Renaer Brandhart

Official Art done by Chris (@arcanegold on twitter)

> "Hi! It's me! I'm doing my best!"
>
> Renaer, Episode 3

**Renaer Brandhart,** formerly Renaer Neverember, is an NPC in The Strings of Fate Podcast, played by Christian. He is a human paladin, age 28. Currently, he travels with Vincent Obra, Lidara Mormaer, and Azzurum Esen-Carr. He is a chivalrous fighter, humanitarian, and coffee enthusiast.

## Description

### Appearance

Renaer is a tall, broad-shouldered human male with red, wavy hair that he mostly keeps tied back. He wears the "adventuring clothes of the day" which include "a number of handy holsters" and a plain shirt tucked into leather pants and leather boots. He has green eyes, a dimple in his chin, and a single freckle on his bottom lip. He currently has one earring in each ear.

### Personality

*In progress! Feel free to add info here.*

## Biography

### Early Life

*In progress! Feel free to add info here.*

### Pre-Podcast

 Three months before the start of Episode 1: Welcome to the Painted Valley, Vincent and Renaer shared a romantic moment in a greenhouse and discussed their feelings for one another, getting into a relationship with each other.

 Renaer originally met the party when he was disguised as his friend Floon Blagmaar, but the party worked with him frequently after that point because he was a good fighter and handsome. Even when they were not working directly with Renaer, they ran into him frequently when he was on missions with the Harpers.

 Renaer was kicked out of the Harpers after taking the fall for the death of Agandour, who was killed by the Strings of Fate.

### Goldstead Arc

Episode 1: Welcome to the Painted Valley

Lidara is out shopping for supplies with Renaer when the O'Donogan Gang arrives at the saloon, demanding they bring out the genasi boy. They return to the saloon, and although Renaer readies himself to rush in, Lidara urges caution. Renaer boosts Lidara up onto the roofs and they move closer.

During the fight with the gang, Renaer wades in to close combat while the rest of the combatants snipe at each other from behind cover with arrows and bullets. He is able to deal a significant amount of damage to several of the gang members.

In Doc Berry's waiting room, Renaer is instrumental in beginning the awkward pregnancy-based conversation about Azzurum's parasite.

Episode 2: Thievery, Pride, and Similar Sins

During the fight with the creature burrowing beneath the plains, Renaer is badly injured by one of the beast's shadow tendrils. He is then grabbed by the creature, and it begins to burrow back into the ground with Renaer in its mouth. Azzurum manages to kill the creature in the tunnel, saving Renaer.

Episode 3: Urgency and Frequency

During the flight from the O'Donogan Gang camp, one of the gang member hops onto the carriage and tries to pull Renaer off - Vincent stabs at him, but it is Azzurum's Lightning Lure which ultimately dislodges him. Later, when Bonnie decides that she would be more useful as a fighter than a driver, she tosses the reins to Renaer, who does a pretty ok job at keeping the wagon on the road.

Episode 4: Shotgun Diplomacy

During the battle, Renaer focuses on taking out the six gunslingers along with Bonnie. At one point, she goes to duck for cover behind the same crate that Renaer was using. When he protests that he was there first, Bonnie retorts that she can squeeze. The argue briefly about how to break that cover while the crate is being shot to hell. Renaer manages to kill one bandit by stabbing him through a crate, and scores a critical hit on another one with a smite-empowered rapier attack before throwing a dagger at another. Attractively, he says "Who's next" after he's thoroughly intimidated that gunslinger.

After the fight, Vincent and Renaer carry Azzurum to Doc Berry's, and Renaer tries to start a conversation with Vincent about how well Vincent did in the battle, but they are shut down by Azzurum. They are able to pick up thread again in the waiting room as Azzurum is being treated. They each compliment each other, and Renaer gives credit to the party for getting him back into fighting shape, making him run around the city to fight Zhentarim and Xanathar's Guild. Vincent apologies, but Renaer said that it ended up being a good thing. Vincent falls asleep on Renaer's shoulder.

Episode 5: A Camaraderie of Closed Books

When playing "I Spy," Renaer guesses that the beige object is his shirt, which used to be white. He also greets the tabaxi from the O'Donogan gang, saying that he remembers wrestling them the night before.

While the group has their light conversation, Renaer reveals that he had a "rebellious phase" in which he had many more ear piercings and would "stay out after the sun goes down." When the others question whether he goes to bed at sundown now, he just says sheepishly that he likes to keep a regular schedule when he's in the city.

In the later conversation when they all open up about their families, Renaer is encouraging, urging the group to be more trusting of each other and share this information about their pasts. He also, however, recognizes that this doesn't have to happen all at once, and can be done in baby steps.

In the field of pink chrysanthemums, Renaer and Vincent sit together, shoulders touching while they reminisce about the garden in Ciniath. Following Bonnie's story, Renaer is crying silently.

### Wheldon Arc

Episode 19: A Toast to Unity

At the ball, Renaer and Vincent dance together, enjoying each others company. Renaer is a bit clumsy, but clearly knows the rules and the steps of the dance. Renaer reveals that he had gone to many balls in Ciniath when he was younger, but he stopped going when he had to take care of his mother. He's now relying on lessons from when he was a child. When Vincent voices his concern about Lidara's dance partner to Renaer, he agrees to help keep an eye on things and protect her.

