Namfoodle Scheppen

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Namfoodle (Nam) Scheppen

Namfoodle Scheppen is a PC, played by Michael Feuerman, in the campaign Aetraterra: The Gods' Ultimatum. He is a gnomish Diviner/Rogue, working his way towards the Unseen Seer prestige class. While he may behave in a generally crass manner, his intentions are good and he will usually put others ahead of himself.

Backstory

Namfoodle Scheppen was born to a middle rank gnomish family. Unlike many gnome families, his was small and private. Namfoodle was the youngest of two children, and had an older sister named Vittle. His family life was ordinary, until one day his father was killed by bandits on a road. The same year, his older sister was stricken by a disease which would end her life six months later. His mother died of old age a year later, leaving him the sole proprieter of his estate at the young age of 38.

Initially, Namfoodle coasted, relying on his father's savings to support himself. He ventured out of the house rarely, only to seek food and supplies (although these outings were mitigated by the small garden he kept in the backyard). However, it became clear after a while that this lfiestyle was unsustainable.

Namfoodle eventually turned to theivery. It began with the simple taking of items from stalls in the market when no one was looking. After a while, he was planning elaborate heists on secured vaults from the upper class gnomes in his community. He only did three major robberies, all on his own. After the third, Namfoodle decided the lifestyle was not for him, and turned instead to the arcane arts. He left the town and moved to Lakeview. He was never caught.

As a wizard, Namfoodle had an eye for practical spells. He studied what he thought would be marketable, and found a surprising aptitude for it. He decided to focus his energies on studying Divination, knowing how useful and rare a good Diviner could be, forgoing Enchantment altogether. He did a few odd jobs around Lakeview, establishing a decent name for himself. After a few years like this, at the age of 48, he was contacted by Sebastian Glordon Highcastle the Fifth. His brother, Jebediah, was well known as one of the wealthier patrons of Lakeview. Jebediah's wife had gone missing a few years ago, and there was still no trace. The reward for any information regarding her whereabouts was quite substantial at this point. Knowing Namfoodle to be a Diviner, Sebastian sought to recruit him to aid in the search. Namfoodle reluctantly agreed.

These are the events which led to him being on the cart with the rest of the party, when it was ambushed by the Nightingale Bandit.

Personality

Namfoodle Scheppen is gruff, impersonal, but good at heart, and usually looks out for the best interests of others rather than himself.

In spite his lower wisdom score, Namfoodle does understand the meaning of true suffering. The passing of his family hit him hard, and he spent half a year grieving for their loss, a fact which contributes greatly to his reclusiveness and antisocial behavior. He is smart enough not to entirely close himself off from the rest of the world. In truth, he likes people too much to do that. However, the experience has soured him on the idea of ever falling in love or raising a family on his own. He will never truly escape his loss.

He holds a certain disregard for others of his kind. Gnomes have a tendency towards trickery and fun, traits which Nam never had an inclination or desire to pursue. As such, he never got along well with other gnomes, and kept mostly to himself. He had a greater fondness for creatures of other races, even preferring the company of Half-Orcs to his own kind. Nonetheless, Garl Glittergold, is still his patron diety, and he couldn't quite bring himself to drop Illusion to study Divination, opting instead to lose Enchantment. He understands his own heritage and has accepted it, even if he may never be entirely comfortable with it. This becomes a major factor when he begins robbing from the gnomes of Fespin Village. Eventually he gives up, not because he was afraid of getting caught, but because the guilt became too much to bear. He still hopes to one day pay off everything he stole.

He does garner a certain thrill from his own intelligence and daring. He never felt more alive than when he was plotting elaborate hiests. Even without the danger, Namfoodle does find joy in his arcane studies as a Wizard. He has a very studious personality, and loves discovering new spells. His spellbook is his most prized possession.

Namfoodle's desire to become an Unseen Seer is a reflection of his personality. He dislikes the illusions of the gnomes, and seeks instead the reality of the world. He desires not to be found, and is motivated by fear and curiosity rather than fame and fortune. He is interested in Divination, but also Necromancy, although he holds only the highest respect for the dead. He hopes to someday contact his family on the Ethereal Plane. He believes that both the gnomes and Garl have failed him in his time of need, making him extremely bitter. However, that bitterness has only driven him to not fail them, the way they failed him.

Development

Working with others has been a challenge for Namfoodle, but one he has risen to admirably, all things considered. Some people he gets along with, others not. But this will likely be rectified over time. His time in the dungeon with the party has imbued him with a genuine respect for all the PCs. In some ways, he feels inadequate, and hopes he can continue to somehow contribute positively to their adventures. 

The discovery of Time magic has had a profound impact on Namfoodle, although he may not realize it yet. The prospect of an ancient, undiscovered school of magic excites him as a challenge to his intelligence. There is the faint possibility that he might get to see his family again, not as spirits, but alive. Just to say goodbye. It is the first time his curiosity has truly outweighed his fear; a sensation he wishes to experience much more often.

Character Relationships (thus far)

PCs

• Emilie Barrowman Unfortunately, rather strained at the moment. Namfoodle holds a mixture of fear and disdain for her, namely from her grabbing him by the ankles and taking some scribbled notes by force. She also lied to him about their contacts, which led to a rather awkward confrontation in front of Adrian Monk. Still, he can't help but respect her prowess in battle, and acknowledges that he would rather be fighting with her than some shmuck.
• Isaac Coale Interesting. Namfoodle sort of likes and respects Isaac, but with that comes a tint of jealousy. Even so, he makes for an excellent research partner. Also, all of his charm and grace seem a bit unecessary. But he seems nice enough, if a bit cocky.
• Kal Grobnar Strange dwarf man with unusual habits. Better than a gnome. Also scary. Also, what's with the cat? \
• Tahlarien If there's one person Namfoodle genuinely likes, it's Tahlarien. She's proven herself in battle above anyone else, and shown excellent judge in character (calling Emilie "gruff").
• Vic Namfoodle has had very little experience with Divine magic (there are almost no clerics of Garl Glittergold). But Pelor is a respectable god and Vic seems like a respectable dude.

NPCs

• Sebastian Glordon Highcastle the Fifth He's a shiftless cheapskate, trying to capitalize off his brother's misfortune. But he's decent company, and his endless prattling does mean Nam doesn't have to talk at all. With concentration, Nam can ususally focus on his studies. Usually.

Statistics

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgaGSW_OlKQndHhCR19pYXg1dFNGVkM2RnJjX3BmZEE&usp=drive_web#gid=0

Achievements

• Discovered the secret latch in the Heron sigil in the basement of the monk Monestary.
• Tolerated Sebastian's yammering for almost a day.
• Was not panicked by a ghost's wail.