Rhodri
Brother (a.k.a. The Wandering Cleric of Fharlanghn)
Rhodri is the resident cleric of Fharlanghn in the village of Twilight Falls, a man of the roads who, despite settling in the village, still carries the restless heart of a traveler. He serves as the spiritual guide of The Temple of the Longstrider, offering blessings, wisdom, and aid to merchants, rangers, and wanderers alike. Though he has chosen to remain in Twilight Falls, his ties to the Striders of Fharlanghn, the Gnarley Rangers, and the Mounted Borderers of Verbobonc ensure he remains well-connected to the greater world beyond.
Physical Description
- Race & Heritage: Human of Oeridian and Flan descent
- Age: Early 50s
- Build: Lean and wiry, with broad shoulders shaped by years of travel
- Skin & Hair: Sun-weathered skin; dark brown hair streaked with gray, usually tied back
- Eyes: Deep-set, sharp, and observant
- Attire: Simple traveler’s robes in earthy colors, always travel-ready, with a well-worn leather belt carrying pouches of herbs, talismans, and wayfarer’s tools
Personality & Traits
- Warm and easygoing, but always seems ready to move again.
- Highly observant, often giving advice before people even realize they need it.
- Deeply loyal to Jenna Vethaim, though he keeps one foot on the road in spirit.
- A storyteller and philosopher, filled with tales from his many journeys.
- Wise but playful, favoring riddles, road lore, and good-natured teasing.
“If a merchant says the road is safe, he’s lying. If a ranger says it’s safe, he means it was yesterday.”
Background & History
From Woodsman to Wanderer
Born to the woodsmen of the Gnarley, Rhodri was raised among the dense forests and deep traditions of the region. He learned tracking, survival, and the ways of the wild, expected to follow in his father’s footsteps as a hunter and forester.
However, his life changed when he met a wandering cleric of Fharlanghn, who spoke of distant lands, endless roads, and the wisdom of travel. Enthralled by these stories, Rhodri left behind the deep woods to embrace the open road, becoming a Strider of Fharlanghn.
- Grew up among the woodsmen of the Gnarley Forest.
- Befriended a wandering cleric, who ignited his passion for travel.
- Traveled Oerth as a Strider of Fharlanghn, protecting roads and guiding pilgrims.
- Had many adventures, including dealings with the Bandit Kingdoms, Wild Coast smugglers, and elven outposts in the Gnarley Forest.
Settling in Twilight Falls
After years of wandering, Rhodri arrived in Twilight Falls, intending to stay only briefly. Instead, he fell in love with Jenna Vethaim, the owner of the 2. The Lodge of the Twin Oaks, and made the village his home.
Though Jenna is rooted in the land, Rhodri remains a man of the roads, balancing his love for her with his restless nature. He now serves as the spiritual guide of the village, offering blessings, wisdom, and guidance to those who pass through.
- Stopped in Twilight Falls and fell in love with Jenna Vethaim.
- Established the Temple of the Longstrider, making it a refuge for travelers.
- Still yearns for the road, but stays for Jenna.
“Jenna is the only thing that ever made me pause at a crossroads.”
Political & Religious Affiliations
Cleric of Fharlanghn (Level 6)
- Maintains the Temple of the Longstrider, offering guidance and healing.
- Blesses travelers and merchants before they set out on dangerous roads.
- Performs sacred rites of Fharlanghn, ensuring safe journeys.
Ties to the Striders of Fharlanghn
- Once an active Strider, ensuring roads were safe for travelers.
- Though settled, he still passes messages for Striders and occasionally offers them sanctuary.
- Suspected of spying on bandit activity for the Striders.
Relationships with The Gnarley Rangers
- Has deep respect for the Rangers, who protect the forest’s balance.
- Serves as a neutral mediator between rangers and outsiders.
- Provides sanctuary and healing for wounded rangers.
Connections to the Mounted Borderers
- Denies any formal ties but rumors persist that he still passes messages to them.
- Advocates for stronger protection of trade routes between Dyvers, Verbobonc, and the Wild Coast.
- Disagrees with the Viscount’s decision to pull back the Borderers from the Kron Hills.
Tensions with the Druids of the Gnarley Forest
- Though they share common ground, many druids distrust his human connections.
