Presenting:
The dull and very everyday life of Gerald Smithsson
As anyone who knows him could tell you, Gerald 'background story' isn't very impressive.
Born and raised in Velumis, a port town in the small country of Lastwall which neighbors Ustalav, Gerald was somewhat of a disappointment to his family. The country was known for its soldiers and its mighty heavy cavalry, but despite all the effort his father and brothers put into training and exercising him, Gerald simply didn't have what it took to become a proper fighter. It was little comfort to his parents that he was very bright, although it did make it easier on them to send him to the cities small magical school. At least that way the family could be rid of him and focus on their horses and his stronger, more promising brothers.
So he studied and read, went fishing and read some more. He learned things, useful things, but did so by himself. His teachers had grown quite accustomed to being considered insufficiently strong for 'real work' and didn't take much pride in their position. They seemed to quite enjoy being left alone and lazily spent their days reading, tending to their small botanical garden and going fishing. The biggest lessen they taught him it was 'best to just read and stay quiet, young man'.
So nothing really eventful happened to Gerald except an event little more than a year ago, when travelling back home from one of his many trips abroad, the horses pulling Professor Lorrimor's chariot were suddenly spooked by something and the coachman lost control. He managed to unhinge the animals but it was too late to stop the chariot from leaving the road 'round Avalon Bay and plunging into the cold deep waters of Lake Encarthan.
It was mere chance that Gerald had taken this day off to relax and go fishing and happened to be nearby having to witness the accident. While not the heroic type with the physique to go diving into deep waters, Gerald's quick thinking made him conjure up a dolphin that rescued the people aboard the chariot.
The professor was deeply grateful and invited Gerald to come to his mansion for proper a proper reward, but the young Wizard politely refused. Living in Lastwall, near the border of Ustalav, he'd heard plenty of stories about the unnatural creatures roaming those haunted lands. And even though not the suspicious type, Gerald's continuing lack of progress in the study of Necromancy -and his mild fear or spiders- told him he simply wasn't meant for things that like that and he should probably avoid anything 'haunted' or 'shadowy', words used every day to describe that terrible country. The professor seemed disappointed but accepted nonetheless, without mocking the young wizard's dread. Still, he promised to never forget and one day repay Gerald.
Gerald hadn't thought much longer about the events of that day. He didn't feel quite so heroic, the fish -or wait he remembered reading that according to new studies, dolphins were mammals- did most of the work. So the letter came as a bit of a surprise. An invitation to the Professor's funeral? The man had been most friendly and showed a great interest in the magical work Gerald had shown him. He'd also promised to reward him before continuing on his journey home... Had he left something in his will for Gerald? He'd certainly seemed to be a man of wealth, it could be possible.
And despite his dislike for that country and the things rumored to lurk in its nights, Gerald could hardly refuse a dying man's wish. Declining the invitation and not going to the kind man's funeral simply wasn't an option.
Character Sheet:
Gerald Smithsson
Human Wizard 2
Lawful Good
Defense AC 11 Touch 11 Flat-Footed 10
HP 11
SavesFort +1, Ref +1, Will +4
