Brael Lorekeeper, The Silver Sage

SAGA Rules

by Eric Jwo

Description: Qualinesti half-elf old male
Role: Keeper of the Word
Demeanor: Studious (4 of orbs)
Nature: Contemplative (4 of moons)
Reputation: Hero
Social Status: Nobility

Agility: 5C
Dexterity: 7A
Endurance: 3B
Strength: 5A
Reason: 8A (64)
Perception: 7C
Spirit: 8D
Presence: 7B

Melee Weapon: Staff of Lightning (8 dmg., melee range, 3/day) +8
Other Weapon: Dagger of Magic resistance (flip card over from Fate Deck, on any aura other than black, spell is successfully resisted, 3/day) +6
Armor: Cloak of Shadows (undetected on avg. Agility action, 2/day) -4
Other: Pendant of Protection -6

Appearance:

A life of pain and strife had indeed left a mark on Brael Lorekeeper. From his early childhood, he was cursed and berated by his peers for his mixed heritage. Brael still sports a faint, nearly indiscernible scar on his brow left by a classmate's hurled stone. Years of fighting in the War of the Lance, as well as the Chaos War, have also left their scars on this wizened elf. Jagged scars trace their way down his body. Once a young, strapping warrior, Brael now depends on his keen intellect as a result from an encounter with an extraplanar creature that shattered his health. The encounter also mysteriously changed the color of his hair and eyes. His once honey-colored hair took on the appearance of strands of silver. His pupils became the color of liquid silver. Thusly did Brael earn his nickname, "The Silver Sage." Now in his later years, Brael dresses differently than he did in his warrior days. Brael always wears a dark green robe with silver trimmings. Wrinkles have covered his aging face, yet Brael refuses to give into old age. Brael insists upon shaving off the beginnings of a silver beard every morning.

Brael always carries several magical items with him, of which is usually his staff. This staff has runes and markings carved in it, with a large sapphire embedded in the wood near the top. This staff was a gift from a Kagonesti shaman, and can spit deadly bolts of lightning on command. Although he is getting old, Brael still stands tall and commanding, at his full height of 5'8". The wasting effect of the extraplanar creature sapped Brael's endurance, and nearly wasted him away. Now, he's still extremely thin, fitting the description of "skin and bones." Even though he has been through so much pain, Brael still maintains a cheerful demeanor. His eyes sparkle with a warmth that many find comforting.

Brael is getting old, and he knows it. Although he doesn't look his age, Brael is reaching the limits of life for a half-elf. Until the end does come, Brael vows to continue his studies, and to continue to pen the Bestiary Scrolls.

Game Statistics:

As a Keeper of the Word, Brael can attempt a Reason action (of varying degrees, depending on the obscurity of the information) when attempting to recall information about Krynn's past. Because of his experience with the creatures of Krynn, any action to recall information about this subject results in an automatic Trump bonus. As a Keeper of the Word, Brael is also as interested as sharing his knowledge as he is accumulating it. He gains an automatic Trump bonus for Presence actions when sharing his knowledge. However, Brael does not share the "Enthrall An Audience" action that most Keepers of the Word do.

Brael also does not suffer the compulsive desire to "tell tales." This desire is manifested in the Bestiary Scrolls. Brael also knows the schools of Enchantment, Divination, and Summoning.

History of the Silver Sage

Brael Lorekeeper was born in 252 AC, in the forests of Qualinesti. A thoughtful, child, Brael was always tormented by the other children both for his contemplativeness and the fact that he was a half-elf. He spent his early years learning the ways of elven magic, for his mother hoped that he would one day become a great sorcerer. However, his studies were interrupted by the War of the Lance. With only a few months until he would have been ready for the Test, Brael marched off to join the Qualinesti army. However, the war went badly for Qualinesti, and he was forced to evacuate with the rest of the nation. His mother was killed in a surprise dragon raid by Highlord Verminaard.

