Johann
------

	Johann Reinhardt was fortunate to be blessed with a superb boy
soprano, though as the youngest of seven sons of a knight of only modest
means, it would not have been unlikely for him to have been consigned to
the Church, regardless. His voice made him virtually the ward of the
cathedral in some major European city, providing the sort of education
that his boorish father would likely have prevented him from receiving.

	He was plagued by headaches as a child, terrible, blinding,
incapacitating agony. Gradually, they faded, as he continued his
training within the Church, and was ordained as a priest. He decided
to join the contemplative Cistercian Order, dedicating himself to the
sedentary, scholarly life of copying texts and illuminating books.

	It was then that the dreams started, haunting, incoherent visions
of the future, as well as others of a more ordinary nature, almost vivid
enough to be real. Confused and consumed with guilt, the young man 
confesssed this to the abbott, who was equally puzzled, and could
offer little advice. The dreams did not go away, and now, he discovered,
he could see more -- the spirits of long-dead brothers, the traces of
Infernal activity. Now frightened, the abbott attempted to turn the
young man away from these mystic powers, but Johann, desperate for
understanding, began to delve into the forbidden books of the occult,
secreted away for safekeeping in the monastery.

	Those with visions are normally considered blessed, within the
Cistercian Order. Thus, when it was revealed to Johann that the abbott
was a corrupt man, the young monk made the mistake of blurting this
out at Confession (blaming himself for misinterpreting the dreams he
had been given, daring to think such ill of his superior). Unfortunately, 
he was right; the abbott, as punishment (and to protect his own
position), decided that he would send the young monk out into the
world for a period of five years, there to exercise his priestly
skills, and perhaps, to understand and control his talents. More to
the point, it got the young man as far away from the abbott and
monastery as possible.

	The miserable young monk was packed off to a village in the
middle of nowhere. In the year which passed, he learned a great deal
about the practical side of Church ministration. He also met a Criamon
magus who became interested in his visions. Though the Criamon was
unable to determine the source of Johann's difficulties, when word
came that the abbott wanted Johann even farther away, the Criamon
suggested that Johann attach himself to the Icelandic expedition.
(Johann has been trying to study the Icelandic language in
preparation, though he has little knowledge of the area or people.)

	Everything about Johann screams "bookworm". Of average height,
but slender in the sort of way which suggests that he is not a man
accustomed to labor of any sort, with blond hair, gray eyes, and 
the pale complexion of one who doesn't spend much time out of doors,
he seems a rather unlikely candidate for an expedition which involves
any amount of danger. Nonetheless, he is an effective priest, who,
when acting officially, has a reassuringly calm demeanor and open
honesty which others seem to find comforting. He is a gifted orator
and scholar, absolutely faithful to his vows.

	Unfortunately, he is still young and inexperienced, and he
clings tenaciously to the precepts of the religious life, and his
failures bring him a great deal of guilt. Yet, he does not push his
religion upon others in an offensive manner (particularly the magi,
though he loves to debate with them), though like most priests, he
believes firmly in actively trying to Christianize others. He has
resigned himself to his fate, but he still sleeps restlessly,
troubled by his inarticulate visions.