RavenCrown (Carrion Crown + Ravenloft)

Game Master Gonturan

It was a warm Arodus night. The group was huddled around the fire, eating freshly-hunted venison and listening to Ivan's tale of last month's adventure, where Gamorak the Evoker managed to blow up an entire crypt's worth of skeletons with seven pots full of oil and one carefully calculated fireball. This night, eight people were seated around the fire. The party had a guest- none other than the famed Professor Petros Lorrimor, who hired the adventurers to escort him on his journey to an abandoned necromancer's lair. After investigating the cave and not finding much of interest, the group decided to set up a camp and heighten Lorrimor's spirits with a good meal and some stories.

As the hours went by, the adventurers slowly fell asleep, until only Ivan was awake. He decided to spend the remaining hours on rewriting a part of this quest's account, as it was currently a dull description of heroes looking at stones. As he leaned against the cave's wall, Ivan heard a strange, terrifyingly quiet creak coming from inside the cave. Knowing very well he is not up to handle anything by himself, yet too frightened to wake his allies up, the scribe waited in silence as the sounds grew louder and louder, then suddenly stopped.
Just as Ivan was ready to call for help, three zombies leaped at him from within the cave. With uncharacteristic swiftness, Ivan darted out of the way, grabbed the first thing within reach and started running, screaming. All he could hear from behind was the sound of his allies trying to fight back, shouting in pain as they are killed by the heartless corpses. When he was already far enough to not hear the blood freezing screams of agony, Ivan looked at the canvas bag he dragged with him, containing a bruised, confused and terrified Lorrimor.

After the events of this night, Ivan returned to Lapidstadt, where he dedicated his life to becoming a bard and spreading the tales of his late allies. He occasionally met with Professor Lorrimor, exchanging information and tales, and sometimes receiving a small sum of money. The Professor's death dealt another blow to Ivan's wellbeing, and he hasn't much to do except obey his final wish and attend his funeral.

In his early childhood, Esdras spent almost the same amount of time in his studies and running around the streets with less lucky children. The boy loved to exercise outside, even if he was a sick boy, constantly having to drink the 'uncle Hansen's' special medicine. Unfortunately for him, Esdras wasn't the only children with a frail condition... both his two brothers and his sister also had some debilitating condition or disease, and none of them survived their childhood.

When he was thirteen, Esdras had already lost all his siblings and also lost his home. Doctor Hansen told the boy that those were hard times and thanks to the expenses on treating his brothers disease, all the gold his parents have left him have already been depleted and he could not take care of him anymore. Esdras was shocked but he ultimately understood the man... the medicine was expensive. Esdras slept on the streets for a couple days before being found by the family of one of his childhood friends, the Donvars, who took him inside their house. Initially Esdras was dismayed... how was he able to survive without doctor Hansen's medicine? But as the weeks and months passed, Esdras faced no crises or new signs of his diseases.

Working on the fields with the Donvars have given Esdras a strong build as he grew up. He never married for he feared that his children would inherit his conditions and diseases and he could not bear the thought of losing his children the same way as he has lost his siblings. Always curious about his parents, Esdras was a constant visitor to the University of Lepidstadt, always trying to find a way to visit the distant Osirion... he had found no such opportunity but instead found work as a bodyguard. Esdras was strong, quite skillful with a blade, and also some knowledge about survival in the woods... all useful skills for the travelling professors from the university.

The truth behind Esdras: Esdras had no rich parents but was instead the son of common peasants who have sold the boy to Doctor Hensen. All his 'siblings' came from similar homes. None of them had any kind of disease or special condition, but were in fact 'experiments'... since their childhood, the doctor gave them powerful drugs and potions, trying to enhance them in some way to his own advantage. Esdras was the only one to survive and did so mostly because the doctor thought he was a failure and decided to ditch the project. In truth, Esdras had acquired some unprecedented abilities...

With a swirl of her shimmering, great sable cloak of glistening feathers and looking, almost as if for the first time, back and around at those gathered around her at the grave-site. She turns her head and again offers a bow of respect to good Father Grimburrow before raising her head, taking a deep breath and...

