Sigmund Adelbert's Background

From Changeling Venue

Born in 1931, the man now known as Sigmund Adelbert is no stranger to adversity. His parents immigrated from Germany to escape one economic depression, only to find themselves in the midst of another. Life was hard for the family of a clockmaker, particularly one that knew no English; Sigmund helped translate for the family, after he learned the language. From his father he learned the art of clockworks, which would both serve him in the future, and be the cause of his unfortunate abduction.

Sigmund married his love, Evelyn, in 1956. It was a great disappointment to them both that they were unable to have children. Sigmund earned his living working at his clock shop, having inherited it from his father. Sigmund spent much of his free time playing games and solving puzzles; trivia always sparked his interest. The two wasted away many Sunday afternoons playing Scrabble and other such games. They lived a happy, if somewhat sedate, life in Iowa until Sigmund's 55th birthday. That's when, for him, everything changed.

Evelyn had made a cake for his birthday; Sigmund decided to walk to the store to get ice cream for them to share. While on the way, two figures jumped from the door of an abandoned toystore. The two figures, a giant stuffed rabbit and a living toy soldier, dragged him into Faerie. Sigmund was impressed into the service of the Lord of All Toys as a Chief Toymaker, making and repairing his soldiers and their weapons to help in the fight against the Clockwork King. For five years Sigmund toiled while the war raged, the Clockwork King advancing with mechanical inevitability. Eventually, the Lord of All Toys himself was slain by the clockwork monstrosities.

While being transported through the Hedge with the rest of the Lord of All Toys' servants, the clockworks were set upon by members of The End. The Enders, led by Jack Mclain, destroyed the mechanical beasts and led the Changelings back to the mortal world. Inspired by their courage and bravery, Sigmund pledged his assistance to The Enders, and now works with the Support arm of The End, providing materials and supplies to the group.

While only 5 years had passed for Sigmund, nineteen had passed in the mortal world. His wife, Evelyn, had in this time lost her fight with cervical cancer. His fetch had, by all accounts, been a good husband, and had kept his clock shop fairly well. Sigmund decided not to take the wrathful route so many of his kind had followed; he allowed his fetch to keep his life, and started anew. His connections in The End helped him create a new identity. He used the new potential of the Internet to start an online custom clock boutique. He now lives in North Liberty, where he is the Winter King of eastern Iowa. He views the other fae as his surrogate children, and works to protect them against any potential threats.