Ok, here's something to get things started - a band of Iconic Characters. These could be used as NPCs (either friends or rivals) or could also be used as pre-gen characters.
Band of the Lantern
by John CalvinThe Band of the Lantern, so named for their shared goal of bringing light to the dark places of the world, operates mainly in the wilderness of the the Frontierlands and nearby territories.
Molnohk Frihn, CN Dwarf Radiomancer
Molnohk is a dwarf of middling age from the Thallyste province in the Shimmering Lands. His brown hair is peppered with gray around the temples and his bushy beard covers the entirety of his face, but refuses to grow on his chin. A radiomancer of some skill, Molnohk wears billowing rust red robes covered in technomantic runes and with ancient Blackmoorian trinkets dangling among its folds. Underneath the garment lies the contorted remnants of his right hand and arm, twisted and corrupted by the very craft that so obsesses Molnohk.
As the youngest son of Frihn Estate, Molnohk always knew he had little hope of claiming an inheritance. Instead he embraced his studies and his chosen craft, spending several formative years under the tutelage of the Radiomancers of Himnem. Not content to gain his knowledge from books alone, Molnohk decided to strike out on his own, constantly searching for artifacts and rumors of ancient Blackmoor. His current base of operations in Theliir allows him easy access to the Dawn Lands across Dawn Sea as well as to the savage Frontierlands to the south and even cursed Taymora beyond.
Molnohk first saw Azessh fighting in the Isshum Arena and knew right away that her skills would prove useful in his own endeavors. The two have since embarked on many expeditions together and seem to have an unspoken bond - which Molnohk assumes is just Azessh showing him the respect and deference that he deserves. The two stumbled upon Yidaberu during one such venture and Molnohk immediately recognized a kindred explorer. Curi he dislikes, considering her a pretentious upstart, but he tolerates her presence since her powers have served the crew well in several tight situations.
Azessh, LN Troglodyte Sell-sword
A hatchling from a fairly affluent family, Azessh is nonetheless an imposing figure of muscle and claws. Her bright green scales are tinged with a touch of indigo and shimmer iridescently when hit by the right lighting. The size of the blue crest atop her head marks her clearly as a female, but few who would hold that against her walk away unscathed. In addition to the gold and silver jewelry that adorns her hide, she also dons a utilitarian leather harness designed to carry a vast array of weapons and tools.
Uninterested in her father’s mercantile business and quickly tiring of the privilege her station brought her, Azessh became a thrill seeker fighting in the Arena of Isshum. Through skill and luck, she was able to stay alive and earn the love of the crowd, but still Azessh wanted more. Seeking ever more thrills, she began to hire herself out as a mercenary to adventurers and fortune seekers throughout Mogreth. Her journeys to far away lands only serve to accentuate the feelings of emptiness she feels upon returning home.
Azessh signed on as a guard and mercenary for one of Molnohk’s expeditions and became completely enthralled with the experience. Now she anticipates their journeys even more than fighting in the arena. Yidaberu, being the typical treacherous Taymoran, is not trusted, and she always keeps an eye on him. His companion Curi is another matter however, and Azessh genuinely enjoys her company. The two females have surprisingly much in common, not the least of which is an overwhelming sense of honor and fair play.
Yidaberu of Tycur, CG Human (Taymoran) Sneak
Yidaberu is a handsome man in his mid twenties with the light complexion and dark curly hair and eyes that is common to his people. He sports a puckered red scar from his left ear to his right collarbone, but his quick wit and flashing smile rarely leave any ill at ease in his presence. The gray, knee length tunic he wears is nondescript and utilitarian, and the many hidden pockets within are quite useful for storing whatever he might chance to grab.
Growing up on the desperate streets of Tycur, Yidaberu spent much of his unhappy childhood darting through the streets and back alleys of the City of Night. Constant pressure from Tycur’s press gangs, and even worse from the personal minions of the Queen of Night, eventually convinced Yidaberu to seek his fortune elsewhere. During a brief stay in Taymoraz, he came to realize there were alternatives to living under the rule of the vampire queens. Since then he has traveled to far lands, constantly searching for some way to free his people.
Curi Cava found Yidaberu after he only narrowly escaped minions of the Queen of Night, and took pity on him, nursing him back to health. Since then Yidaberu has fallen in love with her, and refuses to leave her side. The two met Molnohk and Azessh while exploring in the Frontierlands and decided to pool their resources. Having already overcome his prejudices regarding one of the Taymoran’s “ancestral enemies” Yidaberu had no problems at all accepting Azessh as a member of his team. While he respects Molnohk, he also suspects the dwarf is more than a little insane and fears at some point the two may come into contention.
Curi Cava, LG Human (Inti) Sun-priestess
Long black hair, parted in the middle of her head and braided on either side, frames the golden skin of Curi’s face. Her prominent nose and piercing brown eyes give her a stern and imposing appearance, despite her small stature. The woollen tunic she wears is decorated with brightly colored designs, all woven directly into the fabric. The story it tells is of her people emerging from the dark sheltered world of Picari Palaqwi to once again claim their rights beneath the sun. Dangling from her belt is Curi’s ever present obsidian shard mace.
Born in the caverns beneath the Picari Plateau, Curi has only recently emerged from her ancestral shelter to discover the surface world. She served her people as a healer in the many battles they have had with the Taymorans in recent years, but has since heard her immortal patron calling her to do greater things. Convinced that there is a disease rotting her people from within, Curi has taken it upon herself to root it out and destroy it, however her actions have not won friends in the Blind Council. Now Curi travels all the lands under the sun, open to the many wonders that the immortals choose to show her, and gathering powerful friends around her in the hopes of confronting the darkness clinging to her people’s past.
Curi found Yidaberu bleeding to death in the mountains and saved his life. Since then she has come to understand that the two of them have very similar goals - both seeking ways to free their people from some dark evil gripping them. Because of this she tends to think of him as a brother, and often finds his attentions towards her annoying. In Azessh she sees a kindred spirit and a bold warrior, although she finds the trog to be somewhat distant and cold. She speaks only infrequently with Molnohk, and fears that despite his skills and power, the dwarf is dangerous.