Matty

Matty, the de facto leader of the Dirty Faces, embodies the harsh realities of life in Nulb. A child of the notorious Temple of Elemental Evil, he has endured experiences that have aged him beyond his fifteen years, forging him into a leader among the orphans at Grammarly East. This article delves into Matty's life, exploring his physical traits, background, and the complex web of relationships and motivations that drive him.

Physical Description

Matty's appearance is a direct reflection of his harsh upbringing, marked by early adversity and survival. 

• Stature and Features: Lean and wiry, Matty stands slightly taller than other children his age, with sharp features and a guarded expression.
• Visage: His face, often smudged with dirt, carries a seriousness that betrays his youth, and his eyes, dark and penetrating, seem to hold a weight beyond his years.

Background

Born amidst the chaos of the Temple of Elemental Evil, Matty's early life was steeped in violence and despair, shaping his worldview and his path.

• Temple Origins: His birth inside the cursed walls of the Temple introduced him to a life marred by conflict from his earliest moments.
• Traumatic Escape: The vivid memory of fleeing the Temple during its sacking left indelible marks on his psyche, fostering a deep-seated need for security and control.

Personality

Matty's personality is an amalgam of his traumatic past and the burdens of leadership he has assumed prematurely.

• Resilience: Demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability, traits honed by his need to survive and protect those under his care.
• Charisma and Intelligence: Naturally charismatic and intelligent, Matty has a magnetic quality that makes him a natural leader among the orphans.

Motivation

Driven by a fierce desire to never feel powerless again, Matty is determined to secure a stable and safe future for himself and the Dirty Faces.

• Search for Power: Seeks to amass power in any form, be it knowledge, magical ability, or alliances, to prevent the vulnerabilities of his past.
• Protective Instinct: Motivated by a strong protective instinct, not just towards himself but also towards the other orphans.

Political Relationships and Strategic Alliances

With Nulb and Lady Lmag

Matty's relationship with the broader powers in Nulb is cautious and calculated.

• Observant and Wary: Keeps a watchful eye on the dynamics of power within Nulb, staying alert to any shifts that could affect their precarious existence.
• Indirect Interaction: While not directly involved with Lady Lmag, he is acutely aware of her influence and seeks to navigate it cautiously.

With Bandits and Pirate Crews

Living in Nulb, Matty and the Dirty Faces inevitably cross paths with various unsavory elements, handling each interaction with a blend of suspicion and opportunism.

• Cautious Alliances: Forms temporary alliances when beneficial but remains fundamentally distrustful of Nulb's transient criminal elements.

With Agents from the Temple of Elemental Evil

Given his origins, Matty's stance towards the Temple is deeply conflicted, colored by his early traumas.

• Complex Emotions: Harbors a mixture of fear, hatred, and involuntary fascination with the Temple and its doctrines.

With Yatic

Yatic's interest in the Dirty Faces as potential acolytes places him in a pivotal role in Matty's life.

• Skeptical Dependency: Relies on Yatic for support and guidance but remains skeptical of his motives and the doctrines he espouses.
• Future Uncertainties: Matty is wary of Yatic's long-term intentions and remains vigilant against any manipulation.

Matty's Plans

Matty, as the leader of The Dirty Faces, is at a pivotal point in his life where his decisions will significantly impact not only his future but also the fate of the other orphans under his care. His upbringing within the tumultuous environment of Nulb and his formative experiences at the Temple of Elemental Evil have shaped him into a leader who is not only focused on survival but also on seeking power and stability. Here are some potential future plans and directions that Matty might consider:

1. Strengthen Leadership Within Nulb

• Solidify Control: Matty may plan to solidify his leadership and influence within Nulb, ensuring that the Dirty Faces become a recognized and respected group within the village dynamics.
• Expand Influence: Seek alliances with other groups within Nulb to enhance their security and access to resources.

2. Exploration of the Temple of Elemental Evil

• Reclaim Heritage: Given his birth within the Temple, Matty might be driven by a desire to explore it, possibly to reclaim or discover artifacts of power that could elevate his status or ensure the safety of his group.
• Understand the Past: Learn more about the Temple's history and his family's role within it to harness that knowledge for his benefit.

3. Alliance or Confrontation with Yatic

• Strategic Alliance: Depending on his assessment of Yatic's influence and intentions, Matty might consider forming a strategic alliance to gain spiritual and material support.
• Guarded Approach: Remain cautious and prepared to defend his group against any manipulative tactics from Yatic.

