GMT's Carrion Crown - The Eternal Darkness

Game Master GM_ToddPBC

I am only selecting five players for this campaign. Probably. It kills me to narrow it down like that, as I know there will be some incredible applications. But I want to make the AP somewhat challenging and that's much easier with a smaller party. (It is likely that I'll break this stipulation.)

To start, please download the Player's Guide if you haven't already. The information therein is critical in understanding the adventure and crafting an appropriate backstory for your character.

Role playing is more important to me than roll playing. I play for stories more than mechanics. That said, this is a traditional AP so completely unoptimized characters aren't really appropriate. But don't feel the need to eek out every point possible from your build.

Like other GMs, I'd like at least one post per day from the players - including weekends. And, of course, if you're going to be away, just let the group know. Depending on how long you're gone, you may need to be ok with the GM or a fellow player taking over your character until your return.

Finally, maps and other relevant documents will be uploaded to Dropbox. This is a friendly and easy way to share the files across multiple platforms.

I place a high value on class and racial diversity.
I have a particular soft spot for Monks.
I am open to creative input from my players.
I subscribe to the tiered leveling (or whatever it is called).
I am a grammar snob. While improperly using a gerund isn't grounds for disqualification, proper use will earn you bonus points during selection.

1) 20-Point Buy, 1st Level
2) Core races only. I may be open to Changelings, but all other player races are off-limits. 

3) Three traits. It is required that you pick one from the campaign traits, but you can adjust the backstory freely to better align with your character.
4) No evil characters. 

5) Max HP at first level (roll or average thereafter).
6) Max starting gold
7) Archetype stacking is allowed, assuming the bonuses don't overlap. Also, I'll be looking for some story-basis or flavor-basis for your archetype choices. If you're just looking to game the system, you're out.

Arth was born and raised in the city of Taggoret, in the Five Kings Mountains; his mother was a wizard dedicated to the ideals of Nethys, and his father an exemplar of Irori (Ease of Faith). Early on in his life, partially because of parental dispute (Suspicious), partially because of his desire of a journey, he travelled from Taggoret and Avistan, to the distant lands of Tian Xia. Settling down at an age of twenty-four in Minkai, he found solace and quiet. Still wounded from the rift in his family, he embraced both his parents' ideals, and sought out training in both the mysterious crafts of the arcane, and the esoteric yet deadly art of the Urumi (OR Tian swordfighting). Yet when tension rose in Minkai, Arth returned to Avistan - while admiring the country, he had no desire to get involved in their politics.

Several years later, in Absalom, Arth was attending one of its many colleges to pursue his study of the gods, both old and new. There, he met Professor Petros Lorrimor. Admiring the man's mastery of the many disciplines of knowledge, Arth enjoyed both lectures and evenings with the man, devoting most of his time to further his own understanding of the realms of the divine, of mythic histories and ecclesiastic tradition. It was Lorrimor who gave Arth, as a parting gift, the silver symbols of Irori and Nethys - keepsakes that he now holds dear.

After Absalom, Arth moved to Magnimar, where he studied until the age of fifty. By some morbid coincidence, on his fifty-first birthday, the letter of Professor Lorrimor's passing arrived - and with all intent of honouring the man, he set out for Ustalav within days...

Reusten was the unexpected result of a romantic tryst between a farmer's daughter and handsome guardsman that had caught her eye. Furious at the lack of respect and decency showed by his daughter, the farmer forbade the child from entering his home, and his daughter brought Reusten to the nearby town of Tamrivena. Finding the temple of Pharasma to be a suitable place, she left him in the care of the clergy.

In his religious upbringing, Reusten proved to be an attentive student. With the priests of Pharasma as his foster parents, his fanatical devotion to the Lady of Graves grew over the years. He showed particular aptitude and interest in his lessons and lectures on the abomination of undeath. Vowing to seek out and put to rest undead creatures and to destroy any who might create them, he began to study combat arts as well. In combat he uses a morningstar in one hand for close combat, but is exceptionally skilled with the hand crossbow he holds in the other.

