Finneas Gorm - A Firbolg Druid (Circle of the Shepherd)
Taking a first stab at creating a character backstory with a voice and likeness!
Setting
High-fantasy homebrewed world where the recent boom in technological advancement (artifice and arcane-fueled inventions) are becoming more widespread all over the continents. Cross-continental communication (think 1800s mass communications methods like the Pony Express, Radio, and the telegraph); magical means of communication exist, but that’s for a select population of magic users in a variety of vocations (military, commerce, etc.)
The world consists of 3 major continents, each with their own unique geography. Finneas is from an island called Lehertu, which is part of a string of islands called Lu’Santu.
Playlist - Spotify
Finneas’ music matches his druidic aesthetic, which consists of instrumentals that reflect the beauty of the natural world. Given the Celtic origin of his name, some of the music reflects those traditions, especially within the context of the relationship he has with his partner, Triss.
Voice
Impression inspired by the legendary Werner Herzog. Here are two awesome impressions:
Paul F. Tompkins (Andy Daly Podcast)
SungWon Cho (Dropout TV’s Make Some Noise show)
Druid Background
Finneas is, by all intents and purposes, your standard druid. Reclusive, nature-oriented, mystical, driven by a purpose beyond the physical. Druids tends to view attachment to things in the material world as a limiting factor; “things” in our modern world reflect in one way or another our deeps desires and wants. Our needs, however, tend to already have pre-established answers to them.
As far as we know, druids gain their magical abilities through their attunement to nature, which perpetually flows through all things. Their connection to nature’s magic, whether ascertained through a deep beckoning or sought after through transcendent union, provides them powers granted by Gaia itself.
Finneas’ Discovery
Finneas, found as a baby on the shores of Lehertu by a fishermen couple, Aaron and Odessa, was a curiosity. For one, Aaron and Odessa had no viable guess as to how Finneas ended up on their island’s shore. In the distance they saw a burning ship and could only hear the faintest screams reaching to the heavens. It was clear to them that this was a pirate attack, but one that appeared more…savage than they anticipated. From their personal experience, Aaron and Odessa knew a thing or two about pillaging ships and this sight in the distance (nearly 1/3 of a league away) was far from ‘best practices’. Still, a babe lied on the shore. There was no indication that Finneas arrived to the shore through practical or magical means, there was no raft, boat, magical remnants in sight. So, Aaron and Odessa did what any new couple struggling to have children would do and brought the child to safety.
Several years would pass before Finneas’ magical connection to nature would manifest; 10 years to be exact. It seems odd how Finneas could play with sand at the beach and create obscure shapes and change its color within seconds. Or how he could make a flower blossom sooner than it should have. Or how animals would be so drawn to him at the first moment of meeting him; even Icarus (Odessa’s Eagle familiar) took a liking to him the moment they brought him home. It became clear very quickly to his parents, and his little sister 2 years his junior, that Finneas was developing powers, one of a druidic flavor. At that moment, Aaron and Odessa knew that coming upon Finneas was no mere coincidence; he was meant for something far greater (or at the very least, far more different) than being a fisherman like his parents.
Knowing they had little guidance to offer, Odessa took a trip with Finneas to the Aching Isles to seek the support of the local druid, though many knew he was a well-read wizard. While there were no groves close by, the wizard took it upon himself to teach Finneas the ways of the druid to the best of his abilities, knowing even his own limits as a scholar. For the next 10 years, Finneas trained under wizard Hoku’Philo Tasi (Hoku meaning star, Philo meaning friend, Tasi meaning ocean/sea). His training was rigorous but fair, as he was allowed to return to Lehertu twice a year, at most, to see his family. Hoku couldn’t pinpoint exactly how Finneas was able to use his druidic abilities, as he did not display any particular devotion to a deity and he was not any wiser than any archdruids recorded in history. While Hoku believes the “Old Faith” is at play, his personal speculation rests upon the belief that this is related to his true lineage, which all involved parties know little about. For now, Hoku keeps his theories to himself, as any wizard would, until Finneas comes to the conclusion himself.
