Gender: Male
Age: Thirty-five
Race: Human
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 151lbs
Appearance: Personality/Demeanor: A pleasant and outgoing chap of evident quality Boddin sees himself as a gentleman of lower class, and carries himself as such. He’s brave, loyal, and with high moral character. To add onto that, he’s a smart individual; learnt in reading, writing, and reckoning, and curious to a fault. Often Boddin will remark on this part of himself, saying he might’ve been a scholar if he hadn’t taken up the respectable trade of rat catching. Of course his chosen career gives him plenty of opportunities to engage his wily brain, as rats are sly creatures, swiftly learning to avoid new traps and poisons, or escape the clutches of any less intellectual hunter. They are like ever changing puzzles, and he loves a good brain teaser. Rats however, aren’t his sole quarry. Boddin Phuddle takes great interest in the games of shadows and deceit, styling himself as an expert of sorts, a medieval detective if you will, and so his rat trapping occasionally spills over into other, more lucrative of activities of discovery. His cheery bearing leads him to be trustworthy, and his unassuming profession lends him reason to snoop… Naturally he hears and sees things often hidden from the public, and thanks to his intellect he’s good at putting two and two together.
Backstory/Biography: When the great ships come ashore loaded with sailors and good they bring with them spices and silks, laughter and jokes, stories and woes, merry company and reunion of loved ones as tales both new and old are spun. But guised by the joyous greetings and heartfelt hugs and gifts is another sort of traveler disembarking the moored ships, quiet, deadly, and swift, and covered in diseased ridden, biting pestilent vermin.
Rats.
Oh rats indeed, but not the cute little cuddly ones with big ears. The large, mean, biting kind with black fur and red eyes that scuttle in the shadows, stealing the vittles, killing the cats and fighting the dogs. Sure enough they mingle amongst the native population spreading their fleas and infestations and burying themselves in a more fortified position then most castles. Only one type of man can flush them out, round them up, and kick drive them off. Rat Catchers. A respectable profession and highly sought after, these men are exterminators and they travel from town to town making their living off of ridding the communities of their rodent difficulties.
Boddin Phuddle, is one of these special kinds of men. Taking up the Phuddle family business in extermination, Boddin joined the ranks of the esteemed rat catchers’ guild at the aged age of seventeen. He was so old at the time due to his incessant book learning his father insisted he indulge in. After all Mr. Phuddle could see an intelligent young man in his son and set him up to do well. Indeed Boddin did do well for himself, becoming a respected trapper within the guild by his late twenties. It was here that he began engaging in other pursuits, not the least of which is his interest in odd happenings, and strange occurrences and mysteries. Boddin’s life was that of a traveling bachelor, as he showed little interest in settling down and beginning a family. He was far too concerned with his work, and his extracurricular activities to bother with all that. There was something to be said concerning the state of the lands as well. Roads were often dangerous and riddled with more thieves and muggers then there are rats in a grainer’s basement. Instead Boddin took companionship in his old hound Codsworth and took the thoroughfares otherwise alone. For the most part anyway.
Primary Weapon: Strapped to Boddin’s belt by a blue sash is a short falchion. It is a fine enough weapon, well-kept and sharpened to a keen edge. Boddin can employ with a surprising level of lethality for someone of his stature. And although most armor would turn the blade made for quick slashes, Mister Phuddle can dissuade many a highwayman from robbing him blind through rapid use of the simple blade.
Secondary Weapon: Usually carried in his hand like an improvised walking stick is the weather worn but sturdy length of timber which Boddin affectionately titles his ratting staff. About four feet in length, Boddin typically uses the staff to sweep hiding rodents from the hiding spots, or calm blood lusting ratters from taking a chunk out of his leg. However, should the situation call for it Boddin can deliver a hefty, concussive blow to the skull or wrist of would-be assailants. He’s got quite good aim too close up too.
Other Noteworthy Personal Items: First and foremost is his big mutt ratter named Codsworth. Boddin couldn’t ask for a more loyal companion to accompany him on his journeys. The dog is aged, with silver furs about his muzzle but well behaved and intelligent. He’s a big softy when it comes to humans and almor and drow as his guttural bark is far worse than his bite. Boddin in fact has never seen the hound savage anybody, though he doesn’t tell the average stranger that. When it comes to flushing out hiding rodents however, Codsworth is exceptionally skilled and when given the command he is more than willing to snap up an unfortunate rat in his powerful jaws.
Secondly is Boddin’s trapper box. A wooden treasure trove of clever traps and bottles of fiendish rat poisons to ensnare and slay his quarry near every situation. Inside he also keeps is wood and wire tools for crafting new traps, and chemical vials for fresh toxins just in case.
Strengths:A Clever Mind: Shrewd and with plenty of wit Boddin prefers brains over brawn. He enjoys making cunning plans and outsmarting whomever he might be competing against. He finds puzzles and riddles a pleasant pastime and playing games, particularly chess.
Crafty Fingers: Putting his wily mind to good use Boddin often fiddles with small, intricate machines and contraptions. He’s made a hobby out of fashioning rodent traps, and if something with many parts is place in front of him Boddin is apt to take it apart to see how it works. Perhaps consequently he’s become pretty good at picking locks too.
Commendable Courage: Perhaps the simplest, but most raw of Boddin Phuddle’s traits is his modest, good-hearted courage. He isn’t an easy man to scare, that’s all. His moral and physical bravery is the smart kind. Not the foolish charge and die sort of gallantry of a martyr, but the humble, almost noble courage that only some men have.
Weaknesses:Physically Lacking: Although he can hold his own in some fights Boddin isn’t a warrior prodigy by any means. That combined with his slight stature and passive disposition makes him a less than physically dominate figure. Because of this Boddin relies on his brains to get himself out of tight spots, or Codsworth.
Poor Eyesight: Lacking physically in more than one department Boddin doesn’t have the best of vision for things even as close as ten feet to the front of him. Mister Phuddle lives in a blurry world as he doesn’t wear spectacles, which makes him an exceptionally poor shot with a bow, or any other ranged activity for that matter.
