A gang of slavers from Palbar in Oraya province has started to capture Balazarings for use in gladiatorial rings as skirmish fighters or as slaves soldiers. They have been operating out of Elkoi for 2 seasons now and have already caused issues with the locals and other lunars.
King for Glyptus has sanctioned this activity as long as they are not capturing balazaring from closely allied clans and that he gets a significant cut of profits. Cryiel Endelkar is unhappy with the arrangement as he feels it undermines previous arrangements he has had the lunar authorities at Mrins Cross.
The group is feuding with Byrons Blackshields, after a pub brawl in the Kings Inn in Elkoi, There camp was raided 3 days later and one member of the slaver gang was killed in the resulting skirmish.
The group is not popular in Elkio and is already running out of ready available mercenaries who will work with them in Elkio area, and will look to hire any available help they can get.
Batrus Ven Irayal , Lunar Slaver, Initiate of the Seven Mothers
The leader of the group is a former famous Gladiator from originally from Irayal, who lived long enough to earn his freedom from the ring. He has been free for close to ten years now, working as a slaver out of Palbar for eight of those.
Despite his fearsome appearance and quiet efficient demeanour masks a cold and heartless man. He is a child of lunar slaves from rice plantations sold from his parents at the age of 8, who desires to find a sense of belonging, but has no idea how and where to find it.
Batrus is starting to develop a liking Balazar and the wilds even if it is more difficult than he intended.
He still wields his old gladiatorial weapons of a long sword staff and large spiked weight on a chain in combat. Also he is still proud of martial skills and may practice for 2 to 3 hours day if not working.
Traits: Calm, Brave, Vicious, Clever, Stubborn
Nature: Gallant
Demeanour: Bravo
Physical: Strength 4 , Dexterity 5 , Stamina 5
Mental : Intelligence 3, Wits 4 , Perception 3
Social: Manipulation 3, Appearance 4 , Charisma 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 4, Brawl 5 ,Dodge 5,Expression 2,Intimidation 5, Streetwise 4
Skills: Archery 2 ,Commerce 3 ,Leadership 3,Melee 5,Riding 2,Stealth 2 ,Survival 3
Knowledge’s: Culture 3,Investigation 3,Languages 2,Medicine 3,Myth 2, Divine Lore 1,Spirit Lore 1
Essence: 5
Quintessence: 17
Willpower: 6
Runes: Moon 3, Death 5( Effective 7 ), Mastery 4
Spirit Magic: Bladesharp 5, Protection 5, Disruption 3, Befuddle, Counter Magic 3
Rune Magic: 8pts (4 current )
Virtues: Conviction 5, Loyalty 4, Conciliation 2
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Artefact 5, Contacts 2, Cult 3, Destiny 4, Influence 2, Mentor 3, Property 4, Resources 4, Status 3, Witta 3
Flaws & Merits: Overconfident (1pt flaw), Graceful (2pt merit), Killer instinct (5pt Merit), Reputation (2pt Merit)
Equipment: 4pt light plate armour, Sword staff 4pt weapon, Spike chain – 2pt rune focus death
Etic ap Tolarn, Acolyte of Etyries
A tall well groomed and attractive man. A Etyries cultist and the commercial brains of the operation.
He was raised a Trader in Palbar city on Oraya his parents merchants from the heartlands who set up a well known slave auction in the city. Has travelled to Kralorea twice as part of the great lunar caravans that leave Palbar and enjoys telling tales of strange lands to the East.
However as a strikingly good looking man he ended up having an affair with the wife of a powerful noble of the Red Hair tribe. He led the Red Hair Place and the caravan because of it, but is still being sought by some of the nobles retainers.
Not learning form mistakes Etic will still persue women with gusto , not caring who they are married too.
