The Adventurers
Akair
A monk of the Order of the Mountain Sun, Akair was on his first journey outside of Thyatis. He and another brother of the order were tasked by Master Esterius to make a delivery to a brother monastery in Specularum. Esterius has also told Akair, as he tells all of the brothers, the true servant of the Gods must be aware of both the word of the Gods and the make of their people. All brothers, whether they seek the path of the mind or the path of the body, must venture out beyond the protected fields and see the world for themselves. During this journey, he was kidnapped from the docks of Specularum.
Ariston
Dark hair flows over Ariston's broad shoulders. His eyes reveal nothing about him but miss nothing around him. He is the quintessential Thyatian Forestor. Ariston studied with the legendary Thalos Corin of Kerendas and was lulled to sleep by the songs of Thander Losobol, friend and bard of Corin. His mentor sent him to Karameikos to study with the Callarii Elves. Unfortunately, he was ambushed on the road and captured by the Iron Ring.
Arturo Dugalle Chae De Trey Chronos Flavius Greyshade Greyhelm Jael Johnathan Kyri Orin Hornblower Took Sarmboc Syndylys Vorian
The self-proclaimed Daredevil of Dumont (no one is sure exactly where that town is), Arturo is a Bard. While not known for much in the way of singing, his lute talents can be admirable. However, his true passion lies in
the street, leaping horse carts and cartwheeling through dangerous passes. Some have seen him juggle knives and torches, proclaiming him mad. Perhaps he is! But those that would harm him quickly learn that beneath his madness lies a calm beheld by few, and a quickness with the blade that rivals a swordmaster.
Born in the far western town of Akesoli on the shores of Lake Amsorak in Darokin, Chae grew up the only son of two Darokin scouts. Under his parents' watchful eye, he himself learned some of the scout's craft (speaking Orc, making snares, hiding in shadows and moving silently were some of his favorites). However, a little problem with House Umbarth led him to seek his fortunes elsewhere. He went to the far side of the Republic, Selenica, but his skills led to trouble again. He decided to move to Specularum but on his first night in that city he ran afoul of the Iron Ring and awoke on a slave ship.
Chronos is of Thyatian descent but born a Karameikan. He joined the Church of Karameikos and seeks out evil wherever it hides. A promising acolyte raised in the Estate of Marilenev (a hot bed of anti-Thyatian activity), he was sent to the town of Vorloi to administer to the few faithful there (and perhaps convert some of the native Traladarans with his fervor. Unfortunately, his ministry brought the wrong attention and his freedom was claimed by the Iron Ring.
A former soldier (Miles) of the Thyatian Empire, Flavius served as one of several bodyguards for Deputy Trade Counsel Montius Extragillius. He counts himself lucky that he never served in the Hinterlands or on the Isle of Dawn and got to travel relatively safely on the main Continent. He has spent most of his service in the Five Shires and Karameikos. It was while on his last bodyguard mission to Specularum, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, that he was kidnapped by the Iron Ring. He is originally from the town of Lucinius on Vanya's Girdle.
Roaming Mystara in search of treasure and adventure is Greyshade. Both his eyes and his hair match his name. He is a Dwarf from Rockhome (the small stronghold of ShieldForge) but no one knows exactly why he left. He seems slightly older than the usual starting adventurer but perhaps that explains why he seems amused by Humans and fond enough of Elves. Mostly he is fond of ale, gold and swords. He found the group after watching them fight a giant construct of stitched flesh and figured if they could find a way around it, he would work with them. His gray dappled pony Spectre has been his longest running companion, taking him from the mountains of Rockhome to the forests of Karameikos.
Another Darokinian, Jael grew up in the little village of Mar, on the border of the Five Shires. That little town is not known for being particularly welcoming or patient (neither is Jael) but it is known for talented artists and musicians (which also describes her). As a bardic student, she travelled to the land of the Hin frequently and grew fond of the halflings; their music, their attitudes and their ale. Although she likes a crowd when she is playing her fiddle or singing, she likes the peace of being alone. That was why she left her apprenticeship and headed for the broader world. Unfortunately, no one was there to help her against the Iron Ring.
