Difference between revisions of "Zeitsulf"

Revision as of 03:03, 15 December 2019

Zeitsulf, 1st level Priest of Gelberlemthen 1st level Thief NG Male Gnome

Stats and Proficiencies

Str 17 Dex 16 Con 12 Int 13 Wis 16 Cha 11

Age: 332 Xp: 0

Height:3'4" Weight: 82 lbs

Max Hp: 7 Ac: 5

Saving throws

Poison: 10

Rods, Staves, Wands: 14 (-3 for gnome) effective 11

Petrify: 12

Breath: 16

Spell: 15 (-3 for gnome) effective 12

Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Secondary: Scribe (Gnomish Mandadorianism Religion, Read, Write)

Primary: Herbalism (2 slot), Riding-Ram (1 slot)

Weapon Proficiencies

Shortsword, Dagger, Horseman's Mace

Languages

Gnomish, Weasel, Orc, Dwarden

Physical Appearance

Zeitsulf stands at 3' 4" tall which makes him a little above average for a gnome. His small pot belly is not quite as predominate as many other gnomes, but he has thin wiry legs resting upon two small feet which hold up the girth on his torso. His arms are of average length and not overtly muscular. His shoulders are rather small compared to his midsection so his body does not create the iconic human V-shape that many men desire. His hands are rather small and delicate on first glance but more careful observation shows callousing on his hands like many of the gnomes who work in artisan crafts.

Zeitsulf typically has a brooding or sullen look. His eyes are green and focus intently on where his mind is going. He has a larger nose and ears than a human which gives gnomes a distinct appearance. His forehead is somewhat long leading to medium length strands of white hair that look somewhat disheveled to most humans but is quite common in gnomish culture. He has a slightly larger mouth and high cheeks bones which stretch across a wide face. Reaching his second century of life Zeitsulf began being able to grow the iconic facial hair for gnomes, he wears his proudly and grooms it often. His beard is medium length, perhaps 2-3 inches long, white and dull.

The garb being worn is typically patched together. Brown leather boots, whose sole is stitched together, extend to around the ankle where unique buttons clasp the shoe together. His clothing is rather nice (for gnomish standards) but is a dark brown color. He wears trousers and a long tunic that extends from his shoulders to just above his knees. Fastened to his belt is a brown leather pouch and a book connected by a thin metal linked chain. On the cover of the brown book is a burnt trefoil appearing to be branded. Hanging off his chest is a what would appear to be a child's necklace that has a charm of the trefoil of Mandador.

Personal Background

Parents

The matching of Agilwardus and Emmegart is truly where Zeitsulf's story begins. For these, his loving parents, were typical gnomes living quiet secluded lives in the forests near the lake by the mountain. Each, through their own interests vested in the beauty of their idyllic surroundings, were one with nature and used different aspects to show their talents. Agilwardus, a carver of wood, made splendid items for all the townsfolk even before reaching maturity. From an innate ability and seemingly au courant of the very fiber of the wood twisting and layering deep behind its bark, he merely stripped away pieces to reveal only the true beauty of what was already there. Emmegart, being quite different, preferred to find the most amazing meat, herbs and vegetables to share with the kin. She, like many other gnomes, had an astute ability to sense where life was burgeoning and bring the gifts of life to the mouths of the ones she loved. Reaching maturity the two knew each other very well, yet, it had never quite crossed the others mind that they could be matched.

In reality, Agilwardus never thought of being matched, for he grew up somewhat fatherless. His father, Bartschval, was gone for extended periods on grand adventures with the Knight's of the order of the beleaguered shield. Bartschval, a practitioner of illusion and cunning, was a gnome of great character who believed in serving Mandador. His participation in the grand adventure gave much needed help to Dwarden and furthered Mandador's wishes of expunging the area of the undead. Though, none of this meant much to Agilwardus, who only wished he had the loving and tender affection and guidance only a father can bestow. Upon his return, Bartschval had realized how much his son had needed him and like many gnomes how much he needed a match to receive his affection.

