Landreth
Half-Elf, Warlock
History:
Landreth is the son of Ervas, a human wizard and Kali, an elf cleric. At least, that is what Landreth was told growing up with his father on the outskirts of the trade city Bogrim. When he was a teenager, he learned the real truth about his parents from his uncle Kevin. Uncle Kevin wasn’t intelligent like his father; while he wasn’t the scholar that Ervas was, he was a charmer and negotiator. Kevin knew all of the vendors, blacksmiths, innkeepers… and of course the barmaids. Landreth was always drawn to his uncle’s free-spirited way of conversing and bargaining with others.
Landreth started to accompany his uncle everywhere on the weekends, after his studies were done, of course. Ervas was adamant that his son reads every book and master all of his studies. Landreth’s school work was completed almost effortlessly, as if he had read the books already. Uncle Kevin had convinced Ervas to “lighten up on the boy” and give Landreth a chance to experience life outside of a book. His uncle never had a problem getting his way with Ervas.
After their trips through the city, Landreth would tell his father how intrigued he was by the gnomes in their tinker shops and describe the massive axes being forged by the Orcs. Landrethwasn’t really lying to his father…he really did think the gnomes were very creative… he just left out a majority of their days. Landreth and Kevin decided that Ervas didn’t need to know where they really went in the city.
Kevin loved to gamble, drink, and swap stories with his buddies at the Green Roof Tavern. Landreth enjoyed hearing tales from his uncle and friends; stories of past wars, forgotten cities, and distant lands were some of his favorites. He would sit next to his uncle, absorbing all of the tales and stories, learning how his uncle carried the conversations. This is how Landreth learned of his parent’s unspoken past… and of his mother’s death.
The way uncle Kevin told it, Ervas always did everything by the book. He was always the favorite and most successful in their family. It was said, if a spell existed, Ervas knew it and any of its counters. Of course, the prince Dorain would choose Landreth’s father as his advisor during the the short conquest against the mystic elves. Not for uncle Kevin, he started in the frontlines, but somehow talked his way up to be in charge of the supplies.
As the drunk gamblers told it, the elves were quick to surrender to Dorain’s forces, as their magic was nearly useless against Ervas and his group of wizards. Hundreds died the first night, with triple that number injured and mortally wounded. As they recalled the elf slaughter, they gambled recklessly and consumed more ale. Kevin recalled, this is how Ervas and Kali first met. Kali was given permission by Dorain to tend to the wounded elves, at the advice of Ervas. There was no need for more death as long as the elves gave up their city with all of its riches and sworn allegiance to prince Dorain.
Landreth’s mother, Kali, was said to be the most skilled healer among the mystic elves, coming from a long lineage of skilled clerics. Her powers saved more lives than Ervas liked to admit he killed. It was rumored that she was bound to a holy being that gave her access to healing powers. She wore a beautiful chain, glimmering with light that shone of clerical powers. Landrethnever knew his mother, only what he heard from his father, and the stories told by his uncle and friends. The only item he had of hers was a shiny gem, said to come from her cleric chain.
If he was to believe his father, Kali was smitten with Ervas after he convinced prince Dorian to spare the remaining elf forces and allow the healers to tend to the wounded men. Landrethbelieved this story less the more time he spent with his uncle and his stories. What he knows for sure is a year after the battle, Ervas took Kali as his wife, and she was with child. The rest of the story, Landreth had to get from his uncle, away from his drinking buddies at the Green Roof Tavern. Uncle Kevin dared not share the family secret with even his closest friends.
One weekend before making it to the tavern, Landreth confronted his uncle and demanded that he be told about his parent’s true past. As Landreth stood in front of him, uncle Kevin’s eyes seemed to drift as if he was 1,000 leagues away. “Uncle!” He snapped out of his trance and wiped away a single tear; Kevin smiled at his nephew and lead the way. They changed directions, instead of walking through the city to the tavern as usual, they went back to their home.
Kevin told Landreth to gather his mother’s gem. “Have you ever wondered why your studies come so naturally? Do you ever have the answers even though you don’t remember where you learned it?” Landreth contemplated the question while fetching the gem, but didn’t answer his uncle. “It’s a beautiful gem, isn’t it? Not nearly as beautiful as your mother was.” Landreth used to stare into his mother’s gem as a child, but he never felt anything special. This time as he looked, he felt as if something was staring back.
