Starlan "Wingy" Benex's page

He seems a cheery sort of fella, dressed in colorful clothes like many his fellow Halfings in Sharn. You might notice the specific cut of his clothes is one favored amongst the Glidewing couriers of Sharn, as well some primitive jewelry and decorations, which also are not-uncommonly worn amongst Halflings, even those never having visited Talenta.

Born in Sharn, Starlan loves the thrills and beauty of his city.

Growing up during the war, he was often left free to roam and explore the city, as his mother was quite busy with the rest of his siblings and keeping the family business, the Stewpot of Talenta, running (and prospering, once the war ended.) His father, who had always encouraged his connection with the dinosaurs and all natural things, was decorated for his heroics while serving as a scout in the war, but perhaps having lost one too many friends, he refused the magical healing due an honored soldier, and remains disabled. These days, he doesn't stray much from their predominantly Halfing neighborhood, but stays productive crafting & selling masterful flutes and musical instruments, and the occasional traditional Sharrash or Tangat for those who appreciate them.

Before the war had broken out, and when travelling to Talenta was still safe enough, Starlan was able to hitch along with his father and other friends or relatives, learning of traditional ways of life, and getting 1st hand experience with the majestic dinosaurs, helping herd some along for trade, and getting the hang of riding them, once he learned he need not fear them. Back in Sharn, he was able to put his new-found affinity to use, hooking up with the Glidewing Guild, and after proving his worth by caring after the Glidewings in their stable, soon was able to support himself by carrying packages and passengers thru the skies of Sharn.

During the war, he also discovered he had a certain 'green thumb': Initially trying to help support his family by growing a vegetable garden, food being scarce, he was able to get quite a park going in and
around his family's compound. This even led to him finding some work with the richer inhabitants of Sharn, consulting on their gardens, calling himself "The Tree Doctor" half-jokingly.

If this were not exciting enough a life for a young Halfing...

He began finding himself running into mysterious characters, with a 'mystical' air to them, who seemed quite interested in his talents with dinosaurs and plants... He felt a deep connection with these strangers, and their conversations would turn to profound topics, answering questions he had held for many years, even unbeknownst to himself. When one day he finally asked his new friend, who went by the name of Goran, and spoke with a touch of a Shadow Marsh accent, whether he was a Druid, Goran smiled and said "Of course, you knew from the first moment we met, didn't you?", all of a sudden shifting his appearance, revealing many of the faces that Starlan had been meeting over the past months.

So like this, Starlan was introduced to the Gatekeepers.

Over many more meetings, more secrets, and indeed his own connection to Nature's power was revealed to him. In secret midnight gatherings in hidden corners of Glenendale Park, he connected with other Druids living within the city, or passing thru, and came to feel this was his purpose, his destiny, even moreso than the Glidewing Guild, or his dear friends and neighbors (Bless their Souls!) Goran also accompanied him on trips outside the city, Goran himself shapeshifting into a feathered dragon while Starlan rode Dragonheart, a wild Glidewing who had appeared to him one morning after a midnight ritual in Glenendale Park. Starlan learned much more of Nature's powers, and the purposes of the Gatekeepers themselves, from other Druids deep in the Shadow Marshes and even old Talenta.

One day, shortly after finishing up a courier shift, which he didn't need to do as often now that he could fly with Dragonheart, and thus didn't need to pay the guild as much fees for the Glidewing stables, Goran found him, even though he was resting atop one of the city's towering spires. Goran said that he must be leaving the city, his presense being required elsewhere by the Gatekeepers and Nature herself.

Starlan was upset, the abruptness of the news coming out of the blue (literally, in this case), but Goran sternly interrupted his emotional response, reminding him that this is what all his training had been for, and that he was sure, both that Starlan would soon find a purpose himself, and that they would both meet again, sooner rather than later. He let Starlan know that another associate of his, a Gnomish Druid by the name Zillia, would be caretaking the garden house, but that Starlan could still stop by if he required the tranquil space for meditation, and also that he would try to maintain contact as much as possible, other Druids at the Glenendale Protectorate being able to pass on messages.

"SCRAAAWWKKK!!" Starlan's eyes flickered open as outside his room, Dragonheart not-so-subtly was hinting that it was time to wake up.
His room was simple enough, some favorite mementos, tools for projects not-yet (or likely to be) finished, a few changes of clothes... oh and that trophy, for 3rd place in the all-Sharn Air Tournament, almost a year ago.

Dragonheart had probably slept in his favorite nest, atop a towering tree in Glenendale Park, which is a great place to fall asleep under the stars, but Starlan still likes to come back to the old place, and besides he HAD built most of it, the raised platform that he sleeps in, with his dad's help, and most of the garden as well.

