Roderic Fallstaff
"You realize that risking my life isn't in the contract?"
Born:
2nd
Primary Peak, Pass of 3793
Age: 22
Class:
Mage (conjuror)
Level:
2
Alignment:
Lawful (good)
Statistics:
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 11
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 14
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 15
Background:
Born in Dummockton, in the Kingdom of Ascaria, Roderic Fallstaff is
half-Celenese and half-Durian.
He has a passable education with a number of private tutors and was
educated in as traditional a Celenese manner as could be managed “by
uncouth Durian barbarians.” Roderic likes to consider himself slightly
more civilized than most and a man of worth. A conjuror, he typically
convinces extra-planar creatures to fight for him and seldom wishes to
dirty his own hands (to say nothing of his clothes) with combat.
Roderic comes from Celenese noble stock. His father, Henri Fallstaff,
was a lesser noble of a tiny noble house in Westmarch. Henri decided
that it would be problematic for him gain power and influence with
local affairs being what they were. He convinced a trio of other lesser
nobles to join him in a migration around the continent. Henri chose
restless youths of low standing and lower fitness and wits. When the
others, tragically, did not survive the voyage, Henri nobly took their
wealth and possessions to better start his new life. He worked to
ingrain himself into the local courts and quickly married a local woman
of minor nobility. Exaggerating his noble ties and heritage, Henri
bought a small manor in the region of Dummockton.
Henri’s new wife was a stubborn woman who was pleased to find a husband
who gave her the freedom she wanted. Her reputation as a shrew drove
away other suitors so her father was pleased with Henri’s interest and
offered a large dowry to seal the arrangement. Victorea had little
interest in raising her children, preferring to leave that to
wet-nurses and nannies. Instead she had a head for numbers allowing
Henri to make the connections while she maintained their fortunes.
Roderic was born third son of Henri. His eldest brother, Geoffroy, was
educated in the ways of the court and quickly wormed his way into local
politics while the middle brother, Jacque, joined the clergy as was
expected of him. Geoffroy is a frequent topic of scandal and is
rumoured to have had dalliances with numerous ladies about town.
Jacque, a non-spellcasting member of the Arawan clergy is equally a
subject of rumour. There are whispers he is less than truly devout and
might be abusing his position in the church hierarchy: offering
forgiveness and atonement for sizable donations and convincing the
dying to sign their lands over to the church to guarantee a spot in
paradise.
Roderic himself was an ignored child. Studious and curious, he was
mostly left in the care of tutors and servants. He took up the arcane
arts to impress his father who was always lamenting the local attitudes
towards magic (amongst many other things). His initial magical
education came from a passing wizard who wintered at the manor. The
tutor was a hard but skilled instructor who much preferred illusions
and was disappointed his young apprentice never displayed the
imagination to create something entirely from scratch. The middle-aged
mentor only stayed for a few brief months, just long enough to teach
Roderic the basics, and then hastily left with spring.
An above average student, Roderic quickly learned everything the few
local sages could teach, so he set out to learn more. He boarded a
northbound merchant caravan in hopes of reaching Ironhold or finding
someone on the next stop heading to another major city. The caravan
stopped at Covington Dale then decided to return to Dummockton after
some excellent trades. Roderic, unwilling to turn back home so soon,
decided to stay for a short time and see if the elves or halflings knew
anything of magic.
Roderic is a little concerned with his immediate future. He is used to
wealth and fine living, but knows his –admittedly sizable– supply of
coin will inevitably run short if he continues to live in his current
manner: fine food, soft beds and clean clothes. He is debating odd-jobs
or perhaps finding wizardly work at the local court, but so far is
content to sit and plan at the inn.
Roderic would like to return home someday –he does not wish to spend
all his days as a vagabond– but he wishes to impress his parents and
does not see this as possible at home. He would also like to show-up
his brothers someday, although this is little more than a daydream.
Roderic also wishes to be a true wizard and earn his hat, but this also
stems from the desire to make his father proud.