Willow Cordovan

—Willow, speaking with High Prince Ryger

**Willow** **Jenkins** is a shifter artificer who appears in Metanoia Blues. They are played by Mimza.

## **Description**

### **Appearance**

Willow is a long-limbed dingo shifter with brown skin and short, wavy blonde hair that goes dark brown at the roots. They have tall fluffy ears, and a small curly tail that is usually hidden. Their skin is the same colour as the fine fur that covers it, though they have darker markings on their nose, upper lip, and along the outer edge of their lower-eyelids. They’re rarely seen without their black shades, or their signature orange and blue jacket and matching bandana which display bright colours and patterns common in Cyre.

When Willow activates their Wildhunt Shifter ability, their nose extends to resemble that of a dingo. Their ears get larger and their fur grows slightly longer as well. Willow customises their clothes to adapt to the possibility of shifting.

On the rare occasion they remove their glasses, their eyes appear pale, and as if clouded over with a pearlescent shimmer, akin to an oil slick. Without their glasses, they are able to see into the ethereal plane.

### **Personality**

Willow is exceptionally insightful and inquisitive. They keep to themselves about most things, usually dodging questions regarding their history and feelings. However they frequently extend a helping hand to those in need, be it in the form of repairs or knowledge. Willow has also been described as ‘infuriating.’ They tend to make a mockery of many things, often making jokes and bursting into laughter despite how dire the topics may be, but they’re not deliberately rude. Willow displays great emotional intelligence, which allows them to navigate delicate social situations - usually by navigating away from them all together - but when confronted they often manage, however awkwardly. They’ve also proven time and time again to have a reckless attitude when it comes to danger, claiming that they have assessed all risks before acting, though they never fully explain the thought process.

### **Fishdog**

Willow’s homunculus servant, Fishdog, is a floating golden orb with cyan fins and a large round display taking up the majority of its front facing surface. It communicates in a series of beeps and chimes that only Willow can fully interpret. When it’s destroyed, it’s reduced to a dragon shard.

## **Biography**

### **Background**

According to a dream, Willow had to flee from a raid at some point during their childhood, losing a prized screwdriver in the process.

Willow was born to a family of leather workers known as the Cordovans, and raised in Dallybrook, near the boarder of Cyre and Darguun. The surname they use as an alias later in life - Jenkins - comes from Old Lady Jenkins, an old Weather-watcher whom lived in Willow's old neighbourhood. Willow looked up to her as a child of five or six, and once hoped to become her apprentice.

As a teenager Willow crossed the boarder into Cyre to attend the Tinkers Guild in Making under the name Willow Jenkins. They later graduate to the Fabricator’s Guild. They still went home to visit their parents and older brother, Cedar, during this time. It was while attending these guilds as a student that they first started designing Song Birds, and learned to be an Artificer. After graduation, the mystery and arms dealing of House Cannith became too much for Willow and they left. They would be a saboteur for some time afterwards, wearing different aliases as they did so. In 989yk they left Cyre all together. They would never look back, even after the Mourning hit, never learning the fate of Dallybrook, or their family.

For 8 years Willow has been coming in and out of Salvage. During that time, Bruno has been sure to look out for them, keeping them fed and giving them specialist work as a magical tinkerer, as well as general shipwright duties.

During their early days in the Lhazaar Principalities, Willow snuck aboard an airship under the misconception that it was Lyrandar vessel. They sabotaged the ship, only to promptly discover the ship was actually captained by pirates. Upon learning this, Willow attempts to sneak back into the engine room and undo their sabotage, but are caught in the process. From there Willow is recruited to join the crew of a Wind Whisperer airship. They served under Captain Koulton Brightwind.

As crew aboard the Stormchaser, Willow witnessed Koulton execute a Lyrandar 'heir' who was accused of being sent by House Lyrandar to spy and ultimately assassinate Koulton himself. After that Koulton wished to retaliate with violence, but Willow stood against his decision, ultimately sabotaging the Stormchaser and delaying Koulton's efforts. This results in Koulton's ire, and Willow fleeing the Wind Whisperers. And then the Mourning hit Cyre.