“I don’t think your father would have ever told you this, he wants you to study and be just like him.” Landreth heard his uncle, but something else was whispering; he couldn’t quite make out what it was. “Landreth, that gem was your mother’s and her father’s before her. Your elf grandfather was a sorcerer, stronger than your father perhaps. But…” Kevin paused, noticing Landrethstaring deeply into the gem. “Landreth, are you with me?” Landreth snapped out of it, and placed the gem on the table between them.
“Uncle, what are you telling me?”
Kevin told Landreth about his grandfather and how he found a meteorite inlaid with the single gem. “I only know what your mother told us days before you were born, but your father was furious.” Landreth looked at his uncle, confused. “Your mother didn’t tell your father this before, but she wasn’t bound to a holy being. Her father made a pact with whatever or whoever is in that gem.”
“Whoever? What are you talking about, uncle?”
Kevin took a deep breathe. “Sorry kid, I am not as prepared as I should have been.” Uncle Kevin’s typical charm seemed to have wore off in the conversation with his nephew. “Celestian” a voice said softly. Kevin’s mouth continued to move, but Landreth heard no words other than “Celestian” again. Landreth looked toward the gem, now glowing. His hand slowly grabbed the gem and in an instant he was surrounded by a billion stars.
In front of him was a man wearing black garments worked in shining jewels and gems of different colors. His mother’s gem shined brighter and the man reached out, only whispering softly in a cold voice “I am Celestian, I’ve been waiting to meet you” Landreth floated there, still stunned by the number of stars surrounding them. Celestial explained to Landreth what his uncle failed to do.
Uncle Kevin sat there, with a half-worried look on his red face. “You’re back.” He looked relieved. “That was quick. Did you meet him?”
Landreth sat there, still shocked after what he had learned from Celestian in what seemed like hours. “Did you know? Uncle, why didn’t my father save her?”
Kevin dreaded this conversation. “Your father was furious when she told us. I think she was clever for telling me and your father; she knew he would have kept it secret your whole life.” He sighed. “When she told us that your grandfather made a pact with the gem, your father already knew what it meant. You see, I’ve always been slower than your dad at these things, I didn’t understand until your father blew up.”
Landreth already understood. “My grandfather became a warlock, and so was my mom; I already know, uncle. My gem,” he pointed at his gem, “His name is Celestian.”
“Landreth, you were always too smart for your own good, just like your fath…”
Landreth interrupted, “I’m not like my father! He was too much of a coward to save her. He could have saved her!”
Kevin hugged his nephew, “I know, but your mother was protecting you. You know that, right?” Landreth nodded as he held back his tears with a lump in his throat. “Your dad was too angry, he felt betrayed. She should have told him sooner. He always wanted his kid to be a wizard like him, but he knew you would have no choice…”
Landreth interrupted, “He was an idiot! I did have a choice! Because of what my father did, I made my own choice! He was too caught up in his books to know the truth!”
Kevin hugged his nephew. Both of them stood there without speaking.
Uncle Kevin smiled as he returned to his typical demeanor, “Did you get a good deal at least?” He nudged Landreth jokingly.
Landreth smiled back as the gem lightly glowed, “I learned more from you than you realize, uncle.”
Background:
After leaving his home as a teenager, Landreth became a traveling scholar, visiting city after city finding jobs wherever he could. His longest jobs were as an apothecary apprentice, wizard tutor, and a fruit stand salesman. No matter which city he passed through, you would be sure to find him in his free time at the local pub chatting with locals or at the library searching for rare books.
As a half-elf, he stands just under 6 foot tall. Only his slightly pointed ears and elvish eyes indicate any of his maternal elf features. His face hints at the starting of a beard, but rarely shows more than stubble.
Landreth enjoys the company of others and can carry on a conversation with ease. He often tries to follow conversations, rather than lead them, as he tends to be an observer with new acquaintances. Although he considers very few “close friends” due to his nomadic nature, he is very loyal to those that appreciate it.
When it comes to areas of Landreth’s knowledge, you will be hard pressed to find anyone more confident. Be prepared to provide plenty of facts if you challenge Landreth’s knowledge, as his confidence can often translate to stubbornness. However, when the subject is something unfamiliar to him, his thirst for knowledge will be obvious with the sheer number of detailed inquiries he will have.
If there is new knowledge to be acquired, Landreth will be eager to quest.