Gwydion ap Gwynneth
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 6:39 pm
Gwydion
Last Name: Unknown. He often identifies himself as 'ap Gwynneth', or 'from the isle of Gwynneth'.
Race: Human
Age: He's 18 but is often mistaken for being older.
Height: Taller than the average human.
Weight: Lean/lanky
Eyes: Blue-grey
Hair: Dark brown
Facial Hair Style: Clean-shaven
Appearance: A weather-stained cloak and a wide-brimmed hat with a jaunty feather in it shield the tall and lanky figure from the ravages of the elements. All his clothes show signs of wear from travel and the staff in his hand has obviously had much use as a walking stick. A bulky travelling bag at his side sways as he walks, and the very keen observer can see the outline of books pressing out against the worn leather. A single ring on his left hand bears the insignia of Mystra. It is the only symbol in his apparel. A strange tattoo covers much of his face.
Personality Profile: Gwydion believes in the potential of good in anyone. He has a clear sense of right and wrong, but will associate with others not sharing his views - within limits. (He wouldn't stand by and let a Chaotic Evil fellow attack innocents, but he might help the Chaotic Evil guy fight monsters). Not above deception, he still dislikes lying even for the greater good. Lack of progress on his personal quest has made him a bit grumpy and occasionally abrasive, but he usually apologizes (albeit reluctantly) if he realizes he's gone too far. Not always as trusting as the companions he has.
General Health: Sturdy and fit from much walking. A little above average in strength, more so in agility and endurance. (12-14-14)
Deity: Mystra
Initial Alignment: Lawful Good
Profession: Traveller, trader, explorer, mage
Base Class & Proposed Development: Wizard/Arcane Scholar/Archmage/Harper Agent
Habits/Hobbies: Bookworm. Also collects scrolls.
Languages: Arcane, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling, Illuskan, Infernal
Weapon of Choice: Staff
Background
Born in 1331 DR, Gwydion grew up in a small estate on the moors of Gwynneth east of the town of Graystone with his father, mother, and sister. His father, a paladin and knight of the High King, had been given the home in return for many years of loyal service, and ranked high enough to afford his children a decent education. Both turned out to be highly intelligent, grasping concepts quickly and advancing in their studies far more rapidly then their peers would have. Thrilled by his children's ability, Gwydion's father arranged for both of them to attend a school in nearby Graystone, but while Gwydion's sister proved as adept in the social environment as the academic one Gwydion had a far harder time making a connection with the other children. After some badly botched attempts at making friends he gave up and decided to focus solely on his first love, his books.
Time passed quickly and the rolling hills of the moor put on a brilliant display of flowers as the seasons changed but Gwydion didn't notice as his nose was often stuck in one of the books he loved. Soon, however, he had gone through all the books in the house and this drove him to start traveling again to visit the nearby towns in search of new reading material. It was at this time that he ran across the concept of the Weave and its manipulation.
In his part of the Moonshae Isles, the native people (called the Ffolk) didn't dabble much in the arcane, instead having a strong druidic tradition, but Gwydion found himself drawn to the study of such. After a few untimely accidents his father (sans eyebrows) strongly discouraged him from said pursuit. This was less than effective as the stuff had got into Gwydion's blood and despite a few failures the boy quickly learned he was naturally gifted at the manipulation of the Weave, as with his other studies. His sister proved a great encouragement in this, in no small part because she noticed how it got him out of the house and interacting with the world around him (though admittedly interacting in a rather strange way...).
Then, in 1345 DR, Gwydion's father was called back to fight in what would become known as the Darkwalker Wars. Triggered by Kazgaroth the Beast, a follower of Bhaal leading the northlanders in the guise of Grunnarch the Red, the war ended in a great battle at the town of Caer Corwell in 1346 DR where Kazgaroth and his forces were finally routed.
With victory, High King Tristan began working to smooth relations between the Ffolk and the Northlanders of the Isles and northlander raids became more sporadic. But they did not stop completely...
The next year, while Gwydion was away searching for a few magical scrolls he had heard were possessed by an elderly couple in the nearby town of Pontswain, his home was raided by Northlanders. He returned to smoking ruins and dead bodies showing signs of torture. A trader travelling from Graystone found him standing among the ruins with dead eyes and clothes rent. The trader brought him back to Graystone but Gwydion's mind appeared to have retreated far inside him and showed no signs of returning.
With a great deal of prayer and time, the priests of Chauntea were able to bring the young man back to himself, upon which he set out to exact revenge upon the northlanders. Another of Tristan's knights heard of his quest and rode to intercept him. When challenged, he explained that the High King had been working to better relations between northlanders and Ffolk, and Gwydion's revenge could start a chain of retaliations in motion that could stymie the king's efforts.
It was one of the toughest decisions Gwydion had to make, but he agreed not to seek out his family's attackers in the hopes that it would lead to a more permanent peace among the peoples. However, he could no longer stay on the island, for it brought back too many memories and he feared that if he stayed he would not be able to resist going after the northlanders. So, with a heavy heart, he left Gwynneth and went to seek solace in the magic he had discovered.
Goals: Gwydion's thinks there's a lack of structure and magical organization among the wizards on the realm. He wants to change that and hopes to eventually start a magical academy as a center for apprenticeship, magical research and experimentation. In the meantime, he's willing to take an apprentice if he finds one who wants and needs the teaching.
Possible Plot-Hook Ideas and Misc Facts: (Unless it goes against lore somehow) The group who attacked Gwydion's family were actually a cult of Bhaalists who did so partly in revenge for the part Gwydion's father played in the Darkwalker Wars (it wasn't a war-changing part, but still...). They seek to destabilize relations further between the Ffolk and the northlanders. Gwydion's heard a rumour that the raid might not have been a normal northlander raid and is seeking information, specifically from a northlander that took part in it. I was thinking one who was disturbed/disgusted by the excess of violence in that particular raid could be the source of information if found, but just a suggestion. Anyway - if found, the information could result in a guild/group raid led by Gwydion partly in an unfulfilled desire for revenge but also in part to stop the Bhaalists from trying to undo the High King's efforts.
Please remember: you may know very little of this In-Character!!!