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Fantasy NPC
Special Character
This NPC profile is released in celebration of Women in Tabletop Gaming Month 2018. The character is inspired by my wonderful wife.
Jia Byrdsong
Half-Elf Bard
“If you’re going to force me to choose between safety and truth, I’m going to choose the truth.”
Appearance: You hear her music before you see her. A young half-elf turns the corner, leading a handful of clapping children, her round face beaming and her deft fingers dancing over the keys of a hurdy-gurdy. Her brown hair shifts as she skips along and you catch sight of an ornate silver ear cuff on her left ear. As she passes by, a small gray chinchilla pops its face from the pocket of her pack, then hides again.
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Personality: Jia Byrdsong does her best to make friends with everyone she meets, especially children and animals. She is compassionate and generous to strangers, always willing to listen to their problems and help if she can. She is a tireless seeker of truth and tries to expose hypocrisy where she may find it.
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Motivation: Corruption only grows stronger when hidden in the darkness, so the best way to fight is to throw open the doors and let in the light. When lies are exposed, we can do something about them.
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Roleplaying Tips: Curious by nature, Jia indulges her sense of adventure by investigating injustice, despite the trouble it may bring her. She can be stubborn and sometimes struggles with self-doubt.
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Background: The oldest of nine siblings, it was difficult for Jia Byrdsong to leave home and begin adventuring. Her musical skill gained her the mentorship of several accomplished bards before she struck out on her own. It was during this time that she exposed the illegal practices of a minor noble, subjecting him to public disgrace. She quickly left the area and now roams where the wind takes her.
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Traits: Adventurer, Agile, Arcane, Attractive, Chaotic, Good, and Intelligent
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Dark Secret: Unknown to Jia, the chinchilla she cares for is not a normal animal, but a celestial deva in service to the deity Vior. Its purpose unknown, its presence must be a portent of something to come.
Plot Hooks
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The traveling life can be isolating, and Jia Byrdsong is always willing to meet a fellow bard to trade tales, songs, and rumors. She’ll even join in a musical performance if she’s welcome and gets a fair share of the coin. If there’s a bard traveling with your party, Jia will make it a point to come and meet you.
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More than a few bards deal in news and information, and Jia is no exception. No matter what you’re looking for, Jia will tell you what she knows about it if the price is right. If she doesn’t know anything, she’ll be willing to find out or point you in the direction of someone who does for a modest finder’s fee.
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Jia usually performs at The Blinking Dog tavern when she’s in the city, and you find yourself humming along to a particularly intricate tune when four large men and a dwarf burst through the door. The music immediately stops and Jia’s eyes go wide. The dwarf smirks and spits, pointing, “Found you at last. Get ‘er boys!” Jia quickly upends a table and dashes toward the back as the men rush forward past you.
Connections
Jia Byrdsong is a good friend of Onna Arkander and stays in her house when she is in the city.
Jia Byrdsong is a good friend of Merritt Bluestring and makes a point of playing at The Blinking Dog when she is passing through.
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Jia Byrdsong worships Vior, the deity of light, and will visit the Sanctuary of Vior when she is in the city.
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Jia Byrdsong is being watched by the secret organization known as The Mirandae as they consider her for future membership.
Bonus Content
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Quick Summary Card - Jia Byrdsong, Half-Elf Bard
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Campaign Logger Profile - Jia Byrdsong, Half-Elf Bard
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