When Professor Lorrimor passed through Tamrivena in his travels, he gave a lecture on the nature of the undead. His theories and knowledge intrigued Reusten to the point that he sought out the professor for further study. Drawn to Reusten's intensity for learning more about the subject, Lorrimor conducted a number of personal sessions with Reusten. After several months of discussing the finer points of undeath as well as faith in Pharasma in general, Lorrimor had to continue his journey.

1. Who are you and where are you from?
I am Richten van der Zicht from Tamrivena. I serve the Church of Pharasma in hunting undead to bring them final rest.

2. How were you acquainted with Professor Lorrimor?
The professor visited Tamrivena in his travels. I was privileged to study with him at the church, learning knowledge that will assist in cleaning the scourge of undead from Ustalav, if not all of Golarion.

3. How would you describe your personality?
Determined. Serious. To-the-point. My acquaintances - especially the midwives of the church - tell me I seem cool and uncaring about others. Contrary to popular belief I do have friends, and we have fun when we can, but my studies and practice come first.

4. Do you buy into the superstitious paradigms of the denizens of Ustalav?
Of course! Ustalavans have much to fear from the horrors of our realm. Ensuring proper Pharasman rights for the deceased... being cautious of outsiders and the arcane arts... these are things that can keep people safe at night when unspeakable monstrosities stalk the countryside. Ghosts and vampires aren't just old wives' tales, so invite no strangers to your house, and always keep garlic handy!

Ghorum Kraak hails from the northern region of Lastwall, serving as a guide for the last 20 years for the troops patrolling the province of Virlych in Ustalav.

A somber, quiet man (not surprising for a dwarf), Ghorum seems an unfriendly sort at times, but deep down he appreciates demonstrations of loyalty, going so far as to risk his own life for those he feels are worthy.

He speaks little of his formative years, providing only tidbits of information, such as being raised in Janderhoff, in the Mindspin Mountains. He was almost to adulthood when his family was forced to move from his home due to some slight his father refused to speak of.

Whatever happened, Ghorum only knew that his father was devastated by it, and was never the same after that. He died shortly after arriving in the small border town/fort of Hammer Rock in Lastwall, leaving him a waraxe that had been handed down for the last 7 generations of the family. The weapon has served him well as he developed his skills in hunting the undead which prowl the wilds.

Ghorum was on a scouting mission a few years ago when he came upon an elderly man being assaulted by a few bandits. He was able to slay three of them before the rest ran away. Grateful for his help, the man introduced himself as Professor Lorrimor, promising to never forget Ghorum. He kept his word, even hiring Ghorum to serve as guide on a few outings. It has been more than a year since the Professor was in touch, and Ghorum occasionally wonders whatever became of the old man.

1. Who are you and where are you from?
Why, I am Ghorum Kraak, a guide and scout from Lastwall.

2. How were you acquainted with Professor Lorrimor?
I rescued the good Professor from some bandits, and he hired me to guide a few of his outings.


3. How would you describe your personality?
What kind of question is that? I'm a dwarf, by Gorum's balls! I'm somber and unfriendly most days. But I value a true friend who can look beyond my failings.

4. Do you buy into the superstitious paradigms of the denizens of Ustalav?
Not at all. I've been hunting undead creatures for a while now, and I'm pretty sure there isn't much out there that can frighten me.

Victor Hughs, was born and raised in Ustalov, only son of moderatly wealthy local nobles.
Victors early life was sheltered, his schooling conducted by tutors his parents bought in. As the son of a Ustalov Noble, he was expected not only to know the finer points of social graces, but also self defense, to that end his parents insured he spent time with the best combat trainers they could find. In spite of this, he preferred to spend his spare time with his nose in dusty old books he found in his parents library.

After his schooling he was sent to the University of Lepidstadt to study, to continue his grooming into a son worthy of passing the family title onto.

During his time at Lepidstadt, Professor Lorrimor visited to present a lectures on Ustalov History. The Professor touched on some of the alchemical findings to come out of Ustalov, and afterwards the young Victor, intrigued, approuched him for more information. Lorrimor took the time to point him towards several tomes that could be found in the universities library concerning the history of alchemy and its modern day progress.

