Appearance

Mentality

Personal history

Early Life

Sebastian Lyrewood was born to a Flaming Fist mercenary (father) and an illusionist (mother). Around when his sister was born and he was still very young, Sebastian's father was kicked out of the Flaming Fists when he was exposed for taking bribes to fund his alcoholism and gambling addiction. After that Sebastian's father would swing back and forth from absent to abusive, much to the horror of the family. Sebastian's mother, a charlatan, taught Sebastian and his sister to how to lie and hide to survive.

Eventually Sebastian's mother fled with the two kids to Waterdeep where they lived in the Dock Ward and worked for the Xanathar Guild to get by.

His mother was a compulsive liar who always blamed her failings on others and, having no one else around, constantly blamed everything on her children for dragging her down and ruining her life. Having too many failures in the Xanathar Guild, Sebastian's mother turned on her children and became verbally abusive towards them.

Sebastian and his sister began looking for a way to escape the city. Unfortunately, before they could make the attempt, their mother tried to sell them to a green hag in exchange for wealth and eternal beauty. The hag accepted the deal and turned their mother into a golden statue, giving her the wealth and eternal beauty she craved.

The hag then took in the siblings and raised them as her own in Neverwinter Wood, teaching them the basics of wizardry and fey magic. While his sister was quite content living with the hag, Sebastian wished to leave and become a full fledged wizard. The hag gave him her blessing and sent him on his way.

Sebastian then headed to Neverwinter to find his fortune.

The Redbrand Ruffians

Upon arriving in Neverwinter, Sebastian tried his best to be an upright citizen and trust the law enforcement like he wished he had back in Waterdeep. Unfortunately this made Sebastian an easy target for the bullies that made up most of the mercenary groups policing the city and soon had all of his belongings either stolen or "confiscated" by the guards. Not knowing what else to do, Sebastian fell back on using his con skills learned from his mother and a bit of magic the hag had taught him.

Eventually he was caught and apprehended by a Lords' Alliance mage but rather than arrest him, they decided to take Sebastian on as their apprentice. Sebastian, knowing his only other option was a swift trial and then imprisonment, accepted their offer and became the apprentice of Iarno Albrek.

During the few years in Neverwinter as Albrek's apprentice was awful as Sebastian's mentor was emotionally dismissive and verbally abusive, constantly berating him since Sebastian's failures reflected badly on him. Sebastian took solace in the fact that Albrek did not resort to physical abuse like his father, so it wasn't the worst. And besides, he came to Neverwinter to become a wizard so things were working out. Kind of.

When Iarno was sent to the frontier town of Phandalin and formed the Redbrands, he brought Sebastian with him. As his apprentice Sebastian became part of the Redbrand Ruffians as well.

Sebastian was given more freedom within the Redbrands then when he was Albrek's apprentice in the Lords' Alliance as he could use his skills as a charlatan fully and would be sent to steal supplies from shops and vendors in Neverwinter. Sebastian soon began to enjoy being a bandit wizard, robbing and conning others for his own benefit.

One of these times went badly as he was confronted by three adventurers: Ernaldis Mordenkainen, Tristan Tresendar, and Vladrek Ravenbane. Sebastian was then arrested.

The Lost Mine of Phandelver

When Ernaldis retired from adventuring he and Vladrek spoke with Sebastian about the possibility that he be released from prison on the condition that he assist in the heroics of the Friends of Phandalin, stopping the schemes of the Spider's Web and protecting the people of Phandalin.

Sebastian was more than enthusiastic to become an adventurer, no longer bound to Glasstaff's will or dependent on theft and con artistry to survive.

Education

Sebastian was trained as a charlatan by his mother. While he was able to pick up a few cantrips from her, most of his initial training in magic was from a green hag that raised him and later Iarno "Glasstaff" Albrek whom he was apprenticed to.

