Donald
Queen’s Ranger (Reluctantly Competent)
Overview
- Race: Human
- Occupation: Queen’s Ranger
- Affiliation: The Crown of Osweg
- Region: Osweg
- Reputation: Incompetent, unlucky, secretly effective
Donald presents himself as a walking apology: thin, tired, perpetually out of place, and often missing important items of clothing. He appears to be a man who has failed upward into responsibility he does not fully understand.
This impression is misleading.
Description
Donald is a gaunt human in his early thirties with black hair that never quite stays in place. He carries himself with the posture of someone who has spent too much time sleeping outdoors and not enough time being respected.
At first meeting, he was seen fleeing the The Crooked Crown wearing only a towel, pursued by an angry dwarf woman wielding a rolling pin.
This is not atypical.
Demeanor
Donald is:
- Self-deprecating
- Nervous in conversation
- Prone to oversharing
- Seemingly disorganized
He apologizes often and hesitates before speaking. He gives the impression of someone constantly realizing he has made another mistake—usually several steps too late.
When danger arises, however, this demeanor changes.
The Truth Beneath the Awkwardness
Donald is a Queen’s Ranger—an agent trusted to operate independently, far from oversight, and without immediate support. Rangers are chosen not for polish, but for persistence.
Donald survives because he:
- Notices patterns others dismiss
- Remembers names, faces, and rumors
- Underestimates no one except himself
- Knows when to retreat
His bumbling manner is not an act—but it is also not the whole story.
Notable Knowledge
Donald has demonstrated:
- Familiarity with bandit leaders, including Zhellin
- Awareness of smuggling routes through interior Osweg
- Understanding of how law quietly fails on the frontier
When the party described Zhellin, Donald immediately recognized the profile and identified it as likely belonging to Velek’s operation.
Relationship with the Party
Donald treats the Sea Spray Survivors with cautious relief. He recognizes competence when he sees it and appears grateful for company that does not immediately threaten him.
He is particularly wary of:
- Their dragonglass cargo
- Their talent for attracting chaos
- Their willingness to involve themselves in local affairs
Despite this, he has not attempted to disengage.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Keen observational skills
- Survival expertise
- Access to royal authority
- Unexpected bravery
Weaknesses
- Poor first impressions
- Chronic bad luck
- Difficulty commanding respect
- A tendency to be underestimated
Current Status
Donald remains on assignment in Osweg.
His clothes have been recovered.
His dignity has not.
Themes
Donald represents:
- Competence without confidence
- Authority without ceremony
- The quiet resilience of the overlooked
- The danger of dismissing the harmless