Rawl squeezes Midian's forearm back and then with a grim smile whispers, "I'll tell the others to get ready."
He then steps back and in his normal voice says, "Blessed day, Apprentice Midian. May Mithra guide you on this day and Donai keep the night's terrors away."
Midian leaves Rawl and enters the Temple proper where he first visits his quarters. After putting Seeker Harlan's eternal flame some place secure, he changes out of his vestments and dons his armour and Apprentice surcoat. He then buckles on his daggers and rapier before once more heading out to look for Brother Jax.
[OOC: I have moved most of Midian's equipment from his inventory list to the 'Other possessions' tab of his character sheet to match what has been said above. If there are any of those other possessions you want him to be carrying, now is the time to tell me so I can move them back, but please be aware that anything large and obvious will be noticed by NPCs (e.g., carrying around 50' of rope in public will have people noting he is doing so and likely asking him why.)]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian ponders the Eternal Flame for a moment before stowing it away in his room, changes his clothes and dons his armor and rapier, and then goes to find Jax.
[OOC: For future reference, please tell me what is in his backpack. Note, he could also return to his room prior to leaving the Temple to pick up his backpack.]
Midian ponders the Eternal Flame for a moment before stowing it away in his room, changes his clothes and dons his armor and rapier, and then goes to find Jax.
[OOC: Make an Investigation check versus a DC of 8]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
While pondering Seeker Harlan's eternal flame, Midian notices that there is a thin gap between the base and the candle part of the ornament. Experimenting, he discovers that the top candle part not only moves independently but can be pulled away from the base. Then, when he removes the top tight-fitting cap that covers the wick end of the candle, he finds he is now holding a pocket-sized eternal candle in his hand.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian examines the curious device more thoroughly to see if there might be a hidden message within, or a hidden function (such as it functioning as a key or having moveable parts, he might use his thieves tools for fine adjustments if needed) or any arcane significance, or magical purpose beyond the known.
Midian examines the curious device more thoroughly to see if there might be a hidden message within, or a hidden function (such as it functioning as a key or having moveable parts, he might use his thieves tools for fine adjustments if needed) or any arcane significance, or magical purpose beyond the known.
[OOC: Midian cannot find any hidden messages or functions in the ornament, though he does find the names of its previous owners on the base: Kalid, Bassam, Brown and Harlan.
Midian comes to the thinking that this ability to separate the flame from its base is just a feature of the utilitarian nature of the life of a Seeker. His master was a magus in his own right and could summon light with ease using his magick, so this object would have had no use to him other than as a traditional keepsake. However, for those without that capability, the eternal flame with its cover would be useful as a quick way of providing light when necessary and easy enough to carry around when not attached to its base.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
OOC: I noted the entries on Hero Points and experience gain based around failed skill checks followed by successful ones. Are there additional house rules or were those the ones you were referring to?
[OOC: I just found this post, which I missed when you made it. You should see a 'Homebrew rules' category on the World Anvil site in which there are 20–30 articles. Let me know if your can't see them. Also, if there is anything that you think needs adding, please feel free to suggest it. This site is being added to as we play and I am more than happy to add stuff relevant to your character.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
After thoroughly studying the object, Midian will take the small hand held magical light with him, leaving the larger "container" for the relic in his room. He proceeds on to Jax, maintaining the body language of a man in mourning in case he is observed.
Brother Jax's office is close to Seeker Venn's, but Midian does not see the Seeker leader as he makes his way through the Temple carrying his empty backpack.
When he knocks on Jax's door, a deep voice from inside bids him enter. Jax is a portly Stemian man of middle years, balding on top, but with thick brown hair on the sides and sideburns that come close to meeting in a beard.
"Ahhh, Voda, yes," he says, putting down a mug of char, "Seeker Venn thought you might be coming to see me. You are after information about the death of your master, yes?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian nods, his expression somber. "That is correct, brother Jax. Seeker Venn told me you would supply me with all of Harlan's equipment and personal effects taken from his body. He also mentioned that you would be providing me a letter to act on Seeker Venn's authority in this investigation, bearing his seal. Bring me Harlan's possessions, and I will examine them while you prepare the letter."
