Appearance

Physical Description

Slim and lithe with a girlish figure.

Body Features

Castrated.

Facial Features

Boyish, hair cut in a page's bob.

Identifying Characteristics

His Elven ears have been docked to crudely resemble human ones.

Apparel & Accessories

Feathered cap, puffy jacket, tights.

Mentality

Personal history

When Forthwind's father, Prince Farangar, was a young man he was a questing knight who journeyed far and wide with his companions. However, whilst crossing through a dense forest he became lost and separated from his friends. They searched long for him, yet he was hidden from their sight. For he had wandered into Elvendom and caught sight of an Elf Maiden, Freawine. Farangar fell into a love-trance, ceasing to be conscious if not in the presence of Freawine. After a decade (a mere season in Elvenhome) she released him, promising that she would return to him in some form.
Prince Farangar returned to his homeland. In his absence his father had died and his uncle had usurped the throne. With the aid of his questing friends, Farangar raised an army and overthrew his traitorous uncle. Many years passed after Farangar's coronation, yet he took none to wife, waiting always for Freawine. The long years wore on Farangar, and his heart turned to bitterness, convinced that he had been jilted. In time he found love again and was wed to Edeljid, one of his councillors.
King Farangar and Queen Edeljid had six sons together and spent much time in happiness. On the eve of the winter solstice, thirty years since Farangar had been released from Elvenhome, a procession of Elves arrived at his court. They were enspelled, so that none could apprehend them or bar their way. Right before the throne they came and presented to Farangar a half-Elven child. "This child is of your blood Cestaiya," spoke the leader of the procession, for so had Farangar been named in Elvenhome. "Yet it is also of the blood of Freawine, for she has been remade in the image of your love. His name is Forowinë. Care for this child, as you would the love you hold for Freawine, and he shall be to you and your house as a mighty pillar is to a great hall. If you should neglect him then your house will stumble and fall to ruin." With that the Elves left Forowinë in the court of his father and returned to Elvenhome, eluding the pursuit of Farangar's Vitrean agents.
Thus Freawine's promise to return to King Farangar in 'some form' was fulfilled. Farangar fumed at the Elves' treatment of him, which he saw as their attempt to control him through mysticism and prophecy. In his heart he was grieved over the loss of Freawine, though he did not show it. He was forced to adopt Forowinë as a royal bastard, as his claim had been staked by the Elves in front of the whole court and many commoners who had gathered for the solstice festival. However he changed the lad's name to Forthwind, meaning 'ill-tidings' in the speech of that land.
Despite the Elves' warning, Forthwind was neglected by his father and cruelly tormented by his half-brothers. Only two things kept him from utter misery. Firstly, Queen Edeljid was the only member of the royal household who treated him fairly, for she saw in him the likeness of Farangar before the cheerlessness crept into his heart. Second, Forthwind's singing was the only thing to soother the aging king's heart when he was swept away on a tide of anger or grief. Yet even this could only do so much.
When Forthwind entered adolescence Queen Edeljid died. Farangar nearly followed her, so deep was his sorrow. His sons' cruelty towards Forthwind went unchecked at this time. Ultimately their misdeeds culminated in having Forthwind castrated to preserve his singing voice. However, before they could present him to their father, Forthwind stole a dagger a took out his youngest brother's eye.
Forthwind escaped the castle to the home of Edelgard, one of his father's adventuring companions and brother of Edeljid, who had always treated him kindly. Telling of what had happened, Edelgard judged Forthwind to have been wronged so deeply to have absolved his crime against his brother. Edelgard believed that if Forthwind's case was put before King Farangar he would be pardoned, but Forthwind had only desire for revenge.
He went secretly from Edelgard's house and, posing as a Castrati, he performed as a wandering minstrel across the Vitrean Empire. Soon he was inducted into the Bard's College and became a member of the College of Lore. Meanwhile he learned that there are those who pay well for a knife in the dark, or a stolen trinket.
Forthwind's talents eventually took him beyond the Empire and into Scatterhome. Now he wanders amongst the isles, performing and serving those with the most coin. He is a sweet word upon the ear, a blade betwixt the ribs, and yet someday perhaps, a prince come into his own.

Personality

Social