Deep inside Restov's oldest library, behind twisting bookshelves and winding staircases, Arlen Graytale peers over books in the restricted section. Having secured this position through the influence of his old freinds, the Orlovsky's, Arlen happily pursues all the knowledge this library contains, regardless of public stigmatism toward forbidden tomes and dark secrets. To Arlen, all knowledge is useful, no matter how odd or unsettling. He remembers his own surprise at the appearance of a strange, white hare while reading an ancient manuscript on the First World. Perhaps more unsettling was the hare's ability to share emotions with Arlen, sending the elderly librarian into a furious search through numerous old texts in search for comprehension. Illuminated by one peculiar book on familiars, Arlen exclaimed with euphoric comprehension, only to be puzzled by the appearance of a thick fog filling the library.
As time passed, Arlen came to understand more of his new abilities with the aid of his trusty hare, Rasputin. But the means by which his powers came to him and the ends to which they should be spent remain a puzzle to the inquisitive librarian. Despite all his explorations of forbidden books and tinkering with odd relics in the library's collection, Arlen cannot find answers for his mystical questions.
But certain old texts refer to the forgotten ruins scattered through the Stolen Lands. Arlen's desire to explore these ruins is stymied by his inability to safely travel through such a dangerous region alone. But the Lord Mayor's call for explorers and settlers fits Arlen's purposes to a T. With his modest savings, the elderly elf purchases a mule and loads it up with all manner of goods his book learning leads him to believe are necessary for a wilderness exploration. Donning a large, floppy, wide-brimmed hat, the elf makes his way toward the Lord Mayor's residence with Rasputin riding in a large breast pocket and his mule in tow.
Example Interaction with NPC:
The elderly librarian sat cheerfully perusing his books. He greeted all of the library visitors with a warm smile and a hushed hello then returned with pleasure to his reading. Kindly old Arlen was born to be a librarian. But one young lad near the back of the library began laughing and joking with his friends much too loudly for quiet reading.
Excuse my interruption by library policy requires all patrons to keep their voices low. Arlen reminded gently. The young man looked down at the wizened old elf and made a particularly rude and loud joke to his friends.
Quiet please. Arlen said gently once more. The lad grew even louder, opening and closing a book roughly to make a clapping sound. At the sight of such disregard for the integrity of the book's spine, Arlen's eyebrows furrowed. He gazed intently at the lad, who's smile turned into a pale mask. The jester then placed the book gently on the table and seated himself silently. With a pleasant smile and nod, the old elf returned to his desk and his reading.
Spells prepped:
0: Guidance, Light, Arcane Mark, Detect poison
1: Ear-piercing scream, clw, burning hands, enlarge person
2: Glitterdust, web
Traits/Feats:
Feat: Extra hex (fortune), craft wondrous item
Noble born (Orlovsky): +1 CMD, +1 stealth
Pragmatic activator: Int instead of cha for UMD
Class Features:
Hexes:
Evil Eye, Fortune, Cackle
Familiar: Rasputin the Rabbit grants +4 init as well as alertness when within arms reach.
Spells in familiar:
0: All witch cantrips
1: Hermean potential, ear-piercing scream, adhesive spittle, burning hands, cure light wounds, enlarge person, ill omen, obscuring mist, mage armor, detect secret doors, peacebond, reduce person, force quiet, ray of enfeeblement
2: Glitterdust, web
Patron (Time) Spells: Ventriloquism
Desired spells: Mage armor, reduce person, peacebond, forced quiet, ray of enfeeblement, summon monster 1, detect secret doors
Started with 180 gp
Got 60 gp from pelts and bandits
Mortimer the Mule (8 gp)
Gear on Mortimer:
Bedroll (1 sp)
Blanket (5 sp)
Soap (1 cp)
Tent medium (15 gp)
Fishhook x 10 (1 gp)
Netting camouflage (20 gp)
Trap, bear x 10 (20 gp)
Air bladder x 10 (1 gp)
Animal glue x 2 (1 gp)
Buoy, common x 2 (1 gp)
Rope 50 ft (1 gp)
Block and tackle (5 gp)
Umbrella (2 gp)
Caltrops x 10 (10 gp)
Marbles x 10 (1 gp)
On Arlen:
Explorer's outfit (10 gp)
Common backpack (2 gp)
Book, journal (10 gp)
String 50 ft (1 cp)
Compass (10 gp)
Map of Stolen Lands (50 gp)
Tea x 9 (2 sp)
Rations, Elven x 4 (10 gp)
Waterskin x 4
Dagger
Scroll of SM I
Bracers of armor +1
55.18 gp