"My past is one of some privilege." Arabeth gentle adjusts the unique black cloak adoring her shoulders. Though all of her items, from boots, to clothes, to armor show an equal amount of moneys spent on quality.

"My life safe and sequestered within the loving confines of a monastery devoted to the Goddess." She looks to Kendra smiling,

"I was not fortunate enough to know my parents." And Kednra might realize Arabeth's smile is on of support and admiration, not envy at Kendra's fortune,

"However, the Priestess and Priests of the temple were and always are as close as kin to me." Arabeth's eyes turn to look both over the crowd and back into her past.

"It was here...as I attended the daily duties that are those of faith, that the good Professor came seeking assistance for one of his endeavors." Arabeth shakes her head, "I do not know of all the intrigue and such that brought Master Lorrimor and myself together...But offer aid my clergy did, with myself as the one to whom said responsibility lay." Arabeth's eyes lower to those gathered.

"I was younger then. With no knowledge of the world at large beyond the cloister's walls. To say that the good Professor was more my guardian than the protector from the Church would be the honest truth of the matter." Arabeth smile turns rueful,

"The good Professor was a font of knowledge and education. Something which we continued and maintained after the business which had brought us together was resolved." Arabeth's features draw closer, her pain rising but not over flowing,

"I count it amongst my many blessings to have had such a wonderful teacher and mentor..." Her voice catches, "I am truly saddened by the loss of such an open, honest and wonderful friend..." Arabeth blinks, as if suddenly finding the light too bright as she nods, indicating that she is finished.

In 'Normal' human society it would best seem that such items should be hidden. Hence she does, disguising her plumage as a great cloak draped across her shoulders.

Pretty much a lot of things will be able to follow along from there. (^_^)

The second thing would be her 'Arshean' upbringing. The 'Goddess of hookers' should bring forth some possible 'earthy' accidental happenings. Just as a thought.

The beginning is a very ....delicate... time...

Arabeth's eyes open slowly. From where she was seated, lotus folded upon the highest point of the temple's domed roof, some wisps of cloud briefly shaded the rising morning sun. Standing slowly and stretching her limbs as she soaked in the light of the dawning day she thought of the message which had arrived, leading to many long talks with the Mother Superior of the temple as to its contents. Finishing her warm up exercises and launched herself from her high perch.

For the brief amount of time, she closes her eyes and revels in the freedom of the wind washing over her limbs and body. Muscles and tendons flexed instinctively, automatically as her arcing flight *So brief* carries her perfectly over her balcony's edge and into her rooms. Reflexes instantly shifting her posture, great pinions flexing, so that with a soft scuffing of bare feet she arrests her motion and comes to a halt, only to open her eyes where in she is greeted with the sight of the Mother Superior.

"You are... prepared?" Is the simple question that is asked, to which Arabeth simply nods. The two women have known each other a life time and a half. Such familiarity brings easy understanding of nuances between them both.

"It is a place... a meeting." Arabeth replies even as she stretches her arms as a younger cleric wraps Arabeth's form in a simple silken cloth.

Cheanna steps closer, indicates to the novice that her help is not needed -the young girl nodding and bowing gracefully as she acknowledges and departs- as the Mother Superior finishes garbing Arabeth's from in the temple robes. For her part Arabeth easily acquiesces, feeling the bond between them and knowing the changes about to unfold.

"I have had things prepared," Cheanna says lightly, only a slight waver of emotion carries in the other woman's voice. Arabeth looks to the figure who has been her mentor, her guide, her friend and sees many emotions reflected and shining from the other woman's eyes. Together they leave the place which has been the center of Arabeth's existence, descending down into the 'working' halls, rooms, chambers and galleries of the temple proper.

Cheanna brings Arabeth to the larger halls, where more mundane arts are done to service such a large establishment and presents the items which have been assembled. Arabeth nods again, thanking her elder for such considerations. Admiring the garments and other equipment. Her hand stops upon one item and she raises an eyebrow to her mentor. Cheanna smiles,

"Remember that, while indeed we are the followers of love...., sometimes even love should travel carrying a big stick."

