Name: Ree 'Elizabeth' Tosscobble Alias: Shadowfox Attire: Dresses in blacks, greys, reds, and typically dark colors. Age: 40 Race: Hin Sex: Female Place of birth: Calimshan Alignment: Friendly but self-serving. Patron deity: All Hin's follow Yondalla right? Profession: Treasure Hunter, Wine Merchant "That smile won’t save your coin, but I appreciate the effort"
Ree was raised in a small Hin community within the Calimshan desert, where the sun was less a comfort and more a threat. Due to the temperatures, life there revolved around the heat, where the days were spent in refuge, and the night was when real 'living' began. This familar rhythm never left her. Even now to this day, she moves more easily under the cover of darkness, where the world feels quieter, softer, and less exposed.
Eventually life carried her to the Sword Coast, where she spent most of her adulthood in Baldurs Gate. Her playful, mischievous nature did not go unnoticed, eventually drawing the attention of the Thieves Guild. Their violent leadership offered her a place among them, but Ree turned it down, valuing her freedom over an allegiance to what they were offering her. Though generally good natured, she wasn't a stranger to being in the wrong place at the wrong time... and even found herself tossed into a Flaming Fist prison cell through a miss understanding. Whether by luck or crafty words, thankfully she was able to talk her way out of the allegations that she was associated with the Hellstorm crew.
After that, life remained relatively ordinary for the little Hin until she met Terra Tosscobble. The two became inseparable, throwing themselves into one misadventure after another. They worked hard on organizing other halflings together, purchased land in the Outer City with dreams of opening the Lucky Horse Tavern, and chased ambitions far larger than either of them probably should have. Most of those ventures failed spectacularly, though Ree eventually found success through her wine exporting business, building something surprisingly profitable for herself. In time, she and Terra were wed, and for a while life was good.
Then the Bhaalists captured Ree.
Life for her became much darker inside. Though outwardly she continued to be who she had always been, It took a long time for Ree to find anything resembling peace after what they put her through. That hatred never left her. Even now, hunting down cultists and ruining their work remains one of her highest priorities. Even to this day she continues down this path, while spending time with other people she considers 'free spirited' and not locked down by ideals or righteous faith.
✧Personality Traits
-Protective ♡
Ree is fiercely protective of her friends, and above all her wife, Terra Tosscobble. When it comes to a fight, she is less focused on the kill, and instead always looking for ways to control the situation or assist her companions. She carries healing supplies and 'wakeup salts' in case things take a turn for the worst, and will move instinctively to shield, redirect, or draw pressure onto herself if it means buying the injured more time.
Calculating ❁
When discussions turn deep or are matters of high importance, she tends to slow down weighing the options carefully before responding. She frames her understand of the world through lessons learned that resulted in successes, from failures with close calls, and answers using her own personal experiences and stories rather than books or hearsay. She is deliberate, methodical, and rarely speaks without purpose or without an intended outcome in mind.
-Mischievous ¢
Ree is a playful troublemaker, the kind that gets pulled off course if she thinks it will promise a laugh. One of her proudest little victories is the suggestive painting she managed to acquire of Zachary, where she proudly presented it to Sel. She had been playfully heckling the scoundrel for weeks after witnessing a particularly steamy 'one sided' flirting session. On the surface It didn't seem grand, but it was hers-- something she had carefully worked up for many weeks. She believes that one shouldn't let the truth get in the way of a good story, and Sel's phrase of "cheeky hin" can quite often be heard as he scolds her both with dismay... and possibly a bit of fondness.
-Pragmatic-◈
She gives little regard to the idea of a moral high ground-- it's a luxury she's never found much use for. Her choices lean instead toward what works, what lasts, what keeps her and the the other halfings ahead of whatever comes next. She measures decisions by the outcome favoring efficiency over ideals, and rarely hesitates when a line needs crossing. In her mind, if a move strengthens those important to her, then it's the right one.
