Vindelfuss is the surname of a roving tribe of criminal Halflings, who
have long since been run out of their Burrow. Their rampage across major
cities in Serin includes crimes ranging from petty theft to armed robbery of
notable public figures.
The Ranger now known as Vindelfuss was given the name "Springborn" at birth,
so called because of he was not expected to survive. Rather than the thick
tufts of hair Halflings sport at birth, he was underweight and covered in
thin patches of beige-yellow wisps. While he eventually grew to a normal
weight, his odd hair condition remained a source of ridicule. Many
considered him to be cursed by the Gods, and the teasing he suffered from
other children caused him trauma that remains to this day.
Springborn (or Springy) grew up determined to prove his worth by leading the
family crime syndicate. However, as he grew tall enough to slip his hands
into strangers' pockets, it was clear that his unique appearance would
prevent him from ever melding into the crowd or progressing in the family
business. Faced with this sober reality, Springy was relegated to stay out
of view by climbing the treetops to scout for authorities. While he did
comply, with every passing day he grew apathetic towards towards helping his
detractors. He began to use his solitary time experimenting with resins and
saps in a vain attempt to cure his hair condition. (This never succeeded,
but he discovered to ability to conceal all of his hair by encouraging the
growth of natural mosses, lichens, and fungi.) While Springy delighted in
finally being able to control his appearance, the ridicule continued. As he
spent more hours silently observing merchants, warriors, and priests,
Springy learned to see his family's thieving ways as an affront to social
order. With renewed ethical vigor, he sought refuge at the Paladins guild.
There he was advised to flee much further. Adopt a new name. Pursue
natural talents. Atone with Ceridwel.
When Springy found the Emerald Forest branch of the Rangers' Guild, he knew
this would be his new home. He declared official residency in nearby
Seringale, and after much consideration, decided to take the name
"Vindelfuss" with all it represents.
Description:
The burly Halfling before you is a walking carpet of fuzzy,
cornsilk-white nodules. This overgrowth of ivory mosses (or fungii?)
obscures any trace of his natural hair color. A rug of the stuff grows from
over his headgear, across his brow and down his shoulders and arms. Tiny
insects -- aphids, mantises, grubs -- can be seen perched on this
straw-colored moss and munching on leaves and other foliage that has been
incorporated into the ecosystem. Pincer bugs and stag beetles march across
his chin and dangerously close to his mouth, which sports exclusively
yellowed and chipped teeth. It's easy to overlook his wide, berry-blue eyes
for the spongy patch of turquoise lichen right beneath them, which sways to
a slow rhythm that is presumably his breath.
[reply to Kalist19]