Rudyard Westblossom

Rudyard Westblossom was the Kindler of Kishike from EL 962 to 995.
Rudyard was born in the Jeltiri town of Caslun under extraordinary circumstances: his mother was midwifed by the ghost of his father. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he was taken in by his maternal uncle, who had also been present, and raised alongside his eight children, Rudyard's cousins.
His family was composed of devout followers of Kishike, and Rudyard grew up pious and good-humored, with a passion for scribing. He felt called to be a priest from a young age, though he did court another halfling from his church for a few years before regretfully ending the relationship to pursue his calling. She would go on to marry someone else and remain Rudyard's friend through his years as an acolyte.
Rudyard went on a few adventures in his early years of priesthood, mostly with an adventuring party consisting of a cleric of Hanetch and a paladin of the Mirrors of Smiting Light. During this time he was moved by the lack of access to books experienced by most poor villages, and collaborated with a priest of Éam to found several small literacy schools in southern Jeltir.
When the Kindler at the time, Henry Hempenhair, passed away in 962, Rudyard was chosen to replace him for his focus on the dignity of the poor, after what was seen as an exaggerated focus on decorated warriors with the accomplishments of the young Prince Merald Fairfell. Rudyard headed the order for 33 years and did a great deal for poor families, especially large ones. He was, however, somewhat controversial for his decision to sell a few artifacts to generate funds for these endeavors.
Rudyard passed away suddenly of heart failure in 995, at the age of 146, and was succeeded by Enkavma Lashing as Kindler.

Species

Stout halfling

Date of Birth

16 August 849

Date of Death

11 November 995

Life

849 EL 995 EL 146 years old

Belief/Deity

Kishike

Aligned Organization

Clerical Order of Kishike