Kiono

Kiono is the player character of Pickle in campaign two. She is a wizard from a small village in the mountains south of Alibrook whose goal is to resurrect the Devoured. Kiono is the Chosen One, the one from the clan who is supposed to perform the resurrection rituals. She generally shares a body with Ephemera who takes over for most combat purposes as well as many social situations. 
== Description ==
=== Personality ===
She is nervous, speaking hesitantly most of the time. She is generally unwilling or unable to show empathy, and is generally grouchy around most people with whom she has not formed a personal bond. 
=== Appearance ===
Kiono has slightly metallic skin that sometimes reflects light. Her hair and eyes are brass-colored and share this shiny quality. Her hair is very short except for a braid at the front right of her head. This braid, very long at the beginning of the campaign, has been cut much shorter. 
She originally loose-fitting gray clothing with a red sash around her waist, common style of clothing in the village she is from. Over time, her outfits have become simultaneously more loose, but also tied closer to her body to accommodate Ephemera's combat style. She prefers to wear grays and blacks with red. 
== Biography ==
=== Session Negative One ===
Kiono's first session zero began with her having a dream, warning her that adventurers would be coming to the village shortly. She warned Kitano about them, then proceeds to take a long walk, putting off attending her lessons. She is joined by Concludion part-way through, and the pair return to her room to continue their conversation about the outside world. Enooto and Kitano arrive to take her to her ignored lessons. During these lessons, Kiono loses control of a spell and accidentally kills one of her classmates. She is left alone to consider her actions and whether she truly is worthy of being the Chosen One. Concludion sneaks in to speak with her, assuring her that the accident wasn't her fault and that Enooto could have used Counterspell to stop it from happening, that she was being needlessly cruel.
Determined to prove herself, she leaves the village with some incomplete scrolls above her skills and works on finishing them in a nearby field. There, the adventurers she had been warned of in her dream arrived, stating that they were there to defeat a dragon rumored to be in the area. Kitano appears and leads the group back to the village, explaining along the way that the dragon is a fabrication by the village in order to maintain their privacy. The village hosts a feast that night in honor of their visitors, but really meant to lull them into a false sense of security.
That night, Kiono has another dream, this time warning her that Enooto and Kitano are conspiring against her to kill her, stating that there will always be another Chosen One. Fearful for her life, Kiono packs her things and goes to the temple. The halberd that rests there is intended to be the weapon for the Devoured upon his resurrection; she thought to take the weapon and reduce the chance that they could replace her while she had it. There, she encountered Everalda diMargot, one of the adventurers. She is injured, having been attacked by the village. Her party was killed, and she barely escaped to the temple. Kiono, aware of the situation, offers sympathy and a faint apology. She retrieves the halberd and some random scrolls and a spellbook, then departs, the two wishing each other luck.
As she left the village, she encountered Kitano. Realizing that she was attempting to flee, he determines to take her back to the village by force. Everalda appears at the last second, using her magic to distract Kitano and hoping to give Kiono a chance to flee. Kitano recovers quickly enough to grab Kiono by the hair. Then a voice speaks to Kiono, offering help if she agrees to it. Kiono agrees, and the control of her body is shifted to another presence. This presence wields the halberd, freeing herself from Kitano's grasp by chopping off her hair. She fights Kitano briefly before she and Everalda leap from the bridge into the river below, and ultimately going over a waterfall that would take them far enough from Kitano for some relative safety. The pair fled to a relatively nearby way station run by the Adventurer's League. There, Kiono received some supplies and general assistance before departing for Alibrook.
=== Session Zero ===
Kiono's session zero involved her making her way to Alibrook, where the campaign was set to begin. She encountered a group of people claiming to be construction workers. They demanded money from her and, when she claimed to have no knowledge of what money was, informed her that they were going to rob her and turned to violence. A passing tortle named Edger helped her fight off the would-be bandits, several escaping including Road Work. He disposed of the bodies and offered Kiono food and advice on her path forward. He suggested that if she was running low on food, she might inquire at a farmhouse some ways up the road.
