Paavo Terephthos

**Paavo Terephthos** was a half-elf Paladin of Adrian and adventurer in the year 3253. He was a member of the adventuring group (name TBD), and an associate of the GorthBoi Clique.

## Personality

Headstrong and a bit gullible, Paavo aspires to be a protector of those around him. Growing up in the Church of Adrian led to his fascination with technology and how it could assist the proliferation of magic, not just supplant it. Prefers not to settle conflict with combat, but will throw himself in danger's way if necessary. He's been called a "stick in the mud" and said to have "a stick up his ass", depending on who you ask. Debatable whether he lacks trust in his allies or just himself.

## History

### Early Life

Paavo's origins are currently unclear. His earliest memories were of his training in the Aspar Monastery, a ramshackle complex in the forest on the outskirts of Hypox, The Monastery was home to the local church of Adrian, and Paavo was raised by the then-head of the church, "X". He had been left there by his parents, who never returned for him. Paavo's early introduction to alchemy instilled a sense of curiosity in him, though he was prone to being clumsy with the delicate chemicals. When Paavo was 16, a stockpile of chemicals he was tasked with guarding ignited, burning down a large portion of the forest and seemingly killing two of his best friends. News of this spread to town, and a blame war escalated, with the townsfolk decrying the "shady activity" going on under their noses. Ashamed, and wanting peace, Paavo exiled himself and took an Oath to Adrian, resolving to understand his deity's motivations and assist the world around him, though knowing it would not absolve him of his negligence.

### Beiinors Campaign

After arriving in Qendra with his traveling companion "Waxface", the pair were approached by the local cleric of Adrian, Buln, to clear some strange rats out ot the Amused Angel Inn, owned by local noble Charles Sempso. Job done, Waxface approached Charles about a business proposal, while Paavo stayed with the family, acting as a temporary bodyguard of sorts for his son CharlesGorth while the latter was home from his studies. Wanting to stick around for the Harvest Festival, Paavo visited Buln, who offered a sample of his "food of the future". At the festival, Paavo and the Sempsos, along with most of the future members of (Adventuring Party TBD), were accosted by the Marble Wolves gang.

Managing to fend them off, the party was then contracted by Charles to retrieve his Ring of True North, which was stolen during the fight. With some difficulty and distractions, including being scammed by an enthusiastic merchant and accosted by a sea hag and a maniacal fey gnomish creature, they managed to track down the gang's hideout. After navigating through the hideout, the party managed to take out the two leaders, Red and Margot, and free their captive, a young dwarf named Sarkan Silksmith. Paavo also found Margot's "black book", which appeared to contain details of a trafficking ring in which the Marble Wolves were taking part. Through this book, they learned that Sarkan was due to be taken to Paavo's old home, and a long-missing dragonborn noble, Dragorth, was supposedly taken to Farithlin City. This would also be their first encounter with the Patient Queen.

Upon returning to Qendra, the mercenary Boltizhar rejoined and introduced the party to Ozymandias and Kithri Thorngage. Kithri's mouse friend and Ozy's obsession with business and money reminded Paavo of his rat adventure in a way. However, he distrusted the newcomers, especially after Ozy took the initiative to set up advertisements for a faction called the GorthBoi Clique, inviting a large number of criminals to some sort of gathering at Sempso Manor. The hostility between the two continued after the party took on a job with the Tamers' Guild, entering a cave filled with kuo-toa and undead creatures. Ozy's debilitating fear of fire and hesitation to assist in combat leave Paavo concerned, attempting to connect with Ozy and asking about his past, which Ozy deflects.

Once the cave had been cleared out, all traces of it vanished. The party, escaping this curious event, ran into Fionna, a field researcher working for TIME, who plied them with ample questions about the cave's disappearance, and they in turn invite her back to the Manor for a chat (and the forgotten gathering. Paavo tries to connect with Ozy again, even sharing some of his own past, and Ozy finally shares some details about his fear of fire. Paavo is relieved that Ozy seems to be opening up, even if a little bit. This relief is destroyed once everyone arrives at Sempso Manor to find a contingent of city guards. Ozy attempts to make an unrehearsed speech about corruption in the guard, but Katamira and Paavo stop him. In the scuffle, Ozy attempts to bribe Captain Andersen and refers to Paavo as a "murderer" multiple times. Infuriated, Paavo restrains him and considers letting him rot in jail.

During the trial, not wanting to fracture the party, Paavo assists in keeping Ozy out of jail. Now free to focus on their leads, the party decides to head to Hypox to investigate the trafficking ring. Paavo is hesitant to go, as he hasn't been home in over a decade, but is convinced nonetheless. Once they make it to Hypox, Paavo is shocked to be reunited with one of his childhood friends, Faireln, who apparently survived the fire, but he seems... different now, at least to how Paavo remembered him. Faireln informed him that his other friend, Moira, is also alive, and that they should catch up.

(to be continued)