[CHAR] The Raiders of Norn

[Lucius Cypher]

Name: Varrock The Executioner
Age: 33
Gender: Male
History: Varrock was a simple farmer when one day his family's farm was attacked by a deserting army. Desperate for supplies, they raided his little field of grain and animals, leaving nothing behind. His family didn't survive the attack; his father and brothers died defending it, and his mother and sisters were taken away. By the time Varrock recovered and tried to get them, they had already been disposed of. Just like that, his entire peaceful life was turned upside down. He had nothing left to go return to, and nothing left to hold him back. With no family support he had to resort to begging on the streets for much of his early adult life, until he finally managed to get enough money to buy himself a wood cutting axe. but instead of becoming a lumberjack, he used that axe to become a brigand; murdering travelers in their sleep to pilfer their money and supplies. He did that for years, eventually joining a gang to get better weapons and armor. Tackling bigger, tougher, more valuable targets.

Eventually Varrock even gained some infamy. "Varrock The Executioner" they called him. Known for both his battleaxe and his perchant for executing prisoners, fighters, and many many others. Of course with this infamy came a bounty. Though he never became a proper bandit chief, tales of his horrors had grown enough that people could identify him simply by his gear, and so he had to flee to avoid capture or worse. His running eventually brought him to the town of Brighthaven. Here he rubbed elbows with criminals and madmen worse than him, throwing his pursuers off for a short while. But running away from the law left him very little time to amass his fortunes. With nothing but the armor on his back and the axe in his hands, Varrock needed money. And there was only one way to get a lot of money here in Brighthaven: the ruins of Norn.
Equipment:
Armor - Varrock's rather elaborate full plate armor. Made mostly of bits and pieces he collected over the years killing knights, the only uniquely made peice of armor is his helmet, which appears to have a simple smiling face on it. It's unsettling to most people when they see it, the innocent smile brandishing a bloodied axe. Good at protecting him from most weapons, however as most of the parts were looted and never properly cared of, it is falling apart.
Battleaxe - Varrock's signature battleaxe, and how most Bounty Hunter's identify him. He took this weapon off a northern warrior who said that it was enchanted so it could cut through any sort of armor. Thus, Varrock and his mates shot the warrior with arrows. Varrock isn't sure if this axe is actually magical, but it is very well made, and cuts through armor just as well as it cuts through bare necks.

[Searat]

Roy Duncan

Name: Roy Duncan
Race: Human
Age: 30
Gender: Male

Appearance

Role: Musketeer
Equipment:

• Steel Rapier & Flintlock Pistol - Both weapons have been owned by Roy ever since he started his career as a musketeer as a young man. He is very skilled in using both.
• Hard Leather Armor and Hat - As per tradition of musketeers, they would prefer agility over raw defense. The armor does not hinder movement but provides reasonable defense, allowing Roy to dodge attacks and perform deadly counter attacks.
• Durable Pack - This pack contains the essentials as well as some mementos of Roy.

Personality:

• Loyal - Being a musketeer, Roy has a code of honor that cannot and will not allow him to betray or abandon a comrade.
• Reliable - Roy will do his damnedest to complete the task given to him.
• Altruistic - Roy places everyone's well-being above his own.
• Skilled - Roy has years of proper training and experience under his belt, making him a formidable opponent in combat.

Weaknesses:

• Prideful - Roy will not do something that he considers 'below him' and cannot refuse a duel.
• Acrophobia - Roy is absolutely terrified of heights.
• Cursed - Roy is slowly becoming an undead to the point that it sometimes hinders his ability to think properly or outright hurts him.

Desperate Purpose:
Cure for his curse - Roy was cursed by a lich after a fateful encounter two months ago. He hopes that the ruins will hold a means for him to destroy the curse.

History:
Roy was born into a minor noble family in the city state of Briston. Even at a young age, he was already taught in the ways of the sword and gun by his father. Like his brother and sister before him, he was enrolled to a prestigious military academy where he was taught to be a musketeer in service of the king and queen. He considers graduating and acting in service of the king and queen to be the highlight of his teenage years. Older members of the guard only saw him as a fresh recruit that had just recently graduated. Though, in the first major battle he participated in against the notorious 'Stone Smasher' bandit clan, he proved his capability over and over again in the battlefield. It took the guard two years and hundreds of lives to break through the clan's defenses and finally slay the clan leader.