Kiono arrived at the farmhouse in the middle of the night. Not knowing about private property or politeness, she entered the home, took some of the food from their stores — including a jar of pickles, which she found she really liked — and left the premises without ever encountering the family that lived there. She was later stopped on the road by one of the local authorities, who gave a brief lesson in private property and took payment from her to give the family.
She arrived in Alibrook without further incident.
=== Campaign ===
==== Alibrook ====
Kiono's existence was unknown to the party for the bulk of the beginning of the campaign. Her only appearances early on were minor, frequently only known to Ephemera piloting her body. Her first affect on the campaign came during the fight against the sound creature in the Alibrook Starter Dungeon, when she informed Ephemera that the spell the creature had cast would likely be broken if it lost sight of her. 
==== Early Adventures ====
Her next major involvement occurred shortly after the party had arrived in Wolis. Concludion, having distracted Kitano so the party could sneak into the city undetected, followed them inside. Ephemera led him into an alley, intending to kill him. Kiono stopped her, forcibly taking control of her body back to stop the assassination attempt. She would later, under Ephemera and Mingal's watchful eye, meet up with him later that night. He explained his intention to help mislead Kitano, and they parted ways. 
While in Wolis, Kiono befriended Izora Burnett. After accidentally flirting with the tiefling, she requested permission to copy a spell from Izora's spellbook. Izora invited the party to stay at the Burnett estate rather than the Next Nearest. When they had returned from retrieving their things from the Inn, they rescued Izora from an assassin, after which Izora requested that Kiono spend the night with her. The following mornng, Kiono experienced a dream, apparently a sort of revenge from her spirit guide for having evaded its visions. That evening, the pair went to see The Unchosen at the Fortune Theatre, as did the rest of the party for various reasons. She and Izora slept together that night. The next day, Izora confronted Kiono about the presence she sensed in the halberd. Kiono explained the existence of that presence as she understood it. Kiono expressed that she liked Izora and offered her one of her hag stones.
Kiono had a set of prophetic dreams which warned of a dragon attacking the airship the party was intending to use to go to Mudwall. It also let her know the location of one of the ritual sites. The vision was forgotten until it was too late to properly do anything about. Kiono once again faded into the background until the attack by Omurem. Kiono used the Teleport scroll Tallo provided in order to get the party safely to Mudwall, though she was knocked unconscious in the process. 
In Mudwall, she once again became inactive except for when the party went into the Donjon card at Vidh Zadh's request. While in the card, Ephemera remained with her body and the halberd, and it was Kiono herself who ended up in Teer's body. She began witnessing Teer's memories before they transitioned into a nightmare about Kitano. Once she met back up with the group, she received the halberd back and once again allowed Ephemera to take over. Meanwhile, Tallo, in Kiono's body, experienced what would have been a pleasant encounter for Kiono with Concludion and then Izora. 
Two days later, it came out that her spirit guide had resorted to sending her dreams to the others in the party. Ephemera attempted to convince Kiono that she needed to do the sleeping so she would receive them instead of the others, but Kiono had come to like not having to suffer the painful visions. Ephemera took Kiono outside to continue the discussion, but Kiono kicked Ephemera out and left to have a panic attack. Teer followed her, talking to her beside the river in Mudwall. Calmed, she returned to the group, and Tallo declared that they should have a spa day in order to relax. Kiono was resistant to the idea, but did enjoy the baths before refusing to participate in the group discussion Tallo initiated. Her interest in the Star Walk series became evident, expressing excitement over receiving the first volume of the series, though not without the fear of having been found by Kitano overwhelming her first. 
She had another dream of warning before arriving in Dunkelschwein, warning her of the doll maker's intentions with the other young women in the town. After delivering her warning to Ephemera, she once again faded into the background, where she would stay for another week, but for an additional warning when they went to Auguste. 