The journey to where she'd been guided towards the meeting had not been arduous. Much of the journey had been spent in simply learning and appreciating the many new things there were to experience 'Outside'.

Arabeth's clothes, robes and equipment and route had seen her safely to the rendezvous. When those of an uncouth nature had presented themselves Arabeths' hand resting casually but commanding-ly upon the hilt of the sword worn at her hip had dissuaded them from any further loutish behaviors.

Alec knows all of this thanks to the letters his mother bore with her on her journey, as well as the letters written to him by his caretaker Ellida--these letters are his most prized possessions, and he bears them on his person at all times. To his regret he barely remembers the woman who saved him; by the time Alec was old enough to begin learning his letters Ellida had passed on. His care was taken up by a scarred old inquisitor named Iram, and Alec was placed in one of the church-run boarding schools of Vigil in neighboring Lastwall. The followers of The Golden Bulwark have been a lasting presence in Ustalav; though few in number, they have striven to keep an eye on the regions many dangers, from bandit groups, to signs of impending plague outbreaks, to the crumbling fortresses of the Whispering Tyrant and his generals. Iram was often traveling on business, though he made a point of visiting Vigil regularly to ensure that Alec's education was proceeding properly. These visits were were a delight to the boy, who strove make the grizzled Iram proud by excelling at his studies and, once old enough, volunteering for the local watch militia.

Iram kept his secrets close; the inquisitor made it clear to Alec that questions about his frequent trips were off-limits for conversation, even when Iram returned to Vigil bearing half-healed wounds or carefully wrapped objects that he handled with clear distaste. For all his stony silence about his work Iram seemed genuine in his affection for the boy, often bringing him books and extolling ancient legends to the rapt Alec. Five years past, a scholar named Professor Lirrimor arrived at in Vigil seeking out Iram, ostensibly in order to consult the priest for his next book. The old man was unfailingly polite and patient with Alec's incessant questions about the wider world, and the two struck up a correspondence that helped Alec fill the weeks between Iram's visits.

Alec's world was shattered four months ago, when a beautiful and terrifying young woman swept through his life like a hurricane. Alec was nearing the end of one of his militia night shifts when a carriage pulled up on the foggy street; the door opened and a woman of heart-stopping beauty leaned out and called to him. Alec approached, glanced into her eyes and was lost in those cold, heartless pits. The world took on a grey, foggy quality as Alec climbed into the carriage, answering every question she posed and agreeing without hesitation to help her murder Lord Marshal Aritas Colvir--the commander of the city's Vigilant Blades, who regularly checked in on the fortresses of the Whispering Tyrant. As some small part of him screamed in impotent denial, Alec turned his charm on the guards at the Lord Marshal's estate, gaining entry for "Lady Illara" and several of her "bodyguards". When Sir Colvir met his guests in the study, the false noblewoman ordered Alec and the others to attack--and he obeyed, to his own horror. The Lord Marshal and his guards killed the two men who had driven the carriage and slashed open Alec's neck before the thing that called itself Illara ripped out his throat...and drank his blood. When she finished, she strode to the window and leapt out without a second glance--and suddenly Alec's mind was his again. Overcome with revulsion and terror, Alec dragged himself to his feet and fled the city. Since then he has kept on the move, his coin purse growing ever thinner as he vainly tries to puzzle out how that strange, frightening woman was able to entice him to murder. As the weeks went by, Alec's grief and horror slowly turned to cold fury--he would discover what this woman had done to him, and he would redeem himself to Iram, the closest thing to a father he had ever known. The problem was, where could he possibly begin?

When the knock sounded on the door of his room in the inn of some tiny town in southwest Ustalev, Alec was certain that the authorities of Lastwall had finally found him. His fear turned to confusion when the culprit turned out to be a child bearing for him a letter from Professor Lorrimor. Despite his alarm and uncertainty as to how the letter had found its way to him, Alec couldn't fight down a wave of sadness as he read of the old sage's death, mingled with surprise at learning that he was included in the will. Seized with the sudden, desperate hope that the the professor's library might hold clues as to what had been done to him, the young man resolved to travel to Ravengro and attend the funeral.

