Hart Omnis

Hart Omnis.

 

 

Chapter 1: Background;

Hart Omnis is a dashingly handsome Half Elf, who believes one day, he will be the greatest actor who has ever lived in the Realms. He is also a lair, a cheat, a scoundrel, a Thief and a Spy.

Hart was raised by a Travelling Tinker, Raven Omnis; who was really a Master Artificer and also a lair, a cheat, a scoundrel, a Thief and a Spy. Raven was not an evil man, nor a good man, just a pragmatic one. He did think of good as better than evil – after all, he would rather have good neighbours and rulers than evil ones. Still, he was not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way.

For over 40 years of 57 years of age, Raven travelled all over the known Realms, trading the things he made city by city, town by town, village to village. He never stayed in one place more than a week. His home was his Tinkers wagon, the open road, and the best company anyone could have.... himself.

What Raven was really passionate about was hidden knowledge and Information. Everywhere he went he would route out any useful knowledge he could get his hands on, be it by a friendly chat, bribery, stealth or Thievery. Information was power, and somewhere, someone would want that information. The the items he could make, were also much in demand, when he could be bothered to make them.

This all changed for the Tinker one sunny but chilli spring morning. He had left Waterdeep 2 days earlier, cutting short his normal week stay, when the call of the open road became overpowering. He felt he had all the latest gossip of the squabbling Noble family's, the best “Marks” and Guard numbers and normal patrol routes; not forgetting his pet favourite, notes of the best Taverns to stay at and or eat Raven Omnis, like to live well when he was in a city or Town. He was taking a short cut he new of, off the normal trade routes, through Ardeep Forest, on his way to Secombe.

Deep in the forest, he suddenly realised that all of the sounds you would normally have emanating from a Forrest all had gone silent, other than a light breeze rustling through the ancient forest trees. Stopping his wagon and loading his crossbow, he drove cautiously on. Suddenly a large Red Deer Stag also known by another name,“Hart” (Raven smiles to himself for knowing that) bounds into the overgrown trail right in front of the wagon and calmly stares at him.

Raven blinks, and suddenly realised he is no longer sitting on his wagon, but seems to be standing in the ancient ruins of an overgrown temple shrine. Confused and scare, he gathers his thoughts, and quickly spots the Hart at the edge of the Shrine. Raven has heard all of the stories of mystical magical beasts from all over the realms, but there is not a shadow of doubt in his mind, that this is a Fey creature, who has charmed him and brought him here. But for what purpose? Is he to be a blood sacrifice for the Ancient Shrine?

Musical laughter enters his mind. An equally musical merry voice speaks to him.

“Be calm mortal, I brought you here to help someone in need. 2 days ago a Forrester's wife brought a newborn here. She prayed with truth and love in her heart, and anguish. She had a dalliance with a wondering Elven Bard, never something she would normally do, as she loves her husband dearly, and the foundling was the result. She prayed for his protection and left him here, knowing the shame and anger that would befall her should her secret be beholden for all to see, and the betrayal her husband would feel. Take the Half Elf fawn, care for him, protect him, and raise him as your son, and I will bless you with good fortune for 21 years.”

There is a rustling of undergrowth near by, as it parts, to reveal a baby Half Elf, suckling on a doe's tete.

“Well young-ling, I had never planned on being a Father, but I look forward to finding out how to be the best one I came be.” Raven turns back to the Fey creature, but the Hart is gone. A whimpering cry of protest comes from the open patch of undergrowth, and Raven sees the Doe has gone as well. He moves and picks up the child, which quickly settles, and falls asleep in his arms. The Master Artificer notes the exquisite carved Dark Wood Stag pendant hanging on an equally exquisitely made Silver Mithril chain around the child's neck. Looking at the pendant, he says, “Well my Son, at least I know what to name you...., Hart. I guess I'm buying a goat at the next village we pass through. Did you know they are also called Nannies, quite appropriate don't you think.”

The undergrowth parts, reviling a narrow part that leads back the forest trail and Ravens horse and wagon.

As the new family sets off once more, the Arc Fey watches them depart. He new the mortal would have helped the child without any reward, though he would have given the the mixed race fawn into the safe care of someone else as soon as he could have. That was why the he had given him a blessing. The Arch Fey hadn't had an Avatar for many a millennium. He had plans for the fawn, who would grow into a powerful Stage; with his help of cause.

“21 years of good fortune mortal, but all Fey gifts come at a price.”

 

21 years have past and Raven and Hart are on that same forest trail again, this time heading to Waterdeep. Hart liked Waterdeep, he has been there many times in the past. You could get your hands on some good books on Arcane knowledge there, even if the people who had them, didn't want to part with them willingly. The study of Arcane knowledge was a passion for him. Also there were may places to put on a good show and entertain the masses. People there respected and applauded a good show and he was a Master Actor. He also liked to see the love and appreciation in his Fathers eyes, when he brought him some tit-bit of important information.

