Sabbatical (character)

Sabbatical

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Relatives	Fierna
Languages	Common, Infernal, Celestial, Abyssal, Primordial
Affiliations	Fierna
Marital Status	Single
Place of Birth	Hell
Date of Death	N/A
Place of Death	Probably Hell
Species	Tiefling
Gender	Female
Height	5'3"
Weight	128 lbs
Eye Color	Gold

Philani a.k.a. "Sabbatical" is a Tiefling of Fierna visiting Quelmar from the plane of Phlegethos. She isn't particularly keen on Quelmar, but had strict instructions to "go out into the world and find an adventure!" At least the visit is an opportunity to try new things, not spend every waking moment on legal training, and time to explore some esoterica. She has adopted the name of "Sabbatical" for her stay in the mortal realm rather than sharing her full identify and heritage with people. She presents herself as a foreign attorney here to take a break and try new things, which is certainly all true.

Despite her devotion to her role in hell, Philani is a cleric of knowledge rather than order and firmly believes that the system of the hells has room for improvement with just the right injection of outside knowledge. She is rigid in her rules, but not quite as bound to precedent or tradition for its own sake and willing to permit some experimentation.

Physical Appearance

Sabbatical is a red Tiefling with long, nearly black, red hair usually worn up in a bun. Her horns grow in an asymmetrical pattern, the left growing backwards, and the right protruding more horizontally. She has an average frame, with enough muscle to handle most tasks. Her face is striking, with her golden eyes shining out under a sharp brow.

Personality

Sabbatical is not naturally sociable, but is making an effort to put herself out there. She likely comes across as somewhat rigid and opportunistic--happy to exploit any perceived weakness for her own purposes. But she is also collecting new experiences and new ideas for later consideration.

History

Sabbatical only recently arrived in Quelmar, with only some meager possessions and a few gold coins. Philani, on the other hand, was born as one of only a few mortals native to Hell. Her grandmother is the Archdevil Fierna herself, and Philani has been in training to be one of her lawyers since before she can remember. She is a qualified, if junior attorney within Hell's legal system with experience handling cases of cowardice, attempted escape of punishment, and soul embezzlement.

Languages

Sabbatical is fluent in Common, Infernal, Celestial, Abyssal, and Primordial. She hopes to pick up an additional language at some point in the future, perhaps Draconic or Sylvan.

Powers and Abilities

Sabbatical's primary approach to combat involves debuffing targets and controlling a battlefield through suggestions. She is not really a fighter at heart and would rather any fight she is involved in be decided long before weapons are drawn. As hearty as she is, she focuses mostly on fighting defensively, knowing she can outlast most opponents.

The Journal

Sabbatical carries with her a heavy tome bound in strange red leather filled mostly with blank pages. Inside, she keeps the journal she was instructed to make for her time in Quelmar, detailing all the potentially exploitable mortals she encounters, any new ideas she discovers, especially those that could be used as inspiration for new punishments, and a simple record of events. Highlights of entries will appear below.

Entry 1: Arrival in Quelmar

The portal delivered me to a rather inconvenient location: the bedroom of some cultist of Grandmother's. It took far too long to convince this man that no, I was not sent to be his slave or to give him the power of his dreams in exchange for his soul, he was instead to help me integrate with the local society and then forget we ever met. Apparently, I am in a city known as Galik, and my current equipment is illegal without first obtaining the appropriate authorization, which has been another inconvenience. Fortunately, the cultist, Fagin Stonemeadow (to whom I genuinely wish the most exquisite torments once his time comes) was able to provide temporary storage for my armor and weapons until my use can be authorized. The gold coins Mother gave me got an odd look (wrong mint marks for this realm) but were accepted by the innkeeper I eventually found. The city itself is filled with life and lights that remind me a bit of home despite the lack of volcanos and the addition of numerous flying machines. But it is late and I should make an effort to adjust to this realm's day-night cycle quickly and work further in the morning.

Entry 2: Dates and Waits

The local calendar lists the date as [date], which I will use to track the passage of time from this point on. Apparently the bureaucrats of this place have learned their trade well. I only have a few options if I mean to legally operate in this city: join the local militia; obtain a special dispensation; or join an adventuring crew of some kind. While I would prefer a special dispensation, that would draw too much attention and it turns out even the application process (which my experience tells me I would likely be denied) will take months to proceed. That leaves my best option to be joining a crew of adventurers and most likely operating outside the city for the most part. This suits the overall purposes, and several crews appear to be recruiting. I spent a few days (and the remainder of the gold Mother sent with me) researching the companies, and I've decided that the Tempest Brothers Expeditionary Company will best fit my needs. They are about to launch an expedition into Amusa proper, and that sounds interesting enough. I expect my next entry to occur after I have secured membership and I meet with some more noteworthy individuals.

2.1 Introductions

As it turns out, the expedition is not scheduled to depart Galik for a couple weeks, but a number of the recruited adventurers have already begun to gather. The company's compound has a staging field where some people have set up and it's adjacent to a tavern that has seen a lot more traffic than I expect it has in a while. The sheer informality of the interactions was a bit jarring, but I'm trying to build some connections and get to know the people I'll be spending time with on this time away from work. I was slightly surprised to meet two other tieflings among the first group of contractors: Reedy and Marion. Both seemed young to put it lightly, although Marion had a hint of sadness to her, while Reedy seemed to carry an undercurrent of anger.

