Welcome to the Lands of Arda

Overview/Backstory

Monday is a beautiful, charismatic Shadar-Kai that was raised in a religious cult to Izalith. She was born on the first day of Archon (as she would say "The universe birthed me on the first day of the year because I'm always number one") in the 4th era. This cult schemed and lied their way across the lands, often using the children of the cult as actors in their cons and lies, stealing from and killing many people across the lands in the name of their goddess. Monday learned from an early age that, despite her size or skill, she could overcome almost any opponent with a well-timed insult, a few tears, or a compliment.

The Cult believed that, since they've dedicated their lives to spreading Izalith's will across the lands, that they deserved more of her blessing than they received. After a few years, they turned their sights to gaining their own power and sought to trap The Queen of Schemes in the body of one of their members. They had made many connections with powerful sorcerers, and used those resources to find a way to gather Izalith's power. Combining different dark magics, the cult believed that they succeeded in creating a ritual strong enough to call and trap her abilities. 

Monday was a pre-teen when she was selected as the first participant in this dark ritual. She underwent hours of being forcibly fed magic that broke her. During these rituals, she continued to have broken visions of a silver-haired, black winged woman, sitting by her side, comforting her as her young mind fought against the effects of the dark magic rituals. 

During the last moments of the ritual, the black-winged woman left Monday's side, whispering "Salvation is coming." As she regained consciousness, Monday saw the cult members being slaughtered before her eyes. Still unaware of her surroundings, she felt her body being picked up and carried away. 

She was saved by Juban, a killer for hire from Blackden that had dealings with the cult. Unsurprisingly, they double-crossed him, and he and his crew came to get revenge. He explained to her that, he let her live because he heard a voice in his head tell him to do so. Juban became almost an adoptive father to Monday, and she was closer to him than her actual parents. He taught her the ins and outs of killing, and she would assist him on many of his assassinations, often acting as a distraction. 

Throughout her life, she never forgot her encounter with Izalith, believing in her heart that Izalith sent Juban to save her. As she got older and began to understand her abilities, she knew of her connection to Izalith. But, at this point, she is more interested in living free than serving a god. Deep in the back of her mind, she can feel Izalith's will slowly calling to her, and soon she won't be able to ignore the call...

Events

Killed the ugly 2-headed giant

Defeated the first floor guardian

Helped cure the Plague of Heatshield

Champion of the Coliseum

Status

After losing her life in the battle against Speaker Dreadthorn, because of the contract she made early in her adventure, Monday has ben resurrected as a merchant traveling the floors.

Entry Date

As of 06.20.2023

Backstory

Where did your character grow up? What place do they call "home" now? (could be the same or different.) [75 words max]

Fenthick grew up on the streets of a medium sized city (at-least some commerce, sense of society, and infrastructure), orphaned at a young age (no memory other than the streets).  This city would be located near/in forests where he would build his wilderness survival skills over time – surviving by both foraging (and later hunting) and the food/medicine provided by the orphanage. He has traditionally lived in and around that city (wilderness + neighboring towns).

Who raised your character and how? What are these people doing now? [75 words max]

Fenthick was raised by what attention and support the orphanage could provide, the community of other orphans/urchins, and the cold harsh realities of both the street and the wild. He routinely sends money and other resources to the orphanage when he has the resources but otherwise doesn’t visit. Doris Stoutheart and Sybil Thamisa ran the orphanage, Utab (fellow orphan, half orc) was his confidant and partner in crime – they at times gleefully cross paths.

How did your attribute scores affect your character? [175 words max]

Fenthick has always relied on speed, strategy, and finesse to get the upper hand in both life and combat. At a young age, Fenthick would quietly swipe his portion of food before it made its way to the table or from those who wrestled it from him. This dexterity became a major part of his toolset for life as he refined his ability to infiltrate, escape, outmaneuver, and hunt. Meanwhile, a life on the street and within the wilds demanded Fenthick persevere with resilience or perish, and to develop the wisdom to know when to run or stay and fight. Fenthick was never particularly strong nor smart, but neither was he weak or slow. Given his place in life, his lack of tact and at times gruff perspective of the world makes him an extremely poor communicator – especially to those who do not know him.

