Daelan Bitterslice

People say that,for a brieftime,Queen Naerath’s court flourished.But her reign was not meant to be.

When Naerath established herselfas queen ofthe faen,it flew in the face ofall faen tradition since before anyone could remember.The faen were always ruled by a set of twins,alternating in a cycle ofloresongs and quicklings. Naerath ignored all ofthat and proclaimed herselfrightful ruler ofher people.An extremely charismatic spryte mage blade,Naerath had a number ofdevoted followers. Hundreds offaen agreed to follow her and,for a few months,her bloodless usurpation looked like it might gather enough momentum to become a political force in the Harrowdeep.

But it ended as suddenly as it began when Naerath was assassinated by a group oftraditionalist quicklings.All of her court was likewise murdered or scattered.Only one member ofher royal guard survived the attack.His name was Daelan Bitterslice,a quickling unfettered who saw the attack coming in a dream but never warned his queen,because he didn’t believe he had seen a portent ofthe future.He fled when it was clear Naerath was dead,and soon after he entered his chrysalis in order to transform into a spryte.

According to faen tradition,ifone enters a chrysalis in despair,he is doomed to a life ofmisery.That may very well be true in Daelan’s case,for his life is ruled by guilt and regret.After his transformation,he left the Harrowdeep and swore never to return.He hates all other faen and never willingly spends any time in their company.Instead,he wanders through the Lands ofthe Diamond Throne seeking meaning and purpose.Daelan wants to devote his sword to some noble pursuit to redeem the cause—and the queen—he allowed to die.

He has struck up a few friendships here and there but has yet to find a home.Bad luck follows Daelan like a raincloud, and he takes it all quite personally.He has even gained a bit ofreputation as “the dour spryte,” in some circles.

Combat

Daelan’s main strategy in a fight is simply not to get hit. Unless he is fairly certain an opponent isn’t skilled enough to hit him,he usually fights defensively,adding another +2 dodge bonus to his Armor Class (and subtracting –4 from his attacks).

Using Daelan

Daelan is a wanderer whom one might encounter almost anywhere.Ifthe player characters undertake some noble quest,he might be interested in joining them.On the other hand,ifthey involve themselves in some shady dealings, they might find Daelan opposing their plans.He could work as a guard or even as a spy for a nonfaen whom he was convinced was both noble and influential—someone worthy of aiding.Otherwise,the PCs might encounter him as simply a down-on-his-luck adventurer who might know some important bit ofinformation.

In the areas he frequents,Daelan is known for his distinctive red leather armor.

Daelan Bitterslice,male spryte Unf3: CR 3;Tiny fey;HD 3d10–6; hp 15;Init +9;Speed 10 feet,fly 30 feet (average);AC 23 (+2 size,+5 Dex,+3 dodge,+3 armor),touch 20,flat-footed 15;BAB +3,Grapple –5;Attack +11 melee (1d4+1,critical 19–20/×2, tiny rapier) or +10 ranged (1d4,critical 20/×3, sprytebow);Full Attack +11 melee (1d3+1,critical 18–20/×2, tiny rapier) or +10 ranged (1d4,critical 20/×3, sprytebow);

SQ Low-light vision,parry;Hero Points 1;SV Fort –1,Ref+8,

Will +2;Str 11,Dex 21,Con 6,Int 10,Wis 12,Cha 13

Languages: Common,Faen

Skills and Feats: Bluff+8,Craft (leather) +3,Disable Device +2, Knowledge (nobility and courtesy) +4,Listen +7,Open

Lock +11,Spellcraft +2,Spot +7,Tumble +9;Defensive,

Exotic Weapon Proficiency (agile),Improved Initiative,

Weapon Finesse

Parry (Ex): Daelan may add a +1 bonus to his Armor Class against a single melee opponent in a given round.

Possessions: +1 tiny Devanian rapier, masterwork studded leather,sprytebow,10 arrows,124 gp