Jax frowns. "The letter is easy, I am part way through preparing it now," he says indicating a letter on his desk. "But I don't believe he would have said that I was to let you take Harlan's personal effects from that day... They are still being studied by the priests, for one thing."
Then he adds, "But I can certainly give you access to them. As well as other evidence taken from the scene." He gets to his feet and indicates a second door that Midian knows leads into the small antechamber where people would normally wait before speaking with Seeker Venn. "They are in here and there is an Aiedan looking at them now."
Jax walks over to the door and opens it. "Excuse me, Priestess Aloma," he says courteously, "But we have another person who wishes to view the evidence. Might he join you?"
Looking into the room, Midian can see a table has been set up and that a number of items have been spread over it. There is also a woman in the midnight blue robes of an Aiedan priestess who appears to be holding one of that sect's ceremonial necklaces in her hands.
"Of course, Brother Jax," she says with a small nod of acceptance.
Brother Jax indicates for Midian to enter and then turns to head back to his desk.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian bows his head respectfully on entering. "Priestess Aloma, I am not sure if I have made your acquaintance before, well met. I am Midian Voda, Harlan's pupil. I've just came from his funeral service. Are these all of Harlan's belongings that he had at the time of his death? His body is of course consigned to the flames. Did anyone examine the cadaver beforehand to determine the specific cause of death?"
Midian bows his head respectfully on entering. "Priestess Aloma, I am not sure if I have made your acquaintance before, well met. I am Midian Voda, Harlan's pupil. I've just came from his funeral service. Are these all of Harlan's belongings that he had at the time of his death? His body is of course consigned to the flames. Did anyone examine the cadaver beforehand to determine the specific cause of death?"
[OOC: Although it is probably the correct/polite thing to say, Midian has probably seen this woman before, and possibly even made love to her, though it's hard to tell because her priestess robes hide her body and masks must be worn on the nights of the full moon when the Aiedan sisterhood perform their sacred rites of fertility. At such rites, all participants wear masks to protect their identities, but apart from that, little else. It is effectively an orgy and it is expected that priests and priestesses of all the Mithran sects, as well as specially permitted lay people, must attend these rites at least once per year. After the fact, the priestesses of the cult also provide for the curing of any sexually transmitted diseases that might occur and will also prevent any unwanted pregnancies (They have an effective morning-after drug). But, it is said that any children produced as a result of this ritual are blessed of Aieda and many women who want children but for some reason can't with their normal partners attend these rituals in the hope of becoming pregnant.]
"Blessed day, Apprentice Voda, and may your nights always be productive," replies the priestess in formal greeting.
She then turns to the items on the table and says, "Yes, many of these things belonged to Seeker Harlan, the rest belonged to the people who were staying in the room: the main suspects."
On the table, as well as the items of clothings and weapons that one might expect a Seeker of Donai to be carrying, there are a large collection of belongings that could only belong to a woman, or perhaps more than one woman. There is also a nasty-looking hunting knife with a wooden hilt and an iron blade about a foot long that is covered in congealed blood.
"That is what killed him," says Priestess Aloma, pointing at the knife. "It pierced his heart and, thankfully, his death would have been swift."
Then she points to where Seeker Harlan's pale grey Seeker uniform has been spread out on the table. There is a neat slit in the blood-soaked tunic just below where a man's ribs would end under his heart. Also on the tunic there is a scorch mark on the centre of the chest, but whatever caused this burn did not penetrate the clothing. Midian also notes that there is severe charring around the neck of the tunic.
[OOC: Make an Arcana check.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian studies the objects carefully, looking for any Arcane significance.
Midian closes his eyes and opens them using his Mithra-given ability to see the particles of magick that are ever-present in the world of Magudonya. There are no concentrations of magick on Seeker Harlan's uniform, or on the iron-bladed knife that apparently killed him, which is hardly surprising because iron is anathema to magick.
