Flighty 'Feathers' MacDougal (The Untold Story)
Flighty ‘Feathers’ MacDougal was an unexpected result of a tryst between a female Tengu warrior (Salida) and a drunken sailor (Tegard MacDougal) from the Southern Isles, who had been shiprwrecked near a Tengu settlement and subsequently, taken in as a curiosity for his ability to fish for rather rare types of seafood, much to the amazement of the settlement. Allowed to stay, he earned his keep by selling his fishy delights down by the docs, where he gained a reputation as, not only a fine fisherman, but also a talented drinker. One night, after being challenged to a contest ‘beer-feather-pong’ by the local garrison, curious to see which species could handle their grog better, he bested the entire garrison, causing several of the male Tengu to take him to task for embarrassing them. Much of what happened at that point could not be confirmed as those Tengu who had an axe to grind with the inebriated yet swashbuckling sailor from the south soon were found dead and the sailor passed out drunk in the living quarters of Salida, a female Tengu Warrior, who had become rather enamored that night, with the sailor’s brashness and his ability with a sword. It may have also been this affair that saved Tegard’s life as many in the village wanted to execute Tegard on the spot, but the fear of going up against one of their own warriors, female or not, caused the ruling village council to brush the whole affair under the rug.
However, out of some malice, rumors flew through the village, that Salida was already shamefully pregnant before the sailor had his night of overindulgence and subsequent discovery in her living quarters, causing some to believe that the child was nothing more than a bastard. However, the truth could not be fully ascertained, as both Salida and Tegard refused all attempts at explaining what had happened that night, making for an air of mystery about what had happened. As it was, the child was hatched soon after with both Salida and Tegard acting as parents from a distance. Not long afterward, Salida was killed in a skirmish defending the settlement from raiders, restoring her reputation with the townsfolk which allowed Feathers to become a ward of the village.
As a child, Feathers could be found following his father around, much to Tegard’s chagrin, mimicking his worst habits and becoming a scandal to the local populace, while Tegard attempted to keep him at arm’s length and generally ignore him as much as possible. The village did attempt to curb the youth’s wildness and forcibly educated him in the ways of the Tengu and, as the child grew into his teens, he also became adept at swordplay and one of the better street entertainers in the area, again due to charisma and time spent absorbing the more unsavory wenching habits of his father. In addition, Feathers also practiced his swordplay on a daily basis, keeping the other children from throwing rocks at him and calling him a half-breed. As he grew into his teens, Feathers gained a reputation as a quite a disruptive element in the normally conservative and stoic settlement area, having numerous run-ins with the parents of the younger Tengu females in town. Tegard had not shown his son much attention, nor favor, but as the lad continued to wench and act out, Tegard finally took control of his son life and began to teach him the ways of the sea and how to use various quick-slashing fighting techniques he had learned as a seaman.
As Feathers grew into adulthood, his relationship with a young Tengu woman named Dinda, which had grown from when they were both children, evolved into such a serious relationship, that her father forbade her to see him or have anything to do with him. Taking that as a challenge, he continued to woo her every chance he got, until he realized he had become ensnared by love himself and could not bring himself to discard her, like his other conquests. He prepared himself to confront her father and make his plea for her plumage, but was thwarted when the settlement came under attack by pirates. The entire settlement rallied, along with Feathers and Tegard, to repulse the attackers, but the pirates refused to be denied and retreated to their ships where they proceeded to bombard the village with cannon fire until it was burned to the ground and completely destroyed. Both Tegard and Dinda were killed in the attack, leaving Feathers and few of his fellow townsfolk without anyplace to call home. Devistated by the loss of all he knew Feathers was forced to make his way to the interior part of the mainland, selling his sword and his entertainment along the way, to survive.
Once outgoing and roguish as he grew up, the loss of his home, family and Dinda have left him withdrawn and moody. He will keep people at a distance with his sword, unless he sees the advantage in a situation where he can play the rouge and entertain those for a profit. Pickpocketing, looting, fighting and living on an empty stomach have taught him that he may act like a fool, but he cannot be one if he expects to make it to tomorrow. He prefers to watch and size up a situation before he makes is move, but he can also quickly act and take advantage of his quick thinking, if need be. He has no true life goals, as each day is a test to see if he will survive and every day could be his last. He has learned to take what he wants, but not to get caught and not to be too greedy. Adventure is what give him a reason to live, as everything else he has wanted has been taken from him. He doesn’t expect anyone to care about him, if he lives or dies, so he takes what he wants from other people, both emotionally and financially, however he has been known to strike up partnerships with people who’s goals align with his own and to defend it to a point.