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--- wiki:cctgame:varatas [2017/01/17 05:47] – add space between rogue and link lhx
+++ wiki:cctgame:varatas [2018/04/20 23:07] (current) – tjc569
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 ====== Varatas Sunweaver ======
+{{ :wiki:cctgame:varatas1.jpg?nolink&200|}}
 //"Tell me, are you just stupid or do wish for death?"//
-Varatas Sunweaver (formerly Varatas Elthrai) is an High Elven Sorcerer operating as an adventurer. A free spirit, he resisted the will of his father to become a proper heir to [[wiki:cctgame:start|House Elthrai]] and struck out on his own to seek the answers to his Dragonic heritage. He is currently traveling with a Halfling rogue [[wiki:cctgame:logan|Logan Ninefingers]] and a Dwarvish cleric Lothar Hammerfist in Phlan.
+Varatas Sunweaver (formerly Varatas Elthrai) is an High Elven Sorcerer operating as an adventurer. A free spirit, he resisted the will of his father to become a proper heir to [[wiki:cctgame:house-elthrai|House Elthrai]] and struck out on his own to seek the answers to his Dragonic heritage. He is currently traveling with a Halfling rogue [[wiki:cctgame:logan|Logan Ninefingers]] and a Dwarvish cleric [[wiki:cctgame:lothar|Lothar Hammerfist]] in Phlan.
-===== Background =====
-==== Early History ====
+==== Personality ====
-Varatas was born in Waterdeep at the family estate along with his twin sister Aletheia. Varatas and his siblings are the first generation entirely born in Waterdeep, the family having relocated permanently to their summer estate. While Vesti was focused on learning about the nobility of Waterdeep and the family business, Aletheia focused on writings about the world around them and poetry.
+//"A shame to waste this spell's first use upon an undead corpse..."//
-Varatas spent his time looking at his family’s trading fleet and finding various ways to keep his keepers on their toes, sneaking off the family estate as much as possible. Tyrion preferred his son act as a proper young noble and tried his best to curb Varatas' wayward desires, but it did not take. The prodigal chilld was drawn to the tales of adventure he and his sister read about, and tales of their adventuring uncle spiked their curiosity about the outside world.
+While he shares little in common with the typical Waterdevian Noble, Varatas does exhibit the typical Elvish and noble arrogance. However, Varatas views his superiority as not coming from title, but from his own inherent magical abilities. To that end, Varatas is generally described as bombastic, and is extremely sure of himself and frequently boasts of his superior power and skill. He views most matters as mere annoyances, preferring to focus his efforts on acquiring new spells, magical artifacts, and information about his family’s past.
-Tyrion preferred his son act as a proper young noble and tried his best to curb Varatas' wayward desires, but it did not take...
+While described by many as arrogant, the young elf also has a golden tongue, able to convince people to follow him even when it is against their interests. Some believe his persuasive skills are magical. If he ever settled down he would likely make a great diplomat or trader.
-==== Exiled, Return, and Escape ====
+He disdains the endless lessons and prattling about caution and safety that echo from academic schools of Wizards, believing magic is like any other muscle and can only be developed through practice and experimentation. To this end he despises long research, although acknowledges the necessity for it in trying to piece together the long lost history of his family.
-A young Varatas began to display unusual innate magical ability. Fearing his son might bring shame to the family or cause worry in the Court over another Elthrai Sorcerer, Varatas was sent to the study in Silverymoon Initially ecstatic about getting to spend time away from home, he quickly realized the teachers at Silverymoon were instructed to limit, or conceal his magic. Unfortunately, Varatas' magic was too advanced to be limited or restrained.
+Contrary to his normal aloof nature, Varatas is highly protective of his family, especially his sisters. He will go to extreme, if not outright reckless, measures to protect them. When angered, Varatas has been described as vengeful and merciless, executing enemies without a hesitation.
