Between the Cracks - Jak Dimburrow

Character Biographies, Journals, and Stories

Moderators: Moderator, DM

Post Reply
User avatar
Hullack
Recognized Donor
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 4:56 pm

Between the Cracks - Jak Dimburrow

Unread post by Hullack »

Image
The Faery Godmother by Brian Froud


Have you ever lost something, anything, important or trivial, and after exhaustingly searching for it in every nook or cranny you give it up for lost only to one day find it again in a place you're sure, absolutely certain beyond a doubt, that you had searched a hundred times before?

If you have, you're not alone. Its so common-place as to almost escape mention. But really, how did the thing get there? Where was it during all those searches? Simpler folk may shrug and go on with their lives just a touch happier to have "found" what was lost. Wiser folk, those who've paid attention to the stories of their elders, know to say a quiet thank you to the Lady of Lost and Forgotten Things.

She's known by many names in the tales, Names such as: "Amanae;" "the Lady of Lost and Forgotten Things;" "the Woman Between the Cracks;" and to one young halfling "Mum."

Not much is known of the circumstances of his birth, but the halfling came to the Lady as most things do, a thing forgotten and abandoned -- for those are the things the Lady loves most. She gave the orphaned child a name from her great collection of names lost to history, and so the lost boy became "Jak."

Image
A Room of Curiosities By Alector Fencer

Jak's early years were spent in the Mislaid Manor, the Lady's otherworldly labyrinthian home full of endless trinkets, oddities, and treasures lovingly collected and cared for. Jak was not lonesome. There were always lost dogs, or stray kittens, or fallen baby birds, or other such abandoned beast that had caught the Lady's fancy. These made fine playmates until the the Lady decided it was time to send them back into the world. And of course, there was Mum.

Perhaps it was wishful thinking or maybe just simple pride but of all the house's strays Jak believed that the Lady loved him best for it was only he that she took on her jaunts into the world outside the manor. Cloaked and hidden by the Lady's glamours they returned lost keys to unworn jacket pockets, placed errant wedding bands under bedroom rugs, and misplaced trade tools behind craft benches. And collecting, always collecting: bottles; hairbrushes; gears; arrowheads; gems of every size and color; lockets; journals; relics of distant ages; artifacts of strange and powerful magics; spools of thread; broken dolls; trash and treasure priceless and worthless each collected according to the Lady's whimsy and all of it lost and forgotten to the world. Jak never understood the sense of it, but that mattered little to him. It made Mum happy and so he happily carried along.

Life carried on in this happy way for many years until by some unknown test or simple whim the lady decided that it was Jak's time to be returned to the world. He was taken on a final outing beyond the manor where there were tears (his), matronly smiles (hers), loving farewells (shared), and dismay (his) after finding the path back to the Manor unknowable after his first meeting with mortal people.

His concern was not long lived. He soon found that the Lady had not left him completely. He would on occasion find a letter from Mum left in a pocket he was sure he had checked not a moment before or a package delivered by an abandoned animal freshly returned to the world. He discovered, with practice, that he could still call upon Mum's magic when needed. That need came often as the Lady's messages of love and affection were often accompanied by directions to return something lost and lovingly cared for from her collection to the world or to retrieve some forgotten object.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image
Profile

Full name: Jak Dimburrow
Age: 19 (Unknown to Jak)
Race: Strongheart Halfling
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 29 Eleasis 1348 (Unknown to Jak)
Place of birth: Isle of Gwynneth (Unknown to Jak)
Alignment: CG
Patron deity: Titania
Profession: Retainer, House Vale (Master of the Watch)
Classes: Warlock, Fey-Touched, Shadow-Dancer, Dragon-slayer
Primary language: Sylvan
Secondary languages: Common, Halfling, Elven, Chondathan, Draconic

Pact:
Fey: Amanae
More commonly known as the Lady of Lost and Forgotten Things or The Woman Between the Cracks in peasant lore, Amanae is a collector and caretaker of things which are lost, forgotten, or abandoned. These things are stored in the Mislaid Manor, Amanae's labyrinthian home within the Fey-wild, and sternly protected from threat and harm until they are deemed 'ripe' and returned to the world of mortals at the proper place and time. The Lady is a timeless creature and her collection is vast. Objects may enter her care and remain for centuries, years, or days. If there is a greater plan or intent as to when and where such things are returned to the world it is known only to The Woman Between the Cracks.

