Quillan Dornwood

Background

Quillan Dornwood, better known as Quill, is a wood elf rogue who was born into the noble wood elf Meliamne family. Like most elf families in Troef, they were extremely prejudiced against anyone who was of a lower race and/or class than them. Quill was brought up in this belief; in school, in the home, and in life, until he met Kadota. Kadota was a cerulean tiefling he met in his school days and became fast friends with, in spite of the societal pressures and expectations around them. Because of this, Quill has a linguistic foot in Infernal. They met in secret often, knowing the dire consequences that would befall them if anyone found out about their relationship, but one day, Kadota disappeared and never showed up again.

Years later, Quill was forced to watch a public execution of tieflings, standing behind his parents and watching in complete horror as the deed was carried out. In that moment, he realized what must have happened to his friend. This motivated him to begin taking from his own family, waking up in the middle of the night while his parents and siblings meditated and packing a burlap sack full of bread and cheese and water and berries, and sneaking out of the house, creeping through the streets until he came to the tiefling district. It took a while for them to trust him, but once they did, their trust propelled him further, inspiring him to continue. It wasn’t always food. Sometimes he brought medicine or toys that he and his siblings had long forgotten about for the little ones. Sometimes he brought money—small amounts that he was sure his family wouldn’t notice. Eventually, they did notice. One night, Quill's parents were waiting for him on the doorstep as he came home one morning, his burlap sack empty and his chest heaving with exhaustion. The tieflings never got an explanation for why he stopped coming.

His hatred for both the emperor and his own family increased by the day. He began stealing again, this time from neighboring families, knowing that if his parents or siblings caught him again he would be sent straight to the emperor, would be considered a traitor for giving to the lower classes for treating them as equals. He began taking what minimal things the Elvish families wouldn’t miss. He found it liberating, providing for these poor individuals and being able to escape the eyes of the emperor and his guards. At one point he wanted to start a team of thieves, knowing that working together would make it easier for them to give more. He never did. He never had the courage, which bothered him to no end. He focused on the tieflings, as if motivated by the loss of Kadota.

The royal guard found him eventually, as he supposes they were bound to at some point. He’d managed to evade them the first time, but they never stopped looking, and one night when he wasn't careful, they chased him and threatened to bring him in if he kept running, had threatened execution if he didn’t turn himself in. They really almost got him a couple times. He has scars to remember that by. He hasn't stopped running.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to leave the elves. He packed a bag quickly, only taking the basics, and left. He hasn’t been back since, for years now, and has no knowledge of what happened to his family after that. He thinks he’s been a rogue for as long as he can remember, ever since Kadota, even, but he only committed to it once he ran away, once he was able to prove to himself that he can use his own wits to escape death. His family claimed he was from the rival Dornwood family when it was discovered what he'd done. His name was listed as Dornwood in wanted posters, and the real Dornwood clan was killed for treason. Quill has since adopted the name, as he has also begun to see himself as rival to the Meliamnes. Since he left, he's crafted a new home for himself in a gigantic hollowed-out Sequoia tree.

For a while, living in isolation and staying away from the emperor and his old life had been enough, but the guilt and regrets have slowly been piling up. He misses his life of secrecy and thievery, misses the gratitude and friendship and mutual respect between him and the tieflings, misses the adrenaline rush he got every time he had a close call, every time he almost ran into guards and was able to get out of it without being noticed. He regrets leaving the tieflings behind, regrets not doing more to help, hates how he’s put himself and his own interests before theirs, even though he knows that he can’t help it; that’s just the way he is. He wishes it could all be different, that he wouldn’t have to steal and lie and cheat his way through life just so others could have a more decent one.

It scares him how much he hates the emperor. He’s itching to get back in there, to get revenge, but he has no idea how to start. He needs to know that in the end, he’ll get his own reward as well.

Appearance

Quill has warm copper skin, high cheekbones, a long, angular face, and a crooked nose. He stands at 5'10", with a lean, lightly toned figure, and has a scar on his right cheek. He typically wears plain leather armor and heavyset black boots underneath a hooded cloak. He has a belt with two daggers and a shortsword, a burglar's pack, and always carries his quiver and arrows. He wears several rings on one hand and a few tiny, gold hooped earrings on one of his ears.

Personality/Demeanor

Quill is cautious and street smart, and always very alert, though some would call him paranoid. He is a quick thinker with fast reflexes and is very independent. He's able to talk himself out of sticky situations and is very handy with weapons. He knows his skill, and he is confident in what he's good at. He tends to appear stubborn and mysterious, and is almost too good at hiding his emotions, though he has a soft spot for animals and loves the outdoors. He retains trauma and can be rude or rash, and tends to puts his own needs and freedom first. Like many in the party, he has a strong hatred of the Emperor and his class system as a whole. As of early May 2020, Quill is also a drug addict, due to taking and eventually relying upon painkillers after twisting and breaking his leg.

Relationships

Lord Meliamne is a large object of resentment to Quill, though has appeared to him in dreams with no apparent knowledge of their falling out.

Quill has three siblings, who all followed in the footsteps of his noble parents. Not much is stated about his relationship with them in his backstory, but it is implied that they have a somewhat distant relationship, which compounded the distance he already felt from his family in general.

Kadota is a cerulean tiefling who Quill shared a close bond with in his youth. He disappeared, presumably having been murdered. (let us know if he has a surname)

Trevor is a great horned owl and Quill's pet and companion. He often helps Quill in battle and gathering food.

Updates Here:

— Nim Waywocket appeared in a dream with Quill in Session 3

— Quill's father appeared in the aforementioned dream as a duck (or was it a goose someone PLEASE clarify)

— In Session 3, Kadota appeared to Quill in a dream, injured and bleeding, and is assumed to have died during or soon after the dream.

— Quill encountered Hera Orileth in Sessions 2 and 3, and has had a contentious relationship with her ever since they had a small physical fight after she saw him robbing Brian's camp of a horse.