Sartar Contest Characters

All Character Contest Entries

Lira-duck-breath

Submitted by: Andrew Graham

Lira-duck-breath works as a healer despite her mother’s matchmaking. Lira lacked the required empathy and instead took to potion making and trading in the exotic materials required by alchemy. Short and angular Lira traded eye to eye with the Durulz for marsh treasures. Unfortunately she picked up some of the Durulz’s less endearing habits including a low tolerance for fools and a taste for tobacco. Named Nest Saver she gained the everlasting smoke in gratitude for her rescues from often cursed duck hunters. Armed with concealed twin stilettos Lira also has a vicious kick guided by her knowledge of anatomy.

Aren Stormlight

Submitted by: Andrew Graham

Aren Stormlight is a god troubled Godi of the Danlarni who worships Yavor through Orlanth Thunderous. He knows the storm scared sacred hills and the bright points of Farplace and uses Elmal’s sharp eye to Pearce its mist and cloud. He has learned to ride Yavor bright Javelins and to walk on Clouds with Shelara his blue woman wife. His Thunder Voice stiffens the Fyrd with his oration when he backs them with his Blazer spear held high. Now he dreams of finding the Lightning Hall and has searched and quested to find its hidden door.

Zerra the Seventh Helper

Submitted by: Andrew Graham

Orphaned by Desolation raiders, Zerra returned to Serris to hunt and live wild in its maze, guiding the Seven-Life-Helpers. She is friend to Ravens and other animal sprits but is haunted by her Eolian Uncle. Zerra was rescued, fed and clothed by the Dara Happen Xanthia, her idol. Taken in and tolerated by the Five Trees of Bounty Association, her imperial sponsors, she shares her good fortune with her brave Maze friends. Now a comely apprentice of Jakaleel she finds some solace from the intruding otherword. Zerra hunts the monster-spawn, not fearing Darkness and knowing their dark underworld, she has gained their enmity and looted treasures.

Kalvie the Elk

Submitted by: Andrew Graham

Kalvie Herra’s daughter was born crone dammed as the omens spoke./ A tall deep hunter like her mother she Inherited Powers from the Other. / Fare of face and figure above the waist but below was formed Elk like, solid and strong. / Adaptable she endured much often homeless her inner heat protected her./ Wild children would play with her ignoring the odd smell, enjoying her inhuman speed and sure step. But she protected all children fiercely. With womanhood came the odd horns and strange totem, unknown to Oak-and-Storm. When the hell beast attacked Kalvie robbed and broke it saving the clan

Touchstone

Submitted by: Andrew Graham

A faceless commoner with Stygian leanings, Touchstone trades in the hidden things and places of Syran that others less brave leave alone. An Arkat's-Eye, he keeps his eyes and ears open for signs of the Deceiver. Although ruthless in his dealings as a middleman, high ideals of protecting society keep him from corruption. Reinstating valued goods for profit he builds his retirement fund. His talents have earned him the gratitude of several Houses, but not all know him in the same guise. The Opert Prophecy makes him protective of House Heligan. His lover Sheri keeps his Syndicate henchmen in line.

Kiki

Submitted by: Andrew Graham

Kiki a happy youngster ran errands and fetched healing plants for healer mother. She painted in her forest hideaway creatures that would come to her, attracted by her empathy and kind heart. Animals liked her and the wilds hold no fear. She managed to avoid punishment by the Safelster Church-of-Inspiration over the skyclad painting by proving her purity of action. Now with her quick drawing and accurate hand she is refining her realistic apprentice studies of nature in the “School-of-Sacred-Image”. Keeping inappropriate pets has irritated many. Now she paints many of her favourite animals from memory since the “horse-in-the-attic” incident.

Lug Two-Swords, storm-movement-illusion (storm-movement-mastery ? )

Submitted by: Christoph Kohring

Lug Two-Swords the Drogarsi is the grand-master of the mysterious Sword-Dancers of Dragon Pass. Battle-scarred veteran of the Sartar invasion as well as of Kallyr's Rebellion, he travelled wide & far from the Vent Volcano to Thunder Mountain & from Corflu to the Elf Sea but never inside the Glowline. Outlawed from the Orleving, he is a member in good-standing of Geo. Gonn Orta the giant gifted him with the Lionskin-of-Savagery & Garrath Swordsharp of Pavis is his blood-brother. He once bought -for an outrageous price- a crossbow & nine iron-tipped quarrels from the Dwarf. Intimidating to his peers, he is kind & generous to the weak.

