Ravna Reiersgaard

Sure is. Either put that here, or put it in the Welcome thread. Or both. small redundancies are not really a problem

That seems to be the party Hit Dice rolls.

A cleric would be good, you guys are lacking in healing. I say that as a player, who is perpetually panicked about not having enough healing, in any party.

I think a Cleric would be better, for the party. Aaron and Damon are both making melee front liners. In terms of in-battle healing, you guys have a bard so far.

good point. I retract my previous statement

I should clarify: I considered it when I woke up this morning and I don't feel like I want to swap to cleric at this moment. I want to try out this build and just go for it, come what may.

You walk the halls of a great Manor House. A good breeze has picked up and blows through the wide halls. You are grateful, early autumn can be unbearably humid and the occasional sea breeze is by far the best remedy. You continue walking through the old house. It is strange, many of the old imperfections that were apparent just a week ago now see gone. Some peeling paint, faded and frayed tapestries, a few cracked columns, these all seem to build character of the place. You realize the change, from last week today. Last week you knew you were leaving, today is actually your last day. Today, you leave your home, hoping to find a new one. Oh sure, everyone says that this place will always be your home, at your more emotional part of you believes them, but you know the truth. Today you are leaving Bayou d'Argent, heading to the Academy at Caer Uthis. Yesterday, you were the firstborn and heir to a ancient and noble family, today you are merely the half-sister of the heir. Losing land and title mean little to you, a bit of a relief actually. Little Illias can deal with all that miserable hypocritical foolishness. You never really realized before now that you are not only renouncing your claim to land and title, but to this house as well. You grew up here. Learned to read in the study. Learned to ride a horse in the field behind the house. Had your first kiss in the stable. Learned how to mix chemicals in the east wing, as well as how to put out chemical fires and how to repair fire and smoke damage.

You stroll through the house, into the audience chamber. Generations of Reiersgaard lords have held court here. Its empty now, this time of year no one travels or holds meetings during the day if they can help it, too hot and humid. Gods forbid you sweat into your fine and beautiful clothing. Above the doors sits carving with your family sigil, next to it is your stepfather's. The arrogant prick wouldn't even take your mother's name when they married, let alone give up his sigil, which would be tradition. At the head of the chamber sits a throne. It is carved ebony with inlaid silver and lapis lazuli. It is carved with scenes from the life of your ancestors Reier and his son Robert. You once spent hours studying the chair, part of a lesson when you were young. When your teacher, Alan Babblebrook, asked you what you learned you told him that rich people have too much money, if they can throw it away on big fancy chairs, when a simple manuscript would be a better way to remember your ancestors. Alan Babblebrook has been here even longer than you. Your grandfather hired him fresh from the Academy. He was a cleric for the church of hope, and your grandfather was an active patron for the church. Babblebrook stayed on after your grandfather passed, as the house mage. The kind halfling was your tutor growing up, since then he has been a buffer and peacekeeper between you and your stepfather. He also helped as an advisor when you started to consider the Academy.

You walk into the front hall. It is dominated by decorative columns and a massive double staircase leading upstairs. Between the staircases, is a large and ancient portrait. It depicts a woman sitting on a throne. She is wearing a silver breastplate, holding a sword in one hand and scepter in the other. The woman is meant to be the Silver Princess, or Queen if you are from elsewhere. In Alitaan she was a princess, and that is how you remember her. This manor is named in her honor, as she is the one who raised the family to nobility. The portrait is extremely stylized and romantic in its depiction. The woman in the portrait is probably the most beautiful you have ever seen. You have always been skeptical of the accuracy of the likeness. No one knows when it was painted, supposedly by Atis Reiersgaard, younger son of Reier. Who knows if that is true. Babblebrook reminds you that the accuracy of the image is not important. The greatness of the woman and your family's service to her are what is important. He catches you looking at the portrait when he comes up behind you.


When she left her home, she helped to save the world. I expect no less from you, young lady. The old halfling looks up at you with a kind, jovial smile. Babblebrook has agreed to make the journey to Caer Uthis with you. If you are ready, we should head out. You said all your goodbyes last night and this morning. You bags are packed, and you are as ready to leave as you can be. With a small tear, you nod. Dyna woke early this morning, left a note saying she had some issue to deal with, but she promised that she would catch up to us before nightfall. Dyna is a half-elf, an illegitimate relation of your father's, a cousin you think. After your parents were married, she was made captain of the guard here in Bayou d'Argent. After your mother remarried she was dismissed, but now she works as a game warden. Patrolling your family's lands hunting poachers and criminals. Even though it was a step down, Dyna has been happier in her new position. She can still be with those of you in the manor, but has ample excuse to slip away to the swamps and marshes of the countryside when she gets sick of "how the other half live". You and Dyna have always been close, sharing mutual interests as well as contempts. Despite loving your father, she is one of the few people at the manor who wouldn't hesitate to call him an fool to his face.

The road to Caer Uthis is long, but relatively safe. Under his tender smiles and jokes, Alan is a powerful mage and more that enough protection on the road. Dyna, too, is a skilled warrior. You suspect that she elected to accompany you for sentimental reasons, rather than security. You and Alan load a small wagon with the few possession you will need, and depart.