In appearance, Jake appears as a tall, slender human man. Jake hides his half-elven heritage, covering his ears with longer hair and a worn purple velvet hat. He also has a faint mustache and goatee, the result of a helpful “curse” from a hedge witch nearly twenty years ago. His hair and facial hair are dirty blond and usually cut in a cultivated shaggy style.

Despite his name, he has all of his fingers on both hands. Everyone in Hengist has heard the story of how he lost two fingers from his sword-hand “also my string plucking hand!” in a duel with the Bandit King Ranen the Cruel at the summit of Black Orc Pass. The follow-up story of how he served the Hag Witch Esmenelva and tricked her into polymorphing him into a frog, a weasel, an eagle, and a man ("with all of his fingers, who escaped"), is almost as well known.

He carries a simple lute, but he can also play the recorder or drums if asked. Over the years, Jake has developed certain thievery skills out of necessity. He does not steal as a rule, although he has taken food when he was starving. Jake always returned later and planted coins in place of what he took.

Three-Fingered Jake is a charming and scruffy wandering bard. His clothes are always dusty from the road, with numerous patches and stitches in evidence. He is nearing middle-age for a half-elf, having just passed his 59th birthday. Tall and slim, he is ready with a smile and a story. He is well-liked by the children of Hengistbury for his seemingly endless repertoire of jokes and amusing anecdotes. Jake is also beloved by the single and discreet ladies of Hengistbury for his silver tongue.