Bo-dan's page

To the casual observer Bo-Dan, in her simple monk garb, appears at first as a comely girl, physically weak, perhaps a farm lass who's seen a hard life. Next, as one notices her differences, the slant to her blue/green eyes, the point of her ear and her white hair,one knows she is not, fully, human. Soon after, as one observes her graceful, sure, confident movements, takes in her calm and steely eyed gaze, one soon realizes there is much more beneath the still surface of this deep pool. She is generally a serious young woman who rarely if ever smiles in public yet those who spend much time with her will sometimes see her eyes light up with pleasure at something beautiful or simple in nature.

Bo-Dan's troubled past and iron discipline cause her to appear cold and aloof to many at first glance. This is far from the truth however. The incredibly difficult and lonely life the pretty half-elf had led up until finding the monastery had caused her to bury her emotions to protect her fragile heart. Her years of training only increased this shell of protection. Yet in times of happiness or complete safety and relaxation around trusted friends and companions her joy and love of life become evident. She also is known to close friends to have a somewhat twisted sense of humour and a taste for practical jokes.

For those who don't know her or have not earned her trust though she is exactly what she appears to be-an incredibly focused and dangerous foe.

"Inheritance: The pendant your mother left you has special properties you can call on in times of need. It can be used twice per day to cast light, as per the light spell cast at first level. It also contains a 20 charges of a single first level cleric spell (of your choice). These can be recharged (to a mximum of 20 charges) at a cost equal to having the spell cast on you by an NPC. (Although, our cleric has the artefice domain so if you can convince her to do it, she may not charge. Charges done this way only ever act as if cast by a 1st level cleric no matter the caster level of the charger).
Reactionary: You were bullied often as a child, but never quite developed an offensive response. Instead, you became adept at anticipating sudden attacks and reacting to danger quickly. You gain a +2 trait bonus to Initiative checks

When a Martial Artist is wearing light armor and unencumbered the Martial Artist applies her Wisdom bonus or Strength bonus (which ever is higher) to any roll involving her Strength bonus (EG. Grapple, Climb, Swim, etc.) This includes her attack and damage rolls with any weapon she is proficient with even Martial or Exotic Weapons she has taken feats for such as Bastard Sword, Spiked Chain, etc.

[list]

Acrobatics:1 [9]

Climb:1 [8]

Craft: 0 [0]

Escape Artist:1 [6]

Intimidate: 1 [5]

Knowledge(history): 0 [0]

Perception:1 [8]

Perform(Martial Arts Dance):0 [1]

Profession (Astrologist):0 [4] (Still practicing on her own until she considers herself fully trained)

Ride: 0 [2]

Sailing: 1 [5] *Not a class skill*

Sense Motive:1 [8]

Stealth:1 [6]

Swim:1 [8]
* Str checks use Wis Mod

BAB:2=+2 (Base)
CMB:6
Melee: (+1 'Mystery Knowledge' to all unarmed attacks; included)
Unarmed:+7 (1d6+4, x2)
Flurry: +5/+5 (1d6+4,1d6+4) (+6/+6 unarmed)
Sai:+6 (1d4+4, x2)
Kama:+6 (1d6+4 x2)
Sling:+4 (1d4+4 , x2) 50'range
10 Bullets

On Body:
Monk's Outfit -5gp, 2lb
(Weapons-3.5gp, 8lb)
Elven Star Cyrstal (around neck) -gp, -lb. Light 2/day, CLW (13/20) charges.

In Backpack: -2gp, 2lb
Bedroll -.5gp, 5lb
Soap 1/2lb -.25gp .5lb
Torch X2 -.02gp, 2lb
Waterskin -1gp,4lb
Trail Rations (7 days) -3.5gp, 7lb
Sack -.5gp, .5lb

Belt Pouch -1gp, .5lb
Flint & Steel -1gp, -lb
Chalk - .01gp, -lb
Fishinghook -.1gp, -lb
Candle -.01gp, -lb
Tindertwig(4) -4gp, -lb

Wealth (in pouch)
PP: GP:9 SP:2 CP:1
Weight:
On Person: 22.5lb
In Total: 42.5lb

The Middle Path seemed always destined to be the Way for Bo-Dan, yet never would it be an easy one. From the moment of her birth, she was subject to mighty forces, swaying her from one tragedy to another. For the first many years of her life, yea even before her birth, it seemed that Bo-dan had little choice in her destiny, verily she did not even know it was possible.