Finneas’ Family
Little is known about Finneas’ biological family, or whether they were even on the sunken ship on that fated day. As for his adoptive parents Odessa and Aaron, escape from a life of ravenous pirating for a fish net and basket proved to be the right choice. In their youth, many wouldn’t dare look at them in the eye, but in their older years, the coast was more of a respite than the ocean ever could be. The seas were freeing, but unpredictable, forbidden, unsettlingly subtle. The coast felt safe, reflective, contemplatively peaceful. It provided a firm ground to stand on and something to fall back into. While raising a child was in their married by-the-coast plans, the manner in which Finneas arrived was certainly not expected. Still, they had a child of their own, Saoirse, who in her own memory, viewed Finneas as a blood brother, though his pointy ears and sea blue skin might say otherwise. She witnessed her brother perform what might appear as a miracle to a child, to say she was impressionable would be an understatement. The seed of Saiorse’s magical abilities would germinate soon after Finneas left for his own training. While Odessa and Aaron were even more reluctant to let go of another child, who were they to deny the call of magic; that said, they would much rather Saoirse ended up as a “practical" magic user rather than an…academic one.
Finneas and Love
After many years under Hoku’s loose tutelage, Finneas’s grasp of his abilities proved impressive. Hoku knew he was at the end of his own skill and knowledge and that Finneas would be hungry to seek more. Finneas’ self-discovery would likely take him to many far off lands, lands that were vastly different from the islands he grew up in. So, beyond Finneas’ ability to call upon nature to his side and understand the inner workings of the world, Hoku taught him…home economics. He taught him about practical medicine, basic survival skills like how to start a fire and track footsteps in the wild. While Finneas wasn’t particularly strong, he possessed a wisdom that impressed even the merchants at the market. While that didn’t necessarily help Finneas with obtaining a bargain, he understood people. What motivated them. What caused them to hide the truth. Even in his early 20s, many people came to Finneas seeking advice on topics he had no business providing his opinion on. But even in those situations, Finneas knew to withhold judgment. He knew where his knowledge might have lacked and sought to learn about the world. About commerce. About science and all the technological changes coming quickly to the continent.
And, of course, one day, a young lady close to age as Finneas came to him seeking “relationship” advice. Hoku may be old, and he certainly wasn’t born yesterday, but he knew interested eyes when he saw them. Triss came to visit Finneas every week at first to seek “advice”, but then finally to seek companionship. Several months following their first interaction, they wed. Finneas loosely understood that his duty would be to the world, to nature, but Triss understood that just as keenly as he. As a ranger (she says she’s a Beastmaster, but she’s really a Horizon Walker), Triss understood that the connection between man and the beasts of the world was a sacred balance. Triss’ decision to hide her true vocation prior had less to do with trust in Finneas and more about his safety. He would soon learn her true nature, but he simply wasn’t ready yet. Still, it was a happy marriage. Triss bore a child, a son named Kailen.
Finneas Prepares for his Journey
Although he had what many seek after, Finneas still felt empty. There was a part of him that he would frequently think about, but rarely speak about. He knew Aaron and Odessa weren’t his biological parents, so who were they? Fin learned many things through his relationship with his animal companions. One of those things was evolution. He understood how mutations could occur naturally over time between generations of animals. The skin color of a frog wasn’t cosmetic, it was practical, aimed to improve its survival in the unforgiving woods where predators run rampant. All the new technology coming to the islands offered its people even more opportunity to improve their lives, something Aaron and Odessa were keen to get their hands on to improve their fishing yields, much to Fin’s chagrin. Yet, he understood technology could be the answer to finding out who his parents were and where they might be. Over the last few years, Fin would pray to the gods and hope to find a connection to his family, he didn’t know whether they were alive or dead. His prays would simply return a palpable silence. His inquiries to Hoku simply stoked the curious fires in him to learn more. Still, Hoku was glad he began to question and seek answers, as he knew Fin could never attain his full potential without them. Or at least, without trying. On the islands, Fin was stuck. His growth as a druid would stagnate and grow stale unless he…
Finneas Departs
“Backpack, bedroll, your staff, 50 gold coin pieces, a change of clothes…is that everything”, Triss questioned.