Pharon Charunsson

Submitted by: Donald R. Oddy

Pharon is a Tarshite hillman from a village near Copper Town. Charunsson comes from rumours about his parentage which he refuses to confirm or deny. He behaves with the savagery that the name implies. However he is not as barbaric as he first appears - he can read and write and is a novitiate of the Seven Mothers.

Tatius hired Pharon in 1619 to raise a century or two of mercenaries for the purpose of countering rebel warbands. The unit is outside the normal Lunar chain of command with Pharon reporting directly to Tatius in spite of Pharon only having the rank of centurion. He and his men are all experienced warriors; mostly equipped with axe, shield and throwing axes. They follow a variety of gods although many carry lunar charms. Tatius allows Pharon and his warriors a lot of freedom in how they act in suppressing rebels much to the irritation of regular army officers.

Pharon has a feud with Kallyr following a failed attempt to kill or capture her shortly after he arrived at Whitewall. He has vowed to personally hammer in the nails at her crucifixion.

Significant Abilities - Intimidate, Torture, Intercept Rebels and Bandits, Ignorant of Lunar Army Regulations.

Parzela Peaceweaver

Submitted by: Donald R. Oddy

Parzela is the clan's senior healer and intitiate of Jera although she has a wide experience of all healing. Middle aged and unmarried she has been part of the clan since birth although she has a daughter who married a few years ago. Her seniority means she holds Chalana Arroy's place on the clan ring but she avoids politics so usually only attends rituals. The title Peaceweaver is recent and comes from her success in averting a couple of potentially nasty divorces which could have badly damaged the clan. She has some internal conflict between the desire to heal everyone and the health of the clan. For if you heal a stranger they may hurt the clan. Parzela resolves this by requiring an oath never to hurt her clan as part payment from any outsider. Some have refused her help on that basis in which case she reluctantly turns them away.

Significant abilities: Make Medicine, Heal People, Heal Clan.

Gawohr “Bad Dog” Ensovalsson

Submitted by: Harald Smith

When Tatius sought a Southern Jumper, the King of Imther offered his Huntmaster, Gawohr. Gawohr avidly responded leading his pack, the Bloodhound Hunt, to Dragon Pass where they ritually hunted the Black Legs and Urgal’s Winds. Then, armed with the Lost Bear’s Claws, took the Left Sinew of Hoargrim Ice-horse. Cunning, relentless, patient, and subservient when necessary, he remembers all scents including the Wyrm's Breath. Though jovial, his barking laugh chills Yinkini. His hatred of dragons drives his quest for Sharvenatars’ Ten Treasures. He despises shaman, and earned the Telmori’s enmity when he slew the Tarn Wolf spirits.

The Monkey Sage

Submitted by: John Harding

Around 1605 two Jonstown Lankhor Mhy sages, Jaansor Harm and Makyn Garnor nearly came to blows over their differing views of education and knowledge. Makyn headed the “Elitist” faction who held that intelligence and talent were assigned to a person a birth, while Jaansor headed the “Educationalist” faction which believed that given the right education and environment most people could learn to read and worship Lankhor Mhy in the correct manner. In order to humiliate Jaansor, Makyn presented him with a baby Praxian baboon and told him to prove his theories and teach him to read. Jaansor rather than being insulted took this as a challenge and proceeded to bring up and educate the baboon whom he called Ficit. Ficit accompanied Jaansor on his expeditions and was secretly taught how to read, write, study and worship Lankhor Mhy correctly. Ficit proved an apt pupil and excelled under Jaansor’s tuition When the time was ripe Jaansor presented Ficit as proof of the validity of the “Educationalist” view. Ficit answered his examiners with clarity and not a little confidence much to the dismay of his examiners. The Elitist faction had become politically powerful and despite Ficit’s obvious talents denied him a place within the temple. Jaansor disgusted at this betrayal of truth took Ficit and became a wild sage. After a time Jaansor died but rumors of a wandering Monkey sage still persist to this day. With most sighting centered around the Monkey ruins in Prax. Ficit is intelligent,polite, urbane and even cultured, but woe bedtide anyone who questions his conclusions or intelligence especially those he perceives hold “Elitist” values.

