Zyrus Sarr
M Half-Elf Rogue 2 (unchained)
Description
A tall, clean-shaven young-looking half-elf, Zyrus keeps his hair long to cover his slightly pointed ears that declares to the world his mixed blood. Just a bit more than six feet tall, he has a thin build with wiry muscles. He carries a short composite bow and a bunch of arrows. He has no other weapons besides spiked gauntlets on each hand. He wears boiled leather cuirass and very plain clothing. He usually carries a holy symbol of Desna around his neck.
Background
The Travelers of Varisia have dalliances with fixed living folks they stay nearby. Mixed race children are not uncommon. Zyrus had a cousin half-ian and another half-Shoanti. All work the caravan and have uses for the road. However this particular caravan had a surplus of almost-teens. Almost-teens are the least useful types. Too young to know anything. Too old to look innocent. To prone to not do as they are told. So as a way to pay off a debt for a great service the Travelers did when the coin was lacking an arcane crafter offered to take on a few apprentices. Three pre-teens were dumped on the arcane caster. The Caravan master chose the two least useful pre-teens and the non-human (in general Travelers were ok on mixed race, but any culture can have bigots).
Fredal worked the apprentices hard. It was fall when they started and his workrooms were underground. The cold and damp was waring on the apprentices and the work was long and boring. Except when it was bloody and terrifying. Golden, the half-Tian cousin DIED when he stepped too close to a summoned devil and his blood liberally coated the room and apprentices. Haff, a Varisan pureblood more interested in books than was healthy to the Travellers had nightmares for many nights about that event. One night he slipped away. He did not warn Zyrus. Fredal whipped Zyrus hard for information but he had none. The relationship between Zyrus and Fredal changed. The work got hard and dangerous. Almost like Fredal was trying to get Zyrus to quit. Zyrus was too stubborn for that. In the spring following a year of work Fredal had a guest. That guest remarked in surprise that Fredal would train a part elven apprentice. Fredal denied he would help an elf. His guest pointed at Zyrus. Fredal demanded Zyrus remove his clothing. But the hat was all it took. Zyrus avoided much of the fan of flames Fredal sent his way but not all of it. Only that Fredal set his home on fire and his guest saved Zyrus's life as he fled. All of his belongings. All of his meager earnings. All the keepsakes from home. Left behind. Fredal's place was near no other habitation and it took two food-free days before he came to a settlement who would have nothing to do with him. He managed to drink some water and steal some food from the pigs. The latter made him sick. He was found by a band of brigands. Their leader and his spouse were half-elves. They took pity on the barely teenager. The brigand band raised him as one of them. And he became one of them. Picking up useful skills and knowledge. Even making his limited arcane training helpful at times. He became an adherent of Desna during this time. After five years of brigandry and luck the leaders got a chance to go legit. Those who wanted to live on the right side of the law went with them. Those that preferred other peoples' goods looked to new opportunities. Zyrus would have liked to stay with the leaders but there were too many more established folks who wanted the limited opportunities. Vollana (his almost mother) gave him her bracers since being legit would require no need. The silver gauntlet came from a near-uncle and a crossbow from another.
A good word to a merchant gave him the life of a caravan guard. With money earned on trips or from the loot of bandits Zyrus sold his crossbow and bought a good bow. Other good fortune found better pack and a second gauntlet. The good word from that merchant led to a job at another. This time it was his bow and his mind that was needed. He was a subject matter expert when it came to goblins and orcs and giant races. Something needed in a caravan on the fringes of the Hold. A detour to Trunau exposed Zyrus to the small town and its people. He liked it. It could be a place that could use his skills, his bow, and his stealth. He made friends with natives. Spending some of his last coin on drinks and meals and finding ways to help out.
Personality/Goals
Zyrus is a taciturn young man. He answers clearly when asked a question. He is not prone to volunteer opinions. Nevertheless he is very polite in his interactions. Unfortunately his preference to not be talking means he is not skilled at conversation. He often uses the wrong word for a diplomatic situation. Zyrus shows curiosity around new things to learn. If someone wants to teach he wants to learn. He has known what it is like to be penniless and hunted. So he is unlikely to steal from those he likes or admires. Zyrus was trained to be a wizard. He did not complete the training. He really isn't interested now in that field. It is possible that circumstances of the game may change that. He is young enough to crave adventure. What he really wants is some place fixed to call home. And for people to call him friend.
Out of game. The planning is to stay rogue. however if the party needs an arcane caster then arcane trickster is a path that could be taken. The character is built with that as a possibility. The real goal is to be a springing attack rogue that darts in attacks and darts out. An arcane trickster would by its nature need to become more range-aligned.
Roles/sills
Outdoor Scout (low light vision); Lockpicker/Trap Disabler; Knowledge skills.
Top Skills: disable device +14 (w / mw th tools), knowledge (local) +10 (+1 for information about giants subtypes)
Specials
can use spell completion and spell trigger devices as if he was a 1st level wizard (arcane training). Can use all knowledge skills even if untrained(esoteric scholar) [+3]