-Varatas was considered a prodigy at the sanctum, a fact he quickly realized as he was able to consistently cast spells without the need for a spellbook or a deal with a demon. Worse yet, he knew it and let his teachers and peers know it. Varatas was reprimanded multiple times for dangerous spellcasting, including nearly destroying a wing of the male dormitory on accident.
+Secretly, Varatas is concerned that he is simply traveling the same road as his cursed ancestors, and that every step he takes is leading him down a dark path.
-After nearly two decades at the sanctum, Varatas returned home to demand answers to his innate magical ability. His father was less than forthcoming, requiring Varatas to flee with what little information he had before he was shuffled back to the Silverymoon Sanctum.
+In combat, Varatas relies exclusively upon his spellcasting, raining fire and lightning upon his enemies from afar. He is trained in short swords and carries one with him at all times, but rarely even draws the weapon, preferring to incapacitate an enemy that closes on him before retreating to a safe distance. Recently, Varatas has shown an affinity for utilizing his fireball spell as his typical response to danger, much to his companions chagrin.
-As he fled he was stopped by his older sister, Vesti. She would not allow his personal whims to endanger the family and was willing to use force to stop him. Varatas was not going to allow her to stop him, but was hesitant to use his magic to force his way out of the house. Their standstill was stopped by their mother, who informed Varatas that a boat was waiting and that he needed to leave immediately.
-==== Early Adventures in Phlan ====
-to be added, for now see session recaps.
-==== Personality ====
-//"A shame to waste this spell's first use upon an undead corpse..."//
-to be added later
+Several observers have described his spellcasting as bombastic, with Varatas making seemingly unnecessary gestures and commands as he casts. This is actually a result of his experimental approach to spellcasting, his muscles naturally learning to cast in such a way so that casting is no different than moving his hand.
 ===== Notable Information =====
@@ Line 40: / Line 28: @@
 Age: 78   Height: 5'6   Weight: 120 lbs.
-Level 3 High Elf Sorcerer (Draconic Ancestry)
+Level 9 High Elf Sorcerer (Draconic Ancestry)
 Noble Background
 Chaotic Good
@@ Line 49: / Line 37: @@
   * Insight
   * Perception
-  * Persuasion
+  * Persuasion (expertise)
 ===Langauges===
@@ Line 58: / Line 46: @@
   * Draconic
-===== Journal Entries =====
-Varatas' Journal from his travels.
+===== Relationships =====
-==== Limitations ====
+===Lothar Hammerfist===
-That is all my former life afforded me. From the moment of my birth I was a cog in my family’s noble machine. Nothing more than an heir, to be some number away from royalty. My oldest sister accepted her place, my younger sister shared many of my views, but would never let mother overhear her. Mother believed we read too much into noble tales of knights and wizards exploring dungeons and slaying dragons.
+Lothar and Varatas have the typical elf-dwarf friendship; built upon a mutual respect and view their respective race is superior. Varatas views the cleric as a greedy, self-interested, and drunk dwarf but respects his abilities. The two have bonded over friendly wagers and shared confusion over Logan’s antics.
-My father only cared that I respected tradition, family, honor, and other nonsense. I did not care for a gilded cage, nothing more than a possession to be bargained away for some slight honor. No, I was meant for much more.
+===Logan Ninefingers===
-Then my magic awoke before my 50th birthday. What would be a joyous occasion for any other elf was met by distain. As was proper for a noble, my parents shipped me to the sanctum to learn from the so-called masters. But they were no better than my parents, a gilded cage replaced by a cage of books, restraints, and rules. While the other students could barely make a light without their precious tomes I could fling fire and ice from my hands as if it was second nature.
+It would not be fair to say Varatas loathes or is disgusted by his nine fingered Halfling companion, but the sentiment is not far from the mark. Varatas views Logan as an annoyance, constantly getting himself, and Lothar and Varatas by extension into unnecessary trouble. He views Logan’s new “leaf” as a long term scam, to what ends Varatas has not yet discovered.
