Herman Ilermet
Herman Ilermet is the town's quiet and gentle German woodsman who goes about his daily routine with clockwork efficiency. He is embarrassed about his accent and occasional struggles with the English language, having only been in the United States for five years, crossing into the country at Castle Garden in New York City and heading straight to Munson, where he'd heard there could be honest work to be had. When asked, he will admit that he served as a member of the infantry in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 but will say no more, only that violence is terrible and he saw "fery bad tings" with a small, sad smile.
Due to his deep knowledge on a range of subjects, some say he was a doctor or professor in his home in Essen, but he insists the past is the past and now he is living the good life working with his hands and helping to build a nation rather than destroy one. He drinks in moderation and politely declines any advances from any of the many woman who have shown interest in him, though this is where the local phrase "hotter than Herman's ears" comes from. Children love Mr. Ilermet as he tells them all kinds of fanciful tales about the forests and mountains of the Rhine, and many nights especially in autumn he will draw out his leather-bound tome of Kinder und Hausmärchen, better known as Grimm's Fairytales to us Americans, and translate stories beside a roaring fire late into the night.
Herman works in solitude in Stenport Wood, a terrain that has proved too difficult for some loggers, and too intimidating of a climate for others. Herman says the key to staying alive on the battlefield was remaining alert and watchful to avoid danger, and most of all that he wishes to avoid violence and confrontation for the rest of his day. When asked if he's heard stories about mysterious things coming from the wood, he merely shakes his head and looks away, his ears burning.
Relationships
History
Bernard being drawn to the forest, especially after hearing that strange occurrences happen there, meets Herman working there. He wishes that Herman would tell him more about the unnatural things that happens in the woods, but he enjoys the other Fairytales as well.
History
Thomas saw how kind Herman was upon meeting him, and knew they would be good friends. They both have a desire to change the world for the better, rather than destroying or harming it. Plus Thomas enjoys hearing Herman's stories as well as entertaining the kids with his own.
Spouses
Siblings
Children
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