★ Character Information ★

Character Name: Scanlan Shorthalt
Character Age: When he starts his adventures with Vox Machina Scanlan is in his 69th year of life.
Character Species: Forest Gnome
Current Health: Healthy, Unharmed
Outfit: Usual garbs plus his newfound raspberry beret.
Character Canon: Critical Role
Link to History: https://aevilonuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Scanlan_Shorthalt
Canon Point: Critical Role // Campaign 1 // Episode 37
Canon Iteration: Original Canon

★ Folkmore Roles & Attributes ★

Skills: Scanlan has a great many skills at his disposal, first and foremost the use of his suave charm to his advantage in various situations, from wooing local bar maidens or singing a little ditty to inspire his companions. As a gnome Scanlan can see extremely well in the dark, seeing in black and white quite easily with little to no light sources available. Known for getting his friends and himself out of sticky situations with his silver tongue, Scanlan often takes the lead when it comes to deception or persuading others in hopes of procuring information. What he lacks in physical strength the forest gnome more than makes up for in cunning as a lyrical wordsmith with impeccable linguistics skills within the group.

Canon Abilities: Scanlan is a level 11 bard.

Gnome Abilities - Darkvision (Darkvision up to 60 feet), Gnome Cunning (Advantage on INT/WIS/CHA saving throws against magic) and the ability to speak with small animals.

War Caster - Having practiced casting spells during combat on a regular basis, Scanlan has learned various techniques that give him an edge in battle. He has advantage on CON saving throws that allow him to concentrate on a spell upon taking damage. Can perform the somatic components of spells even when hands are full and lastly can cast a spell as an attack of opportunity.

College of Lore & Jack of All Trades - As a College of Lore bard Scanlan has gained proficiency in three skills of his choosing, learned the spell cutting words and at his sixth level learnt two spells of his choosing as well. As for the Jack of all Trades perk he gains half proficiency to all non-proficient skills.

Role: Familiar

Role Qualities/Attributes: I imagine he will be fond of some sort of giant eagle at first given his past experiences riding atop Keyleth's druidic form in their many adventures. Pale whites, browns would be the usual norm for his color schemes of choice but if he was feeling particularly flashy would perhaps change to vibrant pastels and pick a more outrageous animal of choice given his affinity for strange creatures he's transformed into in the past such as various dinosaurs. 

Role Reasoning: Although Scanlan is known to be inherently good there are moments where the gnome can stray off the beaten path given his Chaotic-Good alignment. Some might say a few of his past endeavors are 'nefarious' in nature so bearing this in mind I thought it best for him to take on a more supportive role as a familiar as he so often does within the group of Vox Machina.

★ Personality ★

• What is the most important and defining relationship(s) in your character's life and why?

All of the members of Vox Machina hold a special place in Scanlan's heart but above all else the two relationships that really resonate with the bard are his best buddy Grog and the fellow gnome who has ensnared his heart one Pike Trickfoot.

Before the rest of the group came into the picture Scanlan had been travelling with a band of mercenaries with the Goliath having been amongst them. Grog and Scanlan quickly bonded over the two great loves in their lives, ale and women, frequently attending whore houses together in their travels for some time until their paths finally crossed the majority of Vox Machina in the port town of Stilben. Often seen cracking idiotic jokes together, the pair became the best of friends along their adventures.

Upon first meeting Pike Trickfoot, Scanlan was still a scandalous womanizer with a penchant for brothels and drinking aplenty. After sometime of travelling together and getting to know his fellow gnome better the bard quickly fell head over heels for her. She is someone who inspires him to be a better person and has tried to instilled good morals on him despite a few of his own bad habits rubbing off on her in turn for better or worse. Over the course of time Scanlan stops frequenting whore houses in a show of good faith, trying his best to become a better gnome in hopes of impressing his counterpart. Although he faltered at times, falling back into a familiar pattern she was always kind to him, even with his failing advances.

• What famous folklore, legend, or myth would you associate your character with? Are they literally inspired by Snow White? Do they have similar struggles or energy as Red Riding Hood?

The most influential myth that I would associate with Scanlan would be the Norse God Loki, a trickster God known for his abilities to change shape and causing mischief aplenty. Much like Loki, Scanlan himself is known for being a sneaky individual capable of powerful illusion spells along with his silver tongue used to both deceive or persuade his enemies alike. During the Briarwood Arc the bard can often be found using his Seeming abilities to hide the group at large pretending to be lowly peasants or to thoroughly confuse the Briarwood's themselves turning each of the male's into Percival De Rolo or his sister Cassandra. The two also prefer using their sly wits and cunning to their advantage wherever possible as opposed to fighting head on, their tricks of the trade lying in their magical abilities of deception or illusions of grandeur. Whether it be viciously mocking his enemies with vile words or charming unbeknownst victims, Scanlan and Loki both have a penchant for getting themselves into trouble and sticking their noses where they do not belong despite knowing its a bad idea.

• What is your character's safespace? When do they feel the most settled and comfortable? When do they feel confident and relaxed?

Two words: Whore house. Seriously though the bard definitely feels most confident and relaxed when being lavished with attention by a lovely lady or man in the throws of lust, defining himself by his sexual encounters over the years as he roamed across the land with his merry band of fellow musicians, 'Dr. Dranzel's Spectacular Traveling Troupe' before grouping up with Vox Machina. Although on a more personal level however Scanlan also feels most comfortable when surrounded by his companions sharing a warm meal and drink whilst posted up in a local watering hole, singing happily amongst the masses as they eat, drink and laugh to their hearts content. May it be a bustling tavern filled with drunken buffoons willing to shell out a few gold pieces for a lively tune or a grandiose stage filled with a more refined crowd the entertainer feels at ease and in his element, an entertainer by trade who prides himself on his charismatic charm and musical talent both.

• Is your character capable of forgiveness or will they hold a grudge until they die? Would anything ever make them change their mind?

Normally Scanlan is very easy going and tries not to take things too seriously but when facing down a horde of enemies potentially capable of killing him or his companions the bard's usually playful demeanor becomes more serious albeit still holding that whimsical charm he's known for. In one instance when Vox Machina were traversing through the Underdark in search of Lady Kima of Vord, Scanlan and his friends were faced with an enemy of unrivalled strength of which they had ever face prior, a powerful armored beholder by the name of  K'Varn who sought to rise up against the surface dwellers of Craghammer and beyond. A former party member named Tiberius Stormwind did little to aid the party in this battle and Scanlan became quite cross with the dragonborn and most certainly held a grudge against the other for sometime. As further punishment the bard transformed the other into a rat, signaling his disdain for his actions despite the majority of the group coming to terms with the situation even if they too were a little vexed first. Needless to say Scanlan eventually let it pass in due time mostly at the group's behest but certainly will never forget such an act of ignorance in his eyes.

• If your character could change one thing about their past, what would it be and why? Or why not?

★ Player Information ★