In his early childhood, Esdras spent almost the same amount of time in his studies and running around the streets with less lucky children. Esdras loved to exercise outside, even if he was a sick boy, constantly having to drink the 'uncle Hansen's' special medicine. Unfortunately for him, Esdras wasn't the only children with a frail condition... both his two brothers and his sister also had some debilitating condition or disease, and aside from Esdras, none of them survived their childhood.

When he was thirteen, Esdras had already lost all his siblings and also his home. Doctor Hansen told the boy that those last couple years were hard times and thanks to the expenses of treating his brothers' diseases, all the gold his parents have left them have already been depleted and he could not take care of him anymore. Esdras was shocked but he ultimately understood the man, for the medicine was expensive and if not for him, Esdras himself would have also perished. Esdras slept on the streets for a couple nights before being found by the family of one of his childhood friends, the Donvars, who took him inside their house. Initially Esdras was dismayed... how was he able to survive without doctor Hansen's medicine? But as the weeks and months passed, Esdras faced no crises or new signs of his diseases.

Laurence Donvar was the city watch captain at the time and as soon as Esdras built some muscles, he enlisted his 'new son' on the watch, where the boy learnt how to properly wield a sword and move with an armor. Before he had lost his home, Esdras had also took fencing lessons with the instructor of Doctor Hansen's but he was never skillful. The same could not be said by bigger weapons, which took full advantage of Esdras now large frame.

Esdras flourished as a watchman. He had good physics and a pretty acute vision during the night, actually too acute to be normal. As the years passed, despite acquiring a couple friends, many of the other guards were weary about him... "something isn't right" they used to say, specially after a couple occasions where Esdras was able to do some incredible feats of strength, or was suddenly faster than the others. One night, during the night watch, one of his less friendly colleagues surprise Esdras and noticed his eyes were different, having acquired an orange-tone, and accused him of witchcraft and demonic dabbling. Laurence Donvar had no choice but to fire Esdras, fearing that if he had not done so many other guards would have left their posts.

Esdras spent a couple months looking for a new job before the luck finally knocked on his door in the form of an old man, Professor Lorrimor, who wished to hire him as a body guard in one of his travels. Wishing to grab this opportunity with both hands, Esdras took care to work on his finest and eventually impressed the old scholar. From there on, he was constantly hired by him and even other professors for protection during their trips.

On the recent years, something unthinkable happened... Esdras started to have feelings for a young varisian girl, and, to his surprise, he feeling was mutual. This feeling brought back his worried about his mysterious disease and now he is working to find a way to cleanse himself so he'll be able to have a proper life, something that was denied to him for too long...

The truth behind Esdras: Esdras had no rich parents but was instead the son of common peasants who have sold the boy to Doctor Hensen. All his 'siblings' came from similar homes. None of them had any kind of disease or special condition, but were in fact 'experiments'... since their childhood, the doctor gave them powerful drugs and potions, trying to enhance them in some way to his own advantage. Esdras was the only one to survive and did so mostly because the doctor thought he was a failure and decided to ditch the project. In truth, Esdras had acquired some unprecedented abilities...

Quirks and Flaws: Esdras always stands a few steps back, unless during combat. As a bodyguard, he likes to keep his charges under watch, but when the fight begins, he quickly moves to the front. He is also very protective about children. Esdras rarely enters churches and whenever he can, he avoids priests and clerics. Miracles don't seem to work on him. Despite being a 'man of science', Esdras is specially afraid of curses, so he is quick to grab or buy an amulet or talism whenever he can.

For that game we had to roll the characters stats. I rolled two high, one average and three very low scores, so low that it would almost handicap a "Heroic character" but in the horror theme I decided to create an "Igor" type character. Seljak is the result.

Since the ending of that game he has sat on a shelf, and I really would like to play him. The GM of that game created a list of ideas similar to yours so I left him as is for now, if you would like to see something different please let me know. Also I know that you commented earlier about a Dhampir. So if his fathers story is an issue I can change it. His father being a sorcerer with the undead bloodline is the cause of that being his bloodline.

