Collection: DnD Raccoons

The Plucky Paws guild was founded by the famed bard Melodus Wyndsong when he had grown bored of only singing of heroes and determined to do something truly song-worthy himself!  A raccoon of action, he immediately set about to assemble a mighty band of heroes with the mission to protect the weak, right the wrong, and make Darkmere forest a haven for all creatures big and small.

Fighter: Reginald Brightblade the Coyote Slayer was the first raccoon that Melodus recruited to join his band.  Reginald was raised in the village of Paundew.  His father was a blacksmith for the small but thriving village and at a young age, Reginald was apprenticed to learn the trade.  Working at his father’s forge, Reginald grew in strength and showed an aptitude for not only forging blades but wielding them as well.  His first Mastercraft blade won the yearly Clear River Dukedom blade-smith contest and was chosen by Duke Feldumus Wolfheart himself to replace the hallowed blade, WyrmBane, having broken the sword in the battle with the ancient kraken, Maelstrom.  The duke referred to the apprentice blacksmith raccoon as the Brightblade when awarding him the prize.  The nickname caught on and soon Reginald's blades were desired far and wide throughout the forest kingdom.  As honored as he felt, Reginald desired to do more than just make blades, he wanted to make history.  After his apprenticeship was complete, he set forth to, in his own words, “do great things and mighty deeds!”  His fame grew, but after he slew the evil coyote, Sabletooth the Cruel in single combat he became a legend to the denizens of the Darkmere Forest.  Fame and adulation were all well and good, but Reginald desired to do even more for the realm.  When he met Melodus at the Dancing Ferret Inn in the sprawling city of Crooked Hollow, he was intrigued by the young bard’s enthusiasm and tales of changing the woodland realm for the good.  He pledged to accompany Melodus and share in his brave adventures!

Thief: Sylvan Fastfingers grew up an orphan on the dark streets of Crooked Hollow.  There she learned life’s first cruel law, be of use or perish!  She quickly found that her slight build and fast reflexes allowed her into places and opportunities most creatures could not hope to achieve. Her skills found her a valued position on a thieving crew, and in little time she was their best pickpocket and burglar.  While her adopted gang kept her relatively safe and fed, Sylvan could not help but wish there was more to life than stealing, lying, and taking advantage of her fellow creatures in the sprawling slums of Crooked Hollow.  She could not shake the feeling that she was just a cog in the machine of the abuse and oppression she saw all around her.  One day while lightening the pockets of her fellow patrons of the Dancing Ferret she heard the Ballad of Renold the Rascally, sung by the bard Melodus WyndSong himself!  She was transported and enraptured by the song’s tale of the noble rascal thief and his crusade to steal from the rich and give to the poor.  Her heart was stirred and she knew from that moment forward the path her life must take.  When the following day that same bard issued the challenge to join him in a quest for the glory of good, she ignored the mockery of the other guests and determined she would join. But how to prove to Melodus that she could be a valued member of his band?  She quickly determined she needed to accomplish an act of burglary so audacious, so daring and brave, that the bard would be unable to ignore her application.  And so she determined she would steal Melodus’s very own enchanted pick of pure melody, blessed, they said, by none other than the grand bard canary, Harmony Featherwing.  The theft of the pick was a tale worthy of a great song and in the end, Sylvan returned the pick to the shocked and impressed Melodus who immediately saw the benefit she could bring to his new guild. 