Striking out on his own, Brael became a wandering fighter/mage as he traveled from place to place fighting against the armies of Takhisis. In 357 AC, Brael traveled to Palanthas, where he helped defeat the Blue Lady's Armies. There he resided until he ran out of money. Brael then was forced to join up with a mercenary group known as the Talons.

For several years, Brael traveled with the Talons, and sold his sword to the highest bidder. All of this stopped when the entire team was decimated by an extraplanar creature attempting to enter Krynnspace. The Talons managed to stop the creature, but they were all killed in the process. All killed, except for Brael. However, as a result from the attack, Brael's health was shattered. Now very weak, his fighting days were over. His hair had also been turned a glittering silver, as well as his pupils. This is why he eventually gained the nickname, "The Silver Sage."

After the unfortunate run-in with the extraplanar creature, Brael decided to settle down in a small village in Solamnia. There, his magical efforts were a huge success. He helped the simple villagers for many happy years. He met a human woman named Miranda, and the two fell in love. They were married shortly thereafter. These were the happiest days of Brael's life.

Then, came Ariakan and his Dark Knights. Like a plague, they descended down upon Solamnia with an iron hand. They overran Brael's village, and slaughtered most of the inhabitants. Brael was taken prisoner. Miranda was killed in the attack. However, a small group of Solamnic Knights managed to free Brael along with several other prisoners. Brael remained with the Solamnic Knights as Ariakan continued to advance. Finally, the unthinkable occurred. The High Clerist's Tower, and the city of Palanthas fell. The Dark Knights ruled over Ansalon. Only a few pockets of resistance remained. And they were no match for the Dark Knights.

Then the Second Cataclysm hit. With an overpowering fury, the malevolent Father of All and Nothing, Chaos, smote Krynn with his fiery fist, and shattered the people. Brael fought with the Solamnic Knights against the invading minions of Chaos, and managed to survive. Many of his friends and comrades, however, did not. And finally, Chaos was driven from Krynn, and the people were set free. And with Chaos, left Brael's sorcerous powers.

Bereft of friends, of love, of money, and now sorcery, Brael made one last disheartened trip to Solace, to visit the Last Heroes Tomb. Once there, he met the mysterious figure known as the Herald. After listening to one of the Herald's performances, Brael was transfixed. Desperate to talk to the Herald, Brael managed to catch the enigmatic figure before he departed.

The Herald's words infused Brael with new purpose, and he began a new chapter in his life. Brael became a Keeper of the Word, and began to follow the Herald's ways. Instead of telling stories, however, Brael decided to learn all he can about the variety of creatures living on Krynn. Brael traveled all around Ansalon, and beyond, and wrote about the creatures he encountered on the way. These scrolls are called the Bestiary Scrolls. Brael continues to write his Bestiary Scrolls to this day.

Shortly after his departure from Solace, Brael discovered the lair of a dead gold dragon. in the lair, was an unbelievable amount of riches, as well as still functioning magical items! Brael promptly set up residence in Solace, and set up a magic shop there. In between his travels, Brael would stay in his magic shop in Solace. Because of his expertise with the creatures of Krynn, the residents of Solace called him, the "Silver Sage."

When Palin Majere discovered the power of sorcery, Brael was one of the first to learn it. Brael learned the schools of enhancement, summoning, and divination. Brael also helped tremendously in the construction of the Academy of Sorcery. The magical items he had discovered help the fledgling sorcerers focus their spells to shape the Academy. Currently, Brael resides in Solace, selling his magical items, as well as dolling out comments of wisdom. Many have traveled far and wide to seek his wisdom and knowledge of the flora and fauna of Krynn. Although now getting old, Brael still makes his travels across Krynn, chronicling and cataloging the creatures of Krynn.

This item has been published here with permission from the author(s) and may not be reproduced without permission. This is a fan submission and its contents are completely unofficial. Some characters, places, likenesses and other names may be copyright Wizards of the Coast.