Derrick the Undying
Description
Derrick is a tall, sturdy man standing at 6 feet 2 inches, with broad shoulders and a muscular build, the result of years of hard labor at the lumber mill. His skin is tanned and weathered from years of exposure to the elements, and his hands are calloused and strong, a testament to his dedication to his work.
His hair, once a rich chestnut brown, has faded to a distinguished silver due to his ageless condition, despite his youthful appearance. It falls to just below his ears, often kept in a loose ponytail to keep it out of his face. Derrick's eyes are a deep, piercing blue, hinting at the wisdom and sadness he carries from his many years of life and loss. Derrick's face is rugged yet handsome, with a strong jawline and high cheekbones. Lines around his eyes and mouth reveal a life filled with laughter and sorrow, and a neatly-trimmed beard adds an air of maturity to his otherwise ageless visage. In terms of attire, Derrick favors practical clothing suitable for a life of travel and labor. He typically wears a simple linen shirt, durable leather trousers, and sturdy boots, all well-worn from years of use. A weathered leather belt with various pouches and tools completes his ensemble, and a worn cloak provides protection from the elements as he continues his quest to find an end to his unending life.Biography
Born to human parents, Kyle and Grace, Derrick's story begins in the small town of Acheron. His father, Kyle, was a failed adventurer who had only one success to his name: raiding an ancient tomb and recovering a seemingly worthless brass star. Forced to give up his adventuring dreams, Kyle took a job at the local lumber mill and began drinking heavily. His frustrations often erupted into violence directed at his family, with Grace and young Derrick bearing the brunt of his anger.
One fateful day, after a particularly brutal beating, Grace wished for someone to protect her child from harm. As she made this wish, her bloody hand accidentally touched the brass star, causing it to crumble to dust. When Derrick awoke, his father had vanished, and his mother lay dead beside him. At the age of 14, Derrick's life took a dark turn. With his father gone and his mother dead, Derrick was forced to take on the significant debt Kyle had accrued. Working at the lumber mill, Derrick began to pay off the debt and eventually met a woman named July. Together, they had two children: Kevin and Grace, named in honor of his late mother. Years later, as Derrick continued to repay his father's debt, a man named Thirezen took charge of his account. When Derrick fell short on an interest payment at the age of 27, believing the debt collectors would understand his one-time lapse given his flawless record, Thirezen saw this as a sign of disrespect and sent men to make an example of Derrick and his family. The men broke into Derrick's home late at night and grabbed his son Kevin, holding a knife to his throat. Desperate to save his family, Derrick tackled one of the men, feeling a sharp pain and warm liquid in his chest as he did so. As his consciousness faded, he began to hallucinate two glowing eyes with slit pupiles and heard a woman's voice. The mysterious voice spoke "Your mother made a choice once to save your life as hers ended, a wish I granted her. And now, here you are, after such an entertaining life, one miserable event after another amounting to nothing. Is this what she sacrificed herself for? For you to live in wretched squalor, experiencing one sorry event after another as if the Fates themselves had dealt you the worst hand possible? Well... I suppose you do have something." Derrick sees a vision of his wife and son. The voice returns, "But even that you are about to lose. I only granted part of your mother's wish before; it wouldn't have been... proper to force the rest of it upon you while you were young and unable to make the choice yourself. But now you are old and able to make that choice. Will you accept your mother's wish and save your family or will you take this opportunity to let your sorry existence end?" With a faint whisper, Derrick agreed to live, and his life was restored. His wound healed, and he stood unharmed as the men attacked him, their weapons disintegrating upon impact. Fearing Derrick was undead, the assailants fled, leaving him and his family alive but shaken. Though his wife, July, was initially wary of the man standing before her, their son's embrace confirmed Derrick's identity, and the family was reunited. Now immortal, Derrick continued to live his life, eventually moving his family to the village of Lakewood and opening his own lumber mill. Despite the happiness he found with his family, Derrick couldn't escape the fact that he would outlive them all. He watched as his wife, children, and grandchildren all succumbed to the passage of time, while he remained untouched by its cruel march. Derrick now wanders the continent, seeking an end to his unending life. Determined to reunite with his loved ones in the afterlife, he tirelessly searches for a solution to his immortality.Relationships
July (wife)
July and Derrick had a loving and supportive relationship from the moment they met. As they faced hardships together, their bond only grew stronger, and they became each other's rock in difficult times. July stood by Derrick's side as he worked tirelessly to pay off his father's debts, and Derrick was always there to provide for and protect his family.
