The Iconic Valor Bard: Aryn
Name: Aryanne d’Haevaal-Voclain
Nickname: Aryn
Class: Bard, College of Valor
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Signature Skills: Performance, acrobatics, history
Signature Instruments: Lyre, Bodhrán, Donbur (it’s a long story)
Signature Weapons: Shortsword etched with gusts of wind throughout the blade, gives off a pleasant hum when swung
Character Song: The Whistler by Jethro Tull
Physical Attributes:
Race: Half wood-elf
Age: appears 31
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 165 lbs
Hair color: Auburn
Eye color: Gold
Skin color: Pale yellow with olive undertones
Sex: Female
Gender: Non-binary
Pronouns: They/them
Interests: Their wife, performing, combat, writing poetry and stories, reading and learning history, baking
Dislikes: Oppression, freezing weather, reoccuring demons, devils who back out of deals at the worst possible time
Description: Tall, lithe, and lean, Aryn stands with a casual poise and mischievous grin. Always open to new friends and enemies, Aryn welcomes all people with open arms and a drink to share. They'll be sure to pull out your chair for you no matter who you are. If they're not enjoying the festivities with those around them, Aryn will be on stage, playing on upbeat drum tempo, plucking away gracefully on the lyre, or telling a tale of adventure, intrigue, romance, or whatever they feel like telling in the moment. When not partying at a tavern or center stage, Aryn is out experiencing the adventures the world has to offer. They'll fight with the best of them- and be sure to mention them in the stories they'll write about it.
Backstory: Aryn hails from a long forgotten forest on a long forgotten continent. An only child with a father who they never knew, Aryn only had their mother. A half-elven child in an elven society, Aryn was no stranger to the cruelty of other children. When they weren't throwing rocks at the kids picking on them, Aryn would spend time with Pa- an old elf that lived down the way from Aryn's mother. An old music teacher, he taught Aryn how to play the lyre, and it quickly became their favorite pastime. Aryn found themselves enjoying performing- eagerly playing for anyone who would listen.
Once Aryn reached their early teens, they set off from home to get away from mistreatment with pressure coming from those who did not approve of Aryn living there. After stumbling upon a wandering bandit group, a half-orc woman took Aryn under her wing after hearing the stories. She began to teach Aryn to fight and defend themselves- as well as learn the importance of comradery and defending those who are on your side. After traveling with them for some time- partaking in countless scuffles and living to tell the tale, Aryn set off on their own endeavors after the death of their half-orc mentor. Traveling from town to town, swapping stories with others in taverns, performing for courts, and getting into loads of trouble, Aryn's hunger for adventure and the thrill of sharing with a crowd pushed them to carry on despite the danger. Aryn's biggest adventure took place all because of a local kobold problem, but you'll have to ask them about what happened then.
Now, Aryn lives their life by continuing to travel- looking for new adventures to live and taverns to perform in. Their long term friend turned wife, a Truenamer named Arabella Voclain, lives in their tower-home, working on her own experiments while Aryn is away and is able to get some silence, although Aryn is sure to return regularly since they can't stand to be away from their wife for very long.
So if you see them, introduce yourself. Ask Aryn if they want to hear a story. They'll say yes, then hope you'll stick around to hear theirs- they'll eagerly share their tale. If they aren't already on stage performing it.
Originally appeared in 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance storyline campaign, has appeared as an NPC in three Waterdeep based campaigns as a Guild Master and confidant.
Full body art by: @psi-star (tumblr)
Close-up art by: @ophxliac (Twitter), @opheliarts (tumblr)
Member of the @weareadventurers Collective
