Finnan, EDIT: some updates
Trait: I'm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment.
Trait: I'm convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets.
Ideal: The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge.
Bond: I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands.
Flaw: Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization.
Personality: Being the "small one" for last few years, without the usual halfling escapes, has dampened Finnan's usual halfling enthusiasm. He is quite and a little broody, but willing to point out where others are wrong - usually without giving the correct information for fear of it being stolen. The old Finnan is there below the surface though, as he occasionally reverts to his younger, babbly self.
Background:
Finnan had a typical Halfling childhood in a typical Halfling community. Perhaps it was this typical life that led to his wanderlust to explore farther afield. Whatever the reason Finnan, when he came of age, decided to explore the world before settling down for good. He didn’t have to venture far before crossing paths with a wizard recruiting apprentices. Finnan was charmed by the idea. Magic, what could be more atypical?
Krelius took Finnan on, along with a handful of other apprentices, returning to his humble tower to begin their training. It proved frustrating, the training was minimal and Krelius was often locked away in his private chambers. Halfling curiosity got him onto trouble more than once, with both his fellow students and his master. One particular encounter nearly killed the Halfling.
Choosing a time when his master was away, Finnan broke into Krelius’s private library, hoping to find something interesting. Interesting he did find, Krelius’s library was full of dark rituals allowing the master to feed off the power of others. Finnan could comprehend none of them, but his skill was just enough to work out the effects. One particular tome though drew Finnan in. He stared at the swirling text, until a voice in his head said, Not yet, but soon. Many hours later Krelius found the unconscious Halfling on the floor.
The repercussions were severe, Finnan was made to wear a ring, that he could never take off, and since then his halfling drive faded, he was disinclined to resist Krelius’s instructions or leave his service. Finnan continued life of mediocrity and poor training until Krelius announced that they were to embark on a journey.
Leading them deep into cave network, Finnan quickly became lost, as did his fellow apprentices. Krelius’ skill was enough to deal with anything they encountered but Finnan and the others seemed to be getting weaker and weaker, gradually slipping into a delirium.
During one particularly brutal fight with some drow, a voice came into Finnan’s head, The ring you fool, it binds you to him and allows him to control you. I will break it and grant you the power to defeat him, but I want…
Finnan still isn’t sure what he agreed to but he was able to attack Krelius from behind, causing enough of a distraction that the drow defeated Krelius. Finnan collapsed from the effort and was only dimly aware of the black skinned figures rounding up the survivors.