But, quickly slipping into his clothes and gathering his things, now WAS a good time to get going, thought Starlan, and as Dragonheart cooed and got into position, Starlan strapped him into his riding harness. 'D'you think it'll be good to go have some fun before anything else today, girl?', Starlan half-whispered to his winged companion. So, in the still-mostly quiet morning hours, they lept aloft from the quaint, lush garden surrounded by the Halfing-sized houses and shops of his neighborhood, and took to the skies of Sharn. Rolling and flipping thru the clouds, Starlan eventually guided his steed further away from the city, towards the waves, where he could let Dragonheart dive to catch some fresh breakfast, catching the fresh spray of the sea with his own face.

Once Dragonheart had had her fill of acrobatics and a sufficient breakfast (Starlan would remember to grab something, later), they would need to head over to the Guild. When they alighted on the landing platform, Starlan saw his old pal, Tappin, come walking out from the Riders' Office. Leaping down from Dragonheart, he bounded across the platform, bouncing up to give his his friend a clap on the shoulder as he greeted him.

"Ah, look who we have here, Mr. Mystery of the Skies Beyond!", responded Tappin, greeting him with a sarcastic reference, no doubt to his increasingly unique activities often now drawing him away from the day-to-day routine of the other riders. This reminded him, though, of the gift he had bought for his friend's birthday, which he had missed a week ago, being gone afield with Dragonheart and Goran (before he had left.)

"Oh Tappin,", Starlan came back, "Here's some little thing I found in the bottom of my pouch, I thought you might enjoy...", he grinned as he rooted around his pouch and pulled out a good sized package of Talenta Frog-leg Fire Jerky, a favorite of his friend, that he had picked up while out in Talenta learning from Druids there. "I thought it might ease your aging bones, y'know", he added, winking at Tappin, actually a year younger than himself. "Ah, Wingy,", Tappin paused, taking the package with a quick sniff at its contents, and smiling even more, "Yer always the finest chap, even if yer being off an' about all the time with your new girlfriend, these days", dropping another playful jibe at Starlan's unique new connection with Dragonheart, a WILD Glidewing even, so doubly the interest for all the rest of the Guild crew. "I know you're all so busy these days outside of the Guild, but some of the chaps here thought we'd be havin' lunch together at the Stewpot, and we thought we should invite ya, being as it's yer own mum's pub and all." "Tappin, that sounds swell, I've been missin' ye all this last week, so it'd be great to catch up... uh oh, I catch ol' Crook Eye lookin' my way, so we'll be seeing each other...?", as he pulled himself away to greet the old Wing Master, before the codger could think of anything new to hassle him about. "1 o'clock at the Stewpot, right!", yelled out Tappin as his friend bounded away cross the flight platform.

"Mr. Benex, it is..." called out the half-blind Wing Master as Tappin approached, "Back to grace us all with his glorious presence I see..." "Percel, it's so great to see you too," Starlan cheerily responded, "and also, my mother sends her greetings and wonders why you haven't been showing yer face around the Stewpot of late..." "Ah, Betta, why'd she hav' to go for that fool 'stead of me... er, yes, well...", stammered the old Halfing, "I hear you're just putting in for half-shifts, now that you're back with your OWN dragon and all... Very fine, very fine, it's great to see our riders doing great things and all... Just make sure you still make sure to hold up the Guild's reputation at all times, now...", he added with a bit of a smile and touch of tear, "So what are you waiting for, Halfling, your shift's already starting!"

Straightening his uniform, he quickly made sure he had proper change, as well as his Featherfall token within quick access, required of all the riders, before getting back aboard Dragonheart to ply the skies of Sharn. Each of the riders had their own section of town assigned as their 'territory' for the day, with busier sections of town having 2 or more riders assigned to them, but went wherever the 'cargo' wished to go. Each section of town had a "Wing Station" where customers could grab a flight, or schedule one for advance, if they wished and had a deposit with them (Some regular customers also purchased special Sending Stones made specially by House Sivis, that let them call a rider directly from wherever they happened to be, and the nearest rider would be alerted to their location, via an equivalent Alert Stone.)

His station today was one of his favorite, near the always busy University district, and where Morduk, a goblin who had started working with the Guild several months ago, was usually stationed, and Starlan liked the enthusiasm and good humor that Morduk always seemed to bring with him . Morduk was glad to see him after being gone a week, and excitedly mentioned to him that it seemed like with Starlan's old mount being free, the Guild was open to hiring a new Rider, which meant he would finally have his chance at riding a Glidewing. Starlan mentioned to him that maybe he could come to the Rider's lunch today at his mum's pub, and they could all figure how to make sure Morduk get's his chance at the wing as soon as possible... He also remembered the girl cousin Morduk had mentioned, and that if Morduk sees her before lunch, perhaps she could come along as well. Morduk had mentioned she had learned many Talenta recipes while caravanning between Dhakaan and Talenta, and he thought his mum could be using some more help in the kitchen, what with her lengthening years and all.

