#Alistair Zastrian

[fernrisulfr]

Azrael Godfrey Ghett

Now we get to the big boy. Az was by no means flawless. I made a lot of mistakes with him, and frankly I brought him into the wrong campaign, but he marked for me how a good character “felt” and how to properly lean into a personality. He was the character who replaced Theoren in Curse of Strahd. He was an Actor by trade and by Feat, and got plenty of use out of it.  Azrael Godfrey Ghett (Rogue 3/Warlock 6) Zariel Tiefling - Rogue (Arcane Trickster)/Warlock (Hexblade) - Charlatan - Chaotic/Good

Aliases: Alistair Zastrian, Az  ("Az Good Az it Gets") People He Can Impersonate: - Vargas Galindor - Valenta (One of the Wives) - The Party Members - Xzarovich - Escher - Helga (Kitchen Maid for Xzarovich - Baron Krezk - Ismark - Abbot - Cyrus (Ravenloft Chimera guy.) - Likes: - Rain - Smell of Rain - Tea - Reading - Spicy Food - Those who can appreciate a good performance

Dislikes:

- Powerfully sweet smells - Bad Acting - Motiveless Villains

Habits: - Absently strokes/scratches his beard. - Running a hand through his hair. - Rests a hand on his sword when idle. - Gestures a lot when talking. - Tends to lean against physical objects in proximity when idle. - Dramatic flourishes when fighting.

Plays/Books he Wrote: - Beasts of Calamity - Cast into Twilight - Tales and Tribulations of Kaizer - Wolves & Roses - The Dark Wood Circus - Dealing with Devils - Siren's Call

Misc: - Playwright and Actor - Orphan - Scar on his cheek was caused by a mishap with a prop crossbow (He usually lies about it.) - Orphanage was called "Our Maiden of Sacred Tears Home for Unfortunate Youths". - Speaks in a false accent. (Real Accent is French Canadian.)

Backstory Used: On what was probably a dark and stormy night, as these tales usually go, an infant Tiefling barely beyond a full year of existence was placed on the doorstep of an orphanage. Like as not abandoned due to his devil heritage. Dubbed Azrael Godfrey Ghett, the Tiefling had the bad luck to be abandoned at "Our Maiden of Sacred Tears Home for Unfortunate Youths", of which there was nothing sacred about. Baring no ties to any actual religious organization, the name had been chosen because the average person was more likely to donate charitably if they thought it would lead to a cushier after life, or more attention being paid to their prayers. In many ways it was Azrael's first experience with a con. The second came mostly from misleading, or convincing other orphans of various falsehoods. Mostly the ones who picked on him. This only escalated as he aged, conning his way into acquiring goods few orphans hope to obtain, and on occasions those which they desperately needed. Azrael was a boy who could get things, unfortunately that included getting caught. Things had started off simply enough, or simple by Azrael's own standards. He was playing the part of a Cleric, which religion didn't matter, collecting donations for a "small village" in the far south that had been devastated by a flood. The mark in question was theater owner in town on business. Unfortunately, Azrael had underestimated the man's ability to discern when someone was putting on a show. Rather than publicly revealing the scam and delivering him to the city watch however, the man offered him a job. Apparently impressed by the youth's acting ability. As it both got him away from the orphanage, and didn't involve time spent behind bars, he accepted. That was how Azrael met Sullivan P. Abernathy, Proprietor of The Lambent Star Theater & Troupe. Life was good from then on. Not great, but comfortable, and the following years continued on without real incident. Ignoring a few poorly received performances and an incident with a prop crossbow. During that time Azrael put quill to parchment and tried his hand at being a playwright, using the alias "Alistair Zastrian" to avoid any backlash if his works were met with any controversy. Or just poor reviews. Alas, nothing good lasts forever, and the theater's days were numbered by the age of it's owner. Sullivan passed away peacefully enough in his bed, and the funeral was a lovely albeit solemn affair. Problems for the theater and it's employees started and finished with Sullivan's successor, his son Robert Abernathy, who did not share his father's love of the performing arts. Once ousted from the building that brought them together, the troupe quickly scattered. From there followed a string of increasingly substandard acting positions and poor life choices. Until one day Azrael was met with an unexpected visitor. It was an average enough evening, where Azrael had returned covered in an average enough amount of rotten produce. Then came a knock upon his door. The figure was obscured by a cloak and hood, but extremely well spoken. Introducing themselves as The Patron of the Arts (surely they meant "a" patron of the arts.), they claimed to offer "the role of a lifetime", something which would put his talents to greater use than ever before. Considering the venues he'd recently been playing, the Tiefling readily accepted. As a symbol of their pact, Azrael was presented with a flamberge styled rapier. From there he a set of directions on where to go, and to keep his eyes open for a "red gem on the road". He'd learn more about the role he was to play when preparations had been made. 

Old Backstory & Notes: (Original)Orphaned at a young age, he doesn't know the specifics. As a Charlatan his specialty was/is conning people into thinking he's someone he's not; however one day when he was around 16-18 he got caught. Rather than getting thrown in jail however, he got hired as an Actor. (working on specifics on what the con was and how it lead to this job.). Took to it like fire to dry tinder. Person who hired him passed away. Troupe fell apart without their patron. One day Azrael received a visit from a mysterious figure, they did not give a name, only introducing themselves as a "Patron of the Arts", offering him a gift in the form of a sword, and the "role of a lifetime" with directions where to go. (Revised) ⦁Abandoned at Orphange at Age 1. Probably because he's a Teifling. ⦁Non-religous orphanage? (Than who's backing it?) ⦁Conning started with tricking other kids as payback for teasing him. ⦁Escalated in Teenage years, with the first big "job" to obtain something to help the orphanage. ⦁Got caught in a con, but instead got hired as an actor. Give figure a name, not necessarily a mentor, but definitely a positive influence on him. ⦁Figure (Theater owner and/or Director?) passed away when Az was in his late 20s. Their children weren't as enthusiastic about the arts, and closed the theater. ⦁Troupe scattered after their place of employment shut down. ⦁Az wandered from town to town, taking any acting position he could find, a long string of increasingly poor parts. ⦁Until one evening he encountered a person claiming to be a "Patron of the Arts" offering him "The Role of a Lifetime".

Appearance:  6′5, 172 lbs. Black hair, Blue Skin, Eyes a solid molten orange-yellow. Short upward curving horns. Pointed ears. scar from lip to ear. Black hair short cropped and stylish, beard similarly so. Paisley red vest, white shirt with black sleeves. Chest (and chest hair) well on display. Black gloves and trousers. Calf heigh boots. Does have a tail. Wielded a Flamberge Rapier, and later the Sunsword.