Over the next year Victor pursued his studies, but in his spare time I devoured everything he could regarding alchemy, while corresponding with the Professor by mail. The Professor encouraged him to start experimenting, and document his findings.

It was with great sorrow that the lad learned of Professor Lorrimors death, as the man had taken the time to encourage him to develope his own passions, and while he still had his feet set on the path his parents had chosen for him he managed to obtain permission to take a break from his studies to attend the mans funeral.

Victor is a quiet young man, with a strong inquisitive streak, and although he is trained in social graces, prefers to spend his time researching.

Victor is 5'11" and 160lb, his build is athletic, but not muscular. He dresses finely, and carries himself with the pride that comes from an aristocratic upbringing.

His face is sharp, some describing his features as being akin to a weasel, his beady eyes constantly darting to and fro behind his glasses.


1. Who are you and where are you from? 

My name is Victor Hughs the Second, First son of the Earl of Ardelui, Victor Hughs. I was born and raised in my families castle.
2. How were you acquainted with Professor Lorrimor?
Through a lecture he gave at the university I study at, I have corresponded with him on a semi-regular basis over the past year.

3. How would you describe your personality?
I am a quiet man, I consider myself good natured, although I prefer the company of a good book.
4. Do you buy into the superstitious paradigms of the denizens of Ustalav?
No, superstitioun always has a rational explanation for it, I delight in uncovering those explanations that the small minded might otherwise pass off.

Sheldon was the cherished only child of two elven academics in Kyonin. He had sheltered childhood and it was clear that his parents intended for him to follow in their footsteps. Fortunately for them, Sheldon inherited their raw thirst for knowledge, unfortunately he was also blessed (or cursed depending on one’s perspective) with a deep wanderlust and sense of adventure. His parents were mostly able to keep Sheldon focused on his studies, but as the decades passed his dissatisfaction grew. Finally Sheldon found it in himself to risk his parent’s disapproval and to leave Kyonin. He had long had an interest in history and had developed a particular interest in the defeat of the Whispering Tyrant by the Shining Crusade. He decided that the best place to further his studies of this period lay in Ustalav and particularly at the University of Lepidstadt. The extremely innocent Sheldon was not off the boat in Caliphas for a full day before he was robbed of all his money and left beaten in an alley. Although after a few months Sheldon made his way to Lepidstadt by working as a scribe, he had learned an important lesson: He was woefully unprepared for a life outside the halls of academia. It wasn’t until he met Professor Lorrimor that this began to change. Sheldon was immediately impressed by the Professor. Not only was he a respected scholar, but he was also known to go into the field and study dangerous topics. The Professor was a man who was having all the adventures that Sheldon wanted to have. Sheldon was inspired by the Professor to more seriously study magic and its practical uses, both offensive and defensive, where before he was only interested in using it to further his theoretical studies. When Sheldon heard of the Professor’s death, he mourned profoundly. He was surprised and honored when he was informed that the Professor had made it known that he wished Sheldon to attend his funeral. He made arrangements for an absence from the University and left for Ravengro.

1. Ummm...hello! I am Sheldon Variel and I originally hail from Kyonin, although I have recently been living in Lepidstadt. A beautiful city by the way, you should visit if you get the chance. Did you know that Lepidstadt was originally founded as a fishing village, and that it only grew into the city it is now after the ascension of the Whispering Tyrant? I suppose you didn't....perhaps you were really interested.
2. I have known the Professor for several years. I had only known him by reputation when I first arrived at the University, but I attended several of his lectures and we eventually became friendly colleagues. Although he is....was obviously much more accomplished than I am.
3. I would say that I am very friendly and intelligent. Others may claim that I am naive and that I talk too much. I think that they are just jealous. The professor once claimed that I could produce surprisingly deep insights, but did not always understand their full implications. I was honored by the compliment.
4. One does not need to be from Ustalav to understand that many of the common folks' fears and superstitions are the result of the actual history through which their ancestors lived. One should not discount that evil exists and is dangerous, and that likely there are people out there who seek to see the rise of ancient evils.

