Cadoc is a mage in the Tiran Army who joins the extended party in Tale of Tir and Nox, Part II as a Subclass - Circle of the Land Druid. He assists the party in the war against Nox, and is noted for his skill in large area of effect spells.
Background
Caergoch is a small town in the foothills of the Tiran Mountains, east of Balla, ruled by Baron Virion Fardydd. On the outskirts of town, upon a rocky precipice, was a crookedly built hut that was inhabited by the Wood Elf woman known as the Witch of Caergoch. In a winter of heavy snowfalls, the Baron came to the witch and demanded to know the tale of his future, having recently inherited his title after his brother was killed by an avalanche. She deliberated for several days, warning him that such a foretelling would only bring him great woe, but relented in return for a deal. She would tell his prophecy, and return she would claim his firstborn. The Baron deliberated on this, but eventually relented. Thinking he had outwitted the Witch, he began undressing, stating that he would get on with making the firstborn now. The witch had a strange, ethereal beauty that had enchanted him, and he was a young unmarried man with all the vices of youth - impertinence and lust chief amongst them. The Witch meanwhile, just smiled her knowing smile and loosened her dress. Nine months later Cadoc was born.
The prophecy Fardydd was told was so disconcerting that he would avoid the Witch as much as possible, but he did make some time for his bastard son, sending expensive gifts, having his servants write letters and occasionally bringing the boy into town. The relationship between the two can be best described as distant adoration, as Cadoc clearly idolised his father, and the Baron cared for the boy, even if he did so largely from afar. As a recognised bastard, Cadoc was entitled to the name Fitzbaron. The Witch was also close with her young son, teaching him much of her magical lore and natural craft, from natural lore to spells to manipulate the weather to poisons. Thus Cadoc's childhood was largely happy, at least until Baron Fardydd married.
Baron Virion Fardydd wed Lady Bronwen Wyndoffrys some ten years before Nox's Invasion as a political marriage between two High Elf houses who were both in the demesne of the Duchy of Balla. At first it seemed a reasonably happy match, with both of them being attractive healthy individuals, but it was strained by Lady Bronwen's disgust for her husband having recognised a bastard. She insisted that all gifts and visits to town must stop for the boy, now almost a young adult. The Baron was heartbroken but accepted. Two more years past, and the noble couple welcomed their first child, a son they named Virion for his father. Unfortunately, the difficult birth and stresses of a young child increased Lady Bronwen's paranoia about the Witch and her son. While the Baron was at court in Balla, his wife had the Witch arrested for witchcraft and perversions against nature, and burnt at the stake. She had intended for Cadoc to be killed too, but the boy was nowhere to be found.
Scarcely a week later, upon his return to Caergoch, the Baron found his wife and son dead, with thick purple veins standing out on their throat and cheeks. With clear evidence of poison, the Baron ordered for a search, which turned up a torn piece of fabric from a black cloak. A black cloak the Baron recognised as having given to Cadoc for his birthday some years before. Enraged, the Baron ordered his men to hunt down and kill his bastard son. Cadoc, upon hearing this, fled south, leaving his father's demesne and later the duchy itself, entering what was royal land sworn to Réiltín, though would now be considered part of the New County of T'Kashire. All the way, his father tracked him down, requesting the Duke to assist him once Cadoc left the Baron's lands. Baron Fardydd has long since suspected that his search for the bastard was hampered by Duke Erwen de'Valice and the Duchess Aisling de'Valice, whether through the Duke's incompetence or for political reasons. As old blood High Elves, the Fardydds have been resistance to the Imperial Troll Empire in general and the Troll Erwen in particular, and the Duke in return has been slow to appraise or uphold any of Baron Fardydd's requests. In addition, since this event, whenever the Baron is getting too uppity, Aisling has been known to subtly reminded him that she might have a replacement up her sleeve.
Cadoc, needing money and to hide from his father's wrath, signed up to the Tiran Army as a combat mage, and has been employed as such since. He has gained notice for his skill with weather magics, especially in wreaking destruction upon large numbers of enemy troops. He claims to one day want to save enough to leave and establish himself as a town witch somewhere. However, when deep in his cups, he has been known to discuss the prospects of putting together a troop of mercenaries and adventures to return to Caergoch and claim it for his own.
Appearance
Cadoc is tall and slender for an Elf, with a pale complexion and a delicacy to his movements. He has a long thin face, with a large, slightly hooked nose, and cold grey eyes. He is almost always cleanshaven, but keeps his dark hair long, usually leaving it untied where it reaches below his shoulders. For armour, he wears a thick coat of hide in Tiran Army colours, though he usually wears an off regulation black cloak. He carries the traditional elven Longbow and Long Knife, as well as a kukri he acquired from a Bētin merchant as winnings for a bet. To channel his magic, he uses a wooden totem carved into a semblance of elven form, covered in black feathers and animal teeth.