Aelfwyn
Priestess of Rao
Aelfwyn is a striking half-elf, her noble bearing unmistakable despite her humble upbringing. She wears a thin gold circlet on her brow, and through her braided auburn hair, the delicate points of her ears peek out—a clear testament to her elven heritage. Her robes, the soft silver and pale blue of Rao’s clergy, are tailored with precision, yet a simple wooden holy symbol hangs from a leather cord around her neck, oddly out of place amid her otherwise refined attire. On her right hand, she wears a gold ring set with a blue stone, a silent keepsake of an unknown past.
Role in Verbobonc
As a priestess of A1 Monastery of the Reverent Brothers Rao , Aelfwyn serves as a healer, mediator, and diplomat in the bustling capital of the Viscounty of Verbobonc. She spends much of her time in the Tower of Reason, studying doctrine and resolving disputes brought before the monastery by nobles and common folk alike. Her skill in combining divine magic with persuasive rhetoric makes her invaluable in maintaining the city's fragile peace. Now, she stands on the precipice of a new chapter—sent on her first mission outside the monastery’s protective walls.
Personality
Aelfwyn exudes quiet confidence, her voice steady even in the face of discord. Raised in the temple from infancy, she has never known true hardship, and as such, she approaches challenges with unwavering faith in logic and discourse. However, beneath her composed exterior lies a deep curiosity—an awareness that she has yet to experience the harsh realities of the world beyond the marble halls of the monastery.
She believes that reason is the highest virtue, yet she struggles to reconcile this with the more pragmatic, sometimes brutal, realities of Verbobonc’s politics. Her greatest fear is that one day, she may be forced to take action that contradicts her teachings.
Background
Birth and Bloodline
Aelfwyn was born from a fleeting romance between Arannis Meldarin, an esteemed elven diplomat and mage of Clan Meldarin of the Gnarley Forest, and a human ranger of The Gnarley Rangers , Caldrik of Verbobonc, who fell in battle during The Battle of Emridy Meadows . Her father perished tracking down orc and ogre warbands retreating into the Gnarley Forest leaving behind only his ring and the knowledge that he died protecting the Viscounty.
Her mother, bound by duty to Celene and her people, could not raise her half-human daughter and entrusted the child to the Monastery of the Reverent Brothers Rao, believing she would find a place among those dedicated to wisdom and peace.
Hrothgar the Broken – The Grandfather She Left Behind
Though Aelfwyn has never met her mother since infancy, she has long been aware of Hrothgar the Broken, her grandfather who still lives in Nulb located at 35. Potter's Cottage . A shattered man, once a brigand and soldier, he was left crippled and broken by war. He now ekes out a living in Nulb as a potter, shaping simple clay wares with gnarled hands that once held a blade. He never sought her out, and for years, Aelfwyn convinced herself she had no place in his life.
But the few letters they exchanged, his rough words penned with difficulty, tell a different story.
"I ain't much of a grandfather, girl. Too many ghosts in my head, too much blood on my hands. But I kept one thing from your pa. His bow. Made it myself, years ago. Maybe you’ll come fetch it someday. Maybe not. Your choice, little dove."
Aelfwyn never replied. But she kept the letter. Now, as she leaves the monastery for her first mission, she wonders—is it finally time to face the past
Life in the Monastery
Raised by the Reverent Brothers of Rao, Aelfwyn never experienced the struggles of an orphan’s life. She was loved, educated, and trained in the ways of philosophy, healing magic, and diplomatic mediation. She excelled at dispute resolution, particularly in the Monastery’s Assembly Hall, where her keen insight and silver tongue won her favor among both the nobility and the commoners who sought Rao’s guidance.
Yet, despite her success, Aelfwyn has always felt the absence of her parents, particularly her father, whose life and sacrifice remain distant, untold stories.
“Reason is Rao’s greatest gift, yet few bother to open it.”
Current Mission
For the first time in her life, Aelfwyn is leaving the security of the monastery. She has been sent on a mission, though its nature remains shrouded—some whisper that it involves negotiating with factions in Nulb , while others believe she is to seek out lost relics of Rao hidden in the region. For the first time in her life, Aelfwyn is leaving the security of the monastery. She has been sent on a mission, though its nature remains shrouded—some whisper that it involves negotiating with factions in Nulb, while others believe she is to seek out lost relics of Rao hidden in the region.
Whatever the case, one thing is certain: her path will take her close to Nulb, and to the grandfather she has never met. Will she choose to seek him out?
Motivations & Conflicts
- Unshakable Belief in Reason – Aelfwyn holds faith that every conflict can be solved through logic and discourse. She struggles when confronted with those who reject reason for violence.
- Connection to Her Lost Family – Though she does not openly speak of it, she longs to know more about her father and understand her mother’s choice to leave her behind.
- Challenge of Real-World Diplomacy – The lessons of the monastery have prepared her for philosophical debate, but will they suffice in the world of cutthroat politics and warlords?
“Your rage is a storm—impressive, but it will pass. Let us speak when the winds settle.”
Adventure Hooks Featuring Aelfwyn
- Aelfwyn’s First Trial – She seeks the party’s protection as she travels into Nulb, tasked with negotiating with a dangerous faction. Will she maintain her ideals, or be forced to adapt to the realities of the world?
- Lost Relic of Rao – She believes that an artifact of Rao, hidden since the time of the Battle of Emridy Meadows, lies somewhere in the wilds. She needs allies to help her retrieve it before it falls into darker hands.
- The Ranger’s Legacy – Aelfwyn has never visited the battlefield where her father fell. She asks the adventurers to accompany her to Emridy Meadows, where she hopes to learn the truth of his final moments.
“I have lived in peace all my life. Perhaps it is time I learned the cost of keeping it.”
"Where reason guides, peace follows. Even amidst chaos, we must never forget the path of wisdom."
Aelfwyn, Cleric of Rao (1st Order)
Medium Humanoid (Half-Elf), Cleric level 2, Lawful Good
AC 14 (Padded Robes, Defensive Magic)
HP 18 (2d8+4)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) |
Saving Throws Wis +5, Cha +4
Skills Insight +5, Persuasion +6, Religion +4, Medicine +5
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Elvish, Celestial
Abilities
Half-Elf Resilience. Advantage on saving throws vs. being charmed; immune to magical sleep.
Cleric of Rao – 1st Order.
- Bonus Cantrip: Friends (see Spells).
- Disciple of Peace: Aelfwyn has advantage on Persuasion checks when mediating disputes.
- Pacifist’s Will: When an ally within 30 ft. makes an attack, Aelfwyn can use her reaction to grant advantage on a Persuasion check to de-escalate the conflict.
Spellcasting (Cleric, Spell Save DC 13, +5 to hit)
Cantrips (at will): Friends (Bonus), Celestial Light (custom attack), Guidance, Sacred Flame
1st-Level (3 slots): Sanctuary, Healing Word, Detect Magic
Actions
Celestial Light (Cantrip). Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d6) radiant damage.
Healing Word (1st-Level, Bonus Action, 3/day). A creature Aelfwyn can see regains 7 (1d4+5) HP.
Calm Emotions (2nd-Level, 1/day). Suppresses strong emotions or fear in a 20-ft. radius (DC 13 Cha save).
Reactions
Reason Over Rage. When a creature within 10 ft. makes a reckless attack, Aelfwyn can use her reaction to force a DC 13 Wis save. On a failure, the creature hesitates, losing advantage on the attack.
“We are not born wise. Wisdom is earned, step by careful step.”
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