Appearance

Apparel & Accessories

Lynx Eye Charm - This charm is typically spherical in shape and a mottled amber in color. A natural inclusion in this amber charm gives it the appearance of an eye. Purchased from a Magnimar merchant at a ridiculously low price. 12 copper! He thought it was a good deal. It was on the docks, right before they left Magnimar by boat. What he doesn't know is that the merchant is a minion of Peg o'Ness and her coven. It is used to spy on Lilia and her whereabouts.

Mentality

Personal history

Wyling is the oldest of three, born to quarry workers at the Stratford Vale. As a youth, Wyling fell in with a bad crowd in Riddleport. This equated to nothing more than gangs that ran protection rackets on local businesses and fought rivals. What little he could earn through this life, he brought back to his family. They'd rather he carry on in the family profession instead of running in dangerous Riddleport. They were poor but healthy. His income from the gangs made it easier for them to say good bye when he came and went.
 
One fellow gang member was a little older and a halfling like him, Dalerd Colry. Dalerd was the son of a shipbuilder and seemed so capable to Wyling, even though he was just an apprentice. His father died too young and the business fell apart since Dalerd didn't know enough to take over. That's how he found himself on the streets like Wyling.
 
Dalerd had a discipline about him; a calmness that made even the chaos of gang warfare seem to have an order. Wyling strived to be like Dalerd: disciplined and structured. He saw Dalerd first as a way to better himself and move up in the ranks... but then later as a friend. Dalerd must have seen something in him as well. The two made a pact to watch each others backs no matter what happened between their affiliations.
 
That bond was tested when the current gang decided to break into a caravel in Riddleport. The ship had been quiet all week and looked like an easy target. Dalerd worked on a plan with the gang leaders, but Wyling pulled him aside and convinced him to do it his way and without the gang. They could score big, impress everyone and move up the ladder. Or even branch off on their own. Dalerd agreed, but Wyling knew he was just being friendly. Dalerd was always more practical; cautious. Wyling would show him he was right! This was their moment! That night, they made their move.
 
Dalerd knew his way around a ship; literally all the "ins" and "outs" because of his apprenticeship to his family. The two scouted the ship and finally got in without notice.
 
Inside, they found only a few loose coins and worn gear. It was disappointing. Wyling felt foolish. But when a crate was pried open to reveal a cache of firearms they were stunned. This was quite a discovery of... well... something! They'd never seen firearms before and tried to figure out if this was a find or just junk. Suddenly, the ship owners had returned. At least, Wyling thought so. They were set upon instantly! Dalerd, ever the calm center of chaos, knew it was time to surrender. They were beaten.
 
Wyling admired his friends discipline but in this case he got the sense that surrender wasn't an option that was going to be given. He got Dalerd into a big mess again. It was time to get him out.
 
Blam!
 
The first one fell. Wyling had a firearm in his hand. What followed was chaos. Dalerd dove out of the way as people were getting shot down by Wyling. He wasn't trained but it seemed obvious what to do. Load, fire, grab another. And another. The enemies seemed to keep coming. Dalerd was crying out for it all to stop. Not a novice in a fight, he was overwhelmed by a situation that was spiraling out of control.
 
Then, something went wrong. One of the guns misfired. A line of black powder was lit right next to a barrel. Wyling grabbed Dalerd by the arm and ran. He still had a horn of powder and a rifle in his other hand.
 
The ship exploded in a brilliant display! It took out the ship in the next berth and the one next to that. The two halflings bobbed up and down in the water, watching the devastation take its toll. Watching the chaos, Dalerd was in tears. All his discipline and structure was useless to him.
 
Wyling knew instantly they couldn't stay in Riddleport. Enemies were made this day. Powerful ones. It was only a matter of time before they sniffed out the gangs involvement. Wyling didn't want to be there when that happened. He suddenly saw the gang in a different light.
 
He convinced Dalerd to go with him to the Stratford Vale; to his home. Dalerd, in shock, agreed. When they arrived, the Vale was under siege. Smoke and fire. Death and destruction. An orc horde ran wild through the streets. Dalerd wanted to help. The roles were reversed suddenly. Wyling felt nothing but paralyzing fear for his family. They got only as far as the quarry where Wyling hoped to see them. In chains with the other quarry workers, he spotted them. The orcs had already taken them.
 
Wyling looked down at his musket. He knew what to do. Dalerd was still the clear thinker. He told him not to act. Not yet. His family were enslaved, but they'd be kept alive. If Wyling were to attack now, not only would he not save them but he'd be dead himself.
 
Over the next year, Dalerd and he honed their own talents and learned more. They'd hire on as adventurers whenever they could. Dalerd became a capable fighter, skilled in swordplay. Wyling kept using his musket, learning how to fix it and make his own bullets.
 
In the summer of 4707, nearly a year later after his home was sacked, the call went out for adventurers to join the Order of Cyphers on an expedition to the Lurkwood region. Wyling knew of the Lurkwood and it's curse. Dalerd was eager to sign on and did so even before Wyling could talk him out of it. The mission was to escort a Cyphermage to Magnimar so that they could negotiate with the Erastil temple for an artifact that was deemed necessary for the quest to the Lurkwood. Wyling followed along to protect Dalerd. He had a sense that the situation wasn't as normal as it seemed.
 
