Skittrick

Skittrick is a wanderer and man of many trades. Born a bastard of a northern whore in 384 AC he has seen much of the Seven Kingdoms and even studied at the Citadel. Used as an assassin, a thief, a smuggler, kidnapper, general muscle and thug-for-hire - Skittrick is available for any less than legal job.

Appearance and Character
Skittrick is the grey man, able to blend into most places in Westeros without comment. Of average height and slender build, his limp brown hair and plain face allow him to move unnoticed throughout all major cities. His only distinguishing feature that may attract notice are his grey eyes, though his intense stare often force onlookers to avert their gaze.

Reticent and moody, Skittrick prefers to be alone, for both work and pleasure. Whether found in the shadowy corner of an inn keeping and eye on proceedings or dressed in dull colours to infiltrate a noble estate - Skittrick is few of words and even fewer of friends.

Early Life
Skittrick was born the son of a whore - Lilac - and Jon Stark of the Dreadfort. As he was raised a bastard in the brothel itself, Skittrick never knew the truth of his heritage and ran around with the other brats blissfully unaware. His life was tough however - brothel bastards were the lowest of the low. He did learn the skills of many castle urchins however. Stealing extra food from the kitchens, learning how to talk his way out of punishments from the guards, doing odd-jobs around the castle for the farrier, blacksmith, kennel master and others - all became part of a varied education which would later serve him well.

When the Great Famine hit the North many struggled and Lilac was no exception. Forced out of the brothel due to lack of customers she made her way to the only place she could for help. Leaving her son outside the Dreadfort's keep she returned hours later with a bag full of gold which she used to purchase passage on a merchant caravan to Oldtown, intending to enrol Skittrick at the Citadel so they both could get a better life.

Unfortunately tragedy struck on the journey south - for Lilac died of illness before they even crossed the Neck. Skittrick was devastated and taking pity on him, the caravan only stole most of his gold, leaving him a little for food in Oldtown which they did eventually leave him at.

Oldtown
The Citadel was not the salvation of Skittrick as his mother hoped. Although he did join the order as a novice and attend lectures on many assorted subjects, he failed to gain a single link of metal for his chain during his stay.

Instead Skittrick found his true calling in more illicit settings. Robbed of his funds and the base charity the Maesters offered being little more than subsistence he found himself doing favours for his fellow novices. It started off with stealing notes from acolytes but soon escalated into full sabotage inside the Citadel.

The Conclave finally took notice when a body of an inspiring and rising acolyte was found washed up in the Honeywine with his neck slit. The student was considered a genius and sure to rise high in the ranks of the Citadel but due to his low birth had incited the jealously of many highborn acolytes and Maesters.

Though there was no proof Skittrick was responsible he was the likeliest candidate. Catching wind of the trouble coming his way he fled Oldtown altogether, to seek his fortune elsewhere.

Wanderings
Skittrick settled into a life of petty crime, travelling between the large cities of Westeros before fleeing when the heat became too much to handle.

During his travels he became more specialised in his criminality. A penchant for working alone meant he became more suitable for thievery and assassination - tasks he completed for noble clients more than once. His disguises in particular were rather convincing and he showed an uncanny ability to imitate others.

Eventually finding himself in King's Landing, the centre of anything dirty and illicit in the realm he heard of the largest tournament to be held at Harrenhal and immediately looked forward to the opportunities available.

Recent Events
407 AC - Skittrick hears news of the Tourney at Harrenhal.