Vyse

The Misadventures of Vyse the Unlucky Rogue

Considered an unlucky, yet rare birth by his humanoid parents (the exact race is unknown), Vyse was left outside to freeze to death by his ashamed parents. Luckily, this lad was rescued by passerbys. His saviors were travelling performers of mixed races, moving from town to town in hopes of a stable income. At the age of 5 he began to repay his "family" by becoming a servant for the circus memebers. It was a dull and hardworking life for Vyse. Many times he found himself cleaning the element filled facilities of the circus's alchemist, Nantun. Cleaning vials and organizing his notes, Vyse learned quite a bit about alchemy in his spare time. Vyse felt his life was going no where until the circus acquired the daring knife talents of Mostreau The Swift (human) five years later. Vyse was intrigued by Mostreau's professionalism and sought to become his apprentice.

Luckily for Vyse, his dream came true when he turned 14.

Mostreau was had begun to contract vision problems, though he was barely 45, thus making his dagger tricks less popular with audiences. The circus knew it wouldn't be long before Mostreau would become a useless member. The circus managers searched for a new attraction, but to no avail. Vyse was supposed to be cleaning Mostreau's tent, not practicing with his knives when Jurok the Dragonborn manager walked in searching for Mostreau. Jurok was furious with Vyse and threatened to throw him on the streets again. Mostreau arrived minutes later and was impressed to see that Vyse had landed every knife on the target. He interupts Jurok scolding Vyse and asks Vyse to throw one more knife. Vyse is shocked to see that his role model just asked him to perfom a trick. As his heart feels like it will stop, Vyse somehow manages to throw the last knife on to the bullseye. Mostreau declares that Vyse is to no longer serve the managers and now to become his apprentice. Jork is furious at first, but then realizes that Vyse could revive the knife act once Mostreau can see no more.

2 years pass as Vyse learns the ways of dagger throwing from Mostreau.

When Vyse turns 16, Mostreau declares that Vyse is ready to perfom for money. His first performance is a success, making Vyse the most popular attraction in the circus. Mostreau bids his farewell the next day, knowing his job is complete. Vyse is saddened but promises to do his best.

5 years pass as Vyse and the rest of the circus continue to travel.

The circus sets up its tent a few miles East of Fallcrest for their next performance. During the performance Vyse spots a man in the audience who bore an uncanny resemblance to Mostreau. The man is talking with another unknown figure. Never the less, the performance goes on without a hitch. After a daring yet brilliant performance, the audience goes wild with applause for Vyse and his trusted daggers. That night, Vyse journeys into Fallcrest to celebrate his successes at a bar. He passes out drunk, not hearing the multitude of townspeople rushing towards the edge of town. The small piece of white marmaron protecting the circus had been lit ablaze, ultimately destroying the circus and the sleeping performers. Having not returned to his tent that night, many villagers believe that Vyse had performed such a horrible deed. Overcome with feelings of sadness and confusion, Vyse escapes before authorities can apprehend him.

Vyse wandered aimlessly, angered that he had been framed for deaths of the only people close to him. Days pass Vyse without coming in contact with civilization. He realizes that he is deep in the wilderness without much hope, a dagger being his only tool. His prospects were grim, die alone in the middle of no where, or die by the hands of those who accused him of murder. His pace grew slower and slower, as if he was enticing the scavengers to start working on his walking corpse. Then he heard it! A trickle, but it grew louder. At last a river appeared before his eyes. He knelt down to quench his thirst, oblivious to his surroundings.

"Take one sip and I'll gut you!" said the Shadar-Kai who had uncloaked from shade form as he held his blade at Vyse's throat. "Go ahead, I'm practically dead to the world anyway" Vyse mumbled. "So you accept your death?" questioned the Shadar-Kai. "Yes." responded the rogue, as he closed his eyes and recounted the plentiful circus memories. Just then, Vyse felt the pressure release from his neck. "Looks like it's your lucky day" the Shadar-Kai said mockingly, "when death comes, most are not ready to accept it. Banikon teaches us that we must always be ready, as if every second were our last." Vyse retorted "So you're a Shadar-Kai? I've heard stories about your kind, but never seen one for myself. Shouldn't you be guarding the Shadowfell?"

Emotionlessly, the Shadar-Kai explained that the river leads to the Shadowfell. "I simply could not allow you to drink from these waters without making a sacrifice. Your life would have made an excellent collateral, but you have impressed me. Something else will have to do." Vyse quickly brought out his aging dagger "Will this do?" The Shader-Kai nodded and Vyse gently lowered his blade into the current. "That knife has had quite the life" said the Shader-Kai. "Indeed, it was passed down to me" said Vyse as he watched Mostreau's dagger disappear from sight. "You are young with much life left to live, but you accept death as a part of life. Come here." commanded the Shader-Kai. Vyse cautiously moved towards him. The Shader-Kai took a bottle and filled it with the nearby water. "Banikon thinks highly of you. Recieve the water that bears his name." The Shader-Kai then pours the bottle over Vyse's head, drenching his face and shoulders. Vyse could taste what seemed like blood as the water trickled around his lips. "Drink from these waters human, and rest assured your chances of survival are higher." Vyse opened his eyes, suddenly feeling a wave of energy. To his surprise, the Shader-Kai had vanished, only leaving the bottle of river water.

A year has past, Vyse has taken on small theviery jobs in order to survive...but the curiosity as to who started the fire still remains.

Bearing little resemblance to the youthful performer he once was, Vyse manages to return to Fallcrest undetected in order to give his respects to his "family" and hopefully learn who actually started the fire. Feeling rather guilty, he enters a nearby temple to pray. A cleric of Hlyn, Alexi, overhears the somber rogue and offers him some peace of mind. Vyse convinces Alexi to grab a drink with him while they exchange stories. Suddenly, a rather flustered wizard named Stephan stumbles across their table with a job offer. He needs adventurer's to help him clear the nearby Kobold Hall. Vyse, looking for a change of pace in his life instantly accepts the job. Alexi is worried for his new friend and decides to join on the adventure..................