Years later he would encounter one of the most rude, arrogant, and irresponsible individuals he had the displeasure of meeting. If you had told Roy that the half-elf rogue would become his dear and beloved wife, he would have scoffed and claimed that you were touched in the head. Though as fate would have it, four years later they would be happily wed and living a comfortable life together. Roy was content with his life then and there with a stable and well paid job, a beautiful home, and a loving wife. Things would change for the worse when the unit he was a part of was called in to kill a necromancer that has been practicing the dark arts near the city outskirts. When they arrived at the site, it was not a necromancer raising the dead, but a lich. The whole unit was in shock. Liches were a rarity, even in countries rampant with an undead plague, what more a place like Briston? A ferocious battle was fought between the lich and his small army of undead against 250 brave men and women defending their beloved homes and families.

The battle was costly but triumphant, the lich laid weak and defeated but at the cost of 200 lives. The lich, realizing that it was defeated, did a cowardly attack and sent one final blast of dark energies to curse the survivors. It had one final and bitter laugh as it turned to dust. Though the lich was defeated and the guard was victorious, it felt like it was a complete disaster. 200 highly trained soldiers lay dead and the survivors were cursed. The report came and the survivors were kept quarantined until the curse could be identified. Roy, the survivors, and their families felt their heart sink when the curse was identified to be the curse of undeath. They were cursed to slowly turn into an undead monster as they lived and as soon as they died or turned, their soul will be lost and forever bound to their corpse.

The news struck Roy hard...he was to be a father by the end of the year. Some went into self imposed exile, others gave themselves to court mages for a cure, and the rest went mad or accepted their fate. Roy did not allow the curse to condemn to this fate, but refused it with all his being. He was determined to find some way to break the curse. He had heard of rumors that there were ancient artifacts and devices in a land across the Sea of Gales that could cure any ailment or break any curse. With a heavy heart, he said his farewells to his home, his friends, his family, and to his wife and unborn child. He had come to Brighthaven in pursuit of the only lead he had for a cure: Norn.

[Assallya]

Assallya Kressair

Elven Enchantress

Personality: Assallya Kressair is a charlatan, con-artist, dancer, courtesan, and really whatever role she can think of that gets her by. She is exceedingly good at lying and feigning emotion. Generally, there are two ways to look at any good deed. One could perform such an act out of honest good will but others look upon it as an investment by establishing a bond that can be exploited at a later date. Assallya is of the latter. She is a coward, a braggart and a bully but what she isn't is needlessly cruel nor traitorous. She would not betray her fellows, not unless the reward involved a sum large enough to alter her life substantially. After all, What use is scoring a gem or two in return for a half dozen angry and resourceful adventurers eager to tan your hide?

She'd probably be the first to flee when things went sour and most likely wouldn't last more than a moment before capitulating to torture (particularly if they threaten to mar her appearance) but she's also the type to plan ahead in case she is captured to ensure she wouldn't have any information to divulge. After all, if she betrays all her allies who is left to perform a rescue?

She also has something of a phobia of the undead which are largely immune to her magical abilities. She, thanks to her upbringing, most unlike an elf, despises all things related to nature.

Abilities: Sorcery, Carousing

Weaknesses: No close combative ability. No armor. Cannot cast most combat spells like fireballs or lightning bolts. Must be able to speak, or at the very least whisper, and move her hands to cast most spells.

Inventory: Spellbooks, light crossbow, dagger, a collection of jewelry. Ring of Regneration. Writing implements: Ink, charcoal and a book of blank parchment. A vardo wagon that in addition to regular household items, possesses a number of reference books, a rug woven with a protection circle for casting spells and a collection of knives coated in strange substances (One is blessed) for different creatures.

