MASTER THORNLEY BLACKWOOD
EldoriansRoyal Woodcrafter and Architect
"Wood remembers. Every ring is a year, every knot a story. To shape wood is to shape time itself.""
Identity
- Residence
- Oakenhall, the Living Quarter
- Civilization
- Eldorians
Appearance
• Physical: Wiry and agile from climbing living structures, with calloused hands and sawdust perpetually in his dark curls. His hazel eyes constantly assess the grain and structure of every wooden surface. • Clothing: Practical leather apron over fine tunics, with tools hanging from his belt like a warrior's weapons. His boots are reinforced for climbing living architecture. • Distinguishing Marks: His right hand has faint bark-like patterns from years of channeling Harmony Arts into wood; wears glasses crafted from enchanted crystal that reveal wood grain patterns.
Relationships
- Family - Parents who never understood his gift; a younger sister who runs their family's lumber business
- Allies - The Elder Treant Deeproot, who considers him a nephew; Lady Seraphina, his patron
- Rivals - Master Ferris Ironhand, a dwarven architect who claims metalwork surpasses woodcraft
Personality
- Traits: Perfectionist, passionate about his craft, socially awkward, unexpectedly generous
- Mannerisms: Carves small wooden animals when nervous; speaks to trees before cutting; becomes animated only when discussing woodcraft
- Voice: Stammers in social situations but flows eloquently when teaching his craft. Often trails off mid-sentence when distracted by interesting wood grain.
Backstory
Thornley was a sickly child who discovered that channeling Harmony Arts into wood strengthened his frail body. He apprenticed under the legendary Woodshaper Elara (no relation to Aldwin's wife) and revolutionized living architecture by developing techniques to grow buildings with specific defensive properties.
Daily Life
Dawns inspecting new growth in the Living Quarter, spends days guiding building-shaping or training apprentices, evenings in his workshop experimenting with new techniques. He sleeps in a hammock suspended between two sympathetic oak branches.
Secret
Thornley accidentally created a living structure that developed consciousness—his "greatest mistake" now hides in the Deep Woods. He visits it monthly, terrified others will discover and destroy his "child."
Story Hooks
- 1 His sentient building has been captured by a rogue druid who wants to weaponize it
- 2 He needs rare wood from the Sylvan Elven territory for a critical royal commission
Narrative Value
Provider of unique locations and magical items; quest giver for material-gathering missions; potential source of sentient location allies. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════