Elariel Voss — The Arcane Scholar
High Elf Academy Researcher from Irna's Arcanum Conclave, on extended field assignment.
She has been in the field for six years. The Conclave thinks she is cataloguing rift-adjacent magical phenomena. She is. She is also testing theory against what actually happens when you put a working in front of a live rift, and the two activities are not always compatible.
The Arcanum Conclave of Irna is the oldest continuously operating magical academy in the northern hemisphere, and Elariel has been on its research rolls for forty years; a junior posting by elven standards, a formidable tenure by anyone else's. She was assigned to field work after a laboratory experiment produced results the Conclave found difficult to classify. They sent her out to gather more data. She has been gathering it ever since.
She is precise, curious, and often underestimated by people who mistake careful speech for slow thinking. She carries an arcane amulet worn at her collar and a portable notation kit. She is also a genuine magical talent; Arcana 2 at creation means she can cast structured workings. She is not a front-line fighter.
Species: High Elf (Aelvar-Mir) Background: Academic Career: Academy Researcher
Patron Deity: None
High Elf special abilities: Keen Senses (remove 1 Bane Die from all Perception and Readiness checks; never Surprised unless attacker succeeded at a Stealth check first); Long Memory (once per session, free Lore check on any topic within elven experience; additional uses cost 2 Strain); Arcane Attunement (add 1 Boon to Lore checks involving arcane history, spell identification, or magical theory; once per session, identify the source or likely effect of any magical phenomenon observed as if succeeding on an Average Lore check).
Characteristics: High Elf base (MIG 2, AGI 2, INT 3, SAV 2, WIL 2, CHA 3). Free swap: INT +1 → 4, CHA −1 → 2.
| Derived Value | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Wound Points | 10 + Might (2) | 12 |
| Strain Points | 10 + Willpower (2) + Steadfast (+2) | 14 |
| Resistance | ⌈2 ÷ 2⌉ = 1 + padded coat (+1) | 2 |
| Melee Defense | 0 | 0 |
| Ranged Defense | 0 | 0 |
| Initiative (On Watch) | Savvy 2 + Perception 1 | 2 dice, 1 Mastery |
| Initiative (Surprised) | Willpower 2 + Readiness 0 | 2 Ability Dice |
Note: Keen Senses means Elariel is never Surprised unless an attacker specifically beat a Stealth check against her.
Skills
| Skill | Rank | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Arcana | 2 | ★ Profession |
| Lore | 2 | ★ Profession |
| Secret Lore | 1 | ★ Profession |
| Perception | 1 | Out-of-profession |
| Natural Philosophy | 1 | ★ Profession |
| Planar Lore | 1 | ★ Profession |
High Elf free skill rank (no XP): Lore 1.
Talents
- Specialist (Arcana (casting structured workings) [Free Starting Talent, Tier 1]) Once per scene on a casting check for a structured Arcana working, upgrade one Ability Die to a Mastery Die (or add 1 Boon if none available).
- Keen Eye [Tier 1, 5 XP]; Once per scene, remove 1 Bane Die from a Perception check caused by poor visibility, distance, or concealment.
- Steadfast [Tier 1, 5 XP]; +2 Strain Points (total Strain Points: 14).
- Boon Reader [Tier 2, 10 XP (requires 2 XP-purchased Tier 1 talents; Keen Eye + Steadfast]) When you generate 2+ Boons on a knowledge or awareness check, spend 2 Boons to ask the GM one yes/no question about the scene or subject.
Equipment
| Item | Profile |
|---|---|
| Dagger | Dmg 3, Crit 3, Engaged, Accurate 1 |
| Padded coat | +1 Resistance |
| Arcane amulet | Arcane focus; +1 Boon Die to Arcana casting checks |
| Writing kit | Quills, ink, folded paper |
| Bedroll | Enc 2 |
| Trail rations (3 days) | Enc 1 |
| Tinder box | Fire-starting without it needs a Survival check |
| Starting funds | 2d10 gold flargons |
XP Accounting
| Purchase | XP |
|---|---|
| Arcana rank 1 (profession) | 5 |
| Arcana rank 2 (profession) | 10 |
| Lore rank 2 (profession, from rank 1 free) | 10 |
| Secret Lore rank 1 (profession) | 5 |
| Perception rank 1 (out-of-profession) | 10 |
| Natural Philosophy rank 1 (profession) | 5 |
| Planar Lore rank 1 (profession) | 5 |
| Keen Eye (Tier 1 talent) | 5 |
| Steadfast (Tier 1 talent) | 5 |
| Boon Reader (Tier 2 talent) | 10 |
| Total Spent | 70 XP |
| Banked | 20 XP |
Suggested Advancement
- Secret Lore rank 2 (10 XP, profession): The gap between what the Conclave teaches and what actually happens near live rifts is exactly where Secret Lore lives. Elariel's field notes are filling that gap.
- Arcana rank 3 (15 XP, profession, after play): The next meaningful threshold for casting power. This is what early sessions of XP accumulation are building toward.
- Lore rank 3 (15 XP, profession, after play): Seven centuries of institutional memory is a resource. Start drawing on it at a level that shows.