The Campaign Builder's Guild

This is the official thread for the Keep on the Shadowfell adventure.  Edit your characters into your first posts, and I'll keep the first post updated with a summary.  OoC chatter will be placed in this thread, unless it pertains directly to current events, in which case it will take place in OoC blocks in the IC thread.  See these threads for example.

[ic=Player Characters]Ninja D!=Elven Ranger
Poseidon=Dragonborn Rogue
Kapn Xeviat=Tiefling Paladin
Neubert=Human Cleric
Seraphine Harmonium=Half-Elf Warlord
Xathan=MIA[/ic]

Character Building Guidelines:

Build your characters out of the PHB, anything goes.  If you want to bend a rule, just ask, I'm pretty flexible about such things.
*Use the 10-minute background builder located

here
*Anything you don't want to reveal to other players, put in a spoiler labeled "DM Only".  We're on the honors system, folks.
*For character sheets, any of the formats used on this thread will do nicely, as long as everything is present and understandable.[/list]

[ic=Nally][note]A full background should be coming within the next day.  It will, however, be almost entirely DM-Only.[/note]Basic Info
Ranger 1
5'7'  130lbs 24 years
Unaligned

PASSIVE INSIGHT 13
PASSIVE PERCEPTION 20

Ability Scores
STR 13 (+1)
CON 13 (+1)
DEX 18 (+4)
INT 10 (--)
WIS 16 (+3)
CHA 10 (--)

Basic Combat Stats
HP 25 (Bloodied 12)
Healing Surges 7/day (6 HP)
Initiative +6
Speed 7
Action Points 1

Defenses
AC   16
FORT 12
REF  15
WILL 13

Basic Attacks
Longbow, Ranged +6, 1d10+4 damage, Free Load
Arrow, (Improvised) Melee +4, 1d4+1

Skills
Acrobatics +9
Athletics  +6
Nature     +8
Perception +10
Stealth    +9

Race Features
Elven Weapon Proficiency
Fey Origin
Group Awareness
Wild Step
Elven Accuracy

Class Features
Armor Proficiencies; cloth, leather, hide
Weapon Proficiencies; simple and military melee, simple and military ranged
Archer Fighting Style
Hunter's Quarry
Prime Shot

Languages
Common
Elven

At-Will Powers
Nimble Strike
Twin Strike

Encounter Powers
Two-Fanged Strike

Daily Powers
Hunter's Bear Trap

Feats
Defensive Mobility
Quick Draw
[note]If I have made any mistakes that you see, please point them out.[/note]
Equipment
Leather Armor          15lbs
Longbow                 3lbs
Arrows (60)             6lbs
Belt Pouch             .5lbs
Backpack                2lbs
  Bedroll               5lbs
  Flint and Steel
  Trail Rations (10)   10lbs
  Silk Rope (50ft)     10lbs
  Sunrod (2)            2lbs
  Waterskin             4lbs
 
                     57.5lbs

19gp[/ic]
[spoiler=DM ONLY]It would probably be helpful to have a copy of the Neceros '10 MINUTE BACKGROUND' sheet available to you while reading this.  It is not needed but could clarify things.  Note, though, that I have not followed it perfectly.  For example, not all things in the first step are truly events.
Step One
Nally was born into a typical elven community of moderate size to a healer / wise-woman and the tribal chief.

From a very young age, Nally proved to be particularly skilled in nearly all things that he tried.  He constantly outperformed all others of his age.

By the age of eleven, Nally began joining hunting expeditions.  He was the youngest from his village to ever have done so.

At the age of sixteen, Nally led a hunting expedition for the first time.  Once again, he was the youngest from his village to have ever done so.

Nally always questioned the wisdom of his teachers, including his mother and father, usually believing that he could find a better way on his own.

Step Two
Nally wants to somehow redeem himself in his own eyes for what he sees as his failures.  Until he has been redeemed to himself, he does not believe he can be forgiven or accepted by anyone else.

Nally seeks to come to terms with memories that haunt him, possibly be seeking vengeance against the dragon he failed to defeat before. More on that in secrets.

Step Three
The one failure in Nally's past that he never speaks of his the one thing that haunts him most.  At the age of 19, he foolishly led a party of volunteers in a hunt for a green dragon that had been troubling the area.  He ignored the advice of the village elders and would not seek outside help.  After the encounter with the dragon, Nally awoke alone, covered in blood.  He believes himself to be the only survivor of the expedition.  In truth, Nally may not be the only survivor.  He never returned home and is thought to be dead.

