Bandlewick, or Bandy to his close friends, has always had an affinity for the natural world. Even since he was a child, he'd been able to predict, with uncanny accuracy, how the weather was going to turn. Indeed, he became so famous in his small village that the local farmers would often consult the small child prior to turning out their livestock in case there was going to be a torrential downpour that day.
As he progressed in years, so did his closeness to nature grow stronger. Many thought he might tread the path of a ranger, and Erastil herself knew that the local area could do with a reliable watchman, but it didn't really come as a surprise when a Druid, an middle-aged Human, appeared at the village one day in order to take Bandy under his wing. Together, they wandered the wild forests around his villages, often spending months away from his family at a time.
And so, for several years, Bandy learned the way of the Druid until eventually, his mentor decided to settle down with a local elven woman who was herself a devout follower of Erastil. Together, despite his mentor's advancing age, they had several children and Bandy was happy that his mentor had found even greater happiness in the twilight years of his life.
Yet, despite all that he had learnt from his mentor, Bandy hungered for more. He'd heard tale of the Pathfinder Society, an enormous organisation who coveted knowledge of all kinds. If anyone would be able to expand his natural knowledge then surely it would be them! He said fond farewells and departed for Absalom.
It was as he took the voyage from Oppara to Absalom that Bandy developed a deep love of the sea. Whilst other passengers would console themselves below decks as the boat rolled in the waves, Bandy would spend as much time as he could out on the deck, laughing gleefully.
Eventually, almost three months to the day since he had set out from his home, Bandy found himself standing at the enormous gates of the Grand Lodge. He presented himself to be tested and spent an anxious couple of days in Southgrove until he was summoned and informed that he had, unfortunately, not been selected to join the Society. If he could find a discovery by himself, he would be free to re-apply.
Despondent, Bandy took a boat to the city of Magnimar, the first leaving Absalom. His time on the journey cheered him up immeasurably, as his love of the sea overtook the sadness he felt. By the time he reached Magnimar, he had a new idea. Ships were always getting lost, and he could use his druidic nature in order to aid them in navigation.
And so, when he reached Magnimar, he hired out his services as a navigator. He was signed up, almost immediately, by the captain of the Jenivere. And thus, Bandy's adventures on the high seas began.
