Heros & Villains

Samuel Fletcher aka The Raven

Occupation

By day Samuel Fletcher owns and runs The Starling's Roost, a high class tavern in the merchant quarter of the city. The tavern is frequented by the rich and famous residents of the city and Fletcher is a popular host. Despite being a tavern owner his charm, wit and intelligence has garnered him invitations to some of the most important peoples homes. He chose this as a cover because it enabled him to overhear conversations, be privy to secrets and catch people with their guards, and sometimes more, down. All of these give an assassin and blackmailer extra weapons. By night Fletcher leaves the tavern to the care of his able assistant, Corbas, and takes on his alternate identity; The Raven. By times an assassin, a thief, a blackmailer and a kidnapper. The Raven is notorious throughout the city his actions known but his identity a secret. He always leaves a calling card, a black raven feather, on the bodies of his victims or amongst the wreckage of a robbery or attached to a blackmail note.

Objective & Motive

The Raven has no overriding mission to serve the forces of Darkness. In fact he is only interested in his own ends. He wants to enjoy the good things in life, fine wines, good food, expensive works of art. He currently feels very successful in that he has all he needs. The only things that stand in his way are those that try to uphold the law by hunting for the Raven. He fears being caught and imprisoned more than death. The dirt, the cramped conditions and the poor food. These things are what he fears.

Personality

People describe Samuel Fletcher as a witty, urbane, sophisticated and generous host. He is liked by all who have met him in the Starling's Roost and few have anything bad to say about him. The Raven is another matter. He has been described as utterly evil, without compassion, utterly heartless. No one has ever knowingly seen the Raven and lived to tell the tale. Samuel Fletcher would agree with what people say about him but would add intelligent, handsome and rich to the list of compliments. To the description of The Raven he would probably agree with most of the remarks but add bravery to the equation.

Attitude

He trusts and relies on Corbas to run the Starling's Roost. Corbas does not know where his master goes at night. He assumes an illicit liaison somewhere. Corbas is paid well for his troubles, well enough for him to not ask too many questions. Many people have put their trust in Samuel Fletcher. Borrowing money, telling secrets asking for favours. He usually delivers on his promises but at a cost. If any of his debtors tries to report to the authorities they disappear. As Samuel he likes the warmth of company. As the Raven he prefers to work alone but will sometimes work with like minded adventurers when the price is right.

Tastes & Preferences

While not working at the Starling's Roost or walking the streets in pursuit of his victim Samuel Fletcher visits markets in search of rare books. He visits vinyards, he reads, for a time he painted but the images that stared back from the canvas frightened him and he stopped. In his day job he wears practical but smart where. A dark blue shirt over dark green hose is his favourite. Finely crafted boots and a leather belt finishes off the ensemble. As the Raven all is back. Tight fitting silken hose and a shirt that fits snuggly but allows freedom of movement and soft soled, black shoes. He also wears a black cape with a deep hood on cold nights. He loves the feeling of power, the expectation of pain and fear in his victims and the wealth each victim brings. He has a passion for rare books, especially tales of adventure. He dislikes pets as they would become too reliant on him and could possibly give him away.

Surroundings

He lives in a well appointed appartment on the top floor of the Starling's Roost. A hidden door opening onto a secret stair that has been built within the outer wall gives access to the street without him having to go through the taproom. The stair also leads into a secret and well soundproofed section of the celler where he confines his 'guests'. A normal door and stair is also present which he uses in guise as Samual Fletcher. His rooms comprise a bedroom and a sitting room. The sitting room has a bookcase, a fireplace, a table and chairs all of a quality that fits with his persona of a well to do owner of a flourising tavern. The bedroom contains a bed, a chest and a wardrobe containing his clothes. It has a false back behind which is his Raven costume. A garderobe leads off the bedroom. He lives here because this makes a good cover for his activities and it allows him to mingle with those he preys upon. With the secret escape route it would be easy for him to evade capture in the case of pursuit.