Nally's real name is Naliare.  Loosely translated from his local dialect, it means 'protector of the forest home.'  This name was given to him because he was meant to be the next chief of his tribe, taking the title from his father one day.  It is also derived from the name of his home, Nalirinth, which loosely means 'forest home.'

Step Four
Nally's father is the chief of the elven village called Nalirinth.  Nally was supposed to succeed him before he ran from home.

Nally's mother is a healer and wise woman for the elven village of Nalirinth.  She is probably the only one who still holds onto hope that Nally may be alive.

Growing up, Nally's greatest teacher in the ways of the ranger was an elf by the name of Corat.  Corat considered Nally to be his greatest pupil until his pride started to get the better of him.  Corat blames himself for the believed death of Nally, as he refused to go after the dragon with his student and told him to not return to him as Corat would never again teach him.

Step Five
Nally is prideful of his abilities.  Though he sometimes despises himself for it, it is a habit he has been unable to break.  He is often quiet and usually only speaks when he feels he has something to add or to occasionally brag.  He is a skilled fighter, hunter, and tracker.  
[/spoiler]

Build anything using just the Player's Handbook.  All characters are level 1.  As far as backgrounds go, use the 10-minute background located here.  Anything you don't want other players to know about your character, use a spoiler labeled "DM Only".

[ic=Roy Culate]Basic Info
Human Cleric 1
5'8"   162 lbs
Good (Erathis)

Passive Insight 18
Passive Perception 13

Ability Scores
STR 16 (+3)
CON 12 (+1)
DEX 13 (+1)
INT 10 (--)
WIS 16 (+3)
CHA 11 (--)

Basic Combat Stats
Current HP: 24
Max HP: 24 (Bloodied: 12)
Healing Surges: 8/day (Heals 6 HP)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 5
Action Points: 1

Defenses
AC   16
FORT 15
REF  13
WILL 17

Basic Attacks
Morningstar, Melee +5, 1d10+3 damage
Sling, Ranged +3, 1d6+1 damage

Skills
Arcana    +5
Heal      +8
History   +5
Insight   +8
Religion  +5

Race Features
+2 to any score (strength)
+1 feat, skill, at-will power and to all defenses

Class Features
Armor Proficiencies: cloth, leather, hide, chainmail.
Weapon Proficiencies: simple melee, simple ranged.
Implement: Holy symbol.
+2 will defense.
Channel Divinity (1/encounter).
Ritual Casting (Ritual caster feat, 2 rituals known).
Healer's lore (+wisdom modifier to heals with powers with the healing keyword).
Healing word (2/encounter).
Known Rituals: Gentle Repose, Comprehend Languages.

Languages
Common
Dwarven

At-Will Powers
Lance of Faith
Priest's shield
Righteous Brand

Encounter Powers
Healing word (2/encounter)
Channel Divinity (either Turn undead or Divine Fortune)
Divine Glow

Daily Powers
Avenging Flame

Feats
Improved Initiative
Human Perseverance
Ritual Caster

Equipment
Chainmail                      40 lb
Morningstar (+2, 1d10)          8 lb
Sling (+2, 1d6)                 0 lb
Standard adventurers kit       33 lb
Sling bullets (20)              5 lb
Ritual book (free)              3 lb
Holy symbol                     1 lb
Ritual Component (Arcana, 10g)  0 lb
Ritual Component (Heal, 10g)    0 lb
------------------------------------
Total weight                   90 lb

3gp[/ic]

[spoiler=Background]
Roy was first initiated in a human clergy, but after becoming a priest himself, he saw that he had a much more strict code for himself. He simply did not find them devoted enough to their chosen deity. After travelling around, trying to find people of similar mind, he eventually settled with the dwarves for a couple of years. With them he felt more at home and during his time there, he learned how they revered their gods.
Due to his devotion to Erathis, he does not see his family often (though he still care about them), and has to time for romance.

Roy believes that that the average man should do as he pleases, but if you choose the path of the gods, you should follow that road strictly. It does not matter which deity someone worships, as long as it is with the entirety of their being.
[/spoiler]

[ooc]Are we an adventuring band from the beginning? If so, maybe we should figure out how we ended up together?[/ooc]

I'll take defender, and I'll do Paladin. It's something I should have played a long long time ago. Here's the preliminary character, including any character choices I'd have to make.