History: Assallya Kressair was born in the autumn in a small village on the outskirts of Elven lands. At the young age of 26 (aprox. 11 or 12 in human years) Orcish slavers attacked and killed her entire village except for those taken as slaves. Assallya, her sister Saeliah, and several others were transported far across the continent in order to avoid the elven wrath sure to follow. In the city of Calimshan Assallya and Saeliah were separated when Assallya was purchased be a Pasha. Head of a powerful group of rogues, this pasha purchased her simply as a dancer and concubine for both personal use. His grandson decided to add to her skill set intending to use her for information gathering and blackmail. She was further trained in other roguish arts in order to perform her duties.

She was treated as an object and was given to allies and employees of the Pasha who performed exceptional services. Soon enough, she learned about the many different types of power and discovered that even as a slave she was far from powerless. Her master wanted her to be taught various magical skills. However, succeeding in seducing one of the Pasha's magicians she learned far more than her master intended. At first the magician balked but he was a lonely uncomely man who rarely received a woman to his bed. He placed conditions on his tutoring; refusing to train her in combative magics and warning her that should he ever target him with her spells it would mean her death. She surprised all of them by inventing an inferior version of the invisibility spell which allowed her to sneak away from the Pasha's clutches and return undetected. In this way, by filching jewels and prostituting herself she built up savings with a money lender.

Finally she turned the family against one another. The unrelenting father that showed no respect went up against the rebellious son who wanted to usurp his father's power. Civil war ensued and Assallya made her escape and she has a bounty on her head in that desert kingdom to this very day, a decade or more later.

Moving north, she worked as a courtesan a short while, then purchased her vardo and worked out of it. She adventured a small bit but didn't appreciate the danger of imminent death. She would scry into homes and sell that information to thieves and help them with their confidence games. Later she would purchase a brothel and use it as her base to collect dirt on all the lords in the area. With them under thumb she became a force to be reckoned with so long as she didn't exert her power too far.

Then magic began to fail throughout the lands. It's lessening was slow but Assallya's life was long. For a long while it didn't matter because all mages struggled to hide their difficulties but the magical items in the hands of nobles losing their efficacy was a major clue. Now many suspect the truth and many lords have a grudge against Assallya who may now finally be vulnerable.

As a result, Assallya pulled her old vardo wagon out of storage and has ventured to the ancient city of Norn, a place of supreme power in the golden age and hopefully she will find something to help her survive these trying times.

[Zaphander]

Name: Joseph
Appearance:

Age: 27
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Magic: Protection Magic - Joseph can has been trying to learn how to create protective wards and barriers, though he doesn't quite have the aptitude for it yet. His education has taught him how to resist magical effects such as illusions and mind control.

Personality: Joseph is a quiet, reserved man who prefers to act instead of speak. Despite his age he doesn't really know much about the world so he often just watches and observes. He is able to keep calm if only because he doesn't want to panic and always tries to think before he acts. Even though he's willing to do most things, he's very reluctant to act on his own and he often relies on others to instruct him. On his own he tends to just stick with what he's good at, and when he has to do something completely new he'd try to get some help first, or failing that, just risk everything on doing it right the first time.

Background: Joseph was a simple carpenter trying to survive a monsterous world when he received a vision. He woke up one morning and saw a vision of great warfare in a distant land, where he was clad head-to-toe in magnificent armor and wielding a mighty sword. He fought many enemies and saved many people, and it all felt so real to him. When he woke up he tried to just think it was all just a dream, but then a missionary arrived to his home. This missionary preached to Joseph about fighting some grand evil and that he was one of many chosen to be a holy warrior. Joseph didn't believe him at first since he was never even religious, but he did want more from his life. After a week thinking about it, Joseph sought the missionary out and decided to join his religious order.

When Joseph joined the missionary's church, they trained him and many others on how to become a knight. Many failed and Joseph was close to giving up himself. They put him through grueling, almost tortuous training. Hundreds had joined but after five years of training, only Joseph and three others became knights. But that only prepared him for the physical aspects of his knighthood; after proving his body was strong, he was made to learn magic, which tested his willpower and mind. He was given a harsh education and mentally challenged, breaking even, but he did not give up. He learned the spells by force of will and broke out of mind-altering enchantments and regained his personality afterwards each time they tried to change him. After another five years of this, Joseph was ready to become a true holy warrior. A real paladin.

