I haven't finished, but I'm staking out territory with the beginnings of my submission:
Janias Aackland
Stormhome has long been the idyllic residence of House Lyrander, but it is also of Aundair. During the Last War it was saved the savages of major fighting, but not the desparate intrigues of clandestine spymasters. From his refuge in his parent's summer home Janias Aackland saw very little evidence of the true extent of the war, shielded from the horrors of war by a series of nannies and servants during the extended absences of his parents and older siblings. Janias grew up fully aware of, but protected from, the "family business" which was an ill-kept secret on the island. Tyman Aackland's import/export business was discrete and discerning, however the trade he participated in was proscribed by every civilized nation. Janias' father and family, you see, were slavers. For many years during the war a blind eye was turned toward his business because of his usefulness in smuggling goods less foul into the hands of Aundair agents, and his strong connections with several powerful noble families. Then, the war ended and so did the fortunes of the Aackland family.
His older brothers Bacherk and Hangrin were first, strung up for Crimes Against the Crown in Fairhaven. His father should have left sooner, but instead he disappeared into the Tower of Eyes, never to return. His sister was accosted by Aundair troops in Passage, and given no quarter. Fleeing Stormhome, his mother and nanny made it all the way to Sharn in the belly of an airship disguised as Silver Flame refugees. His nanny turned his mother and he in to the Sharn authorities less than a month later for the reward, and only Janias' quick thinking and luck allowed him to escape the city with his life and freedom. He weathered a storm-filled sea voyage to the seaside town of Pylas Talaear where he was beaten to within an inch of his life as a penalty for his crime of stowing away, and only the mysterious coin of a horrifyingly pallid elf of Aerenal bought him passage away from that city. Seeking a place far, far away from the vengeful Eyes of Aundair, he came to Q'Barra and Seawell, feeling that the more populous city of Newthrone might be home to more enemies than he dared face.
Physically, Janias isn't particular handsome anymore. His once straight limbs and perfect teeth are now somewhat of a mess after his near-death experience in Pylas Talaear, and his build isn't what it once ways thanks to nearly a year of poor nutrition and hiding. His mop of reddish-brown hair is unkept and matted, while one eye now perpetually seems to stare off into space no matter what the other one chooses. His teeth are still bright, but seem jumbled in his mouth, giving his speech a nasty slur which fortunately seems to mask his accent as well. The only thing particularly notable about Janias at all are the large green eyes that peer from beneath his brows which are knotted and etched with damage.
Janias' dragonmark revealed itself only very recently, and has emboldened the young halfling. Janias reasons, quite logically, that his Mark suggests that he might one day be able to strike a deal with powerful allies or at least distance himself from his father's crimes by a claim of adultery in his mother. If nothing else the large, vivid dragonmark displayed across his normally exposed chest, coupled with his recent disfigurements completes the break in appearance from the Janias of today with the child of years past. Even more resounding is the simmering condemnation Janias feels for the rest of his family for his misfortunes. Perhaps in Q'Barra Janias might make his own future to replace the one his family's crimes stole from him.
Inwardly, Janias is still one brutally beaten young halfling. He's spent months in the village of Seawell bouncing around living on his meager purse, tending the nets of coastal fishermen, and tending the wounds of wounded villagers with his newly found powers of healing. He even spent a short stint as a bouncer at a tavern called The Tipsy Scale that only ended when the barkeep realized that no matter how effective Janias was once a punch was thrown, his old bouncer Terk was much more effective at stopping them entirely due to his large, half-orc frame. Janias is slowly building his self-confidence back up, but since his stint as a bouncer he's been feeling amazingly better. Yes, his body is still traumatized horribly but he's began to let his naturally outlandish personality peek through occasionally too. He's still given to long sullen silences and shy around crowds sometimes, but he's also not above jokingly making references to "the other guy" when making references to his mishapen face. He's almost solemn in his reverence for elves, and openly suspicious of newcomers to town and anyone else he suspects of being Aundair Eyes.