Luminous despises evil, especially the devils. The grandness of his hatred of evil keeps him from being a truely good person. He believes that the devils are fated for destruction, for their ultimimate blasphemy of deicide, and that belief drove him to the Raven Queen's service. In contrast to his anger and destructive tendancies, his divine power tends towards more protective angles, but to him this is because he'd rather fight evil on his terms, and he doesn't want evil to harm anyone else.

To Luminous, the ends justify the means. As a tiefling, he hates his infernal heritage and is determined to use his blood against evil. To that end, he has studied the Warlock ways and stolen power from the devils, with the intent to use their own power against them.


[th]

Luminous Tiefling Paladin of the Raven Queen Medium Natural Humanoid Initiative +0   Senses Insight +7/17, Perception +2/12 HP 30; Bloodied 15 Healing Surge 7 hp; Surges Per Day 12 AC 20; Fortitude 13, Reflex 13, Will 13 Resist Fire 5 Speed 5 Action Points 1

Warhammer (standard; at-will) '¢ Weapon[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Basic Melee Weapon; +2 vs. AC; 1d10 damage.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Javelin (standard; at-will) '¢ Weapon[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Basic Ranged 10/20; +2 vs. AC; 1d6 damage.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Bolstering Strike (standard; at-will) '¢ Divine, Weapon[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee 1; +6 vs. AC; 1d10+4 damage, and you gain 2 temporary hit points.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Enfeebling Strike(standard; at-will) '¢ Divine, Weapon[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee 1; +6 vs. AC; 1d10+4 damage. If you marked the target, it takes[/td][/tr]
a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
[tr][th]Fearsome Smite(standard; encounter) '¢ Divine, Fear, Weapon[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee 1; +6 vs. AC; 2d10+4 damage. Until the end of your next turn,
the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]On Pain of Death(standard; daily) '¢ Divine, Implement[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Ranged 5; +4 vs. Will; 3d8+4 damage. Once per round, the target takes
1d8 damage after making any attacks on its turn (save ends).
Miss: Half damage. Once per round, the target takes 1d4 damage after
making any attacks on its turn (save ends).[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Channel Divinity: Divine Mettle(minor; encounter) '¢ Divine[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Close burst 10; One creature in burst makes a saving throw with a +4 bonus.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Divine Challenge(minor; at-will) '¢ Divine, Radiant[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Close burst 5; You mark the target. The target remains marked until you
use this power against another target, or if you fail to engage the target.
While a target is marked, it takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls for any attack
that doesn't include you as a target. Also, it takes 7 radiant damage the first
time itmakes an attack that doesn't include you as a target before the start of
your next turn.
You can use divine challenge once per turn.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Lay on Hands(minor; 2/day) '¢ Divine, Healing[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee 1; one creature; you spend a healing surge but regain no hit points.
Instead, the target regains hit poitns as if it had spent a healing surge.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Infernal Wrath(minor; encounter)[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Personal; Gain a +1 power bonus to your next attack roll against an enemy
that hit you since your last turn. If your attack hits and deals damage, add +4
to the damage dealt.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Hellish Rebuke(standard; encounter) '¢ Arcane, Fire, Implement[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Ranged 10; +2 vs. Reflex; 1d6+2 fire damage. If you take damage before the
end of your next turn, the target takes an extra 1d6+2 fire damage.[/td][/tr]
[tr][th]Alignment Unaligned   Languages Common, Abyssal
Skills Acrobatics -4, Arcana +5*, Athletics -4, Bluff +4, Diplomacy +9*,
Dungeoneering +0, Endurance -2, Heal +2, History +0, Insight +7*, Intimidate +9*,
Nature +2, Perception +2, Religion +5*, Stealth -4, Streetwise +4, Thievery -4; *trained
Feats Pact Initiate (Infernal)
Str 11 (+0)   Dex 10 (+0)    Wis 14 (+2)
Con 15 (+2)   Int 10 (+0)   Cha 18 (+4)[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Equipment: 5 gp, Plate Armor (50 lb.), Heavy Shield (15 lb.), Javelin (2 lb.),
Warhammer (5 lb.), Adventurer's Kit (33 lb.) (Backpack, Bedroll, Flint and Steel,
Belt Pouch, Ration [10], Hempen Rope [50 ft.], Sunrod [2], Waterskin)[/td][/tr][/table]