His suspicions were correct. The Cyphermage - once in Magnimar - made hired a killer named Dulg Goldeneyes from the Brotherhood of the Seven, a group of cultists that worship the god of murder, Norgorber. Diplomacy wasn't going to be the goal. Whatever the Order wanted, they were going to kill to ensure it's acquisition.
 
Wyling and Dalerd trailed Dulg until he attacked the Deadeye Lodge, killing until he was sure that the artifact wasn't there. Dalerd and Wyling tried to help but there was little they could do. Dulg used a poisoned short sword to kill Dalerd. Wyling shot Dulg with his musket, causing him to retreat. Wyling rushed to check on his friend, but he was already gone.
 
Dulg spared a young Acolyte who - through his tears - told Dulg that the artifact was stolen and is at the Dome of the Savored Sting. Wyling left Dalerd in the care of the Deadeye priests and chased after Dulg to get payback. When he reached the Dome, Dulg had already struck and made off with the artifact.

Employment

Wyling started as a quarry worker at a young age, joined up with gangs in Riddleport, and then turned to mercenary work. He's up for a good cause and doesn't care if it's legal or not.

Mental Trauma

Wyling feels remorse for leading his friend Dalerd into situations that ultimately got him killed.

Known Languages

Common, Halfling, Dwarven

Personality

Motivation

Rescue his family from the orcs of the Stratford Vale. Avenge the death of his friend Dalerd. On the smaller scale, Wyling is motivated to find opportunity in the center of chaos - all in the name of seeing good prevail over bad.
 
When all else is equal, he'll go for a drink, roll some bullets and look for ways to earn coin. (Black powder doses are VERY expensive).
 
In the very, very short term, he wants a back-up weapon. (Because black powder doses are VERY expensive).

Quotes & Catchphrases

"He's all yours, ladies!"

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Skilled with firearms, but gods only know why. He is fascinated by the existence and potential of firearms. He sees them as kindred spirits to himself: just waiting to unleash chaos when the opportunity presents itself but otherwise appearing as rather unassuming while at rest. He's fond of making it seem that he's part of some secret order - "The Way of the Gunslinger". There's no evidence that there's any such order.

Likes & Dislikes

Wyling hates the blandness of formality; the structure of policy and the heirs of rehearsed pleasantries. He enjoys opportunity and watching those who take advantage of others get their comeuppances.

Virtues & Personality perks

Cayden Cailean has blessed him with an iron stomach. Despite his size, he is a fortified drinker. In fact, when he's had a drink, he's able to focus more which makes him more resistant to mind-affecting effects.

Vices & Personality flaws

Wyling is attracted to danger. He can't help it. No fool though; he gets to a safe distance. That's the benefit of the firearm. In and of itself, that weapon is dangerous even when he's safely a distance away.
 
He has to remind himself that not everyone revels in such chaos and danger. He actually can't understand why they don't. Can't they see that the invariables of life should be pushed aside so one can live?

Personality Quirks

Get up high. Just a little higher. Higher still! Perfect! He's almost never on the ground.

Hygiene

Wyling keeps himself clean. He's careful with his powder. He knows what it can do if exposed and exploited. He has learned to extend this care to all manners of his hygiene.

Social

Birthplace

Stratford Vale

Current Residence

Riddleport (well, not any more)

Contacts & Relations

He is known on the streets of Riddleport and would likely not get a warm welcome in some areas. He was in and out of many gangs, leaving some, merging with others. At this point, he'd have a hard time figuring out who to trust. There were a couple of romantic relationships, one with a co-gang member, another with a rival. Nothing came of it. Wyling doesn't give much details. There's nothing to tell beyond: this happened, then it ended.
 
His best friend in all that was Dalerd who he'll speak of from time to time with reverence.
 
After fleeing Magnimar, he became closer with the hirelings from the Dome of the Savored Sting, both Rixx and Lilia Caterine Nicolae. He and Lilia hold philosophical discussions over late night drinks as often as time permits them. He admire's Rixx's ability to control her rage. It's the blend of control during chaos that he strives for.
 
He's also associated with a ship of sailors that are somehow affiliated with the Order of Cyphers. They think he's Dalerd, who was hired by the Order to locate an artifact that was held in Magnimar. He's dragged them all the way to Augustana and needs to make a call on how to end this arrangement before it goes really poorly.

Wealth & Financial state

His income is very fast and fluid. Money is spent on supplies for his ammo and repairs. He has a hard time turning a profit.

Family Ties

When he left the Stratford Vale, both his parents and two younger sisters were alive, though enslaved to the orc invaders there. His sisters are 14 and 8.

Religious Views

Cayden Cailean is his god. Now there's a fellow that has the right idea. He's not sure about some of the finer points of the worship. He thinks there really isn't any. So that's good. It's not good to ignore the gods. If that's the case, might as well choose Cayden. Why everyone doesn't pay homage to that guy just doesn't add up to him.

Social Aptitude

Confident when a chaotic scene presents itself. He gets restless when things are too formal.

Mannerisms

Always looks for a way up off the ground. Crates nearby, a ledge, a table... it doesn't matter. Wyling climbs up and stays there often.
 
He also delights in seeing Rixx and Lilia take on their enemies.

Hobbies & Pets

He keeps his musket in top condition. During downtime, he's fixing up more bullets and waits for Rixx's availability so he can chat with her about anything that strikes their collective fancy.

Speech

Wyling talks pretty plainly. He's direct; seemingly unafraid to speak his mind where he thinks he can.