Janias (Aackland) the Amazing Fist
Male (Aundair) Halfling Mnk 1
LN Small Humanoid
Init: +2 Senses:
AC: 17, touch 17, flat-footed 11
HP 8
Fort +3 Ref +6 Will +6
Spd 20 ft
S 8 (-1) D 16 (+3) C 8 (10 normally) (-1) I 14 (+2) W 16 (+3) C 12 (14 normally) (+1)
Feats: Monk Weapon Proficiency, Stunning Fist, Improved Unarmed Strike, Least Dragonmark (Healing)
Abilities: flurry of blows, monk unarmed damage, monk AC bonus,
cure light wounds 1/day (DC 13, CL 1), +2 save v fear
Skills Balance +7 (4), Hide +11 (4), Climb +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +5, Listen +6 (1), Diplomacy +3 (2), Sense Motive +5 (2), Spot +7 (4), Escape Artist +5 (2), Tumble +5 (2), Disguise +2 (1), Heal +5, Profession: Sailor +4 (1)
Languages: Common, Halfling, Elven, Gnome
***
Nelson Luttin
Seawell has been home to generations of Luttins, and it is most surely the home of Nelson Luttin. Of unknown origin and ethnicity, the Luttins have in varying degrees enlightened and disgraced the landscape of Seawell for decades. Luttins, or so the stories go, were refugees from Cyre, or Breland, or X'endrik where they were jewelers, mercenaries, prostitutes, or the lost heirs of Galifar. In any case, Luttins can clearly trace their hand in each and every building in the entire town of Seawell and most of the bloodlines, through marriage or not, making the Luttins of Seawell nothing if not famous, or infamous, in their tiny corner of the world. All through town you can see the Luttin lip, the Luttin jaw, have your purse stolen by mischievous young Luttin cousins, or be propositioned by not so young Luttin patriarchs. Some even say that Luttins brought the famous Seawell green ale recipe to Seawell from a hidden laboratory in Karnnath, and it
is true that Old Arnel Luttin was a bit wilier than the average Luttin and worked at the brewery - before he fell asleep at the furnace and burnt that building down. Aye, the Luttins aren't the most famous inhabitants of Seawell, but they're well known and occasionally well-avoided.
Nelson Luttin is a lad with large, oversized features surrounding beady, dull-looking eyes. Despite his appearance though, he's easily the smartest Luttin in decades to grace the streets of Seawell. His mum says he's handsome too, which makes sense. The sailor reported to be Nelson's father was handsome as well, much to the enragement of his pa.
Nelson Luttin
Male (Q'Barra) Human Bard 1
CG Medium Humanoid
Init: +0 Senses: Spot +2 Listen +2
AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10
HP 8
Fort +2 Ref +5 Will +4
Spd 30 ft
S 10 (+0) D 10 (+0) C 10 (+0) I 16 (+3) W 14 (+2) C 14 (+2)
Feats: Bard Weapon Proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency, Shield Proficiency, Obscure Lore, Insightful Reflexes
Abilities: Bard Spells (4 0 Lvl/day), Bardic Knowledge +8, Bardic Music 1/day
Skills: Bluff +4 (2), Decipher Script +5 (2), Perform +3 (1), Spellcraft +5 (2), Use Magic Device +6 (4), Survival +4 (2), Swim +2 (2), Use Rope +2 (2), Profession: Sailor +6 (4), Craft: Architect & Engineering +7 (4), Intimidate +5 (3), Knowledge: Local +7 (4), Knowledge: Geography +5 (2), Gather Information +4 (2)
Languages: Common, Draconic, Riedran, Giant
***
I'm trying still trying to figure out what would make me happy with a cleric concept. I just can't think of a priest out in the middle of nowhere I guess. Anyways, as you can see I've half-fleshed out two submissions now. I can't decide which one I like the best, probably Nelson - because in my head he talks like a with a cartoon drawl. He's the hillbilly boat bard. Janias got worked on longer though, and he's probably got more potential for interesting plot hooks I suppose, unless we're talking about Seawell domestic plot hooks - like "Your brother ate my pie" and "tell your pa to stay away from my sister, she's too young."
Games I've participated in include
Branding Opportunity's: The Reconquista and
Insight's: Tol Haggerun Prophecy.