Personal note to Joana, I'm running short on time and will keep this section brief. If requested I will flesh it out at any point during your selection process. Otherwise, I will expand upon what follows afterward. I have it all sketched out, just lack the time presently to add detail.
Early life:
Barnabas remembers nothing of his life before the carnival.
His parents coupling was as unwelcome as is typical for most half orcs. His mothers village had entered into a one sided truce with a neighboring troop of woodland orcs that had lasted for many, many seasons. Every harvest, the orcs would come for their due. In turn, the gnome village would remain.
A drought had left the village little enough food to support themselves let alone meet their harvest tithe. Retaliation was swift and merciless. Even if the gnomes hadn't been famished they wouldn't have posed a threat. In their weakened state, the males were slaughtered en masse.
When she found she was with child, she held out hope her husband, slain in the assault, was the father. The pregnancy was short and uncomfortable. The signs were there. Gnomish children often have little in common with their parents and Barnabas was no exception.
As the months wore on Barnabas grew quickly and stoutly. Far more quickly than a gnome should. She knew, as she had know all along. She had bonded with the child even though it meant she was no longer welcome in the village proper.
Soon after his first birthday, she had realized she couldn't raise the child alone and looked to join the household of a widowed village elder. Soon after she was pregnant with twins.
The following year a carnival visited the village. Actors, minstrels, dancers, games of chance, the village had never seen such splendor!
Formative years:
One hand of cards, that's what he was worth to his step father. Or at least, that is what Subek told him. Just one hand and he was sold to a lifetime of servitude.
As the years passed Subek realized Barbabas, as he became known, had more potential than a passive side act, stable cleaner or house servant. He had the gift. With careful molding he could could have value as an active participant in the grift. Thus began his true education.
Recent days:
After escaping the carnival last year, Barnabas went straight to work plying his trade in every bar, brothel and gaming house he could find. Trying to keep as much distance from the carnivals route hasn't been easy. Over the last few months he was traveling alongside a traders caravan working the long con. Things went bad when the caravan ran afoul of his old carnival troop and his scheming came to light. He barely escaped.
Days later he arrived in Riddleport, with now two enemies on his trail!
Second note to Joana:
I don't have time to flesh out the personality, ambitions and goals section I had planned, right now but I fully intend to do so. I hope what I've posted is enough to give you an idea of where I'll be taking Barnabas. Thanks again :)
