"Kobolds! Why did it have to be kobolds?!"
Kordell was born in Redhurst Town in the Barony of Harkenwold to the
Thayko family and proved himself a genius at an early age, casting his
first cantrip before he could walk. His Grandfather, a retired
adventuring wizard, told him tales of high adventure and that inspired
him to seek out formal training.
His youth set him apart from other students, as did his mind. At the
academy he found himself struggling, the tutors unable to engage his
towering intellect. In an effort to stave off boredom he even enrolled
under a false name at a neighbouring temple school where he learnt the
mysteries of Corellon, and he attended lessons there in disguise whenever
his schedule would allow. Eventually Kordell found himself out-pacing
students ten years his senior and stopped attending lessons at the
academy, using the academy library for his own researches. Delving into
forbidden tomes Kordell accidentally unleashed an entity that he could
not control, an incident that lead to the death of fellow students. The
incident still haunts him and has taught him to temper his rash
headstrong nature with caution and the need for proper research.
Fleeing the city he met the halfling Issac Reed in a tavern, and Kordell
suggested that they return to his home in Nentir Vale. Along the way they
were captured by orcs and were about to be eaten when the Elven Ranger
Lenwë saved them (both Kordell and Reed swear they were just about to
spring into action when Lenwë showed up).
In Fallcrest Kordell met the dragonborn Cleric Shibboleth who taught him
the Draconic in exchange for Kordell teaching him the ritual Tensor's
Floating Disk. Kordell was therefore able to read a scroll of his
Grandfather's and cast Lyzniax' Flaming Chimp, calling forth Horatio The
Burning Monkey from the Elemental Chaos.
Kordell is fascinated by fire and flames and hates Rats, Kobolds, Orcs,
and anything else that tries to kill or eat him. Driven by his need to
find things to occupy his intellect and the burning desire to amass power
and to uncover secrets, Kordell suggested to his friends that they start
adventuring. Kordell (and Horatio), Reed, Shibboleth, Lenwë, and
Shibboleth's friend Jovial have come together to form The Red Order, an
adventuring party destined for greatness.
Much of the world does not really know the Dragonborn, that ancient
species which lost its empire in rather unspecific circumstances all
those centuries ago. Their remaining people live in small, wandering
clans, but not all of them are content to remain in isolation in the
wilderness. Shibboleth Sequitur's clan has no intention of slowly
dwindling from the world.
The cleric is just one of many representatives that his clan has sent
into the 'outside world' to spread awareness of their kind, and what
better way to do that than to participate in this adventuring business
that has so recently become all the rage? Besides becoming heroic in
the eyes of the younger species - who all too often tar the Dragonborn
with the same dire reputation as the evil dragons and their reptilian
ilk - it's a chance to unearth the lost secrets of the fallen Dragonborn
empire.
Why exactly Shibboleth sticks around with the so-called Red Order may
mystify the casual observer, but beneath the frenetic 'discussions' that
oh-so-often lead to overlooking approaching monsters there is a familial
bond stronger than that he experienced with his now distant parents. From
the first encounter with Kordell the wizard, through the various
incidents whereupon the rest of the Order was assembled, Shibboleth has
certainly met a wide cross section of people.
Solidarity with the 'tribe'
was something driven into him at an early age, and only strengthened by
his deity Bahamut. So what if his current family is a lot less scaly than
he's used to? While sticking true to his creed and the original mission
statement that put him out amongst them, the many mutual
last-minute-rescues and more relaxed lifestyle have gone a long way
toward making the journey every bit as worthy as the eventual goal.
Lenwë grew up in a typical elven village amongst the trees, he enjoyed
a happy childhood, playing with friends and learning all those typical
elven things. When Lenwë was old enough joined the local militia, quickly
being chosen for Ranger specialisation. Lenwë came to love his time
patrolling the forest, being out own his own or with a small group for
days on end. He began to feel a wanderlust and he sought permission from
the elders to leave the village. After travelling for a few years Lenwë
came across the Moon Hills around Fallcrest. The area suited him well and
he decided to move into one of the many abandoned manor houses, using it as
a base of operations. Lenwë spends months at a time wandering the
surrounding villages, hunting wolves and bandits collecting bounties and
selling the pelts from the wolves and other animals. Lenwë occasionally
heading into Fallcrest for some company and to purchase those supplies he
can’t get from living of the land and to take on jobs and look for
adventure.
Valeria, the first born daughter of Lord Robert Pandarian, the bandit king,
was raised surrounded by wealth and splendor. The questionable exploits of her
father ensured that she never wanted for anything.
Educated by Jerric, a family friend and a follower of Mellora, she was
classically trained in the arts of war and science with the expectation that
she would join her father and work at his side when she came of age. As time
went on though, she became more and more interested in hearing stories of
Melora and eventually decided that she wanted to join the church rather than
help continue her fathers bloody reign.
When he discovered this, her father was outraged and cast Jerric out of the
castle and ordered Valeria to join him at his side. Incensed by such a
direct order and fearful of what would become of Jerric, she fled the castle
and ran off into the countryside with her tutor.
They agreed that she did not have the patience for the quiet contemplation
required of the priesthood, but her martial training was always welcome in this
wild world and she was admitted into formal paladin training. A year later her
and Jerric set out to find their fortunes in the world.
Many happy days were had together, fighting for noble causes and helping
those in need. It was a dark day when they when they came to the village of
Winterhaven. Lured by rumors of an out of control kobold population, they came
to offer their help. What they found was far more sinister: zombies roaming
unchecked through the country side, terrorising the local populace. They were
ambushed and Jerric was overrun. Valeria tried to aid him, but was barely able
to fend off her own attackers. Once she recovered, she buried Jerrics body and
swore an oath of vengenance to find the source of the undead menace in this
land.
/ Halfling / Rogue 1
"Trust me, this plan can't possibly go wrong!"
Isaac was originally from a large, far-distant cosmopolitan city.
Growing up he and his family spent most of their time on a narrow boat
trading along a system of major rivers with other points of light. In
order to gain some experience, he enrolled in the watch of that city. His
natural athleticism and charisma quickly led to him becoming an
undercover agent for the lord of that particular city. The work was
difficult and dangerous, involving the infiltration of a band of rebels
in order to gain information. Unfortunately, his superior was
assassinated before he could get the word out that someone was planning
the assassination of his superior. When the rebel cell was broken up,
there was no proof that he had been acting under orders, and he fled for
his life. He kept travelling for over a year before finally settling in
the town of Fallcrest. He made a few friends around the place, and
starting doing odd jobs to pay for his food. He's made his reputation as
an excellent gambler, which sometimes helps his money issues, but most
often doesn't.
Still, he's sure that the next big job will get him the money he
needs. Sure, the last one went south, but that wasn't very well planned
out. And as for the one before that.... Ever paranoid that agents of his
home city are after him, he spends his days disguising this fear with a
facade of manic over-confidence. Of course, there's no way that they
would still care about one little halfling, is there? Or so he tells
himself.
/ Human / Paladin
