Echo the orphan's page

Craft (Alchemy) +8 (+9 to create item), Disable Device +4,
Knowledge (Arcana) +8, Knowledge (Nature) +9,
Linguistics +5, Perception +6,
Profession (Herbalist) +6, Spellcraft +8,
Survival +6, Use Magic Device +5

Point-Blank Shot
You get a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at ranges of up to 30 feet.

Two-Weapon Fighting

Armor Proficiency, Light

Brew Potion
You can create a potion of any 3rd-level or lower spell that you know and that targets one or more creatures or objects. Brewing a potion takes 2 hours if its base price is 250 gp or less, otherwise brewing a potion takes 1 day for each 1,000 gp in its base price. When you create a potion, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level. To brew a potion, you must use up raw materials costing one half this base price. See the magic item creation rules in Chapter 15 for more information. When you create a potion, you make any choices that you would normally make when casting the spell. Whoever drinks the potion is the target of the spell.

Simple Weapon Proficiency
You make attack rolls with simple weapons without penalty.

Throw Anything

Mutagen
When an alchemist brews a mutagen, he selects one physical ability score—either Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution. It’s a standard action to drink a mutagen. Upon being imbibed, the mutagen causes the alchemist to grow bulkier and more bestial, granting him a +2 natural armor bonus and a +4 alchemical bonus to the selected ability score for 10 minutes per alchemist level. In addition, while the mutagen is in effect, the alchemist takes a –2 penalty to one of his mental ability scores. If the mutagen enhances his Strength, it applies a penalty to his Intelligence. If it enhances his Dexterity, it applies a penalty to his Wisdom. If it enhances his Constitution, it applies a penalty to his Charisma.

Bomber's Eye (Transmutation)
Comprehend Languages (Divination)
Crafter's Fortune (Transmutation)
Cure Light Wounds (Conjuration). (1d8+1)
Longshot (Transmutation).
True Strike (Divination)

Echo slowly opened her eyes as the sunlight from her window slid over her face. She groaned while trying to slide out of bed. The aches and pains of her arms and shoulders protested as she went through her morning routine. After drying to cool water off her face, she looked into the silver mirror and tried to smile. Her lips and cheeks protested and ached more than the rest of her body, so she let her countenance fall down to the ever present passive expression that the community knew was hers alone. She had always wished she could feel or even just show some happiness, but it always hurt to do anything but frown. At least she could look like felt nothing at all, which is better than always being in pain.

After tying a belt around her waist, she hurried out the door of her adopted father Arnae’s house to get to Calistria’s temple. She had received a position under Garoth the priest as an apprentice herbalist, and that was ok It was all simple, but everyone in this Elfin village treated her like she was less of a person since she was human. Isolationist, racist, closed-minded fools. At least Garoth was willing to let her experiment with some unstable compounds. That was interesting, but still not fun. Everything was interesting at best, and frustrating at worst. She was past her “age group’s” proficiency with bows and swords, but at 21 years the elfin children were barely taller than her waist. Those elfs weren’t much of a challenge. Those who were her size had the benefit of close to 70 years of experience. They always bested her, and she had a couple scars to prove it.

As Echo walked up the darkened stone steps, she pulled her shoulder back and held her head high. Garoth would never allow her to serve in a public ceremony unless she appeared totally confident, even though few people attended these public ceremonies. She often remarked to herself that without being forced into faking confidence, she would have become a truly sullen and self-centered individual. Today’s sacrifice was important of course, but it was not the main worship for Calistria. The Savored Sting’s true worship came from vengeance or through pursuits of the flesh, but still a small sacrifice which is then offered to the wasps was still encouraged. Many other elfin communities enjoyed the worship of Calistria because of their long lives, but this community was different. All prayers that were offered petitioned Calistria for her blessing upon their revenge. Nobody fought against each other, and nobody ever said who this vengeance would be against, so Echo never knew what this revenge would be for. Perhaps when she was older she would introduced to this deep seeded anger, but until then it was just another oddity.

Nobody was there to disrupt the simple ceremony. Garoth and Echo stood alone, the only sounds filling the temple were Garoth’s words, the crackling of the small fire in the braziers, and a dull buzz of wasps. Echo didn’t look up, but knew there was a small nest of wasps in the rafters. Garoth said that this was Calistria’s blessing, but Echo thought it may just be a coincidence. At least she didn’t have to go out and hunt down wasps in the forest to offer the burnt sacrifice to.

As Garoth continued through the local prayers, the smell of incense suddenly overcame Echo's senses. Her eyes dimmed and her mind blurred. She was no longer in the temple, but instead was in a dim rugged shack. Around her were simple cloths and an oil lamp, but in front of her were two silhouettes that were both foreign and familiar. Echo tried to call out to them, but she couldn't form any words with her mouth. Her entire body felt weak and useless, but she felt safe. But as soon as she realized that comfort, she saw the dull red of blood spurt from the man on her right. Echo knew it was a man after she heard his yells of pain and anger. The woman on Echo's left stood and screamed before her head was separated from her body. The last thing Echo saw was a silver pendant with a scarab that had an eye on its back. After that, all was black.

When she woke up, she was in the common room of her house and the only two people near her were Arnae and Garoth. Echo was reluctant to say any part of her dream, but slowly started to describe the room that she had started in. Arnae started to fill in the details, and surprisingly gave an even more accurate account than Echo could recall. Garoth just sat nearby with an impassive look upon his face.