Bo-Dan had never known the comforts and joys, the love and protection of a Family in her childhood.

Bo-Dan's mother, Elian-San, was a beautiful human lass, barely past her time of womanhood, when tragedy struck her family. Looking for work to support his family, Elian-san's father took his wife and child into the _____ forest to work on the great ____ road project. The pay was good and things went well until their camp site was attacked by furious elves. Elian-an's father, angered and afraid to lose the only source of his family's livelihood rushed out to defend the camp. Being no warrior however, he was quickly struck down. Seeing this, Elian-san's mother screamed her heartbreak and ran out to tend to her fallen man. Sadly, as so often is the case in the chaos of war, Elian-san's mother was accidentally struck down as well, never even knowing whether it was an elven or human hand which did so. Seeing both her parents killed before her young eyes, Elian-san panicked and ran screaming and crying her heart out into the untracked forest. She ran and screamed and cried until her poor little body gave out and she collapsed on the forest floor. Soon, she found the sweet escape of exhaustion and passed out in a sodden heap on the ground. When she awoke it was dark and the terrified child, hungry, cold and so alone and afraid, began to wander aimlessly. Little hope did the poor waif have in her heart and despair settled upon her.
'
Bo'ith'se Cali'vere ('Sunlit Brave Heart' in the Elvish tongue), a young elvish scout, was the first pair of non animal eyes to lay sight on the helpless human waif and he regarded her with hatred. He had already been filled with frustrated anger for, considered little more than a child himself by his elders, he had been forbidden to participate in the attack on the hated human logging camp. Yet the forests were his home too and he felt he had just as much right as any elf to defend them. So it was with grim satisfaction that he that he drew his bow and prepared to kill his first human. It was not until the very last moment, as the small human came into his line of fire, that Bo'ith'se was able to get a proper sight of her. "Why, she is nothing more than a child!" he realized. It was at that moment than Elian-San first saw the Elf. Her first reaction was one of panic and fear for it was the Elves who killed her parents. Yet, Bo'ith'se was also the first and only other being Eli had seen in hours of wandering lost in the forest and she was so terribly alone, afraid and confused. Seeing all these emotions cross the face of the young human girl, all anger fled the form of the youthful Elf and his heart went out to her. As sometimes happens at the fickle whim of Fate, at that moment a true spark and connection was made between the two children of different races and they instantly fell in love.

Fearing what may happen to this being who was suddenly so important to him if he brought her back to his elders, Bo'ith'se immediately hatched a plan in his young mind to run away with her and care for her in the trackless wilds of his forest home. Approaching her like a skittish doe, Bo'ith'se gently took her hand and said to her softly "Come with me T'alo'vere ('My Heart' in elvish). Instinctively trusting this beguiling stranger, and desperate for any kind of 'human' contact, Eli docilely went with him. Many months passed for the young lovers as they made their blissful way in their jungle home. Far from any other beings, Bo'ith'se built a small but comfortable home for them in the woods. They spent their time learning each others language as well as learning to communicate in many other ways. They lived in bliss and love and forgot all else save themselves.

However Nature never forgets and while Eli'an-San seemed but a child like himself to Bo'ith se, her human nature caused her to mature at a rate he could not expect. One day, after many weeks of being unsure, Eli'an-san approached Bo'ith with a sparkle of joy in her eyes. "I am with child", she told him "We are to have a child!"

Unfortunately for Elian-san, Bo'ith se's reaction did not match her own. For while Eli's body may have matured at a rapid rate, she was still young and nieve in the ways of the world and thought no further than her joy of bearing her beloved a child. Yet Bo'ith se had already seen more than 50 seasons and fully understood what a mixed child of human & elf blood would mean for they and the child. For him, the innocence of their idyllic life was shattered."What! What do you mean? With Child! No! No! This cannot be!". Eli begged and Bo raged until finally, making a decision he would regret for the rest of his life, Bo'inth se left his home and bride and unborn child.

