The following is a character backstory for an Eberron RPG that a friend of mine was running. The character is a dragonmarked scion of House Phiarlan, and a Phiarlan Bard (a custom character class that adds more spy-like abilities to bards).
Syndel is the son of Elliael d’Phiarlan and Aslan (Ariana) Githmar of the House Phiarlan. As the son of a high-ranking member of the House, and the grandson of the head of the House, Syndel and his older cousin Silaquan were raised together with the very best tutors and care that House Phiarlan could provide. While Silaquan was trained as a diplomat, however, Syndel (after uncovering the existence of the serpentine table) was trained to be an agent of the House and a very specialized bard.
Earlier in life, however, when Syndel was just reaching his maturity, he had developed a deep relationship with Liren Alryni, a distant member of House Phiarlan. When House Thuranni split from House Phiarlan however, Liren chose to side with them, tearing a deep hole within Syndel’s heart. Syndel has learned to channel the betrayal into portraying his dark alter ego of Raven. It is a very convincing role. Liren is thought to have been lost during the destruction of Cyre; a fact Syndel is more than comfortable with.
Now that his training is mostly complete, Syndel is expected to become an agent in service to House Phiarlan. Publicly Syndel is a young but ranking member of House Phiarlan who is seeking to perfect his music. Based on his training and bloodline Syndel is expected to become an extremely skilled minstrel. His performances to date show that while he has much to learn in terms of music, there is a solemnity and beauty to what he plays that suggests a greater underlying talent yet to be unleashed.
Haunts
As a student of Morgrave University, Syndel can be found frequenting various places in Upper Menthis, often around the University and local musical venues. He can also be found attending various parties and engagements in Upper Central and in the Skyway.
Syndel’s alter ego Raven has been seen on occasion in various taverns and streets in Lower Menthis, Lower Tavick’s, and around the Bazaar in Dura. He is usually seen playing for a few coins or spending those few coins in an alehouse.
Character Alias: Raven
Raven is a wandering minstrel of only mediocre ability who travels from place to place, playing for a few coins or a meal when available. He is of dark demeanor, characterized by his black and blue leathers, his unruly black hair, and his age-worn lute. In general, his performances tend to the dark and satirical, but he also often plays bawdy and comical tunes depending on the audience.
Of special note is Raven’s lute. An age-worn instrument that appears to be of poor quality, but upon close inspection reveals itself to be a well-used masterwork instrument. Inlaid in the face of the lute is an ebony raven. Close inspection reveals the ebony inlay to be either an addition to the lute, or a replacement of an original inlay. Whatever the origin of the ebony raven, the inlay disturbs the fine craftsmanship and balance of the instrument causing it to always be very slightly out of tune. This flaw isn’t overtly noticeable, but a master musician will immediately notice the incorrect tuning of the instrument. As is the raven lute induces a -1 penalty to all perform checks made while using the instrument.
In reality, the lute was crafted this way on purpose. The flaw provides a handy way for contacts to identify themselves to Raven. If a contact wishes to make themselves known, they simply must approach Raven and say:
“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but notice that your instrument is slightly out of tune.”
Raven’s keyed response will be, “That my friend, is a tale best told over a drink”.
A valid contact will then order “a chilled white wine for the singer’s parched throat”, and ale for himself. Even if the tavern/inn doesn’t have chilled white wine, Raven will be alerted to the nature of the contact. If the individual orders any other drinks or allows Raven to request his own beverage, he will know the contact is not valid. In either case, Raven will go on to tell the tale of how he acquired the lute and why the instrument is flawed.
Raven’s tale is that he is the son of a minstrel known as Silver Raven. When his mother died in childbirth, Silver Raven could not bear the grief of losing his lifemate and disappeared into the jungles of Xen’drik, never to be heard from again. Raven was raised by his older sister and eventually inherited the lute that his father had left behind. In order to survive, Raven’s sister had to sell the silver raven that was inlaid in the lute. His sister, the last surviving member of his family, was lost during the war. Since then he has been traveling from place to place, hoping to earn the money and be worthy enough to replace the silver raven inlay. Meanwhile, the ebony raven occupies that place, an eternal reminder of the darkness he has suffered. It is the ebony inlay that flaws the instrument.
Family Members:
- Elliael d’Phiarlan: Syndel’s father and younger brother to the Baroness. A Gr. Dragonmarked member of House Phiarlan.
- Aslan (Ariana) Githmar: Syndel’s mother, a talented vocalist. Non-dragonmarked member of House Phiarlan.
- Baroness Elvinor Elorrenthi d’Phiarlan: Matriarch of House Phiarlan.
- Silaquan Elorrenthi d’Phiarlan: Son of the Baroness & Syndel’s cousin.