Background
[spoiler=For DM Only]Backround
-Luminous was an orpahn raised in a temple of Pelor.
-Early on, his charisma was apparent, so he was trained to be a protecting paladin by paladins of Pelor. He took the name "Luminous" to be like the sun.
-As he grew, his hatred and rage took over; primarily this started when he learned of the ancient Tiefling empire. He couldn't understand why the "goodly" races allowed Tieflings to remain.
-He left Pelor's church when he was caught making pacts with devils; he felt it was poetic justice to steal their power and kill evil with it.
-He came into the service of the Raven Queen when he decided it was the fate of devil's to be destroyed for their blasphemy. Serving the death goddess suited him.[/spoiler]

Goals
-To protect the innocent from the actions of evil.
-To destroy evil wherever it exists; evil deserves no quarter.

[spoiler=Secrets, for DM Only]-His mother was a noble human who had been assaulted by a tiefling criminal. Luminious was given to the temple of Pelor because his mother didn't want to be reminded of the event. He doesn't know this.
-His father's fallen into death cults of Orcus. He doesn't know this.[/spoiler]

Ties
-His old teacher from Pelor's church. He hasn't seen him for two years, but the old priest understand's Luminous's turmoil.
-His parents.
-His link to the Raven Queen church, another Paladin.

Description
Personality: Luminous hates evil, including the taint in his blood. He gets enraged when his blood is questioned. He is better suited to protecting with his powers, but it doesn't fit him; he protects others so that he can take all of evil's destruction himself, as if he's punishing himself.
Mannerisms: Luminous has cut off his horns and proudly wears his Raven Queen symbol. He keeps his warlock training secret. He is of few words.

Can someone remind me how to do a spoiler?  Also, how to choose what it says?

Ninja D!, I just IM'ed that information to you.

Reserved fro awesomo 9000... or my character

[ic=Brandis]
[note=Appearance]
Brandis sports bronze scales, with red eyes. He doesn't have many major scars or telling marks. He wears a medium sleeve light blue shirt under his leather armor. His legs are covered by leather breeches. A unimpressive shortsword hangs at his hip, while a small crossbow dangles from the end of his backpack.[/note]
Brandis
Male Dragonborn Rogue 1
Alignment: Good

Medium, ??'??" tall, ?? wt, 17 yrs old
Colortype hair, colortype eyes, tonetype skin

Speaks Common, and Draconic

Ability Scores                                

Str: 15 (+02)
Con: 12 (+01)
Dex: 16 (+03)
Int: 11 (+00)
Wis: 10 (+00)
Cha: 16 (+03)

Basic Combat Stats                            

Hit Points: 24
Bloodied: 12
Healing Surge: 7/day
Healing Surge HP: 7

Initiative: +3
Speed: 6 squares (30 feet)
Action Points: 1

Defenses

AC(AoO): 15 (18)
Fort: 12
Ref : 15
Will: 13

Skills
Trained:
+08 Acrobatics (Dex)
+08 Bluff (Cha)
+06 Perception (Wis)
+08 Stealth (Dex)
+08 Streetwise (Cha)
+08 Theivery (Dex)

Untrained:
+02 History
+05 Intimidate

Racial Traits and Power
- Draconic Fury
- Draconic Heritage
- Dragon Breath (Dex, Lightning)

At Will Powers

[th colspan="5"]Basic:[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee [/td][td]Shortsword[/td][td] +5[/td][td] AC [/td][td] 1d6+2[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ranged [/td][td]Hand Crossbow[/td][td] +5 [/td][td] AC [/td][td] 1d6+3[/td][/tr]
[/table][th colspan="5"]Piercing Strike[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee[/td][td] Shortsword[/td][td] +6[/td][td] Ref[/td][td] 1d6+3[/td][/tr]
[/table][th colspan="5"]Sly Flourish:[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee [/td][td]Shortsword[/td][td] +6[/td][td] AC[/td][td] 1d6+6[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ranged[/td][td]Hand Crossbow[/td][td] +5[/td][td] AC[/td][td] 1d6+6[/td][/tr]
[/table]

Encounter Powers

[th colspan="5"]Positioning Strike[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee[/td][td] Shortsword[/td][td] +6[/td][td] Will[/td][td] 1d6+3[/td][/tr]
[/table]