==== Sand and Thunder ====
Kiono was active for a short period during the party's trip to Kulah. She spoke a little during one of their nights outside town, but otherwise was inactive until after the war outside Kulah. While the party was distracted by the clean-up after their encounter with Varren, Kiono went down into the temple with members of the villager that protected the ritual site. There, she performed the ritual that would prevent Varren from being able to use the location for his own purposes. She once again returned control to Ephemera shortly after, until the party took a much-needed break in Oceanside.
During this time, she and Ephemera regularly took turns exploring the celebration in town surrounding the Vernal Equinox. On one of these occasions, she encountered Mingal and Teer, both of whom she invited to dance with her. While Teer agreed, Mingal expressed concern about the strange behaviors she was exhibiting. Offended by his accusations of being possessed, ironically true in a way, Kiono left them with the intention of finding Prince Haziz, who had expressed an interest in her earlier in their stay. She ultimately decided instead to purchase a scroll of Sending in order to contact Concludion. After a visit to a magic supply store with a rude proprietor, she was helped by an archmage named Jin-Ri. Jin-Ri provided her assistance and her master's writing desk with which she could carry her supplies. That evening, she Sent Concludion a message, expressing that she missed him; he responded in kind. 
She reemerged once more during the party's visit to the Mirage Temple. She assisted Ephemera repeatedly in winning her brackets, by using her cleverness to win a card game, and using her ability to transmute wood to salt for a brief period of time to allow it to be carved easily. Inside the Mirage Temple, return was forcibly returned to her when she lost her attunement to the halberd, removing Ephemera's ability to control her body. This was the first time her magic was used in earnest where the party could observe it. Once she regained the halberd, she once again gave control back to Ephemera. 
==== The Asteroid I ====
The division between Ephemera and Kiono was revealed during the party's trip to Falenas. Along the road, they encountered Concludion, separated from Kitano, and doing his best to make the most of it. He joined them, speaking with Kiono at length. While in Falenas, Ephemera decided it was time the party knew that the Kiono they knew had, in fact, been the spirit within the halberd she wielded. The real Kiono was a wizard, whom they had sort of met on occasion up until this point. The party was upset with them for having hidden this, something which grieved Ephemera, but did not affect Kiono much. She was more interested in spending time with Concludion. 
Despite her existence having been revealed, Ephemera was still frequently in control of her body. After returning to Wolis, Ephemera insisted that Kiono go with the rest of the party for a sleepover at the Worthign estate, intending for it to be a bonding experience for them. Things went alright at first, but Tallo's frustration with Kiono ultimately resulted in the changeling going outside, where she encountered Meyrin. The sleepover aborted, they rushed back to the Burnett estate where Ephemera had remained. Ephemera once again took control of Kiono's body as they visited the Council Chambers. Upon their return, Kiono, in a panic because she was certain Lysaro had thought she had been mocking him, was eventually went to sleep in the arms of Concludion and Izora. 
Several days later, Izora once again invited Kiono to watch a play with her. Concludion went with them this time. On their way home, they were attacked by Izora's friend Micah. After narrowly escaping, they returned to the estate. After a couple days, Kiono expressed concern over being caught in a fight without magic. Kitano appeared in her dream that night, having beaten up a creature in her dreamscape. He expressed an approval of her general improvement, and assistance with her concern of being defenseless without magic. He left her the Severe Instructor, a blade which Concludion recognized as being a fast but costly means of gaining martial knowledge. 
Two days later, the party went after the Null Solution in Wolis, seeking to stop Micah's plans of eliminating powerful arcane casters in the city. There, Ephemera fell for the first time, control of her body reverting to Kiono mid-combat. The party was ultimately victorious despite the scare. 