Vengethus

Submitted by: Keith Nellist

Overseer of Monsters is an easy, if unpleasant, occupation for a noble descendant of Darvedeskorgos. Three elder brothers possess glory, or weath, or influence and keep Vengethus comfortable, in a villa called Ershkintu, overlooking Yuthuppa. He lives in idle seclusion with his poetic wife, silent servants, and pallid temple assistants. Nominally held prisoner, but actually protected by a ferocious Lion-Guard, he studies the stars, breeds horses, and practices charioteering at his leisure. His occasional macabre duties include dark litanies and dirges, obscene rituals, cruel wardings, propitiatory sacrifice and rituals.

Volle and Vizz

Submitted by: Keith Nellist

One standest amidst a knot of friends, tall and somewhat stooping, in a corselet of bronze, and a cloak of old brocaded silk coloured like tarnished gold; swarthy, and with bristling black moustachios. Tis but Vizz, brother to Volle in godtalking, as well as by consanguinity, both representatives of a line of illustrious warriors and magicians. He returns from far travels the wealthiest in goods of the brethren and was known as Goldtongue, although not an initiate of that god. Both had been called to Orlanth for Volle speaks Runes of Thunder, and Vizz, Lightning. Silent Volle took pride in his storms, exquisite pleasure from the rain on his own tula, but Vizz was taken by adventure, a love of plunder and debaucheries.

Manticore

Submitted by: Keith Nellist

I am a Manticore, brains my repast. King I would be, and rule a city of scholars who know of all things. I would feast on their wisdom. Ha! Just desserts! Then naiads would not spurn my ugliness and fox women not complain of my smell, but would bathe me in perfumes. I live according to my three natures: I am fierce, strong and brave as a lion; as a man, descendant of Tada, I cultivate poetry, sing songs and laugh; as a scorpion I am a wandering monster, capturing prey by stealth and mating in a deadly courtship dance.

Lemu

Submitted by: Keith Nellist

Toothy trees terrified Lemu, the ebony-skinned ginger-bearded woodworker of Yanchi. During Doldrums spent in Neutebum he built seventh-boats. There he met Errinoru the Rotten Embyli who told him tall tales of fantastic travels and the gullible crafter set off in search of The Elixir, and the cities of Silver. He left Maslo on a working passage, leaving behind the Mother he feared and the mother he loved, the Warweeds he hated and the Yanchi Dust he craved. Spurning sorcery, shamanism and sacrifice, Lemu knows Dormal's tricks, and the talents of Elamle-ata. With his tools and dreams he seeks elf delusions.

Xanophir White Talon

Submitted by: Kevin McDonald

Xanophir is a Carmanian sorcerer and auxiliary member of Count Alehandro of Spol's heavy cavalry regiment. He leads a contingent of sorcerers whose magic aids the Queens Regiment with both protective ritual magic and devastating offensive spells. He is also a close ally of Yolenela - the Taloned Countess of Spol - and many suspect him of being sent to keep an eye on her son, Alehandro of the Brass Arm.

This may be true, but it masks a more sinister reason for Xanophir to seek employment far from the Oronin Valley. Xanophir is secretly a Black Visier, seduced by the lies of GanEstoro - Lord of Evil - to seek forbidden knowledge. Few in Sartar care how Xanophir came to learn spells that strike fear in the hearts of Sartarite rebels, and fewer still are aware of the experiments he conducts behind veils of imperially sanctioned secrecy. Xanophir's latest line of inquiry involves the living dead haunting the Upland Marsh and their supposed master - Delecti the Necromancer.

Kelson Blacksnake

Submitted by: Laurent Castellucci

Master of the House Blacksnake tradehouse in Karse, Kelson Blacksnake is controversial figure. His success under Lunar rule after Karse fell and mixed magics make him suspect to many rebel Sartarites. Rumors persist among some that he is loyal to Starbrow, if not the Rebellion – perhaps due to a personal debt. Publicly, he trades in exotic animals and difficult-to-procure spices, but his real wealth comes from a black-market business in weapons and exotic, lost magics. The latter he will sell to the highest bidder, occasionally adding some to his personal collection. He wields magic from many cultures and all three worlds, preferring practical versatility to a single religious approach.

