Delver Fudgeson

**Delver Fudgeson** is a Human Fighter and main character in the first campaign. He was created and played by Tony Flow.

## Dick "Delver" Fudgeson

Delver Fudgeson's casual combat-ready stance.

### Aliases

* Nightwing
* Lethargio
* Dick

## Description

### Appearance

Delver is a human male. He stands at 6'3" and weighs 200 lbs. He is incredibly athletic. As one of the strongest humans in the world, he is quite muscular and physically imposing. As an acrobat, he is nimble and has the movement of someone who was, at least once, incredibly lithe.

His black shaggy hair is almost never combed, but looks like he intentionally keeps it messy.

Though magical healing (as well as the natural healing quality of youth) has recovered most of his body, he has collected some scars over the years from combat. Notably, a scar on his chest from a lightning bolt cast at him in his first trip to the Underdark.

### Personality

The rest of his party knows Delver to be a bit of a jokester, who usually doesn't take anything very seriously. But he also has a good bit of drive and determination, which makes him a natural leader who is always trying to push the pace of the group.

He is quick to show off, and even quicker to brush off his own mishaps. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, he is inclined to make some questionable decisions in his fairly frequent lapses of judgment.

Though charismatic and friendly, Delver also has a bit of a tendency to want to work alone. He also has a bit of a temper which has proven dangerous to those who have wronged him. He also struggles with the line he's willing to cross to reach what he sees as the greater good. His temporary stint using the Raven Queen's power, despite the warning signs is an example of this.

Delver often blamed himself when things went wrong, such as their capture in Lantagos, or the accidental death of Hudek. Delver was crushed over D.W.A. killing Hudek, and tried to convince himself that he was still alive. He finally got some closure when he visited the grave, and accepted what had happened.

## Biography

### Background

Delver was raised by his acrobat parents in a travelling circus. When he was still a boy, they were both killed in an accident during their routine. Wayne Bruster had been a spectator at this time, and asked in on the circus to adopt the child from them. Delver became the ward of Wayne, and quickly was put through rigorous training to become an expert fighter. By the time he was a teenager, Delver was trained to fight with any martial weapon he could ever hope to find. He fought criminals of Lantagos with Wayne, but wasn't trusted to leave the city and work on more serious adventures. He was grouped up with Rilyvia and Garster, two other youngsters, by Wayne and their own mentors. The three of them spent a lot of time together training and fighting.

As Delver hit his 20s, he wanted to branch out and become an independent fighter, without having to answer to Wayne. He set off on his own, failing to recruit Rilyvia and Garster. He spent about six months travelling and looking for a real adventure.

### Campaign 1

#### Part 1:

Delver Fudgeson found himself in Westwend with several other *adventurers* when the Duergar attacked the city through the ground. He grouped up with them, despite wanting to prove himself alone. He attempted to lead the party, but found he couldn't control them like he thought he may have been able to.

While travelling to Lantagos to warn them about the attack, the party stopped at a farmhouse where they rescued an orphaned boy named Terry. Delver took an immediate liking to him and decided to take him with them to bring to Wayne, who would hopefully be able to look after Terry like he had for Delver years ago.

Delver split off from the party to take Terry to Bruster Manor, in an attempt to find Terry a safe home. Delver was prepared to start working for Wayne regarding the Thieves Guild in the city when it came under siege from the Duergar.

Delver joined the defences of the city, and once the battle was lost, lead his party through Bruster Manor's underground exit through the sewer. The party was separated that night.

#### Part 2:

The remaining party, Delver, Donovan and James joined up with a new member; Henry. The four of them set out to reach the Dwarven city of Durnhold, in yet another attempt to warn a major city of the ongoing attacks. During this time, Delver also comes across a shield marked by the Raven Queen and begins having strange dreams. He agreed to be the champion of the Raven Queen in one of these dreams, not entirely sure what he was agreeing to. He asked Donovan about Raven symbol on his shield, and chose to keep his interest in it a secret from the party.

They finally do so successfully, meeting High Admiral Stonesail and making quick allies of him. They head to the Underdark with Talice, a Drow captive of the Dwarves in Durnhold. There, the party kills a young dragon on their way into Markkud, the Duergar capital. Stealthily, the party manages to enter the city undetected, and manage to free Aldrem, the powerful dragon who was captive.

Aldrem teaches them that Rythis, an evil red dragon has taken command of the Duergar and is now attempting to conquer the world, as he had tried many years ago.

