Rookwood

Devon Rookwood, Jack of All Trades and Knave of Hearts

Devon Rookwood

Devon Rookwood grew up in the village of Willowbrook, where his father Grimal dealt in furs and his mother Merilith sang at the local tavern, the Mucky Duck. His brother Harlan was born two years after him, and the two were as different as night and day. Devon spent all of his time with his mother in the tavern, while Harlan was always assisting his father with trapping animals and tanning hides. It was in the Mucky Duck that Devon learned to appreciate rousing songs and glorious tales of heroes and legends.

When a group of soldiers passed through the area conscripting young men into service, Devon knew that he'd be taken, as he was the first-born. He didn't feel very patriotic though, and Harlan was eager to go in his stead, so when the soldiers knocked on the door, Harlan answered and pretended to be the eldest. He was never a good bluffer, and the soldiers realized that it was in fact Devon who was older. Harlan began demanding that they take him, and let his anger get the better of him. In his rage he pushed one of the soldiers, who then drew a sword on him. Things escalated quickly, and Devon came to his brother's defense. Unfortunately, when all was said and done, the three soldiers ended up dead.

The other villagers, furious that soldiers had been killed and worried about royal retribution, banished the family from Willowbrook. They travelled east through the Gryphon Moors, first to Halfshire and then to Avensmere, where they settled. It was in Avensmere that Devon, while performing in the tavern, caught the attention of a local noble, who asked him to be a minstrel at court. Devon accepted immediately, since the noble's daughter was rather comely.

The following year, though, Devon had to leave Avensmere, as he'd unfortunately gotten the young countess pregnant and her father was less than pleased.

So began Devon's adventures through the eastern lands.

Some time later in Auldencoor, he worked for a guild of thieves (the Red Brotherhood) as a fence, selling stolen property to unaware buyers. He heard that a local priest, Savnock, was interested in obtaining some rare herbs to use in a divine ritual, and after his associates procured some he arranged a meeting. Unfortunately it was all a trap. The herbs had been taken from a garden belonging to Savnock's sister, and the priest was only trying to ferret out the culprits. At the supposed exchange, Savnock told Rookwood that he would let him go if he only gave him the names of his comrades. Knowing the Red Brotherhood would have him killed if he ratted them out, he used his arcane abilities to render himself invisible to Savnock for a short while, and escaped. Rookwood left that very night, but Savnock reported his peculiar ability to his superiors.

Rookwood's Stats and Equipment

Class: Bard (valorous), level 1
Physical Appearance: 26 yrs old, 5'8" tall, 160 lbs
Beliefs: unaligned, follower of Sehanine (goddess of trickery, love, and the moon)
Ability Scores: Str 10, Con 16, Dex 13, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 18
Feats: Sneak of Shadows (rogue multiclass, Thievery skill training and Sneak Attack 1/encounter)
Skills: Arcana +7, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +11, History +7, Intimidate +5, Streetwise +9, Thievery +5
Hit Points: Max HP 28, Bloodied 14, Healing Surge for 7 x10/day
Defenses: AC 16, Fortitude 13, Reflex 13, Will 15
Senses: Low-light Vision, Passive Insight 13, Passive Perception 10
Languages: Common, Draconic, Elven
Equipment: adventurer's kit, chainmail, short sword, shortbow, flute, ritual book
Ritual Book: glib limerick, silence

Rookwood's Powers

At Will: Guiding Strike, War Song Strike
Encounter: Majestic Word (bard feature), Words of Friendship (bard feature), Eyebite (half-elf dilettante power), Shout of Triumph
Daily: Stirring Shout