Hern Dresdtinn was raised in the village of Deadsnows at the base of the Nether Mountains in the Silver Marches. He was raised by his grandmother, Morwenna Dresdtinn, the village apothecary and herbalist. Morwenna never told Hern about his parents or how she came to care for him.From an early age, Hern was taught the rudiments of herbalism and wilderness lore by his grandmother. He spent much of his childhood traveling the back country around Deadsnows, foraging for ingredients for Morwenna’s potions and poultices. He also helped supplement his grandmother’s income and put food on the dinner table through trapping, hunting, and fishing.
Hern has always had a care-free, adventurous attitude. He enjoyed his treks outside of Deadsnows. He often traveled further from the stone walls and safety of the village than was prudent. Hern survived these treks due to a combination of luck, survival knowledge, and help from his many friends among the druids, rangers, and other folk native to the region. One day Hern received help from a source he’d never encountered before. He was being chased by a small band of orcs dispatched as a raiding party by King Obould of Many-Arrows and was forced to leap into the frigid Icespear River in order to escape them. Hern was quickly becoming hypothermic and drowning when a stranger dragged him from the river. The last thing Hern saw before he lost consciousness was the helping hand of the stranger reaching out for him. It was covered by a black gauntlet and emblazoned with an unfamiliar holy symbol.
When Hern awoke, the stranger introduced himself as Juxril Thammarcast, Rider of the North Wind, Windwalker of Shaundakul. Hern recovered from his ordeal and regained his health. While under Juxril’s care, he also found himself drawn to the teachings of the Helping Hand. Juxril taught Hern the tenets of the faith and initiated him into its mysteries. By the time Hern returned to Dead Snows, he was an ordained priest of Shaundakul. He did his best to spread the teachings through example, while continuing to live his life with his Morwenna.
Priests of Shaundakul venerate one day above others. The 15th day of Tarsakh is a holy day known as the Windride. On this past Windride, Hern, while deep in prayer, was transformed by his deity into gaseous form and carried on the winds until nightfall. At dusk, he was lowered safely to the ground and found himself hundreds of miles away in Waterdeep. Hern does not know what Shaundakul has in mind for him in the City of Splendors. Does the Helping Hand wish Hern to accomplish a specific mission in Waterdeep or is it Hern’s mission simply to spread the teachings of the Helping Hand--while seeking out new lands and new opportunities--as all priests of Shaundakul are tasked to do?
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Hern Dresdtinn, Seeker of the Wind, a novice cleric of Shaundakul, is a human of Illuskan descent. He is 19 years old, stands 6’1’’ tall, and is a wiry 185 lbs. He has shoulder length jet black hair that always seems unkempt--as if ruffled by the wind. He has the beginnings of a beard. Hern has steely grey eyes and pale skin. He is easy going, care-free, and quick to smile.
Hern wears a swirling dark green cloak over worn-in brown leathers and a chain shirt. His boots look particularly battered, as if he’s spent a lot of time wandering on and off the trail. While traveling the trail, he carries a crossbow at the ready. The pommel of greatsword can be seen jutting over one shoulder from beneath his cloak. On Hern’s right hand, he wears a black chain gauntlet emblazoned with the symbol of Shaundakul—the image of a bearded traveler walking on the wind.
