Gustav “Bingus” Bingrellstein III is a recurring non-player character in the Dungeons & Dragons campaign Tales of Home Depot. He was a paladin of the Solithian Army of Mira, the current Heart of Solis, and was best known for his friendship with Sir Appel, one of the main party members.
Gustav Bingrellstein III was born in 1835 A.E. as the oldest child to Cassandra Bingrellstein, an esteemed general of the Solithian Army. Gustav would then become an older brother to Augusta Bingrellstein in 1842 A.E.. During his teenage years, Gustav attended Her Holiness’ Academy for the Immaculate and Faithful as part of required training to enlist in the Solithian Army. As a result of his prestigious family status, Gustav became one of Mira’s most trusted paladins, which would eventually lead to Gustav’s failed mission of vanquishing a couatl under Mira’s orders.
Gustav’s sexuality is the subject of contentious debate. Some believe him to be bisexual, citing a reference to a “time in college,”¹ while others vehemently deny Gustav could be anything more than heterosexual, fearing feeding into the Bury Your Gays² trope.
A deleted scene suggests that the event in question occurred with Guy Licec, a former Tower Academy student. Their relationship remains a mystery, however, as Guy does not reference the event during the duration of the campaign.
During the Nova arc of Tales of Home Depot, Mira invites several of her most trusted paladins, as well as Sir Appel and Orion Stormquell, back to the Cathedral for a ball. Gustav is seen briefly during the ball, flirting with Lianata von Himmel, before disappearing from view. During this time, Mira offers Gustav the ability to wield a portion of her power. However, as stated by Mira, Gustav was “obviously faithful… but not cut out for this,” and meets an untimely end, unable to withstand the power she granted him.
The reception to his death was overwhelmingly poor, leaving most players³ and even several others⁴ grieving the loss of Gustav.