- Has earned respect from some, but others see him as an outsider meddling in natural balance.
Relations with the Elven Clans of the Gnarley
- The four elven clans of the central Gnarley view him cautiously.
- He has earned the grudging respect of some elves for his deep knowledge of forest paths.
- Secretly consulted by certain elven scouts for his maps and road knowledge.
- Avoids elven politics, knowing they are fraught with old rivalries.
Role in Trade & Commerce
Rhodri plays a key role in Twilight Falls’ trade relations, offering sanctuary, maps, and travel advice to merchants moving between Verbobonc, Dyvers, and the Wild Coast.
- Merchants seek his guidance before setting out on dangerous roads.
- Traders from the Greenway Valley (gnomes) frequently consult him.
- Keeps a network of information on road conditions, bandit activity, and regional conflicts.
Adventure Hooks
- A Strider’s Call – Rhodri receives a coded message from an old Strider companion. He needs adventurers to investigate disappearances along the Forest Road.
- The Elven Relic – An ancient elven artifact is found near Twilight Falls. Rhodri fears it may spark tensions between elves and humans and seeks help in handling the situation.
- A Merchant’s Gambit – A Dyvers merchant seeks Rhodri’s aid, claiming he is being watched by bandits. But is he truly what he seems?
- Druids’ Warning – The Druids of the Gnarley send a messenger to Rhodri, claiming a great imbalance is coming. Will he aid them, or is there more to this than meets the eye?
Conclusion
Rhodri, the Wandering Cleric of Fharlanghn, is both a fixture of Twilight Falls and a man whose heart remains on the road. Though he has settled for love, his past as a Strider, ties to the Gnarley Rangers, and secret dealings with the Mounted Borderers ensure that he remains an integral figure in the politics and adventures of the region. Whether offering guidance over a warm meal or sending adventurers on dangerous quests, Rhodri is a man whose story is far from over.
“A wise traveler listens more than he speaks. The road teaches, if you let it.”
Brother Rhodri
Medium humanoid (human), Cleric 6, Neutral Good
AC: 14 (traveler’s robes, shield) | HP: 33 (6d8+6) | Speed: 30 ft.
STR 11 (+0) | DEX 13 (+1) | CON 12 (+1) | INT 14 (+2) | WIS 17 (+3) | CHA 14 (+2)
Skills: Religion +5, Insight +6, Medicine +5, Survival +5
Passive Perception: 15
Abilities: Blessings of the Road. Once per long rest, Rhodri can grant a creature advantage on survival checks while traveling for 24 hours.
Spellcasting: Spell Save DC 13, +5 to hit
- Cantrips: Guidance, Sacred Flame, Mending
- 1st (4 slots): Bless, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic
- 2nd (3 slots): Augury, Lesser Restoration
- 3rd (3 slots): Beacon of Hope, Remove Curse
Actions: Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, 1d6+1 bludgeoning.
"You’ve walked the road, haven’t you? You’ve seen the signs. Wagon ruts ending in broken wood, crows circling where they shouldn’t. The road between Dyvers and Verbobonc used to be safer—until the Viscount pulled back his Borderers. Now? Now it belongs to the desperate and the cruel."
Rhodri leans forward, his weathered hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. His deep-set eyes, sharp as ever, study you with quiet understanding.
"The bandits out there aren’t just common thieves. No, the clever ones, they don’t just take coin. They take supplies, maps, hostages—things that tell me someone’s organizing them. Someone with bigger plans. The Gnarley Rangers have been stretched thin, and the druids? They watch, but they won’t intervene unless the forest itself is threatened."
He sighs, gaze flickering toward the window, where the forest looms beyond the flickering lantern light.
"I’ve spoken to merchants from Dyvers, gnome traders from the Greenway Valley. They whisper of a leader—a shadow in the trees, a voice that commands more than just outlaws. Some say it’s a rogue captain from the Borderers, abandoned after the pullback. Others think it's something worse… something tied to the old evils that once plagued these lands."
Rhodri sets his cup down, shaking his head.
"You want my advice? Travel in numbers. No one should take the Forest Road alone these days. And if you find yourself staring down a highwayman’s blade, ask yourself this—who do they really serve? Because I don’t think it’s just greed driving them anymore."
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