Amanae tasks Jak with collecting (or returning) specific lost, abandoned or forgotten things from (or to) the mortal world. Such a things can be mundane as a house-key, as important as a living creature, or as powerful as an ancient artifact. The Lady seems to care for all such things deeply and equally. These tasks must be completed in stealth and secret less the object no longer be truly forgotten. Jak will seek out lost things on his own accord if not so tasked and deliver them to his Matron by leaving them in 'thin-spots' while briefly stepping into the fey-wild.

Ancestor: Fey-Ancestry (Brownie)
Though the ancestry is diluted by several generations the goodly fey-folk's nature of serving a house who's morals match their own has manifested in Jak as has their nature of gifting treasures to those deserving.

Physical description:
Jak is a small framed, pale-complexioned, youthful halfling with handsome thin features. His large grey-blue eyes accentuate his youthful countenance and are topped by dark brows giving him an appearance of slight worry at most times. He wears his fine black hair styled in an undercut and dresses in the dusky blue and gold of House Vale.

Psychological description:
Having been raised largely isolated in the the Mislaid Manor, Jak is in many respects an autodidact. Most of his knowledge of the outside world comes from the endless books and works of art around the manor or from his brief excursions at the side of his Matron. He is often naïve to the world's many complexities due to his sheltered upbringing, and wholly ignorant on many subjects which might be common knowledge to most. He is a perpetual optimist who largely sees the good in people, and seeks to care for and protect those in need out of a sense of repaying the protection and identity given to him by his adopted mother. He has a hard time understanding the motivations of those who act with evil or cruelty and instead thinks of them as a some aberrant force to be avoided or overcome. He possesses a natural curiosity and excitement for the new great new world he has been thrust into and a playful nature that emerges once his shyness if overcome.

Religious views:
Jak was not brought up with religion. Instead, he has adopted his Mum's view of maternal fealty toward Titania. His experiences in the Godswar and encounters with actual mortal gods (such as Deneir) have only reinforced his view that the gods of mortals are largely unworthy of his attention. He does, however, understand that the people of the world do not agree with him and place great imporantance upon their many religions. He has therefore made efforts to learn more of the various pantheons from the libraries and other resources around the Gate.

Shar from the little he knows about her seems like a terrible perversion of his Mother's efforts to keep and care for that which is lost. He has a strong revulsion and great unease at the idea of the Lady of Loss.

Biography

Family
None living.

History
Born on the isle of Gwynneth in the Moonshaes Jak's family fell victim the rampages of the great beast, Kazgaroth, during Jak's first year of life. Perhaps drawn by the the remnants of fey-blood within his veins Jak was collected by the Lady of Lost and Forgotten Things and raised within the shelter of her manor in the Fey-wild. Jak's childhood was spent exploring the oddities and treasures comprising his adopted Mother's collection and caring for the various birds and beasts which came into her home much as he did. Despite the company of the many animals which entered and left his mother's care, Jak found himself longing for a playmate like himself. So the Lady used her skills and magics to animate Jak's own shadow and bestowed upon it a measure of sentience. Now capable of stepping from Jak's feet and moving by its own will, his shadow became an ever-present companion occupying the young halfling's days with play and games. Above all they enjoyed reenacting tales from the storybooks in Amanae's collection of great dragons and the brave knights that fought them. As Jak grew older and entered adolescence he was taken along by Amanae on her jaunts into the world outside the manor and began assisting with her 'work.' As his skill grew from practice he became an apprentice of sorts, learning the art of shadow-play and how to draw upon the Lady's magics and glamours for himself. And as he grew into maturity his Matron deemed him 'ripe' and took him once more into lands of men to the outskirts of the city known as Baldur's Gate. He was told it was time for him to be given back to the world, and that he would not longer be lost to it. 'Pushed from the nest' he strove awkwardly to find his place in a strange new world, eventually finding a home, then friends, and a family of sorts within the Vale Estate.

Future
Jak is fiercely loyal to his Adopted Mother and hopes to honor her through his actions.
Jak is supportive of the Vale estate and pleased to have found his place within the mortal world. He hopes to further the house and potentially bring his two worlds together -- for example allowing Brownies, Dobies, Domovoi and other beneficial house sprites to flourish within the Vale estate's new farm initiative.
Jak hopes to help those suffering under evil fey influences such as those pacted to evil fey entities or those harmed by creatures such as 'She who walks in Roses.'
Jak hopes to learn more about the world and leave his mark on it for the better.

