ConceptPortrait of Bowdyn to Be Added Later

A master mason, obsessed with symbolism and geometrical form, who is determined to build a glorious temple to Ilvir in Coranan.

Beliefs

A great temple to Ilvir once stood in the east of Coranan, on the site we have purchased. I must rebuild this temple. The new temple will reflect both the wonder and the creativity of the Father-Creator.

Olrau is not simply a priest, but a living prophet of the Lord of the Manifold Multitudes. My faith will be measured by my ability to support his mission. I will follow his teachings without regret.

My wife Hillay has succumbed to the Whore of Heaven's call and has chosen Halea's pleasures over mine. The Bitch can have her! But I will make Hillay regret her choice by not only becoming a guild mason, but now the Guild Master of Coranan. She will come back to me on her knees, and there she will stay.

Instincts

When entering a stone structure, always look for atypical construction.

Always insult a Halean when given the chance.

Always carry a good book to read.


Traits

Adherent of Ilvir, Devout, Made Man, Peacemaker, Self-Confident, Stubborn

Character Sheet

To see the detailed character sheet for Bowdyn, click here.

History

Lifepaths: City Born, Student, Apprentice Artisan, City Guard, Artisan

Bowdyn of Ressa was born and raised in the City of Tashal, the youngest of three children. His father, Junwich of Ressa, was a carpenter of modest means and a kind and remarkably educated man given his station. He died in a tragic work accident when Bowdyn was a young boy. His mother, Jinna, raised her children the best she could as a widow with the help of her family, but they were quite poor.

Bowdyn grew up to be an inquisitive, impulsive, and markedly strong child for his age. He began to read at an early age despite his impoverishment and limited exposure to written material. Bowdyn also developed a keen sense of form and shape as demonstrated by his intricate drawings and diagrams which he drew on the walls of their cottage or the dirt streets after he was kicked outside. At the age of 8, Bowdyn was sponsored by an unknown source to be tutored by an elderly man named Mallic. A close friendship developed between Bowdyn and his instructor with Jinna’s blessing. Bowdyn mastered reading and writing rapidly and with time was absorbing all he could on the topics of imagery, symbolism and geometry and the historical development of these art forms. Additionally, he learned about Lothrim and developed an interest (considered unhealthy by some) in his legend. He showed a strong interest in secret mysteries and a more than helpful fascination of conspiracies and hidden knowledge. This later interest led Bowdyn to read at the Save K'nor library where he heard rumors about books and artifacts from the time of Lothrim. Logically, he was not permitted access these tomes due to his tender age and was dismissed by the priests as naïve. Bowdyn’s quest for these texts then led him (with assistance from Mallic) to the Ilviran temple where he received a more welcoming reception, but nonetheless experienced a dead-end quest. Bowdyn did learn, however, of the legend of a hidden work hidden by Lothrim in Kelapyn-Anuz underneath Tashal. This interest in Ilvirism took root at this time due to the religions combination of mysticism and scholarly pursuit.

Bowdyn's tutor, Mallic, suddenly ended tutoring and left Tashal with an apology, but no explanation. This termination was a great loss for Bowdyn, and despite interest in continuing his school by his mother, the perceived rejection of his mentor angered the young boy. As a result, he abruptly and irrationally insisted on the abandonment of his tutoring. At his mother's intervention, he eventually agreed to combine his interest in symbology, form, and space with his until now untapped physical skill and accepted an offer of apprentiship with Horidon of Tabral (Tashal 39). As a skilled architect whose clan had designed and built many of the temples in Tashal, he learned to love his newfound craft as it afforded a new outlet for his interests.

Bowdyn married his wife, Hillay, a niece of Horidon. Although their first few years together were mostly uneventful, their relationship was marked by energetic disagreement as their strong wills, yet divergent opinions clashed. Truth be told, behind all the tumultuous history and harsh words, the mason and his wife truly love each other. Hillay believes she is barren.

Bowdyn began experimenting with novel corbel and capital friezes at the Larani temple under repair. This creative license, however, angered the church and led to stressors with the Mason’s guild, Horidon, and not to mention the powerful church. About this time, Bowdyn ironically came into contact with Olrau when the itinerant Ilviran priest sought him out to comment on his artwork. Olrau told Bowdyn that some of his “artistic” forms were actually old Ivashu who haven’t been seen in generations. Bowdyn became enthralled with Olrau’s knowledge and personality and became a believer in his teachings.

Over time, due to growing frustration and isolation over Bowdyn’s creative interests, he made another rash decision to leave his work. He was hired on as a City Guard [Horidon secretly influenced this as he did not want him to leaved the city and loose one of his best apprentices]. This move caused great conflict with Hillay and she threatened to leave him multiple times over his service of service. She felt that he had sacrificed his future for irrationally slights to his pride. Bowdyn, although bored with the tediousness of his work, enjoyed the the physicalness, routine, and camaraderie of the military life. Fortunately for his marriage, Olrau eventually convinced him to make amends with Horidon and continue his training.

Bowdyn eventually gained status as a Master stonemason, and through Horidon’s contacts, purchased a modest workshop in Coronan in order to join Olrau’s mission. Not surprisingly, Hillay became incensed once again at his decision to leave Tashal and is currently in state of hysteria. Simply put, Hillay seeks continuity, stability, and a degree of status. Bowdyn is now risking a prolonged conflict with his wife to pursue a vision and quest to bring the teachings of Ilvir to Coranan, and by his own hands, a great temple that will not only challenge his abilities, but also be a witness to the Great Creator. She views this move as an abandonment of the safety and security of home and family, while he views this as both a calculated risk and a divine calling.

Additional Details

Bowdyn is married to Hillay, a Tashal woman of the Halean faith. Their marriage is strangely stable, though often filled with heated disagreements. See Hillay's character sheet here.