Sora ShadowHearted Runes: Darkness - Truth - Fate

Submitted by: Laurent Castellucci

A secretive and sharp-tongued Lhankor Mhy sage, Sora Shadowhearted does not speak of the past that left her transformed. Left to die in the Troll Woods she was found by Takim and dragged into his HeroQuest. Now her beard is tinged with lead, hiding terrible scars. She acquired spider and darkness spirits, and her rune changed. Now she obsessively scours the Derensev library or wanders far afield, always accompanied by her "Brother in Darkness", with whom she shares a mystic bond. She hunts in dark places for a prophecy which will guide the future of the Hero Wars and redeem her in her own eyes and has amassed a considerable store of signs and portents, along with a growing understanding of the magical nature of Darkness and those who use it.

Sora and Takim backstory

Submitted by: Laurent Castellucci

In 1618-1619, the Kultain tribe was destroyed and broken up by the Lunar Army, which created a new tribe out of other clans. The fall of the tribe had been prophesied, although details were unclear. A Lhankor Mhy sage interpreted signs to mean that the newborn son of the tribal chief would bring the foretold doom upon the tribe. When the infant disappeared, she was accused of the crime, and of kinstrife. She was bound, outlawed, and left into the Troll Woods to die at the hands of the Uz or perhaps even the mysterious Kitori.

Takim (Brother in Darkness)

Submitted by: Laurent Castellucci

A mighty Son of Karrg, Takim finds himself bound to a destiny he never expected. Enacting the Karrg's Treasure HeroQuest, he unexpectedly found Sora and turned down a more dangerous path of the myth. They are now bound to each other, although neither understands it fully. Takim protects his "Sister in Darkness", believing she has been touched by Orani Mor and will one day discover a great secret that will help the Uz. Loyal and vicious, his lead mace has slain creatures from hurtplace, wonderhome, and the otherside. Takim is a deft musician, and an excellent judge of character. His dry wit often contrasts with Sora's sharp tongue.

Roganvarth Penterestsson

Submitted by: Oliver Bernuetz

He is the thrice-born, thrice-sworn. In boyhood he followed Voriof. He swore an oath to let no harm come to his flock. He kept this oath. Reborn she followed Yuhurol swearing a mighty oath to do no harm and heal all. She kept this oath. Finally in this time of trouble he follows Ereltharo having sworn a mighty oath to bring harm to all enemies of Heler. He and his boyhood friend Rana have in turn been friends, rivals, over the trifling Ortossa, and now lovers. He and Rana follow Broyan armed with his oath and their great love.

The Unknown

Submitted by: Oliver Bernuetz

The knife in the dark, the cord around the throat, the poison never tasted. Maker of widows and orphans. Never seen, never heard. Taught by the great masters of the East. Slayer of the vile, the mendacious, and the vicious. Works for payment or for justice. The innocent are always left unharmed. The Unknown haunts the alleys of Glamour seeking justice. The knife of the Unknown never dries. The garrotte of the Unknown is ever twisted around some deserving neck. Master of stealth, disguise, poisons and strangulations. The Unknown only sees in black and white so beware the gray.

Placidus Treibonus.

Submitted by: Oliver Bernuetz

Born in Raibanth. He worked as an informer in Glamour but made a deadly enemy so he joined the Lunar Army. He lost a leg at Moonbroth. Set up shop in Pavis where his first customer was a Mostali who gifted him with a mechanical leg. Of middling height he works the streets of Pavis investigating crimes. Possessed of a dry wit and a quick mind he moves in all sorts of circles in Pavis, Solars, Lunars, Praxians, Orlanthis and trolls alike. Hates elves though. Has proven valuable to the local authorities so he works without too much official interference.

Rana Riverlocks

Submitted by: Oliver Bernuetz

Rana Riverlocks , or Raindancer, is a devoted follower of Tarena the Blue Woman, full of grace and fair of face. She can dance on the rain drops, braids river and cloud spirits, daimones and spells into her long, uncut hair and can quench the strongest thirsts. As a boy she vied for the love of Ortossa with Roganvarth. Ortossa broke both their hearts and Rana was reborn as woman. She wandered long and far learning great magics. She returned home and met Roganvarth again. They realized they were the same breath from separate lungs. Now inseparable they follow Broyan.