Mental Trauma

Due to his treatment at the hands of his father, the mercenaries of Neverwinter, and Iarno; Sebastian has a severe distrust and dislike for any and all law enforcement. It is not impossible, however, for one to befriend Sebastian. It's just much harder to.

While he is more than willing to commit crimes for his own benefit and to help his friends, Sebastian's experiences with the Xanathar Guild and Redbrand Ruffians has left him hostile towards criminal organizations that seek power and profit at the expense of others' safety.

Morality & Philosophy

Creativity. I never run the same con twice. (Chaotic)

Independence. I am a free spirit—no one tells me what to do. (Chaotic)

Friendship. Material goods come and go. Bonds of friendship last forever. (Good)

person.sexuality

Sebastian is a very flamboyant and (sometimes) flirtatious pansexual but he doesn't care about being in a relationship or "any of that nonsense". He's not asexual or aromantic. It's just not a priority in his life right now.

person.gender_identity

When asked, Sebastian will answer that he is a man. However, he cares very little about what society thinks that's supposed to look like. Gender is a description, not a prescription.

Taboos

Sebastian will not con the poor, oppressed, or otherwise victimized.

While he loves using his ill-gotten wealth to purchase

Known Languages

Common, Elvish, Goblin

Personality

Motivation

Lost Mine of Phandelver: The Red Wizard

You were a loyal Redbrand and apprentice of their leader: Glasstaff. After being arrested and imprisoned, your former enemies have called for your release if you plan to redeem yourself. With Glasstaff also there, will you go back to being a Redbrand? Will you pull away and redeem yourself? Or will you kill Iarno and become the new Glasstaff, leader of the Redbrand Ruffians?

Quotes & Catchphrases

"This is no time for pondering the orb! You must hear the news I bring at once!"

"Strange how time changes things, isn't it? It seems like only yesterday that my mentor, Glasstaff, and I battled your friends as members of the Redbrand Ruffians."

"I can challenge you, Glasstaff! I-- The Red Wizard! I can!-- And I will!"

"Everyone's story begins Once Upon a Time... It's up to us to ensure we live Happily Ever After!"

"Don't look back -- the past is exactly where it belongs."

"I will forever fight for my happy ending! Others too, if I can manage it."

"What other school of magic allows you to bring your ideas to life? Your dreams into reality?"

"Look, I’ve told you you’re an ass. I just didn’t realize you were a royal one."

"Maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat."

"I just want someone to see me for what I am."

"They were throwing potatoes at me. It’s only supposed to be rotten fruit."

"Whatever happens out there today, please don’t think any differently of me."

"I am exhausted from living up to your expectations."

"I have been generous up 'til now. I can be cruel."

"Through dangers untold. And hardships unnumbered."

"As the world falls down..."

"You were deaf and blind to the very needs of the people you profess to serve and protect! The people will tolerate it no longer!"

"Remember, fairy tales weren't fun stories. They were warnings."

"Gotta play by your own rules."

"You can't change the past... Unless you're a chronomancer. Smug bastards, the lot of them."

"Stand back and watch the magic!"

"I will now make this idiot... DISAPPEAR!"

"Illusion is the magic of make-believe... I'll make you believe it!"

"Born to an elf and raised by a hag but no pointy ears? Huh? What's up with that?"

"How did Iarno get the name Glasstaff? Pretty sure it has something to due with his "staff" and fragile ego... What's this about a staff of defense?"

"Well..." (laughs) "I'm so sorry. I'm-I'm-I'm simply not used to people being kind to me for no reason."

Likes & Dislikes

I have a joke for every occasion, especially occasions where humor is inappropriate.

Sarcasm and insults are my weapons of choice.

Vices & Personality flaws

I’m always in debt. I spend my ill-gotten gains on decadent luxuries faster than I bring them in...

I’m convinced that no one could ever fool me the way I fool others.

Social

Birthplace

Neverwinter

Contacts & Relations

I owe everything to my mentor—a horrible person who’s probably rotting in jail somewhere.

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The Red Wizard