-The masters held me back, saying in time they would teach me more. They repeated I was special, a prodigy of vast potential. But I found them fearful of the truth. They would teach me no “true” magic, only parlor tricks to impress lords and ladies. When they spoke I knew they knew something of my past, but deflected every time I pressed. So I left the sanctum, to return home to find my destiny.
+The recent revelations that Logan is a member of the Harpers and is semi famous in Waterdeep sicken the young elf.
-As expected, my parents said nothing, only begging me to return to the sanctum “for the good of the family and our precious honor.” I could see a secret in their eyes that they would never share. I was something more…
+===Aletheia Elthrai===
-For once, the studying I so demised was useful. In our family’s grandiose mausoleum I pieced together records long destroyed and forgotten. In the ancient times our family’s line was mixed with a Dragon, a boon granted to us for a noble act to the creature. As the ages past fewer and fewer of us sowed the dragon traits, but the last member of our family to show them was my father’s grandfather. They called him the //Starflayer//, as he burned friends and foes alike with his magic, a half dragon elf who tried to seize the crown, thinking he was superior to all. His dishonor brought ruin to my family.
+Possibly the most important person to him, Varatas would give anything to protect his twin sister. He left her when he first fled from home out of fear that she would be injured or worse. Varatas has preemptively threatened both of his companions’ lives over the thought of them even touching his sister.
-But I am not him. And his sins will not bind me to this cage. If I must strike out alone to find my destiny so be it. I will abandon the family name and take the name Sunweaver, to honor the great destiny I will weave for myself on my own.
+Secretly, Varatas blames himself for Aletheia’s situation, believing had he been there he might have been able to help her.
-==== The Prodigal ====
+===Vesti Elthrai===
-The dark halls of House Elthrai rung with the hastened steps Varatas made as he strode down the stairs of the folyer quickly, knowing it was now or never. He stopped at the top of the stairs, looking back, an almost unconscious pull drawing him to awaken his twin sister. I am sorry Aletheia. I can’t risk taking you on this journey. It is too dangerous for you right now and I do not know if I am coming back.
+Varatas would never publically admit it, but he cares for his older sister as much, if not more so, than his twin sister. He recognizes his sister’s willingness to take up the family affairs and business allows him and his younger sister to pursue their own endeavors outside of the family. They generally conflict over Vesti’s objections to Varatas’ seeming shirking of his family duties. The two last left on less than ideal terms, a situation Varatas wishes to remedy.
-Varatas ran down the stairs towards the front doors. His father had summoned retainers to “escort” the wayward heir back to Silverymoon the next morning. “Nothing will come of my studies with them, I would only trade one glided cage for another.” The slow sounds of fine heels against the marble floor pulled Varatas from his thoughts. In front of him stood his older sister, dressed as always in a conservative dress, her long brown hair braided up concealed by a hood. The moonlight from the crescent moon danced off her fair skin, her eyes showing the fire and focus Varatas’ sister carried in every action she took, from tutoring her younger siblings to negotiating new trade routes for the family.
+Before he left for his mission to North, Varatas left a letter for Vesti begging forgiveness and to ensure that Vesti would prevent Aletheia from trying to follow in his footsteps.
+===== Background =====
-Varatas already knew the purpose of this interruption, flicking his hand as several lights appeared between them, illuminating the dark foyer of their house. “Vesti…my dear sister, why are you awake at this ungodly hour?” Her stotic face did not change, her voice bearing the weight of a judge more than a loving sister, “Spare me Vari. Please go back to your room. You have a long journey back to Silverymoon tomorrow.” Varatas tensed back for a moment before chuckling, his natural fear of his older sister washed away by their decades separated, “I am not a small child anymore Vesti, you cannot drag me back against my will.”
+==== Early History ====
-Midway through his boast Vesti reached down as she drew an Elvish longsword, clearly meant for decoration more than application based on the various gold engravings upon it, “Perhaps not, but as the oldest daughter of House Elthrai, I have a duty to protect our family from threats outside and within.” She raised the sword, extended parallel to the ground towards Varatas, “And your foolish, headstrong actions will bring nothing but ruin to us all. You might not agree with Father but you have a duty to me and Aletheia to at least act like you care.”