“Yes, I don’t need much else. Really, Triss, it’s fine, I’m okay,” chuckled Fin.
“C’mon, you’re going to go hungry in a few days. Take it from a ranger, and your wife: You’re going to go hungry in a days time if you don’t bring at least a few rations with you!”
“Okay, okay, fine, I’ll bring them with me. Don’t want to upset the dynamic team that spent all night preparing these,” as he gestures and smiles toward Kailen.
Aaron, Odessa, and Saoirse stood close by as Fin and Triss shared one final embrace.
“Come now, the boat’s about to leave and we haven’t gotten our hug yet,” exclaims Aaron, knowing he and Odessa needed one last look at their boy.
“Backpack, bedroll, staff, 55 gold pieces, clothes, and some rations. Looks like the world will make an adventurer out of you, yet!” as Odessa hands him a dagger. While the dagger had a fairly simple design, the gold scabbard holding it contained an etched pattern of eagle feathers. The steel blade curved towards the tip and was held by a greenish yellow handle.
Unsettled, Fin had to ask: “Mom…is this from a…”
“Yes, yes, but rest assured, I didn’t kill the animal. I got this from my old captain, who…let’s just say stole it from someone who’s very likely dead now,” Odessa interrupted. The hilt was made of ivory, yellowed after many years in the seas and lands of the continent.
Fin rolled his eyes and hugged his parents knowing this would be the last time he would likely see them in a long time. Fear struck in his heart, causing his breath to quicken in an anxious pace. He could feel tears welling in his eyes, but suddenly, his breath stilled. He calmed himself and held his parents thinking of love. He looked at them one last time, both deep in their eyes and rested his forehead to theirs.
After he shared this moment, he saw Saoirse and locked eyes with her in a childish intensity. She ran into his arms calm as the ocean waves that they could both hear not too far away.
He held her and whispered in her ears, “Was that you?”
“Oh brother, I simply have no idea what you’re referring to,” Saoirse responded sarcastically. Fin could feel a tear land on his bare foot.
“Don’t forget me. I’ll look for you as soon as I complete my studies with Hoku,” as she spoke into Fin’s shirt. Hoku was able to unlock more of Saoirse’s abilities given his familiarity with the wizarding arts. Her grasp of enchantment spells provided a calm respite for Fin before his departure.
Prior to his departure, Fin and Triss were able to build an extension to Odessa and Aaron’s home, allowing her and Kailen to move closer to both sides of the family. Saoirse would leave that evening, as well, to return to Hoku to continue her apprenticeship with him. Soon, she would be off journeying the continent.
As Fin began to walk toward to ship, he could again feel his emotions riot, as he moved away from his sister’s range. Yet, he kept firm. He knew deep down this is what he had to do. He didn’t know when he would be back, but he knew it was going to happen one way or another. For better or worse, the technology of the day would allow him to send mail to his family, so he could provide them updates on his whereabouts, which would also make it easier for Saoirse to find him someday.
Questions to explore as you build Finneas
What is Finneas’ relationship to his animal summons? Is he friendly, sacred, coercive, etc.?
What is Finneas’ relationship to technology? Technology in relation to nature
How will Finneas’ relationship to his family change over the course of his many years of travel?
When he comes across other druids (in the world or in a grove), what types of questions would he ask them?
Where does Finneas get his druidic abilities?
Are his biological parents also druids or something else?
Does Finneas think technological advancement and environmental justice / longevity can be reconciled? In other words, does the advancement of technology have to come at the cost of the natural environment?