Hravin Snaefoss - Human Monk

[dwargstof]

Name: Hravin Snaefoss
Race: Human
Class:Monk
BackgroundHermit
-Background Feat: Tough
Pronouns: he/him
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Diety: Deneir
Lifestyle: Ascetic
Faction: Harpers
Region of Origin: Elturgard
Theme: We Are All Trapped Here - Johnny Fallout

Description: Hravin is not particularly remarkabe as far as humans go, standing about 5'10" and weighing in around 195lbs. Well-built without overdoing it, Hravin's most distiguishing feature is his heavy brow, which makes him look perpetually annoyed or excessively contemplative, depending on the lighting. Both are often true, in any case.

Some may find it odd that he still chooses to wear robes fit for an Avowed Acolyte of Candlekeep, despite his removal from their order several years ago, but there is a part of him that refuses to let that go, clinging to the idea that he may one day rejoin their ranks and help cleanse the Great Library of the corruption that runs rampant wihin its walls. The black robes only serve to highlight his dark features making them seem that much more out of place once people get to know him. After all, he is always eager to know other people and will egage in conversations of depth with pure glee, especially if it affords him the opportunity to help someone understand something or learn something new. Education and information for all are very important to Hravin, as he believes that is how people stay free of tyrrany.

Past is Prologue: Hravin was born in the Elturgard region, but ended up in Baldur's Gate as a young boy with his father and twin brother, Glott, all seeking work. Growing up poor meant things like instructors and books were a rare privilege in his family, resulting in both Hravin and Glott not learning to read until well into their teen years. After a few years in Baldur's Gate, a young Gnome professor named Polliver Plot started to give Hravin and Glott lessons in literacy in exchange for helping haul documents to and from Candlekeep during Plot's travels. Hravin was enamored with the vast amount of books in Candlekeep, and became more and more determined to drink deeply from its waters. Every free minute of his youth was spent practicing reading and writing, where Glott started to develop a taste for the Arcane, and their paths diverged.

Hravin became so absorbed in his studies that he barely noticed his father's passing. Glott appeared personally offended by this, although seemed to forgive Hravin for his general absence in the family matters. Over time, Glott became increasingly frustrated with Hravin's preference to have his nose in a book instead of to a grindstone, and they fought, often physically, until deciding to simply avoid each other. They parted ways, with Glott moving to Elturel to use his newfound mastery of the arcane arts to assist with some construction projects, and Hravin stayed in Candlekeep, taking the oath, and scrubbing floors as an Avowed.

A few years passed, and Hravin had earned the trust of some Scribes to assist them with some of their work. Dilligently, he fetched documents, coallated and copied information, and assisted with general operations even though he was still a lowly acolyte. There were, at times, strange patterns in the information, or whispers in rooms where those higher in the Order tended to meet, and Hravin began taking notes quietly. For his part, he went largely unnoticed through the keep, having learned very quickly to stay hushed and out of the way when attenting to his acolyte duties. It was not uncommon for a ranking Avowed to forget he was in the room, which earned him the derogatory nickname "Skulking Bird," an obvious dig since his name sounded like "raven."

Perhaps it was his natural ability to move light on his feet that started to build the distrust toward Hravin, or that he had perhaps been privvy to a few too many snippets of private conversation, but a few key members in the Avowed began to watch him closely. At first, Hravin was delighted, thinking that he was finally about to be promoted for his years of toil, but he soon realized a judgement was looming. Fearful, he gathered his notes, and started sharing with the other acolytes, some whom rejected his theories as flights of fantasy or outright blasphemous toward Candlekeep. Grai Tuk, a young half-orc looking to make a name for himself in the order, eventually stole Hravin's notes, and turned them over to someone higher up (to this day, Hravin does not know who). Within hours, Hravin was stripped of his vestments, and cast out as Grai Tuk gazed on from the edges of the room.

Hravin found it difficult to find steady work after that, and began to live life as a hermit outside of Baldur's Gate, venturing into the city only when he knew he could make money for supplies by doing a few odd jobs, and always under a fake name and identity. During this period, he developed a knack for knowing when someone was being honest with him, or meant him ill will, and his paranoia that he was still being watched seemed to increase despite the lack of evidence. He threw himself further into his studies, always looking for patterns in the information.

Adventure Hook: After years of (more or less) solitude and an ascetic life, he decided to try and reconnect with his brother, Grott in Elturel...but with ulterior motives. Hravin had heard rumors of a book, one Ledger of J'Kull, that was said to have last been seen in Elturel on the cart of a wandering merchant. It is said that the Ledger, at first glance, is an ordinary and boring accounting book for an old business owned by one J'Kull, but the rumor says a code lies within, one that could break the cyphers of those targeted in his conspiracy theory, which he dubbed The Grand Whisper.

 

Edited October 8, 2023 by dwargstof (see edit history)

[Gregorotto]

Alright, let's do some questions!

What became of his father? Still in Baldur's Gate? Why did his brother move to Elturel, is he a priest of Mystra, Returned Azuth, some other god of magic?

What kind of odd jobs has he done in BG? Does he have contact with anyone in Candlekeep? Where did he stay in BG?

[dwargstof]

Hravin's father died during his time at Candlekeep, which caused a lot of tension between him and and his brother. His brother basically accused him of ignoring the family, since Hravin was so focused on his work and studies in the Library. Such an accuasation has legs, since Hravin tends to put education above all else, which does frequently cause him to neglect other things.

His brother, Glott, moved to Elturel to build a career as an "arcane architect," an old character concept I liked the sound of, but I was not sure if that would fly, here? Anyway, the idea was that Glott had an interest in construction and civil engineering, coupled with a bit of a latent talent for wielding magic. There was call for an apprentice position in Elturel and he went for it. By this point, he and Hravin were estranged anyway, their paths already vastly different, although the two never hated each other...it was more of a "we are not compatible people, and let's just leave it at that" thing.

Hravin's job list is likely long and varied, everything from stable hand (for a season) to night soil man. Nothing particularly glamorous or that required any specific skill to do, save for a strong stomach. Arguably, these jobs did help Hravin harden up a bit, but it was his continued practice of martial arts that kept him primed. Most of his martial arts knowledge came from books, but also from other Avowed, training in the event that Candlekeep must be defended.

Sadly. Hravin does not have contact with anyone in Candlekeep these days. His ousting was very public, and no other acolyte wanted anything to do with him for fear of harming their own reputation.

As for housing, on the outskirts of BG's Northwestern Outer City. A few turf houses still stand that are more likely to be used as outhouses for drunkards or places for restless youth to start fires or whatever, but Hravin found one that was intact enough to make do as a place to sleep and stow what little he owned without being bothered too much.

[Gregorotto]

Plenty of questions answered. I can work with this.

How does Hravin feel about tailors?

[dwargstof]

Hravin has no animosity towars tailors, but also no real need for them. His garb is simple, and he can do basic repairs if needed. Nothing fancy, though.

[Gregorotto]

Would he have worked for one?

[dwargstof]

Hmm, there was a brief stint in a men's dresswear shop. He mostly worked in the back, just hemming pants and mending seams here and there, never dealt with customers directly. There was also a brief stint carding wool to help prepare it for spinning, though that position was super temporary, just to help the shop catch up, if that helps at all.

[dwargstof]

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Name: Hravin Snaefoss | Race/Class: Human Monk | HP: 11/11 AC: 15 PP: 12 Ki: 0

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Lorem ipsum blah blah blah just testing some post stat block code.

 

 

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