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Table of Contents
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Background
Master Ranger of Greenshire, Green Ranger — DECEASED
“The past is never where you think you left it.” - Katherine Anne Porter
A witness to the torture of Laine.
A player in the rescue of Lady Nimue.
Employed to Lady Rorey Haravean, by the order of Count Aldren.
Revenged his Wife and Daughter's Death.
Died to allow the other Rangers to escape.
Renden Rhodes is known firstly for being the loyal lap dog to the Old Count of Greenshire, Aldric Havarean, secondly for being a grizzled old drunk, thirdly for pretty well having a down right misfortunate luck in life, but he’s one a hell of a good ranger.
It’s public knowledge that when he was of age to claim his father’s fiefdom, he failed to do so, and lost the rights to manage the land as a vassal to his Uncle. There was a dispute loud enough for the old Count to get involved and indeed, declare the land to his Uncle.
Renden would then spend countless years trying to prove his worth and merit to the old Count, spending his time closely at the old Count’s side, as well as the Count’s family. Nothing could sway him from his determined loyalty to the Count, not even the grandeur of pursuing the elusive title of Royal Ranger. He became an obedient dog, such as the socialites would call him.
Eventually, when he was nearing his thirties, the old Count finally granted him a fiefdom. In time, he found a wife from a family who would accept what little he had for her price. They bore a daughter into the world and for seven years, Renden was seemingly on the up curve of bad luck.
Not so. Year seven of his fiefdom, his home was sacked and his family, household, and surrounding farmers were slaughtered. Even his precious daughter, while he was away on ride to help with the war efforts.
After that, he pretty much became the drunk he’s known for. Fellow rangers may admire the man he once was, but he’s become reckless with his life and takes too many chances by accepting the most difficult of missions.
His grief seems to last forever, wearing black almost always. Yet, he somehow managed to convince Count Aldren to take him back into service. Time will tell if that’s been a good choice or bad, but many say favourable because he did after all, play a part in the rescue of Lady Nimue.
Renden's life isn't that of romanticism. The accurate depiction of his life has been an endless cycle of hardship, pain, and loss. It is one that none would idolize or hope for.
Suspiciously orphaned early on in life as the only child of Brennon, a non-noble vassal granted fiefdom, meant that the land held by his father had been deemed too important to support itself with a young master of ten at the helm. It was thusly to be held by his politically savvy uncle-by-marriage, with some small indication it would be permitted back to Renden when he was of age.
Until then, he was encouraged to become a Ranger by his father's sister, under the guise of keeping Renden safe from the ambitions of his ruthless uncle. In reality, as he would learn later, this was her ploy to remove him from contestation of the fiefdom lands she intended for her own children, now that her husband was proving his worth.
Renden had little choice but to accept what was happening at the time, he was too young to know the difference. His aunt filled his head with the honour and heroic deeds he would do and how he'd make his father - rest his soul- so proud if he were to train and become a Ranger. Renden did thereby immerse himself into years of training that a Greenshire Ranger required.
As a boy new to the rangers, he had to go through many a trial to see him properly equipped with the necessary skills to be successful as a ranger. From use of the bow, to throwing knives, scouting, and cartography, he was dabbling in everything as a young apprentice should. As it came to be, he was adept at stealth, as well as any Sky Forest, the Green Rangers say. He walked the shadows as if one of them, on many a scouting mission, getting close in range to the enemies camp. He often brought down the other side's scouts in absolute silence, whoever the otherside was at that time. He started to get cocky with it, appreciating the fine art of stealth and shadows, a game of long ranged weapons and small blades. Only later would he realize that this would break his soul one day, cloud his mind with misery, and keep him from ever having a true nights rest.
Emboldened by those he believed he befriended, after much drunken talk, he came back for the fiefdom land of his father's after many years of leaving it to his Uncle's care. At that point, his Uncle had gained favour with the Count, and the household was loyal to his uncle, from the farming peasant to the ladies in waiting serving his aunt. His aunt had children of her own, giving his Uncle good reason to declare himself vassal of the house and his children as heirs to the land over Renden, for Renden did not come back when he was of age to claim responsibility for it.
A challenge for the vassal land holdings resulted in the old Count granting all rights to his Uncle, while Renden was humiliated publically. As for his uncle, the evidence was stacked in his favour. Those who stood against Renden claimed that his uncle had improved the prosperity of the land, increased its size, and contributed to the success of other land holders around him. His aunt smiled and looked relived that her son's would have land of their own someday and Renden looked the fool for it.