Heirloom item
A shawl gifted by this Adopted Mother and worn during their trips into the mortal world.
A ____________, among the oldest things in Amanae's collection. Given to him when returning him to the world without explanation or instruction.
A charm filled with water drawn from a sacred Moonwell. The only remaining trace of Jak's life before the fey-wild.

Plot hooks
Jak may be tasked with returning an important and/or powerful object to the world from Amane's collection. The new presence of which may bring conflict to the lands of Baldur's gate.
Jak may be tasked with collecting an object (either important or mundane) from a place of danger or intrigue, and in so doing witness an event he was not supposed to see.
His Matron serves within the Court of the Queen. She (and thereby Jak) may come into conflict with evil Fey.
As House Vale's Master of the Watch, he may come into conflict with those who view the House as an enemy such as Zhentarim.
Last edited by Hullack on Wed Apr 12, 2023 8:07 pm, edited 10 times in total.
Jak Dimburrow : House Vale (Character Biography/Journal)
Playtimes: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) / UTC/GMT -5
Items Wanted and Offered in Exchange
User avatar
Hullack
Recognized Donor
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 4:56 pm

Re: Between the Cracks - Jak Dimburrow

Unread post by Hullack »

Image
*~a crackle of spell failure and fizzle~*
*~a crackle of spell failure and fizzle~*
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"Um... Hi mum, It's Jak. I just got word from a, well a god I guess. He said that the Queen and her Court ..."
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
" ... were thrown out of the other place with the other Gods. Also that there's a bad queen too. You serve the good queen right?"
*~A spell is cast and empowered by wild magic a message reaches out across the Planes~*
" Um.. I mean of course you do, um sorry. I guess I just wanted to check on you. Haven't had a note in a while... "
*~a crackle of spell failure and fizzle~*
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"...and things are kind of bad here. I... I just hope you're alright. Bye, Mum."
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"Oh I almost forgot! Do you know someone named Robin Goodfellow? I made a friend here who knows him."
Last edited by Hullack on Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jak Dimburrow : House Vale (Character Biography/Journal)
Playtimes: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) / UTC/GMT -5
Items Wanted and Offered in Exchange
User avatar
Hullack
Recognized Donor
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 4:56 pm

Re: Between the Cracks - Jak Dimburrow

Unread post by Hullack »

