Rook the Unwritten
Mystarans"I don't exist in your future. That's either terrifying or liberating, depending on how you look at it.""
Identity
- Civilization
- Mystarans
Appearance
• Physical: Rook is unremarkable in every way—average height, average build, forgettable features. This is his greatest protection; prophecies cannot see him clearly. He has no shadow, a side effect of his condition. • Clothing: He wears drab, unmemorable clothing designed to help him blend into any background. He carries no identifying marks or jewelry. • Distinguishing Marks: His face seems to shift slightly when you look away and back, as if his features can't quite settle. He has no reflection in mirrors.
Relationships
- Family - Doesn't remember if he had one—his condition affects his own memories over time
- Allies - A small network of people he's helped who have learned to write down their interactions with him
- Rivals - Prophecy enforcement groups who see him as a dangerous anomaly; fate-weavers who want to study him
Personality
- Traits: Cynical, deeply lonely, fiercely independent, surprisingly idealistic beneath the bitterness
- Mannerisms: Checks exits constantly, refuses to make plans more than a day ahead, startles when people remember his name
- Voice: Flat and unmemorable, though he can modulate it to sound like anyone
Backstory
Rook was born during a prophecy null-zone, a rare event where no futures can be seen. He grew up invisible to seers and eventually discovered he could use this to help others escape their fates. He now lives on the fringes of Mystaran society, helping those who want to defy prophecy while being unable to have a normal life himself—he can't be remembered by most people for more than a few hours.
Secret
Rook has discovered that his condition is actually a prophecy itself—he's destined to prevent a specific future event, and the universe keeps him hidden to preserve his ability to fulfill that destiny, which means his "freedom" from fate is itself fated.
Story Hooks
- 1 Rook approaches the party because they're the first people to remember him for more than a day, and he needs help understanding why
- 2 A powerful seer has finally seen Rook in a vision, predicting he'll cause a catastrophe, and he needs help proving the vision is wrong or preventing it
Narrative Value
Rook embodies questions about fate, free will, and what it means to exist. He creates opportunities for stories about defying prophecy and the cost of freedom. His unique condition provides plot complications and mystery. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════