Theives' World Advice Sought...

[ashockney]

I'm familiar with, but never read, the Thieves' World books. One of the characters in a campaign we just finished based his character on the Thieves' World character "Shadowbane".

I'm finishing up some roleplaying stuff with him (in prep for taking this and other characters into Epic). I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas of what Shadowbane was, what challenged him, how did he "end" in the stories, what kind of things did he use, what were his motivations. I could take some of these ideas and hopefully convert them into our modified Forgotten Realms campaign for his character.

Thanks for your help and insight!

 

[Mr Fidgit]

i think you're talking about Shadowspawn (his other name is Hanse). he was a notorious burglar of great skill (even broke into the Palace), was an expert with throwing knives (had bunches of knives on him) and a good guy (charitible with some).

he didn't 'end' in the stories. when the series ended, he was left in Sanctuary. if i understand correctly, he even survives to the current theives world book, as a mentor to a young thief

Crothian knows even more, i'm sure he'll pop by...

 

[Crothian]

Hanse, or Shadowspawn. He's actually the bastard son of a god, it was revealed to him but he was made to forget the fact. He steps into darkness and basically disappears, you could be next to him, know he's there because he's talking to you, and still never see him.

In the stories he falls in love with a gypsy woman and they leave Sanctuary. Let's see what challenged him, well, he broke into third story windows becasue that was sort of challenging. When it came to burglery there really was nothing he couldn't do, son of a god that he was. He even rescued Tempes, a demi god, from the Vivisectionist. Here's some notes on him:

"Native thief of Sanctuary and bitter supporter of the lost glory of Ilsig. He has recently returned from a lengthy stay in the north and often has surprising friends and connections, among them Strick and Prince Kadakithis.

A young, superbly skillful thief, often seen in the Maze. He is of average height, is wiry and has dark hair and eyes. He often dresses in dark, nondescript clothing and has a half-dozen or more weapons squirreled about his body.

A master skulker and slitherer, he can rob from the most vigilant without being caught, but will not fight unless forced to."

In the novels he was challenged by mages. He was placed into situtation that forced him to steal from powerful mages. He wanted to stop being a thief but was never able to.

 

[ashockney]

Excellent! Thanks a bunch for the feedback guys. There's definitely some cool ideas in this that could be explored (stolen!) to add some flavor to the existing Forgotten Realms character.

Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[Dr. NRG]

I'd call him the iconic shadowdancer, or as close as anything I've ever read about...

NRG

 

[Shadowdancer]

I remember the knives. I had a character once loosely based on Hanse. He had throwing knives on baldrics criss-crossing his chest as well as knives tucked into his boots and in special sheaths built into the forearms and thighs of his leather armor.