Ravenloft Character: Zargosz Duurr

"When all else fails, hit it with a stick."

Name: Zargosz Duurr
Race: Half-Orc
Class: Figther 1/Druid 5
Experience: 15000
Alignment: Neutral Good
Religion: Gatekeeper Druid
Homeland: Shadow Marches
Age: 26 Height: 6'4" Weight: 230 lbs.

Statistics: STR 16, DEX 17, CON 13, INT 8, WIS 18, CHA 11, BAB +4, Fort +6 (+8), Ref +1 (+5), Will +4 (+9), (All saves additional +2 vs Aberrations) Init +3, AC 19 (+3 Dex, +1 Two Weapon Defense [w/quarterstaff equipped], +5 Rhino Hide Armor), HP 46

Skills: Climb +1 (+6), Concentration +3 (+4), Craft: Woodworking +2 (1), Handle Animal +3 (+3), Jump +1 (+4), Knowledge (nature) +2 (+3), Knowledge (the planes) +1 (+0), Listen +1 (+5), Profession: Boating +1 (+5), Profession: Fishing +1 (+5), Spot +1 (+5), Survival +1 (+7), Swim +1 (+4)

Class Abilities: Animal companion, nature sense, wild empathy, Woodland stride, Trackless step, Resist nature’s lure, Wild shape (1/day)

Racial Abilities: Darkvision 60'

Weapons/Attacks: +7 melee (+8, 1d6+6, w/+1 Quarterstaff 2-handed, 3d6+6 when charging [Rhino Hide armor]), +7/+7 melee (1d6+4, w/+1 Quarterstaff, two weapaon figting), +7 melee (1d4+3 dagger), +7 ranged (+8, 1d6+3, masterwork throwing axe), +7 ranged (1d4+3, sling)

Equipment:

Rhino Hide armor, +1 Quarterstaff, Cloak of Resistance +1 (figured in), MW Throwing Axe, Sling, 30 bullets, backpack, bedroll, fishhooks x9, fishnet, 50' hemp rope, waterskin, smokestick, Explorer's Outfit, rations - 10 days, climber's kit, spell component pouch, grappling hook, tindertwigs x5, oil x2, sack x2, cheese, piton x2, antitoxin x2, tent, scroll case

Scrolls:

Flaming Sphere, Produce Flame x2, Magic Fand x4, Magic Stone x4, Cure Light Wounds x4, Cure Moderate wounds x2, Lesser Restoration, Longstrider x4, Speak with Animals

Feats: Two Weapon Fighting, Two Weapon Defense, Gatekeeper Initiate, Augment Summoning

Proficiencies: Simple and martial weapons, all armor & shields (metal prohibited)

Languages: Common, Orc

Animal Companion: S'saska
Constrictor Snake
Size/Type: Medium Animal
Hit Dice: 3d8+6 (19 hp)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Armor Class: 15 (+3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+5
Attack: Bite +5 melee (1d3+4)
Full Attack: Bite +5 melee (1d3+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 1d3+4, improved grab
Special Qualities: Scent
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +2
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +14, Hide +10, Listen +7, Spot +7, Swim +11
Feats: Alertness, Improved Initiative, Toughness
Animal Companion Abilities: Link, share spells


History:

Many moons gone came Zargosz Duurr among the First People, on a night with a sky full of portents. Those who bore him, humble fisherfolk of a nameless place amidst the fens, raised him in their customs till he reached the Age of the Trial. He came before the Shaman, as all must, who saw in his Wisdom that he would be One to Walk the Path, and sent him to the Camp of the Wise to learn their Ways.

First, they taught Zargosz the Stick, for Those who walk the Path must sometimes stand and fight. This he learned well, for when steel may be rare, wood is plentiful, and the Stick will always be close at hand.

Next The Wise Ones told him the Old Stories, of the Great Evil that came to this World, and how they beat it back, and closed the Gate, and must now ever be vigilant lest it be openened again. And how they fight this Evil yet, for it was not all destroyed or driven away, but still plagues this World in its Dark Places.

Zargosz learned these tales he also came to understand how the World fights alongside, and aids One on the Path, and tells its Secrets to those Wise enough to hear. And hear he did, for Wisdom was his.

And there came a time when he went alone into the wilderness, as must be done, to partake of Sacred Plants to seek Visions and Knowledge. For many days and nights he chanted and drummed, and smoked the Leaf and ate the Cap, and saw many things. And a Great Serpent came unto him and spake and said, "Fear not, Zargosz Duurr, for I would not harm one such as you" and lifted him upon her head, larger than his raft by far, and bore him to a secret place where lay her unborn young.

She flicked one great green egg with her tounge (larger than his arm by far) and bade him, "Take you this, which is my child. Keep her warm and she will wake and leave her shell. Feed her and protect her and she will be your boon companion and ally in the hard days that lay before you. If you fail in this I shall know. Fail not, Zargosz Duurr, for I would not harm one such as you. Go you now. Snakes weep not, nor say farewell."

And Zargosz Duurr did as he was bid, for Wisdom was his.

And the egg hatched, and came into his care S'saska, his companion and help-meet, all bright green and golden-eyed, and whom he did feed and care for, and who did begin to grow.

Soon came the time of the Great Conclave, when the Wise from many places gather around the Sacred Stone, to chant and drum and tell the Stories, and take the Herbs to seek Wisdom, and Knowledge and Visions. Many Prophesies are made and, as always happens, on the fifth day, as the sun sets and the fires are lit, the Stone awakes and bathes their circle in an eldritch light. Then the Dragons speak to them, saying one thing to this, another to that. To Zargosz Duurr they spake saying, "Go you into the East, to a certain Crossroads, where you will meet Righteous Ones who serve the White Fire. Your paths will join and lead you to a Great Evil wich you must strive to overcome."

And it was given to him from the Wise Elders: a fine and blessed Fighting Stick, to smite the enemies of this World; a fine and blessed set of Hides, to guard him from his foes; and many Magical Words of the Earth, inscribed on fine papyrus, to aid him on this, his Quest.

And Zargosz Duurr and S'saska did leave the Holy Marshes, and go East to find the Righteous Servants of the White Fire, at the Crossroads, where their destiny lay.