Finn MacGovray

Swordsman-Pianist

darkfire@netcom.ca
ICQ #: 11950164

Finn was born in the town of Meryod. From an extremely early age, it became apparent that he was unusually perceptive, intelligent, and musically talented. He played piano in the Meryod bar as early as age 7, simultaneously dodging flying martinis and earning tips and praise from the drunkards.

Storyteller's Note: Yes, they grew brains... but they also grew incredibly resilient livers to go along with them. Aye, tis a sailor's life for me... um...

Life was miserable for Finn, however. He harbored a mild disgust for his own parents, because they never understood him and didn't see that there could possibly be more to life than fishing (their occupation), and eating. He longed for escape and somew hat greater mental stimulation.

When he was 11, Finn's parents were killed in an unexplained boating accident. Their boat was destroyed and their bodies dashed to the rocks on the nearby shore. Despite his dislike for them, Finn was shocked and greatly upset by the deaths of his pare nts. He sank into a deep melancholy and ended up playing piano more and more to try and block out the feelings. After 4 more years of struggling to support himself, Finn decided to leave Meryod in search of a better life.

Unfortunately for him, he left without adequate experience and supplies, and was soon captured by a band of thieves. They robbed him of his meager possessions and tortured him for days, using him as a form of amusement. To Finn's incredible luck, howev er, a travelling swordsman from Tamur stumbled upon the thieves and cut them to ribbons, taking the delirious and seriously injured Finn back to his home in the relatively large city.

The swordsman, Julian, became the father and teacher Finn had never truly had. Finn learned a great deal of skill with the blade, as well as regular academic subjects. He and Julian developed a strong bond, and Finn lived with him until he turned 19. After which, being a nomad at heart, Finn bade Julian goodbye and left Tamur to travel.

After going north for a few days, Finn stumbled upon a formation of stone and water that appeared very similar to the transmission springs he had read about in so many books. However, he didn't see this particular spring on any of the geographical maps he had brought with him. Yet, being a foolish adventurer, Finn took a chance and stepped on. Shortly thereafter he found himself at the spring on the Floating Magic City of Vane. He walked the short distance to the city, paid for lodgings for a few days, and started to experience the city.

A few days after his unexpected arrival into Vane, Finn happened upon a young woman, about his age, chanting spells near a pond in the city. Momentarily enchanted by her Amazon-like beauty, he tripped on his shoelace, and bowled into her, causing them both to fall into the pond. Needless to say, it didn't take them long to fall in love.

Finn moved in with the blond haired, blue eyed Susannah - who also happened to be an orphan like himself, yet did not remember much of her past. Also, unlike Finn, her parents had left her an enormous amount of money after they died. Thus, she and Finn lived in the lap of luxury.

Susannah had a remarkable talent with magic, and she and Finn would put on elaborate displays for the townspeople in which she created marvelous illusions with her magic and Finn played ethereal, beautiful melodies on the piano. They seemed to fall deeper and deeper in love as time went on, and soon they became engaged to be married.

Susannah presented Finn with an odd golden ring as an engagement present. She told him she didn't remember where it came from, only that it was very special and dear to her. It was crafted of the purest gold possible and studded with an unidentifiable clear blue stone. Finn treasured it and her, feeling happier than he ever had been in his entire life.

However, his happiness was shattered to pieces one morning when he awoke to find the space beside him empty, save for a hastily folded letter placed on the pillow. It was from Susannah, stating that she was racked by woe but was obligated to leave Vane, for reasons she could not disclose. Finn moped around the city for days, not knowing what to do. One of Susannah's fellow magicians, and a friend to both Finn and her, stepped in to take Finn on a trip in search of fun, and in search of himself.

The trip to Meribia turned out to be quite the disaster. Ship-wrecked, he ended up far from the city. Travelling the rest of the way by foot, he arrived just in time for the Mid-Winter festival, only to find the city besieged by unknown forces. By coincidence or fate, he encountered a group of lady escapees in need of a strong sword arm.

He travelled with his new companions to the Shrine of Althena, looking for shelter. The temple was also under attack. Helping the defenders out, Finn and his new friends entered the temple. In making their escape out the back of the temple, he helped do battle with a vampire lord who was corrupting this home of the goddess.

During his travels with the party, Finn has had a number of dreams about his lost love Susannah. Each time they met, the dreamscape was of a pristine ocean shore just after dawn. Although declaring her love for him, she said that he was not allowed to see her; "things to come" would not allow it. What force can possibly have the power to stop a Grandmaster of the Magic Guild of Vane?

Later in their adventures, it as that very same vampire who tried to take control of his priestess friend, Audrey. Although the party fought well, they were laid low by a sleep spell from Cassandra turned against them. Something in Finn's ring spoke to him with the voice of Susannah, bidding him to rise and finish what had been started. With Susannah's magic at his side, he rose from the magical slumber and slaughtered the vampire.

Which begs the question... who or what is Susannah?