A Catalogue of Items Left for "Mum."
ITEM WHERE FOUND WHERE LEFT DATE LEFT
Jar of Greenest Bees A dead body outside Greenest Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 7 Nightal 1358
Broken Shovel In a trashcan outside the Friendly Arms Inn Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 7 Nightal 1358
A button that fell off Osric's jacket On the floor in the Vale Estate Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 7 Nightal 1358
Fife of Blasting A trash-pile in the Old Sewers under the City Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 7 Nightal 1358
A torn parchment with strange runic writing A haunted ruin behind a caved-in tunnel in the Gnoll mines. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 8 Nightal 1358
A woman's wedding ring; dirty and antique The Baldur's Gate graveyard. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 10 Nightal 1358
A flyer for the Winter-Solstice Gala with a muddy boot-print on it On the side of the road near Blunt's smithy. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 10 Nightal 1358
A single monogrammed cufflink; unmatched. Brought by Rain's raven, 'Hem' while feeding him during her absence. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 10 Nightal 1358
A Talisman of Pure Good Buried in the Reaching Wood Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 11 Nightal 1358
A Talisman of Pure Evil A moldering chest within the Reaching Wood Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 11 Nightal 1358
Two Bags of Mystery Meat Abandoned near a Brazier in Triel Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 12 Nightal 1358
A faded and tattered flyer advertising Tarina's Medicine and Magic shop The Greenest bulletin board Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 12 Nightal 1358
A Dusty Tome on plannar travel A ruin in the Cloakwood Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 20 Nightal 1358
A bowl of commanding water elementals Half-buried along the roadside. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 28 Nightal 1358
A key to an unknown lock A trashcan at the friendly arms inn. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 28 Nightal 1358
A child's doll On the street in the Heapside district A storm drain by the Vale Estate during a fey-step. 8 Hammer 1358
A hand-written recipe for cranberry bread Behind a shelf in the Vale Estate Kitchen A storm drain by the Vale Estate during a fey-step. 8 Hammer 1358
A large diamond A lich's lair Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 8 Hammer 1358
A birds nest, with two intact eggs, one broken. A on the ground near the outer-city. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 25 Hammer 1358
A message in a bottle - sealed. The beach, near the lighthouse south of candlekeep. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 25 Hammer 1358
A scroll detailing how to summon an ice-elemental. A dusty cave in the speartop mountains. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 25 Hammer 1358
A filigree locket with a micro painting of a little girl The side of the road in the Wide Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 30 Hammer 1358
A love poem to a woman named Anna-Alize Crumbled next to a campfire outside the Friendly Arms Inn Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 30 Hammer 1358
A Ring of Nine Lives Half-buried in the muddy floor of a vampire's lair. Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 30 Hammer 1358
A Cache of Magical Silver Throwing Axes The entrance to the Friendly Arms Inn Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 3 Alturiak 1359
A man's pocket comb - horn and brass The streets of the Wide Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 3 Alturiak 1359
A coin of unknown origin/mint The floor of a wagon headed to Nashkel Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 3 Alturiak 1359
A carved wooden bead in the shape of a mushroom The common area of the Vale Estate (upper floor) Fairy Ring inside the Cloakwood during a Fey-Step 3 Alturiak 1359
A gold tooth; engraved with the initials 'JD' The dirt of the arena in the wide. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
A dusty book with no title written in a language Jak doesn't understand. Fallen behind a bookshelf in the Shelf of Many Books A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
A ring made from a silver spoon. Between two planks on the Baldur's Gate dock. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
A hand-carved chess set. Underneath a park bench in the Manorborn district. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
Last edited by Hullack on Tue Feb 28, 2023 8:24 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Jak Dimburrow : House Vale (Character Biography/Journal)
Playtimes: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) / UTC/GMT -5
Items Wanted and Offered in Exchange
User avatar
Hullack
Recognized Donor
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 4:56 pm

Re: Between the Cracks - Jak Dimburrow

Unread post by Hullack »

Image
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"Mum, I'm leaving some lost things in the usual place. Um, a friend of mine lost something that I wanted to ask you about."
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"Well, more it was taken from her by someone -- someone like you but bad."
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"I guess he makes her lose things from their bargain, and she's not allowed to tell me his name."
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"I was hoping if he makes her lose anything important you could maybe take what-evers lost and keep it safe."
*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"Um, thanks mum. I hope you're doing well. I'd like to hear from you if I could... bye."
...

*~A spell is cast and a message reaches out across the Planes~*
"I love you."
Jak Dimburrow : House Vale (Character Biography/Journal)
Playtimes: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) / UTC/GMT -5
Items Wanted and Offered in Exchange
User avatar
Hullack
Recognized Donor
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 4:56 pm

Re: Between the Cracks - Jak Dimburrow

Unread post by Hullack »

Image
Jak crept through the tranquility of the glade letting the calming trickle of pools and streams swallow the sounds of his footsteps. Following Mum's lessons, the training of his childhood, he walked in shadow and silence. If any of the large animals nearby saw him, they paid him no mind. There was no danger here --none the halfling could detect at least-- rather an unearthly peacefulness pervaded the thicket. His small and steady feet noiselessly crossed the slick stones separating a tiny island from the rest of the clearing. A monolithic ancient tree rose from the island's center. Within one of the tree's many hollows resided an image of a carved wooden figure. Weather and time had eroded most of the details leaving only the silhouette of a lithe female form. Jak carefully scaled the rough bark of the massive tree and clamored into the small housing of the female effigy. Within its outstretched arms he placed a torn page he had 'borrowed' from a book within the Gate's bibliotheca -- an illustration of a white diamond with a fiery blue star at its center.

At the roots of the tree, in the center of a fairy-circle of amethyst mushrooms, sat a flat table of natural wood perched atop a stump. Jak descended the tree and placed himself on the far-side of the table. He awkwardly kneeled and placed his hands together in a show of supplication gazing at the carved wooden figure. Jak swallowed a lump in his throat he spoke to the warm open air:

"I'm sorry great Queen if I stumble in words or custom."

His voice caught and broke with nervousness but he pushed on.

