Jyoti Inamdar's page

Jyoti never knew who her real parents were (In fact, Jyoti isn’t even her birth name). The earliest memories were of her in an orphanage, and never having enough food to go around as the bigger children pushed her away. The orphanage owner also exploited the children, sending them on errands (like delivering parcels around town), then collecting fees for their services. Her lucky break came when she was told to deliver a parcel to a couple living outside town. The couple took a liking to her, and adopted her as one of theirs, going to the orphanage and doing the necessary procedures. Little did she know that when she appeared at her doorstep, skinny and unkempt, she was a gift from the Gods. For the couple had 4 sons, and always longed for a daughter, but were unable to have any more babies. They named her Jyoti, for the word light, for she was the light of their life.

Jyoti found a little fishing cat cub in the bushes, abandoned by its family and nursed it back to health. She named it Minali, and it became a family pet.

As she grew, she realized that she shared something in common with her brother, Asim, and her mother. All 3 of them had Magic! It was an unknown force that you could harness to make things happen.

The family has been pretty calm about budding magic practitioners, after some of Asim's more crazy pranks, like the neighbourhood pigeons turning various colours, and rude noises, when there was no one visible. The only time Jyoti got scolded by her father was when she accidentally set part of her mother's garden on fire. Avani had to put that fire out with create water, and Jyoti was made to mend nets for the next 3 days. And of course, the forthcoming lecture regarding,”With great power, comes great responsibility.” And also Avani’s strong suggestion that Jyoti should practice magic only in front of her, until she gained better control over her innate powers.

Jyoti followed her father and brother fishing, and learned how to be a fisherman, but realized she didn’t really have the strength to haul nets to and fro from the boats. However, she also thought of a bright idea of training Minali to do her fishing for her. With Minali diving into the water and pulling up fish, she was soon surpassing her father and brother in catches. Jyoti has had some suitors, but has not been willing to take things a step further, as she fears she will not have time to take care of her aging parents once she has a family.

When Jyoti heard that the Rajah’s daughter had been kidnapped, she immediately signed up for it, as the Rajah had always ruled the land with a kind hand, and now he was in need of assistance, it was the people’s duty to go to his aid. Her family was reluctant to see her go, but realized that she had Minali, and she might be the best person to track down the Rajah’s missing daughter. They held a raucous, noisy and fun filled farewell party, where they each gave her gifts on what they felt would aid her in her quest.

Her adoptive father

Jayanta Inamdar

Jayanta was a fisherman, but he has arthritis, and now has to limit his movements. He takes care of Kunti’s children who live with them in the same house. His stern, gruff exterior hides a compassionate and kind heart.

Her adoptive mother:

Avani Inamdar

Avani Inamdar is the village herbwoman. She knows the uses of many herbs and has taught them to her daughter, Jyoti. She looks after Jayanta and Kunti’s children. She grows a garden with many healing herbs in it. Often villagers come knocking at her to seek her advice on illnesses. Avani is an earth magic practitioner, but limits herself to doing subtle magics, knowing that it will draw unwarranted attention from her neighbours.

Her brothers:

Anik Inamdar

Jyoti’s oldest brother - he works as a quartermaster for the local militia. He has always lived away from the family in the militia barracks. He has a wife and 2 children who live in a house near the barracks, but rarely gets to see them due to his work. Bandits are a constant problem in the unorganized state of Jalmeray.

Nirav Inamdar

The 2nd brother – he works as a leatherworker. He bought out his masters shophouse when his master retired, and is living in there with his wife and 4 children. He produces the best leather goods in Padiskar.

Kunti Inamdar

The 3rd brother, he is the only one who has taken up his father’s footsteps in fishing. He lives together with his parents with 3 children, and his wife is currently pregnant. The house is getting too small, and he has future plans of moving out once his 4th child is born. He used to catch more fish then Jyoti, until Minali came along. He often calls Minali, good naturedly, “That cheating cat”.

Asim Inamdar

The youngest and the scamp of the family, Asim went to study the ways of the talespinners. He was the only one who earned a hiding from Jayanta after he conjured a grease patch at the feet of a huffy neighbour. He was then lectured by Jayanta and Avani regarding the ethical usage of magic and why he should not be using magic on others without their consent.

Asim joined the first caravan out of town, and hasn’t been home for a while. There were some words between Jayanta and Asim on his career choice, but Jayanta realized that to deny him the chance to fly would be like clipping off the wings of a bird. Asim writes often, sending exotic gifts along with the letters. The family wonders how much artistic embellishments there have been to his tales of glory and valour(like singlehandedly stopping a fey invasion, and infiltrating and bringing down a group of evil cultists), but hey, Asim always knew how to put on a good show, didn't he? No one really knows where Asim currently is, the last letter was written from Absalom, where he was going adventuring with some like-minded group called the Pathfinder Society.

Jyoti is cheerful, bubbly person who has for the first time gone out to see the world. Due to her sheltered upbringing with the Inamdar family(she believes that the orphanage was just a bad one-off experience), she is idealistic and rather naive and inexperienced in dealing with others. She tends to believe the best about others. She will also not resort to violence unless the other party initiates it, preferring to talk things out nicely, and coming to an amicable solution.

What do you offer the expedition? What are you best at?

I have some command of arcane magic granted by the land, mainly dweomers that confuse the mind. I can also summon some minor guardians of the land to my aid. Minali is trained to track scents and can hunt to keep the party fed while in the wild. I get along well with both people and animals.

What areas do you struggle in?

I’m not very good at carrying heavy things, nor am I particularly athletic. I am not particularly knowledgeable, knowing only of the land and the people of Padiskar. I haven’t done any rough camping on my own before.

Have you any experience with Vudra or the Vudrani?

I am Vuldrani.

What training, formal or otherwise, might you have that would be helpful to this expedition?

I am trained in the use of my arcane powers, and my cat is good at tracking things. I know the use of crossbow, staff and dagger but would rather not have to use it.

Do you have any duties or obligations that could conflict with our expedition? Would you explain them to me?

I do not wish to cause unnecessary harm to any sentient beings, and it would be good if I could be assured that my parents will be well taken care off, while I am away on this quest. I am honored to be of service to the Rajah, for all the good that he has done for us.