Nipper of Heels

Race: Tabaxi
Class: Bard (4)
Subclass: College of Lore
Title: N/A
Faction: Harpers (Rank 1 - Watcher)
Backstory: In Maztica, a continent east of Faerûn, in a land of jungles and mystery. A poor, beyond small Tabaxi was born and discarded at birth due to their subpar stature and thus the inability to add strength to their tribe.

This was I, stranded and on my own, nameless; for self preservation, I had to develop skills in stealth, tracking and hunting. Armed with only claws and my teeth, I had to learn fast what was needed to be done in order to endure the harsh jungle. Having to survive in such conditions, I would describe myself presently “As having been feral”, a wild and crazed animal. This of course required, as my world revolved around the principle of the mindset either eat or get eaten in this environment.

One day, after many years, while tracking my next meal I was unaware that a band of mercenaries were also attempting to catch the same game in this area. I fell into one of their traps and was caged, treated like a “Freak show” instead of being eaten myself. With the idea that a species such as myself may fetch some coin in Faerûn, this group decided to bring me back to their world on the other side of the seas. I learned, transportation by water vessel was referred to as sailing. I learned to despise sailing, this was an unfamiliar feeling for my body, and made me extremely sick. During this expedition, to preoccupy my mind, I studied my captures. I started to pick up on their speech, Ideals and motives regarding why they were in Maztica. A great treasure they had been searching for. Every time I was released from my cage, I would attack my captures, clawing and biting at whatever I could reach. This is when I was given the name “Nipper of Heels”

The ship had stopped after many, many moons of travel. I was then gifted to Jarlaxle Baenre, the leader of the Bregan D’aerthe mercenary company. Due to Jarlaxles’ charismatic personality, I was easily manipulated into serving his interests instead of being sold off. Mainly used as entertainment, I was provided many instruments, and taught to write, so I could make up stories to raise morale within the ranks of the company. The hideout was in Menzoberranzan, located within the Underdark. It was always so gloomy, but as a Tabaxi, I grew accustomed to the lightless environment and thrived within it. Eventually, access to the surface was a necessity, so a hideout was established in Calimport which connected to the Underdark.

I was introduced to Lolth (Lloth in the Drow language) as my deity of worship, because Jarlaxle felt I would need to share in his ideals, to be a more suitable servant of his needs.

Because of feeling more like a “Free spirit”, I decided to follow my own whims. I value my own freedom above all else; and believe others should be entitled to freedom. I snuck away from this group of bounty hunters to avoid their authority and restrictions; Caused by memories and thoughts of what I had done while I was within Bregan D’aerthe, my motives changed and did not want to fall in line under a bossy commanding figure like Jarlaxle.

Being raised in an unstable lifestyle, I now do my best to keep my life as balanced as possible. Constantly adjusting decisions to appear as a well thought out song. As per my upbringing, I find it challenging to easily trust others and am very cautious and calculating in my relationships. Naturally, I enjoy my freedom but will do what is required in order to survive. To survive, I work selling information and completing tasks that others feel unable to do. Although, in any situation, if I feel that the odds are not in my favour, I will turn tail and run.

My goal in life is to find inner peace, so I can finally relax and enjoy life. I hope currently, I can aid others in reaching the same inner peace.

They say that the pen is mightier than the sword,

They named me Nipper of Heels, the weaver of tales,

Time to listen carefully to my every word.

Born in the wilds of the jungle heat,

Alone, left to discover who I am,

Inquisitive, learning my personal musical sheet.

Taken from my surroundings of norm,

Thrown into a mad culture, filled with unknown,

Meeting and greeting various faces, in any form.

Playing music to soothe the soul,

Folk seem to like me, they like what I do,

The telling of stories to improve personal goal.

I am a bard, a charismatic fighter,

Inner peace is my war, there are no shades,

The realm cannot be any blacker or whiter.

I will be an ally, a friend,

An able body to your cause,

Together, you and I will not bend.

- Nipper