Johann was born in Talabecland, the son of a wandering tinker and his seamstress wife. As a youth, Johann moved from place to place with his parents and his younger sister, never staying in any place very long. He learned to fend for himself and to survive in the wilderness at an early age, and he quickly became a competent hunter and woodsman.[1a]
Much as he loved the travel, however, Johann hated their life. He hated having to sneak into towns, he hated having to lie about his parents and their lack of a home, and he hated having to flee most towns before the residents blamed them for every ill that had befallen them for weeks before Johann’s family ever arrived. He wanted a life that still allowed for travel but also offered some modicum of security and of respect.[1a][1b]
One day, Johann overheard a young noble complaining how he would never get back home in time for his sister’s wedding because it was too dangerous to go alone at any decent speed. Having just passed that way in reverse, Johann offered to guide the nobleman—for a fee. The desperate noble agreed, and Johann brought him quickly and safely through the surrounding forest, taking several shortcuts along the way. The noble arrived in time after all and was so grateful he gave Johann a gold coin as payment. Johann was thrilled and began hiring himself out as a guide to other travellers. Finally, the local lord heard about this and sent for Johann. He offered the youth a job as an outrider, and Johann eagerly agreed. For two years, he worked for the lord, until the man died in an Orc ambush—Johann had not been scouting that day and blamed himself for the massacre.[1b]
For the next year, Johann drifted from town to town, taking whatever job he could find, hating himself for the death of his first employer. He hired on to guide two men, a woman, and a Dwarf into the hills in Averland and wound up helping them rob a tomb there as well. Afterward, the man revealed his name and offered Johann a job as a scout and occasional tomb robber. Thrilled to be of use again, Johann agreed.[1b]
Johann is a slender young man of average height. His long light brown hair is pulled back in a simple knot, and he keeps his narrow face clean-shaven. He wears comfortable leathers and carries a sword and an axe but prefers to fight with his bow. Johann is a quiet man by nature, preferring to look and listen rather than speak, but he does have a wry sense of humour that only close friends ever see.[1b]