+Varatas was born in Waterdeep at the family estate along with his twin sister Aletheia. Varatas and his siblings are the first generation entirely born in Waterdeep, the family having relocated permanently to their summer estate. While Vesti was focused on learning about the nobility of Waterdeep and the family business, Aletheia focused on writings about the world around them and poetry.
-By this point Varatas assumed an offensive stance of his own. It would not take much to remove her, a single firebolt…no, this is your own sister. Varatas kept his guard, his voice pleading now more than boasts, “Vesti, you cannot win this, don’t make me do this…Please, I have to find out what Father wont tell us.”
+Varatas spent his time looking at his family’s trading fleet and finding various ways to keep his keepers on their toes, sneaking off the family estate as much as possible. Tyrion preferred his son act as a proper young noble and tried his best to curb Varatas' wayward desires, but it did not take. The prodigal chilld was drawn to the tales of adventure he and his sister read about, and tales of their adventuring uncle spiked their curiosity about the outside world.
-“And you would strike your own sister, with magic no less, to find out?”
-“That’s quite enough both of you.” The voice from the top of the stairs was barely above a whisper but cut into both children as sharp as daggers. At the top of the stairs stood Hisana Elthrai, the fair mother of both Varatas and Vesti, garbed in a white nightgown. She appeared to glide down the stairs, her unntatural grace making her movements appear more supernatural than mere walking. “I have so enjoyed the youthful raucous of having both of you back in the house but I did not allow you two to fight when you were younger and I will certainly not abide the two of you fighting as adults.” She walked towards Vesti, who by now had lowered her sword to her side, as if by divine command. Hisana placed her hand on Vesti’s left cheek, “My dear Vesti, you are as willful as you were the on the day of your birth, and I am so proud that you protect our family so.”
+Tyrion preferred his son act as a proper young noble and tried his best to curb Varatas' wayward desires, but it did not take...
-The graceful elf moved towards a drawer near the large double doors to the villa’s front garden. The lights floating in the air followed her, Varatas not even realizing by now he had directed them so. Hisana’s voice was still like the morning breeze as she walked toward Varatas holding a cloak and a small bag. “But I have always hoped that both of you and Aletheia would find a purpose and happiness separate from what your Father and I wish for you.” She handled the cloak and bag to Varatas before kissing him on the forehead, whispering to him afterwards, “There is a carriage outside to take you to the Ravencrest, I have arranged for it to take you to Phlan. Be safe.”
+==== Exiled, Return, and Escape ====
-Varatas was confused and dumbfounded as his mother motioned him to the door. Coming to his senses he hurried out the door towards the carriage waiting at the gates for him. He looked back as his family home, his mother watching from the doors. A few minutes after Varatas was out of view Vesti joined her mother’s side, “Mother, why did you help him run away?”
+A young Varatas began to display unusual innate magical ability. Fearing his son might bring shame to the family or cause worry in the Court over another Elthrai Sorcerer, Varatas was sent to the study in Silverymoon Initially ecstatic about getting to spend time away from home, he quickly realized the teachers at Silverymoon were instructed to limit, or conceal his magic. Unfortunately, Varatas' magic was too advanced to be limited or restrained.
-Hisnana turned to her daughter, her gentle gaze finally softening Vesti’s icy façade, “Dear, not that he would ever admit it, but your Father was much like Varatas at his age. Just as wild and just as full of life. And your brother would never admit that he cares about the family as much as you do. Let him go and he will return likely stronger and wiser than we could ever hope. He is capable of so much, to limit him in a cage is to waste his life.”
+Varatas was considered a prodigy at the sanctum, a fact he quickly realized as he was able to consistently cast spells without the need for a spellbook or a deal with a demon. Worse yet, he knew it and let his teachers and peers know it. Varatas was reprimanded multiple times for dangerous spellcasting, including nearly destroying a wing of the male dormitory on accident.
