Fletcher Woodward's page

Fletcher Woodward was born to a wealthy merchant family in Magnimar. He was well educated in a fine school, taught the gentlemanly sports of archery and fencing and, as an only child, was groomed to become the next generation of the Woodward Trading Company.
In his teenage years Fletch became fascinated with music and dance, often spending every coin of his allowance to visit the many fine theatres in the city. He even joined a small weekend drama group, much-approved by his parents who felt his natural charisma would only be enhanced by the energy and acting abilities displayed there – fine qualities for a trader. However, coin and caravans were of little interest for Fletch, he knew he had been graced with a strong voice and a song in his heart and truly all he wanted to do is perform.

It wasn’t long after that he stole a meagre sum of money from his parents, knowing they would never approve of his decision not to follow in their footsteps. He used the money to secure a place in a travelling theatre group about to go on tour of Varisia, leaving a note for his parents that he had gone to chase his dream and someday soon, everyone back home will be proud of him. “

He began as a backstage hand but within a year his infectious energy and undoubted talent led to him gaining the affection and admiration of his fellow performers.

As the years passed Fletcher would perform with the band night after night, earning rave reviews and slowly gaining popularity – even in some of the bigger cities. It finally seemed as if his dream would be fulfilled.

However, the path of the musician can be fraught with danger because fame also brings jealousy. There were several performers that had been with the troupe many years before Fletcher joined and their resentment grew with every standing ovation, every thrown flower. It was in the small frontier town of Sandpoint that they finally made their move. He had never been so full of nervous energy. The troupe had stopped in the town to take on supplies before pushing on to a career-defining performance in Magnimar. It was to be his triumphant return, his chance to show his parents the man he had become!

Sadly, the night before they were due to leave, three men in outlandish disguises attacked Fletcher as he slept, beating him badly and venting their years of frustration. Binding him, they hid him away in an abandoned hunting lodge deep in the swamp, hoping to conceal him long enough for the troupe to roll on. Members of the band were bemused by his disappearance but a forged note from one of the attackers explained everything.

“You hacks are dragging me down. I’ve gone on to Magnimar alone, I’ve outgrown this band and decided it’s time I flew solo.”

It was difficult to accept for many of them but what choice did they have? They left the town and Fletcher never saw them again.

He managed to eventually squeeze himself out of the ropes that were binding him but by then the caravans were long gone. Stranded, injured and without a penny to his name, Fletcher was distraught. Between the stinking bogs, the bands of goblins and the terrifying legend of the Sandpoint Devil – he surely would have died if it wasn’t for the assistance of a beautiful elven Ranger named Shalelu.

She came across him in the swamp whilst out hunting goblins, a pastime she seemed to enjoy a little too much for Fletcher's taste. A fact upon which he remarked on the way back to town. Shalelu didn't seem amused by that, so he stayed quiet the rest of the way and tried to think about his next move. Fletcher found himself in the town of Sandpoint with the ragged clothes on his back, a silver coin he kept hidden in his boot for emergencies and not a clue about anything else. So he did what any man in his situation might; found himself a drink.Turns out, he couldn't think of anything at all.

It turned out the owner of the Rusty Dragon was an exotic woman named Ameiko, who was taken by Fletch's plight and through some chicanery turned his silver coin into four pints of ale - a tremendous amount for a halfling to consume. With spirit emboldened by drink he made the wondrous statement that the Rusty Dragon could become reknowned as the Greatest Inn North of Magnimar! - if only they had someone as talented as himself to perform there. Calling his bluff, she sent him staggering on to the stage that very instant but even she had to concede that despite finishing his song by pitching headlong onto a table of surly loggers, he could most certainly.

Months later, Fletcher and Ameiko had formed a firm friendship and he found gainful employment as a regular performer at the Dragon. He knew most of the people in town by that point and always had a friendly grin and a how'd-you-do for them all.

Still set on returning to Magnimar some day, Fletcher jumped at the chance to sign up for the Goblin Bounties. there was real money to be made in that game and after only a couple of forays into the swamp, he would have enough to return home. So he snatched one of the posters from the town messageboard and strode into the Rusty Dragon - Sign me up, Hemlock. I'm your man!

Like many of his race, Fletch is a plucky optimist with a happy disposition that is largely infectious. He is a master of seeing the bright side in any situation – a quality that can be both reassuring or infuriating. Although perfectly friendly and charming with new people, Fletcher has built up a large circle of ‘acquaintances’ but rarely lets any close enough to call a true friend. Those he does however, he remains fiercely loyal to. He is a natural charmer with a rogueish sense of humour and easy grin.

Although tall for his race, Fletcher still borders on the skinny side giving him an odd gangling look, particularly when wearing his favoured skin-tight cotton breeches and his one good silk shirt. He has shoulder length brown hair that he keeps idly drawn back with a leather string and usually has a number of day’s growth on his chin. His eyes are a light blue and he has perfectly straight, white teeth, often his most notable feature.