Traits: Charming, Greedy, Courteous, Preened
Nature: Rogue
Demeanour: Sensualist
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Mental : Intelligence 4, Wits 4, Perception 3
Social: Manipulation 4 , Appearance 4, Charisma 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Artistic 2, Athletics 3, Brawl 2,Dodge 3,Empathy 3,Intimidation 3,Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Archery 2,Commerce 4 ,Etiquette 3,Leadership 2, Melee 2 ,Riding 3,Stealth 2,Survival 1
Knowledge’s: Academics 2 ,Culture 2,Investigation 3,Languages 3,Medicine 1,Myth 2,Politics 3, Divine Lore2,
Essence: 5
Quintessence: 11
Willpower: 4
Runes: Moon 3, Commerce 5, Man 4, Movement 2
Spirit Magic: Befuddle 3, Abacus 2, Demoralize 2, Glamour 4, Mobility 3
Rune Magic: 8pts ( 4 current ) –
Virtues: Conviction 3, Loyalty 3, Conciliation 5
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 3, Cult Status 3, Family 3, Influence 3, Resources 4, Status 3, Witta 2
Flaws & Merits: Hunted (2pt flaw), Charmed Existance (5pt Merit), Honeyed Tounge (2pt merit)
Equipment: Composite bow 2pt, Kopis 2pt, Light Scale Armour 3pt
Shama Sixarms, Business Partner, Acolyte of Yana Arnis
A member of a Noble House from Palbar and a Devotee of Yara Arnis. She has provided much of the finance for this expedition.
A slight pretty girl with a pretty face and a disarming manner. Most people think her association with her God is strange, but her connection is clear due to her obvious gits of her four extra arms.
Bored of her younger husband from an arranged marriage who she has left in Palbar she has backed to expedition to add some kind of excitement into her life.
She has grand dreams of expanding/defending the lunar empire and is starting to form a dream of a civilized prosperous Balazar under the Empire with her as its liberator. However for the moment she wants to make some money, build up a powerbase and increase her magical powers.
She has thrown herself into the defender of the empire aspect of her cult, and will surprise the group by insisting they take action to defend nay lunar citizens or interests .
Traits: Patient, Calm, Reliable, Charming, Fickle
Nature: Architect
Demeanour: Thrillseeker
Physical: Strength 2 , Dexterity 4 , Stamina 3
Mental : Intelligence 4 , Wits 5 , Perception 3
Social: Manipulation 4, Appearance 4, Charisma 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Artistic 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 2 ,Dodge 4, Expression 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Commerce 2, Etiquette 4,Leadership 2, Melee 3 ,Riding 2,Stealth 1,Survival 1
Knowledge’s: Academics 3, Culture 2 ,Languages 3, Myth 4 ,Politics 4, Divine Lore 4, Spirit Lore 2
Essence: 5
Quintessence: 19
Willpower: 5
Runes: Moon 5, Death 4, Earth 3,
Spirit Magic: Fireblade 4, Protection 4, Disruption 3, Counter Magic 3(Effective 6)
Rune Magic: 9pts (8 Current) – TBC
Virtues: Conviction 4, Loyalty 3, Conciliation 4
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Artefact 6, Contacts 4, Cult Status 4, Family 4, Influence 4, Property 4, Resources 4, Status 4, Witta 3
Flaws & Merits: Arms of the Gods, Curiosity (2pt flaw), Offensive to animals (2pt flaw), Soothing Voice (2pt Merit)
Equipment: Countermagic Focus 3, Power Storage Crystals 3pt ,4pt, 5pt. Light Scale Armor 3pt, Kopis 2pt, Sling 2pt
Kadem Tallflower, Follower of Jackeel the Witch
Threat level ****
Kadem hails from Imther and has been part of Marusas’ Coven for a number of years . She joined the group after he became Bratus’ lover. Though she performs no clear function in the group she has a lot of influence over Bratus’ decision making.
At a surface level she is a funny and witty woman. who seems to want to be liked by most senior members of the group.
Kadem is a sadist who is sexual active and abusive to with a number of the slaves of both genders. Other group members think this is dangerous as she risks ‘damaging the goods’, but she seems to get what she wants from Bratus.
She wears a felt eye patch over her left eye, she has never told anyone how she lost the eye.
Kadem joined the group to spy on Shama for Marusa, but is enjoying the position she finds herself in. She hasn’t found anything out one way or the other about Shama who is wary of her.
Her opinion of Kalis from the blackshields is low as she doesn’t consider him either a valid shaman or valid follower of Jakeel.