Cleric: Brother Fulce Riverwalker was called to the cloth at a young age when he saw in a glorious vision, the Goddess, Ewena the Shepherdess, weeping over her slaughtered flock.  “Who will protect these, my little lambs?”  The goddess had asked.  Fulce's heart was torn with aching and outrage, he cried out with conviction, “Here am I! I will protect your lambs!”  When he awoke he knew he had been given his calling and what he must do.  Leaving his family’s fishing business, Fulce journeyed to the closest temple of the Shepherdess and joined their order that very same day.  All the priests and priestesses were amazed at the young acolyte’s dedication and fervor.  Fulce dedicated himself to the path of the true shepherd like no other forest creature they had ever seen.  Few were surprised when he became the youngest initiated to pass the Test of the Pasture.  And absolutely no one was surprised when the newly ordained priest chose the Path of the Wanderer as his calling.  As an itinerant priest, he traveled from remote village to remote village seeking to fulfill his calling to protect the Shepherdess’ lambs.  The young raccoon's mission was soon challenged by the harsh realities of the corruption and oppressions he discovered in the forest lands.  Despairing of ever fulfilling his true purpose, Fulce heard of the bold challenge issued by the famed bard Melodus WyndSong, and a soft voice, he knew to be the shepherdess, whispered to him, “You will be stronger together.  Go! My flock has need of you!”  He immediately set out to Crooked Hollow to join the band.  Much to his surprise, Melodus had heard tales of Brother Fulce Riverwalker, of his humble service to the sick and the poor, of his brave defense of the weak and defenseless.  When hearing that this same priest desired to join his guild the Bard sang  “Now I know my quest is good and right!  To have one as blessed as Brother Fulce wish to join the fight!  Though dangers make come and evil deride!  How can we not overcome with such by our side!” He clasps the surprised priest to him and they swore an oath of brotherhood!

Wizard: Theo Goldspinner, raised as the eldest son of the affluent and proud Goldspinner merchant family, wanted for nothing in his youth.  His parents hired the best tutors of the realm to educate their young child and raise him in hopes of someday taking leadership of the great mercantile house.  But one tutor, Tortuphys the Blind, a revered mage, immediately saw the latent magical talent in his pupil.  The ancient turtle diligently tutored his young charge, but cunningly wove into their daily lessons the basic teachings of the magical arts.  As the wise mage knew would happen, Theo's spirit responded to the hidden teachings and soon the student’s third eye was open and the raccoon could see the flows and weaves of magic throughout all the realm.  After that, there was no stopping his progress, and even his parents were forced to concede that their precious son had a different calling.  Theo’s magical skill grew rapidly under the tutelage of the blind mage, soon outstripping the skill of practitioners with decades of more experience.  When the young wizard heard tales of the famed Bard, Melodus WyndSong, assembling a band for a righteous quest, he knew he must be a part of it.  Despite the concerns of his master, Theo set out to find the bard and join with him.  Melodus was skeptical at first when the young raccoon approached him, but in time the bard was convinced of not only the youth’s prodigious talent but also his fervent desire to help in Melodus’ quest to right the wrongs of the realm.  With some trepidation, Melodus granted the youthful wizard’s desire and allowed him to join the band as their final member.

Bard: Melodus WyndSong, what more needs to be said of the great bard?  Surely you have heard of him?  Heard the tales of his youth spent at the knees of the Druid Priestess Silvanea Whisperhoof?  Heard that the gifted raccoon was the youngest bard to memorize all 1,379 Songs of the Forest?  No?  I’m speaking of the raccoon that learned the 118 Secret Songs of the Forest from the great bardess Harmony Featherwing herself.  But you surely have heard of his silken voice? Quick wit?  Dashing good looks? His nimble fingers that could pluck a lute like no forest creature before him?  How can this be?  I mean no offense fellow traveler, but have you been living in a cave?  Perhaps you are new to our forest realm? Whatever the cause, let me right an unjust wrong and tell you of the gifted bardic hero!  After his schooling in the famed druidic school, the Deers of the Forest Folk, Melodus set out to find the fabled Song that Would Right the Wrongs of the World.  Everywhere Melodus traveled he inquired after the song.  He searched ancient tomes, questioned all practitioners of the musical arts, learned countless new songs, and enchanted all with his peerless voice and skills.  But nowhere could he find the Song that Would Right the Wrongs of the World.  Then one day, while singing his delightful rendition of the famed Ballad of Renold the Rascally, he had an epiphany.  If he could not find the lost song then he would have to write the song himself!  That my good friend is the quest of the great bard Melodus WyndSong!  Our tale, like all truly great tales, is just beginning.  What great deeds will he accomplish?  What songs will he write? Surely it will become the stuff of legend!  For with such quick wit, prodigious talent, and dashing good looks, how can he fail? What is that you ask?  Am I Melodus?  Don’t be silly…all this bragging would not become such a humble hero.  Surely it would be impolite of me…er…I mean him.