Udo of the Bow's page

For all he knew, Udo was born in Kaer Maga. It was the only city he had ever known. He had been born under the rare second full moon in one month – the cursed moon – and because of this was left at the doorstep of the Order of Night. These monks had been in the city for as long as the oldest elf could remember. They were a motley crew of bastards and left-behinds: humans, half-elves, half-orcs, dwarves and halfings. Oddly, in this city of greed and self-sufficiency the monks were uniformly tolerated. They claimed allegiance to no god and did not proselytize. They provided shelter, healing and food to those in need and when asked about their tenets would only say, “If one knows the darkness, one will not fear it.”

Unlike many around him, Udo was a quick learner. He was able to anticipate the needs/desires of those around him and tried to avoid conflict whenever possible. His knowing glances and deft reflexes were evident to those around him and at the Time of Brotherhood (adolescence) he was selected to train as the ward of Greto (LE Tiefling Monk 2/Ninja 4). Of all the brothers, the most was whispered about Greto and it appeared the watchful human preferred it this way. In addition to his frequent time outside the monastery, he was the only brother who carried a bow and trained his disciplines in its use. Unknown to all in the monastery Greto was more than he appeared - he was touched with outherwordly blood and the same signs in Udo. Greto was in charge of collecting donations for the monastery and to date no one had ever been as successful. He trained Udo to know the shadows – to not fear them but to be understand how they are feared by others. With just as much discipline and fervor he trained him in the use of the bow, laughing off those who grainedin grappling and close combat. When asked by his ward why he chose this unconventional path he would reply, "Who wins the battle more clearly - he who is punished by his opponent for all to see, or he who kills without being seen?" It was years before Udo was able to join Greto on his trips around the city to collect donations. First, he would stand outside as his master would collect. However, with open eyes and ears Udo saw a pattern – it was the criminals, the thieves, the johns who would “donate” the most. In time, Greto began to teach his philosophy to the younger monk – they were one of the forces of greatest good in the city and therefore judgment fell on their shoulders. They must learn the ways of the shadow and the criminal and do what they can for good. He learned that the monastery turned a blind eye towards Greto’s methods because of this ultimate truth – the end justifies the means. Despite this unacknowledged acceptance, there were many who had a different vision for the monastery. One night, the rogue monk Buras led a revolt against the brothers. The monastery was stormed by his allies – followers of Zon-Kuthon. Greto and Udo escaped into the night with nothing more than their clothes, fleeing as quickly as possible. There on the city streets his master gave him one last lesson, “Leave the city…and beware the coming darkness. I will find you again.”

Udo does not think of himself as an evil person. He is disciplined and feels that people should be judged for their actions. Those that are poor may be so because of their own design – poor planning, sloth, or avarice gone awry. He has no compunctions taking from those that are corrupt and does not feel obligated to spare an enemy’s life – why give them the chance to perpetuate their misdeeds? He understands the power of shadow and darkness and realizes his monastic training was valuable but also limiting. His master had unlocked something greater which he hopes to emulate.