When Derrick's life was restored and he became ageless, July was initially skeptical, but soon came to accept the man standing before her as her husband. Together, they raised their children, Kevin and Grace, in the village of Lakewood, where they lived a peaceful life. Derrick was devastated when July eventually passed away at the age of 72, but her love and support continued to inspire him throughout his eternal life.Kevin (son)
Kevin, Derrick's firstborn child, was the light of his life. Derrick devoted himself to providing a safe and nurturing environment for his son, ensuring he would not experience the same hardships and pain that had marked Derrick's own childhood. They had a close and loving relationship, with Derrick teaching Kevin valuable life skills and instilling in him the importance of family and hard work.
Derrick was heartbroken when Kevin passed away at the age of 94, but he cherished the memories of their time together and the lessons they had shared. In his quest to find an end to his eternal life, Derrick often reflects on his relationship with Kevin, drawing strength and determination from their bond.Grace (daughter)
Grace, Derrick's daughter, was named after his late mother. Derrick raised her with the same care and devotion he had shown to Kevin, ensuring she had a loving and supportive upbringing. As she grew, Grace became Derrick's confidante, helping him navigate the challenges of his unending life and offering wisdom beyond her years.
When Grace passed away at the age of 78, Derrick was devastated, but he took solace in the knowledge that he had given her a life filled with love and happiness. As he continues his search for an end to his immortal existence, Derrick often thinks of Grace and the joy she brought to his life.
Thirezen
Thirezen and Derrick have a complicated and tumultuous relationship. As the man who took charge of Derrick's account and sent men to make an example of his family, Thirezen represents a dark chapter in Derrick's life. The incident forced Derrick to confront his mother's wish and accept the gift of eternal life, changing his world forever.
Derrick harbors resentment and anger towards Thirezen for the pain and suffering he brought upon his family, he also recognizes that his encounter with Thirezen set him on the path to his current quest. As Derrick searches for a way to end his life, he is haunted by the memory of Thirezen and the role he played in shaping Derrick's fate.Kyle (father)
Kyle, Derrick's father, was a failed adventurer who turned to work at a lumber mill to provide for his family. However, his frustrations and bitterness led him to alcoholism and abusive behavior towards his wife, Grace, and son, Derrick. Despite the pain and suffering he caused, Derrick's memories of his father are a constant reminder of the life he never wants for himself or his own family.
While Kyle's actions inflicted great harm on Derrick and Grace, they also set in motion the events that led to Derrick's ageless condition and his quest for an end to his eternal life. Derrick carries the weight of his father's actions and the consequences they had on his own life, but he remains steadfast in his determination to break free from his father's legacy and find peace.Grace (mother)
Grace was a loving and nurturing mother to Derrick, always striving to protect him from the harsh realities of their life. When her husband, Kyle, subjected her and Derrick to physical abuse, Grace did her best to shield her son, even at great cost to herself. In her final moments, Grace made a desperate wish upon a brass star, seeking to save Derrick from a life of pain and suffering.
Her wish was granted, imbuing Derrick with agelessness and setting him on a path that would forever alter his life. Derrick's love and gratitude for his mother are boundless, and he is determined to honor her memory by seeking an end to his eternal existence and reuniting with her and his family in the afterlife.Ashen Cabaret
Ashen Cabaret learned that the god that granted Derrick's immortality was none other than Catbot. Now, Henry works tirelessly to fulfill the wish of a myserious entity to restore Derrick's mortality.
Notable Appearances
Derrick first appeared to Ashen Cabaret as they returned to Port Battleborn from Volas. He was drawn to Jadeth due to her close relationship with the god of death, and followed the group to their ship. Olaf and Slender believed Derrick to be some sort of lich, so he left to avoid causing conflict.
Later, Ashen Cabaret met up with Derrick in Merrimentus' arena, but they refused to fight each other. As such, Derrick joined them for a short time before returning to Acheron. In Acheron, they met up again at the Jade Palace Inn where Derrick was working as an entertainer. He assisted Henry in duping Xero the Wardancer and freeing Jadeth and Juno from a promised date with the sleezy tiefling monsterhunter.