NPCs · Crisis · Single-Storyline
Valus Longflower
'Many hungry people in these parts and the roads are dangerous. So you have a choice, you can give us most of your provisions to feed the starving, or all your silver to pass safely. The choice is yours, wanderer.'
Back-story
Born to an impoverished family in the Lower Valley, Valus Longflower left as soon as he was able, to pursue a career as a mercenary serving in the Southern Kingdom and the Forlorn Forest. The latter being aptly named for the horrors that inhabit it, terrifying nightmares still plague him to this day of his time spent there.
A falling out with his captain over a dice game while in the employ of The Moon Company led to a fight in which the captain lost his balance and fell unfavorably, breaking his neck. Knowing this to be a hanging offence, Valus fled, heading back to the Lower Valley from which he came with the hope of perhaps setting himself up as a farmer. His hopes were cruelly dashed when he arrived to find watchmen waiting for him.
Forced to abandon his plan, Valus headed south and entered the Upper Valley. With the knowledge that he was now being openly hunted and that he wouldn't be able to return to see his parents again he set off in search of a band of outlaws know as the Yellow Tails, whose leader he'd known in childhood and who, he hoped; would still honor their friendship.
As a born survivor and a natural leader, he found it easy working his way up the ranks until he made second in command. Things went well enough; they preyed for the most part on passing merchant caravans and the occasional minor nobleman. And if they didn't appear to be much trouble sometimes well-to-do adventuring parties.
The years passed, until their chief; Merrett, was killed during an ambush on a merchant caravan carrying disguised troops, a ploy by the regional Guild of Merchants who were fed up with their losses. The gang fled and Valus assumed command, to no objection.
Things smoothed out once more, but the calm wasn't meant to last. Not long after he had taken upon himself the burden of leadership, the invasion from the west began. The armies of the F'halladin swiftly settled in. Valus and his Yellow Tails fled into the surrounding woodland. They did their best to avoid contact with this new and deadlier foe, but would attack small groups of scouts and ambush smaller units when necessary.
It was at this point that Valus saw first hand the misery of the refugees, that he underwent a minor conversion. No saint was he, but some good could be done for those that had lost everything and had little to no hope of ever recovering. Since the armies had passed on and even after their later defeat, the Yellow Tails have been robbing the well-off travelers of either their food or clothing, which they secretly leave at night for the impoverished refugees. A large portion of the silver they donated to the Fathers of Shadow, an order of blind monks devoted to the lore's or healing and the afterlife.
Following the breakdown of order during and after the invasion, Valus sees himself and his gang as the rightful protectors of the people. Some day, and that day is not far off, this calling will doubtless bring him into conflict with the nobility and the Watch.
Knowledge
Thanks to his time as a mercenary and later outlaw, Valus has an especially good grasp of strategy and tactics which the GM should feel free to employ as desired. A master tracker and equally brilliant at concealing himself, he is able to follow his target for hours, days if need be, before making his move. Spotting him should be made very difficult.
Equipment
Valus usually carries a crossbow slung across his back along with a set of five bolts that he keeps strapped to his right thigh in their leather pouch. At his left side he openly carries a simply crafted but very sturdy mace, taken from a knight he unhorsed and defeated in the Southern Kingdom, it is his most prized possession.
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I like that you've given us more than an NPC -- this is really a miniature tableau, with lots of little hooks to hang an adventure on. Valus sees himself as the protector of the people, but I wonder how the people view him in return. Would they support him if he made a serious bid for power? Also, where does the Longflower part of his name come from?
Thank you Dossta :)
I suppose the people (the common people that is), don't see much of him at all, and therefore can't really view him. They know that someone is helping them and are deeply grateful but that's about it.
I think that if he came out, there would be a lot of support for him. However with the system in place, it would be impossible for him to be placed in a position of significant power. On the other hand, if one of the nobility were to champion his cause and actually try to help their people instead of leaving them to their own devices, it's possible that he may have some influence with that Lord/Lady.
As for his name, it is a regional thing. He was born and raised in the Lower Valley (a region in the world I'm creating), those born there traditionally have family/house names related to flora.
I'm happy to see you like it :)
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen...
As Cheka's comment goes - Robin hood, and the Yellow Tails be his merry men!
Nevertheless, Valus and the Yellow Tails can be useful; They could be introduced to the PC's as simple thieves; and even start of robbing the PC's. However as the game progresses, perhaps the PC's will end up understanding Valus's motives, and may even end up helping him out for a raid! Valus could become an invaluable ally for down the track.
I hadn't thought of him as a Robin Hood figure when I wrote him, I can see why you would think him to be such though.
Your idea is a good one. I hoped that there would be enough information within the submission to inspire a couple of interesting adventures.
An order of blind monks? That got me curious. Decent sub with all the fix'ns.
More to come soon. This sub has a couple of things I'd like to expand upon.
Also, can I create a freetext for my world?
Interesting fellow. I like the dynamic of his evolving personality and outlook.
Thank you Muro :)
To me, Valus is Robin Hood with a name change. You've got the ex-miitary angle, like Robin Hood. You've got the banditry, like Robin Hood. You've got the kindly priest, like Robin Hood. If you do revise him in the future, I'd suggest adding some twist that makes him less like Robin Hood. But I'll try my hardest not to dock your points for this eerie similarity to Robin Hood.
I like, as Muro does, the evolution of character. But what I don't like is how... easily he got to be leader of the bandits after the old leader died. I'd imagine that some bandits would feel that the leader only promoted Valus all the way to second-in-command because they were old friends, and would have resisted his ascension to the top spot. And some would have taken advantage of their dislike to become the leader.
But other than that, good write-up and good job.
Update: Sub re-upload. Was lost to the void.