Once again, the tender heart of poor Elian-san was torn in twain. She was not the only one however to be in pain. For Bo truly did love his young forest bride, and with every step he took his heart grew heavier. Constant was the battle between his heart and head. His head knowing how impossible life would be for them with a half blood child and his heart breaking at the thought of leaving his loving bride and child all on their own.Finally he could take no more. His heart won the battle. knowing he could never truly live without Elian-san at his side and knowing somehow, someway, they would make it work, He raced back to their home. Love making his previously heavy footsteps light Bo'ith'se covered the distance back in half the time it took to go. He burst through the door, ready to declare his undying love and to beg forgiveness...only to find a home as empty as his heart soon became. For Elian-san had gone. Wildly Bo raced about the lands they had come to know near their home, terrified that Eli had done something drastic, or in her anguish had gotten lost or fallen and hurt herself. Yet despite his considerable forest skills her could not find her, could find no trace of her. It was if the forest had swallowed her up. For days and then weeks he searched for her in vain, never did he find her. She, and their unborn child, were gone. And Bo'inth se's heart was gone with them.

For Elian-san, her beloved Bo walking out on her was the worst tragedy of her young life, worse even than her parents being killed. For the second time now in her young life she had been left all alone in the world. Out of her mind with anguish, lost and set adrift in an ocean of pain and despair. Eli fled the now hated home, never to return. She wandered she knew not how long nor where. Collapsing when she could go no further, rising some time later only to stumble lost and afraid some more. Finally utter exhaustion once again took her into it's black depths.

Eli awoke in a strange place, in a strange bed, in a strange home. She had unwittingly stumbled near a human settlement in her anguished journey. "Bo'inth se!!" She cried out. At her outburst the kindly visage of an elderly woman poked her head through the door. "You've awoken dear! For a while we were afraid you would not". The matron of the home made her way to Eli's bedside. "My dear Alfred, oh that's my husband child, found you not a mile from our home when he was out hunting and managed to carry you back here. Tis a lucky thing he did too child for you were near death. Do not fear though, I believe you, and your unborn child, will now be fine." 'My...my child..." Eli whispered, as bitter tears began to seep out of her eyes and she turned her face away. Sensing more was wrong with this poor waif than appeared on the surface yet not knowing how to help her the old lady clucked and patted Eli's hand in sympathy "There, there now child, I know it hurts now but it will get better, you just wait and see. My name is Adara my dear. What is yours?" "My name? My...my name is...my name Was, Elian-san. But that one has died of a broken heart and is no more...I, I have no name now..." And these were the last words to ever pass Eli's lips.

The kindly couple cared for Eli through out her pregnancy, doing everything they could to heal her body and her wounded heart. Alas, though while they could keep her alive, Eli had lost the will to live and they watched her waste away before her eyes. It came as little surprise then that, on the night of her labour, Elian-san did not survive her child's birth and finally died of a heart which had been broken so many times.

Saddened at this unnecessary loss of Eli's young life, Ada cradled the new born in her hands. "Look Alfie, she's beautiful, she's perfect" "Yes, that she is my muffin, that she...Wait! What's That!" and Alfred cleaned away some of the birth fluid from the infants head "Elf Blood!" he hissed. "It's an Elf bastard Ada! Kill it! Drown it! Get that thing out of my house!" For nothing was hated more in Alfred's world than the devil's be damned Elves. Since they had taken the lives of his only son, his son's bride and the grandchild Alfred and Ada had heard of but never had the chance to meet, Alfred had nothing but hatred in his heart for the pointy eared savages. "This explains what happened to that poor child Ada! Some savage Elf fiend raped the poor lass and left her in that state. Kill it now Ada or I will!"