The matching of these two went over rather well. Emmegart's father, Osprant, wished to join his family to Bartschvals and Bartschval could see the tender and loving nature that Agilwardus needed in Emmegart. The two were to be knotted in the gnomish tradition and married in the Mandadorian, so as it was at the time. The two lived a few years gathering, making and finding true love within each other. Once their hearts were filled and open with each other, they decided to welcome a child. The going was rough and it had appeared it was not meant to be, so Bartschval began opening his book with the words of Mandador praying for them every night. Not long after, the seemingly miraculous had happened and Agilwardus eyes grew wide as Emmegart conveyed the feeling of life blossoming in her womb.

Juvenility

The childhood of Zeitsulf was very typical of the gnomish culture. Many days were spent learning natures many lessons. The trees blooming year after year with a new season, the gentle waves rocking along the beach show the ebb and flow of life and the mountains strong, stern and unyielding. Many of these traits Zeitsulf inherited from his surroundings, he was relentlessly stubborn when needed yet every year he seemed to blossom anew allowing for more information to take hold in his young mind. This isn't to say that Zeitsulf learned nothing from his parents. Emmegart being a strong purveyor of food showed many tricks to the young gnome. He learned at a young age how to set traps for small animals and where to find the best herbs hidden amongst the forest. Agilwardus showed him the time, effort and patience required to make a masterpiece in woodworking. His father also taught him how to tie special knots for making bundles of wood and other knots for dragging large logs home. They both showed him love and affection, yet pushed him to be the best he could at the tasks he was assigned. Indeed, his parents were almost too nurturing to Zeitsulf, always providing him with the things he needed and all he desired. The first 40 years, as he was coming into what humans define as "teenage years", were spent rather carefree and listless.

As this transition occurred, Zeitsulf began spending more time with Bartschval, for the master of cunning and intellect saw his gifts mirrored within the young boy. Young Zeitsulf very much admired his grandfather, for he was a hero to Dwarden and was a strong figure. Bartschval knowing the young gnome was burgeoning past his adolescence, began to tell Zeitsulf many of his stories. The stories started off rather unassuming as they were mainly about the human town. However, as time went on Bartschval began telling Zeitsulf of the grand adventures, fighting monsters and undead around the area. As the stories continued, Zeitsulf began asking Bartschval to teach him the ways of cunning and intellect. As Agilwardus didn't care for those ways, Bartschval was reticent to teach the young gnome. The asking turned into begging and the begging to groveling. Eventually the master gave in and so an apprentice was taken in.

Carnality

At 42 years old, Zeitsulf was not very wise but his quick hands allowed him to understand and perform the minor tasks that Bartschvals apprenticeship required. Simple tasks, like palming a coin were quickly mastered by Zeitsulf but he wasn't quite studious enough to complete the harder tasks like creating a 2-D illusion. Thus, Bartschval knew illusion wasn't Zeitsulf's path. Bartschval decide that Zeitsulf's time would be better spent understanding cunning. Most of his tasks required extreme dexterity which Zeitsulf had just enough. Bartschval insisted he be well round and insisted he learn how to read and write. Shortly after his 53rd birthday, Zeitsulf was taken on Bartschvals visit to Dwarden. Zeitsulf learned many things on that trip, including the short sighted nature of the humans. Zeitsulf was very intrigued by the way the humans worship Mandador, for in gnomish culture the being and interacting with Mandadors world is as being one with Mandador, whereas the human Mandadorians believed in worship and strict guidelines. The culture within the human lands was indeed even more drastically different with greed and envy, for the humans have desires to advance their position which the gnomes do not. Murder, jealousy and hatred are rare qualities within the gnomes and Zeitsulf could see it with every action the petty humans made.

Following the trips to Dwarden, Zeitsulf, mortified with the way humans interact, decided to commune more with Mandador and the gnomish church. His hours spent trying to understand the wisdom of the congregation led to his initiation into the minor orders upon his 74th birthday. During this time Zeitsulf was becoming quite proficient with the use of cunning, he could now blend into the shadows and move so silently he could almost sneak up on Master Bartschval. They became so well that Bartschval decided to tell the young gnome of other cunning talents like immunity to illusions, though he told Zeitsulf he must become a master himself before such things he could accomplish.