The old Count told Renden that if he wanted to earn rights to be a vassal again and manage land of his own, he would have to start from scratch and prove it - starting with taking out the trash.
The old Count knew the young man was eager to prove himself but also humiliated enough that Renden had to do what the Count (or other lords) asked, which led Renden down some very gruesome paths. These horrors he would have to undertake to prove his worth, would stick with him until the grave, resenting himself for agreeing to such atrocities in the name of his own selfish advancement. Yet what else could he do? He was without land and needed to survive. He had to lobby the only thing he had - his skills as a Ranger. The old Count knew it and used it to his full advantage.
It was the horrors of doing dishonourable deeds to which he'd have to deal with for the rest of his life. The puppeteers had control over the foolish youth, misguided in his desire to regain what he had lost which his father had given him. While he doesn't speak much toward these inhumane acts, he wears the burden and has paid the price physically and mentally for it.
It took him many more years of service to the old Count and other lords beneath him to prove his loyalty and what he was eventually granted was a small parcel of land, with a quiet but all abandoned manor. It would be sufficient for a fiefdom. He didn't mind. It was a change from sleeping in the hedges or under the stars and he had finally found some favour with the nobles.
He also found himself favouring a maiden, fair and sweet to his eye. He pursued a marriage contract with her properly, he wanted to do abide by etiquette. He had land again. His son’s prospects would be good, almost certain to be a ranger. He had plenty to offer, so he thought, having worked alongside the nobles for a decade! It didn't matter that he was already well into his thirties, he had land that could grow into something more! And she, she was beautiful to his eyes, young and fair - the perfection that Renden was searching for to fill the void in his life. Of course, despite his best efforts, he was denied by the girl's father. Adding insult to injury, she was betrothed to his aunt's son not soon after.
Two more women would catch his eye, both resulting in much the same outcome as the first. He wasn't the suitor families had been hoping for or were even willing to consider. Eventually, he settled for a handsome woman of a fiefdom as nearly poor as he was, more out of loneliness than for love. He wasn't even sure he could properly love or knew what love was. He didn't love her, he simply appreciated her company. Yet, she would give him a most precious daughter, Reanne. He loved and cherish his child from the first moment he saw her.
Unfortunately, Reanne would die at the age of seven, with his wife - when Renden had been gone for months to help in the war efforts. They would die with their household, butchered and slaughtered like animals, left strewn in pieces across the estate. Declared an act of violence by a random company of the invading hoard, not a single valuable thing was left in the manor. Still, what are things worth when your family lies in bits and pieces? No words can describe the grief in which he suffered for their deaths, other than he did suffer, and he still does.
As his life was ravaged by the sudden loss of the only comforts he had ever known, he took to the bottle, the taverns, wenching, and gambling - losing his fiefdom to his debts, while the old Count was still alive. He became detached from the world and cynical of people around him. Most tolerated him in his drunken rages, knowing the depths of his despair, others took to avoiding him. Regardless, the bottle became his only friend.
For years after his daughter and his wife's death, Renden would throw himself at the worst Ranger missions he could, hoping that someone would lop off his head, strike him through the gut with a blade, or hang him from a tree. He sought death, he called for Inouv to take him to the underworld several times. Yet none have, even the cannibals botched it. And he's a sitting duck at his age! Why is he still even alive?
More than once, has he thought dark things about his life and his reason for living, more than once, has he been reminded why he continues to breathe. The reasons are often associated with the young, beautiful, and inspiring people of the world, such as Count Aldren, Laine, and Lady Nimue. He will if he can, loiter in their presence, attracted to their hopes and dreams - for none remains for himself. At best he'll help train new Rangers, at worst, he'll be at the nearest tavern losing his shirt.
Character Features
What ever or whom ever gets the job, gets the job done, is the right one for it. - Renden Rhodes
Renden does not hide his age well at all - he's middle aged and nearing his fifties if not already there. It is easy to see that he has lived an experienced life, as battle worn wrinkles tell the tale with each hard line permanently creased into his grizzly features. Age takes its toll around his eyes, specifically, as under eye lids are pronounced and baggy, while his upper lids keep his dull brown eyes thin and small in appearance. Incredibly, his nose looks rather straight, perhaps only been broken once, with a larger and broader tip. His pale complexion makes the soft grays slowly changing his brown hair far more noticeable. His hair has receded and thinned over the years, though he keeps it trimmed short. He wears a neatly trimmed and never unnecessarily long beard, one that is peppered with dark gray and tipped at the chin with striking whites.