21 years had seen Hart hone his skills under the tutelage of his Dad. He could charm the dress off the finest Noble Lady, taking her jewellery as the price of his services. Steal a book from a locked desk draw, from a Mansion study, unseen by anyone.

Hart's magical powers began to manifest themselves in his late teens. With his dads help, and the felt guidance of the Arch Fey, the knowing of which he had from his Dads stories of finding and adopting him, which grew with every telling, he new he was bonded with an Arch Fey. These powers had help fend of many a local bandit party, or helped with special effects on Harts one man shows. Also with a quick dash out of a bedroom window after the unexpected arrival of the Husband of the woman he was bedding at the time

His Dad's best guess was that he was between 18-22 years old. He could never remember the exact year or place he found him (for Raven this was unusual). Hart was worried about his Dad. Raven had not been well these past few weeks, and they were heading to Waterdeep to find a good Cleric. Waterdeep was still 2 days away by wagon. His riding Horse hitched behind the wagon could get the there by morning, but Raven would never leave his precious wagon behind.

The years on the road with his Father had been a wondrous adventure, and you couldn't have found a better tutor, at the best Noble schools, than Raven. They always made a profit where ever they went, and got way with things, such as cons and under the table deals as if they were charmed.

They set up camp for the night, in the heart Ardeep Forest. Raven was getting worse buy the minuet. They had used their last healing potion on his care a week ago. The 3 that they would normally have for emergencies, were gone, and they had been the only things that had kept his Dad going, but without fully healing him. Raven slipped into high delirious fever by midnight, but for a short time in the twilight of the the spring morning, his shudders and murderous coughing eased and his eyes cleared.

“Hart my boy, I'm sorry I missed your birthday.”

“Don't be ridiculous you old Git, you can never remember when you found me.” Hart is overjoyed that his Fathers fever has seems to have broken at last.

“It is all clear to me now. You were born 21 years ago, just 2 days past. It was here in this Forest I found you. It was here I met the Arch Fey, and it is fate that has brought us back to this place at this time. I must leave you now.”

Though his Heart way breaking with sorrow and tears were rolling down his cheeks, Hart felt the truth of his Fathers words. He put on the best performance of his young life so far, smiled and chatted merrily with Raven, recanting, one humerus story after another, of their lives together growing up on the road, and the assiduous antics they had achieved on the life long adventure together, both of them laughing out loud till the sunrise.

“Hart. I couldn't have wish for a better son than you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Its not much of an inheritance, but what I have is now yours.” A final twinkle of meth springs into Ravens eyes. “I know you have always wanted the wagon for yourself, and now you've got your wish. Make sure you take good care of it, or I will haunt you to your grave.”

With that Ravens eyes close as he last breath turns to icy mist in the cold spring morning. Kissing his fathers forehead, with tears of loss rolling sown his cheeks once more, he gathers his father into his arms and turns to see the Red Deer Stage he knows will be standing at the forests edge. The Stage enters the forest, a pathway opening up before him. Carrying his Father, Hart follows.

They arrive at the ruined and overgrown Fey Shrine. Hart knows instinctually were to lay his father to rest. It is the same spot his father found him 21 years ago to the day. The undergrowth comes alive and quickly covers Ravens body until it vanishes from sight. The same musical voice his father had told him about so many countless time, whispers gently in his mind. “His sprit lives on Hart, he is with the Fey now. I have a parting gift for you.”

Hart Omnis is overcome with wondrous joy, and he hears his farther voice for one last time, “If only you could see this place my son, it is truly miraculous; the beauty of it is almost overwhelming. Live well my Son and take them for everything you can get. I'll be watching, so you had best take care of my bloody wagon; you hear me you git!”

Now smiling with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Hart retorts, “Its mine now old man, but I'll try and keep you amused with a few adventures and dalliances in the future.” Hart simply nods in the Stags direction, and follows the path back to the trail, whitelisting a merry tune.

 

The Arch Fey finds himself chuckling with the charming mirth of the Half Elf. “Yes, you will do well as my Avatar, once you have proven yourself, Hart, son of Thar, and learnt a tad more respectful greetings and parting Homage.

 

From the Author, “I can hear the groan's from My Player Group  already....NOOOOO! NOT THAR'S SON..LOL

 

Skill Proficiencies: Arcane

Deception

Investigation

Perception

Performance (Actor) The Half Elf of many faces :)

Tool Proficiencies: Thieve's Tools

Equipment: Thieves' Tools, use of disguise kit, forgery kit and many others

Spell List

Warlock

Spell Level	Spells

Fey spells

Suggested Characteristics

High Charisma, Dex and Wisdom

Contacts

Criminal Underworld