------------- Stacked Deck – Baldwin

Me? What about me? I wasn’t even there.

Hmmm. What can I say? This is me. Baldwin Smythe. My dad was a Pouarr warrior, or so I’ve heard. Mom was a Carellonian merchant crossing the plains, returning home from Rangershome. By the time she made it to Tanner’s Peak, she was showing. That’s all I can say about that. Needless to say a half-Pouarr Elf is a rarity, though it obviously does happen. I grew up as much as a half-elf can in the years before mom died, right there in Tanner’s Peak. It was rural, remote and boring. I hated it. Mom knew that, but she didn’t have the money to send me away.

So after I buried her, I hooked up with the first traveling show that came along. I spent twenty years wandering with the circus, learning a bit of this and that, and finally cutting out on my own as a travelling Bard. Somebody suggested I go find my roots, my Pouarr roots. I believe it was a majistrate in Gryphonmyr who gave me an option of leaving quietly or going to jail for a very long time. Never did quite know what it was he was on about, but since I couldn’t remember much of the last three days at that time, I decided I’d take his advice.

I came east with a merchant caravan, earning my keep along the way fighting goblins and playing a few tunes in camp at night. Of course, there were a few ladies that were more than willing to aid me with a few coins now and again, and a warm place to sleep. I turned eighty in Nice Little Place on the way out. Celebrated in a Houlifar brothel. There’s a memory I won’t soon forget. And four years ago I walked through the gates of Rangershome.

Funny that for the first forty years of my life I couldn’t wait to get away from the rural, backwater town of Tanner’s Peak and see the big cities of Carellon and Dient. Now, I couldn’t think of being anywhere but right where I am. I’ve got a small but faithful following of fans, trusted friends who’ll watch my back and occasionally get me into, and back out of, trouble, and a hotel room that might as well have my name carved on the door. And you’d be surprised how many eligible young ladies visit Rangershome, just passing through.

------------- Credits

------------- Thanks and please comment.