But then he had a crisis of faith. A moment of weakness. During his training, he was swayed by a devilish temptress disguised as a fair maiden. She desperately needed his help; she preyed on Joseph's desires to be seen as a noble knight and save the innocent. She made Joseph take an important relic from his temple, tricked into thinking that it would save her and her ailing family. But she was just a thief who made Joseph steam a valuable and powerful artifact. When his masters learned of this, Joseph was banished from his temple, his paladin training ending. Desperately he tried to reconcile with his teachers, trying to convince them that he had been tricked and would learn. They turned him away each time until eventually they gave him one option: He find the relic that was taken and bring the head of the thief.

And so Joseph wandered, spending many more years seeking clues about the stolen relic, the vile witch who had tricked him, and doing his best to maintain his code of honor as his hopes and dreams were dashed against the tides of fate. When all seemed lost, he found a single spark of hope: a town called Brighthaven. A den of thieves and the city of Norn, where relics of all types were found. Finally his journey was coming to an end. He was getting so close to redemption. He would not nothing, no one, stop him. No matter what price he had to pay...

Equipment:
Old Knight Armor - Once strong yet flexible steel armor that covers Joseph's body completely with a cloak. While specially designed by his temple to provide as much comfort as possible for Joseph, it has seen better days and has many crude repair jobs done to it. It works well enough but it's about time Joseph replaced it.
Greatsword - A long two-handed sword heavy enough that most people need two hands to use, but Joseph has trained himself hard enough that he can use just one. It's strikes may be slow, but it only needs one slash to cleave most foes.
Crest Shield - Said to be a magic shield baring the crest of Joseph's temple. It's not, however compared to his armor his shield has survived worse and is still in very good condition.
Theme:

[Norschtalen]

Name: Yomiko
Race: Kistune
Gender: Female
Age: 28
Personality: Yomiko is a quiet, bookish sort. She has read many types of novels and loves acting them out, and sometimes she can even act them out for real if she needs to pretend to be someone stronger, more refine, or even just play dumb. However she's really rather shy and easy to push around since she doesn't want any trouble. But if someone is in danger or needs her help she'll do everything she can to help, even if she has to face down some scary things or do things she regrets. If Yomiko makes a promise, she does everything she can to keep it.

History: Yomiko came from a family of scribes. Each one has written and copied over a thousand books before they even become adults, and Yomiko was no different. However unlike most of her family who wanted to just be scholars, Yomiko wanted adventure. She read stories of heroic people going out and having these great journeys defeating an ultimate evil or saving the world. Even from humble beginnings or crazy origins, she wanted to be like that. So she started to learn how, reading books and manuals about how to fight, how to survive, and everything else her family had on hand.

When Yomiko became of age she chose to leave her family to go on her our journey, instead of becoming a scribe. It wasn't easy; she ran into many challenges that her books never prepared her for and the things she learned didn't always work when actually applied. But she took ever experience as a learning experience and slowly got better over the years. She helped a lot of people, but also did a lot of bad things. She always tries to make up for it but she still feels the guilt of some of the things she's done int he past, the people who died because of her. One day as she was coming back home just to check on her family, she learned that her mother and father had fallen ill. A powerful magical curse was eating away at this life force and knowledge. Something trying to steal powerful and ancient information only her parents knew. There was a cure, however it was experimental not to mention expensive. Even if her family sold their lands and all the books they had it wouldn't be enough for the operation.

But in Yomiko's books there was one place known for it's riches. It was all rumors and fables, but she was certain that those lands existed: The ancient ruins of Norn. Though she knew almost nothing about it's history, there has been many stories of people who went into the ruins and came back rich and powerful. So Yomiko traveled to these lands in hopes of gaining that fortune so she can save her parents, and potentially whatever placed the curse upon them.

Items:
Crimson Kimono - A traditional red dress Yomiko had a friend make for her. Stylish and durable for travel, but otherwise isn't very good as armor. Yomiko's fighting style involves cutting down her foes quickly and avoiding attacks, thus she needs to remain fairly light on her feet, but also means she can't take many hits.

Steel Katana - An eastern sword that Yomiko has been trained to use since she was a little girl. It's blade is sharp enough to cut through stone, but in the hands of a novice the sword will chip and break easily. Yomiko thus needs to use a few precise strikes to defeat her enemies instead of just flailing her sword around and trying to overwhelm her foe.