While working for Bruno, Willow sabotaged a mercenary ship known as the The Gath'vanon, by tinkering with their canons and causing a destructive (but non-fatal) backfire. They were confronted by the crew’s Master of Arms, a hobgoblin woman named Arzaka, before Bruno stepped in and de-escalated the situation.

Before the events of Metanoia Blues, Willow had been running the Jenkins Workshop out of their boat on the dry docks for nearly a year. Additionally they spent that year repairing the very boat they ran their shop out of, a broken piece of junk given to them by Bruno.

### **Metanoia Blues**

##### Chapter 1: The Lonely Lighthouse

When approached by Luca about his failing prosthetic, Willow sought out work from Bruno, who directed them to investigate Salvage's lighthouse. There they stumble upon Varis Greenleaf and his crew, and slowly unfold the mystery of a curse plaguing the lighthouse. Ultimately, Willow is the one to deliver the killing blow to Duncan O'Fairn's poltergeist and help bring the curse to an end.

##### Chapter 2: The Hag of Driftwood Marsh

In hopes of lifting the sea spawn curse on Varis, Willow visits Aggie's barge alongside their new companions. Through this adventure they discover several powerful magical objects such as Aggie’s Conch Shell, the Crystal Ball, and En. Willow manages to harness the power of both the Shell and the Crystal Ball despite the items being far outside their abilities. They would use Aggie's Crystal Ball to scry for the Stormchaser, and discover it to have many unfamiliar faces aboard.

##### Chapter 3: Three Ships-a-Sailing

Not long after meeting Luca and En, Willow repairs Fishdog, a homunculus servant and constant companion - and guinea pig - in Willow’s adventures. They also begin assisting En in researching the Eye, but generally lay low.

##### Chapter 4: What Evil Lurks?

During the investigation of the Barrow, Willow would be compelled to reveal their eyes in order to protect the team from a phase spider. As it turns out, their eyes have been tainted by some power that allows them to see into the ethereal plane. Willow calls the state of their eyes an injury, explaining that they know the nature of the injury, but giving no further details or En or Luca.

#### Chapter 5: The Wreck of Good Fortune

During the fighting tournament at the Belly of the Beast, Willow participates in secret, under the guise of a mysterious warforged persona named Cognaut, donning a costume and mask that conceals their true identity. They get far, but ultimately lose to Luca in the semi-finals. This seems to have been their plan all along. An attempt to tip the tournament's scales in Luca's favour.

With the tournament behind them, Willow focuses on finding means to travel to the harpy nest that caused Cat so much grief. They ultimately decide their own boat is the best option, and recruit En, Luca, and Cat to assist with its speedy repair. It's a swift job, and one that leaves Bruno immensely proud of Willow and their work.

Sailing out towards Skyshriek Reef, Luca gives Willow a farewell gift in the form of a broken lantern, in preparation for them parting ways once the harpy job is complete. A gestured that leaves Willow in a restless state.

Following the Skyshriek Reef incident involving Roselia and the Blackfin, Willow takes moment to collect their thoughts through mediation under the stars. In that moment they decide that one way or another, they are going to keep the Good Fortune's Elemental out of the the hands of the Blackfin crew, due to the Blackfin's association with House Lyrandar.

Venturing deep into the Good Fortune wreck, Willow works together with En, Luca, and Varis to calm down the distressed water Elemental trapped in the engine room, and liberate it from the wreck. Elated by this outcome, they quickly proceed to give the elemental a new home in the the Scrap Bucket, within the elemental engine room they built themselves.

