Against his foster father's wishes, he struck out on his own at age sixteen. Griffin found an easy confidence and no longer feared, nor truly respected, the old peasant man. His travels, initially, took him over most of the realms he knew of; traveling further, he performed odd jobs as well as embarking on some schemes that were not entirely legal. His fighting skills and reflexes were superb, and he would later find himself a sellsword, head and shoulders above the rest.
Griffin's ability finally caught the attention of Lord Carneigh, who had been appointed by the High King and his children to create a network of local law enforcement groups, in an attempt to halt the growing unrest and chaos on the fringes of the Darkling Realms. This attempt had begun with much promise, but the network, like other attempts, had fallen into corruption or outright disobedience. Duly recruited enforcers of the law were misusing their power to serve their own interests. One of the more notorious of these rebels was Trevor Dyson, who had the audacity to call open rebellion against Korbin and his kin. Carneigh, who had offered a contract on Dyson to several others already, decided after some time talking to the young man that he might be the man for the job -- if he could round the edges off of him. Griffin trained with Carneigh's personal master-at-arms, as well as some hired "experts" from far-off lands. They taught the young man ways of dealing death -- knives, garotte, poisons, swordplay... as well as some magical arts.. for the good part of the year, until Carneigh saw Griffin fit for the job. Equipping him with weapons, clothes, and a cloak of magical origin -- all black -- he left with the intent of killing Dyson before he raped and destroyed more villages.
The story of what happened during this quest can be seen (in parts) here. In short, Griffin met up with Claire Garvey, a woman also trained by Carneigh, and who was also pursuing the contract. Competitors at first, the fell in love during their travels. When they finally met up with Dyson, however, neither would concede the contract to the other, and Dyson was able to deal a mortal blow to Griffin's beloved before Griffin could kill him. Griffin buried his love and returned to Carneigh to tell of the news, broke in heart and spirit. At that time, Princess Rowan, Lady of the Silver Marches and daughter of the High King, Korbin, was visiting. Upon hearing Griffin's terrible story, and learning of all he had been through, she arranged for him to live and learn with the Harpers, a clan of true bards -- those with the power to craft magic and miracles through their music. After initial reluctance, Griffin embraced them fully, and after several years in their enclave, he emerged a new man.
For the last twelve years, Griffin has roamed the Realms, playing his music, working his magic, righting wrongs, saving those in need, and bringing those pulled apart by fate together. After a long absence, he finally returns to Rose Court -- where the campaign begins.
Griffin has a unique mastery of musical instruments. If he doesn't already know how to play it, a few moments of practice will get him up to speed. His knowledge of story and song is unparalleled, as well. Sue to his training with Carneigh's men, he's adept with small weapons such as knives, caltrops, garotte, blowguns, shurikens, and the like. Griffin's years on the road have made him more than passable with armor and larger weapons, including swords, bows, and polearms. Griffin can be as stealthy as any cutpurse, an he knows how to pick locks, move silently, and to plant or disable traps.
While Griffin can wield his magic at low levels, it his through the musical magic learned by the Harpers that his talent truly shines. This power is limited solely by his imagination and his musical talent.
Today, Griffin stands about six foot, with a lean, wiry build. His hair is a salt and pepper mix, with the black still dominating; his eyes the grey-green of a stormy sea, always alert, taking in information on a near-constant basis. A smile never quite seems to leave his face. He dresses in all black; fine velvet clothes occasionally piped with gold trim. His personal symbol is also the symbol of the Harpers -- a golden quarter-note. His cloak, which was initially given to him by Carneigh to assist in the killing of Trevor Dyson, is now used to hold the myriad of instruments and other tools he carries with him from town to town. The Darkling Realms is a large place, but there are few corners that Griffin has not traveled to, and almost none that he has not heard of.
Griffin keeps slight contacts throughout the Realms, usually with minor lords and innkeeps; he counts Lady Rowan as a benefactor and a guiding force of his life -- he thinks of Carneigh as a benefactor in the sense that it was through him that he attained many skills; however, he now puts them to better use.