+After nearly two decades at the sanctum, Varatas returned home to demand answers to his innate magical ability. His father was less than forthcoming, requiring Varatas to flee with what little information he had before he was shuffled back to the Silverymoon Sanctum.
+As he fled he was stopped by his older sister, Vesti. She would not allow his personal whims to endanger the family and was willing to use force to stop him. Varatas was not going to allow her to stop him, but was hesitant to use his magic to force his way out of the house. Their standstill was stopped by their mother, who informed Varatas that a boat was waiting and that he needed to leave immediately. [[wiki:cctgame:prodigal|For a more detailed account see here.]]
+==== Early Adventures in Phlan ====
+to be added, for now see session recaps.
+===== Journal Entries =====
+Varatas' Journal from his travels.
+==== Limitations ====
+That is all my former life afforded me. From the moment of my birth I was a cog in my family’s noble machine. Nothing more than an heir, to be some number away from royalty. My oldest sister accepted her place, my younger sister shared many of my views, but would never let mother overhear her. Mother believed we read too much into noble tales of knights and wizards exploring dungeons and slaying dragons.
+My father only cared that I respected tradition, family, honor, and other nonsense. I did not care for a gilded cage, nothing more than a possession to be bargained away for some slight honor. No, I was meant for much more.
+Then my magic awoke before my 50th birthday. What would be a joyous occasion for any other elf was met by distain. As was proper for a noble, my parents shipped me to the sanctum to learn from the so-called masters. But they were no better than my parents, a gilded cage replaced by a cage of books, restraints, and rules. While the other students could barely make a light without their precious tomes I could fling fire and ice from my hands as if it was second nature.
+The masters held me back, saying in time they would teach me more. They repeated I was special, a prodigy of vast potential. But I found them fearful of the truth. They would teach me no “true” magic, only parlor tricks to impress lords and ladies. When they spoke I knew they knew something of my past, but deflected every time I pressed. So I left the sanctum, to return home to find my destiny.
+As expected, my parents said nothing, only begging me to return to the sanctum “for the good of the family and our precious honor.” I could see a secret in their eyes that they would never share. I was something more…
+For once, the studying I so demised was useful. In our family’s grandiose mausoleum I pieced together records long destroyed and forgotten. In the ancient times our family’s line was mixed with a Dragon, a boon granted to us for a noble act to the creature. As the ages past fewer and fewer of us sowed the dragon traits, but the last member of our family to show them was my father’s grandfather. They called him the //Starflayer//, as he burned friends and foes alike with his magic, a half dragon elf who tried to seize the crown, thinking he was superior to all. His dishonor brought ruin to my family.
+But I am not him. And his sins will not bind me to this cage. If I must strike out alone to find my destiny so be it. I will abandon the family name and take the name Sunweaver, to honor the great destiny I will weave for myself on my own.
 ==== Entry 001: Prologue ====
@@ Line 127: / Line 144: @@
 I remember once seeing a second rate Wizard use the bark of a tree struck by lightning to create a constant electrical arc between him and his victim. Experimenting with this flower I believe I not only recreated this spell but improved upon it.
+==== Side Story, Family Gathered====
+[[wiki:cctgame: Family gathered|Short Story]]
+//I assume this story takes place while Varatas and Co. are knee deep in undead Tiamat Worshipers and the Like…//
+====Dark Reflections====
+[[wiki:cctgame:Dark_Reflections|Dark_Reflections]]
+//This story takes place while Varatas and Co. are on the caravan duty, likely a day or two before the last fight that ended the last session.//
+====Diamond Dust====
+[[wiki:cctgame:Diamond_Dust|Diamond_Dust]]
+//This story about the Elthrais takes place while the party is traveling to Parnast.//
+====Frozen Memories Etched in a Burning Promise====
+[[wiki:cctgame:Frozen Memories Etched in a Burning Promise| Frozen Memories Etched in a Burning Promise]]