Donovan Ackerman

The Life and Times of Donovan Ackerman

Life Before:

Donovan grew up the youngest of three identical triplets to a couple in Austin, Texas. They weren't an especially well to do family. Their parents were only fifteen and the pregnancy wasn't exactly planned. Despite the hardships they had, the family grew up strong together. Then on the brothers' 17th birthday, there was a car accident. Their father died and their mother was seriously injured. All three siblings dropped out of high school and sought work. Unfortunately for them a Keeper was also looking for three helpers too.

Durance and Keeper:

Their Keeper styled himself the Gentleman of Taste and Refinement. He was anything but. He was a massive and cruel ogre for whom taste meant food and refinement meant meat. Upon their enslavement each brother was set a task to bring nourishment to his table. While his brothers were made to hunt the Lord's forest and herd monstrous beasts, Donovan was set to reaping thorny fields and orchards. The days were long in the Faerie realm and the first was hardest. It left Donovan tired, his hands bloody, his skin sunburned, and weakened by poisoned cuts. His older brother weren't much better but while they brought game and slaughtered livestock, all Donovan had to offer the Gentleman was fruit and grains.

The Kindly One was not pleased. Donovan was banished from the high table and made to tend the fire and sleep on the hearth stones. He received only the scraps left over from supper. However, the hearth whispered to him and promised if he would give half his portion to the fire, it would help him survive the coming day. Donovan was reluctant but he knew another day would kill him. He fell asleep tired, hungry, and sore but he slept soundly and in his dreams a man of flame whispered knowledge. In the morning he woke healed and refreshed.

Donovan survived the next day with the knowledge the hearth had given him and the next. He was able to tame the fields, gardens, and orchards. Each day he was still banished from the table, even though his harvest always increased. In fact he was able to put away stores. Each day he gave half his meal to the fire. Seasons passed, each lasting a year. Then Winter came.

It became harder and harder to find game for the eldest brother. Near the end of Winter he came back with none. The Gentleman raged, banished him from the high table to eat scraps, and vowed if he did not bring food the next day he would be eaten instead. Donovan begged him to give half his meal to the hearth but the eldest refused. After the elder fell asleep, Donovan gave his entire meal and in the morning he knew how to save his brother. He set up nets in the fields and then took down the scarecrows and by the end of the day had a whole flock of birds to give to his brother. Their Keeper was so impressed he freed the eldest brother. For Donovan though, who had not brought in as much as normal, the youngest brother was instructed to take over the hunting. Before leaving his brother gave Donovan his bow as thanks for his sacrifice.

The year passed with difficulty but Donovan learned to set traps and snares, and archery. Slowly his yield increased, but never enough to eat at the high table. He was, after all, still just a farmer in his Keeper's eyes. Even so, he was able to put away provisions by the end of Autumn. Then Winter came.

A pestilence fell upon the flocks and stables. Even the hardy fey oxen fell ill and died, the meat rotting off their bones. One day, the second son brought nothing in, for fear of killing off the entirety of the Fey's livestock. Banished to the hearth, he too ate his whole meal and Donovan gave all of his. The next day he chopped down half the orchard and dug up the trees' roots to give to the sickly animals. And in one day they were healed and grew fatter than ever before. The second brother was freed for his skill and Donovan given his duties for bringing in a poor harvest. His second brother gave Donovan a magic rope that could tame beasts. The year was long and by far the hardest. Donovan learned husbandry, set his traps, reaped the fields, and dreaded the coming Winter. Then Winter came.

It was the worst yet. No animals caught in his traps, the livestock withered and died, and no plants grew. The stores he had set aside sustained his Keeper and his life. Even so, there came a day where they ran low and there weren't even scraps.

"I have nothing to give you tonight," he whispered to the hearth fire. Donovan knew he would not survive the coming day.

Escape:

"You have given me much," the hearth replied "And for your generosity I can reward you but you must make one last sacrifice; greater than all the others. Give me your eldest brother's bow and the forests he hunted. Give me the rope your second brother gifted you and the flocks he tended. Feed me the fields and the stables and the woods. Do all this and I will see you safely to the edge of the Gentleman's domain but you must also carry me back to my family." The mention of family brought to mind Donovan's brothers and mother. He agreed.

That night the Gentleman's realm burned and howls rose from his estate. Donovan and a man of flame fled into the Thorns. The flames prevented pursuit from the manor. Unfortunately the Hedge held more dangers.

Life After Arcadia:

Donovan emerged from the Hedge in Austin with briar wolves on his heels. Luckily the Summer court saved him and Hearthfire. Donovan joined the court soon after. He stayed in Texas a while with Hearthfire but eventually felt called to search for his mother. Asking old acquaintances, he found out his fetch had moved to California and his mother had followed.

Fetch:

Donovan knows his fetch is a politician or lawyer of some kind and living in Sacramento.

Mask:

Most of the time he is hunched over, crouching, sitting on his heels or in some other posture that belies his six foot height. His skin is very tanned and weather worn from long days working outside. Callouses cover his hands and feet. As a general rule Donovan wears durable clothes. Most of it is old and patched. As often as he can get away with it, he doesn't wear shoes. If any terrain is tough enough to get him in footwear, he'll wear boots.

Mein:

Donovan's Mein is fairly similar to his Mask. While he stays the same height his body and limbs become wiry and lanky, like he's been starved. His callouses are noticeably thicker. His fairie nature manifests in other ways. Grain dust and bits of chaff cling to his clothes. Straw and small twigs stick out of his hair. He constantly has mud on his hands. Loam is caked on his feet. Small plants sprouting from the dirt. Probably most distinct though is the smell. Sweat, hay, fresh turned earth, scents of fey animals and fruit, and (by far the strongest) manure.

Mantle:

Those close to Donovan always feel the heat of the sun beating down on them; even in shade, indoors, or at night.