4. Leave Nulb

• Search for a Better Life: Consider leading the Dirty Faces away from Nulb to seek a better life elsewhere, possibly in a more stable and prosperous area where they could blend in or start anew.
• Adventuring: Use their skills and survival instincts to become adventurers, seeking fortune and fame outside the confines of their troubled past.

5. Development of Personal and Group Power

• Training and Skills: Focus on training and enhancing the skills of the Dirty Faces, turning them into a more formidable group capable of handling the challenges of their environment.
• Cultivation of Magic: Explore the potential for magical development, especially given the group's background with the elemental forces discussed in the texts found in Grammarly East.

6. Social Initiatives

• Improve Living Conditions: Work on improving the living conditions at Grammarly East, making it a true sanctuary for the orphans.
• Community Services: Engage more actively in community services to improve their standing and relationships within Nulb.

Conclusion: A Child of Conflict Shaping His Destiny

Matty's leadership of the Dirty Faces is not just a tale of survival but a complex narrative of a young boy thrust too soon into adulthood, navigating the treacherous waters of Nulb with a combination of cunning, fear, and a deep-seated desire for security. As he stands at a crossroads, the decisions he makes for himself and the Dirty Faces will not only shape their futures but could also echo across Nulb, influencing its delicate balance of power.

"Chaos is just another word for opportunity."

Matty leader of The Dirty Faces 

• Background: Born in the Temple of Elemental Evil and exposed to horrors from a tender age, Matty's leadership is fueled by his traumatic past and a deep-seated need to protect his makeshift family. 
• Personality Traits: Intelligent, charismatic, and deeply scarred by his past, Matty is a natural leader whose youthful charisma belies a life steeped in violence and loss. 
• Current Ambitions: Matty reads scripture nightly to the Dirty Faces, seeing it as a means to an end—a way to gather enough power to ensure they never feel vulnerable again.

Matty Cleric of Air Temple

• Cleric level 2
• HP 15; #AT (+0) 1; D 1d6 club
• S 10 I 16 W 18 D 16 Co 15 Ch 18 Com 14

Cleric Spells

First Level: Command, Cure Light Wounds x2, Sanctuary

Alignment

Neutral evil

Current Location

20. Grammarly East

Species

Humans of Greyhawk

Ethnicity

Oeridian Oerid

Other Ethnicities/Cultures

• Suloise Suel

Year of Birth

561 15 Years old

Sex

male

Eyes

street wise hazel

Hair

full curly brown

Weight

5'9"

Belief/Deity

Elder Elemental God

Aligned Organization

The Dirty Faces

Ruled Locations

• 20. Grammarly East

Grammarly East by 3orcs

Matty stands before the group of ragged children gathered in the dim light of the abandoned schoolhouse, his voice firm yet filled with an intensity that commands their attention. He looks at each of the Dirty Faces, his gaze lingering on the younger ones in the back.

"Listen up, lads," Matty starts, his voice rough but compelling. "I knows it’s hard knock life we been scraping through. Every day's a fight, just to keep bellies from growlin'. But hear me now, I got plans, big 'uns, that’ll change our lot."
He pauses, ensuring he has the unwavering attention of every pair of eyes in the dimly lit room. "First off, we ain't gonna starve no more. I'm wheelin' and dealin' with some tough cookies out there. We're gonna have grub on the regular, no more goin' to kip hungry."
Matty’s tone toughens as he lays out his vision, the fire of ambition burning in his eyes. "And it ain't just about scran. I’m talkin' 'bout makin' this old schoolhouse a proper den for us. Them flimsy boards? We’ll fix 'em good. No more shivers and winds laughin' through our gaps."
He steps closer, his voice a low, fierce whisper. "And I ain't forgettin' 'bout keepin' us safe neither. I'm gonna teach ye, the older ones, how to stand up and fight. Not just with sneaky tricks or shivs, but proper like, with skills what no one can snatch from ya."
Matty softens a bit, his words almost a vow. "Look, I knows it’s tough to trust, to dream that things can look up, but I'm here to show ye they can. We're kin, through and through, and I'll do whatever it bloody takes to protect us, to build us a fortress where we can all stand tall, safe... a place we call our own. Stick by me, and together we'll show this muckhole what the Dirty Faces are made of. We ain't just scrappers; we're gonna be rulers."

As he finishes, a murmur of assent rises among the children, their young faces lit with a mixture of hope and determination, rallying around Matty, their leader who promises a future forged by their own hands.