Following this, the party accidentally reencountered Vidh Zadh, who teleported them to their target of Bromwich, a small town they knew Varren to be heading toward. Their intention was to, like in Kulah, perform a ritual at the ritual site there to prevent him from being able to use it. Kiono indicated to Borfus Millhew that she was a member of the clan of the Devoured, convincing him to lead them to the secret back entrance to the ritual site. Inside, Kiono was able to open magical doors that responded to her presence. They ultimately reached the central ritual site, where Kiono was able to perform the ritual with the aide of her party. Unfortunately, she was unable to channel the Devoured in a safe manner, completely destroying the ritual site, leaving behind a giant crater. Herself enlarged and glowing as a result of the energy within her, she was able to keep her fallen comrades from dying. Varren, having arrived at the location, engaged them in combat. Ephemera fell, once again leaving Kiono in control mid-combat. As Varren went to deliver the final blow to Kiono, Kitano emerged from her shadow, blocking the blow and allowing the party to escape via Teleport to Oceanside. 
In Oceanside, Kiono had something of a melt down, realizing that for at least the last few weeks, Kitano had been in her shadow, watching nearly everything she had done and said. That night, she called Izora, updating her on what had happened, and discussing the use of attempting to save people who may not be capable of being saved. Shortly after the conversation, Kiono retrieved the mirror for the merchant Noh, and traded her memories of Kitano for the Philosopher's Stone. She left a single note for herself in her diary about the matter, writing "Save Kitano" in Celestial. In an attempt to help Kiono, who last he had seen was in a panic over Kitano, decided to try to help by taking her on a date. Kiono enjoyed the day out, though she did not understand that it was a date. 
==== Shadowfell ====
The party traveled to the Shadowfell in pursuit of Renn, who had accidentally gotten herself stuck there. They found a strange tower there filled with magical mechanism and devices. Kiono spent time there, attempting to reconstruct the primary machine, a device that was somehow connected to Ephemera. While working on the device, Concludion requested that she teach him magic; she requested of him assistance in saving Kitano. Later, the party attempted to sneak into Strahd von Zarvich's castle and locate the heart which kept Barovia trapped in the Shadowfell. Kiono, capable of casting spells which aided in the matter, went alone with Teer, who claimed to be a servant of Renn, disguised as Strahd's daughter Anna. During this search, Kiono discovered a tomb with her name on it, as well as the tomb of Tiorbold, a knight who had once failed to kill Strahd. He offered her a test, a series of choices to test her worthiness to take his weapon. She answered on the part of Teer, though some of her own answers would have varied significantly, specifically in the matter of whether or not she would be willing to kill an innocent to end the curse. In the end, Kiono was willing, sneaking off from the group and killing Anna with the Severe Instructor. Barovia was subsequently ejected from the Shadowfell, the various members of the party ending up in different places in the world. 
Kiono, expecting everyone to remain where they were, was the only one to remain in Barovia. She was greeted by Strahd, fading away in death, who congratulated her on being a hero. She looted his laboratory, and fled toward Bromwich. Along the path, she encountered a troupe of soldiers led by Anguish controlling Lady Dyana Brightblade. She hid unsuccessfully, and was pursued by magical dogs Anguish summoned. She was ultimately capable of defeating the dogs, but had exhausted all of her spells and was barely able to keep her feet. A shadowy figure emerged, revealing himself to be a shade of Kitano, an ability the party had previously learned he had. This particular figure was the remains of the Kitano who had been in Kiono's shadow, scaring off Varren, and buying them time to escape from Anguish. Kitano led her to a place where she could rest, then stood guard while she did so. After the party eventually reunited with her, he stated that he was unconcerned by them and left. 