Reading the stolen captain's log from the Good Fortune, Willow is reminded of the *Krakenslayer*, a Wind Whisperer ship that they were once intimately familiar with. They soon find themselves opening up to Varis about being an ex-Wind Whisperer. After a heartfelt conversation, the two sailors make a wager that they will both "*take their stories to greater heights."*

On the voyage back to Salvage, Willow tells the crew the story of how they sabotaged a pirate airship and were subsequently hired by its captain. They leave out the specifics in their retelling, but the aforementioned captain was Koulton Brightwind, and it is implied that the pirate ship was the Krakenslayer. Willow's mood seems improved, until they find themselves tearing up at the approach to Salvage.

#### Chapter 6: Three of a Kind

Returning to Salvage, Willow approaches Else regarding their plans to assemble a device Luca could use to assist him through trauma episodes. Else agrees and the two get to work on an anchor bracelet.

Upon Cat's departure and High Prince Ryger's return to Regalport, Willow finds themselves in a high strung mood as they assist En in their plans for the Grand Auction Hall. This mood comes crashing down when they admit to Varis that Koulton Brightwind hates them. The next day, they are confronted by a note from Damon that reminds them of a respectable figure from their past, and their surname's namesake. In response, Willow chases Damon down and confronts him regarding how he knew of Old Lady Jenkins, and what his true goals are.

Finding their courage through a deep desire to support Varis, Willow manages to attend the meeting with High Prince Ryger alongside Audrey and Luca while wearing the guise of Cognaut and the name Gil Gasket. Confident in Varis's future, Willow speaks to Bruno about training a replacement for themselves, Bruno quick to catch on that Willow is planning to leave Salvage. Afterwards, Willow gives Luca the finished anchor bracelet in preparation for En rooting around in his mind.

As the trio prepares to attend the Grand Auction Hall, Willow fills Luca and En in on Damon's intentions to return to the Mournlands in search of his brother. This conversation snowballs into Willow revealing their own history with Cyre, and the fact that they have not once looked back since the Mourning. Not to try and save for their family or otherwise. To this end, they call themselves a coward. En rejects the notion that Willow is cowardly, while Luca gets angry at Willow for not pursuing answers when they are right in front of Willow. This results in a duel between Luca and Willow, but one that ends in Luca embracing Willow and apologizing for the war, and everything that has gotten between Willow and their happiness. Willow is still unable to process this profound grief, but they have shared it with others for the very first time.

#### Chapter 7: Death of the Artist

Attending the "a New Khorvaire" art auction as Damon's warforged accountant 'Gil Gasket,' Willow struggles under the oppressive weight of the gallery's many depictions of Cyre and the Mourning, their mood gradually declining throughout the evening. This culminates in them catching Tarek Elham in the bathrooms after an altercation between the playwright and Stanislav Dragovicz. They have a moment of vulnerability with Tarek, figuratively and literally removing their mask to speak of Cyre.

Exiting the bathrooms, Willow witnesses an argument erupt between Miraldine and Tarek. Despite their best efforts their unable to settle the pair, and excuse themselves.

When a zombie hoard attacks the auction house and all its guests, Willow uses their magic to break open a window and assist in airing out the choking smog that had flooded the room. However with their magical weapons locked and the smog making them retch, they find themselves getting beaten down by the relentless hoard. Tossing their sword to Damon so the man might better fight, Willow makes a break for it, but not without confirming that this zombie attack was planned by someone. The question is who.

Before Willow can solve that mystery, they discover the body of Tarek Elham in the main gallery. Beaten and burdened, Willow struggles to stay standing, weighed down by the thought that all of this could have been avoided if they'd done something different. At the Gold Dragon inn, Willow falls into a deep mediation, revising the harrowing events preceding Tarek's murder in hopes of finding clues. They proceed to construct a map that represents all the key players at the gallery incident, and present it to En, Luca, and Damon, alongside their theories.

Choosing to personally investigate the mysterious behaviour of Warfred Bartosz, Willow - under the guise of Gil Gasket - visits the Gilded Brush. After some conversation with Warfred, Willow is invited to his personal studio where the two have an unsettling conversation regarding Tarek Elham's death and Cognaut's mask. Later, Willow speaks with Damon, asking the man multiple questions regarding cults, fate, and the 13th Mark.

