"I love the marines. I thank Manaan for every day I spend in the marines! And when I'm done with you, you will too."
- —Brother Egbert[1b]
Brother Egbert Huibers
Of average height but a powerful build: there isn't an ounce of excess fat on Brother Egbert's body. His thickly muscled arms and chest sport many tattoos of ships, sea serpents and religious symbols. In his late 40s, his intense grey eyes stare out from under salt-and-pepper eyebrows and a shaved head. A single gold loop hangs from his left ear. His weathered skin testifies to years spent at sea under a hot sun.[1b]
Brother Egbert is devoted to Manaan and the sea. He brags that he knew how to swim before he could walk and, before his appointment as Master of Novices, he came home to Marienburg for only as long as it would take to refit and head to sea again. He's dedicated to defending Manaan's kingdom and Marienburg (in that order) from the Chaos Reavers that plague the Sea of Claws. To make his templar-marines as tough as possible, he's developed a unique regimen of fortifying exercises. His favourite is the pre-dawn swim in the canals.[1b]
Brother Egbert knows most of the officers of the private troops in the households of the Ten - indeed, he trained many of them. While the two are fast friends, he has turned downrepeated offers to lead the personal marines of Director van den Nijmenk. He knows Sister Hilli of Suiddock but dismisses her as a "dry-lander". Those seeking to become Templars of Manaan will come under Brother Egbert's authority, since the Master of Novices trains the Templars in the Marienburg temple, while the Master of Acolytes trains the aspiring priests.[1b]