Claymont Newcastle

Claymont Newcastle is one of the original members of the group that became known as the New Redbrands.

## Backstory

Claymont Newcastle has journeyed far and wide before ending up in Neverwinter.  His life started in a land far North some 30 odd years ago.  He was born to an unwed mother who had two other children, all of whom are human.  The appearance of a blue skinned elemental was a shock to everyone in the small community.  Everyone but his mother.  She never spoke about his father, but even from an early age Claymont could sense a longing and heartbreak in his mother’s eyes whenever the subject was brought up.  After years of getting no answers, he learned not to ask questions.  He learned more from the teases of the other children in the neighborhood than he ever learned from home.  The rumor in town was that Claymont’s father was a genie in the guise of a human, a mysterious stranger who came into town making promises far and wide, and leaving just as suddenly as he came.

Claymont’s mother loved him dearly and let him know it every chance she got, but she never sheltered him from the reality that he was different from everyone around him.  This fact kept him distant from most of the townfolk where he grew up.  Out of necessity, he learned the rules of combat at an early age, and had the chance to practice them often.  He grew strong quickly. Claymont felt as if he was an outsider, and often identifies with the underdog.  He earned a reputation as someone who would stand up for those being taken advantage of, but had no problem turning his back when others got what was coming to them.  It wasn’t long before the contempt that he felt from the other members of his community turned to a quiet respect, tinged with a fear that grew out of both his appearance and his burgeoning magical abilities.

His mother worked every day to provide for her children, and Claymont was often left in the care of his brothers, although he ended up taking care of them more often than not.  His oldest brother had a dark side which led him into many situations where the youngest sibling had to step in to clean up the mess.  One day when they were a bit older, the oldest brother came to Claymont for help when he found himself deep in gambling debt with no way to pay.  He had come to Claymont many times for this type of help in the past, and Claymont had always helped him out, but this time he thought his brother needed to be taught a lesson and learn to fend for himself.  After not hearing from his oldest brother for a day and a half, he went looking for him and found him dead, beaten outside of a tavern.  After the sudden death of the oldest, the middle brother turned to drink.  Seeing that there was nothing more for him in their small town, Claymont’s mother convinced him to seek a better life.

He had never admitted it to anyone else, but there have been many times where he would awaken in the middle of the night with thoughts of meeting his father some day.  But these were only dreams.  In reality, he had no idea what he would say, or do.  He was angry that his father could leave his mother to fend for herself with a baby who would grow up a bastard son, a stranger in his own land.  But part of him still longed to know his father.  That was his only connection to the elemental spirit inside him.  He lives his days haunted by a dead brother and a father he never knew.

Claymont wandered for years, going from town to town taking work as a bodyguard.  He generally avoided any work for criminal elements, except when necessity and an empty belly required it.  He preferred working as a hired hand, protecting the rich who could afford such luxuries.  After seeing the advantage provided by being a member of the higher class, and born from a desire to find a better life that was instilled in him by his mother, he would travel to areas that were known to revere elemental beings.  There he would shed the stories of his humble past, and instead would tell stories of a noble upbringing. Aided by his impressive physical appearance and natural charm and intelligence, he would ingratiate himself with the upper class, with all of its inherent benefits.  He could fake the confidence of aristocracy, but deep down the insecurities of an outsider were always lurking beneath the surface.

## Appearances

Claymont Newcastle is a founding member of the group and has appeared in most every episode.