During the safe house ambush, Willow is pivotal in the capture of Stanislav, aggravating the man out of hiding long enough for the Guard to find him. the next morning, Willow joins Brina and Audrey as they investigate the safe house, their keen eye uncovering a note in encrypted Aerenese. They make a personal copy of the note before turning it over to Brina as evidence. Later they take the copied note to Damon in hopes of him translating it, but hit a wall when Damon requests Willow officially agree to join him on his mission if they want continued access to his "services." Crestfallen, Willow leaves Damon's hotel room without answering him.

When Willow is summoned back to Damon's table alongside En and Luca to discuss the status of the contract, Willow finally explains to Damon why they were hurt by his sudden refusal, and why they struggle to return to the mainland. After an emotional outpouring, Willow retreats into the night. They find themselves at Morrowdale Antiquities, returning to their roots as they break into the establishment, sabotage the security system, and make away with a Cyran astronomical calendar.

At their second meeting with Warfred, he and Willow play a game of truths, during which he reveals to Willow that he saw them stealing. Though he has no intention to report Willow, the game becomes heated when Willow calls him out in a lie. He casts a memory spell in that moment, causing Willow to forget they won the game and leave his studio none the wiser.

Willow's next meeting with Warfred enters a state of limbo as the two continue to reschedule the date. In the meantime, Willow finds themselves iced out of the investigation due to En and Luca signing a nondisclosure agreement with Detective Brina d'Medani. Left to their own devices, they approach Damon for assistance. At first the two struggle to communicate, Willow trying everything from reading their journal entries aloud, to challenging Damon to a friendly duel, neither of which work as intended. Eventually Damon extends an olive branch in the form of 'conditions' that Willow must abide by if they want his help, to which Willow responds positively. From there Willow recruits Damon to assist them in preparation for their next Warfred meeting, asking about monsters and taking him shopping for equipment to assist them in not dying.

After Warfred dallies too long, Willow goes to visit him and request another appointment. Warfred responds by casting Suggestion on Willow, planting the idea of an evening dinner in Willow's mind. Willow leaves with every intention to honour the appointment, until they check their Umpire's coin and discover they're being manipulated by a spell. The cognitive dissonance allows them to break the spell and return to their companions to report Warfred's misdeeds.

When Willow learns that Alonso is the nothic that captured En, and Luca is missing, they recruit Damon to assist them in the search for their missing Seeker. After confirming Warfred has likely kidnapped Luca, Willow decides to honour Warfred's appointment after all in hopes of acting as a distraction so En and Brina might rescue Luca in the meantime. While speaking with Warfred, Willow pushes his buttons and stirs his contempt until he finally cracks, resulting in him abruptly returning Willow's stolen memories to them. Willow is rocked by the revelation that days ago Warfred removed their mask and forced his way into their mind, before wiping their memory. Willow then falls unconscious.

Willow awakes on the staircase to a cavern hidden under Warfred's apartment. Hearing a scuffle, they sneak down the stairs and discover a fight has broken out between En, Luca, and Brina, and Alonso and Warfred. They continue the tradition of annoying Warfred, drawing his attention long enough to save Luca from the brink of death. As the Port Authority arrives to arrest Warfred, Willow sneaks Warfred's symbiont helm - the source of his mind altering magic and holder of Tarek's eyeballs - into their bag of holding.

After studying the helm in private, Willow leaves it with Detective Brina in hopes that since the helm is holding Tarek's eyeballs, it will assist in the playwright's resurrection. With the helm secure, they go to visit Warfred in holding, only to discover any memories Warfred might have had about the Snapdragons have been unceremoniously wiped from his memory. Frustrated that their long-con to get Warfred to reveal his hand has failed, Willow says goodbye to the murderer.

#### Chapter 8: Weight of an Anchor

Not satisfied with their last encounter with Warfred, Willow breaks into his apartment and steals his silver Snapdragon pin. As the case comes to a close, they go for drinks with Damon, and promise him that they will help save his brother.