The rest of the morning was a usual Courier shift as any, carrying the odd assortment of businessmen, adventurous sorts, even one Human mother and 5 of her youngsters, excited to ride a "Dragon" and fly over their own house. "There are benefits to being a Glidewing courier", Starlan thought. In any case, after a busy morning of ferrying passengers and packages for delivery thru the skies of Sharn, he was relieved to see the clock hands on the University tower heading towards the one o'clock mark. "I think we's best be headin' back to the Stewpot again, Dragonheart", speaking to his trusty companion, who honked back with enough enthusiasm (and noise) to startle the genteel passenger in the Sky Carriage cruising along aside them. "There ARE benefits to being a Glidewing courier", Starlan smiled to himself again.

Touching down again on the make-shift landing deck next to his shack, Starlan quickly undid the straps to the riding harness, only there because of Guild regulations and because he couldn't make any assumptions about his passengers, so to let Dragonheart relax in freedom. "Stick around here, girl, I'll grab you a treat as well from the kitchen!", and Dragonheart gave him a 'kiss'/hug with her long tongue, as he jumped off the platform, towards the restaurant his mother must certainly be busy in at the moment.

The Stewpot was certainly filled to capacity today, mostly Halfings of course, but a decent number of Gnomes and Goblins, and even the few long-shanks bumping their heads on the beams if they dared to move around at all. Hearing his name called out from one of the corners, he found where the Guild crew was at, and pulled himself up to an empty chair that Tappin seemed to have stashed UNDER the table. "There's chair-bandits runnin' round this place!", said his friend with a grin. Everyone at the table was glad to hear of his adventures out in Talenta, and between his mother's famous Demon Pepper Pudding, delivered by one of his nieces whose name JUST escaped him, and some wicked Halfing porter-ales, the lunch was just the thing to make a Halfling feel at home. Starlan, catching the eye of Morduk across the table, also called out an announcement to the group that he will gladly be leaving his last mount, Easy Rider, to the trustyworthy hands of the guild's newest member, M-O-R-D-U-U-U-K!!!

After the festive cheers rounded the table, he made sure to whisper to enough people round the table to make sure old Crook Eye doesn't delay in scheduling wing time for the Guild's latest member... Morduk caught his eye from across the table again, and raised his mug in salute to a real friend. Tappin, staying mindful, shouted out to the crew, "A'right boys, any of y'all clockin' in this afternoon, best lay off the drink, and perhaps think to wash up in the fountain out back", which had half the group moaningly pull themselves away from the good time at hand. "But don't forget, lads", added Starlan, "the Founding Anniversary of the Guild should be coming afore naught, so don't be worrying ye selves over lack of merry-making!!!"

Starlan continued catching up with his guild mates for a good while, but then the thought of Dragonheart tugged at him. Saying his good-byes, promising to catch up more soon enough again, he pulled himself away from the group, and settled his tab with another one of his nieces whose name he just couldn't quite remember. Leaving thru the back kitchen door, he also managed to buy a side of pork off of one of the chefs, before heading out back to his platform. When he arrived, Dragonheart trilled excitedly, and tore into the slab of meat when he arrived atop the platform. Once she had finished the meal, Starlan decided to take her up again, this time without her harness. During the afternoon, the wind had really picked up, with some debris even being tossed around in whirlwinds. Starlan noticed that there was quite a bit less wing and Sky Carriage traffic, probably folks aiming to avoid a dangerous situation. Dragonheart, thought, seemed thrilled at the higher energies unleashed in the air, and they had a thrill of a time looping and diving above the soaring arches of Sharn.

Coming up above Glenendale Park, the wind died down somewhat, and Starlan was happy to let Dragonheart settle down into a relaxed glide pattern, glancing down at their reflection in the park's largest lake. As they meandered across the sky, both of their belly's full from lunch, a large eagle approached them, seemingly headed back from the nearby forest. As it approached nearer, Starlan recognized it as the giant eagle that Zillia, Goran's gnomish counterpart, had occasionaly ridden to the rituals held within Glenendale Park.

