Last Name: Astorio
Appearance:
Race: Half-elf
Age: 31 (born at 12th of Tarsakh, 1322, was 30 when initially arrived on the Coast)
Height 5 feet
Weight: 100 pounds
Eyes: Deep green
Hair: Brown ponitail
Facial Hair Style: Clean-shaven
Personality Profile:
General Health: Somewhat skinny, though his figure does not look like result of some sickness.
Deity: Not really religious, though respects cults of Oghma and Deneir
Initial Alignment: Chaotic-neutral.
Profession: Singer, author and just a good company along the road. Or a bad company. Depends on the audience.
Base Class & Proposed Development: Bard 25/Dissonant Chord 5
Habits/Hobbies: Bitches. Groans. Writes his own songs about his journeys and general things he witnesses.
Languages: Common, elven, halfling, cormanthan
Weapon of Choice: Tries to not get tied to single weapon type, though he prefers something that give him a bit of reach. But in reality, just uses anything decent that he can lay his hands on. Usually has a dagger just in case.
Background:
░░░░░Solwyn Astorio was born in 1322 DR in Baldur's Gate, though at the age of 22 his wanderlust made him travel to Dalelands and then wander Cormyr. Now Solwyn returns to the city only to find out that his father bravely died holding out hordes of undead. He is trying to find his mother who sold family house in docks and moved to the Ulgoth's Beard.
░░░░░His father (Nicholas Astorio) was part of militia in Thunderstone for 10 years but then he retired and moved to Featherdale where Nicholas met Angua Gariatre, young elven girl, originated from the area. Not a long story: they fell in love with each other and decided to move in a big city, where their child can be raised without prejudice of Anguas' relatives.
░░░░░In Baldur's Gates Nicholas decided to once again tie his life with military and became at first a city guard and then a martial arts instructor. While he was quite skilled at his profession, Nicholas rarely had time and energy to exercise his kid. But he managed to learn Solwyn to properly handle most commonly met weapons and shields, though young half-elf lacked physical training to excel at that art. Angua, mostly, spend time with her child. She taught him elven language, how to use his agile body to avoid traumas and problems and how to control his emotions. However Solwyn was mostly interested in her tales and songs as well as trips to nearby towns and inns.
░░░░░While technically he doesn't have any formal musical education, he did attempt to get one. Sadly, after the first semester, he was bitten by a rat and caught a nasty fever, which screwed up his vocal chords badly. His actual voice from that time is hoarse and quite silent.
░░░░░Solwyn hated (and still hates to this day) his new voice more than anything else in his life. Since at the time his family couldn't afford proper treatment from clergy, Solwyn decide the fix the issue on his own. It took him four years, but after all, he managed to sounds like a decent half-elf being and even sing without wincing in the process. But even after all those years, it still takes a conscious effort to maintain his "daily" voice. And when he's tired, emotionally upset or just in a company of well-trusted friends he occasionally comes back to his hoarse self.
░░░░░After he finally beaten the ghost of his voice, at his sixteenth birthday, Angua gave Nicholas junior the new name. The name we hear today. Or don't hear. Depends on the audience.
░░░░░This name quickly became the symbol of victory for the young half-elf. The symbol, that he can get through anything and come out on top of that. The symbol, that he can beat anything. Even himself.
░░░░░When he turned 22, on his birthday, Nicholas gifted Solwyn a mandolin. It was the first and the last time when Sol's father used Sowyn's not-so-adult name, so this last gift is important for bard in more than one way. He carries and uses this instrument up to this day, even though it's in quite dire shape by now and requires tunin more often than it could be deemed normal. After receiving the gift, Solwyn departed to Cormyr through Dalelands to see his relatives.
░░░░░In Dalelands he met halfling who taught Solwyn a thing or two about locks and throwing weapons. They spend together enough time so that Solwyn was able to learn halfling language. They were good friends, though hin never followed half-elf to Baldur's Gate when time has come for Solwyn to return home. But he was there for Solwyn when Sol's elven grandfather shut door of his house in half-elven face with a scoff, spit and rude "N'Tel'Quess!".
░░░░░After that, young friends traveled to Cormyr, to see Solwyn's aunt. She ended up being promoted to First Sword of Purple Dragon Knights. She met them with warth, that was a surprise for Solwyn after that grandfather incident. Here Sol learn a thing or two about soldier's life, resumed his martial arts training, without much success though, and, overall, had a grand time.
Goals:
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Possible Plot-Hook Ideas and Misc Facts:
░░░░░Was named Nicholas Jr. at his birth (2 people on the Coast know about that, one of them being his mother). At age of 12 was bitten by rat and caught a nasty disease. After that incident is afraid of rats, though he is doing good work at containing his fear. Found his mother at Ulgoth's Beard. His old mandolin is last thing his father left him.