Delver and the group returned to Stonesail and began working with him to help the fight against this new threat. They headed back to Lantagos to scout it out. Upon returning to Bruster Manor, Delver found Manfred Mann dead. Killed by Anfer, a criminal from Delver's circus past. After a battle in the sewer, which saw Delver kill Anfer as revenge, the party was captured by guards of the Creamus Dynasty. Delver blamed himself for the party's capture, and the death of their ally, Phil. They were taken to Windomir Creamus, father of their former companion, who had brought his army to free his son from the prison, only to find it had been captured by the Duergar. Windomir and his forces fought them until Rythis arrived, at which point Windomir surrendered and swore fealty. Delver feigned interest in joining Windomir, in an attempt to get close to him and try to influence some of his bloodthirsty decisions that were harming the party. Markus Greycastle, another captive of Creamus, joined the party before Crumberence helped them escape at the risk of his own life.

Travelling east to get away from Lantagos, Delver was attacked by Levin Ramsay, a shape-shifting dragon, the aftermath of this encounter made Henry decide to return to Durnhold. The four remaining adventurers carried on and found the Elvish city of Gallehil, meeting their leader Elandorr Revara. They set up a teleporter and communication between the Elves and Dwarves, enabling them to work together to form an alliance against Rythis.

In an attempt to help Durnhold find more allies, Delver and the party decided to head to Fleeport to both look for allies and stop the pirate attacks on the coast, at least for the time. The city was rough and the party got into it with every faction they ran into. Delver, through another old friend from the circus was able to stop their fight with the pirates and negotiate a truce with their leader, Gormack Bluewater.

#### Part 3:

Next the party went to the religious city of Burnsley, looking for holy warriors to join their fight. Though unsuccessful in that regard, it was here that Delver was able to break free from his link to the Raven Queen at her church in the city. Though he did lose his shield, and the extra power it brought in the process.

Once they were back in Durnhold, Delver expressed desire to return to Lantagos, planning out a battle plan to retake the city. This changed to an assassination mission against Windomir himself. Before they left, Delver sent out letters to the family or loved ones of the party.

Along the way Delver found a Moon Blade, a variation on the Sun Blade he had been desperately seeking. They successfully infiltrated Windomir's throne room after the army marched out of the city. Delver killed Windomir with his new weapon. Afterwards, the party rushed to Gallehil to be teleported to Durnhold in time to warn them of the marching army.

Once again, Delver took part of the defence of the city under siege from the Duergar. Delver gave an inspirational speech to the troops and assisted as a commander in the battle. This time, Rythis showed up himself. At first, Rythis appeared polymorphed as Windomir, and challenged Delver to a fight. Delver saw through this ruse, however, and ordered the archers to open fire, resulting in Rythis revealing himself in his true form. After a clash of the armies (and dragons when Aldrem arrived), Rythis was forced to retreat when Creamus' army fired on him, now under control of Dundin Creamus, who was seeking to help Delver.

With the Duergar forces defeated and Rythis in a wounded retreat, the party was sent to track him down and finish the job so he wouldn't be able to return. Through a miscommunication and unfortunate and avoidable fight, Delver was reunited with his old friend Garster.

Travelling to Varenbourg, a Dragonborn led city that was once loyal to Rythis, Delver reached an acceptance that he could be killed, but felt that the outcome of the world depended on the final fight with the dragon.

In Varenbourg, Delver reunited with Rilyvia and rekindled an old romance. This caused conflict with another member of his party once they dealt with his issues and revealed an old secret.

The party, now named D.W.A., was joined by Delver's old allies and met up with Rythis, defeating him and saving the world. They returned to Durnhold for a celebration and some much needed rest.

Delver decided to try to settle down with Rilyvia, though he was concerned that he wouldn't be able to stay away from the adventuring lifestyle for very long.

### Campaign 2

While Delver hasn't appeared in the second campaign, he was mentioned by Sherman Hobbs as a star player on the Durnhold Driftball team several years back, after inventing the sport with Brother James.

## Relationships

### Rilyvia

Delver had a close relationship with Rilyvia when the two were teenagers. They drifted apart when Delver left Wayne to set off on his own. When they met back up in Varenbourg during D.W.A.'s search for Rythis, Rilyvia immediately embraced him. When they unleashed her father, the demon inside Markus, they discovered that Markus is her biological father. This put a strain on Delver and Markus' relationship, but it didn't stop Delver or Rilyvia from continuing on with each other.

