Norriscus, Joseph (1193-1237), Quintilian man of war and peace.

Early life: Other than knowing that he was born to an indigent family in the outskirts of the capital region, his life prior to his military career is poorly documented. What we do know comes mainly from his cousin, Irving, who gave an interview with The Daily Republic in 1225, although it is difficult to independently corroborate the details. According to Irving, Norriscus had difficulty making friendships with his coevals growing up, and spent considerably more time writing an odd tome, what he called his “pan-graph.” The contents of this volume are unknown, although it may have been a sort of encyclopedia since Irving also reports that young Joseph was an avid consumer of such works. Furthermore, he claims that he was inspired to join the Quintilian Armed Forces after reading about the numerous heroes of the First War of Independence. Apparently, he was not merely content to write an encyclopedia but also be written into one. After enlistment: Norriscus officially enlisted for the QAF in 1210, when he was 17, although his initial years did not have him face combat. Rather, he was assigned to the task of escorting the researchers of the as yet classified Apparitor Project to and from the undisclosed research facilities on the island Amyrrh. Having access to the secretive plans of Apparitor, he was intrigued and began taking notes on guard duty. He was eventually caught snooping by a researcher, and imprisoned for potential treachery. Norriscus, however, revealed to them a striking power which would render him too useful to be kept prisoner. For even though it is unknown how or why by even the eminent scientists of our time, Norriscus had developed the ability to vanish at an instant and reappear in an entirely new area, what he called “sliding.” As was documented in an unclassified agency report:

The gliding happens whenever the subject [Norriscus] wills it. He merely says “I am not here,” and he is not there, and thenceforth says “Lo, I am here,” and reappear he does.

Although it was now known of his capacity for gliding, Norriscus remained loyal to his country and merely asked that he be able to fight in the war in exchange for the military researchers performing experiments on him. After a brief research period, he grew quickly impatient and demanded he serve his country post-haste, declaring to his superiors: “I am because Quintilia was, and I will no longer be so that Quintilia will be. [sic]” He also claimed that he was withholding his capacity for demonstrations of even more awesome signs and miracles, a claim which would be proven true, although far later in his life. Second War of Independence: Prior to the outbreak of war in 1229, Norriscus maintained a presence in enemy territories as a spy, although it is unknown where he travelled to, not that it can be known since his “gliding” abilities allowed him to cut off anyone even attempting to trace him. It is alleged that myths surrounding his appearances formed the figure of the “Marconian ghoul.” Nevertheless, the rumors evoked such fear in Gordon Pinch, the monocrat of Polymnus, that he declared war on the monocracy’s former colony in order to “secure the lives of the Polymnites” and “reconnect the disparate family,” even though Quintilia had been independent for 21 years at this point. Norriscus stepped up to bat, and glided to the house of Pinch to strangle him and all his ministers to death, excepting the minister of broadcasting so that the message would be sent to the Polymnites. Pinch, however, had foreseen the gliding prowess of Norriscus and had set up thirty men to guard an area not smaller than a circle around his body with a radius of 2 meters. Thus, when Norriscus attempted to grasp the neck of Pinch, he immediately received a couple of bullets in his stomach and had to flee. His injuries proved difficult to bear, and he checked into a military hospital. He spent nearly 2 months on a bed trying to lick his wounds, and during this time he had access to the television, from which he saw the utter carnage of the war broadcast live. Shame seeped into his stomach as the bullets seeped out. He felt crushed and vowed to undo this blunder by ending the war himself. Peacemaker: When he had healed, Norriscus rose from the bed and glided straight to the Normandus’ residence to demand he end the war. Normandus refused, claiming that the victory was nigh although in truth he had no foundation for such a claim. Norriscus saw through his claims and punched his head, then he travelled to the house of Pinch to do the same. Remembering his previous failed attempt, Norriscus chose this time to punch Pinch’s head only once, and to really send the message, he threw a paper on the ground inviting the monocrat to a peaceful negotiation with Normandus. Pinch’s reason for accepting this invitation are largely unknown. Some say he genuinely believed Norriscus to be a ghoul or even a servant of the Mater herself. Thus, on that same year, he signed the Pax Materna, officially ending the war.