"NO Alfred! You shall do no such thing!" Adara defied her husband for the first time in her life. "No, Alfred, I shall not let your anger take the life of this innocent babe!" As she clutched the now wailing newborn to her chest. "I miss Daniel as much as you do Alfie and I too have anger over what happened to them and our grandchild. But this poor orphan had nothing to do with that." With her comfort and cooing Ada had managed to calm the babe frighted by the raised voices. "And look at her Alfie, even you had to admit how beautiful she is. And her eyes, see her eyes Alfie! Do they not remind you.." overcome with emotion Ada had to begin again. "...do they not remind you of our Dan? Never had I thought to see eyes as blue as his again" "And besides Afie, you did not her Eli call out that name when she awoke. Such pain and longing! I'm am sure it was the father of this child she was calling out to and I can never believe that this child was conceived in anything but love." With this she looked to the lifeless form of Elian-san. "Obviously some sort of tragedy occurred, I am sure we shall never know what. But can't you see Alfie, how can we add to their suffering?" And with this, she turned with liquid eyes to her partner of so many years "...Alfie, since we lost Dan...and since you are gone so much of the time I have been so lonely. I...I thought, that maybe...Alfie, could we not, perhaps, raise her as our own?" The angry reply which sprang up in Alfred's throat died upon his lips as he gazed upon the love of his life. He stood in silence for some time, caught by Ada's imploring look. Finally he sighed. "Ahh, Ada my love, my light, you know I have never been able to refuse you anything. I can never promise you to love the child, but if you are determined to raise her I shall not stop you." And without another word he went to gently pick up the wasted form of Eli and take her outside to bury her. Cleaning and wrapping the newborn Ada spoke to her "Ah, my poor innocent little one, I sense a life of pain and hardship for you. But I shall do all I can to shelter you from it for as long as I am able. 'Bo'inth se' that is the name your mother called out, that must be your father. I shall name you after to him to remind you of your Elven heritage. Yet so to do your blue eyes remind me of my dear Daniel...Bo-dan, yes, Bo-Dan, that is what I shall call you my precious. May it be a name that shall serve you well."

And so the years passed. True to her word, Ada loved the half-elf child as she had her own son. And Alfred, while never becoming affectionate towards the child, at least came to care for her too. It was hard not too, for so full of life and happiness was she, just like his Daniel had been. Yet so to did this cause him pain. For every time he saw her blue eyes flash or got a glimpse of her strange elf ears a pulse of anger surged through him for what had been taken from him. So his relationship with Bo-dan was a unstable one at best. Bo-dan grew slowly for a human child but already being well beyond their youth when they found her, Ada and Alfred did not fare as well time's progression. In Bo-dan's 8th year Adara grew ill during the winter and did not recover. And so, just like her mother before her, so too did Bo-dan lose the only mother she knew at a tender young age.

Ada's death took most of the strength from Alfred. As well, now whenever he looked at the young girl he could not help but wonder if, had she not spent her energy caring for a child, if she might not have lived a few more years. Not knowing what she had done wrong to make 'Uncle Alfie' even more upset with her, and suffering terribly herself from Ada's passing, little Bo-dan became quiet and withdrawn. Finally, after several weeks of trying to raise the child by himself, his resentment of her all the while growing, Alfred finally realized he could do so no more. Taking her and her few belongings to the nearby town, Alfred brought her to the orphanage. He explained to them that with the death of his wife, he could no longer care for this orphan they had found. Further, Alfie told them he could not even live in the same house anymore without his beloved Ada there. To the quiet and sullen child he said "Bo-dan, you know I have never showed you great love, but neither do I wish you ill. I must go my own way now to live out whatever years remain to me. I plan to wander until death finds me and I can finally re-join my beloved Adara and Daniel. Perhaps I shall even get to finally meet the granddaughter I never got to see before the the damn El...before her life was lost." A look of pain, anger and sadness crossed his face "Ada had made me promise child that if anything were ever to befall her I was to give you this" and he passed a beautiful star-shaped crystal medallion Bo-dan had never seen before into her tiny hands "Other than the clothes on her back this was your mother's only possession. You have always known you were different than Ada and I child, this is due to your...mixed blood. Your father was an Elf child, that is why you are different. Ada believed that this medallion was a gift from your father to your mother. I have never seen it's like before so it is possible that it is of Elven make. I do not know what tragedy befell your parents Bo-dan but Ada swore that they were in love. She was also sure that your fathers name was 'Bo'inth se'. Other than that I can tell you no more child. I wish you good fortune in your life. May the Gods and Fate be kinder to you than they have been. Though I fear that will not be the case for you." And with that he turned and left, with never a backward glance.

The child named Bo-dan spoke not once during this whole speech, watching the only father she had ever known walk forever out of her life. The only indication of her of her inner turmoil the silent tears which coursed down her face and the desperation with which she clutched the star medallion to her chest. True to Alfred's prediction, the next few years proved very difficult for Bo-dan. Seeing her Elven heritage the children of the town were cruel to her and most of the adults not much better. Many times Bo-dan ran away from the orphanage back to the now abandoned home she grew up in. Always some kindly seeming soul would drag her back though, deeming it improper for a young girl child to live on her own so far outside of town. Eventually though, even those kind few gave up and eventually Bo-Dan was left to her own devices. For a couple of years Bo-dan began to approach something resembling contentedness if not happiness. It seemed though Bo-dan was not destined for a life of solitude in that small dwelling for one night during a storm lightening struck the home and a fire quickly engulfed it. Once again homeless and alone, Bo-dan struck out for the road with no plan or destination other than to go somewhere.