+Likes
Shadows ☾
She is drawn to shadows with a quiet fixation. Shadow puppets, silent movement, the absence of light itself each holds an attraction she cannot ignore. What began as tools for concealment has shifted into something deeper, something passionate. She now regards them as both shelter and a path of guidance, and she steps willing as they beckon her to continue to the darkness.
-Wine-
She is often seen with a wine glass in hand when she is lounging around others. She prefers Berduskan Dark, though she will drink most red berry wines without complaint. On the surface, she presents herself as a traveling wine merchant moving stock between cities-- a story that neatly explains her steady flow of coin. In truth though, she will take most opportunities for coin as long it they aren't too devious, and is a frequent on adventuring parties hoping for her share of the loot.
Bombs ☄
This little Hin has an unreasonable fondness for bombs. Not for their design or craft-- those details escape her... but for the blunt, satisfying chaos they create when the 'boom' goes off. There was even a moment where she considered leveling half the Steeps to get back back at someone who had slighted her... but, thankfully her friends put an immediate end to that idea. She claims that it was just a joke... but... was it?
Explorer ╬
An explorer at heart, her wanderlust personality enjoys finding new locations, even if that means slipping into places where she is not meant to be. She enjoys the adrenaline just as much as the work-- especially when it involves piecing together stories from scattered clues to find new areas. Exploring cost money though, so she isn't against gathering a few 'suggested donations' while she is there... even if she's not meant to be. She believes wealth belongs to those clever and resourceful, and the day is not truly finished until she is a little richer than she was before.
⊝ Personality Flaws
Emotional ↝
She keeps her emotions tightly bound in the presence of others, but beneath that control is a constant churn. Decisions in the moment come easily to her but it is often the aftermath that haunts her. In the quiet of her own space, the weight of those choices settle in and she's had more than a few tearful breakdowns. Deep down she believes she is a good person, but she's not always proud of her decisions.
Overthinker ⇄
When she makes mistakes, she has a hard time leaving it behind. She turns it over, again and again, dissecting each choice and moment as though repetition might reveal a different outcome. Even when the mistake proves harmless, or the situation resolves cleanly, it rarely eases her mind. She is unforgiving toward herself in a way she would never be toward others. Letting go does not come natural to her... it lingers, clings, and often taking days or weeks before the weight finally loosens its grip on her heart.
--Grudges-- ⇣
She does not easily forgive when she is offended or made to feel uneasy. Trust for her, is not a flexible thing... it fractures quickly and takes great effort to mend, if at all. With strangers, her tolerance is thin-- a single slight can be enough to close a door that rarely opens again without great effort. With friends, there is more space, more patience, though even that has its limits.
---Vain---≋
Dirt, sweat, or anything that leaves her feeling unclean greatly annoys her. This leads her to hate the rain, as she cant stand when her hair is wet or tangled, and will quite often slip her dark hood on to cover it. Quite frequently, she retreats to her private bath tucked within her room. There, she will spend hours with almost ritual precision, as if cleanliness itself helps her keep her identity.
-Dislikes
Magic Spells ☇
Ree strongly dislikes most spellcasting, especially anything tied to death magic. What first started out as skepticism, was later transformed into aversion when she was once killed, while hidden in the shadows, by an evil sorceress. She understands its usefulness, and will occasionally rely on a wand if it comes from a trusted source like Kenzi, but she prefers to be without it whenever possible. She also tends to ignore the irony that much of her gear carries enchantments... though in her mind, that’s different, as its not 'casting' of spells. To her, enchantments on equipment are completely normal around the Sword Coast.
--Killing-- ☠
Hunting monsters and chasing treasure is one thing... but assassination, or murder for profit, is not something Ree takes lightly. She understands that sometimes one has no choice but to kill... but she still maintains her reluctance even if its 'for the greater cause'. When she is given the choice, she leans toward quieter, craftier solutions-- ways to solve problems without simply driving a blade through someone’s heart.