Renden is slightly taller than the average height of other men. He is not a giant nor is he a dwarf. He stands 5'11" if one were to take a tape measure out. His build has never been exceedingly thick or thin, full as one would expect as he has long since lost the clean cut of muscle younger men are awarded with, and he is slightly overweight in some regards. He generally wears leathers for protection, over which travel cloaks sit. Preferring his attire black, he can sometimes be seen wearing dusty grays or greens, depending on the need. The lack of rich colour helps him blend in with the commoners. The only sign of his allegiance is a small embroidered sigil on his left breast. It's for House Haravean and the Green Rangers. Typically, this is often hidden by his over coats.
Behavior
Renden is a mixture of personalities. He needs to be, to blend in, during missions. Typically though, he is blunt with his words and speaks plainly of his opinions. He can be foul mouthed like a sailor or he can be as polite as a noble at Court. In reality, his eyes will always show the quiet hurt inside. The numbness of a life unfulfilled.
Quirks
- Attractivist - He needs to surround himself with the young and the beautiful. It not only helps him get through the days by admiring them, but their youthful ambitions, their hopes, and their dreams are the reasons he's still left to walk the planet. He remembers he was once full of life and is content to know that he can live through their experiences. His life is over as far as he is concerned and the life he has left is better spent trying to see a young person's dreams fulfilled than fill in his own empty spaces.
- Cynical - Once motivated by his own self-interests, he now knows this is how world works and blood will turn on blood if it will better one over the other. He doesn't believe in a brotherhood of mankind - everyone is out for themselves. He also has no faith. He does not believe in the gods, for none had ever come to help him, and in turn is cynical of people calling for their help.
- Detached - Renden is emotionally detached. While the Count's family may be the exception, he is the aloof ranger that doesn't blink an eye when his fellows die beside him or get tortured in front of his face. It's the only way he can keep going without going insane. He avoids getting attached to anyone emotionally if he can, as it is inevitable something will happen to them and anymore grief he could not take. In this too though, he has forgotten how to smile and laugh.
- Eyes of a Hawk - The eyes are the best tools for a scout they say. He's learned over the years what to look for, what to see and what not to see. He's got amazing eye sight and proves it with his long bow.
- Flashbacks - Haunted by the past, from the betrayal of his aunt, to the death of his family, he is struck with no warning by such gut wrenching memories that it stills him. Visions of his dishonourable deeds he was ordered to carry out by the old Count and his lords, are the most striking and gruesome in his memory. He will tend to hit the bottle quite quickly if visited by a nasty one, and if caught alone with such thoughts, he will drown in a deep despair or explode in a bout of rage. Generally, if surrounded by people, he loses focus of conversation and drifts off into space, never losing control of his emotions while others are about. On very rare occasions, his flashbacks consist of the happy memories, of his seven years with his daughter, of his time with the Count's family, of the simple pleasures he once had but cannot regain again.
- Short-Winded - Renden is incredibly 48 years old and has served his life as a Ranger. But, at his age, he's developed a wheeze in his chest when he's in battle or over extends himself. It can surprise him at any time, the sudden suck for air that doesn't seem to be enough. He tries to keep this quiet but he knows it'll eventually get worse as it goes on. At least it hasn't developed into a cough yet.
- Hurt - Nine Inch Nails, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htmKZKR7oyc], the darkness within. Cynical and detached from the pain, with broken thoughts.
"I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real"
- Mad World - Gary Jules, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgaFKqnj0dg], this is Renden as he is currently.
