Appearance

Physical Description

Height: 1.70/5.5

Apparel & Accessories

Badge of the Order of the Gauntlet on her armor. Coat of arms of the Order of the Gauntlet on her shield

Mentality

Personal history

Her Mother was Deira Zora from Cormyr, priestess of Tyr and her father - Nikolay Stefanov, woodcutter from Rashemen.

Family and life in Rashemen

Her mother Deira was abducted by Zentharim slaver pirates at the Sea of Fallen stars and sold as a slave in Impiltur. She managed to somehow escape and found refuge at a woodcutters camp near Rawlinswood. The woodcutters were just preparing to leave, frightened by the lurking shadows in the woods and the whispers of the ancient pines and moving shadows. She helped drive the shadows away by casting some spells and saying some prayers so the woodcutters managed to finish with their task and didn’t go home empty handed. There she met her father - Nikolay Stefanov, a tall, dark haired and bearded man from Rashemen. They fell in love and Deira moved to Rashemen with him. Deira died giving birth, so Martha never met her.

After her mother's death, Nikolay succumbed to dark thoughts and bad habits, often drinking and gambling. Life was hard and especially for a single father taking care of a little girl. When Martha was seven, Nikolay decided to find a better life for her and sent her to the temple of Tyr in Cormyr's largest city - Suzail where her mother still got some connections. Even though he loved his daughter very much, Nikolay was well aware that her chance of decent life was far away from the poverty of Rashemen. He sold what he could and bought her a passage to Suzail. The treacherous land journey took almost half an year, but Martha eventually got there.

Arriving in Suzali. Martha becomes Paladin of Tyr

Her initial training was as a priestess of Tyr as her mothers. However, she was fascinated at looking at the boys sword play in the temple's yard. The boys were training for paladins of Tyr. She secretly started doing trainings during the night and soon challenged and defeated 3 of them in a training combat. Sir Aldros Burtland, the headmaster-paladin was impressed and took her to the paladin order. When she was 13, Martha was ready for her trial and she passed it flawlessly.

Ellturel and the hunt for the Vampire High Rider Ikaia

At the age of 14 she and her fellow paladins of Tyr took part in the destruction of a powerful vampire in Elturgard - none other than the High Rider of Elturel Klavi Ikaia. The High Rider was infected by a feral vampire and has already started turning prominent Elturians into vampire spawns. High Watcher Naja Belandi discovered his secret and he started plotting her murder. Belandi summoned help from wherever she could and Martha was one of the paladins that answered the call.

Order of the Gauntlet. Traveling to Sunset mountains

At the age of 17 she was accepted in the midst of the Order of the Gauntlet with the rank of Chevall and knighted. That was the happiest day of her life. Soon after, when she turned 18, she was sent by the order to investigate the Sunset mountains - the fabled gold she-dragon Terrestra returned and sent word to different heroes and allies to come to her. She wanted to speak of some evil, gathering in the far Norht of Faerun and the order sent Martha as their envoy. Now she is trekking the treacherous mountain pass of the Sunset mountains accompanied by her faithful pack animal - Sam the mule.

Education

Acolyte of Tyr
Paladin of Tyr
Cheval of the Order of the Gauntlet

Employment

Paladin of Tyr. Cheval of the Order of the Gauntlet.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Took part in the destruction of the Vampire Klavi Ikaia, former

High Rider of Elturel

Mental Trauma

Never saw her mother - she died giving her birth.

Intellectual Characteristics

As a Paladin who follow the Watchers' oath she is ever vigilant in spotting the influence of extraplanar forces, often establishing a network of spies and informants to gather information on suspected cults. To a Watcher, keeping a healthy suspicion and awareness about one's surroundings is as natural as wearing armor in battle.

Martha is passionate reader and is often on the look out for books

Morality & Philosophy

Martha took the Oath of the Watchers:

Vigilance. The threats you face are cunning, powerful, and subversive. Be ever alert for their corruption.

Loyalty. Never accept gifts or favors from fiends or those who truck with them. Stay true to your order, your comrades, and your duty.

Discipline. You are the shield against the endless terrors that lie beyond the stars. Your blade must be forever sharp and your mind keen to survive what lies beyond.

Personality

Social

Birthplace

Rashemen

Current Residence

Barovia

Contacts & Relations

Her father Nikolay Stefanov
Her mentor Sir Aldros Burtland
Calantha Lightweaver

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Cheval