--Nobility--♛
Ree dislikes nearly everything about nobles, save for their wealth and their greed. Whether it's her lifetime spent on the 'other side of the fence', or the way they so easily claim all Hins are thieves, she carries a strong distrust of them. Their posturing annoys her, as does their constant need to remind the room how 'important' they are.
Bhaal/Cyrist ☀
She despises followers of Bhaal and Cyric after she was captured by cultists, trapped using blood magic, and forced to kill against her will. While she has gained measure of peace if the revenge she brought against those responsible, the hatred still lingers. Anything tied to those gods attracts her attention... not out of a sense of duty, but out of something far more personal.
--Chickens-- ♨
Ree has a mostly unreasonable dislike of chickens after a misadventure long ago, and additionally refuses to eat “that fowl meat”. In the Outer City, she actively avoids getting close to them-- watching them with suspicion and giving them the occasional dirty look aimed straight at their beady eyes. While she doesn't have nightmares often, one of her worst is being chased by an overwhelming horde of relentless chickens.
⚔ Personal Affects:
'Shadow Fox' - she recently added a tattoo above her right hip, born from equal parts irritation but also a quiet happiness. It traces back to "Jax Winter", who took to calling her “little beast” during their time adventuring. On one occasion, before he could finish the jab, she cut him off with a correction “fox.... Shadowfox!” The small hin said with her eyebrows furrowed. That name lingered... and she adopted the title taking it to heart. This tattoo represents her sly nature, her love of shadows, and is a memento to all the unforgettable adventures she has had in the company of one of her greatest friends.
Sombra - She bought him as a puppy from the animal merchant in the Wide, and has raised him for the past two years. What began as simple companionship has since become something more deliberate-- she both loves him, and counts on him as an official member of her family. He currently lives at the Blushing Mermaid under the care of Guido when Ree is away-- taking his job of watching the front door very seriously... when he's not scarfing down sausages.
Wedding Ring - She wears a simple, dark band-- unassuming at a glance, except for the way it subtly bends the light around it. It's design is deliberate and easy to overlook... and that is precisely the point. It is not meant to draw attention, but to represent her love for Terra Tosscobble.
Ree's Demonkiller Blade - Many years ago, Terra Tosscobble became afflicted by dark magic after picking up a pair of cursed blades during an expedition through the Netherese ruins. What followed was one of the worst periods of both their lives, and Ree swore she would never allow something like that to happen again. While she carries no shortage of weapons on her person, the blade most often seen in her hand was crafted with a very specific purpose-- to stand against evil magic, fiends, and those touched by demonic blood.
Ree's Amulet - She has never trusted magic. Spells, especially the unfamiliar kind, tend to bother her. Her anti-magic amulet was something she uncovered deep within the Seering Caverns. It took her a while to fully understand its value until she by chance was wearing it and it reflected harmful magic away from her. Since then, it has become one of her subtle safeguards.
Ree's Maps - full of uneven lines and what others like to call her 'squiggles', they have proved to be an invaluable resource time and time again. She has two in particular she keeps on her person that she is quite proud of. One shows the path into the Underdark through the Netherese ruins. The other a treasure guide of the Zigguraut, written to make sure not a single drop of loot is missed.
➚Ree's Life Events on "The Sword Coast"
((2009)) Arrived on the Sword Coast and Baldurs Gate
Full name: Ree Age: 38 Race: Strongheart Halfling Sex: Female Place of birth: Calisham Desert Alignment: Chaotic Patron deity: Brandobaris Profession: Adventurer, Wine Merchant Hobbies: Sitting long hours at desks writing.... and making shadow-puppets by candle light.
