About N'bellocqN'bellocq
Alchemical Power Component
Campaign Trait:
Laughing Jungle Hunter- a perfect fit, as it is the inspiration for the character. Background/Ethnicity:
N'bellocq was born to Ijo fisherfolk but taken by Ombo slavers in his early teens. He was sold to Captain Trasker, a member of the Rivermen's Guild. The Captain trained N'bellocq to assist piloting boats along the Korir River. Chained at the front of the boat , N'bellocq would call out obstacles such as sand bars, dead falls, and exposed rocks. From early on, he carried rocks and sticks to try to drive off or scare river creatures, such as snakes, crocs, and hippos away from the boats. When the Captain judged N'bellocq to be adequately broken in as a slave, spears and a bow were allowed to help ward off animals. With the spear, N'bellocq channeled his pent of pain and rage into the moment he threw the weapon. Momentarily satisfying, but the thrill was too short lived. But with the bow, he developed a place in his mind that he could escape to. With an arrow notched, he could stand on the prow and see the whole river unfold in front of him. With the spear, his senses went out only as far as he could effectively throw it. But the bow, allowed his mind to roam from bank to bank, assessing, cataloging, and remembering. All this took him away, he could forget the chain on his ankle, the whip marks on his back, the bow connected him to every point on the river, in a sense, setting him free. N'bellocq never saw the hippo that crippled the Captain. The monster rose from the bottom of the river, underneath the barge. It first capsized the boat, before smashing the stern and Captain Trasker. Chained to the sinking craft, N'bellocq used a pole, to reach the unconscious captain. He gained the key to his shackle and with it his freedom. Able to leave to captain to his likely deserved fate, N'bellock instead carried him ashore. No longer chained and whipped, N'bellocq nursed the wounded pilot back to health. Once back at Port Freedom, the captain rewarded N'bellocq for his loyalty with his official freedom. Free, N'bellocq left his river life behind. Knowing Sargava needs those who can fight, N'bellocq figured his bow skills would be of value there. Appearance:
N'bellocq is a tall, lanky Ijo man. Denied a razor, his hair is long and braided, tied together midway down his back with a strip of leather. Colorful knotted cloth in his hair was his only allowed expression of personality. His eyes large and dark and no facial hair grows on his face. He is bare-chested, but wears a colorful paisley vest. The vest covers a network of old scars across his back from when he was stubborn as a new slave during his 'training'. His pants, red and white striped and voluminous, in a style similar to the pirates of the area. His feet are bare. His only possessions are his bow and quiver, a sack holding food and a water gourd, and a scroll tube containing his Official Writ of Freedom. Personality:
Despite a strong powerful voice, N'bellocq says little. He is stoic and never seems to rush. But his eyes are large and seem to take in everything around him. He bears the physical and mental scars of having been a slave. Over the years he had built mental barriers that have kept away the pain and anguish. Only recently, after having earned his freedom, has he begun to come out of this shell. He is extremely self sufficient as he never had anyone he could count on. Motivations:
N'bellocq had matured on his own, but had never really been alone. Never having a friend, he lives a lot in his own mind. Spending most of his time on the river or in small Port Freedom, the crush of people, the noise, and smells of Eleder are very strange to him, and thus make him retreat just a little more into his own world. It is not that he is afraid of the world, it is that is a lot to assess and process in his mind like he is always doing. He has learned of expeditions and caravans that have need of warriors and figures such a job will keep him employed and out of trouble. He had friends as a child and a family, but all that seems so long ago, it will be hard to ever have that amount of trust again. Aspirations:
Just being free is such an overwhelming rush, as that was his aspiration for the last six years. But he is discovering that a part of him misses his time on the prow...the search, the shot, the kill. He won't go back to the river or the pirates and guild that operate there, but he figures overland caravans can perhaps offer an equivalent experience. Or especially, whatever these games might be. A chance to shine at these games might land him with a prestigious group that defends the city or caravans. |