Traits: Lusty, Amoral, Sadistic, Funny, Generous
Nature: Monster
Demeanour: Deviant
Physical: Strength 2 , Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Mental : Intelligence 4, Wits 4, Perception 4
Social: Manipulation 4, Appearance 3, Charisma 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Artistic 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 1,Dodge 3,Empathy4 ,Expression 2 ,Intimidation 4,Subterfuge 3
Skills: Crafts 3,Etiquette 2,Leadership 3, Melee 3 ,Riding 2 ,Stealth 2,
Knowledge’s: Academics 1 ,Culture 4,Languages 2,Medicine 4,Myth 4, Divine Lore 2, Spirit Lore 4
Essence: 5
Quintessence: 17
Willpower: 6
Runes: Moon 5, Spirit 4, Darkness 3, Magic 2
Spirit Magic: Befuddle 4, Second Sight 3, Spirit Bane 3, Heal 3, Dispel Magic 4
Rune Magic: 12pts – (4 current) TBC
Virtues: Conviction 4, Loyalty 3, Conciliation 4
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Artefacts 2 Contacts 3, Cult Status 3, Mentor 4, Past Lives 5, Resources 3, Witta 3
Flaws & Merits: One Eye
Equipment: 6pt Power Storage crystal
Hamid – Chief Enforcer, Intiate Yanafal Tarnis
The chief enforcer and leader of the group From Palbar, he server for served for 20 years in the city regiment as a phalanx man. However being a poor farmer he left his retirement plot and has gone back to making his living as warrior. He has been working for Bratus for some 4 years now.
Hamid’s role in the group is to organise all of the guards, the defences of the group and keep the slaves under control. He enjoys his role and will happily put his life at risk for the good of the group. Somewhat dismayed at the level of Guards the party brought over form Palbar, he thinks the locals will make better Guards.
Highly loyal to Bratus, and really can’t stand Kadem. He has no idea why and he thinks he has developed an deep and irrational mistrust of the woman. He presents as somewhat dull, dour and limited individual but thought lacking formal education is a bright and perceptive man.
A capable red smith Hamid makes repairs and modifications to all of the groups weapons and armour.
Traits: Solid, Implacable, Loyal, Brutal
Nature: Guardian
Demeanour: Guardian
Physical: Strength 5 , Dexterity 3 , Stamina 5
Mental : Intelligence 2 , Wits 3 , Perception 3
Social: Manipulation 1 , Appearance 2, Charisma 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 5 ,Dodge 3, Intimidation 4 ,Streetwise 4,
Skills: Archery 2 ,Commerce 2 ,Crafts 4,Leadership 3, Melee 4 ,Riding 3 ,Stealth 2, Survival 2
Knowledge’s: Culture 2,Investigation 1,Medicine 2 ,Myth 2, Divine Lore 2
Essence: 4
Quintessence: 14
Willpower: Conviction 4, Loyalty 3, Conciliation 4
Runes: Death 4, Moon 3, Truth 3, Man 3
Spirit Magic: Protection 4, Bladesharp 5, Counter Magic 3, Disruption 3
Rune Magic: 10pt – (6 current) TBC
Virtues: Conviction 5, Loyalty 5, Conciliation 2
Backgrounds: Allies 1, Artefact 2, Contacts 3, Cult Status 3, Property 3, Resources 3, Status 2, Witta 3
Flaws & Merits:Huge Size (4pt merit), Gease never flee horsemen,
Equipment: 4pt armour, 3pt long spear, 2pt Kopis, 2pt Tower Shield
Musra Lunar Guard, Initiate of Etyries
An experienced and capable guard From Palbar who left the family farm at the age of 19 after losing in love. He has worked as Caravan Guard across the heartlands for the last 10 years
Mursa brought both his brothers as guards on the trip when their farm failed. One of his younger brothers died in a bar fight with the Blackshields last season. So he is very keen to make sure Davindo makes it back to his family alive.