The rest of the gathered individuals included: a pair of seemingly unrelated kobolds were also present: Snooze Sneeze, and a smaller, quiet one whose name I have yet to learn; an avian musician of some kind; a swarm of worms inhabiting a suit of armor calling him/themselves 'Wiggler.' (Chaotic, erratic, and to be avoided if possible); a blonde human woman with an ego the size of an archdemon who likes to insert herself into conversations uninvited and seems to assume everyone knows her; a human man (Jim Stacey?) who watched the others with a calculating eye enamored of smoking some kind of herb (possible danger or ally to be determined); and an automaton calling himself Lambda who asserted an interest in building positive relationships and exploring the wilds for is own sake. Additional notes and details to follow.

2.1.1 Marion

• Physical Appearance: tiefling, white skin, painted horns, short red hair, tall.
• Personality: shy, submissive, dislikes crowds, evidences a degree of passivity in her identity and a desire to ingratiate herself with others. She needs to become more assertive if she wants to survive long-term in the world, let alone anywhere more dangerous.
• Risk Assessment: Low. While her combat ability is uncertain, she appears to pose very little threat to those she perceives as allies, and this is a group she is exceedingly willing to expand.
• Personal Notes: She's very open and might eventually make a decent companion if certain boundaries can be established.

2.1.2 Reedy

• Physical Appearance: tiefling, red skin, short horns black hair, above average height. Appears to focus on archery.
• Personality: brash, vocal, and broadcasts a commanding air. Seemingly protective of her drake (and others?) and quick to threaten violence.
• Risk Assessment: Moderate. Uncertain combat skills, but with the added threat of a companion creature inadvisable to engage directly. Manipulation of others to draw her ire would likely be more effective.
• Personal Notes: Despite the above, she presented a balanced and friendly demeanor when shown the same. Likely protective of her inner circle and a potentially useful ally to make.

2.1.3 Wiggler

• Physical Appearance: swarming mass of worms encapsulated by a humanoid metal suit. (How he entered the city, given its restrictions, I am uncertain)
• Personality: Jubilantly chaotic and full of positive energy for an unknown reason. Prone to sudden bouts of "wiggles" which result in scatters of worms around him.
• Risk Assessment: Low/Chaos. Unlikely to intentionally cause direct conflict, yet highly likely to instigate chaos or lead to negative reactions.
• Personal Notes: Not a creature of the Abyss, but has some Feywild associations of some kind. Presented himself as some kind of healer and offered special worms to others for consumption. Avoidance strategy seems most viable. Mitigation of chaotic urges if assigned together.

2.1.4 Lambda

• Physical Appearance: warforged, combat automaton
• Personality: Naïve, curious about everything, and interested in collecting knowledge, attempts to be diplomatic to all others.
• Risk Assessment: Moderate. Low expected direct risk, but significant risk of obtaining knowledge that is not beneficial. Open to requests to obscure information if made ahead of time, yet seems susceptible to any number of outside influences.
• Personal Notes: Despite no interest in magic, Lambda's quest for knowledge and understanding seems genuine, yet he clearly allows others to direct and limit him (or at least makes the claim that he honors such requests). I suggested he discontinue following such requests, and informed him that he can retain whatever information he learns about me.

2.1.5 Arcane "Arc"

• Physical Appearance: tiefling, purple skin, white horns, short white hair, average height.
• Personality: Somewhat distant (expected professionalism from their role or more?), free with knowledge, research specialist, studious, does not appear to be be socially adept.
• Risk Assessment: Moderate. Largest risk is that any information obtained by Arc will become known to an unknown number of others. While not a self-professed combatant, has a position of authority in this company for a reason and may have surprising strengths.
• Personal Notes: Most likely direct superior in the role I expect to take on during this sabbatical, so a good individual to stay aware of. Potential a valuable source of information about other members of the expedition if I am ever in need of intelligence on them. Keeps records, so even if she cannot be directly persuaded, notes may be borrowed if necessary.

2.1.6 Sneeze

• Physical Appearance: kobold, red scales, average size.
• Personality: [uncertain due to limited interaction], appears to act in remarkably stereotypical kobold fashion, emphasizes physical interaction with others.
• Risk Assessment: Low. Appears easily distracted by any new thing.
• Personal Notes: Is surprisingly knowledgeable about the workings of the company.

2.1.7 Kompi

• Physical Appearance: kobold, white scales, very small.
• Personality: Skittish. Surprisingly well-spoken for a kobold, but cautious and wary of loud and large creatures.
• Risk Assessment: Low. Unknown combat skills, but appears likely to be relatively easy to frighten or redirect toward an alternative threat or target.
• Personal Notes: Friends with Marion, and willing to offer "gifts" to those he considers friends. Gave me a piece of petrified wood after I mentioned my ability to create silence.

Entry 3: The Wicked Wilds

[tbw]