What made your character obtain the class they have now? [75 words max]

The skills of a ranger naturally came to Fenthick over time; stealthing through the streets and wilds to forage for food, stalking both a vain mark in the city and the deer in the clearing. To survive, he learned how to hide, track, flight, and flee in both the wild and the sprawl of the city.

What your character doing in recent years before the campaign's start? [75 words max]

Trying to get to some degree of stability without a need to have to pilfer for his next meal. He finds success here and there, slowly building resources, paying off debts, and sending a portion back to the orphanage that ensured he didn't starve. Shortly before the campaign, he completed a bounty for a small group of bandits, giving him a fresh start – without debt – and coin in his pocket.

What motivated your character to leave their previous lifestyle and become adventurers? [120 words max]

Danger has always been part of Fenthick’s life, sometimes more quietly and sometimes that is all that seemed to exist. Adventuring presented a guaranteed risk with an opportunity for safety and comfort on the other side; a danger he could choose opposed to be subjected to – his way to choose his path in the world opposed to having it forced upon him. Freedom.

Which people are important for your character? [75 words max]

The orphanage, in particular both Doris and Sybil, along with Utab whom he considers family. By extension, he feels a natural pull to those who are downtrodden and vulnerable – particularly the cruel and unearned twists of fate.

What connections does your character have to the other player characters? [175 words max]

Fenthick would often watch those on the road or as they come into town; looking for both marks and those in need who deserve help. At times, he would offer aid in the form of a guide to those who entered - both in the city and surrounding land. This was sometimes straightforward work; guiding those who need help away from hazards and towards what they desire. Other times, it was to get closer to an ideal mark for his redistributive justice.

He met Vigo when he came to town, identified an easy mark, and offered his services as a guide to help the beaming paladin. Vigo was looking for a mage and Fenthick was glad to provide his services for a fee, and an opportunity to take something from his pocket. Fenthick guided Vigo to the mage, having heard of her from Utab, who saw her traveling through town. Fenthick met Sister Teddy when he accidentally poisoned himself learning poisons sometime much later. Luckily, she was traveling nearby (in town, wild, etc) and was able to aid him.

Name a promise you have made to another player character that you would never break. [75 words max]

To aid you whenever you visit my region and need help, out of repayment for your kindness to me.

If nothing happened, what short/long term goals does your character have? [75 words max]

Build security and safety in terms of possessions, friendships, and his profession. As those goals are being accomplished, he would continue his own approach to redistributive justice and sharpening his skills. Quietly, in the back of his mind, his thoughts would wander to where he came from and why he was left - tempted to explore these questions but apathetic and unhopeful in his success.

What makes your character a likeable adventurer that others would be willing to have to risk their lives for? [75 words max]

While he is gruff and doesn't particularly care about what people think, he earnestly does care for those that are close to him, he tries to be kind in his actions if not his words, and he consistently acts in alignment of what he considers good and just despite the consequences to himself. Aside from ensuring his own stability and safety, his only real desires are to grow his skills and protect the vulnerable.

What has your character done in the past, that they now deeply regret?[75 words max]

As a young urchin, he stole a small store of gold he overheard was under the floor boards of a small family's house.  The next day he used it to buy food, clothing, and donated the rest to the orphanage secretly. Several days later, he heard that the family did not have the funds to take their daughter to seek healing after disease struck - she died shortly after.

This is more for plot hooks. It could be a missed opportunity or something they feel bad about.

Those he stole from, those he has sabotaged out of what he considered vigilante justice, those he has taken a bounty on or helped the law identify. Fenthick routinely works with both sides of the law.  

Optional plot hook.

My character's lineage might not be what I think it is. -This one will be unknown to you as player as well. Do not add details-

Backstory

Where did your character grow up? What place do they call "home" now? (could be the same or different.) [75 words max]

Kes was born on Blackden, to a large family of Githyanki.  The family is proud of their martial history and most are devout Izalith followers.

Kes’s current residence, if you could call it one, is the “Forest of Mist”.  He does visit Shadebough Falls when he needs a bit of humanoid contact, but currently doesn’t have a true home, nor does he desire one. 