Physical description:
Like most adventurers around the gate, Ree is in peak physical condition due to her many excursions in search of treasure. She has auburn hair with a dark-cherry tint which she typically keeps covered with her grey hood. Her ears are adorned with several diamond studs with one small radiant Garnet on her left ear. While at her core she is an attractive little Hin, she prefers non descript simple clothing or light armor and actively makes an effort to -not- stand out amongst her peers. She keeps a small short sword on one side and a dagger on the other, always ready to protect herself or her Family. On her back is a small pack full of provisions which almost always has a bottle of her favorite wine Berduskan Dark. Overall, others appraising her would likely see her as just another ordinary Hin who probably wandered down from the Gullykin... and that is exactly the way she likes it.
Psychological description:
Ree has a very outgoing personality which she takes full advantage of. She makes it a point to hintroduce herself to new people, and finds blending in with society and those around her very natural. She has a hyper-active demeanor which is typically overflowing with optimism and positivity. When conversing with others she pays extra close attention to their words, and is always looking for ways to connect and befriend them. Ree is passionate and always eager to take part in others adventures. She finds people fascinating and loves to learn their stories, walks of life, or as much detail as possible of those she meets. While certain things will set the little Hin off, she generally has very good control over her emotions. In times of business, she is able to put her best Foot forward, roll up her sleeves, and use her Hands and Arms to get things done-- after all, the wine business is hard work and one must always be procuring if they are to stay alive.
Biography
Family
She loves to keep up with many of her Family who are in the gemstone business-- emerald seems to be the hot gemstone of the season and its a good time to be in business!
History
Ree grew up in the desert in a small halfling encampment. Due to the extreme heat and treacherous sun, her people's work day started in the evening hours when the blazing sun went down and the outside was a manageable temperature. Because of this, she got quite used to being in the darkness of the night and often found entertainment in playing with shadow puppets created using candlelight. She fell in love with how the shadows could dance across the house in a carefree effort, not worrying about the hardships of the world, and playing tricks on her eyes in an entertaining theatre. She practiced almost every night, and she dreamed that someday if she got good enough, she would be able to manipulate them so adeptly that they would dance to her will as if they were truly alive.
Life Goals Number one most important goal of her life! Find her best friend Terra Tosscobble - Status: COMPLETED
Expand her shadow puppet skills so that she can put on a professional grade performance - Status: Stuck and frustrated not knowing who would know more about shadows and bending light
Get Rich - Status: Work in progress with no foreseeable future.
Heirloom item
Ree's father owned a butcher shop in the Calisham desert for many years. He would spend countless hours honing his craft and working into the wee hours of the night using his favorite dagger. This dagger was not only the tool that fed the family, which their survival depended on, but it was perfectly crafted for Hin sized hands and was quite concealable in case you ever found yourself in a pinch. *if Chosen...* when Ree her left parents behind, she took her fathers dagger with her -just in case- things ever got rough.
Ree's mother was a master seamstress, sewing, weaving and producing Hin sized clothing for her village and people. Ree had always hated wearing black because it was too hot in the sun, but also didn't like white because it would get dirty too easily and could be seen from a mile away. She asked her mom to make her something in between. Ree's mom fashioned a grey hood for her daughter so that she could blend in easily with her surroundings if things got dangerous-- after all she was too small to put up a reasonable fight so her best option was always to hide *If Chosen...* When Ree left town, she took the hood that was lovingly crafted by her mother which hopefully served to keep her only daughter safe and out of trouble.
Ree's Family ,the ones not her parents, had always been in the Gemstone business. Whether is was crafting with emerald, garnet, gold, silver, they were true masters of their art. While helping the business thrive during times of need, it was said she was rewarded with a special ring for her hard work and dedication. While the ring wasn't flashy or gawdy, she thought that it would make a really cool prop for her shadow puppet play when she made figures on the wall by candle-light *If Chosen* Ree accepted her reward for her years of service when she left the Family business to find Terra Tosscobble. Her Family was eager for her to return home someday and hoped that the ring would remind her of the of days long past and guide her back Home.