## **Relationships**

### ***Bruno Saltbeard***

Willow and Bruno have known each other for around 8 years, and though their relationship mostly pertains to work, they do seem to care for and respect one another. Bruno seems to know more about Willow than either of them acknowledge, and Willow maintains a level of familiarity with Bruno that they seldom display otherwise. Bruno gave Willow the boat that they would fix up and turn into the Jenkins Workshop.

### ***Cat***

Met two years ago. The two have been intimate, and consider themselves good friends. They share an unspoken agreement to keep things light and fun between them, never delving too deeply into the heavy topics that dwell in the past. To this end, Cat doesn't know much about Willow's history, nor does Willow know much of hers, but both are content with this arrangement. Willow entrusts her with the secret of their elemental engine room project, Willow's brilliance making them all the more hot in Cat's flabbergasted eyes.

### ***Damon ir'Ardantego***

Willow has many complex emotions pertaining to Damon due to their ties to Cyre, a mutual friend in Lady Jenkins, and Damon's mysteries. At first Willow appears uncomfortable around Damon, but slowly this eases, developing into something resembling trust. The two frequently struggle to understand one another, but as time goes on Willow begins to warm to Damon's presence. They come to him for company, to ask questions, and seek his aid.

### ***En***

Willow offered En insight on the planar origins of the Eye, and continues to assist En in researching the specifics of the Eye’s nature and magic. The two respect each other's privacy, and have a tendency to share in mischievous endeavours. Willow is later shocked to learn of En's ability to speak with Elementals, an exceptional trait for one without a Dragonmark, and useful for Willow's ambitions.

### ***Koulton Brightwind***

Koulton hires Willow to work for him after Willow attempts to sabotage one of his airships. Though Willow is caught red handed, they are not swayed by his intimidation tactics, nor his status, and take the job under anything but duress. Later on, Willow stands against Koulton's attempts at starting a war with Lyrandar, resulting in Koulton's hatred and Willow leaving the *Wind Whisperers*. He often appears in Willow's dreams, causing them distress.

### ***Luca Karrnson***

Assisted Luca in obtaining and fixing his new prosthetic arm. Willow seems to have a gentle opinion of the man, so much that they have concerns that Luca might be so sacrificial and kind that he won’t live long. During their trip to Skyshriek Reef, Luca gifts Willow a lantern as a preemptive farewell gift, and another wrapped package with the instruction that Willow open it on their birthday. This leaves Willow with complicated feelings.

### ***Mallachee***

Willow frequently visits Mallachee’s pawn shop to sell their inventions, or acquire rare and odd magical items. They have a decent rapport, though Willow has a tendency to cause Mallachee grief.

### ***Varis Greenleaf***

Since Varis' recovery from his curse, Willow has been keeping an eye on his well being. They occasionally talk shop about ships, and share a mutual respect for each other and the sea. Willow is the one to suggest sending Varis an official letter to request him as a Captain for the Odds and Ends. Varis also becomes the first person that Willow confides in regarding their past with the Wind Whisperers.

## **Character Information**

### **Notable Items**

* Bestiary
* Light Crossbow
* Golden bangles
* Fishdog
* (Broken) Lantern of Revealing
* Umpire's coin

***Artificer Abilities***

* Artificer: Armorer
	+ Lightning Launcher

***Artificer Spells***

***Cantrips***

* Lightning Lure
* Mending

***1st Level***

* Alarm
* Cure Wounds
* Detect Magic
* Disguise Self
* False Life
* Faerie Fire
* Feather Fall
* Grease
* Magic Missile
* Identify
* Shield
* Snare
* Expeditious Retreat

***2nd Level***

* Arcane Lock
* Invisibility
* Kinetic Jaunt

***Fishdog***

* Force Strike

## Trivia

* One of the main influences for Cognaut's design was Roy Walker as portrayed by Lee Pace in The Fall.