Rof Riverflame was a human wizard associated with Lochsmald whose life became closely connected to the mortal history of Abendigo. When Abendigo’s Deep Gnome family escaped enslavement under House Glannath and settled near Lochsmald, Rof was among the people willing to help them establish a new life. He persuaded suspicious locals to accept the newcomers, helped the family find work, and later assisted them in settling on land of their own.
Rof recognized Abendigo’s magical aptitude while the future god of time was still a child and offered to take him as an apprentice. Abendigo’s parents refused, fearing the arcane practices associated in their memories with their former captors, and Rof initially respected that decision. Abendigo nevertheless practiced magic in secret, forcing the question of formal instruction back into Rof’s life after the catastrophe that destroyed the family’s home.
The Attack on Lochsmald
A demon attacked Lochsmald while Abendigo was still young, killing members of his family and devastating the settlement. Rof intervened when the creature turned on Abendigo and used his magic to slow and contain it. Abendigo instinctively mirrored Rof’s working, and their combined effort banished the demon. The exertion left Abendigo unconscious for seven days, after which he awoke in Rof’s care.
With Abendigo orphaned and already capable of dangerous uncontrolled magic, Rof reconsidered his earlier refusal to teach him. He became Abendigo’s mentor, teaching him to control and direct abilities that the young gnome had already begun developing on his own. Rof could not remove the loss that shaped Abendigo’s life, but his instruction gave Abendigo the arcane foundation from which his later studies developed.
Later Association with the Brass Blades
Rof remained connected to Abendigo long enough to assist the Brass Blades during their struggles in the early 8750s SE. After the defense of Entwood, the Blades sought a way to reach the Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga. Rof helped them identify a ritual capable of reaching the legendary hag’s home, enabling the expedition in which Abendigo obtained knowledge and tools that advanced his search for temporal travel.
Rof’s importance to later histories comes less from public office or military command than from the people and events he influenced. His decision to aid a refugee family, protect Abendigo during the destruction of Lochsmald, and teach the young wizard placed him near the beginning of a chain of events that ultimately culminated in Abendigo’s apotheosis in 8753 SE.