/td><\/tr>
Sex:<\/td>Male<\/td><\/tr>
Height:<\/td>185.5cm (6 ft, 1 in)<\/td><\/tr>
Age:<\/td>26 (as of MCY<\/a> 580)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight:<\/td>84 kg (185 lbs)<\/td><\/tr>
Hair Color:<\/td>blond<\/td><\/tr>
Eye Color:<\/td>blue<\/td><\/tr>
Birthplace:<\/td>Earldom of Liberaune, Cascadia<\/td><\/tr>
Parents:<\/td>Mother:<\/strong><\/em> Beatrice Wilkinson Foster
Father:<\/strong><\/em> <\/em>Edgar […] Foster<\/td><\/tr>
Languages:<\/td>Cascr<\/td><\/tr>
Education:<\/td>Religious, classical; private tutors + Varsant University<\/td><\/tr>
Appears In:<\/td>Supporting character in the Raven & Iris Series:<\/em>\n
Background\/Misc:<\/td>Knight and heir to the greater earldom of Liberaune; member of the Order of the Silver Shield; member of the Paladin’s Auxiliary.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Imagine
Image by Gordon Johnson<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eric’s mother Beatrice served as Knight Commander and naval officer in the International Merchant Marine Corps (IMMC) until the death of her husband Edgar’s elder brother in a horse riding accident in 550 CE<\/a>. Commander Wilkinson stepped down from active duty to help her husband assume his new duties as the Earl of Liberaune. Their son Eric was born in 554 and is their only surviving child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time of the Raven’s Tears romantasy setting, the Foster family have held Liberaune for six generations. Eric will be the seventh Foster to assume the title, duties, lands, and responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like most children born to earls and dukes in Cascadia, Eric received an education comprised equally of private tutoring and formal religious instruction offered by the clergy and lay instructors of the Guardian Paladin church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According with tradition, he entered training as a squire at the age of sixteen. He then achieved knighthood at twenty, just a handful of years before Angelique arrived in Fernwall. In those years, Eric commanded a small squadron of veterans.They were responsible for clearing an orc infestation from the newly restored barony of Rosemount on the eastern frontier of the duchy of Enselford. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He achieved the Mark of Valor for saving a younger son from the county of Glenmont from certain death in an ambush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, Eric also attended Fernwall’s Varsant University for several terms, studying history, law, and economics. He has earned a basic certification in Cascadian history from the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His Personality in Raven’s Tears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a young man, Eric is unfailingly kind, generous, courteous, reverent, and humble. He also enjoys attending functions with his peers, and can be found at the cathedral several times a week in addition to the many social events on the calendar of anyone of his rank and caste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Image by Gordon Johnson<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

He enjoys singing and has a fine baritone voice, and as of MCY 580 has begun a course of study into the fine arts, particularly the visual arts, in order to find favor with a certain widowed\u00a0Vin-N\u00f3r\u00eban baroness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s worth repeating that Eric is a devout Paladin. Moreover, as a member of the Order of the Silver Shield Eric can also act as a lay priest in the church. As such, he is held to a much higher code of conduct. This includes a monogamous marriage if he wishes to reach the higher ranks in his order. He’s considered handsome, and his position as heir to a rich and powerful earldom make him\u00a0a highly sought-after addition to every social gathering. Not to mention as a marriage prospect for other Paladins!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cultural Context for Paladin Marriages<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It’s worth noting that marriage is a much more significant thing for Paladins to consider than it could be for Val\u00efan<\/a>s or Urilian<\/a>s. Among Paladins, marriage is a lifelong<\/em> religious sacrament as well as a social contract. It’s doubly true for Eric and his fellow Knight-Paladins.\u00a0The Guardian Paladins’\u00a0 “two in one” deity models the married state at a divine level1<\/a><\/sup>. The Paladin’s devotees aspire to that holy state in their marriages. Again, this is teaching is sometimes unregarded by much of the laity of the modern Cascadian church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Knight-Paladin, Eric sees marriage as a holy sacrament. His chosen wife would also approach with due regard. His affection for Angelique might have been born out of a need to provide solace to a grieving widow. But, his offer of marriage was only made after time spent in deep reflection, and after taking counsel on the matter with his order’s priest-confessor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Eric Beyond Raven’s Tears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"An
Image by Bob Bello<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, Eric’s seved as a foil to Raven’s roguish, scapegrace ways in the Raven & Iris romantasy series. Eric begins his arc in the trilogy as such a “good guy” that he doesn’t need to wear a sign saying so. In this sense, it’s easy for writers to know how to use Eric in a scene — he’s brought in when the voice of good character, unfailing support, and\/or moral authority is needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s not until the final book in the trilogy that the reader sees any development in Eric’s character arc. But, we don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Suffice it to say that Eric’s position at the end of these stories shows that “goodness” can be nuanced and textured, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’d love to see someone noodle around with Eric in an alternate universe. Perhaps a romantasy where Angelique chooses Eric over Raven? How that would change the rest of her story? How would Eric react to the truth? Would he use his power and influence to help her? How?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Eric as a Non-Player Romantasy Character<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Raven’s Tears, Sir Eric reads as a Paladin’s Paladin. His character sheet should reflect qualities such as intelligence over strength and a quiet, sober personality. As a young man he maintains a somewhat idealized vision of his church and its religion. He is well-connected in Cascadia and the city-state of Fernwall. He’s also highly devout, and if the game’s genre allows it, Eric really ought to have access to the same or similar “powers” that a priest or cleric might.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His possible archetypes<\/a> might include the Wise Older Brother or the Rescuer. He also works well as one of the more overtly religious stereotypes — the White Knight, the Paladin’s Paladin, the Do-Gooder, &c. Eric would be willing to join any mission or quest that has the good (or betterment) of society as its end. He would shine as member of a party going off to slay evil, so to speak. He’s not likely to be rushed into any decision, nor tricked into lending his name, reputation, and strength to anything but the highest and best ends. Once he does commit, he’ll see it through to whatever end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric also suits well in a city adventure in game settings where social combat is valued as much or more than martial combat. He’s very much at ease among the nobility and gentry of Angels. Despite his diffidence around Angelique Blakesly, he’d be as formidable an opponent in a debate as in a sword fight. But also, a loyal ally to have at one’s back when a session goes inexplicably sideways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, What Do YOU Think?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How would\u00a0you<\/em> write for Eric in a romantasy or adventure story? Or use him in a gaming setting? Even more, what did you think of him when you\u00a0 encountered him in Raven’s Tears? Has your opinion of him changed as the story progressed? We’d love to hear from you!<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. In MCY 580, this state is\u00a0usually thought of as “male + female”, especially in the Cascadian church, but that hasn’t been universally true in the religion’s long,\u00a0long<\/em> history. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Eric Wilkinson-Foster is a supporting character introduced in\u00a0the romantasy novel Raven’s Tears as a potential love interest for Lady Angelique Blakesly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":5398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"In MCY 580, this state is\u00a0usually thought of as \\\"male + female\\\", especially in the Cascadian church, but that hasn't been universally true in the religion's long,\u00a0long<\/em> history.\",\"id\":\"af931fae-7bf2-4c38-bbf3-7d427846479c\"}]"},"categories":[326,321,332,320],"tags":[70,311,330,71],"class_list":["post-2908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bonus-material","category-character-profile","category-profiles-in-character","category-vip-exclusives","tag-dead-mans-trigger","tag-fernwall","tag-guardian-paladin","tag-ravens-tears"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2908"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6212,"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2908\/revisions\/6212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaphorpublications.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}