Varnish

Varnish was one of the Acolytes of Lathander.

## History

Varnish was a follower of Lathander and among those taking part in Daddy Freth's whittling classes at the Church. He, along with five others from the class, were chosen by Freth to accompany his team of ICA agents on their mission to the Underdark via the Alvari mountains. Without question, Varnish agreed and was assigned by Freth to personally aid Lacey Stain. Lacey, however, showed no interest in Varnish and was rather cold to him, making him carry equipment and frequently berating him for mundane things.

Though aware he was unprepared to join them on a dangerous mission, Stain did not feel any obligation to Varnish or Freth's other recruits and frequently spoke about the possibility of their deaths in front of him. She further tried to distance herself from Varnish by refusing to learn his name and deliberately calling him by a different name each time she spoke to him.

Varnish, however, was dedicated to his task and flew the long distance from Axis to Moroz in the cargo hold with the other Acolytes, while the ICA agents enjoyed First Class. Without food, the Acolytes would resort to self-cannibalism and inevitably soiled their cargo crates by the time they arrived in Suuk. Varnish, however, remained undeterred and resolved to continue with the group, enjoying what would be his last meal with the team and assisting in carrying the gear purchased for their excursion.

However, the freezing Suukian temperatures would prove overwhelming once the team began their journey into the Alvari mountains and eventually all members of the expedition fell unconscious while traversing a lake. Upon waking, the group discovered the cold had been too much for the malnourished Varnish and he had died in his sleep. Since he had fallen asleep without covering himself effectively, he was most exposed to the cold. His sudden death sparked arguments over whose responsibility he was and struck fear in the hearts of his fellow Acolytes, who now understood the danger they were in.

Despite Freth possessing the tools to resurrect him, the team agreed such magic was better saved for one of them and it was ultimately decided that Varnish's body be given a lake burial. Freth recited some funeral rites of Lathander and Lacey apologised for never learning his name as his body was thrown overboard.

## Personality

Varnish was generally quiet and reserved, speaking in a low, hushed voice and being rather submissive to both Freth and Lacey. He seemed to put others before himself, as he did not complain through any of the hardship he experienced toward the end of his life and ultimately died without complaint of the cold, despite being the most exposed to it.

It is possible he was traumatised by his experience in the cargo hold, as he willingly partook in the eating of his friend's finger for survival, though this may also suggest a strong will to survive and speaks to his perseverance in the face of adversity. As a follower of Lathander, Varnish respected art, particularly the art of whittling, and aspired to the betterment of oneself, striving to bring hope to others.

## Equipment

**Robes**: A man of few material possessions, Varnish only wore his traditional Church of Lathander robes, even in the Suukian mountains.

**Whittling Tools**: Varnish's only possession beyond clothing were the tools he used in Freth's whittling classes.

## Relationships

Church of Lathander
* Freth - Former Spiritual Leader
* Acolytes of Lathander
	+ Brick - Former Fellow Acolyte and Friend
	+ Sam - Former Fellow Acolyte and Friend
	+ Luga † - Former Fellow Acolyte and Friend
	+ Lenthis † - Former Fellow Acolyte and Friend
* ICA
	+ Lacey Stain - Former Associate and Assigned Superior
	+ Honey Smith - Former Associate
	+ Silk Greengallow - Former Associate
	+ Eleanor Darling - Former Associate
	+ Bollo Burbage - Former Associate
* Jemi - Former Associate and Guide

## Trivia

* While Lacey stopped Varnish before he could introduce himself to her, it is unknown if anyone else actually knew his name before his death.
	+ Members of the expedition would usually refer to him as either 'Charlie' or 'Dave', as they were among the first names Lacey gave him.