Frode

History:

The party first met Frode while he was standing guard in the capital city of Voldaren and most of them were summarily arrested and imprisoned for some time before direct orders instructed him to release them as they were interested in the Spirit World expedition. Within the Expedition party he is the Culinarian. This extends to his interest in the Spirit World as well since he claims that his only interest is the King's interest since the King ordered him on the expedition for some reason.

In the abandoned goblin village in Garlem, Frode was the one to point out that the sword may just be protecting something else or acting as a warning of some sort. This was proved when the ground began shaking and a great deal of skeletons climbed from the ground. Within the cavernous vines that the party explored to find something ancient, Frode played a role largely devoted to defense and control as he helped absorb some damage from Kaswink and DAN while also taking the time to knock several creatures prone. His actions also caused many of the creatures in those roots to flee before several more took their place. His love of law continued to be proven even in this ancient place as he insisted that the goods surrounding the goblin's bones must belong to somebody and it would be wrong to steal from them.

Inside the maze, Frode has mostly provided a voice of reason, insisting that the place is terrifying and that the party should leave the second they have the chance. However, acting on this fear has also seemed to lead the party deeper into the maze... He has bolstered his confidence many times though thanks to the help of Kaswink, DAN and other party members being there to provide comfort.

Upon entering the Gates, Frode still had a paralyzed arm from the illness he gained in the Maze. This disease seemed to persist through his sleep that night as he awoke to find it further paralyzed and a terrible fever causing dizziness. Despite this he still provided what help he could. While the rest of the party was chasing after the commotion that would later be revealed to be Croak, Frode had a lengthy discussion with DAN about Ilmater and his place in the world. Their relationship has been growing since this time. Frode's proposition to Croak involving a relationship between his own king and the spirit world were met with offense from the frog-man, and this slightly hindered the group's ability to learn of a specific civilization in the Spirit World.

During the events involving The Spirit of Christmas, Frode was transformed into a Toy Soldier with a Spear. His expert culinary abilities helped the party stave off exhaustion with some nice Mistletoe Tea.

During his Downtime between Nurend 06-12, Frode spent the entirety of his time cooking new and exotic meals while building the cabin. His desire to sleep in an enclosed space with a comfortable bed paid off, as he was able to get a single night's sleep before the Spiritual Travelers left their Expedition Base behind to go find Tympi.

While in The Hidden Village of Mothlights, Frode was able to interrogate and lecture a Mothling child about rules and ownership of property. The child didn't seem to care much for such things, saying that anything in Tympi's House belongs to everyone, but Frode refused to "steal" anything from the shelves. In this village, he also had a long conversation with a mothling gentleman in the inn that the Spiritual Travelers were staying at, Inn the Light Place. The conversation and stories about Ilmater, suffering, and Frode's experiences was so moving to the mothling that he provided Frode with a book to help him see his family: A Traveler's Guide to Dorchar.

Frode appears to be suspicious of Croak, as he accused him of being a usurper while in the Mothlights, and had further pressing questions while the group was interrogating the Page of Swords.

While traveling through the swamp, Frode showed his resolve during the combat with the Death Blossoms. While he was visibly frightened during the entire journey through this area of Tympi's Forest, he still stood between his friends and the threat while striking a defensive pose. He likely prevented certain death because of this as one of the friends he protected ended up keeping the Spiritual Travelers, including Frode himself, from dying just moments later after a sinkhole opened up beneath them all. He also utilized his cooking skills to save the group of adventurers from the blight that this plant had inflicted upon them. When presented the question from Lemostodrensa, Frode initially seemed incredibly unsure with how to answer this and was even a bit aggressive with the guardian spirit, but his answer eventually proved to be good enough to receive the spirit's Blessing.

In The Daytime Village of Aotri, Frode used his cooking skills again to help barter with Bunn, the Seller of Potatoes. Not only did he get lots of potatoes to cook with, he also was able to hear about the culture of these Eadarling and get closer to them because of this. Frode was reluctant to reveal that he was sick with Swamp Fever, instead acting tough until it got bad enough or he was convinced by Namina to accept treatment. When Tympi was at long last discovered, Frode was skeptical of her, wanting proof that she was trustworthy.

While outside Thera Relovut, Frode convinced DAN to stay behind and eat rather than going with Agave and Kaswink into the swamp. His fears were explored as the two conversed and waited for new developments. Frode also helped cook good food and tea to help the Myotlings relax.

When visiting Quince at the Gate Camp, Frode attempted to play the bad cop, but eventually left to just guard the tent from the outside. He was eager to get his 5000 gold to put towards those affected by the Plague. He chased after a tawny-haired, peasant woman with signs of the plague with the help of Hysteria. However, as they caught up to her it was realized that she was a different individual, and a shadow that resembled who Frode was actually chasing split from her... Frode chose to ignore this and stick with Hysteria, worried that it would be another trap. He helped civilians escape the camp when it was decided that a rather menacing spirit would be summoned with a Tea Party.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Frode has suffered a great deal of malodies since entering Pluarsh ec Relovut. While in Dorchar and trying to enter the Tattoo Parlor, Frode grew an extra arm which was quickly cut off of his body and healed by Namina. The stub is still attached to his chest though. He also grew an extra eye underneath his right shoulder blade.