Through her strength of will, the physical skills she had learned from living on her own, and perhaps even by the hand of Fate, the quiet yet intense young girl somehow survived. Moving often from town to town, usually at the curses and sometimes physical threats of the humans there once the found out her Elven heritage, Bo-dan stoically continued on. On one occasion she by chance came upon an encampment of Elves. For a brief moment hope flared in her heart. Perhaps here, finally she might find acceptance, maybe, just maybe even her father! Yet, the elves were equally hateful to her, seeing her as a corrupted elf, her noble blood ruined by it's human taint. She did not even get to speak to them or show them her medallion. Indeed the only thing which saved her life was her youth and obvious harmlessness. Yet still their cruelty cut her, even more so when she had hoped for the first time in so long for something better. Once again reminded she had no one and nothing to depend on in this life, she continued on.

Finally, in her journeys Bo-dan heard of a place, of a way of life, where she might just have a hope of acceptance, if not love. Not daring to hope to much, yet having nothing else she steadily made her way north. Finally, after much trial and tribulation, Bo-dan made her way to the island fastness where the monks of The Whispering Wind Way made their home. At first, Bo-dan was distrustful and cautious. Always before in her life had any hope of happiness or acceptance been cruelly snatched away from her. Yet gradually, over time, she began to realize that she had finally found a place, where her mixed heritage did not matter, a place where she was solely judged on the merit of her soul and her own works and effort. A place she could call home. Bo-dan fell into her Monkly studies with a passion. For the first time in her life she had direction. Her habits of silence and seclusion remained, in fact even served her well in her new home and Bo-dan quickly became an exemplary student. so much so that her teachers quietly marked her for special distinction.

Being of mixed blood, Bo-dan continuously strove to find balance, to find the middle path and she worked tirelessly to make her body into something hard and deadly. Not with the intent to harm others, but with the design to never allow others to harm her again, physically, mentally or emotionally. Also of importance to her was the ability to protect other innocents, like she had been from harm in a way she herself had never had.

Eventually the time came when her beloved teachers summoned her before them. "Bo-dan, kneel before us." they began "Since your arrival on our door those many years ago, you have continued to surprise and delight us with your passion, dedication, selflessness and hard work. You have managed to exemplify all we have taught you and the time has come when we can teach you no more at present. You must now venture back out into the world to find your own way and learn your own path." Upon hearing these words Bo-dan's first reaction was one of panic and fear. 'Not again!' she wailed in her mind 'Not them! They cannot abandon me too!' Yet despite the inner turmoil she was feeling for the first time in years, because of her rigid training, little of this showed on her stoic face. "Be at ease child, do not despair. Yes, we know what is it your heart right now. Please be assured that we are not abandoning you. This is your home and always it shall be. You have made us proud in your studies Bo-Dan and you have become dear to our old hearts. Yet still our traditions must remain. Always it has been our way to send out into the world those whom we deem ready. This is how the teachings of our path are spread amongst the uncivilized realms of human and humanoid kind. No child, we are not punishing you. Rather you are our hope for the future. And a very special future and destiny we sense awaits you. You are the first of your kind to reach our shores. A child of Human and Elvish heritage mixed together. It is our hope that you may be the so needed seed of peace and hope in our war torn land. So, go now child, go with our hope and blessing. Fulfill your destiny. Yet know that you are always welcome here and may return whenever you wish." And with this her beloved teachers bowed and said no more.

Filled with a hope and pride she had never before known in her life, Bo-Dan left the isles. She carried little with her. She had little need of weapons or armor for she had trained herself to become those things. She had never had any concept of material wealth or vanity so her apparel was sparse and functional. Her sole possession of value to her was the crystal star amulet she had been told came from her parents. This she wore around her neck, hidden under her clothes. Needing nothing else Bo-dan once again went out to wander wherever Fate took her in the world. Yet this time she was a new woman, and she was determined to make a new world a new destiny.