These are very strange questions by the way. What did you say your name was?

Astria was the illegitimate child of a farmer's daughter and a passing Elf bard. By the time she was born, her mother had been forcibly married to one of the young men in the small community. Astria's life while growing up was hard on the young Half-Elf. Her "father" would often beat her for minor mistakes, or even no reason at all. The other children often added their own abuses, both physical and verbal, to those given by her father. Fortunately, Astria was always rather quick (Elven Reflexes), and became quicker in her early childhood, often using her keen eyes and hair trigger reactions to stay one step ahead against a would-be attacker (Reactionary).

Astria's stepfather often kept her from getting enough to eat, and when he and Astria's mother began to have children, the physical abuses stopped, but that's when the emotional and verbal abuses began to come from him as well. Her stepfather's example took hold in her half brothers and sisters and she was often called "the bastard Changeling" by everyone in the household but her mother.

Astria's mother was the one bright spot in her hellish life. She brought Astria up in the faith of Desna. She often saved what she could so the young girl wouldn't starve and comforted her when she was tormented by her siblings and her stepfather. She taught her daughter to love others, even if they didn't treat her with kindness.

On her sixteenth birthday, Astria's stepfather took her to the village's church for her "coming out", as he put it. "Coming out" in this case meant meeting with several of the girls her age, many of which had bullied her as children. The reason for this was, supposedly, to teach Astria, who was beginning to show the signs of wanderlust, how to be a good wife. What happened was four hours of abuse and mockery being hurled at the still maturing, and emotionally fragile Half-Elf, all egged on by her stepfather.

After that final abuse, Astria ran away, with the blessings of her mother. Frail from malnutrition, and bruised from the beatings received earlier, Astria said good bye to her mother. Desna smiled upon the young Half-Elf, and a Varisian vagabond traveling with a caravan found her while she slept on the side of the road. He took her in and taught the Varisian language as well as other skills necessary to his livelihood as a thief.

A year and a half later, Astria's mentor was hired by Professor Lorrimor as a trap spotter and lock-pick. During the trip, Astria kept to herself, barely talking to the man whom she had grown close to and considered an older brother. She saved both of them when a trap that the three of them weren't aware was there had sprung and nearly loped their heads off (Chance Savior). Though the Professor had always treated Astria with kindness, he treated her with respect and graciousness after that incident, and finally restored a little bit of her self-esteem.

Astria left the caravan a couple of years later, plying her trade as a lockpick and a trap spotter in various towns throughout Ustalav. When she got a letter from Professor Lorrimor, she was sad to learn that one of the kind men in life was dead, but rather shocked to see him remember the shy, skittish thief's apprentice.

1. Who are you and where are you from? 

"Astria Einn from no'ere in particular, trap-finder an' lock-picker at your service."
2. How were you acquainted with Professor Lorrimor?
"Me mentor was 'ired by tha good 'Fessor. 'E brought me along ta learn a li'l 'bout disarmin' traps. 'E said good thin' too, Desna musta been smilin' on us, 'cuz I pushed 'em outta tha way o' a right nasty trap. The 'Fessor just kept singin' me praises after that. Ne'er knew why, just did what anyone else woulda."

3. How would you describe your personality?
I don't know how to do this in character like the other three, so here goes.
Astria is often quiet and unassuming, even with a couple of pints in her. She can be naive (as seen above), and can be just as superstitious as any other Ustalav. She doesn't possess a sharp wit, but her perception is every bit as sharp as her blade, and can often tell when others are lying, or at least if they have a ulterior motive behind their words. Although she bears the scars from her childhood, she is still rather pretty and very kind.
4. Do you buy into the superstitious paradigms of the denizens of Ustalav?
"I don't call 'em superstitions or what 'ave you. There be things 'ere that make grown Ulfen men weep from fright. Desna's smiled on me so far, so I figure as long as I do right by 'er, she'll keep blessin' me an' me mates," she says while clutching a holy symbol of Desna.

