About Valessa MarrMax Action Points: 6
Total Hit Points: 25
Speed: 30 feet Armor Class: 16 = 10 +3 [dex] +3 [studded leather armour]
Initiative modifier: +3 Fortitude save: +4 = 3 [base] +1 [constitution]
BAB: +3
Dagger +4 attack [1d4 (+1), crit 19-20/x2, slashing or piercing]
Feats:
Skills:
Human Traits
Region of Origin: Aundair
Equipment:
Money: 22 pp +3600gp 22gp 4sp 9cp 3600gp group treasure slush fund. XP: 8050 Description:
Valessa is five foot five, with a trim figure, and shoulder length hair, dyed a dark brown with blonde highlights. She has deep brown eyes and a fair complexion. She wears a suit of dark brown leather armour, battered and scratched, although a close examination may reveal that the scratches seem a little two neat and regular – as though the armour was purposefully “aged”. Over the armour she wears a full length, dark green, hooded cloak. When without her armour she normally wears tight fitting black trousers with a white blouse and black vest. Her accent is hard to pick, with the drawl of a rural Aundair accent behind the clipped tones of urban Sharn. She comes across as somewhat brash, even abrasive, although the observant will notice that beneath this she often seems somewhat unsure of herself. Background. As with almost everyone born on Khorvaire, Valessa’s childhood was disrupted – even defined by the War. At a young age she was sent away from her village near the Aundair – Thrane border to continue her education away from the war, and spent much of her formative years in Fairhaven and Sharn. Her parents were adamant that she continue her education, and not get drafted into the war as had happened with her brothers. She blames this disrupted childhood on not – quite – achieving the marks she needed to study her preferred degree at the University of Wynarn, instead being accepted into the (slightly less prestigious) Morgrave University. Still, she enjoyed her Languages and History degrees at Morgrave, particularly the study of exotic places like Xen’drik and Argonnessen; until the end of her second year, when an older male professor offered her top grades in return for … favours. Horrified, she refused in no uncertain terms, only to find herself suddenly and suspiciously implicated in a charge of cheating and plagerism. She appealed, and reported the lecherous professor, but found that the university herairchy seemed to be siding squarely in the court of the respected professor. At this time she was approached by a halfling called Liela, who claimed that “her people” could straighten this whole mess out in Valessa’s favour – if only she could get her hands on some research documents kept in the office of the Dean of Students. Valessa, desperate and confused, and unsure where else to turn, agreed, and managed to pilfer the documents. After only a matter of days, the University approached her and agreed to drop the charges and allow her to continue in her studies so long as she dropped the counter claim of harrasment, to which she reluctantly agreed. But her faith in the University, in institutions and authority figures in general was shaken, and in addition she was deathly afraid that someone would find out about the stolen papers. Valessa applied for (and was granted) a two year leave of absence to undertake field studies related to her degree in Xen’drik or Q’barra, for which she would receive some credit from the University. After a few weeks of intensive field training, during which time she begged, borrowed and stole the money needed to equip herself and buy passage to Xen’drik, she took a ship to Stormreach. She remained (and remains still) unsure what to do once she arrived … should she visit the Morgrave enclave there, or avoid it? Would she in fact continue her research, or would she (As many had done before her) use her knowledge and skills to turn treasure hunter? She desperately wants to make a difference, do something significant, advance the field of knowledge, make a big find, make her mark … but she is very much unsure if a continued association with the University is the way to do this. She had intended to keep to herself on the voyage over – until she noticed a young shifter warrior doing the same. Somewhat pining for companionship, seeing as she had severed all ties with her friends from the University weeks ago, she struck up an unlikely friendship, Beren Kemble. There was something about the man’s wild nature that appealed to Valessa after years spent in the city, and she managed to curb her new found bitterness and cynicism enough that she was not too thoroughly unpleasant on the voyage. She talked mostly about Sharn itself, avoiding much detail on the University and the reasons for her voyage. In return, Beren taught her a few pointers in regards to archery and combat, which he assured her she would be thankful for if she decided to travel the wilds of Xen’drik. Upon landing in Stormreach, Valessa was still unsure what to do, where to go. She could probably find a berth at the University enclave, but was reluctant to venture there. The frontier town seemed to be in the middle of some sort of revel, and with a start, having lost track of time in recent weeks, Valessa realized that it was the anniversary of Thronehold. Nearby was a docked ship, with a sign proclaiming it as The Tethered Wench, and it was from here that much of the nearby noise and revelry was coming from. Beren seemed to want to head there, and Valessa, not knowing where else to go, decided to tag along. She began to have misgivings as the pair approached closer to the ship, as she realized that most of the people approaching were man – and in many cases, rather lustful or rowdy looking man, who leered at her as they walked by. She faltered, but at the last minute strengthened her resolve and pressed on – let’s see what Stormreach has to offer, she thought. It looks like a very strongly worded letter to House Ghallanda’s ethics and certification committee might be in order… |