"Aho, Brother, we meet upon a kind wind this afternoon", called out the Druid as her mount approached, a friendly tone carrying her voice, but a deeper seriousness within her words. Zillia coaxed her mount just alongside and above Dragonheart, and then made a daring leap, landing right behind Starlan. "So we can converse more easily", she smiled. She inquired as to his last journey out to Talenta, and his ongoing studies that Goran had been supervising him in. Answering a few of his questions about aspects of the last Park ritual he hadn't understood completely, she simultaneous seemed to be gathering together different thoughts in her head.

"Starlan, I have a favor of yours to ask. Goran taught you about the Demon's Bane flower, correct? That grows in the peaks of certain trees in yonder wood? My presence is needed elsewhere tonight, but the Gatekeepers' cause would be greatly helped were you to gather the Demon's Bane tonight, under the full moon. Here is a silver sickle which you may use to harvest them. Please gather as much as you can, but return them to me at Goran's temple before the sun fully rises tomorrow morning." Waiting just long enough to see understanding in his eyes, Zillia adds, "Thankyou, young one. I will explain more later.", before rising and leaping away onto her own mount, heading back and down, towards the neighborhood where Goran's house is located.

Demon's Bane? Hadn't Goran mentioned the power those flowers' nectar could have against certain monstrous beings, if gathered under the full moon with a silver sickle? What could this mean? Although he felt uncertainty, the vigor and power of the beast beneath him reminded him of the true power of Nature, and the important plans it held for him. "Tonight, we will skim the tree tops, Dragonheart!", he announced to his companion, pulling his mount to face the woods Zillia came from, letting Dragonheart carry them both there....

hp 18/19 (favored class: Rogue)
Initiative +4 Speed 20 ft. action points 5/6
AC 18 Touch 15 Flatfooted 14 (Dex +4 Size +1 Armor +3)
Fight Defensively: +3 AC/ -4 attack, Full Defense: +6 AC (Acrobatics synergy)

Saves
Fort +3/ Rflx +7/ Will +5
+1 all saves(included)/ +2 vs. Fear (racial)
+2 vs. Aberration Supernatural & SLAs
+1 all saves (Resistance, continually cast - not included)
+1 one save (Guidance, continually cast - not included)

Weapon/Attack Stats (BAB +1/ CMB +0)
+1 hit (size bonus) +4 DEX modifier (range/ Wpn. Finesse)
+1 hit (Guidance, continually cast - not included)
Sneak Attack +1d6 (<30' range)

MW Tangat..+3att +0dmg 5'reach DMG 1d8 Crit:18+/x3
Unarmed.....+6att +0dmg 5'reach DMG 1d2(NL) Crit: 20/x2
Dagger........+6att +0dmg 5'reach DMG:1d3 Crit:19+/x2
-thrown .......+6att +0dmg 10'incr. DMG 1d3 Crit:19+/x2
Lt. XBow.....+6att +0dmg 80'incr. DMG:1d6 Crit:19+/x2
Bolas..........+6att +0dmg 10'incr. DMG:1d3(NL) Crit: 20/x2 (+4 Trip attacks)

Weapon Profs: Unarmed Strike, Gauntlet, Spiked Gauntlet, Dagger, Punching Dagger, Club, Sap, Lt./Hvy. Mace, Morningstar, Quarterstaff, Talenta Sharrash(Scythe), Sickle, Shortsword, Talenta Tangat(Rapier), Short/Long/Normal Spear, Javelin, Bola, Talenta Boomerang(Slings), Shortbow, Lt./Hvy. Crossbow, Hand Crossbow

Feats
Weapon Finesse: Dex OR Str bonus may be used for Light melee attack rolls.
Nature Bond(CAdv): Add 3 to your Druid level (not to > Character lvl) re: Animal Companion stats

Mystery Mark: Expeditious Retreat Increase speed by 30' (->50')

3 Granted Orisons/0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Flare, Guidance (continually cast), Know Direction, Light, Mending, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize Wounds, Read Magic, Resistance (continually cast), Virtue

2 Granted Spells/1: Calm Animal, Charm Animal, Cure Light Wound, Detect Animals/Plants, Detect Snares/Pits, Endure Elements, Entangle, Faerie FIre, Goodberry, Hide from Animals, Jump, Longstrider, Magic Fang, Magic Stone, Obscuring Mist, Pass without Trace, Produce Flame, Shillelagh, Speak with Animals, Summon Nature's Ally 1 ,Prot/Evil (Gatekeepers)
Substitution Spell(1): Jump

Halfling Alternate Spontaneous Casting:
1-Jump, 2-Spider Climb, 3-Prot/Energy, 4-Freedom of Movement, 5-Tree Stride, 6 thru 9-Summon Nature's Ally VI-IX
Gatekeeper Additional Known Spells:
1-Prot/Evil, 2-Zone of Natural Purity(EB), 3-Dimensional Anchor, 4-Nature's Wrath(EB), 5-Banishment, 6-Dimensional Lock, 7-Return to Nature(EB), 8-Mind Blank

