Tom Blood was born in the busy port city of Kirk, on the Southeast coast of Inismore. His father was a sailor who wooed and won the heart of the daughter of a wealthy merchant of that city. With the daughter's hand came a captaincy, and Captain Blood commanded many profitable expeditions for his father-in-law. When Tom was eight years old, his father was lost at sea. His mother, at first inconsolable, eventually took solace in the company of numerous "uncles," from whom Tom learned many of life's lessons. His mother doted upon his smiles, and Tom found that there was no scandal or trouble he couldn't avoid with a soulful look and a soft word of apology. The only fly in the very tasty stew of Tom's life was his distant, disapproving and scowling grandfather, who earned Tom's fear and unreasoning hatred.
As a youth, Tom received the education expected of a young man of wealthy family. He gained a familiarity with etiquette, languages, geography and fencing. He never devoted much time to his class work, however, preferring the company of his friends (and their sisters) to that of his tutors and instructors. Tom grew up a wild young man, wasting his time and allowance on low company.
This idyllic life came to a sudden and catastrophic end when Tom was sixteen years old. His grandfather's unexpected visit to his mistress's apartment discovered Tom in the arms of this lovely young woman. The old man was understandably irate, and volubly so, and in the resulting argument, Tom struck his grandfather to the ground. The elder man was more shaken than injured, but Tom, for once horrified by the sure prospect of punishment, fled the room, the house, and the city, and stole away on a ship conveniently leaving port.
Tom was soon discovered below decks, but his silver tongue again saved him from serious punishment. He was forced to join the ship's crew and quickly picked up the skills necessary for the life of a sailor. For two years he worked aboard ship, his career periodically hindered by a tendency to seasickness. At the end of his contract, he was put ashore in Avalon.
The streets of Carleon are harsh to young men without prospects. Tom went hungry many days before he found a notice advertising a position for a young man to assist with duties in a fencing academy. Tom applied and won the appointment. For several years, Tom improved his fencing skills, but his position was that of a general servant to the academy master. He saw many fashionable young men come through the salon, but learned that an uncrossable social gulf separated them, so Tom spent his time with the servant class.
At this point, it is necessary to explain something of Tom's appearance and manners. During his years in service, Tom grew into a not unhandsome young man of slightly greater than average height. His hair, a glossy black, is worn in the latest fashion, or unbound at shoulder length. His face and body have the somewhat fleshy look of a man who spends too much of his income on drink, but his movements are graceful and sure. He has the ability to assume the expression of complete and sincere innocence when the need arises. He also has a look in his gray eyes, a promise in his quirky smile, which women of a certain sort responded to enthusiastically. He never lacks for companionship, and has the enviable skill of making profitable friends.
His years at the academy had a salutatory effect on the young daughter of the fencing master, who in this time grew into a lovely (and lively) young woman of seventeen. She engendered a heated devotion to young Tom, so much so that Tom found himself unable to resist satisfying her wishes. At a certain point, when discovery by her father seemed imminent, Tom found it advisable to leave service. He again took ship, this time as a passenger, and leaving Avalon, he headed out to see the world.
Tom Blood's career as a vagabond has been wide and varied. He has traveled widely through western Theah and Avalon, taking employment and entertainment as seemed appropriate and fitting. A few examples of his exploits and adventures will give somewhat of the flavor of his life at this time.
Tom once spent eight glorious months as the footman of a certain Castillian Don, who had a renowned passion for hunting. Four days a week, the Don would leave the house to terrorize the local wildlife. Seņora took advantage of her husband's absences to avail herself of Young Tom's many charms, in a fashion which was enjoyable to all involved. Tom so enjoyed his service, that he might yet be hard at work riding the Castillian mare, had it not been for the jealousy of the dark-eyed daughter of the house. The beautiful hidalga, herself enamoured with our hero, spitefully spilled the beans when Tom spurned her advances (after all, there are some things even a scoundrel will refuse). With the Don raging downstairs, calling for his pistollas, Seņora thrust her jewelry into Tom's eager hands. With a final kiss and a grateful smile, he slipped out the window to a waiting horse and beat a regretful retreat.
Another time in Vodacce, Tom was romancing two beautiful women. This in itself was not unusual, since Tom had a tendency to attract many girlfriends. What was unusual, however was that one of the women was a lady of quality, while the other was a talented courtesan. The noblewoman was beautiful and generous; the courtesan erudite and appreciative. Tom took pains that neither knew of the others existence, but in love some things are unavoidable, and this affair ended badly.
Did Tom suspect that his beautiful Vodacce noblewoman was a fate witch? Perhaps not. But the fact was brought home to him when he received a slim envelope from his paramour containing a single card of the Arcana deck, a card of particularly inauspicious aspect. He took the card to his courtesan lover, hoping that she could explain its significance, but she was nowhere to be found; her disappearance is still talked of to this day. Did her jealous rival do away with her? Does Tom now bear a curse? Tom believes that both are true. The exact nature of the curse was eventually understood when Tom had the card explained to him: because he was so unwise as to spend the noblewoman's gifts in such an unworthy manner, he will never be able to hold onto any wealth which comes his way. A hard fate for a man who craves the easy life.
On another occasion, through a mixture of skillful tale telling, charm and forged papers of introduction, Tom gained access to a wealthy, though foolish, Avalon collector of Syrne artifacts. Tom had installed himself at the manor house, posing as a broker for such artifacts, and was well on his way of extracting a sizable commission from his target, when a chance visit by a young man spoiled his plans. The young man, whose name was Benjamin Avery, recognized Tom as the boot black from his old fencing academy. The snot-nosed youth denounced Tom to the lord of the manor, and a running fencing battle from the parlor to the stables ensued. Tom's escape was more a matter of luck than skill, but was effective none the less.
Nor was this the last time that this youth was to interfere in Tom's doings. On four separate occasions over the years, their paths have crossed; on each occasion, Benjamin Avery managed to upset Tom's careful schemes and romances. Currently, "Long Ben" Avery is one of Queen Elaine's Sea Dogs, so his potential for mischief has grown even greater.
Not all of Tom's adventures involve women of easy virtue and misplaced property. He lately served with distinction in defense of l'Empereur during the recent Castillian attack upon the Montaigne capital. It is true, however, that he was not in Charouse to aid the Emperor, but was actually there for the purpose of stealing the crown jewels. Taking advantage of the confusion in the countryside caused by the advancing Castillian forces, he entered the Palais and had actually achieved his goal, when he was discovered, jewels in hand, by the Montaigne ruler himself. Again, Tom's silver tongue seems to have won the day. While the details of the interview have not been recorded, Tom left with a temporary (and hastily rescinded) commission to the Royal Musketeers for the duration of the Castillian attack, and (of more importance) a full pardon for his impropriety.
That Tom Blood is a scoundrel is undeniable. But a few things can be said in
his favor: he never seduced a woman who was happily married; he never stole from
anyone who did not already have too much; he never killed a man except when
necessity demanded it. He never abandoned man or woman to an undeserved fate. He
is generous with what little wealth he manages to attain. He is tolerant of
human weakness, and avoids political struggle. He has warmth, wit, charm and
courage. And his overriding personal philosophy and motto, which is integral to
all his dealings, with either men or women, is "Always leave them with a smile."
Name: Tom Blood
Nationality: Inish
Birthdate: 4 Quartus, 1636
Birthplace: Kirk, Inismore
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 135#
Hair: Black
Eyes: Gray
Build: Average
Religion: Vaticine Church
Father: Captain Thomas Alwynn Blood (deceased)
Mother: Agnes Blood nee O'Shannon
Grandfather: Liam O'Shannon