History

Samuel Fletcher was born forty four years ago, an only child, not far from where the Starling's Roost now stands. His father was a merchant who dealt in wines and spices. This made him moderately wealthy and powerful within the guild system. Samuel was sent to the temple to Loki to learn his numbers and letters. He proved to be a fast learner and soon devoured all the books in the temple's library. This included some tomes that the clerics would rather he hadn't. He spent some time in thier service rising swiftly in experience before deciding the life of a cleric was not for him. Samual saw his fathers power and prestige and aspired to the same but some bad judgement and heavy gambling left him on the brink of bankrupcy and shame. His only recause was to thievery and blackmail. He found he enjoyed this as much as the gambling and discovered he had a knack for it and this is how he built up his fortune. He learnt all his skills 'on the job' and has avoided contact with the Thieves' Guild as he wishes to keep all his wealth for himself. The Guild has tried to hunt him down with even greater zest than the forces of law.
His parents died not knowing how their son had done so well, they just assumed that he had his father's business acumen. He admired his father so Samuel never let on where his wealth originated.
Despite his love of company and his charismatic personality he has never married though he has had a number of romantic dalliances which have led to some interesting financial rewards. he may have children but he does not seek them out and those mothers who have searched him out have regretted it later.
He is proudest of his stealing the Cup Of Glory from the Temple of Loki and replacing it with a replica he made himself. The original is now owned by an influential member of the city council while the Temple of Loki venerates the replica unaware of the switch.

Network

He has contacts with many of the wealthiest people in the state. Either formally as Samual Fletcher, innkeeper or informally as The Raven. Through the power of blackmail he has been able to alter the course of many a government's policy. Clerics are not immune to his methods and neither are mages or generals. If they have a weakness The Raven will find it.
He has made many enemies in high places. They have put out warrents for his capture with a sizeable reward on his head. They have tried to trap him but he has alluded them each time.
He has no confidant as The Raven, even Corbas does not suspect his master's alternate identity. Corbas respects him and is treated well in return by Samuel Fletcher, truth be told Corbas is the closest thing he has to a friend.

Appearance

Tall and rangy with long legs and a thin almost emaciated body, unusual for an innkeeper. Thick, straight dark hair starting to be flecked with grey which is always cut in the latest style and he is clean shaven.. He wears fine, but simple clothes normally in earthy colours. He looks younger than his 44 years but not by much. He has deeply set brown eyes above a thin blade like nose and a narrow pale lipped mouth.

Abilities & Alignment

Level 3 Cleric / Level 9 Thief, Neutral Evil
He is Neutral Evil, caring neither for Law or Chaos. The former would prevent him from striking at his prey the latter would give him too much competition. He is skilled in deception and disguises. He has knowledge of the healing arts but is as willing to use them to harm as to heal. His favorite weapon is the dagger, he is an expert at throwing daggers even at a moving target, especially a retreating back. He also favours the mace and blowpipe. He keeps a small vial of poisons on his person to dip the darts in before firing them. His favourites are a truth serum and a paralysis posion. When adventuring he wears magically enhanced leather armour (+2). He has a matched pair of silver throwing daggers +1 (+2 vs serpent kin), a mace and a blowpipe completes his weapons. He wears a ring of mind sheilding and a ring of telekinesis at all times. He also carries several small bags of marbles and a pouch of pepper.

The Raven(C3/T9, 35hp)
Strength	11	Attack, damage, open doors	0
Intelligence	13	Languages	+1
Wisdom	9	Saving throws vs Spells	0
Dexterity	18	Missile Attack Rolls, AC	+3
Constitution	8	Hit Points Per Level	0
Charisma	17	Reactions	+2

Equipment

The Raven has the following items with him at all times:

Leather Armour +2

Pair of matched silver throwing daggers +1, +2 vs Serpant Kin

Ring Of Mind Shielding

Ring of Telekinesis

2 Bags of marbles

Bag of pepper

Vial of paralysis poison

Vial of truth serum

Skills

Speaks Common, Elf and Dwarf.
Artistic Ability, Disguise, Spellcraft, Tightrope Walking, Reading Lips, Healing, Fast Talking.

Back to my home page.

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page