After certain events his mother dropped him off at the kitchen door of the university with a note attached that said “From this place I came, too this place I have been returned.’ The staff that found him assumed he was the bastard child of one of the students who had a tryst with half-orcs on staff. The university was known as being both elitist and liberal. While the professors and students considered themselves better than the locals, especially the half-orcs; they felt it there civic duty to help them “better themselves” by providing jobs, such as cooking, cleaning and general maintenance.

The first time Yngvar Varangian, who publically despises all half-orcs, saw young Seljak rummaging through the trash looking for food, he snatched the waif (unbeknownst to either of them, father and son) by his collar and, walking through the courtyard, threw the boy into the “serenity Pool.” A fountain that decorated the courtyard. Fortunately one of the cooks saw him thrashing about in the water and after the professor had left rescued the boy.

Morgrym Domar the head Janitor found Seljak soon after that and brought the young half-orc under his wing. He let Seljak clean, take trash to the dump and work as a beast of burden for room and board (sleeping on the floor in the attic) food (anything left over from the previous day before it was thrown away) and second pick of any of the “trash” that the rich students left at the end of the school year. Of course Morgrym got first pick. Morgrym, a dwarf, promised the young half-orc that when he retired Seljak could have his job. Not that he had that authority knowing that the Half-orc had no idea how long Dwarves lived. Seljak did whatever Morgym told him too and Morgym, for his part, saw that Seljak was fed, clothed and slept under a roof.

Morgrym, when Seljak wasn’t busy doing his other responsibilities, would rent the young half-orc out to students or professors. This is how Seljak met Professor Lorrimor, the year that the professor was at Quarterfaux Archives. Anytime the professor needed any simple work done he would employee Seljak. Knowing that all of the money went to Morgrym, Professor Lorrimor also gave Seljak money; he called it a ‘tip’. Through earning ‘tips’ Seljak was able to earn enough to purchase the only new item he owns. His new coat. All of his other possessions came from the trash; the items the students or professors had left on campus at the end of the school year. It was after Seljak had purchased his new coat that he was helping the professor set up a very large piece of equipment that Seljak didn’t really understand, but the professor told him ”Put this do-jiggy hear, or put that whats-it there” and Seljak would. When the professor had his back turned to a thing-a-ma-bob, it started to fall and Seljak pulled him out of the way. The professor told him his gratitude was “effusive”, and he promised that he would never forget.

At the end of the school year last year, Seljak found his other pride and joy. One of the students had left a beautiful gem crusted Alchemical Silver Gladius. Morgym was so pleased with Seljak’s find that when the half-orc asked to keep the sword Morgym agreed. Using a dagger he pried all of the gems from the blade and scabbard, keeping them to sell, and giving the defaced blade back to Seljak. He was overjoyed. Seljak wears it every day, tucked in the belt of his fancy over coat. It was the most expensive coat he could find in the area of town that Seljak traveled; they called it an ‘armored coat.’ He liked the sound of that. His other possessions are: a pair of fine green dress pants that are only slightly short, a sky blue puffy sleeved shirt with only one sleeve torn, a vest with a hole in the left shoulder blade that because of the maroon color the blood stain did not show, a pair of heavy work boots, his hand made walking stick called a shillelagh (so he can look like a gentleman) and a ruck sack that Morgym calls a “bug out bag.”

Seljak is very lonely, while he looks up to Morgym as a father figure and dearly misses his mother he wants to belong to someone or someone’s. He willing helps those whom Morgum instruct him too. He will help the cooks or maids when asked. Many assume he helps for promise of payment when he actually helps just to associate with others and to belong.

He is listed as neutral, not because he is looking for balance or because he understands the need to behave in different ways at different times. He is listed as neutral because he is a blank canvas, willing to take on the values, goals and standards of those who are willing to associate with him; whatever their motivation.

A. he likes to earn money, he wants to own other new stuff, like his coat. If asked about his goals or aspirations his answer would be to be a great man like Professor Lorrimor who is able to give tips. Then he would list all the stuff he would want to buy before he would give tips. Items like new boots, a hat, a riding crop, he always heard students threaten to use a riding crop when dealing with him; so all gentlemen must have one. To be able to buy what he needs and give money to those he likes.