Paper Talisman - A box full of paper with a few containers of ink and a brush. Yomiko uses it for her magic but she can also use it to write letters and legal documents.

Abilities:
Swordmaster - Among the most valuable and important documents Yomiko's family kept is a series of ancient scrolls detailing sword techniques and fighting styles. Yomiko, thanks to being family, was allowed to read and learn from these scrolls. She spent nearly ten years since she was a little girl training, and once she became and adult she used her adventure and experience to hone her skills. She knows that she isn't nearly as good as the masters who wrote the scrolls, but thanks to her education she knows a few techniques unknown to most.

Her strongest technique is known as the Mirror Slice, where Yomiko slashes her blade in such a profound fashion that her sword creates another slash, mirroring her current slash, to slice into enemies who didn't expect two cuts from one swing. It's a powerful technique that requires Yomiko's focus and concentration, and often damages or even destroys most swords she uses it with. Thus she seldom uses it expect in the most dire of circumstances.

Onmyodo - A Magical system her family practices mostly to make their work easier, Yomiko is quite adapt at it too. She knows how to understand any language written down as long as she can copy the text onto paper. She can even learn about the magical properties of objects if she wraps the object in paper and uses a ritual to divine it's power.

[Cerius]

Name: Yenqinor

Gender: Male

Age: 25

Race: Fallen Aasimar

Personality: Mysterious, edgy, yet also a little moody and impulsive, Yenqinor is the rather dark and twisted manifestation of the ideals of fallen angelic half-breeds, so to speak. Simply put he craves power in all its forms. Whether that be through the potent combination of fire and shadow magic that he wields or rising through the ranks to the top of his religious hierachy, he seeks to perfect himself and will judge himself along with others, harshly if need be, along the way. He looks down on those he considers his inferior, while respecting without question those that have earned their place above him. He lives by a code of unwavering honour, yet he is willing to twist the rules to his benefit. He also tends to misquote sacred texts and proverbs, sometimes to humorous effect.

History: The fallen Aasimar's convoluted past is shrouded in mystery, but some know that he had served as an Acolyte to the priests of Asmodeus, the lord of tyranny. The city in which the forbidden temple was located was privy to the ongoings in that small, dark corner of the city ward, and as long as they kept to themselves with their twisted rituals and summonings, there was no undue attention to be drawn. Yet, Yenqinor always felt that his full potential was being held back in a place like this, and he craved power. That opportunity presented itself when the rumours came of a place full of riches and possibly ancient scrolls and texts that could lend him greater power, more than he could ever dream of. Dangers that he would have to overcome. He relished the challenge and chance to improve upon himself. He would leave quietly and journey to the ancient ruins of Norn.

Abilities: Yenqinor's fallen heritage grants him control over shadow itself, while his teachings under Asmodeus have granted him control over the element of fire. He is able to blast his opposition with motes of flesh-charring flame, or steal their vision and their sanity with encroaching darkness. His heritage also allows him to alter his appearance in a rather frightening manner, serving to mentally scar his foes for days to come if they somehow survive an encounter long enough.

Possessions: A red-tinted triangular amulet worn around his neck in service to his deity, Asmodeus. He carries two, wicked daggers for use in self-defence or sacrifice, and a blackened, leather-bound prayer book to allow him to perform his daily rituals.

[Ryonara]

Name

Princess Ashelia Infernus

Age

24

History

Ashe was still a young girl of fourteen when she was was to be wed to a wealthy and powerful young man. For Ashe was a princess of Infernus, a small but valuable kingdom that sat upon five great mountains rich in minerals. The marriage was a political one, but one that Ashe thought was true; she had known the prince since early childhood, played with him, and grew affectionate to him. Her marriage would symbolize their kingdoms unifying together to create prosperity for all. But what she was too young to realize was the dark greed in men. She was used by the prince as a pretext to bring his army, his "honor guard" into the fortified walls of her kingdom's capital. On the night of the wedding when she was to be wed, as her kingdom celebrated and became drunk on their own merriment, her husband to be attacked. Ashe's father was the first to die followed by her mother; slain by the prince's own sword. Soon after his soldiers began to to slaughter the soldiers of her kingdom, who tried to fight back as best as they could, but it was chaotic.

