Mortimer the Mad isn't just a painting...he's the Rutherfords' patriarchal ancestor, a character that went mad, and shows that the family violence is bred in to the family bloodline. The name of this article gives no clue it's only about the Special Loot painting.
What Morris the Cook says, m2cookb_idle2: "They could be killing each other right now. Blood on the stairs, like the old stories. Like Mortimer the Mad. If I had that opal, I'd throw it in the river."
Lord Ember's Journal, CASemberjournal: "Lord Ember's Journal The Opal is what's important. Julian will stop at nothing to take it from me, and I cannot become complacent. Even if he subverts the guards, they cannot get by the new portcullis - I alone control the switch, here by my desk, where I am safe. This castle is rotten with conspiracy. Were it not for dear Elizabeth I'm sure I would lose my mind. Even the portrait of Mortimer the Mad stares down at me from the stairwell balcony as if to name me unworthy of the Opal (those eyes! surely Arlek was the greatest of the Old Masters). I ought to guard it more carefully - it's worth all the other paintings combined. So quiet here tonight. Since Lord Warwick died there's no one left to talk to. My only friend! Why did you waste away staring at that abominable cursed stone! I'm certain there was some witchery involved. I hear they have donated it to the Wieldstrom Museum, and good riddance."
Ehcmier 19:52, 21 April 2009 (UTC)Ehcmier