Farin Brownlock

In the hallowed halls of the Founders Academy, Farin Brownlock cuts an unusual figure. Standing just over three feet tall, with wild gray hair that seems to defy gravity and spectacles that magnify his ever-curious eyes, the halfling summoner moves through the corridors with the unhurried confidence of one who is never truly alone. His well-worn robes, decorated with brass buttons and subtle patterns that seem to shift when viewed directly, bear symbols of office that mark him as both a Master of the Academy and a member of The Cabal.

The First Summoning

The story of how Farin discovered his gift has become something of a legend among summoning students. On a lonely afternoon fifty-five years ago, a young halfling's desperate wish for a playmate accidentally pierced the veil between worlds. To young Farin's amazement, a boy appeared—a child his own age with striking orange-red hair, wearing a peculiar green jacket adorned with brass buttons that gleamed like newly minted coins, and the most remarkable shoes with large brass buckles that seemed to catch impossible light.

The boy's father arrived moments later—a figure who stood precisely three feet tall, dressed similarly but with the addition of a green top hat sporting a fresh daisy in its band. Their manner of speech, their curious attire, and the way they seemed to step in and out of reality itself all hinted at their true nature, though young Farin wouldn't understand what he'd stumbled upon until much later.

A Unique Approach to Summoning

His early training under Wizard Amur in the Northern Village of Reach laid the foundation for his unique approach to summoning. Where many practitioners view it as a means of commanding otherworldly powers, Farin treats it as an art of building relationships. His summoning circles are less magical diagrams than they are formal invitations, woven with courtesies and considerations specific to each type of being he calls upon—be they spirits of the ancient woods, creatures from realms beyond mortal comprehension, or the noble beasts of Aethoria itself.

Though fully capable of traditional spellcraft, Farin has found his true power lies in the web of relationships he's built across realities. His companions—for he never calls them servants or familiars—have fought beside him in battles that reshaped reality, guarded him through dangers that would have destroyed a conventional mage, and stood with him in quiet moments of both triumph and despair.

In his role as a member of The Cabal, Farin serves as both diplomat and defender, maintaining relationships with entities whose very existence helps maintain the fabric of reality. While capable of wielding conventional magic when necessary, he's found that the voluntary assistance of his otherworldly friends often provides more elegant and effective solutions to the challenges The Cabal faces.

The relationship between Aeron and Farin Brownlock has become something of a legend within the Academy's halls. Their regular tea parties transcend conventional space and time, often hosting beings from across the multiverse in conversations that might span minutes or millennia, depending on how one measures such things. These gatherings have become informal diplomatic sessions where entities from various dimensions can meet, exchange ideas, and occasionally forge alliances.

At sixty-three, Farin shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, his network of connections grows broader and deeper with each passing year. As he often tells his students, "The multiverse speaks in countless tongues—our job is not to command, but to listen and learn until we can join the conversation."

• Accidentally summoned his first otherworldly friend at age eight, piercing the veil between worlds
• Trained under Wizard Amur in the Northern Village of Reach
• Developed a unique approach to summoning based on building relationships rather than commanding
• Maintains friendships with beings across multiple realities and dimensions
• Hosts interdimensional tea parties with Aeron, creating diplomatic bridges between realities
• Teaches summoning at the Founders Academy, including his famous introductory lecture
• Mentors students including Mathieu Stonebow in the art of respectful summoning
• Uses his network of otherworldly relationships to solve problems for The Cabal