Bourdekin Windrivver is a doctor by trade, a Death Cleric by fate.
Bourdekin was born into a noble family in Cormyr, but she has no interest in living the life that comes with it. Instead, she travels the world in her pursuit of knowledge, staying in one place long enough to learn everything she can before moving on. For the past several months she's been living in Port Nyanzaru on the Chultan Peninsula. She currently resides at the estate of Wakanga O'Tamu, one of the Merchant Princes.
- Eyes
- Unknown
- Hair
- Unknown
- Height
- 5'11"
Appearance
Physical Description
At 5'11'' with a slim build, it's impossible to tell whether Bourdekin is human or elf underneath her mask, an issue compounded by the fact that she speaks both Common and Elvish (along with Draconic and Celestial). This is just how Bourdekin likes it.
Apparel & Accessories
She dresses in the garb of a traditional plague doctor, clad in a long brown hooded cloak with acid green trim. A birdlike mask of white leather with glinting black lenses conceals her face at all times. The faint scent of mint and lavender emanates from her mask, and scale mail clinks softly under her robes. She carries a shield emblazoned with a raven's head, and a leather belt pouch hangs from her waist next to a very disconcerting vial containing a floating eyeball, her cleric's reliquary. The eye once belonged to Priest Balthus, a long-gone member of the Raven Queen's retinue.
Specialized Equipment
The dark lenses in her mask are actually goggles of night, granting her darkvision and allowing her to further maintain the illusion of being Elven.
Mentality
Personal history
Lady Bourdekin Annabelle Windrivver grew up in the Cormyrean capital Suzail as the only child of Lord Reginald Windrivver, a high-ranking and well-respected Purple Dragon knight; and Valentina Windrivver, a researcher at the National University of Cormyr.
Her father succumbed to an infection caused by injuries sustained in battle, which set the 12-year-old Bourdekin on her path to become a doctor. She wanted to stave off death as best she could, so no one else would have to go through such suffering.
Her mother encouraged Bourdekin's scholarly pursuits. She introduced her daughter to her university colleague Vera Gemblossom, who headed up the medical education department and became Bourdekin's mentor. It was under Vera's tutelage that Bourdekin learned her profession, working dutifully to match her teacher's skill. Vera is also the reason Bourdekin tries to pass herself off as elven.
The two worked together side by side for several years, and the young doctor loved her mentor dearly. Then, one fateful winter Vera succumbed to illness, leaving Bourdekin devastated. What was the point of mastering medicine if she still couldn't save those she cared for most?
Bourdekin's actions following the loss of Vera led to her meeting The Raven Queen.
For months Bourdekin locked herself in the lab performing a different kind of research. One that would bring her dearest back to her. However, on the night of the ritual, no sooner had she begun her spell then she was interrupted by a flock of ravens bursting through the window. In the center of the flock materialized a pale figure in flowing black robes, the Goddess of Death herself.
The Raven Queen had come to condemn Bourdekin for her attempted violation of the natural order. However, intrigued by the prospect of better understanding death by controlling it, Bourdekin offered herself up to the goddess in exchange for knowledge. The ruler of the Shadowfell saw promise in the medic and accepted Bourdekin as one of her clerics.
Shortly thereafter she left Cormyr, deciding to further her knowledge abroad.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Bourdekin is a respected physician and researcher. Several treatises she wrote while studying at the National University of Cormyr are now regarded as essential medical texts and found in libraries across Faerun.
Failures & Embarrassments
Every life that Bourdekin cannot save is a failure.
(Do not confuse this with lives she allows to pass, or those she takes herself.)
Intellectual Characteristics
Bourdekin strongly believes that emotion must not cloud logical thought. She takes it upon herself to help those who aren't as smart as she is and will patiently explain anything and everything to others. As expected, this can come off as quite patronizing.
