Hero of Bridgewind - Rodan

We're Phoenix Feather, and we don't leave anyone behind - Rodan

Introduction

In the continent of Epora, residing in the capital city of Bridgewind ,lives a powerful adventuring party called Phoenix Feather. Their leader is an 'interesting' human called Rodan. It has been said he is charismatic and powerful, with a strong sense of justice.

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Personal History

From a young age Rodan always aspired to join the royal guard of Whiteridge, the Emerald Cloaks; in order to follow in the footsteps of his father. At the age of 16 he was able to get enlisted on his own merits and skills, which in turn made his father incredibly proud. For 4 years Rodan did his best to do right for the denizens of Whiteridge; no job was too small for him to help with. However, on one fateful day the Emerald Cloaks were called to the palace, the ruling monarch, King Bellwin, had reports of a migratory band of Dragonborn encroaching on their land. His order was simply to have them removed as quickly as possible. When it came to leaving the city Rodan questioned his captain asking if they had a strategy in which to move the Dragonborn along. His only reply was, "We don't."

With their swords drawn, the Emerald Cloaks charged into the field and immediately attacked the Dragonborn. Rodan, in shock, proceeded to rush into the battle and tried to intervene. He wanted to try diplomacy first. But what was one man against two powerful groups looking for blood. During the combat one of the Dragonborn raised a holy symbol and called out to their god to aid in the struggle, but as he finished his invocation he was mercilessly slain by the captain of the guard. Not willing to stand for this any longer, Rodan charged forth and knocked over the captain, calling him out as nothing but a racist bigot. Before the enraged captain could respond there was an almighty crack that boomed down from the sky. The clouds turned from pale grey to jet black, rolling thunder with forks of lightning cascaded from the heavens. There, standing in the cloud layer was a gargantuan figure with an almighty great sword. Kord. The being looked down at his followers as the last of them were being quartered by the emerald cloaks; in a fit of rage, Kord raised his great sword as it crackled and burst with divine energy then plunged it into the earth resulting in a powerful explosion.

After an unknown amount of time Rodan woke up; dazed, confused and sick. Looking around his surroundings he found himself alone in a large crater. The sky was still jet black crying with a never-ending downpour from the heavens. His armour had been completely destroyed but under his tunic he found a glowing gold mark in the shape of a lightning bolt. After exiting the crater, he found that the once pearl white city of Whiteridge had been laid to ruin. The battle field was charred and scorched. Remnants of both sides of the conflict scattered across the dead ground. With melted weapons, crisped husks and scatterd ashes, the land was changed; the world was changed, to Rodan. The air was thick with the stench of burnt flesh. In a panic Rodan returned to Whiteridge in order to report to the King and check on his family. His confusion choosing to ignore the broken ruins, but it was all for nought. In one fell swoop the entirety of Whiteridge had been decimated with not even so much as a street dog populating the city. Rodan was alone in a city of ghosts and ash.

With nothing left for him in Whiteridge, Rodan gathered what he could ndt fled with nothing on him but a scorched tunic, his family sword and a tattered Emerald Cloak. Over the next few months, he travelled across Epora with little to no funds. He forced himself to push on every day until he eventually collapsed. He was doing odd jobs to earn some coin, if only to survive for a little bit longer as he wasn't currently living. Finally, after a total of 7 months he couldn't go any further. He lay in a small cave with a dwindling campfire. His eyes were getting heavy, his body was unresponsive, he wanted to keep fighting, to find out exactly what happened to him and his city. But the toll was too great for his body, slowly as the night progressed, he accepted his fate and allowed himself to be taken by the Raven Queen. Ready to be reunited with those who were lost.

Shortly after closing his eyes to succumb to his fate there was an overwhelming warmth that surrounded him; almost like a mother's warmth. It embraced him and he once again opened his eyes. There staring at him was a small Tiefling woman with large glasses, sliver like armour and a necklace which had seven stars with an eye in the centre. The woman introduced herself as Audrey, she confirmed that it wasn't his time, at least not yet, as he has much to do and he can't let a small thing like death get in his way. It was after this cosmic coincidence of an encounter that Rodan would begin to travel with Audrey across Epora. Learning and growing into the man he is today, with Audrey as a teacher and a friend. On his travels he encountered other cast outs and wandering souls who would eventually become the force of nature that is Phoenix Feather. Audrey taught him to trust again. She stood by his side as his advisor as he began to take his place as their leader.

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Personal Milestones

• Surviving the desolation of Whiteridge.
• Meeting Audrey and slowly building the confidence as a leader.
• Finding and recruiting trustworthy companions that would grow to become his new family.
• Saving the city of Bridgewind from a Wyvern scourge, which resulted in the group securing an estate in the city and being honored with the title of "Hero"
• Standing strong when Audrey eventually died at the hands of Shar whilst a Sanctum of Selûne.
• Keeping the morale of the group up and being there for all of them after her death.
• Keeping guard over a lost water genasi whom was rescued by members of the party, she eventually joined the party as an official member
• Defeating a power-hungry Arch Lich from taking over the country whilst also saving one of his captured team mates; helping her beat back demons of her past.
• Saving an otherwise child soldier from a dire fate in an alternate timeline
• Assisting the Underdark assembly in the destruction of an ancient evil crystal which was sapping the magic of the city's denizens.
• Recruiting a powerful Underdark Archmage after the Underdark was saved.
• Discovering a lost ancient underwater city which was sunk centuries ago.
• Being worthy of wearing the Storm Girdle and awakening it's dormant power.

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Physical Characteristics

On a first glance Rodan appears to be like every other human. He is usally identified by his verdant green eyes, followed by a warm and charismatic smile. Regardless of rain or shine he appears to somehow maintain a permanent bed head state of straw blonde hair.

However, when angered his skin begins to turn to a pale grey. His hair alters into a mix of yellow and blue as it crackles with lightning energy, golden divine runes appear across his body with his eyes changing to a swirling cloud of lightning blue energy.

Equipment/Apparel

He can be found most days donned in his mithral plate armour accompanied by an otherwise normal looking blade. Upon his chest, a pin with a feather etched into the centre and followed by a tattered emerald green cape.

Mental Characteristics

Rodan is driven by two things. Redemption and his family. Ever since the incident in his past he has always carried around an incredible amount of guilt which has weighed heavily on his shoulders. That's why he tries extra hard to do what is right for both himself, the team and the world, so that he can distract himself from his failures of the past and open a path to a hopeful future. His sharp tactical mind aids him in battle, and he isn't a stranger to social etiquette.

But where Rodan falters most times is when it comes to his family. With trying to keep all of their morale up he often finds himself burning out. He often tries to maintain the foundations that were left damaged after Audrey's passing. More often than not if something untoward happens to his team this will often spark him into a fit of rage; which doesn't usually last very long but it's in that small window when he is at his most dangerous. He is the definition of 'calm before the storm.'

Rodan has a difficult time identifying with his own emotions. He isn't very open, but is slowly learning to rely on others for his emotional wellbeing. He is often surprised by the amount others care for him, often seeing himself as not worthy of these things.

Symbol of Phoenix Feather

Alignment
Lawful Good
Current Location
Epora - Capital City Bridgewind
Species
Human
Age
37
Birthplace
Whiteridge
Biological Sex
Male
Hair
Straw Blonde
Skin Tone
Ivory
Height
6ft
Weight
170 lbs
Aligned Organization
Phoenix Feather