Ashe only escaped thanks to her royal bodyguard, someone who was too professional to allow himself to be tricked so easily. He took Ashe away but they would soon be cornered. He gave the princess specific instructions on how to escape the castle and where to go. He gave her his personal dagger before sending her off to hold back the soldiers coming to kill her and take her kingdom from her. She escaped with her life, at the price of everything else. In the span of three hours she lost everything; her family, her friends, her home. The prince, the boy she had loved and admire for so long, now a bloody conqueror and betrayer.

After fleeing the castle and the city, Ashe did as her bodyguard instructed and fled to the swamps. Normally not a land she would go; it was a poisonous place filled with monsters. But perhaps because of it's dangers, it was why she was safe there; none of the soldiers would dare chase her into what they thought would be sure death. Here she sought out a woman who could help her; a witch. This witch, said to be an ancient ancestor to her family, had powers that the world was not ready to witness. And it was that power that would be taught to Ashe so that she could reclaim her birthright; the power of Pyromancy. For many years Ashe was an apprentice to the witch to learn the power of Pyromancy. She learn not just magic, but how to survive in the swamp; how to chase prey and hide from danger. How to cultivate both herb and remains to create medicine and poisons. Ashe learned how to fight and how to get stronger.

But personal strength will not regain what was lost. Ashe knew this; even if she could return to her kingdom and slay the prince with her own hands, she would never be able to stand against his armies alone, nor run her kingdom before a new usurper came by. So, what she needed was something that could control the greed in all men; wealth. The swamps she lived in had very little to offer in the ways of riches, but the Witch knew of a place that could grant what Ashe wanted: the ruins of Norn. Said to be home of countless priceless and powerful artifacts, if Ashe could find some she could not only fund the means of retaking her kingdom but also procure weapons that can be used to defend her home. So after learning what else she could from her teacher, Ashe set off to the town of Brighthaven to seek her fortunes and lay the foundation of her return.

Strengths

Hunter - Ashe is a skilled hunter meaning she is good at stealth, following trails, and chasing down (Or running from) her prey.
Alchemy - Ashe has learned how to use various mixtures from nature, beasts, and even people to create poisons and medicines.
Pyromancy - Ashe has unlocked the secret of fire and can preform Pyromancy. She can conjure a Pyromancer's Flame to both her hands, creating a fire that only she can control. She can make the flames brighter or dimmer, hot enough to melt through steel or cold enough to not cause any harm. She can either shoot these flames out from her hands up to ten feet, or throw a small but fast moving fire bolt up to two hundred feet.
Weapon Proficiency - Ashe has learned how to use a dagger and a shortbow to hunt. While she mostly uses it to hunt small game, she can use these same weapons to take down big animals too, such as bears.

Weakness

Stealth Dependent - Ashe is excellent at taking down enemies quickly and silently; if she can't do either she'll have to run or rely on others to deal with it.
Small Frame - Ashe is light on her feet and can avoid most weight traps but conversely she can't take a hit very well and she's easy to overpower. She needs to avoid direct confrontations if she wants to survive.
Prideful - Ever since her kingdom fell it's been all she cares for. She doesn't care about the struggles of anyone who wasn't from her kingdom and insulting it is an easy way to earn her ire.

Items

Witch Robes - Thick robes with water-resistant trousers and heavy boots, good for traversing a swamp over a long period of time. While it might not be able to withstand attacks very well, it's good for surviving the elements.
Silver Dagger - A knife given to Ashe by her royal bodyguard. A silver blade that shines even in the darkness is said to be most effective against monsters and other beasts who are normally immune to mortal weapons. Though since it's a blade made of silver, it also doesn't fare very well against mortal armor.
Composite Bow - A bow made from a mix of horn, wood, and other materials and lacquered together with an alchemical glue. It's a fairly short bow but doesn't sacrifice any strength for speed, however compared to a longbow it does have a shorter range.
Bone Arrows - Basic arrows that Ashe knows how to make. Designed to pierce flesh and cause bloody wounds but has a harder time getting through thicker skins.