Who raised your character and how? What are these people doing now? [75 words max]

Kes was raised by his father (Vr’a’ac) and his primary wife (J’a’sath).  Kes’s birthmother (Jelru) was a concubine, one of many. 

As far as Kes knows, the family continues on as usual, although Vr’a’ac may be getting on in years, and an ambitious heir may be looking to supplant him. 

How did your attribute scores affect your character? [175 words max]

Vr’a’ac the Black, a somewhat renown pirate, took it to be his duty to raise the next generation of Githyanki by having as many wives and concubines as possible.  He was determined that his legacy live beyond him, and raised his children for a live of strife and conquest, and to prepare for the Night of Schemes.

Kes was a quick (Dex 19), and intelligent (Int 16) child who excelled at both weapons practice and class work, but he was not well liked by his siblings (Cha 6), who were jealous of him.

As Kes grew into a young adult, the yearly Game of Schemes became more serious, and after his older brother “Ves” betrayed Kes and almost caused his death; Kes ran away from home and joined a pirate ship crew unaffiliated with the family.  

Kes left behind a little sister (Trys’a’an), who he regrets leaving. 

What made your character obtain the class they have now? [75 words max]

Eventually, making his way to a Shadebough Falls, Kes made the acquaintance of Arvastan the Druid and his apprentice Leokas.  Arvastan introduced him to a hunter in the Forest of Mists (Caleb Villarreal).

Kes found that he greatly enjoys the life of a hunter, the quite stalking, and the open outdoors.

What your character doing in recent years before the campaign's start? [75 words max]

In the past few years, he has continued hunting the Forest of Mists, and started studying nature magic with Aravstan.

Recently after contracting SMS, he has occasionally been accompanying Leokas in the search for a cure.

What motivated your character to leave their previous lifestyle and become adventurers? [120 words max]

Kes one night overheard some of the senior crew plotting to hide some magical goods that were stolen from a recent conquest, and that they had apparently done such things before and where.

Kes wasn’t seen overhearing the conversation, but somehow folks have become suspicious.  After barely surviving a provoked duel, Kes realized that his days aboard this ship were numbered, and he left without fanfare when given an opportunity.

Which people are important for your character? [75 words max]

While Kes feels somewhat betrayed by his family, he still holds respect for this Father.

Kes still cares for his younger sister Trys’a’an.

Kes is fond of his hunting mentor Caleb Villarreal.

Arvastan has started to teach Kes nature magic, but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.

Kes certainly wants to support Leokas in his search for cure to SMS.

What connections does your character have to the other player characters? [175 words max]

Recently, both Kes and his mentor Caleb have contracted SMS in the Forest of Mists.  Kes will support Arvastan and Leokas in their search for a cure.

Name a promise you have made to another player character that you would never break. [75 words max]

Kes has promised to assist Leokas in the search for cure to SMS.  Both for his own cure and that of his mentor Caleb, who is both older and human and thus there exists greater urgency.

If nothing happened, what short/long term goals does your character have? [75 words max]

Even without the spider apocalypse, Kes would have learned what he could being a hunter, and moved on.  Growing up Githyanki, he has never expected a life free of conflict and turmoil, and only through increased aptitude could he achieve some measure of contentment and self-worth.

What makes your character a likeable adventurer that others would be willing to have to risk their lives for? [75 words max]

Kes doesn’t know it, but he is searching for a “family”.   He has always wanted someplace to belong, but first his siblings betrayed him, and then he fell out with the pirate crew.

I suspect in the beginning, his ties with Leokas, and their mutual search for the cure to curse of the “Forest of Mists” will be the reason he is with the party, but if they can earn his trust and respect, Kes will certainly reciprocate.  

What has your character done in the past, that they now deeply regret?[75 words max]

Kes regrets leaving his sister Trys’a’an behind when he left the family.

Are there any people that would wish harm to your character and why?[100 words max]

His old pirate crew would like Kes dead to insure their secret.

Some of his siblings may not care for how he left the family.

More optional plot hooks: [Choose one]

• I know information about an expensive famous item, that others want.

Pirate Treasure