Talm Six-String

Veteran adventurers know that every party has at least one member that makes their lives a little too interesting. Sometimes it's a warrior who doesn't know when to put his weapons down, or a bard who can't say no to a pretty face, or a warlock who gave up his sanity for the powers of his patron. For the party of Eldain Mal'atre this person was Talm Six-String.

Physical Description

Body Features

Due to the involvement of the Deck of Many Things, Talm's appearance varied wildly. As a half-elf, he had tan skin, dark hair, and handsome features. His height and build were very average.
After his transformation into a tabaxi, his looks changed dramatically. His body became both shorter and more slight, although with even more agility. His fur resembled a grey tabby's and his feline eyes were always shining with emotion.

Apparel & Accessories

Talm always dressed surprisingly simply for one who possessed such a flamboyant personality. He wore simple brown leather armor over grey clothing with a black cape draped over one shoulder and a grey, wide-brimmed hat on his head. He never went anywhere without his trusty rapier at his side and his famous guitar on his back.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Talm Six-String was born of the casual union of elven pirate Selvyn Fen'deth and Santiago, a bard from Tarador. Santiago was fleeing his debts on the ship of the lovely captain and left in Port Vald, unaware of the woman's pregnancy.
Selvyn didn't want to give up her life of crime on the high seas, however. When Talm was born, she left him in Port Vald's orphanage. Rebellious as the parents he never knew, the young Talm quickly ran away from the orphanage and their rules.
A few years later, Santiago met Selvyn again and discovered their child. He quickly found him, now a young, bitter boy living on the streets of Port Vald. He took the child under his wing, taught him what he could to not only survive, but thrive.
Unlike the man he didn't know was his father, Talm was incapable of harnessing bardic magic. Still he became a talented guitarist and duelist. He also learned less reputable talents, such as stealth, infiltration, and confidence games.
Before Talm had grown into a man, Santiago left without warning. He left only his guitar and a note. The letter was a sorrowful goodbye and strict instructions that his protege never follow him or try to find him.
He left that very day, trying to find the mentor who vanished. He took up the name "Six-String" and a life as a wandering musician to avoid attracting attention, especially since most of his income had come from being a pickpocket and conman. He had to flee more than one community in a hurry.
It was during one of these flights on the waterfront in his hometown that he had the most important chance encounter of his life. That was when he literally ran into a young elf named Eldain Mal'atre. Before the young mage was aware of what was happening he was being led away from a complete stranger's enemies. That was the first of many misadventurers Talm Six-String led him into.
Among their misadventures was the discovery and use of the Deck of Many Things that led to Talm being turned into a tabaxi. Other highlights include the defeat of the Sorority of String Cutters, a confederacy of Talm's ex-lovers, and the reunion between Talm and Santiago.
Eventually, Eldain's nemesis, Ansarien Ill'conter confronted the party. After a very sort, but climactic battle, the mad wizard was victorious. Due to a certain respect Ansarien held for Eldain, he spared their lives, but the entire group was banished to the Abyss.
The adventurers made their way through the infinite hellscape of the Endless Layers, seemingly from one end to the other. They searched for a portal that would take them away from there. When they finally found one there was a problem: it needed to be held open from the inside. One would have to be left behind, and Talm volunteered.
After the portal closed Talm Six-String sat down and played one last crescendo. When he was finished, a vast horde of demons of every shape and size surrounded him. They parted before the mighty form of Demogorgon, who demanded obedience. Talm chuckled, curtly refused, and threw a dagger into the eye of the Prince of Demons, himself. With a howl of rage, the beast tore him in two.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Talm was a very talented musician and songwriter. Many of the songs about Eldain (except for "Defiance and Dominion", the famed epic work of Vendil Dath'venn) are written by Talm. "Dance of Defiance" is by far the most famous of these. He has also written "Song of the Swordmaiden" about his companion Alda MacRaine and the upbeat "Wizard on a Tightrope".
While most of the history surrounding Eldain and his companions is laughably inaccurate, Talm's sacrifice in the Abyss is legendary. The tragic song "Luteman's Last Lament" is thought to be about his death.

Alignment

Chaotic Good

Species

Half-elf

Circumstances of Death

Killed in battle

Gender

Male

Eyes

Green (half-elf), Golden (tabaxi)

Hair

Black (half-elf), Grey Tabby (tabaxi)

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Tan (half-elf)

Height

6' 0" (half-elf) 5' 7" (tabaxi)

Weight

180 lbs (half-elf) 165 lbs (tabaxi)