First round brainstorming
In my usual fashion, I'm going to put up a couple of concepts for a possible character here. If either the GM or other players see something that looks neat, let me know- and also let me know if you see something that WON'T work for your story.
Mostly, though, this is brainstorming for me- it really helps to see things up on the page. I've already narrowed the field to three ideas (though discarding the water genasi druid was tough)- this will help me cut things further. So, in no particular order:
[sblock= "Hanu"]
- Once upon a time, she had another name- and before that, no name at all. An orphan from Menekhet, she was raised in a temple to serve in the court of the god-king of that dry land. From an early age, she was trained as a dancer, one of the many performers who were part of the court's extensive rites and pageantry- and her skill opened the way to further education. But it also brought notice from those whose jealousy created problems... Thrown down from her place, she has turned to Bast, and sharpened her claws for vengeance.
>Half-elf, female; Rogue 1/Bard 3 (Lore), next is Open hand monk; either Acolyte or Courtier (seasoned with Entertainer); skill monkey/support.
-Friend: A high-elven diplomat, part of the Misty Isles diplomatic delegation to Menekhet (but well-traveled in the course of her duties); she was one of the teachers who helped Hanu learn the arts of movement and balance (as well as helping her escape the city, and beginning the path that would lead her to a monk's skills)
-Foe: A bitter rival in the court of the God-king, a former dancer turned court functionary
-Contact: An Olympian exile who runs an 'entertainment house' in the capitol city of Menekhet, a fixer and information broker
[/sblock]
[sblock= Brenna]
-Among the wood elves of Alba, most of the folk dwell in small woodland villages. Brenna was one such elf, a young hunter and scout who was learning the trade of keeping her village well-fed and safe. SOMETHING came out of the deep woods one day, and wrought terrible devastation upon her home. Swearing vengeance, Brenna has been a soldier, a scout, and even a sailor- the path of a mercenary soldier is how she hones her skills to prepare for the battles ahead.
>Wood elf: Ranger 1/Fighter 3 (monster hunter); Outlander (+Soldier); ranged combat specialist
-Friend: Grane; a 'brother by oath' and fellow Alban mercenary (a half-elven swordsman); their different skill sets mean they do not cross paths often, but they rejoice when they do.
-Foe: Karsst (necromancer, ghoul, and lieutenant to an even more terrible power)
-Contact: Haran; an Alban captain, merchant, and occasional power-broker. While he calls Alba home, he travels the world, and he trades in information as much as coin. Brenna has served aboard his ship, and acted as a courier- and an enforcer. Purely a professional relationship, but a solid one.
[/sblock]
[sblock= Hannah]
- The daughter of a war captain in the emperor's court of southern Skaldia and a singer from a foreign land (supposedly the Elemental Coasts...), she was raised to be both a warrior and a poet. But the court of the emperor is a perilous place, and sometimes neither words nor blades are sufficient defense- sometimes even the most reckless must take an extended vacation to protect one's own health...
>Human; Rogue 1/Fighter 1/Bard 1; Sailor; skill monkey and archer
-Friend: Erik; He took over what had been her father's ship when the old man retired- essentially her adopted brother; he also spends little time at home, though as a captain he has a better excuse.
-Foe: Regalt; a Skaldian war captain, old and mostly retired to life at court; he was thwarted by Hannah's father back in the day, and was humiliated publicly by Hannah herself- once a fearsome warrior, he has grown devious as he has aged.
-Contact: Oscar; a dwarven merchant who specializes in 'rare antiquities'; he often has a line on a good job here or there (and he is only wrong some of the time)
[/sblock]