Astria was the illegitimate child of a farmer's daughter and a passing Elf bard. By the time she was born, her mother had been forcibly married to one of the young men in the small community. Astria's life while growing up was hard on the young Half-Elf. Her "father" would often beat her for minor mistakes, or even no reason at all. The other children often added their own abuses, both physical and verbal, to those given by her father (Resilient).

Astria's stepfather often kept her from getting enough to eat, and when he and Astria's mother began to have children, the physical abuses stopped, but that's when the emotional and verbal abuses began to come from him as well. Her stepfather's example took hold in her half brothers and sisters and she was often called "the bastard Changeling" by everyone in the household but her mother.

Astria's mother was the one bright spot in her hellish life. She brought Astria up in the faith of Desna. She often saved what she could so the young girl wouldn't starve and comforted her when she was tormented by her siblings and her stepfather. She taught her daughter to love others, even if they didn't treat her with kindness.

On her sixteenth birthday, Astria's stepfather took her to the village's church for her "coming out", as he put it. "Coming out" in this case meant meeting with several of the girls her age, many of which had bullied her as children. The reason for this was, supposedly, to teach Astria, who was beginning to show the signs of wanderlust, how to be a good wife. What happened was four hours of abuse and mockery being hurled at the still maturing, and emotionally fragile Half-Elf, all egged on by her stepfather.

After that final abuse, Astria ran away, with the blessings of her mother. Frail from malnutrition, and bruised from the beatings received earlier, Astria said good bye to her mother. Desna smiled upon the young Half-Elf (Starchild), and a Varisian vagabond traveling with a caravan found her while she slept on the side of the road. He took her in and taught the Varisian language as well as other skills necessary to his livelihood as a thief.

A year and a half later, Astria's mentor was hired by Professor Lorrimor as a trap spotter and lock-pick. During the trip, Astria kept to herself, barely talking to the man whom she had grown close to and considered an older brother. She saved both of them when a trap that the three of them weren't aware was there had sprung and nearly loped their heads off (Chance Savior). Though the Professor had always treated Astria with kindness, he treated her with respect and graciousness after that incident, and finally restored a little bit of her self-esteem.

Astria left the caravan a couple of years later, plying her trade as a lockpick and a trap spotter in various towns throughout Ustalav. When she got a letter from Professor Lorrimor, she was sad to learn that one of the kind men in life was dead, but rather shocked to see him remember the shy, skittish thief's apprentice.

Even among his kind, Gwyndle was an unusual one. Born in the gnomish city of Umok, as a child he always had a strangeness about him, which nobody could ever quite figure out. The charmed animals that wandered about the city always fled from him, and he was often bullied by his peers, though in the end, they all feared him.

It was only Gwyndle's father who acknowledged him, viewing his son's strangeness as a gift of some sort rather than a curse. Scarred by memories of the Goblinblood Wars, he passed on his knowledge of swordsmanship and magic, never wanting him to feel helpless as he had. Gwyndle proved to be quite talented, and in time, came to understand the nature of of the strange force that haunted him. As fate would have it however, as Gwyndle resolved to make the most out of his life, his father succumbed to the Bleaching.

With his father dead, he found no reason to remain in Umok, where the other gnomes still shunned him. Recalling tales of the strange nation of Ustalav to the north, Gwyndle set out, hoping to attain a greater understanding of the haunt that had imbued him for all his life. It was by pure chance that he stumbled upon Professor Petros Lorrimor on one of his trips, as he was being attacked by vicious goblins. Fending off the vile creatures and saving his life in the process, Gywndle earned the Professor's gratitude. Their friendship fresh, the two parted ways - that would be the last Gwyndle would see of him before the Professor's untimely death.

1. Who are you and where are you from? 

"The name's Gwyndle, or Gwyn if that last syllable happens to be too much of a nuisance. I come from Umok, down in Isger. Quaint place, mind you; not a day went by that some chap didn't give me the stink eye. Doesn't exactly help that we were right next to good-for-nothing Cheliax."

