Editing Patchface (section)

==History==
[[File:Patchface's Story by Amuelia.jpg|350px|thumb|Patchface was found in [[Volantis]] by Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] and his wife [[Cassana Estermont]], and is now the companion of [[Shireen Baratheon]]. By Amuelia ©]]
Patchface was a [[jester]] [[Slavery|slave]] in [[Volantis]]. He was a clever and skilled boy, with astonishing wit. He was reportedly "nimble as a [[monkey]]", could juggle and tell riddles and do magic tricks, and could sing well in four languages. Patchface's freedom was bought by [[Steffon Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], who was impressed with the boy during his trip to the [[Free Cities]]. Steffon wrote to his [[maester]], [[Cressen]], saying he believed his son [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] would be delighted with Patchface, and that he hoped the fool might be able to make his serious son [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] laugh.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} However, while Lord Steffon was returning to [[Westeros]], his ship was struck by a sudden storm in [[Shipbreaker Bay]]. Steffon's eldest sons, Robert and Stannis, watched from the parapets of [[Storm's End]] while the ''[[Windproud]]'' was smashed against the rocks of the bay. All aboard the ship were believed killed, including Lord Steffon, his wife [[Cassana Estermont|Cassana]], and over a hundred soldiers and sailors.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Patchface washed up among the dead three days later, naked, his skin white and wrinkled. Maester Cressen believed him to be dead as well, but when the Baratheon's servant [[Jommy]] grabbed him to put him on the burial wagon, Patchface coughed up water and sat up. Jommy would swear for the rest of his life that the boy's flesh was clammy cold. What happened to Patchface during the two days he was lost in the sea is unknown, but the fisherfolk around Storm's End often tell a story that a [[mermaid]] had taught him to breathe water in return for his seed.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} 

Though Patchface had survived the shipwreck, he was broken in mind and body; the ordeal had taken his memories, and half his wit. He matched none of what Lord Steffon had written in his letter, and was only recognized by his tattooed face. It was suggested by Ser [[Harbert]], the [[castellan]] of Storm’s End, that it would be kindest for Cressen to [[gift of mercy|euthanize]] the mad boy with [[milk of the poppy]], but the maester refused to do so.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Despite his condition, Patchface is employed as court fool and jester at [[Dragonstone]], the castle of Lord Stannis Baratheon. He spends most of his time with [[Shireen Baratheon]], Lord Stannis's daughter. He offers strange insights and stranger songs, sometimes touching upon what may have really happened to the boy at the bottom of the bay.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}