B. He wants to belong. To be a part of a family, possibly to find his mother. Possibly to find love, obviously to be part of a group of well-to-do travelers who watch out for each other and value each other’s company and skills. Unashamed plug!

The secret he keeps to himself. His mother is a half-orc. Everyone has assumed that his mother was a human student who couldn’t take him home to her family.

The secret kept from him. Professor Yngvar Varangian, the man who tried to kill him and caused his fear of water is his father.

another secret that's not a secret. He is a monster, he turns into a zombie when he is mad.

His father and enemy: Yngvar Varangian from Ulcazar a Sorcerer of the Undead Bloodline, who is a professor at the prestigious university Quarterfaux Archives. Those that know Yngvar mistakenly believe he is a Dhampir, which he, being a sorcerer of the undead bloodline does not confirm or deny.

His employer, handler, trainer and Mentor: the dwarf Morgrym Domar the head Janitor at Quarterfaux Archives.

Seljak’s first memory is the reason his mother had to send him away. He was bad, he was a monster. It was a normal night at the brothel. His mother was downstairs entertaining customers and he was playing in the attic with the other children. One of the other boys, Seljak doesn’t remember his name, only his face; and that he had Seljak’s only possession a yellow baby blanket. He wouldn’t give Seljak the blanket he was teasing and teasing. Seljak got mad and turned into a monster. Seljak screamed at the boy ”Give me my blanket!” and all the children in the attic started to scream as Seljak grabbed the blanket from the other little boy. All the kids kept screaming. When one of the ‘ladies’ unlocked the door at the top of the stairs the kids all ran screaming out of the attic. The woman screamed and called Seljak a “Zombie”. When mother and the ‘mistress’ came to see why children were running around in the brothel; Seljak, having torn up his blanket in a rage, was sitting on the floor, very tired. The Mistress glared at mother and said ”You get rid of him or I will!” Seljak was frightened; he didn’t mean to be a ‘monster,’he didn’t mean to be a ‘zombie’, he didn’t mean to tear up his blanket.

Seljak’s second memory was the following morning, when his mother took him to the Quarterfaux Archives: sleeping in her room (always a special treat) that night, her singing to him while he looked at and touched all her nice clothes as she put on her ‘outdoor cloths’, her pinning a note to his shirt while carrying him all the way to the big building: it was the furthest he had ever been from the ‘Widow’s Boudoir.’ When she set him down near the trashcans at the back door near the kitchen, she kissed him and told him ”I can’t keep you at the house anymore, There are Half-Orcs here that will help you. There are nice people here; they will feed you and keep you warm. I love you and want you to live. You will be safe here. Sit down right there until someone comes to help you.”

His third memory was the same day. A man: tall and pale, well dressed and carrying a cane, walked up to Seljak, glaring at him, Questioning. ”What? More verminous scum? We know the cause of the infestation! When are we going to solve it?” The pale man grabbed Seljak by his collar and dragging the little boy across the courtyard threw him in a fountain, strangely called the ‘serenity pool.’ Seljak, flailed about, sputtering and spitting, sucking in the nasty cold water. Just as he felt consciousness leaving him, a gentle feminine hand grasped hold of his collar and pulled him out. As he lay there, shivering cold and wet, he looked up at the young cooks assistant that had saved him nodding as she said; ”You need to stay away from that one, he doesn’t like our kind.”

Seljaks favorite memories were when he got to work with Professor Lorrimor, in the not so distant past. It started with the Professor talking to him kindly and not hitting him with a walking stick or riding crop or whip or punching him or kicking him. Then the Professor even gave him money called a ‘tip’ not just a little but enough to by a coat. Then some equipment fell and the professor didn’t blame Seljak. It was a good memory and Seljak liked professor Lorrimor. He was Seljaks favorite person after his mother.

He is afraid of Yngvar Varangian from Ulcazar, a Sorcerer of the Undead Bloodline, who is a professor at the prestigious university ‘Quarterfaux Archives.’ The man, who unbeknownst to both of them, is his father.

He is afraid people will learn he is a monster.