Daily Powers

[th colspan="5"]Easy Target[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Melee[/td][td] Shortsword[/td][td] +6[/td][td] AC[/td][td] 1d6+3[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ranged[/td][td]Hand Crossbow[/td][td] +5[/td][td] AC[/td][td] 1d6+6[/td][/tr]
[/table]

Utility Powers

Other Class Features
- Frist Strike
- Rogue Tatics (Artful Dodger)
- Rogue Weapon Talent
- Sneak Attack

Feats
- Dragonborn Sense

Equipment
Leather Armor (Worn, 25 gp, 15lb)
Shortsword (Left hip, 10 gp, 2lb)
Hand Crossbow (Outside Backpack, 25gp, 2lb)
Standard Advent. Kit (Back, 15gp, 33lb)
Thieves Tools (Backpack 20gp, 1lb)
Crossbow bolts (Back, 1gp, 2lb)

Coins (0pp 4gp 0sp 0cp)

Total 96 gp, 55lb
[/font]
[/ic]

Hey guys, I'd like to get this started this week.  So, can I get final characters by Wednesday?

Can do.  Do you have a character sheet form you want us to use or do I *shudders* "get" to format this myself?

Also, what kind of depth do you want from our background?  As we haven't  been told a certain setting I plan on leaving mine fairly open (not too many specific place names and the like.)  And would you like us to follow the pattern of that background worksheet exactly (like using bullets or something) or just generally, answering it all pretty much in order?

Quote from: http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?50198.lastFight Club thread[/url] will do nicely, as long a everything is present and organized.

Quote from: Ninja D!Also, what kind of depth do you want from our background?  As we haven't  been told a certain setting I plan on leaving mine fairly open (not too many specific place names and the like.)  And would you like us to follow the pattern of that background worksheet exactly (like using bullets or something) or just generally, answering it all pretty much in order?

Vague is fine, just follow the sheet as closely as you can, unless it becomes restrictive.  If you write "small town"  I'l decide which one, if you write "long-lost twin" then I'll tailor my villain accordingly.  :-P  Backgrounds are mutable but they should be present.

I'll need to be reminded of how to do the spoiler thing again.  My phone went haywire earlier and deleted all my messages from the last week or so.

[spoiler=EDIT]Nevermind.  I just figured it out on my own.  But if you're reading this, you probably already know that.[/spoiler]

My first post updated with my character - Roy Culate, Human Cleric.

[ic=Talis En]
Talis En[note]He keeps his shield at his side and his rapier on his hip.  He wears a tunic of leather over his suit of mail.  In a touch of ostentatious mystery, he keeps his large floppy hat hanging at an angle, obscuring his face.  Those who've seen underneath will tell you it's to hide the blood-red swollen mess that is his right eye.  A curse from birth, they say.  An ugly blemish easily hidden by an eye-patch, yet he chooses to leave it exposed.  It is talked about wherever he goes, but in furtive whispers, lest he should overhear.  

Proud and confrontational, Talis En does not shy away from an insult, and to speak of his eye is most definitely an insult.  Many a poor soul has met his blade at the challenge of duel for insulting this volatile man.  Yet in spite of his temperamental nature, he is inherently well meaning.  He makes many enemies, yet his skill with words and wit earn him just as many friends, and to those to whom he takes a liking are often graced with his poetic musings.  In fact, poetry is Talis' greatest joy.  He speaks frequently of his desire to become a playwright'"to have his poetry performed onstage for the entertainment of the people.

A bit of a braggart, Talis En tends to make a show of himself.  A bit rowdy, but a people person, he is rarely if ever solemn and even while challenging and engaging in a duel, he entertains the crowd with jokes and poetry.  He speaks much of his future as a famous poet, but little of his past, which only seems to give him an air of speculation and mystique.
[/note]
Race: Half-Elf Class: Warlord 1
Size: Medium Age: 37 Gender: Male Height: 5'10" Weight:175
Eyes: Blue/Red Hair: Dark Brown (also includes moustache and goatee)Skin: Tan
Alignment: Good Deity: None (Avandra if he has to choose)

Ability Scores
Str 15 (+2)
Con 16 (+3)

Dex 13 (+1)
Int 14 (+2)

Wis 8 (-1)
Cha 18 (+4)

Speed: 5
Initiative: +3

Hit Points
HP: 28 (14 bloodied)
Healing Surges: 10/day (7 hp each)

