Kasprzak
Kasprzak had a normal childhood. Savjin Island was their home, their family was their family, and they had an affinity for druidism1. Things went perfectly normally, except that Kasprzak was fiercely and deeply independent. They would rather be around trees than people2. They have always had an affinity for sneaking - not to eaves drop of cause mischief, but to effectively never need to interact with others. Kasprzak built up a reputation of being cold and aloof, despite their well-meaning parents and siblings. When they got the chance to get off the island as part of their druidic apprenticeship, they took it immediately. Now they guide travellers for coin3 and have adopted a beautiful viper who they strongly believe will murder them in their sleep one day. For now, Brutus rides around secretly in Kasprzak's armour4. They keep the snake and their otherwise druidic skills5 secret until needed. Being small, it's a good skill to have. Being a druid, the woods and quiet paths are their strong suit. As an asshole, they are adept as goading enemies into fights they cannot win. In truth, Kasprzak would die for a select few people (including one or two of their siblings). But their spikey personality and knack for dangerous mischief marks them as a grade A asshole and deadly trickster above all else. Healing is second nature; druidic magic not only wipes away rot and decay in a forest, it also fosters rebirth and healing. It's a fine balance Kasprzak has struck - having seen more of the world6 they have mellowed somewhat, to the point where they find some joy in harmless tricks afforded them by their unique skillset. Even as a small person, Kasprzak is often in the centre of conflict for the sheer entertainment of it.
How Kasprzak Arrived in the Bandit Lands
A Thorny SituationFootnotes
1 Kasprzak had, at a young age, sought to get away from their family (and duties) by wrapping themselves in brambles and foliage, and it was clear from a young age that they would benefit from Druidic training. 2 This was especially odd for a Halfling, given that they were known for their love of communing with those around them. Not even the festivals held much fascination for them, except those that involved woodcutting. 3 As with most on the Druidic Path, Kasprzak did not have a strong enough affinity to be asked to be a Wallshaper, but they were much more skilled at living off the land than many who were trained. Kasprzak’s wild streak also lent itself well to dealing with the unexpected and escaping harrowing circumstances, and so the chance to work as a freelance guide through the Borean (including Brist, Konard, Varenval, and Phesunlay) was a logical choice and one which afforded Kasprzak freedom from needing to deal with people whenever they did not feel like it. Work as a guide was somewhat managed through local guilds and groups, of which Kasprzak was never a formal member, but word of mouth did much to increase the demand for services and saving a few key individuals when things looked dark (whether or not Kasprzak had any part in creating those dark circumstances) led to steady enough work to be comfortable. 4 Kasprzak had sewn into their armour a sort of path (made of cloth) that Brutus could travel through and coil into. With a few key exit points (such as near the neck and at the leg), Brutus could comfortably warm themselves against Kasprzak but always be close at hand. 5 Kasprzak's mentor was named Ias. Ias was a Wildfire Druid, teaching about healing and rebirth. Kasprzak continued to meet up with Ias for occasional training after completing their Druidic training. Druids that graduated from the school were either Wallshapers, or they weren't. For those who were not Wallshapers, they could become any type of Druid, with most electing to become natural druids of some kind. Ias' skill as a Wildfire Druid was uncommon, largely because becoming a Wildfire Druid required a "spark" which many druids did not encounter or could not bothered to find, and other still saw Wildfire druids as undesirable because of the history of Brist and Varenval. 6 While Kasprzak has primarily worked in Brist and Phesunlay, the occasional client has required travelling into Konard and Varenval. Those from Konard and Varenval rarely leave their own lands and are not entirely friendly towards visitors, and so Kasprzak mainly guided dignitaries and merchants to cities not far into these lands before leaving them in the hands of more local guides.
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