Mittens
If he didn't want me to take it he shouldn't have left it right there, in the open, in a locked chest with a trap under a rug and a secret door!
Backstory
Click to ExpandDappled's parents, Light Rain (Father) & Grey Wind (Mother) are fisherfolk who sail near Lyrabar. They live and work out of their modest vessel, the Misty Peak. Dappled spent his first few years clambering through the rigging. He likely would have followed them into their trade had he not been swept overboard in a sudden squall.
The sea carried him far to the southwest, to the Pirate Isles. Cold and alone, he managed to sneak his way onto a vessel that next called in Selgaunt. Though he had to steal his bread there, his speed and agility quickly got him noticed by Four-Fingered Lou, a pickpocket and petty thief. It was from Lou and his friends that Dappled got his skill with the blade, and the tools of the trade. He also acquired the nickname "Mittens", both for the black fur on his hands and the way no lock could keep his mitts out. Mittens learned their skills, but never learned their greed. He stole for the thrill and experience, keeping only enough for his fine food and clothes. The rest went to orphanages, friends, or random passers-by.
When Mittens was grown he returned to Lyrabar and reunited with his parents who were overjoyed to have their long lost kitten returned to them. After a time, however, he returned to Selgaunt. He still visits his parents, and sends them enough of his take to keep them in relative comfort. But Mittens always returns back to the city and its splendors.
Physical Appearance
A lithe tabby with black & grey fur. His hands and feet are solid black, looking like gloves. He wears a grey cloak with hold cut for his ears. His clothes are always immaculate, but with little embroidery. His belt, cloak, and coat have a variety of pockets.
Equipment & Capabilities
Mittens typically wore a darkly colored magical gambeson. He had a pair of daggers that looked to be made out of green glass. They left no mark when they cut creatures, dealing all damage internally. Mittens also wore a pair of boots that allowed him to cast the spell Jump at will. Though the Tabaxi is famously unattached to items, he does carry a locket with portraits of his parents with him at all times. The locket was his only memory of his parents through his childhood while they thought him dead.
His signature trait is his speed and quick hands, zipping through the battlefield in a blur.
Personality
Mittens is a carefree & impulsive thief who loves the thrill and challenge of the heist. He is not materialistic and does not understand the pursuit of money. This lack of understanding attachment to objects likely contributes to his frequent petty theft. He has been known to hand over hundreds of gold pieces to a passing beggar, then pick a pocket for a few silvers on his way to the next bar. "Why worry about money?" he will often say with a shrug, "I can just find more."
When not engaged in part of an interesting job, Mittens is easily distracted by magic items or trinkets, particularly if he has not encountered anything like them before.
Owing to his traumatic childhood drowning, Mittens hates being wet or dirty. He will walk miles out of his way to avoid crossing a river and is absolutely miserable in the rain. This is not a phobia, so he can get wet if there is no other option...but he will be very put out by it.
Mittens has no formal education and does not truly understand magic or its capabilities. He often refers to his artificer friend Marigold as "the worst wizard ever" when she cannot cast spells to fit his wildly unrealistic expectations. Mittens will feign knowledge, however, using big words he has picked though he doesn't know what they mean.
Though he is no selfless hero, he is kind and tends to help people he finds in need (particularly if that need is the money he doesn't value anyway). For example, he won't go on a quest to liberate slaves but if he happens upon slaves locked up in a ship he is robbing he will go out of his way to free some.
Goals & Motivations
Mittens desires new exciting experiences more than anything else. He is easily bored and is always on the quest for the next thrill. He never works for free (getting paid large sums is a part of the experience!), but the payout itself is not the point. If he thinks a job sounds boring or would keep him tied down, he won't take it no matter how much money is offered.
He is careful to retain enough money to support his parents, currently residing in Cormyr, and maintains a comfortable lifestyle for them. A more responsible creature would likely save up a stockpile for them in case of his death, but Mittens does not plan that far ahead. Fortunately, his parents do and have a sizeable nest egg set aside, courtesy of their sticky fingered son.
History
Mittens was a member of the Heist Crew. During their escapades, when Gerald's family was threatened by Golden Lotus assassins, Mittens provided a safe house with a farming family he knew that would keep the family from being noticed. He also volunteered to stay behind after the family was evacuated to lead the assassins in the wrong direction. When Gerald's son appeared frightened, Mittens spoke to the lad.
"Hey there. Gerald has told me all about you and how brave you are. Listen, I'm going to have to run a lot through the woods tonight, and I have this locket here, got pictures of my parents. It's very important to me and I don't want to lose it. Would you guard it for me, keep it safe? I'll get it back from you when we make it to the farm."The boy, bolstered by the responsibility and Mitten's confidence that they would reach the farm safely, took the locket solemnly.
After the conclusion of the Heist and his near death at the hands of Grishnak, Mittens stuck to traveling with Shump Thunderstruck. They were most recently seen in the City of Brass in 1497, working as bouncers in the Glittering Oasis. While there, the pair were recruited by Ander Greycastle to sabotage Ice and by their friend Marigold in her plot for revenge at the tournament.
Relationships
History
Members of the Heist Crew. Currently traveling companions.
Shared Acquaintances
Ice, Marigold, Gerald, Thygrus, Ander Greycastle
History
Both were members of the Heist Crew. Ice betrayed Mittens to Grishnak at the completion of that job, nearly getting Mittens & his friends killed. Mittens bears an unusually strong grudge against Ice, somewhat out of character for the normally carefree and whimsical rogue.
Shared Acquaintances
Marigold, Gerald, Thygrus, Shump Thunderstruck
History
Both were members of the Heist Crew. Aided Marigold in her revenge against Ice at the Sultan's tourney in 1497.
Shared Acquaintances
Ice, Marigold, Gerald, Thygrus, Shump Thunderstruck
History
Mittens grew up as a thieving orphan in Selgaunt, and Gerald (a Scepter) often chased & arrested the boy. Over time, Gerald developed a grudging fondness for the lad, though that didn't stop him from arresting Mittens. Mittens viewed it all as a grand game, and claimed that he often let Gerald catch him "because otherwise he'll stop chasing me!"
Both were a part of the Heist Crew. Mittens was instrumental in saving Gerald's family when they were threatened by assassins. Mittens, along with Ice, led the assassins away and provided a safe farm for Gerald's family to hide at.
History
Both members of the Heist Crew.
Shared Acquaintances
Ice, Marigold, Gerald, Shump Thunderstruck
History
Encountered Mittens in the City of Brass and hired the tabaxi to spy on and sabotage Ice. Has retained contact with Mittens & Shump Thunderstruck in order to offer them interesting jobs in the future.
Shared Acquaintances
History
Grishnak attempted to kill the Heist Crew after they unwittingly retrieved the Theonomicon for him.
Shared Acquaintances
Ice, Marigold, Gerald, Thygrus, Shump Thunderstruck, Ander Greycastle
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