As he is using his ability, Priestess Aloma begins to speak, "Brother Jax told me that Seeker Harlan had an amulet specially created to ward him against the Arion's Arrows spell favoured by the followers of Arion. It would seem that the ward was not designed to protect the amulet itself because that is all that is left of it."
Midian turns to see where she is pointing and sees what remains of a silver medallion of intricate construction that he saw his master wear on some occasions. It is in several pieces and shows signs of having warped with heat. However, it now seems to have no more magic to it than the silver it was constructed of.
Then the priestess adds in a matter-of-fact tone, "It would seem that, once the amulet was destroyed, they then used the same spell on the poor man's head; it was a particularly gruesome corpse I am told... And one that could not be questioned post mortem... But, what I don't understand is the order of things?"
Curious as to what she means, Midian turns to look at the priestess and sees from her magical aura that she is an accomplished magus in her own right. Possibly not as powerful as his mentor, but surprisingly so for a priestess of Aieda.
[OOC: If there is anything setting-related above you want to know more about, take a look at the World Site (doing a text search is probably the easiest way). If you can't find what you are looking for, let me know and I will add it, though there might be a roll involved.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
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Midian gives Rawls a final squeeze to the forearm and then heads off to find Jax.
Rawl squeezes Midian's forearm back and then with a grim smile whispers, "I'll tell the others to get ready."
He then steps back and in his normal voice says, "Blessed day, Apprentice Midian. May Mithra guide you on this day and Donai keep the night's terrors away."
Midian leaves Rawl and enters the Temple proper where he first visits his quarters. After putting Seeker Harlan's eternal flame some place secure, he changes out of his vestments and dons his armour and Apprentice surcoat. He then buckles on his daggers and rapier before once more heading out to look for Brother Jax.
[OOC: I have moved most of Midian's equipment from his inventory list to the 'Other possessions' tab of his character sheet to match what has been said above. If there are any of those other possessions you want him to be carrying, now is the time to tell me so I can move them back, but please be aware that anything large and obvious will be noticed by NPCs (e.g., carrying around 50' of rope in public will have people noting he is doing so and likely asking him why.)]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
OOC: He would also wear his backpack.
Midian ponders the Eternal Flame for a moment before stowing it away in his room, changes his clothes and dons his armor and rapier, and then goes to find Jax.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
OOC: At the moment the backpack is empty.
20 - Investigation Check
While pondering Seeker Harlan's eternal flame, Midian notices that there is a thin gap between the base and the candle part of the ornament. Experimenting, he discovers that the top candle part not only moves independently but can be pulled away from the base. Then, when he removes the top tight-fitting cap that covers the wick end of the candle, he finds he is now holding a pocket-sized eternal candle in his hand.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian examines the curious device more thoroughly to see if there might be a hidden message within, or a hidden function (such as it functioning as a key or having moveable parts, he might use his thieves tools for fine adjustments if needed) or any arcane significance, or magical purpose beyond the known.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
After thoroughly studying the object, Midian will take the small hand held magical light with him, leaving the larger "container" for the relic in his room. He proceeds on to Jax, maintaining the body language of a man in mourning in case he is observed.
Brother Jax's office is close to Seeker Venn's, but Midian does not see the Seeker leader as he makes his way through the Temple carrying his empty backpack.
When he knocks on Jax's door, a deep voice from inside bids him enter. Jax is a portly Stemian man of middle years, balding on top, but with thick brown hair on the sides and sideburns that come close to meeting in a beard.
"Ahhh, Voda, yes," he says, putting down a mug of char, "Seeker Venn thought you might be coming to see me. You are after information about the death of your master, yes?"
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian nods, his expression somber. "That is correct, brother Jax. Seeker Venn told me you would supply me with all of Harlan's equipment and personal effects taken from his body. He also mentioned that you would be providing me a letter to act on Seeker Venn's authority in this investigation, bearing his seal. Bring me Harlan's possessions, and I will examine them while you prepare the letter."