Little of Johnathan's background is known. He claims a variety of skills including the ability to fight with a long sword. He appears to be of Thyatian descent but speaks with a Karameikan accent and carries himself like a noble. He also was kidnapped and held by the Iron Ring. He was found by the other characters on a different beach, surrounded by bodies.
Kyri is a quiet observer of humanity. She has not yet made up her mind about them but being kidnapped by the Iron Ring has not helped her understanding of mankind. Before seeking out adventure amongst the humans, Kyri lived in Alfheim and chafed under the authority of the High King and Clanmasters (most humans think there is no law in the Elven Realm but Kyri would definitely disagree). She was part of the Feadiel clan (but even more strong willed than her over achiever kin) and lived in the forest just north of Selenica. She debated going to Norwold since her ancestors had traveled near there during the migration from the Sylvan Realm. However she decided to first see Thyatis and Alphatia, rumored to be the largest empires in Mystara. She travelled south to the Darokin city of Selenica then across the mountains to Karameikos. Her plans of seeing Thyatis and Alphatia were cut short by the Iron Ring.
Orin is the nephew of Aelon Took, a prosperous tobacconist from the Hin city of Thantabbar. Orin has worked in his uncle's shop for several years and is very knowledgeable of the family business. Several weeks ago, he decided that what the dreary village of Nob's Boots needed was a good tobacco shop. He had never been to Nob's Boots but had heard it was a very dreary place. He packed some of his uncle's best products, purchased a slightly used wagon and set out on Coastfollow Road. The town was in much worse condition than he expected but he found a building to restore as a shop and prepared to open. Unfortunately, one rainy night, he was visited by a human female and a Hin male. They were dressed in black and wanted to know why he had come to the village. They seemed not to believe that he was there to set up shop. Their discussion turned into an argument which turned into a fight. Suddenly, there were more of them and Orin was knocked out. He awoke on a wagon, bound and gagged: the property of the Iron Ring.
From the Mountains of Rockhome, Sarmboc the Dwarf journeyed to Karameikos in search of work. An able engineer, he had dreams of becoming a master artisan for the new Karameikan nation. Thinking that the city of Specularum was too crowded, Sarmboc headed for the seaside town of Vorloi but instead of work, he was kidnapped by the Iron Ring.
Syndylys hails from an Alphatian colony on the Isle of Dawn. He and his master, Eridalun, were on a sea voyage to Ochalea, in search of rare spell components when they were attacked by pirates. His master cautioned him against fighting the pirates but instead told him to observe and look for the right time. Unfortunately,once the ship was captured, Syndylys and Eridalun were separated. He does not know what happened to Eridalun but he has been shuffled from ship to ship, sailing in so many directions he has little clue where he is. All of his captors have spoken Thyatian so he assumes he is near that Empire. Knowing that he lacked his spell book and heeding Eridalun's advice, he did not try to cast a spell to escape, holding them in his mind until the time was right.
While his favorite word is "conundrum" there is nothing puzzling about Vorian. Vorian is simple. And huge. He towers over most men and his muscles ripple beneath his clothing. However, the scarred body hides a gentle soul, totally dedicated to pleasing the Immortals as best as he can. The scars and his unkempt brown hair also obscure his youth. He was born a scant twenty odd years ago in a small fishing village on the northern frontier of Vestland. But his world was changed forever by being pressed into the service of the Thyatian Navy after being captured by raiders from Ostland. He sailed the all across the Known World and it was there that he met Kordan, his mentor, who led him to serve Odin. After being set free by his Captain, Vorian sought only to return home with Kordan but that was not to be. Now Kordan is dead, Vorian has found new companions and the large Northman priest is on a quest to defeat the humanoid hordes.