Barnard von Spielburg

Baronet Barnard von Spielburg is a fictional character from Sierra Entertainment's Quest for Glory series. He appears in the first installment, So You Want to Be a Hero.

Approximately 5 years before the events of the first game, Barnard went out hunting and happened upon a Kobold magic user's cave. When told to leave, the Baronet told the Kobold that he was "heir to the lands and all within" and ordered the creature to bow down, whereupon he was transformed into a bear. As further punishment, he was bound with a magical chain and starved into attacking and eating any further intruders. This transformation was unknown to the Baron and his people, as only Barnard's horse returned to the castle, covered in claw marks. His disappearance was presumed to be a part of the Ogress Baba Yaga's curse, and the Baron became a recluse in his despair.

Barnard was later freed from his enchantment by Devon Aidendale, but was reluctant to show thanks for the deed, even at the urging of his grateful father. He announced his plans to unite his father's soldiers and drive the brigands from the valley to claim the title of Hero for himself, but his words never became actions.

Shortly after the events of So You Want to Be a Hero, Barnard's sister Elsa von Spielburg defeated the remaining brigands and attained the title of Hero, while Stefan von Spielburg retired and left the throne to Barnard. In , Elsa angrily describes her brother's refusal to acknowledge her accomplishments and attempts to marry her off to a nearby nobelman. Elsa's friend Toro describes Barnard as a "dumb boss, bad boss", but the new Baron's effect on Spielburg is ultimately never explored in the series.