==== Death and Repair ====
The party returned to Wolis, intent on reuniting with Concludion, who had ended up in a town nearby. While there, Kiono and Teer spoke to Azaria about what love was, as well as learning that she had known Concludion's parents. She told Kiono to focus on being his friend. On the way to Eddelton, the party confronted Kiono about having killed Anna, which ultimately ended with Kiono being frustrated by what she viewed as unfair treatment. She and Renn had a brief conversation which almost resulted in Kiono attempting to open up with Renn, giving Azaria's advice to be friendly a chance. The party eventually found Concludion and Road Work walking along the road. Kiono, initially excited to see Concludion, froze as unknown emotions overtook her in the road. She asked him if he knew what love was, and the two never spoke of it again. Everyone boarded the carriage and finished their trip to Eddelton. 
The party journeyed further beyond Eddelton toward the swamps. There, they knew Omurem had attacked them, and the third of the ritual sites Varren was after was located. Kiono assisted their travel by Polymorphing people into a large gator that could carry them swiftly through the swampland. Varren and a strike team arrived shortly after the party, and Kiono used Sending to recall Omurem to the location. The two parties fought, leaving Omurem dead, and Varren's forces weakened. Meanwhile, the party snuck into the zuggurat which served as both the ritual site and Omurem's lair. From there, they launched a surprise attack at Varren and his forces. Kiono began the fight in control, switching to Ephemera part-way through when she suspected she would not kill her target before she was herself killed. Varren, and later Omurem's corpse, were dealt with, and Kiono was able to both align the ley line in the area as well as complete the third ritual. 
The party returned to Eddelton, once again utilizing Kiono's Polymorph to hasten their travel time. There, Kiono confronted Kitano, giving him one of her hag stones and telling him that she only gave them to people she cared about. He reacted oddly, before leaving. Afterwards, Concludion showed Kiono the remains of his childhood home, as well as a recording his father had left him about believing in people's goodness. He expressed frustration about how Kiono had not tried any means of saving Anna, resorting immediately to killing her. He left for a time then, and Kiono had a very hard night, throwing most of her belongings about the room and cutting off her braid in the fit of a panic attack. 
The party returned to Wolis, utilizing Concludion to sneak the powerful helmet of Varren's into the city. The party went shopping to purchase new clothing and supplies. While out, Renn attempted to connect with Kiono, asking about her hair. Kiono, having a breakdown, ultimately explained that her hair had been cut during her escape from her village, glossing over her panicked self-attack of the braid. It also came to light, to Renn and Ephemera, that she had sold her memories of Kitano in an attempt to restore their sibling relationship. She swore them to secrecy about the matter. 
That evening, Kiono gave Concludion a magical bow that she had purchased for him earlier. They went in the back garden to spar, where Concludion told her that he was intending to leave with Kitano in the next couple of days. Kitano had a plan, and he needed to go with him to ensure he didn't get killed in the process. Kiono was not allowed to go with him, because she would inevitably be killed. He told her that they would spend the next day doing whatever Kiono wanted to do, so they could have a wonderful final day. They asked Izora for suggestions, and she provided them with her passes to Walk Land, a local amusement park. Kiono, distraught over his imending departure, has a miserable day. The two of them stood awkwardly, uncertain of how to say goodbye. Frustrated, Izora stepped in, giving Kiono a kiss, declaring it a farewell kiss. She then Concludion a more awkward one. Not to be outdone, Concludion then gave Kiono an impassioned kiss. As Concludion departed, his shadow stretched out toward Kiono, before returning to its proper size. Kiono asked Izora what she had meant by farewell, and why she had kissed Concludion. Izora explained that she intended to step aside, so Kiono and Concludion could work on their relationship; she had kissed Concludion in an attempt to perhaps make her jealous or otherwise realize her feelings toward him. The two slept together once more, under the agreement that Kiono would talk to Concludion about the matter the next chance she got. 
The party returned to Oceanside to deal with the worm inside Mingal's mind. Within him, Kiono was a separate entity from Ephemera, being present for the combat with the worm itself. After the restoration of Mingal's mind as well as Teer's roots, they were returning to Kiono's condo when a tear in the sky dropped several tieflings. Kiono instinctively cast Feather Fall to catch them, ultimately only catching one in her spell, Belxari. 