Jax frowns. "The letter is easy, I am part way through preparing it now," he says indicating a letter on his desk. "But I don't believe he would have said that I was to let you take Harlan's personal effects from that day... They are still being studied by the priests, for one thing."
Then he adds, "But I can certainly give you access to them. As well as other evidence taken from the scene." He gets to his feet and indicates a second door that Midian knows leads into the small antechamber where people would normally wait before speaking with Seeker Venn. "They are in here and there is an Aiedan looking at them now."
Jax walks over to the door and opens it. "Excuse me, Priestess Aloma," he says courteously, "But we have another person who wishes to view the evidence. Might he join you?"
Looking into the room, Midian can see a table has been set up and that a number of items have been spread over it. There is also a woman in the midnight blue robes of an Aiedan priestess who appears to be holding one of that sect's ceremonial necklaces in her hands.
"Of course, Brother Jax," she says with a small nod of acceptance.
Brother Jax indicates for Midian to enter and then turns to head back to his desk.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian bows his head respectfully on entering. "Priestess Aloma, I am not sure if I have made your acquaintance before, well met. I am Midian Voda, Harlan's pupil. I've just came from his funeral service. Are these all of Harlan's belongings that he had at the time of his death? His body is of course consigned to the flames. Did anyone examine the cadaver beforehand to determine the specific cause of death?"
"Blessed day, Apprentice Voda, and may your nights always be productive," replies the priestess in formal greeting.
She then turns to the items on the table and says, "Yes, many of these things belonged to Seeker Harlan, the rest belonged to the people who were staying in the room: the main suspects."
On the table, as well as the items of clothings and weapons that one might expect a Seeker of Donai to be carrying, there are a large collection of belongings that could only belong to a woman, or perhaps more than one woman. There is also a nasty-looking hunting knife with a wooden hilt and an iron blade about a foot long that is covered in congealed blood.
"That is what killed him," says Priestess Aloma, pointing at the knife. "It pierced his heart and, thankfully, his death would have been swift."
Then she points to where Seeker Harlan's pale grey Seeker uniform has been spread out on the table. There is a neat slit in the blood-soaked tunic just below where a man's ribs would end under his heart. Also on the tunic there is a scorch mark on the centre of the chest, but whatever caused this burn did not penetrate the clothing. Midian also notes that there is severe charring around the neck of the tunic.
[OOC: Make an Arcana check.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Arcana: 9
Midian studies the objects carefully, looking for any Arcane significance.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
18 Arcana
Midian closes his eyes and opens them using his Mithra-given ability to see the particles of magick that are ever-present in the world of Magudonya. There are no concentrations of magick on Seeker Harlan's uniform, or on the iron-bladed knife that apparently killed him, which is hardly surprising because iron is anathema to magick.
As he is using his ability, Priestess Aloma begins to speak, "Brother Jax told me that Seeker Harlan had an amulet specially created to ward him against the Arion's Arrows spell favoured by the followers of Arion. It would seem that the ward was not designed to protect the amulet itself because that is all that is left of it."
Midian turns to see where she is pointing and sees what remains of a silver medallion of intricate construction that he saw his master wear on some occasions. It is in several pieces and shows signs of having warped with heat. However, it now seems to have no more magic to it than the silver it was constructed of.
Then the priestess adds in a matter-of-fact tone, "It would seem that, once the amulet was destroyed, they then used the same spell on the poor man's head; it was a particularly gruesome corpse I am told... And one that could not be questioned post mortem... But, what I don't understand is the order of things?"
Curious as to what she means, Midian turns to look at the priestess and sees from her magical aura that she is an accomplished magus in her own right. Possibly not as powerful as his mentor, but surprisingly so for a priestess of Aieda.
[OOC: If there is anything setting-related above you want to know more about, take a look at the World Site (doing a text search is probably the easiest way). If you can't find what you are looking for, let me know and I will add it, though there might be a roll involved.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.