Drystan, Cartographer

Character Name: Drystan

Name Meaning: “Sad”.

Age: 36

Date of Birth: July 13th.

Race: Man

Residence: Originally from Esgaroth, though now calls the wild, open places his home.

Profession: He is a cartographer, and an author, seeking to write a book about Arda, and their beautiful Middle-Earth.

Appearance: He is 6’5” with blondish red hair, never touching his shoulders. He has a beard, and is always smiling. Green eyes like the fields he often traverses. He is a big man, though not overly strong. He can climb, and he can hike, but he is not one to bet on in a fight.

Personality: Drystan is always filled with wonder, and is excited about everything. That mushroom? It’s perfect. That bird? The song of its kind has never been sweeter! That sunrise? Best he’s seen! Always. He has no family of his own—he was too face deep in books growing up to notice women noticing him, and is not even troubled by it. He has dreams of completing a full map, seeing every inch of the world, and publishing his book. He is humble, excitable, and not afraid to ask for help. Somewhat of a rambler, he is a jolly individual. Always up for the next adventure!



Parents: Unknown.

Sibling(s): Unknown.

Spouse: None.

Children: None.

History:

Drystan was left at the Esgaroth orphanage when he appeared to be little more than a few days old. He was crying and hungry, so the matron brought him inside to the wet nurse and decided to name him Drystan. The name proved to be ill-fitted as the boy aged, and though no one ever adopted him, nothing could dampen his smile, or his excitement.

It did not take long before he had apprenticed to the local mapmaker, a man who was getting up in years and had no children of his own interested in the craft. They had left for Dale to work with the gem trade that was now steadily flowing from Erebor, but Owain could not be convinced to leave his home by the Long Lake. Drystan became like a son, showing up early, soaking in whatever knowledge he could. He helped to draw, to make ink, to run errands for supplies. It did not take long before Drystan’s light had permeated everyone he came in contact with, and he brought more smiles to Owain’s face than his own blood had.

When Drystan was 25, Owain crossed into the Halls beyond. It was the first time the man had been truly distraught and sad, and finding the cartography studio haunted by memories he was not yet ready to face, he took in hand the first few penned pages Owain had begun in a book and set off to compile research for the finish of it.

He started in the North East, with the Iron Hills, mapping the mountain passes, the dwarven cities, and the area beyond. He moved back doing the same for Erebor, what was once the Desolation, and Dale. He chronicled local customs, behavior, and hidden secrets he thought would be delightful for those interested in visiting, ever moving on. Esgaroth, then the lands around the Celduin.

Slowly, he moved his way over the map. He has spent years going from place to place, and his book is growing in volume and wealth of knowledge.

If there is one thing Drystan has learned, however, it is the road goes ever on and on…