Defenses
AC: 20
Fort: 14
Ref: 12
Will: 15

Attacks
Rapier: Str vs. AC; +5 Melee; 1d8+2
Furious Smash: Str vs Fort; +5 Melee; 2 (ally gains bonus)
Viper's Strike: Str vs AC; +5 Melee; 1d8+2 (possible Attack of Opportunity)

[spoiler=Equipment]Rapier
Chainmail
Heavy Shield
Standard Adventurer's Kit[/spoiler]

Race Features
Low-light vision
Dilettante (Riposte Strike)
Dual Heritage
Group Diplomacy

Class Features
Combat Leader
Inspiring Presence (4)
Inspiring Word

[spoiler=Exploits]At-Will Powers
Furious Smash
Viper's Strike

Encounter Powers
Guarding Attack
Riposte Strike

Daily Powers
Bastion of Defense[/spoiler]

Skills
Athletics +4
Diplomacy +11
History +7
Insight +1 (untrained)
Intimidate +9

Feats
Blade Opportunist[/ic]
[spoiler=DM ONLY]While it is possible Talis may reveal some of this, he is far from forthcoming about is past, so on the whole, his background seemed better suited for your eyes only at this point.

Born of an human mother called Cerid and an elven father he never knew, Talis En should have been a beautiful child, but fate did not smile upon this boy.  While many of his features were admirable, his right eye was a mark upon the babe; a brand that he would always be different.  From an early age the other children disliked playing with him.  It was not long before the boy learned that if he were to be accepted, he would have to overcome his looks with deeds.  He found that the use of words could earn him a laugh, approval, and friendship.  He never stopped learning to work with words.

At a point in his life where Talis was no longer a child, but not yet a man, came conscription.  His homeland was going to war, and Talis En was going to have to serve.  His talents with words did not go unnoticed; his superiors put him to work speaking to the troops, using his talent with words to raise morale and spur his comrades to victory.  In his own small way, he was like a leader.  Seeing this as a fitting place for him, he was given the duty of holding the banner, that he may raise morale even in the thick of battle.  While he was assured he was filling a very important role, Talis could nevertheless feel inadequate, as his fellow soldiers fought and he waved the flag.

Determined to one day get into the thick of things and prove himself as a true soldier, Talis En took up a rapier and practiced day and night.  He imagined the day that they would need him in combat.  That day came sooner than he had anticipated, when his regiment's commanding officer was struck down by an enemy arrow and the men began to turn tail.  Springing to the lead, shouting words of encouragement, and turning to his closest friend Henry Aloric, called "The Bear" for his tremendous size, for aid in turnig the troops back around to face their foes, Talis was able to organize a rout into strategic retreat, saving numerous lives.

That was the shining moment of Talis En's life.  In light of his display of leadership and valor, the yound warlord was given command of the regiment.  In his first foray was commander, however, Talis was grievously wounded.  He fell unconscious, thought dead by friend and foe alike.  His demoralized regiment turned and fled, and was slaughtered by the enemy force.  When he woke and observed the desolation he was heartbroken.  Such a disaster at his hands was more than he could bear.  He knew that he could not return to his home after this.  He staggered, delirious from the heat and the wound, to a farmhouse.  The farmer, a man named Elffin Wynn, and his wife cared for Talis En until he was healthy enough to travel on his own.  He put his back to his homeland and his shame.

While Talis would like to put his old life behind him, swordplay and wordplay are really all he knows.  Talis En has two goals.  The first of which he is more than confident in his ability to attain: the publication and performance of his play.  The second he is certain will never come to pass: to win the love of a woman.  He can entertain and flatter, but he is certain that no one could love one of his most peculiar appearance.

His darkest secret is his catastrophic failure as a leader on that fateful battle, and to that extent attempts to keep his entire military career a secret.  If forced to speak on the subject he merely says that he served and has since retired.  He refuses to tell war stories or speak on the subject any further.  A secret even to Talis could be that, although the battle was a slaughter, there were survivors, including Henry the Bear.  Whether Henry would be pleased to see his old friend alive would be a mystery in itself.

I would like to see Talis forced into a position where he must confront his past, own up to it.  He should have to be a real leader again, rather than the solitary man he's become.  I also see his path, while an attempt to escape his past and his home, as leading him inevitably back.[/spoiler]

Hmm, things with this Talis En should be interesting with mu character.