When Arnae had finished the story, Echo was confused and asked him how he knew so much about this. Arnae said, because I was there. I saw what the room was like after he killed your parents. Echo was shocked, and immediately started to bombard Arnae with questions. As Arnae sat there quietly, it was Garoth who answered.

We want to tell you everything, we really do Echo, but we can't. Our oaths of secrecy bind us so tightly that we can share only the smallest bit of information. You were born and raised in Ustalav, in a village that has been worn down to the ground by now by fire and the elements. We were members of a group along with your parents, but we are forbidden from even sharing its name.

At that point Arnae turned to a shelf, opened a small neglected box, and pulled out a small pendant which had in it’s very a center a scarab beetle with an eye on it’s back.. This was your mothers. It is the symbol of our order, and it may bring you some luck. At the very least it may help you find some comfort from unknown friends. When Arnae had finished, the tension in the room smothered the three somber people in the room.

Echo was puzzled. That's it!? You can't tell me anything else? Why don't you tell me why they were killed, or even their names!?! Please just tell me my mother's name!

Again, Garoth answered with cold simple words. We can't say anything because our oaths keep us from revealing too much. If you want to know more, perhaps you can find more in Ustalav. Professor Lorrimor may not still be in good standing, but at least he could point you to somewhere you could he initiated into the Order.

Echo felt a small tear run down her cheek, but quickly turned to hide it from her mentor and her adoptive father. She quickly went to her bed and packed her few belongings. As she turned to walk away, she almost ran into Arnae. He still held the pendant. Echo, I'm sorry we can't help you more. Please hold closely onto this, but keep it away from anyone you don't trust. Our order has as many enemies as it does friends, and the enemies won't ask twice about how you got that pendant. He leaned over her shoulder to put the pendant around her neck. He gently whispered, Be careful, be safe, and that was the last time she heard his voice.

When Echo left her small Andoran community, she started her long trek up to Ustalav. Her first few days were spent treking through the wilderness before making it onto one of the more major highways. Once she was travelling near more people, she quickly found that her skills were well appreciated with caravans. She especially appreeciated the flamboyance of the Varisian caravans, making it a point to travel with any of their caravans that she could make a connection with.

None of the caravans that she spoke with was travelling directly to or through Ravensgro, but she did find one towards the end of her journey that was heading to Leipstadt. While travelling with them, she pitched in by helping to forage for wild food, especially berries, roots, or other fresh food that could supplement their dried food. One evening, when the caravan had just crossed the border to Ustalav, Echo noticed a strange set of sounds. First they were a variety of shambling feet, but they were not heading towards her so she paid them little attention. Then later she heard groans further off, followed by the exerted shouts and cries of a man defending herself. She followed the sounds and found an older man fighting off a small but insistent group of zombies.

She remained hidden in the brush for a short while, and admired the man. He certainly held his own against these horrors. Echo had heard of the various dangers in Ustalav, but had considered them to be mere hyperbole before seeing some of it first hand. The man dispatched every single one of the zombies, and started to look through thesurrounding terrain. Echo supposed that he was well enough left alone to his own devices, until she saw something approaching him from behind. It was another zombie, but it was unnoticed by the man. Echo, who usually decided she was more for actions than for words grasped her combination of ceramic and catalyst, and threw her explosive device directly at the zombie. Truth be told, it didn't do very much damage to the zombie, but the noise alerted the man to the attack before it could be delivered. He struck down the final zombie, and then scanned the surrounding brush while holding his sword at the ready.

Hello? Who goes there? Are you friend or foe?

Echo knew that if it came to a fight, she wouldn't really be in a position to overcome this man. Still, she didn't want to just appear as weak & easy prey. So she came out of the brush holding a not-yet activated bomb at the ready. It was me sir. Are you ok?

The man gave a small smile. Why yes, I am thanks to your quick assistance. I guess that one got away from me. He lowered his sword, but kept it wielding in his hand. What are you doing out in the wilds of Ustalav by yourself?

Echo lowered her weapon as well. I've been travelling around with some friends. I was just foraging for some food when I saw you fighting those, those... things. She shook her head, those being the first zombies she had seen, and she still wasn't quite sure with what she had seen. Will you be ok on your own? I should be heading back to my group, but you could come with us if you need some companions.

The man chuckled to himself. No, I'm fine on my own. Thanks for the offer, but I still have some unfinished business... ah! There it is. He bent down and picked up some obscure kind of bone from the ground. There are things worse than these zombies around here, and I need to make sure those things are contained. But I do owe you a bit of a debt. What is your name and where would I be able to find you? I am not in the habit of leaving my debts outstanding.

My name is Echo, and I"ll be staying in Leipstadt for a while before heading to my final destintation. She patted her moneybag on her belt I may need to work in Leipstadt for a short while to fund the rest of my travels, so you should be able to find me there.

He gave a more open smile. Always working, you remind me of myself. You should meet my daughter someday, I think you two may have some things in common. Anyways, I will send word to you in Leipstadt of how I intend to repay you for your kindness. Perhaps we will even be able to work together someday.

Echo shrugged. Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it. The man then turned away from the road, and walked even deeper into the woods. What a nice man, Echo thought. I wish we had more time to talk. If I could have told if he was trustworthy, perhaps I could have gotten some information from him about Prof. Lorimoor, or this blasted order. Echo absent-mindedly touched her silver pendant. Soon, she thought. Soon I'lll be able to learn more about this order, my parents, and even how I may be able to avenge their deaths. She made her way back to the caravan, and made her way to Leipstadt several days later.

A few weeks after that, a mail-carrier found her and handed her a letter...