Traits: Stubborn, Dour, Suspicious, Loyal
Nature: Child
Demeanour: Renunciate
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Mental : Intelligence 2, Wits 2, Perception 2
Social: Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Charisma 2
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3 ,Dodge 3, Intimidation 2,Streetwise 2
Skills: Commerce 1,Crafts 2, Melee 3 , Riding 1, Stealth 2 ,Survival 2
Knowledge’s: Culture 3, Investigation 3, Languages 2, Medicine , Myth 2, Divine Lore 2,
Essence: 2
Quintessence: 8
Willpower: 4
Runes: Moon 2, Trade 1 , Movement 2, Death 1
Spirit Magic: Bladesharp 2, Befuddle 2, Shimmer 2, Heal 2
Rune Magic: 3pt – none
Virtues: Conviction 4, Loyalty 3, Conciliation 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Cult Status 2, Family 2, Past Lives 2, Resources 2,
Flaws & Merits: None
Equipment: 3pt light scale armour, spear 2pt, shield 2pt, Kopis 2pt
Davindo, Lunar Guard, Initiate of Seven Mothers
A farmer from the Palbar Region and a younger brother of Musra took to guarding when the Farm failed. His wife and children waiting at his in-laws farm for him to return with the pay from the trip to start the farm again.
However he has enjoyed the travel and the lifestyle is unsure if he wants to go back to farming. He also developed an diverting relationship with one the citadel dweller daughters.
Traits: Curious, Unreliable, Pessimistic, Brave
Nature: Deviant
Demeanour: Follower
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Mental : Intelligence 2, Wits 2, Perception 2
Social: Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Charisma 2
Talents: Alertness 1, Athletics 2, Brawl 2 ,Dodge 2, Intimidation 2,Streetwise 2
Skills: Agriculture 3, Commerce 1, Crafts 2, Melee 2 , Riding 1, Stealth 2 ,Survival 2
Knowledge’s: Culture 1, Investigation 1, Languages 2, Medicine , Myth 2, Divine Lore 2,
Essence: 2
Quintessence: 5
Willpower: 3
Runes: Moon 1, Life 2 ,
Spirit Magic: Heal 2, shimmer
Rune Magic: 3pts – none
Virtues: Conviction 3, Loyalty 3, Conciliation 4
Backgrounds: Cult Status 2, Family 3, Past Lives 2, Property 2 Resources 1
Flaws & Merits: None
Equipment: 3pt light scale armour, spear 2pt, shield 2pt, Kopis 2pt
Dodjan – Chief Trapper
An older experienced man who has had a long and varied career as a lunar scout in the axillaries, a farmer, a mercenary and bounty hunter. Initially from the thunder delta slingers.
His role is setting of man traps which allow the capture of victims without doing significant damage to them, for this he has a range of different man traps he can create in the wild and he uses a bolas to great effect to bring victims down.
Dodjan is very impressed with woodcraft and hunting skills of Balazarings, and is trying to learn their culture. He has a deep hatred of Pentians as his young family was killed by a Pentian raid in the Redlands a number of years ago.
Dodjan is a keen game player and is a skilled dice player who is considerably better than the rest of the group.
Traits: Dour, Composed, Curious, Bitter
Nature: Plotter
Demeanour: Survivor
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Mental : Intelligence 2, Wits 4, Perception 4
Social: Manipulation 4, Appearance 2 , Charisma 2
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 4, Brawl 4, Dodge 4, Empathy 2, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Archery 5 ,Crafts 4 ,Mechanisms 4,Melee 3 , Riding 2,Stealth 4, Survival 4
Knowledge’s: Culture 2 ,Investigation 4 ,Languages 2 ,Medicine 3 ,Myth 2, Divine Lore 2, Spirit Lore 2
Essence: 3
Quintessence: 10
Willpower: 5
Runes: Moon 3, Movement 2, Mastery 2
Spirit Magic: Trappers Boon 3, Befuddle 2, Farsee 2, Speedart 3 (5 effective), Push/Pull 2
Rune Magic: TBC
Virtues: Conviction 4, Loyalty 4, Conciliation 3
Backgrounds: Artefact 3, Contacts 3, Cult Status 2, Past Lives 2, Witta 2
Flaws & Merits: Hatred of Pentians (1pt flaw)
Equipment: Bolas Spirit Focus – Speedart 2, Kopis 2pt, Light Armour 2pr
Traska the Scout Redlander
Traska joined the group recently in Haar Zaal, his job to scout and track down possible targets for the gang. He is finding the job difficult and has developed significant respect for Balazarings over the past 2 seasons.