2. How were you acquainted with Professor Lorrimor?
"I can't say I knew the man too well, bless his soul. I was heading north out of Isger when I saw the poor guy getting attacked by goblins. Either he had come alone, or his bodyguards had ditched him. I couldn't just stand around and do nothing, so I just jumped in and poked a couple of holes in the nasty blighters. I have to say, the Professor was very gracious about it. We chatted for quite some time, and then I took my leave. Never saw him again."


3. How would you describe your personality?
"Me? Well, I'm never afraid to step in and get things done. Got called foolish and stubborn a lot when I was a kid. Also said that I liked running my mouth a lot. I have to say, I'm inclined to agree with them. Except the part about me being devilspawn or whatsit; I never quite understood where they got all those crazy ideas about me."

4. Do you buy into the superstitious paradigms of the denizens of Ustalav?
"I can buy it alright, just as long as it ain't a conspiracy theory. I got enough of that 'gnome is evil' nonsense back home, thank you very much. As for everything else... I'll give it a chance."

DURGROSH BLACKSUN PALADIN CR 1/2
Male Half-Orc Paladin 1
LG Medium Humanoid (Orc)
Init +2; Senses Darkvision (60 feet); Perception -1
--------------------
DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16. . (+6 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 11 (1d10+1)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +1
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OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 20 ft.
Melee Bite (Toothy) -1 (1d4+1/20/x2) and
. . Greatsword +4 (2d6+4/19-20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3/20/x2)
Special Attacks Smite Evil (1/day)
Spell-Like Abilities Detect Evil (At will)
Paladin Spells Known (CL 0, 4 melee touch, 3 ranged touch):
--------------------
STATISTICS
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Str 16, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats Power Attack -1/+2
Skills Acrobatics -2, Climb -1, Diplomacy +7, Escape Artist -2, Fly -2, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Ride -2, Spellcraft +4, Stealth -2, Swim -1
Languages Common, Orc
SQ Aura of Good (Ex)
Combat Gear Breastplate, Greatsword;
--------------------
SPECIAL ABILITIES
--------------------
Aura of Good (Ex) The paladin has an Aura of Good with power equal to her class level.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Detect Evil (At will) (Sp) You can use Detect Evil at will (as the spell).
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Smite Evil (1/day) (Su) +3 to hit, +1 to damage, +3 deflection bonus to AC when used.

A week before his birth Kolgrym's mother was possessed by a ghost. The undead killed Kolgrym's father and weakened his mother to the point that she died in childbirth. Additionally, the exposure to necromantic energies while still in the womb rendered Kolgrym unable to channel positive energy.

As he grew Kolgrym began to have vivid dreams about strange, masked creatures. When Professor Lorrimor eventually contacted the young dwarf to inquire about the events surrounding Kolgrym's birth, the Professor was able to identify the creatures as psychopomps, servants of Pharasma. Believing the dreams may be more than the product of a dwarf's imagination, Lorrimor helped Kolgrym learn Celestial so that he might understand the creatures.

The psychopomps guided Kolgrym, training him in the mysteries of Pharasma's church and revealing to him weaknesses of the undead, creatures worthy of only total destruction. Kolgrym supplemented this instruction with research of his own, consulting the Blue Warders of the Five Kings Mountains and eventually journeying to their library in order to continue his studies. It is here that he received notice of the Professor's death.

Ulven Whitescale is a member of the little-known Whitescale Clan from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. While several of his cousins are members of the illustrious Pathfinder Society, He became a mercenary.

Since the Whitescales' ancestral keep is on the northern edge of the Grungir Forest, Ulven was trained from a young age on how to care for and use weapons and armor (armor expert). This aided him well in his travels down south where he honed his skills, and met Professor Lorrimor.

Professor Lorrimor hired Ulven for his talents in dissuading people from messing with him, but quickly came to realize that a childhood spent on the outskirts of Grungir Forest had given Ulven an almost unique knowledge, and even reverence, for the Fey and wild animals of the surrounding wilds (devotee of the green). The Professor often hired him as much for his brain as his brawn as a result (On the Payroll).

