Age: 53
 
Occupation:  Groundskeeper
 
Appearance:  Bernard is a large man at 6'-5".  His body is well muscled and shows no signs of weakness.  He has dirty brown hair, a lock always seeming to fall into his emerald green eyes.  His face is tanned and seems older than he is....but perhaps it is not the weather that has etched it's chiseled surface....but the many smiles that have seen their way onto his face over the years.  He is not a handsome man....though his eyes seem to show his wonderful disposition and gentle side.  His hands are large and strong.  He is normally seen wearing a button down shirt with a matching pair of dark brown trousers.  A crumpled wide brimmed hat finds it's way onto his head when he is outside, but is immediately tossed to the side when he goes indoors.  A pair of black work boots finishes his ensemble.  Although he has a frumpled look about him, don't let that fool you.  His mind is sharp as a tack.  He always seems to have a bit of dirt somewhere on his body....and seems to have an earthy though not dirty smell around him.  As if the very earth he works has become a part of him.
 
Description:  Bernard is the Groundskeeper of the Academy.  He maintains all the upkeep of the land at the Academy.  He takes pride in the fact that he was appointed to this most crucial role.  He takes his work seriously.  Though he is a hard worker, his charges are treated fairly.  He can be patient with one that shows his worth, but a lazy worker will find more than a frown upon his sun weathered face.  His temper is only bested by Heidi's.  Though his anger does not last long and is soon replaced by a smile once more.
 
He grew up in Groley Woods.  The son of Edward and Shannon Ogston.  He was the youngest son.  Having 2 older brothers and 3 older sisters.  His family was not a rich one....but had a large farm.  He at an early age was enthralled with landscape architecture.  He would spend much of his free moments in the garden of his parents.  His passion eventually made him move to Pallahade when he was 19.  There, he was given a commission to work with a distant relative as a hired hand in many of the more prominate estates of the area.  By the time he was 26, he had proved his natural abilities as a groundskeeper.  Under his hand, estates would flourish and grow with almost ethereal beauty and grace.  He became well known in the area and highly sought after.  At the age of 32, Bernard was asked to come work at the Academy.  He accepted with excitement and enthusiasm.
 
His work at the Academy has made the Academy seem that much richer and refined.  With rolling fields of lush green; meandering walkways through gardens of aromatic brilliantly colored flowers; secluded areas of quiet tranquility by softly bubbling brooks; the Academy can boast of spectacular sights....even if they didn't have the 'corns to grace it.