About Kessir LaevaStatblock:
Kessir Laeva LG Human Inquisitor (Spellbreaker) 1 Init +3; Senses Perception +6; --------------------
Background:
“Relax. Relax,” Kessir Laeva drew out the last part of the word to emphasize his meaning. He placed a gentle hand on the elbow of his student’s drawing arm. “The bowstring should be tight, not you.” The boy took a deep breath and eased his shoulders. “Good, good,” Kessir said. “Now, don’t rush it. Take your time. These are just targets so there’s no time limit on aiming.” Kessir took a step back and watched the target at the other end of the field. After a few seconds, he glanced back at the student then to the target again. A few more seconds passed and the boy released the tension in the bow and lowered it to the ground. “My shoulders and back got tired!” The boy complained. “Well, yeah. I said take your time not wait all day. At some point you need to loose the arrow.” Kessir chuckled and a couple of the other students joined in. “Don’t laugh at me!” Kessir put one hand up to quiet the group and knelt in front of the boy with the bow. “We’re not laughing at you- “I am!” One of the girls, Sera, said. “Okay, Sera is laughing at you. But the rest of us aren’t,” Kessir said. He held his hand out for the bow and the boy gave it over reluctantly. “Laughing helps you relax. It can release tension. In fact, if a baby is fighting sleep, you can help it by getting the baby to laugh.” Kessir tickled the boy’s ear with the fletching of the arrow. “When we laugh, it tells our mind that we’re safe, that we can be still.” Kessir stood and let out a deep belly laugh before aiming the bow and arrow at the target. He drew the string back and loosed the arrow hitting one of the outer rings. The boy scrunched up his face. “It didn’t help you all that much.” “Yeah, well, I’m not the best archer in Heldren,” Kessir replied. “So, then why are you our teacher?” the bour asked. Kessir grinned and narrowed his eyes at the boy, “Because, you toad, I understand the how and why of archery. I can teach you the fundamentals and then, if you want to pursue it further, you can do so with a more technical teacher. I’m just here to help make sure our little village can survive.” “Can’t a spear or a sword do the same thing?” the boy asked. Kessir bobbed his head side-to-side. “Yes and no. What I mean is, they can definitely get the job done. But,” he held a finger up, “there are things out there that you just don’t want to get close to.” Kessir gestured to the other end of the field. “Sera! Since you seem to be nice and relaxed from that good laugh, how’s ‘bout you go fetch that arrow and come show us what you can do, eh?”
The trio had been following the tracks of a large boar deep within the Border Wood and the sun was getting low. The little light that could make it through the canopy caused shadows to stretch, hiding roots and brambles. “We should head back,” his mother had said. “This far in isn’t safe at night.” “Just a few more minutes. You said it yourself: ‘the boar must be close.’” Thomane replied. “And look! There!” He pointed to a moving mass of brown fur in a clearing. ”Kessir. Ready your bow. This is your hunt, son.” Kessir, barely seventeen, nodded quickly. He crept forward to join his father and raised his bow. “Relax. Relax,” Thomane said. “Remember, the bowstring should be tight, not you.” Seshka appeared next to them. “Something isn’t right. The forest is too quiet.” Thomane looked up at the trees. “You’re right. Something-” “M-Mom. Dad.” Kessir stammered. “I think I wanna go home.” As his parents turned to see what had frightened Kessir, the boar rose up on its hind legs. The fur and flesh melted away, sloughing to the muddy ground, to reveal a sickly-green crone with knotted hair. She stepped from the pile of gore and flesh with one hand held out in the direction of the hunters. In the dim light, Kessir could see the hag’s mouth move and a few moments later, a rasping voice spoke as if coming from the tree beside the family. “Ohhhh. But you are hoooome, dear. You’re in my hoooome.” The thwang of his father’s bowstring snapped Kessir back to reality. Seshka grabbed Kessir by the shoulders and shoved him back the way they had come. “Run! Run and don’t stop until you are back in Heldren!” Kessir stumbled over a loose rock. He crawled backwards as his father loosed two more arrows at the creature. Kessir scrambled to his feet. His mother had pulled twin short swords from their scabbards. In the fading light, Kessir could just make out the tears streaming down his mother’s face. “Go!” She screamed. And he did.
NPC Relations:
NPCs Elder Safander & Zaarida Safander: of all NPCs in town, Kessir has the best relationship with these two. With the death of his parents, Kessir threw himself fully into the teachings of Erastil. Going so far as to give up his family home and along with most of what was inside to take up permanent residence at the temple, claiming whichever spare bed is unoccupied come evening. (Subject to GM approval.) Old Mother Theodora: As Kessir sees it, Theodora is a person to be respected and cared for. While he’s wary of her abilities, the ancient woman has forgotten more about Heldren than most will ever know. Kessir always makes a point to stop by for a visit at least a couple of times a week. |