(1*11 ranks @Rogue / 1*8 ranks @ Halfing Druid) = 19
STR 0 DEX 4 CON 0 INT 2 WIS 2 CHR 1
+1 any skill check (Guidance, continually cast - not included)

Acrobatics +10 (1 rank, class skill, racial)
-Jump +4/ +18 (Halfling speed/ Expeditious Retreat)
Appraise +2
Bluff +5 (1 rank, class skill)
Climb +6 (1 rank, class skill, racial)
Craft +2
Diplomacy +5 (1 rank, class skill)
-Wild Empathy +6 (+Druid Level)
-Companion +10 (Companion Link)
Disable Device +4
Disguise +1
Escape Artist +4
Fly +4
Handle Animal +5 (1 rank, class skill)
-Companion +9 (Companion Link: Handle as free action, Push as move)
Heal +6 (1 rank, class skill)
Intimidate +1
Knowledge
-Arcana +2
-Dungeon +2
-Geography +6 (1 rank, class skill)
-History +2
-Local +7 (1 rank, class skill, Park Protectorate)
-Nature +8 (1 rank, class skill, Nature Sense)
-Religion +2
-Planes +6 (1 rank, class skill, can ID Aberrations)
Linguistics/Forgery +2
Perception +7 (2 ranks, class skill)
-Sound +9(Racial)
Perform +1
-Juggling +8 (1 rank, class skill, Dexterity)
Profession +2
Ride +8 (1 rank, class skill)
-Companion +12 (& no bareback penalty)(Halfling Druid)
Sense Motive +6 (1 rank, class skill)
Slight of Hand +8 (1 rank, class skill)
Stealth +12 (1 rank, class skill, Size bonus)
Survival +7 (1 rank, class skill, Nature Sense, Park Protectorate)
Swim +4 (1 rank, class skill)
Spellcraft/Concentration +2
Use Magic Device +1

Lt. Load:25 lbs Med. Load(-3):50lbs Hvy. Load(-6):75 lb
Max Lift:150 lbs Drag/Push:375 lbs

MW Darkwood Studded Leather (175gp) 7.5 lbs, -0 Armor Check Penalty
MW Talenta Tangat (340gp) 4 lbs
x2 Daggers (4gp) 1 lb
x2 Bolas (10gp) 2 lbs.
Lt. Xbow (30gp) 2 lbs.
10 Bolts (1 gp) 1/2 lb

Artisan's outfit (1gp) 1 lb
Holy Symbol, Wooden (1gp)
Spell Comp. Pouch (5gp)
ID with portrait (5gp)
Travelling Papers (2sp)
Scrollcase (1gp) 1/2 lb
Dinosaur Whistle (1gp)
Alert Stone (Guild property)

x5 Scroll: Charm Animal
x5 Scroll: Hide from Animals
x2 Scroll: Speak with Animals
x2 Scroll: CLW
Potion: CLW 1d8+1
Sivis Message Stone
Featherfall token
Sunrod 1/2 lb
Tanglefoot bag 4 lbs.

5 gp. 8 sp. ? cp.

Large Animal
Hit Dice 3d8+9(22hp)
Initiative +2
Speed: 20ft, fly 80ft (average)
AC 15 (-1 size, +2 Dex,, +4 Natural), touch 11, flat-footed 13
Base attack +2
Attack: Bite +5 (1d8+6)
Space/reach 10ft/5ft
SQ: Low Light Vision
Saves: Fort +6, Ref+5, Will+3
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 15 Con 16 Int 2 Wis 15 Cha 11
Skills: Perception +6, Fly+6
Feats: Alertness, Fly by Attack
CR: 3

Druid Companion Abilities:
Share Spells: Personal spells are Touch vs. Companion
Companion gains Trackless Step/Wilderness Stride when you do (Halfling Druid)

Tricks known (6+1 = 7) Come, Stay/Circle, "Go To", Fetch, "Catch/Toss", Seek, Trip Attack

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a glidewing is up to 300 lbs. A medium load 301-600, heavy load 601-900 lbs. It can drag 4,500 lbs.

Exotic Military Saddle (60 gp, 40 lbs) +2 Ride to stay in saddle, 75% chance to stay in saddle if unconscious),
Saddlebags (4 gp, 8 lbs), Salt meat (2 gp, 20 lbs), Waterskin & Water (1gp, 1 lb)
TOTAL WEIGHT = 67 lbs + Rider(s)