Morality & Philosophy
Ruled by logic, Bourdekin is truly neutral. She will weigh all angles of a situation and attempt to pick the most reasonable solution, even if it comes across as heartless.
She does have an instinct for self-preservation, not wanting to throw her life away if it can be helped since she has much to accomplish; but she also understands that death is a natural extension of life and does not fear dying.
Known Languages
Common, Elvish, Draconic, Celestial. Can read lips if she can see a creature's mouth and understands the language.
Personality
Quotes & Catchphrases
Here, try this salve.
Likes & Dislikes
Likes: Eating. And she's quite good at it.
Dislikes: Furry animals. Scaly and feathery ones are ok.
Virtues & Personality perks
She is loyal to those who are loyal to her.
Vices & Personality flaws
Her blunt speech and fascination with the macabre can put people on edge.
Social
Birthplace
Suzail, Cormyr
Current Residence
Port Nyanzaru
Contacts & Relations
Merchant Prince Wakanga O'Tamu is her current patron, funding her research in Chult.
Prince Na of Mezro is her apprentice. The small boy imprinted on her instantly upon meeting, so she took him under her wing and is training him in the field of medicine. However, she's not particularly fond of Na's haughty sister Mwaxanare, who reminds her far too much of Cousin Beatrix.
Wealth & Financial state
Although she comes from a wealthy family, Bourdekin comes by her money honestly rather than depending on the Windrivver coffers. Her reputation as an unparalleled physician and academic allows her to fund her travels through grants and generous patrons.
Family Ties
Father: Lord Reginald Windrivver
Mother: Lady Valentina Windrivver (nee Silverbrooke)
Paternal side: The extended Windrivver clan are not bad people, per se, but they are selfish and small-minded. They still love and care for each other, in their own way. High drama, low malice. Bourdekin's cousins Beatrix, Mathilda, and Esmeralda cannot understand why she'd leave the comfort of Suzail.
Maternal side: The Silverbrooke family is much more open-minded than the Windrivvers, and as such Valentina supports her daughter's travels; although as a widow with her only child abroad, she often tries to encourage the doctor to come home.
Religious Views
Cleric to The Raven Queen.
Social Aptitude
Bourdekin tends to make people mildly uncomfortable. She prizes logic above emotion and doesn't always consider the impact of her "rational" statements.
Hobbies & Pets
Bourdekin secretly loves to play the lute, but she's terrible at it.
Social
Birthplace
Suzail, Cormyr
Current Residence
Port Nyanzaru
Contacts & Relations
Merchant Prince Wakanga O'Tamu is her current patron, funding her research in Chult.
Prince Na of Mezro is her apprentice. The small boy imprinted on her instantly upon meeting, so she took him under her wing and is training him in the field of medicine. However, she's not particularly fond of Na's haughty sister Mwaxanare, who reminds her far too much of Cousin Beatrix.
Wealth & Financial state
Although she comes from a wealthy family, Bourdekin comes by her money honestly rather than depending on the Windrivver coffers. Her reputation as an unparalleled physician and academic allows her to fund her travels through grants and generous patrons.
Family Ties
Father: Lord Reginald Windrivver
Mother: Lady Valentina Windrivver (nee Silverbrooke)
Paternal side: The extended Windrivver clan are not bad people, per se, but they are selfish and small-minded. They still love and care for each other, in their own way. High drama, low malice. Bourdekin's cousins Beatrix, Mathilda, and Esmeralda cannot understand why she'd leave the comfort of Suzail.
Maternal side: The Silverbrooke family is much more open-minded than the Windrivvers, and as such Valentina supports her daughter's travels; although as a widow with her only child abroad, she often tries to encourage the doctor to come home.
Religious Views
Cleric to The Raven Queen.
Social Aptitude
Bourdekin tends to make people mildly uncomfortable. She prizes logic above emotion and doesn't always consider the impact of her "rational" statements.
Hobbies & Pets
Bourdekin secretly loves to play the lute, but she's terrible at it.