This eye seems to absorb the anxieties of different people, especially Hysteria's anxieties about Fae. This may be partially to blame for why he did not want the tattoo.

He began to feel ill after the fight with the Death Blossoms, and this illness persisted through the Spiritual Traveler's stay in Aotri and Dorchar. After witnessing the effects of this illness on Agave and DAN, Namina became suspicious and asked the room for anyone else feeling ill. Frode's feet are now filled with tiny holes after the roots were removed, though Namina has been treating these injuries for him.

Body Features

Frode is a remarkably ordinary human man of average height and appearance. You really could confuse him for just about anybody. He has a thick Fjordian accent and mid length blond hair with blue eyes. He's usually seen wearing some form of heavy armor and carying an arsenal of spears.

Apparel & Accessories

Frode has recently acquired a very special Hairshirt of Suffering (replica) which was purchased from the hobby shop, "Star Curtain Gaming". This shirt is incredibly uncomfortable, the horsehairs that it is made from are woven together in such a way as if they were designed to cause suffering.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Frode, like many of his comrades, has a rather closely guarded history. While exploring the maze it was revealed that Frode has a family that is suffering from a plague that has swept through his home town of Voldaren. With this in mind, the party has learned that he may have some personal interest in exploring this land as it may hold the secrets to saving his family. It was also revealed that he had met Namina previously as she had helped treat his family for some time. Within this maze Frode has been comforted and calmed by most of the party and has begun to grow especially close with DAN and Agave and even shared a lengthy conversation with Agave in the candle room.

Frode offered Croak a large stack of documents which were later revealed to be a rather dastardly contract. This offended the supposed "King of the Forest" which has only further caused moral issues for Frode. He would later discuss this with DAN the night before Christmas. Frode's Candlelight Thought, which he gave the Winter Hart, was of Frode seeing himself at home in front of the hearth. His wife, children and friends were all visiting. This included the current adventuring party. A grand table has been set with all the characters' favorite foods and the smell of spiced cookies and drinks permeated the room as songs were sung by all. During this time, children were running around the table playing with each other. Frode sported a large shiney badge that reads: "City guard of the year". Frode's smile spanned his entire face as he sings along to the songs of old while munching on roasted potatoes.

Frode was given a book while in the Mothlight village that has instructions on how to receive a tattoo that could allow him to see his family. While the book has all the information needed, the spiritual travelers still need to get to the night city, and they're currently on another quest that has been deemed "more important" despite Frode's concerns and desires.

While riding in the carriage with Ilven, Frode discussed religion and learned of the spirit Ulunor.

The Spiritual Travelers eventually arrived in Dorchar, though after meeting the Tattoo artist and experiencing a great deal of anxiety, Frode ended up deciding not to see his family and instead got a tattoo of a symbol of Ilmater.

While fighting The Unblinking Sein, Frode's fears were that of death, and that his death would be both unknown and inconsequential. The warnings of his demise and the events that led to it were provided by his family and friends from back home.

In the Wheredigo Dream, Frode played the part of a bush capable of protecting, feeding or even harming the Caterpillar. He shook his leaves to frighten the spider and warn the caterpillar of danger.

While in Drimures, Frode had a bit of a mental breakdown when facing how Torment manifested Ilmater. He ended up destroying a lot of the interior of the church in search of answers, and when he prayed to Ilmater he received a response, something he had never experienced before. "It started as just the rattling of chains, then the sound of fabric being cut joined this cacophony before a voice also appeared. The voice sounded like Arjan, and he was screaming for help amongst the rattling chains and cutting fabric. Frode broke his meditation and prayer, the sound of chains still rattling away but slowly fading. He promptly left the church, filled with determination."

Frode was provided some cursed knowledge courtesy of the Chittering Spirit. He asked of the Plague and what can be done, whether or no the cure is truly in this realm. Cursed Knowledge

"There is a cure in this realm, as well as one in your own. The plague that affects your people is one that relies on their memories of the illness. It will plague them as long as they know that they are plagued and that the plague exists. By purging the memories they could be cured, and defeating the one that resides in the land of Rot may help, and the journey through there may shine some insight about the plague and your family, but the cure will not come to them until they forget..." "Your king is a catalyst and the true harbinger of your doom. The plague came from him and his dark dealings with this realm. Do not trust him, and do not trust that Bozena's deals with him are pure."

Morality & Philosophy

Frode holds whoever has authority to the highest esteam, believing that nobility in whatever form holds only the truth and "whatever they speak must be true because they said it." His love of nobility and laws was especially evident while the party was traveling through the forest and through the abandoned goblin village in the Garlem mountains as he kept asking where the King is. He also worships Ilmater and, uniquely to most Ilmater worshipers, firmly believes that each person has their own burden to bear.

Frode's philosophies have been changing as he learns more about the world. He's beginning to feel that he must make up for his own sins with a quantifiable amount of suffering to offset certain balances. In other words, he's attempting to take on more burdens to ease the suffering of others. He's learning more about what his king has asked of him thanks to DAN, and Frode's future perspective is anyone's guess.