At the end of the campaign, Delver agreed to attempt to settle down with Rilyvia, though he was concerned that he wouldn't be able to maintain a life without adventuring and danger. Markus warned Rilyvia of the same thing, but the two agreed to give it a shot.

### Wayne Bruster

Though most of Delver's time as Wayne's ward and protegee took place before the campaign, much of Delver's life and decisions happen due to the strained relationship with his adoptive father figure. He learned everything he knew from Wayne, and respected him greatly, but much of Delver's drive and passion for adventure came from him trying to break free to be his own person and control his own destiny. Deep down, Wayne respected this, although he disagreed with Delver leaving initially.

When they met back up for the first time, it was awkward at first, but they pressed through and it looked like they would have been able to work together, had the city not come under attack. Delver was concerned about Wayne's well being for the majority of the campaign, and was constantly looking for clues as to his whereabouts.

At the end of the campaign, they found each other once more in Lantagos. They were happy to see one another, and Wayne expressed how proud he was of Delver for his role in saving the world from Rythis. Their reconnection seemed like it wasn't a one off, as Delver planned on staying in Lantagos with Rilyvia, and stated his desire to see Wayne when they got back from Durnhold.

### Brother James

When James joined the party, he immediately got along with Delver. The who of them fought extremely well side by side, and would push each other to pursue their seemingly crazy schemes. Unbeknownst to either of them, their mentors were acquainted, and were allies in the past.

When Donovan temporarily abandoned the party and mission in the woods, and James returned to save Delver and Henry from Hellhounds, Delver gained a huge deal of respect for him.

### Dundin Rarchibald Creamus

Creamus rubbed a lot of people the wrong way in his brief time as a member of their party. Delver wasn't one of them. Delver saw something in Creamus, and got along with him fairly well, despite their very different personalities. Delver was upset when they were unable to locate Creamus after the battle in Lantagos.

They had an otherworldly connection, as seen by them spotting each other in Markkud.

Creamus took his father's army, and betrayed Rythis to save Delver. Delver apologized for killing Creamus' father, but Creamus was as understanding as one could be in that situation. The more mature Creamus was more even tempered, and was happy to introduce his husband to Delver, who was ecstatic that Creamus was able to find a partner in a Dwarf, who he previously had contempt for.

## Character Details

### Role

Delver is primarily used as a tank for the party. He is beefy and the most difficult to hit member of D.W.A. He used a longsword (or variation of a longsword) and shield combo for nearly the entirety of the campaign. He used a flintlock pistol to add a ranged weapon to his skill set. His Battlemaster maneuvers were primarily used to disable opponents to give himself and his allies an advantage over them.

Delver is a master of all weaponry and is able to use any type of weapon he has access to.

Outside of combat, Delver was used as the face of the party. It was usually his job to convince others of their plans and what needed to be done. He came up with many ideas for the party. Tactically they were generally sound, but when it came to decisions outside of combat, he would come up with many of D.W.A.'s zanier schemes. Delver and James combined for several ideas that the party pulled off, such as; wrestling for money, pretending to be pirates to hustle the blacksmith, feeding Windomir and his troops glass and lamp oil, and claiming Gifford Hamilton was kidnapped by shapeshifting lizards.

### Equipment

* Moon Blade (Sun Blade Variant)
* Flintlock Pistol
* Longsword
* Throwing Axes
* Shield
* Raven Queen's Shield
* Plate Armor
* Boots of Fire Resistance

### Abilities

Delver is a Battlemaster subclass of fighter.

#### Maneuvers

* Distracting Strike
* Precision Strike
* Riposte
* Menacing Strike
* Trip Attack
* Feinting Attack

#### Feats

* Shield Expertise
* Shield Mastery

#### Other Skills

* Extra Attack (x2)
* Second Wind
* Action Surge
* Indomitable (x2)

## Trivia

* Delver is one of only two characters to appear in every session, along with Donovan Brisingr.
* Delver Fudgeson is named after two characters named **D**elver and **F**udge, who were in turn, named after **D**yaloreax and Tony **F**low.
* He was the only member of D.W.A. to always refer to Donovan by his name.
* The character's backstory is entirely based on Dick Grayson. Nightwing is even the name Delver used when wrestling with James.
* When Delver was created, the plan was for him to be hinted at being a "dimension-travelling being" that was composed of the two characters, Delver and Fudge, after they had merged into one. This was scrapped several sessions into the campaign.
* Delver is a talented artist and performer, which he is able to make a living on when he isn't adventuring.