Acuity

Now with the full wisdom of 80+ years, Zeitsulf was growing to be not only a smart and mature gnome but also in-tune with Mandador and the needs of the world around him. His many years spent studying the ways of Mandador gave rise to his ability to channel holy spells through Mandador. He knew between his illusionary and holy abilities he could really help shape the world for the better. His wisdom also granted him the patience that being a gnome can grant due to their long life. He spent many years perfecting the magical spells Bartschval showed him in his carnality. Finally, around the cresting of his first century Zeitsulf had truly been able to use spells beyond the scope of illusion.

For all the wisdom and knowledge that Zeitsulf had, there was still something missing from his life. He wished to help Dwarden and to fill the hearts of the humans he looked down on long ago with the true spirit of Mandador. Most importantly the family that Bartschval had connected with so long ago. Just before his 124rd year, Zeitsulf set out for Dwarden to help the humans and spread Mandadors love to all in need.

Visits to Kalestrina

Zeitsulf has visited the commandery of Kalestrina three times, coming with his grandfather and other gnomish folk, especially the adventurer Nildremedden. There his grandfather would be the guest of the Lord Commander, who in Zeitsulf's memory was Lord Kelbion, whom Zeitsulf visited twice in his youth. Bartschval would always be treated as a guest of honor.

Among the various personages whom Zeitsulf would meet while at Kalestrina, one of the most memorable would be the family of the House of Talenthar Urbanus. For their patriarch Trelben, Bartschval enchanted a new sword that can speak, reveals secret passages, and may flash to blind the undead. The sword however was damaged in the recent wars, being badly burned by fire magic. Bartschval has repaired the blade and made it even more powerful than before. In these times Zeitsulf was the friend of young Thalen Talendthar, son of Trelben, who was considered one of the most shining youths at the time.

Religious Background

Zeitsulf is the porter of the Paralinth Shrine, a very old shrine that was dedicated to Powers of stone and nature in times past. The shrine was visited by St. Yathamian himself, who prayed there, quieting the spirits which lived in the stones. After nine days spent there, the power of his prayer emblazoned itself on the great stones, and no spell or device can harm the trefoil that still holds there to this day. The acolyte Ethgefelden was the first to care for the shrine after the coming of Yathamian, but he was already old, and disappeared into the stones of the place only two centuries after their dedication to Mandador. The second keeper of the shrine was Agemelden the Wise, the brother of the Archdeacon. Agemelden became the Acolyte of the Paralinth, and the keeper of the Gelbendowlben Forest around it. Agemelden became very wise as the centuries passed, and his lore of nature was very great, and he new much craft, and would heal the creatures of the shadow-wood. Agemelden eventually befriended the young son of Bartschval, named Agilwaldus, who was left alone for many years as a tender youth. Although Agilwaldus was too in love with wood-making and enchantment to come to the Faith, this was not so with his son Zeitsulf.

Receiving his powers from the Voice in the Paralinth, Zeitsulf has not received the lay on hands of the clergy, and like his master the Acolyte, his powers exist outside clerical succession.

Adventures

Illusionist Spells

Illusion

1st level: Phantasmal Force, Phantom Armor, Change Self

Alternate schools

0th level: Two-D'lusion, Hide, Haze, Footfall

1st level: Color Spray, Identify, Cantrips (see 0th level)

Clerical Spheres

Major Access

All, Astral, Charm, Combat, Creation, Divination, Guardian, Healing, Necromantic, Protection, Summoning, Sun, Wards, Law

Minor Access

Elemental, Travelers, War

Powers as the Porter of the Paralinth

Hold Portal

Pertinent Items

Mount

None

Items

Horseman’s Mace (Gnomish), Holy Symbol, Spellbook

Spell Components

Owl Feathers (3), Mixture of Yellow, Red and Blue sand (3), Bit of Fleece (8), Small Vial of Holy Water (2)

Magical Items

Bright Fire, magical long sword

Description: Bright Fire is kept in a magical box, set with powerful warding magic that only Zeitsulf knows how to open. After his recovery, Thalen Talenthar Urbanus is to be given the sword.

Goals

Minor Goals

Moderate Goals

Major Goals