Ringsdorf
Player Character Bio
Player: Dave P.; Campaign: Darwin's Realm
Bio written by Dave P.

Ringsdorf is a human scholar who has studied the mystic arts for decades. Of mid to late fifties in age, and unimposing stature and demeanor, he is non-the-less quick of mind and an unorthodox tactician.

Raised as a farmer in the planes surrounding the city of Taska, he soon became bored of the dawn to dusk drudgery of farm chores necessary to put food on the table and cloths on the back. Being somewhat of a dreamer but with an inquisitive intellect, he initially learned to read from signs, posters, and pamphlets around town by asking anyone who would explain them to him.

One day, at the age of twelve, he was tending his cart of vegetables in the city market. It was early morning as he was setting up his stall and the townsfolk were not yet shopping. A commotion caught his attention as voices were raised in anger. An individual was running from several other men who were chasing him with swords and spears. The man being pursued was losing the race when he suddenly turned and, with words and gestures, threw forth from his hands sheets of fire, sweeping over his antagonists and by chance washing over Ringsdorf's cart.

His pursuers screamed writhing in the flames, and collapsed onto the street. One however, as he fell, lunged forward with a spear and caught the magician deep in his shoulder. It was all over in but a moment.

In front of Ringsdorf's cart were 6 people lying in the street, several still smoldering, and one bleeding profusely from a grievous wound. His cart was on fire. The police would shortly come and arrest him. Some of the other merchants were coming forward to see what had happened, and his produce was burning. Shit! His father had told him that if he didn't sell everything he would get a beating when he got home.

On impulse, Ringsdorf moved to the wounded wizard and with some difficulty lifted him to his feet.

"Get me out of here. Please." the man whispered and Ringsdorf dragged/carried him down a nearby ally and to the inn where the wizard was staying. Realizing that if he returned home, having lost his cart and all his produce with nothing to show for it, he would be beaten, Ringsdorf asked if he could stay and tend to the injured wizard in exchange for being schooled in reading and writing.

Thus Ringsdorf learned the initial skills of an apprentice magic user. He soon made adventurer acquaintances and spent years both researching his arts and exercising them in numerous adventurers.

But there is risk in everything, and in some pursuits, there is more risk than in others. Deep in a labyrinth of chaos a black dragon surprised him and it was only by the quick action of his companions that his soul was not lost forever. Later, upon reflecting on his past, particularly the events that he had just experienced, he realizing that he was not an elf who will live forever, and further, this outdoor life was getting too hard.

Ringsdorf is now retired and lives in a small village and fortification, located in a mountain pass on a trade route, and works as a part-time bar tender in an inn frequented by adventurer clientele. He has married a very young woman (his friends jokingly accuse him of robbing the cradle), lives comfortably on his investments, and continues to keep current in his studies. One of his hobbies is raising frogs and gold fish. From time to time a very large red dragon has been seen around his property.

Ringsdorf will provide spells and potions to characters if he feels so inclined and the price is right. It would take extraordinary circumstances to persuade him to personally participate in an adventure. He is cautious of strangers (no doubt due to his past career) but generally benign and willing to help. However, if threatened or attacked he does not believe in a measured response. "Make the rubble bounce!".