He has been a hunter in Red lands for many years, he has been hunting on the north plain before and knows how to get on with the troll hunters of the Elder wilds. Whilst in the Elder Wilds developed a strong dislike of baboons from encounters with them
Whilst in Balazar Traska picked up a couple of balazaring hunting dogs and likes them.
He is a complete loner and cares little for the rest of the group and he is driven by mercenary sentiment.
Traits: Patient, Calm, Optimist, Wily
Nature: Loner
Demeanour: Survivor
Physical: Strength 3 , Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Mental : Intelligence 2 , Wits 3, Perception 5
Social: Manipulation 2 , Appearance , Charisma 1
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Dodge 4 ,Intimidation 2, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Archery 3,Leadership 2,Melee 3, Riding 2 ,Stealth 3, Survival 4
Knowledge’s: Culture 2,Languages 3 ,Medicine2 ,Myth 2, Divine Lore2, Spirit Lore 2
Essence: 3
Quintessence: 11
Willpower: 6
Runes: Moon 3, Movement 2, Plant 2
Spirit Magic: Bandits Cloak 4, Befuddle 2, Clear Path 2, Mobility 3
Rune Magic: 5pt – None
Virtues: Conviction 5, Loyalty 2, Conciliation 3
Backgrounds: Artefact 3, Cult Status 2, Property, Resources 3, Witta
Flaws & Merits: Hatred baboons 2pt
Equipment: Power Storage crystal 6pt
Hoca Mursel, Trainer of Gladiators, Initiate of the Seven Mothers
Threat Level ***
Orignally a slave from a plantation in the heartlands but was bought and fought as a Gladiator in Palbar for 6 years, after being seriously wounded has been an instructor of Gladiators for close to 20 years.
He trained Batrus when he was still fighting and the two became friends, when Bratus was set free he purchased Musel and set him free, they have been close friend ever since.
The training and well being of the slaves is Mursel’s responsibility and he fulfils his duty’s diligently. He is driven by finding and training great warriors for the arena, and he is desperate to find the next Batrus.
He has lost a sever limp in this right leg which means he isn’t much use in a fight any more, but he knows combat intimately, and loves to tell and hear stories of great duels and fights .
Traits: Aggressive, Cunning, Patient. Stubborn
Nature: Pedagogue
Demeanour: Perfectionist
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Mental : Intelligence 3, Wits 3, Perception 3
Social: Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Charisma 3
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Dodge 3, Empathy 3, Intimidation 4, Streetwise 3,
Skills: Archery 2,Commerce 2,Crafts 2,Instruction 5,Leadership 4 ,Melee 5, Riding 3,Stealth 2, Survival 2
Knowledge’s: Culture 2 , Medicine 4,Myth 3,Politics 2, Divine Lore 2, Spirit Lore 2
Essence: 4
Quintessence: 14
Willpower: 6
Runes: Moon 3, Death 3, Mastery 4
Spirit Magic: Dispel Magic 2, Bladesharp 2, Demoralize, Fanaticism, Disruption 4, Heal 3
Rune Magic: 6pt – none
Virtues: Conviction 5, Loyalty 5, Conciliation 2
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Artefact 3, Contacts 2, Cult Status 3, Destiny 4, Property 3, Resources 4, Status 2, Witta 4
Flaws & Merits: lame( 3pt flaw)
Equipment: Kopis with heal 2 spirit focus
Plot Ideas
The range of plotlines for this group is interesting;
- A party wanders into the slavers man traps and then have to talk or negotiate their way out of being slaves.
- Party needs to rescue a Balazaring who has been caught by the slavers
- A clan pays/asks/persuades the party to remove the slavers from it lands
- The party is paid by Cyriel to sabotage the slavers mission
- The slavers have been surrounded and hemmed in angry Balazarings, the players are sent by lunar authorities to relieve the slavers.
- One of the lead slavers has been captured by the Balazarings and the party has to negotiate a release.
- Escaped slave comes to the party for protection
- Hamid pays the players to investigate/kidnapp/kill Kadem