The History of
Etaf Gerin
Etaf
began life in Westgate on the
As
he grew and was taught, Etaf came to realize that his father worked with many
less-than-upstanding citizens of the
When
he was 13, Etaf was reading over some of his magic books when suddenly
everything in the room suddenly turned red! Shock gave way to confusion and
finally elation as he realized that he had accidentally cast the color-change
spell he had been reading! All the reading and collecting of magical history
and lore was just the precursor to the real thing.
His
father, on the other hand, was not so enthused. An untrained spellcaster around
the house was asking for expensive accidents. Within a month, Etaf was packed
off to a school in Tezir that specialized in magician training - or so Yoadah
was told. In reality, most of the school staff knew very little about magic -
Etaf already knew more than anyone teaching his classes. The school served only
to remove problem children from their homes and line the pockets of the
faculty.
Etaf
did learn one thing at the school - he was gifted with more than magical
ability. All students were routinely tested for all types of special abilities,
and Etaf scored incredibly high for psionic ability. He resolved to both
continue his magical studies and expand into the psionic realm, to learn all he
could to focus both types of power.
After
2 years at the school, Etaf returned home, but after an accident with an
attempted strength spell left two of his father's horses dead, he was soon sent
away again. This time he was sent to stay with a wizard in Elversult, a man
that owed Yoadah a good deal of money. This time, Dreiw traveled with him, as
she also had exhibited some psionic ability – Yoadah didn’t like supernatural
abilities in his daughter any more than in his son.
Trezea
was not a powerful wizard, and his debts stemmed from his love of fine wine.
Despite that, Etaf learned much more in his 4 years with Trezea than he had at
school. Most of this was due not to Trezea, who was usually drunk by noon, but
to his partner Saert, an Elan psionic. Saert wasn't welcome in the circles of
the nobility that provided most of their business due to his origins, but they
were willing to deal with Trezea. No matter what the nobles thought, Saert was
the one that solved the problems. He was more than willing to let Etaf and
Dreiw learn on the job.
Soon
after Etaf's 19th birthday, word came that his father had been killed. Details
were sketchy, but it was generally known that he had been killed at the request
of a pirate chief that thought he had been cheated. Etaf and Dreiw felt little
grief - Yoadah had ignored them for most of their lives, and eventually sent
them away. They were happy with their lives with Saert.
Before
long, though, Yoadah's legacy returned to their lives. News reached them that their
father's estate was being managed by Oahbe Oane, an old rival, and by law he
was now their guardian. Etaf was sure that Oahbe was not the man who should be
managing his father's affairs, but in the
The
night before Etaf was to leave was a sorrowful one. Saert and Dreiw hated to
see Etaf leave, but he was adamant that he must reclaim the family fortune.
Etaf left early in the morning, bound for home. He relentlessly practiced his
magic and the few fighting skills he knew, doing his best to prepare for
trouble at home. But nothing could prepare him for the reality of facing Oahbe.
Soon
after arriving, Etaf was accosted in the street by a troops of thugs. He tried
to fight them, but they had obviously been warded by a stronger magician, and
without his spells, Etaf was no match for them. They brought him to his own
house, where Oahbe was waiting. He told Etaf that not only was he a captive,
but his sister had also been captured, and the magicians killed - and he had
Trezea's severed head as proof.
Etaf
was now to obey Oahbe's every command, or Dreiw would also be killed. His first
task was to sign all the legal documents making Oahbe the owner of all Yoadah's
estate. That accomplished, Oahbe commanded Etaf to go to the
Dejected
and defeated, Etaf did as he was told, traveling first to Waterdeep. On the
road, however, his spirits rose - in anger. Soon he was plotting how he might
return to the
Goals
Etaf's primary goal in life is to rescue his sister and
defeat Oahbe, her captor. He is also very interested in learning more magical
spells and psionic abilities, especially those involving summoning of creatures
and constructs.
Follow
the adventures of Etaf and his companions.
Update: November
1376
This update
is effective after the events of the Tournament
at the Free City.
Etaf has found his sister – in a way. Her body is free,
but Oahbe still holds her soul captive. This turn of events weighs heavily on
the mind of the young wizard. Having learned that Oahbe has made a pact with
dark powers to become a lich, Etaf turns all his studies toward learning of the
undead. This pursuit puts him at odds with some of his friends, particularly
those with strong religious convictions of a good nature. But he does not let
that deter him. He delves into every source of knowledge he can find, forbidden
or not, and learns much about the undead – always searching for ways to defeat
Oahbe and his followers. Using his psionic powers, Etaf reforms his own mind,
locking away all that is not essential to his goal. He will not rest until Oahbe
is gone, whatever the cost.
Update: March 1377
This update
is effective after the events of The Lich’s Lair.
Oahbe is gone, but not by my hand – indeed, I nearly cost
all of us our lives. My life is no longer my own. I owe a great debt to Mystra,
who heard the prayers of Francis and returned me to this world. She is a
goddess of knowledge, and I will dedicate my life to furthering knowledge of
the arcane and psionic arts. And I will assist my companions in their need, as
they helped me in mine.
Last updated 03-12-2006 by Skip Franklin