Leap
Class and Abilities
Leap is a Level 6 Cleric of Kol Korran and a Level 2 Dragonmark Heir (Orien - Passage)
Personal Background
Even great families have lines that have fallen into near obscurity. The Orien family is no different.
Leap's mother, Tandy, is from a subclan of the group that became the Orien family. They once traveled with some of the greatest human explorers when humans first entered the continent. They emerged through a narrow pass into a land now known as the Mror Holds. The humans formed a treaty with the dwarves and built a fort. The other explorers moved on but Leap's ancestors stayed on to farm a large land grant near the dwarven holds. Over the years, the family sold off more and more of the land in times of need until today a mere 25 acres remain. Leap's mother went to Sharn for education as befitted a member of a leading family. There she met Leap's father and they married.
Leap's father, Melton, comes from a long line of bureaucrats, accountants, scholars and historians, with the occasional judge or military leader. Melton was toiling as a scribe in Sharn while pursuing an education. He was taken into the family and given a position performing assignments that Leap learned from an early age never to ask about or discuss.
Leap grew up in Sharn in a family that, while not poor, was far from wealthy. The family valued education and he was well schooled. He learned a smattering of knowledge about many fields but felt no great calling to any. He did have a facility with logic and philosophy that, while of no great practical value, was enjoyable.
And then came the war. Leap was neither strong nor swift. He could not master the sword, but was adequate with a mace. He could have been put onto the frontlines as swordfodder, but because of his broad schooling and his distant family connections, he was put into service as a quartermaster, where it was discovered that he had an unusual gift for dealing with people: He was very good at determining when they were speaking truth and when they were lying. He was transferred to military counter-intelligence. He worked with refugees and others, developing an extensive network of connections. He continued his study of philosophy, which extended into a study of religion.
When the war ended, he wasn't sure what to do next. It was at this time that his experiences came together and he recognized his calling as a priest of Kol Korran. Many feel that Kol Korran is the sponsor of merchants, but Leap knows that he represents much more than that. The market is simply a symbol for a way of viewing life, an allegory. Every experience has the potential for profit or loss. You can learn from experience, or be crushed by it. Fair dealing is not simply a philosophically appropriate way of dealing with the world, but a pragmatic way: If Leap deals fairly with someone and gives him a break when he needs it, he may do the same for Leap. If Leap keeps his word and fulfills his contracts, others will be willing to work with him. On the other hand, if he deals unfairly, word will get around, and he will end up paying higher prices and trying to deal with people who have no incentive to aid him. Fair dealing is simply the best way to live, and it is Leap's mission to spread this word.
Leap sought out and acquired further training as a priest. Of course, in Sharn, "priest" is not a profession, it is not a way of earning a living. Leap sought out his family connections and was accepted as a courier. He was provided with training. His profession allows him to travel, which he loves, and to spread the word of Kol Korran.
One day Leap discovered a strange mark on his shoulder that extended up his neck. At first he thought he'd gotten tattooed when he was drunk and had forgtten about it. His mother recognized it as the Least Dragonmark of Passage. There was great excitement and Leap suddenly discovered a huge number of relatives who were eager to meet him. Interestingly, the Mark of Passage integrated well with the skills in Travel that were granted to him as a priest of Kol Korran. Soon thereafter, the Mark grew into the Lesser Mark of Passage, and, following a huge party and naming ceremony in which his name was changed to Leap d'Orien, Leap began receiving more important missions for the House. He was presented with a +1 Heavy Mace and a +1 Chain Shirt to help protect himself, since he was now much more important to House Orien, and he was given a Heward's Handy Haversack to hold his gear without slowing him down.
In between missions, Leap serves as a guide in the area around the Mror Holds. Recently Leap accepted a contract to help guide a group of human scholars into recently discovered ancient tombs in Mror Hold. His connections to the dwarves and his ability to speak the dwarven language were highly valued. Unfortunately, a trap caught and killed all of his companions except one. Leap encountered another group of explorers in the tomb, who appear to be mostly motivated by greed. He secured their assistance in retrieving the bodies of the fallen scholars and, in return, agreed to assist them in their mission. It has become clear that they have secrets and may be on a highly perilous mission. Their motives are suspect. Leap is not sure yet whether they are companions to be valued, but he will travel with them for awhile to see if they can be brought to a better understanding of the purpose of life and the inadvisability of selfishness.
He is not even sure if his companions are completely sane, but Leap has seen that before in his dealings with the refugees. For now, he'll travel with them.