OK! Now that I have watched the movie, Beowulf is a good choice for Barley.
Another ability he could have is to swim no matter what he's wearing - even if that's a full suit of armor. And perhaps he could just summon a weapon, any weapon he can think of (kind of in the KH/FF13 style). He could also have superstrength as the poem mentions tearing Grendel's arm off with his bare hands.
As for quirks, perhaps it could be something like "always a hero but never The Hero". Which is kind of how Barley is in the movie too. Always eager to step up to a fight to protect but never claiming any credit it might earn him.
no subject
Another ability he could have is to swim no matter what he's wearing - even if that's a full suit of armor. And perhaps he could just summon a weapon, any weapon he can think of (kind of in the KH/FF13 style). He could also have superstrength as the poem mentions tearing Grendel's arm off with his bare hands.
As for quirks, perhaps it could be something like "always a hero but never The Hero". Which is kind of how Barley is in the movie too. Always eager to step up to a fight to protect but never claiming any credit it might earn him.