At 6 feet 5 inches, Ulven is tall even for his Ulfen kin. His constant grin and bawdy humor make him seem warm and friendly, until you leave him with most of the bill. His dirty blonde hair remains in a constant unruly mess, and his blue eyes sometimes burn with the cold fire of his homeland.

1. Who are you and where are you from?

"Pardon, the name's Ulven Whitescale. I hail from the northern reaches of Grungir Forest."
2. How were you acquainted with Professor Lorrimor?
"The kind Professor was in the market for a guard. Lucky for him, I was in the market for a job. For a few years before he died, I was hired for just about every trip he made into the wilds."

3. How would you describe your personality?
"Hmmm, Well, I guess loud and proud might be a good way of putting it, though the ladies say that I'm just a big ol' teddy bear, if you catch my drift."
4. Do you buy into the superstitious paradigms of the denizens of Ustalav?
"HA! The men of this land wouldn't even have the courage to face what our children face on a daily basis! Let them tremble in fear. I'll put those fears into a grave."

Eskela is the daughter of an elvish druid and a human ranger, born and raised in the wilds of Ustalav. Due to the professions of her parents she had very little contact to civilisation, neither elven or human. Most of what she knows about them she knows from what she has been taught as a child, or what she learned for herself.
It became obvious at a young age already that she had a special affinity for the natural order of the world and so her mother began training her in the ways of the druid.

The scar the rule of the Whispering Tyrant has left of the land has still not faded completely even after almost a thousand years, and for the last 10 years, since she had parted from her parents to follow her own path, she has been traveling, trying to restore the land, step by step, like so many before her and most likely many more after she is long dead. She has no delusions that she can fix it all, but she feels it is her duty to try.

When she received the message of the Professor's passing she was surprised that he had apperently named her personally to appear. The fact that she had been far from civilisation for months and yet the message still reached her in a timely manner made her even more curious and she began her journey to Ravengro.

1. Who are you and where are you from?
"I'm Eskela, and I hail from the Shudderwood in the north of Ustalav originally, but I'm just as much at home in the grassy plains or rocky mountains of the country"

2. How were you acquainted with Professor Lorrimor?
"Well, I only met him once actually. It was 15 years ago, I think, I was still with my parents at that time. I was wandering through the forest on my own, when I heard a bear roar very closely, immediately followed by a loud crashing sound. It was the Professor's cart being smashed by the bear as I learned shortly later. I was curious what was going on and I went to investigate. I saw the horse pulling the cart was dead already and the professor with his back against a steep cliffside while the bear was just finished going through the contents of the destroyed cart. Having found nothing it liked, it turned the attention towards him. My parents always taught me not to interfere in the natural order of things, that predators need to kill to survive and that is just how it is. But I was fairly certain this situation wasn't what they had in mind when they said that, so I stepped between the two of them and managed to calm the bear down. At least enough so it would focus on the dead horse instead of the living professor, or myself for that matter.
Even though the contents of his cart were lost, he got away with his life there. I then showed him the way out of the forest, guided him towards the nearest settlement about a day away, talking with him during the journey. Well, that was the last I saw of him. I'm surprised he even remembered me."

3. How would you describe your personality?
"Honest I think. I don't believe in mincing words to hide my opinions, feelings or intentions like you 'civilized' people do. Nature isn't like that, it can brutal and feral and extremely deadly, but it is honest."

4. Do you buy into the superstitious paradigms of the denizens of Ustalav?
"I have little contact with the denizens of Ustalav as you call them, but I know there are things we can't explain, and there are still parts of Ustalav that are ripe with ancient horrors"

Charsheet is not done yet, since I sitll haven't fully decided on everything, but I wanted to post this now since you set the deadline for in a few hours.

So far my intention is to make her a primary caster, battlefield control, summoning and healing by taking a domain instead of the Animal Companion. The Menhir Savant archetype looks quite interesting, so I'm thinking about taking that, unless it clashes with something else (I might take one of the Shaman archetypes instead - they're also pretty cool)

However the concept is easily adaptable to a more melee focused character with an animal companion, if the group is otherwise lacking in the frontline fighter department.