"All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, Worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going no where, Going no where
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, No expression
Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, No tomorrow
And I find I kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had"
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On the Grid
Known Associates
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Aldren Haravean : Count Aldren is my liege lord. I am loyal to him without a fault, like his father before him, I will serve as he needs me to serve. I have watched him grow from a child into a man, into a Count. I hope to one day see him with his own son. |
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Nimue Forrester : I offered her my protection the minute I went on the mission to rescue her. Let us hope she heals and doesn't come to despair over life such as I have. She is too young. |
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Moira Kerrigan : She is betrothed to his Excellency and as such, she is offered my services as the Count is. She welcomed me graciously enough back to the house and I hope to serve her well, however she needs it, from an ear to listen or a shield to protect. |
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Rorey Haravean : Kids… they grow so fast. I remember her as a child and now she is a… beautiful young woman. And I'm apparently in charge of over seeing her personal security while we stay in the city of Stormvale. Should be interesting. |
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Roslin Kilgour : Hot damn. I was actually introduced to the Princess! She even acknowledged me and said… well, what was it that she said? I was busy being astonished at the recognition. Good service I think, about Lady Nimue. |
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Brendolyn Haravean : Not my direct charge but … I won't mind taking her out once and a while to shoot the bow with, as long as her brother doesn't find out. She reminds me a lot of what I would've hoped… for.. well, she's a part of the House Haravean, so I am loyal to her as well. |
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Wenna Meredith Kilgour : Even though she's been married off to another house, Wenna will always be part of House Haravean in my hear—-eyes. If she asks, I will come. No questions asked. She has my service if she ever needs it. |
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The Queen : She's the Queen and I'm a vassal of her kingdom. No more too it than that. |
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The Crown Prince : The Prince. No choice in the matter here. |
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Eoin Fergal Haravean : Aldren made this man the Lord High Admiral, so, I'm bound to serve him as all the other Haraveans, am I not? We shall see. |
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Victoria Skysomething : I met her briefly at the Riverside Inn. I knew at once what she was. My wit and the drink might have given her an interesting perspective of me and mine of her's. I don't think I'll ever look the same way at shoes again. |
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Laine Rhenfeld : We caught up just recently. I called him a pig or something before I knew him. He's turned Captain of the Watch on me when I wasn't looking, but I suppose it has been three long years since we've talked - a lot can happen in three years. Talking to him made me feel no easier for the losses he's had to endure. I offered him any help I could be, if he needed it. There is no doubt, being around him caused me vivid flashbacks that's going to take me a few weeks to forget again. The past, is never where I thought I left it. |
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Araltaidan Dubhwyr : Good old Aralt, gotten himself into the big leagues now, master ranger for the Royals eh? Doesn't surprise me. I look forward to working with him again soon. |
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Trevian Forrester : Not sure that I'm fond of this young pup. He's ambitious and ambition leads to recklessness. I'll have to keep my eye on him, especially around my charges. |
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A bloke from the Tavern : Seems a fun sort from what I remember of the night. Escorting around a pretty girl. |
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A lady none to impressed with me. : Seems she didn't like to hear about cocks and shoes. She looks old enough to know of such things and not blush. |
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Venan of a family not long for this land : A good sport, bantering back and forth like that with me. Polite man too. Shame I couldn't stay longer to chat with such inspiring young thinker like he. |
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Dandy… Drinker : We shared a good brew, bounced a girl on our laps, eat well, good conversation. I think. Maybe it was mostly good drinking. I remember he was trying to find a boat. Wonder if he managed it yet. |
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Eldan Mowbray : Man has good taste for booze and a high awareness of his guests. He is quite the interesting fellow. Seems he lost a wife in an accident. I can relate to his loss and also, he can play cards. I invited my company into his, if he ever wanted to sit around and bullshit with an old ranger. |
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Faerinia Kincaid : Those eyes… She's a strange young lady. She came without guards or a handmaiden in the night, put her hand upon me, as if we had been long time acquaintances. Had I not been so angry at her boldness I would've done something more than I did. For her benefit, I hope I scared her straight and encouraged her not to be anywhere without a guard again. Beautiful, very intelligent, eyes like a … goddess, but yet, so easily undone by the quick brute force of a man. |
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Raymond Trevens : A man of Greenshire, who bakes, in the city! The only thing I could see being terrible suspicious about him was the way he was trying to keep me away from his serving girl Anna. But, maybe that's just because I'm the sort of man young women should be kept far away from. Haha. He's a good chap. I'll bring his business to the Count I think. |
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Red Headed Tart : I could eat this girl up. I'm pretty attracted to her red hair. She rebuffed my offer of extra work. She's shy and quiet. But damn I would like to have her in my lap. |
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Straight Faced : Yeah, I can tell this man has a lot of battle on his mind. It really does take one to know one. He's civil and polite, though very stoic. He seems to have interested Fae in some way, as well as the Ladies of Haravean. Reminds me of me, when I was younger. |
So far, no PC's.