"I've never really prayed much; not in the way most folk in this place seem to. What I've learned of Gods and religion I've picked up from books alone. Mum had no use for stuff like that. She served only you in all things and with endless fealty. I have too, or tried to in my own small way I hope. I won't ask anything of you ma'am... not for myself at least. I haven't earned that. But I would ask you to watch and protect Mum. She's in your service; in your court; and I fear she's drawn the ire of something bad--really bad-- from the other-place."

The halfling dug into the leather satchel at his hip and took a small object between his fingers.

"I know what things bring Mum joy... the lost... the mislaid. She's their caretaker and collector for a time at least. I'd been giving such things to Mum, or... or I guess I'd been trying to. This bad thing, what people call 'the Whisperer,' and what calls herself 'She-who-has-always-been-and-walks-on-roses' had been stealing them. I think she meant to steal me too. Mum stepped in and stopped her and told me to run. I'm worried now for her. This button here was meant for Mum, and stolen by something else. I give it now to you. It fell from Mr. Osric's jacket I think. He serves Mr. Goodfellow, um, if-if that means anything to you ma'am. I.. I guess I'm rambling. This is a gift of Mum."

He placed the button on the table before him.

"Great Queen. You're summer and grace and the wonder of all that which is untamed. I give you a gift of light and beauty in the hopes you find some pleasure in it, or amusement in my efforts to do so. This is a gift of you."

He placed a shining gem upon the table.
Image

Jak swallowed nervously and took from his satchel a loaf of summer bread. A small announcement scroll bearing Lord Osric Vale's signature was laid beside the bread. He hesitated but a moment and unpinned an intricate silver charm in the shape of a raven from the inside of his vest and placed it atop the bread. These objects joined the others on the table.

"When Mum gave me back to the world, I was lost and felt like I had nobody. Then I found folk and they became friends, and after a while they became sort of a family. They're what I value most in the world. Aside from Mum I guess. These are gifts from them or symbols of them. It's what's important to me. These are gifts of me."

The hin took a slow breath before continuing.

"Great Queen, the affairs and goings on of this place and its people aren't much your concern I suspect, but this bad thing --whatever people may call it or it calls itself-- isn't from this place and threatens those what are loyal to you. Keep them safe ma'am."
"Please."


The halfling nervously backed away from his make-shift altar unsure of the proper way to end a prayer before slipping away in shadow leaving only his offerings to mark his time spent within the boundless tranquility of the pools.
Jak Dimburrow : House Vale (Character Biography/Journal)
Playtimes: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) / UTC/GMT -5
Items Wanted and Offered in Exchange
User avatar
Hullack
Recognized Donor
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 4:56 pm

Re: Between the Cracks - Jak Dimburrow

Unread post by Hullack »

Biography added to the top post.

A Catalogue of Items Left for "Mum." Part II
ITEM WHERE FOUND WHERE LEFT DATE LEFT
A gold tooth; engraved with the initials 'JD' The dirt of the arena in the wide. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
A dusty book with no title written in a language Jak doesn't understand. Fallen behind a bookshelf in the Shelf of Many Books A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
A ring made from a silver spoon. Between two planks on the Baldur's Gate dock. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
A hand-carved chess set. Underneath a park bench in the Manorborn district. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 28 Alturiak 1359
Several white dragon scales A dragon's cave on the summit of Speartop mountain. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 23 Tarsakh 1359
A carved antler. A bush inside a druid grove. A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 23 Tarsakh 1359
An unlabeled vial of purple powder. A wizard's laboratory in the ruins of Ulcaster A make-shift altar in the Northern Reaching Woods 23 Tarsakh 1359
A gold ring missing its gemstone. The Docks near the Iron Throne Headquarters At the base of a large tree in the Greenfields 18 Ches 1360
A paper with vague directions (Left, left, right, left, 3rd Brick.) The Sewers under the Docks At the base of a large tree in the Greenfields 18 Ches 1360
A miniature brass sculpture of an Onion. In a rut on the Road near the Wyvern Bridge At the base of a large tree in the Greenfields 18 Ches 1360
A spidersilk Tunic. A ruin perched on the Cliffs deep in the Cloakwood At the base of a large tree in the Greenfields 18 Ches 1360
Jak Dimburrow : House Vale (Character Biography/Journal)
Playtimes: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) / UTC/GMT -5
Items Wanted and Offered in Exchange
Post Reply

Return to “Character Biographies and Journals”