Rua - The Would-Be Hero

... You mean, the actual hero.

My tragic backstory

Let me tell you a story.

Deets

• Rua's mother left Stonetop for Gordin's Delve, where she fell in love.

  • One of the reasons why he didn't tell anyone about the copper seam in Stonetop is because living in the Delve gave him a bad impression of mining.

• When Rua was ten years old (six and a half years before the Winter Festival below), the family moved to Stonetop. They had an encounter with the Forest Folk along the way. By this point they were rare and believed to be gone. Rua's primary memory of the experience was a song he heard the Forest Folk sang.

• When Rua was twelve, his mother disappeared in the forest. All that was found was an engraved tinderbox, a prized treasure from her parents (long since dead).
• When Rua was fourteen, his father was on the way to meet Murdoch in town for unknown reasons. He died of a lightning strike, which should never happen in Stonetop -- it's protected by a stone that attracts lightning. Orphaned!
• Two years later, Rua accuses Murdoch of killing his father. Somehow. This doesn't really make much sense, and it makes him look like a fool.
  • This isn't right. You can't get hit by lightning in town -- that's what the stone of Stonetop does.

Appearance

OK OK OK OK.

In my head, Gordin's Delve is more of a racial mixing pot than Stonetop. I've always imagined Rua as visibly different than most of the old-blood Stonetoppers. His skin is a bit darker than the norm. He has dark brown to black hair, wavier than the norm, and he keeps it short but messy. At the present point in the story he's trying to grow a moustache and it looks terrible -- way too thin. He has an average height, but he's lean in a way that makes him look taller. He has visible muscles from being physically active and chronically underfed.

He's also picked up some notable scars during his adventures. I didn't write down where someone in the bandit camp got him, but I think it's an ugly scar going from to the left of the small of his back up to his right shoulder blade. (Oh, hey, Garett got this one, too.) In the caves below Gordin's Delve, Rua took a hit from Shag's sword to his thigh (thanks for the notes, Garett). Let's say the left one.

In ye olden days people didn't have many clothes, and that's Rua to a T. He's probably slightly better dressed now, thanks to Betta's influence.

... I didn't realize it 'til now, but my mental image of Rua is really similar to Muhammed Ibn Gaïd, minus the hats.

Betta's appearance

I don't have a better place to put this!

To the non-Rua observer, Betta is more pretty than gorgeous. She has bronze hair down past her shoulders, wavier than mine but less wavy than Dennis'. She gives off the vibe of being reserved and delicate, which might be why she's attracted to Rua.

I hope these two crazy kids make it!

Current state

• Rua just turned 18 in spring of the new year.
• Things with Betta are going shockingly well. Gwann isn't even as angry anymore, even.
  • They're officially banging. I sure hope they're using some sort of protection.
• He's been learning woodworking from Eliam. His specialty is making crates.
  • He wants to prove himself as responsible.

Relatives

• Mom - When I was twelve, my mother went gathering in the woods and disappeared. All we found was her engraved tinderbox.
  
• Dad - When I was fourteen, my dad died. He was going to meet Murdoch somewhere (in the woods? in the town?) and was struck by lightning. I blamed Murdoch for his death. I'm pretty we retconned this, or maybe it is the retcon.
  • My father was struck by lightning mysteriously in town. He was on his way to meet Murdoch. The old man knows more than he's said!
• Uncle Cillian - In Gordin's Delve. Crippled in a mining accident years ago. No kids, but married to ...
• Auntie Anya - Blacksmith. Cillian's wife. We haven't developed her much yet.

Relationships

Stonetop

• Betta - She's just so amazing, y'know?
• Gwann - Betta's mom. After overhearing her complaining about the bandit newcomers and folk from Gordin's Delve, Rua's given up on her. There's no hostility, just weariness.
• Angrad - Betta's grandma. She's the closest person he has to a maternal figure. She had a fling with one of the Forest Folk ages ago.
• Eliam - Rua's carpentry master.
• Steffen - Rua and Steffen haven't really interacted that much, but Rua sees him and Bedwyr as his bros.
• Bedwyr - Don't forget, Rua saved Bedwyr from the crimwin. He feels guilty that Bedwyr lost his foot.
• Murdoch - Rua accused Murdoch of killing his father at the Winter Festival. He has since apologized.
• George - Elderly goat.

Gordin's Delve

• Glenda - Friend of his mother and former watchman. He remembers her as a friend of his mom who helped them out when he was a kid. She joined the bandits threatening Stonetop and was killed by Soren. https://wiki.garetthessels.ca/books/stonetop/page/session-15
• Uncle Cillian and Auntie Anya - His paternal uncle and his wife. Cillian is crippled and works as some sort of craftsman. Anya is a blacksmith. They had a touching reunion, and the last thing Rua did before fleeing Gordin's Delve with the party was unintentionally draw the attention of the bosses on 'em.

Other

• Thistledown - Rua owes him a favour. Or possibly Esme owes him a favour, and Rua's helping.Allegiances

Allegiances

Devotee of Aratis

We came up with this during character creation. How does this tie in with Rua? How does he express his appreciation for Aratis? What are the aspects of Aratis that attract him?

... This has 100% not been a thing. But it could be a thing. Maybe Rua should start playing it up somehow.

Character creation

Rua's questions

Whose heart do you hope to win?

Betta! She's an NPC from Stonetop. She's from a respectable family, and obviously too good for me ... but she's great. I want to get to know her better.

Who is counting on you?

Mad Gethin, and I don't know why.

Which one of you is my closest, truest friend?

Kiva is my bro!

Which one of you has promised to teach me?

Soren will teach me the ways of drinking, having fun, and being an adult. Esme could teach me how to work within systems.

Which one of you have I hurt, through what I have done or failed to do?

Old Esme. I don't know this, but she stood up for me after my dad died.

Others' questions

Soren: Which one of you joined my in my latest hijinx?

Rua. What were the details?

Kiva: Which one of you has been at my side the entire way?

Rua. Kiva's my bro!

Old Treasa: Which one of you once dragged me home, bleeding and unconscious?

Rua, incredibly.