Bordell

Description

Spells (1): 1st--light.

Bard Abilities: PP 40, DN 20, CW 50, RL 10.

Weapon Proficiencies: Short sword; dagger.

Nonweapon Proficiencies: Dancing; Etiquette; Heraldry; Local History*; Musical Instrument (lyre)*; Reading/Writing (common)*; Singing*, 3 open. *Denotes proficiencies granted by his bard class.

Equipment

Bordell usually wears a short sword, keeps his lyre with him at all times, and carries a brown leather pouch around his neck, tied with a leather strap. He never reveals the contents of his pouch, which contains what he calls “his valuables,” but he guards it obsessively.

Combat/Tactics

Bordell dislikes fighting (mostly because he always feels he’ll lose) and tries to avoid it by talking his way out of a fight, usually by belittling his opponent for resorting to physical violence. If forced to defend himself, he fights wildly with his short sword or dagger (never both) and will fight only long enough to escape, throwing chairs, tables, or any other object in the path of his opponents to help his retreat.

Appearance

Bordell is a lanky man over six feet tall, with a very slender build, long, stringy, black hair, and dark blue eyes. His cheekbones protrude, his eyes are usually sunken and tired looking, making them appear more black than blue, and he looks quite morbid and skeletal. He is usually found at the Pitt (or any other tavern), stretched out on the floor in the shadiest corner, his back propped lazily against the wall, while he strums quietly on his lyre. Mostly, he sings quiet, depressing songs that speak of lost love, corrupted heroes, or tragic defeats. People usually ignore him, but often someone will heckle the bard for an upbeat tune. Occasionally, Bordell will oblige, but while he might even stand up to dance and sing, the lyrics will usually still speak of something morose or even morbid.

Personality

Bordell has always been a pessimist, taking every situation at its worst. The way he tells it, nothing ever good has happened in his life, though in truth he has never really had it that bad. Bordell mostly feels sorry for himself, and if denied something he requests, he usually cuts the person down, complaining that that was exactly what he’d expect from the “selfish” person. He believes everyone is out for himself, and no one can be trusted. Bordell really doesn’t have any friends, since he pushes them away, and, at best, is difficult to get along with.

Locales Frequented

The Pitt (see the Establishments section of Book1: Places of Interest), though every location is only temporary for Bordell.

History

Bordell is the spoiled third son of a wealthy merchant from a distant town. The merchant, having started out poor, wanted a better life for his sons and so put them through school and paid to have them taught courtly manners and other talents that might help them earn favor with the nobler classes. He also encouraged all his sons’ talents, including Bordell’s natural gift for music. Bordell’s early teachers were amazed by the boy’s natural talent, but were discouraged by his lack of self-discipline. Bordell never strove to improve himself or his abilities. As Bordell grew older, his father tried to guide the boy, but Bordell misinterpreted his father’s interest as a heavy hand and continued to rebel, holding all authority figures in contempt. One day, he fell into an altercation with his father and marched away, promising he would never return. Over the next several years, Bordell has wandered, always seeking happiness and excitement, but usually ending up hurting and making miserable the ones he encounters. He currently resides in the town where the Pitt is located, but it is only a matter of time before he will move on again. Bordell usually moves on from a place once too much attention gets drawn to him, say if people begin bullying him or start wanting too much information from him.