Buttons the Bard // DnD Character

Instructions

This is just a character for a DND campaign called "Faelands", if you aren't part of the campaign, you need not read farther than this, but you can if you so desire! This is a link to their sheet, which has all of their information, and is, in my opinion, a lot more convenient than typing it all up in the instructions. (But if someone needs me to type it up, I can!) ddb.ac/characters/35250199/KAZwz8 I will, however, copy their backstory and some basic information here, just so you can see it! Name: Buttons Age: 24 Gender: Gender? What's that? Who's she? (Agender, they/them pronouns) Race: Tiefling Class: Bard Alignment: Chaotic Good Backstory: 24 years ago, a teifling named Mordai was born, deep in the city of Xohull. Though their family wasn't particularly wealthy or successful, they were happy. And that was enough. Unfortunately, their father had been deeply intertwined in the business of a nearby gang of criminals. He had left that life behind when they had their first child (Mordai's older brother), but there were some in the gang who still harbored resentment and even malice toward the family. The family tried to flee to Noit, hoping to start a new life for themselves. They never reached the city. Mordai was only 5 when it happened. They survived, along with their brother, who was 6. The gang decided to raise their brother as a member, but Mordai was far too small and sickly to be considered worth their time. The two siblings were separated, and Mordai was taken to Noit, where they were sold to a wealthy family as a servant. Nameless, and without someone to care for, they were raised by the estate cook, a kind goblin named Bildi. The child had a habit of swiping shiny objects, specifically buttons, which is where they earned their name. Buttons learned things by eavesdropping on the children's lessons, and proved to be a quick learner, learning languages and instruments while listening between the walls. They took a particular liking to the instruments and poetry the children would learn, and would often sneak into the art room/library in the middle of the night to read the books and quietly practice with the instruments. Their musical talent was discovered one night, when they were 11, and played a song just a little too loud. The wealthy businessman, upon hearing the melody, was immediately outraged. But, after more consideration, realized that the child's talent could be a goldmine of profit for him. He allowed Buttons to take lessons with the other children. Buttons was overjoyed, believing the change of attitude to be a genuine one. Within three years of this choice, Buttons began their carrier as a glorified court jester. They toured the land, and became somewhat famous, even once performing for the queen. They loved performing and doing what they were passionate about, but they didn't enjoy their job. The hours were long and their manager (the businessman) was cruel. Still, they stayed. They worked harder and harder, hoping that maybe if they were better at their job, they would receive the kindness they had always yearned for. they took on a cheerful (and at times absurd) persona when performing, that slowly started to seep into every part of their life. When Buttons was 19, they fell in love. They fell in love with a human stable boy who worked at the manor they were currently performing at. Before meeting him, Buttons didn't have any reason to leave, any promise of a life beyond the place they felt eternally trapped. The two escaped, but were pursued. Buttons made it out alive, once again barely sliding past death, but their boyfriend wasn't as lucky. Buttons was devastated, but their mourning period couldn't last for very long. They buried the body of their past lover to honor him, but the process took a considerable amount of money, landing them deep in debt. They became a bard once again, although this time they took much more joy in their work. It was enough to make a modest living, but Buttons dreamed of bigger things. They dreamed of traveling the world, of going on adventure, of becoming a traveling bard and seeing places far and wide, of meeting people and sharing their stories across the land. But passage to a land was expensive, and they didn't have that type of money, even as they burnt the midnight oil writing poetry, performing in bars and creating new songs. Even as they performed folktales, told stories to children and played the bagpipes on street corners. It wasn't enough. So they decided "to hell with making an honest living" and stowed away on the first ship they could find. This ship, although Buttons didn't yet know it, was headed to a mysterious, island far to the north of their homelands. This island- and this ship- are where our story begins.