Vincent laments that he was planning to enjoy this night, but Renaer - ever optimistic - says that they still can. The food is good, the night is young and beautiful. He reminisces about the last ball they went to, when they were afraid Azzurum was going to turn into a statue, and about the afterparty. He suggests that maybe they can do something like that after the ball, and Vincent agrees.

On the balcony, Renaer joins Vincent for his conversation with Rayna of Limon. Vincent breathes a sigh of relief when that conversation is over, and Renaer reassures him that his confidence was very convincing. The two then take a moment together at the balcony. They speak softly about how hectic things have been, and Renaer asks Vincent if he has ever thought about a quiet life. Vincent has, but he has things he needs to do since he is bound by something he does not want to be bound to, and his friends need him... but afterwards, a quiet life would be nice. Renaer agrees to help Vincent with his own quests if he will agree to stay by his side during his own. Vincent asks - is that even a question? and they agree to stick together.

At this point, they are the only two remaining on the balcony, and Vincent takes a moment to compliment Renaer's outfit - but says there is one thing missing. He goes over to a nearby rosebush, part of the Thorn decorations, and plucks a flower. He then places it on Renaer's jacket, and deems it "perfect." Renaer blushes, and they share a gaze. Vincent asks if they want to go back in, but Renaer says they should stay here a little longer.

Episode 20: Malediction of Red and Gold

On the balcony, Vincent and Renaer hear gunshots and screams from inside the ballroom, but Renaer is focused on the red glow of fire consuming the Thorn and Walsh manors. They decide to go get the others.

Vincent and Renaer enter the ballroom from the northern balcony. Looking around, they see Tasha frozen in fear on the stage while Valentina moves towards her with an ebony black dagger in her hands. Valentina shouts at Vincent to get out of her way and lunges forward with her dagger - and Renaer jumps into her path, taking the strike instead. The dagger is poisoned, and Renaer takes a great deal of damage, and he is poisoned and stunned. Vincent recognizes the poison as the same one used on Aona.

Weak from the poison, Renaer moves to the foyer of the house, unable to help with the other missions. When Vincent freezes in guilt about forgetting Archie, Renaer casts Calm Emotions and offers to go get him. Vincent refuses, and insists Renaer leave with the others.

Episode 21: Brilliant Diamonds and Wretched Gold

In the garden shed, Archie and Renaer both lie on the floor, unconscious and breathing weakly. When the party decides to head into the city to see what is happening, Renaer tries to join them, but Vincent insists he stays behind.

Episode 22: Allies, Old and New

When the party arrives at the Sanctum near the Thorn Manor, Renaer is alarmed by the injuries to Vincent. Renaer bandages their wounds before they leave, and Vincent implores him to take it easy and not do anything reckless. While they are with the Tempest of the Unheard, Renaer is examined by Doctor Neerja, who assures them that although the poison was strong, Renaer will be fine. He will just need time before he is in top shape again.

Episode 23: Much Ado About Submersibles

Renaer stays behind to rest as the Strings of Fate go to the clocktower.

Episode 28: Like Sunlight

Renaer asks the party to refer to him by a new last name, Brandhart, which was his mother's name.

## Relationships

### Vincent Obra

Renaer and Vincent are boyfriends, and thus care a great deal about each other. They're both overprotective in combat, but get a bit nervous when it comes to more intimate romantic gestures.

*In progress! Feel free to add info here.*

### Lidara Mormaer

*In progress! Feel free to add info here.*

### Azzurum Esen-Carr

When first meeting him, Azzurum found Renaer attractive. He did not act on this, however, and remained simply an acquaintance. As the campaign moved forward, he and Renaer became friends, but didn't really get to know each other much. Azzurum attempted to rectify this by having 'bestie time' with Renaer in the Thorn Bathhouse, but it turned into an entire party affair. Still, the two have bonded some more over the situations with their biological fathers, sharing a quiet conversation of support and embracing.

## Character Information

### Stats

* STR: +0
* DEX: +4
* CON: +2
* INT: +3
* WIS: +2
* CHAR: +2

### Proficiencies

* Languages
	+ Common
	+ Elvish
* Acrobatics (+8)
* History (+7)
* Intimidation (+6)
* Persuasion (+6)
* Stealth (+8)

### Racial Abilities

As a variant human, Renaer has the following traits/features:

* +1 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence
* Sentinel Feat

### Class Abilities

Renaer is currently a level 10 Paladin. As such, he has the following abilities:

* Divine Sense
* Lay on Hands (50 points)
* Fighting Style
	+ Dueling
* Divine Smite
* Divine Health
* Sacred Oath
	+ Oath of Redemption
* Oath Spells
	+ Paladin Level 3: Sanctuary, Sleep
	+ Paladin Level 5: Calm Emotions, Hold Person
	+ Paladin Level 9: Counterspell, Hypnotic Pattern
* Channel Divinity
	+ Emissary of Peace
	+ Rebuke the Violent
* Feat: Keen Mind
* Aura of Protection
* Aura of Courage

## Trivia

* When he’s not spending his time with Vincent or the party, he can usually be found in his study, enjoying a dark roast coffee and a book he’s read far too many times.
* Renaer is pansexual.
* Renaer is "square and hot like grilled cheese" according to Chris.
* Renaer's favorite color is a rich purple, but does not wear it as he doesn't find it to suit him. He also likes blue and gold.
* *In progress! Feel free to add info here.*

## Quotes

* *In progress! Feel free to add info here.*

1. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CDiHRsAhQCo/