|
Ferren /
NorthernCampaignCharactersPart 1: The Embers RelitPart 2: Empire of GlassPart 3: Songs of Distant HomelandsThe CastUriel Ashreaver (Mike) Uriel AshreaverHuman Ranger/Duskblade A career soldier, Uriel's past is only spoken of in whispers. Some say that he is a former member of the Academy, expelled for his rejection of their ways. Others say that he is the descendant of Dion Witchslayer, who has inherited his ancestor's penchant for bringing corrupt magi to the flame. The prevailing story is that Uriel is simply a soldier without peer, but as dangerous to fight beside as against. In various cities across the continent, he has worked in everything from mercenary companies to the night watch, and each time he has left a wake of flame behind him. Many only know him by reputation - a lone, unmoving silhouette framed by a raging blaze. Lupin FiremaneHalfling Druid In the waning days of King Tristan's reign, Seljuk aggression against Ferren reached its peak. Decades of plotting culminated in the capture and enslavement of a halfling druidic circle based in the northwest side of the Ferralis mountains. Padishaw Sayyid al-Dular hoped that the druids would enable him to make war on Ferren without having to deal with the harsh Ferralis winters. He hoped that the druids would either lessen the impact of the mountain winters on his supply train or find the hidden tunnels the dwarven caravans use and provide an alternate invasion route. Taliesin, the Duke of Ferren (AKA commander of the army), led a small strike force to free the druids and their families from the Padishaw's encampment. It was a quick and brutally effective operation, led mostly by Northgate's dwarven divisions, and the elders among the druids were quick to accept Taliesin's offer of relative sanctuary on the Ferren side of the mountains. While they lost their access to the desert in Seljuk lands, Taliesin's promise meant that they would never have to take part in a war again - in effect, they allied with Ferren to ensure their neutrality would be protected. The halflings rescued by Taliesin Ferren were awestruck by his noble and heroic presence, and a few of them offered their services to him as a way of repaying their debt of gratitude. Knowing the value of family in halfling culture, and loath to tear any of the halflings from their new homes, he accepted the offer from only 3: a couple and their young son. For a couple years after the rescue, Taliesin did not call on the services of Leani and Fadden Boltrider often, letting their young son grow to adulthood in peace. When he did call on their services, he made sure that they were never actually part of any conflict - they were couriers and guides, braving the cold winters to assist in the delivery of important missives. When Tristan died 20 years ago, Taliesin ascended to the throne and released the Boltriders from his service - but their son, now a young man, remained with him out of loyalty and a wish to prove himself. In the years since, Lupin Boltrider has come to be known among the Ferren people as the Firemane from the sight of his bright red hair, which makes it easy to see him approach as he rides his silver wolf. It was his tireless effort and druidic training that made Taliesin's pact with the raptoran chiefs possible, and he oversaw the construction of the Long Walls, ensuring that the walls did not interfere with the flow of the river at any point. He spent so much time traveling between the raptoran homes and construction sites that many soldiers of Ferren honestly did not believe that he had legs, thinking the wolf to be an extension of his lower body. Lupin considers the royal line of Ferren to be his family, and Taliesin's death has only made his determination to repay his debt stronger. He has sworn to protect his "cousin" Anatole as long as he draws breath, so that he can help the king the same way the old king once helped his own family. Matoya GanisHuman Wizard The Ganis family has a long and storied history. When Orion Praxis lost control of his powers, Ariel Ganis led the force that braved the monsters and horrors created by his tortured mind. In what became known as the Battle of Endless Twilight, she managed to subdue the mad sorcerer and free him from the horrible shadows that tortured his soul. The nations of Favencia realized that Orion would not be the only magus to arrive, and to prepare themselves for the coming of more magi like him, they created the Seljuk Academy to study his connection to magic. Orion himself was the greatest proponent of this study, as he fully understood the danger and opportunity he represented, and wished to understand his gift. In the centuries since the foundation of the Academy, the Ganis family has provided many of its most brilliant researchers (and some of its most zealous hunters). The young Viscount Matoya Ganis had centuries of expectations heaped on him when he was sent to the Academy at a young age, and in almost every way, he has disappointed his ancestors and his name. Matoya Ganis was a terrible student at the Academy, who frustrated himself and his instructors by his absolute inability to learn spells. He has shown a complete mastery of the spells he does know, and he has learned all of the Academy's lessons well enough, but his growth as a magus has been glacially slow, to the chagrin of his father and grandfather. Matoya himself has learned to live with his failure and his grandfather's disapproval, making do with what skills he has and steeling himself for his eventual ascension to Count Ganis should his uncle not return from the wars. In the meantime, he has left the Academy and worked to prove himself in other arenas, and the current turmoil is his chance to prove his worth not just to his family, but to himself. Romaria Utena Don Amelia de la MarHuman Rogue 2, Warlock 3, Swashbuckler 3 Romaria Utena Don Amelia de la Mar is the proud daughter of Don Quixote de la Mar, an adventurer from the Kunban Archipelago who arrived on the mainland some twenty years ago in search of "fame, fortune, and beautiful women." The dashing and charismatic Don eventually found all of these during one of his adventures when he rescued a young noblewoman named Amelia Lustrum from a devious abduction plot. Almost overnight, the formerly notorious ladies man became a local hero and favorite of both the Lustrum family and the captivatingly beautiful Amelia. The two lovers eventually married and had one daughter, Romaria. Don Quixote's luck finally ran out eleven years later when he tragically perished in a violent storm at sea. Romaria de la Mar is very much a reflection of her mother in looks and father in personality. Fed a steady diet of Don's heroic tales, advice, and flamboyant ways throughout her early life, the impressionable young woman became obsessed with the idea of following in his footsteps and carrying on what she perceived as a proud family legacy. Romaria has spent the years since her father's death training and developing her skills for what she hopes will be a life of heroic deeds. Like many young nobles, Romaria attended the Ristani Academy in Tolesport. It was here that she met and befriended both the future king, Prince Anatole, and her favorite instructor, Morgan Liadon. The former received a thorough training in "heroism 101" and, more importantly, made a loyal friend. The latter has become something of a guardian and reluctant partner in the younger woman's quest for greatness. Like her father before her, the idealistic and charismatic Romaria has a flare for the dramatic. She uses her full name like a badge of honor, prefers "elegant" weapons such as her trusty rapier and whip, likes to maintain a tomboyish appearance, and even dyes her hair (pink is her favorite), all in order to leave a more lasting impression. Romaria's most prized possession is a long red "lucky" scarf given to her by Don just before his final voyage. Worn almost constantly ever since, the scarf has become both magical in nature and an iconic part of the young woman's appearance. Somehow, Romaria has attuned with this item so strongly that it now moves in reflection of her mood, as if buffeted by winds. Stats: STR 12, DEX 18, CON 12, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 14 Skills: Balance +12, Bluff +12, Climb +10, Diplomacy +17, Escape Artist +16, Jump +8, Knowledge Local +7, Knowledge Nobility +3, Knowledge History +3, Listen +11, Perform (Oratory) +3, Ride +9, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +8, Spot +11, Tumble +12 Warlock Invocations: Beguiling Influence, Leaps and Bounds Feats: Weapon Finesse (Swashbuckler), Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Whip, Daring Outlaw Gear: Mithril Chain Shirt +1, "Lucky" Scarf of Resistance +2, Rapier +1, Masterwork Whip, Gloves of Dexterity +2, Ring of Endure Elements, Amulet of Protection +1, Boots of Agile Leaping |