==== Dragons and Goblins ====
After everyone, including Belxari and one of the tieflings who was teleported to them later, was situated in the condo, Kiono left the room to call Concludion on the rockie talkie he had taken with him, permission to leave the room granted on the condition that she ensure that she stop anyone from also leaving. Renn attempted to do so, and Kiono did stop her several times. Her required effort expended, she ignored Renn and began her call. She asked him why he had taken the helmet, which he claimed he needed to save Kitano. When she told him that she was concerned since she didn't know how it worked, he reaffirmed her need to stay with the party, that if she tried to find him, she would get killed. Renn, having listened in, questioned Kiono about whether she felt comfortable telling the others about him having the helmet, to which she replied with indifference. She also asked about Kiono's eyes, having begun to turn a bright green; Kiono explained it as a side-effect of channeling the Devoured. 
The next day, as the party was waiting for Belxari to bring them the promised Raquesval, the group made their way to the beach to relax. Kiono intended to spend the time studying, unwilling to succumb to the fun the party insisted she have. She ended up encasing Renn in a sandcastle before unwillingly taking Sors into the water to teach her how to swim. 
[there was some fighting that Kiono did in the Platinum Disc after the Anghadym thing; then Ephemera gains her own ghost body and CHAOS regarding Kiono's activities, bruh. She starts doing all sorts of stuff]\
== Character Information ==
=== Abilities ===
===== Feats =====
* Ritual Savant
* Observant
* Keen Mind
* Practiced Expert (Intelligence, Perception, Arcana [expertise])
===== Aasimar Abilities =====
* Celestial Resistance (resistant to radiant and necrotic damage)
* Darkvision
* Healing Hands
* Light Bearer
* Subrace: Scourge
** Radiant Consumption
===== Wizard Abilities =====
* Arcane Recovery (8 slot levels)
* Arcane Tradition (Transmutation)
** Transmutation Savant
** Minor Alchemy
** Transmuter's Stone
** Shapechanger
** Master Transmuter
* Ritual Casting
* Spellcasting (Intelligence-based ability)
=== Wizard Spells ===
===== Cantrips =====
* Light
* Mending
* Message
* Mind Sliver
* Prestidigitation
* Toll the Dead
===== 1st level =====
* Catapult
* Chromatic Orb
* Comprehend Languages
* Detect Magic
* Expeditious Retreat
* Feather Fall
* Find Familiar
* Hideous Laughter
* Identify
* Mage Armor
* Magic Missile
* Shield
* Thunderwave
===== 2nd level =====
* Alter Self
* Blood Transcription
* Enhance Ability
* Hold Person 
* Invisibility
* Mirror Image
* Misty Step
* Selective Silence
* Spider Climb
* Tasha's Mind Whip
===== 3rd level =====
* Counterspell
* Dispel Magic
* Fly
* Haste
* Leyline Amplification
* Sending
* Slow
* Thunderstep
* Water Breathing
===== 4th level =====
* Celerity
* Banishment
* Dimension Door
* Fascinate
* Greater Invisibility
* Otiluke's Resilient Sphere
* Polymorph
* Vitriolic Sphere
===== 5th level =====
* Modify Memory
* Rary's Telepathic Bond
* "Scatter"
* Scrying
* Steel Wind Strike
* Synaptic Static
* Teleportation Circle
* Temporal Shunt
* Wall of Force
===== 6th level =====
* Disintegrate
* Investiture of Stone
* Plane Shift
* Tasha's Otherworldly Guise
===== 7th level =====
* Power Word Pain
*Teleport
===== 8th level =====
* Dominate Monster
* Feeblemind
=== Notable Items ===
* Blood Crystal Shortsword
* Delphenel's Leather Jacket of Radness
* Noog's Writing Desk
* Philosopher's Stone
* Robes of the Archmage (black)
* Slippers of Silence
* Tome of the Eternal Seeker
Category:Player Character