Ciro

Ciro Melshimber

Race: Human, Class: Cleric of Deneir, 7th Level Background: Waterdhavian Noble, Alignment: Neutral Good Patron Deity: Deneir Factions: House Melshimber 7 • Blackstaff Tower 2

Ability Scores

Strength 17 (+3), Dexterity 8 (-1), Constitution 12 (+1) [19 (+4)]; Intelligence 14 (+2), Wisdom 18 (+4), Charisma 16 (+3)

Proficiencies

Bonus: +3 Saving Throws: Wisdom & Charisma Skills: Deception, Insight, Athletics, and Persuasion Tools: Healer's Kit, Artisan Tools (Calligraphy), Playing Cards Languages: Common, Chondathan, Thorass, Alzhedo, Espruar Armor: Light, Medium, Heavy Armor & Shields Weapons: All Simple Weapons

Traits

Speed 6

Feats

Heavily Armored

Combat

Attacks: Mace of Disruption +6 (1d6+3), Spells +7 Armor Class: 21, Initiative: -1, Speed: 30 Hit Points: 69, Hit Dice: 7d8

Social

Personality Traits: Individualist. Although comfortable working within a social structure, Ciro always does it his own way without calling attention to the fact. Ideals: Knowledge should be shared, Words are the greatest power in the world Bonds: The Helm-and-Eye Estates and Cousin Raimfre, Silverymoon and Lady Alustriel, Aiwen Frostbough, Dawnbringer Darus Killian, His first love Pike Belabranta Flaws: Slave to fashion, Meddler, Abysmal penmanship

"QUOTE." - Attribution

Origin

Ciro was a happy child, well-suited to his family's temperament and endeavors. He grew up learning the family trades of winemaking and gossip mongering, and his mother instilled in him an acute sense of fashion. He appreciated his father's passion for elven history but always found the pursuit of such distant matters a bit staid.

As an adolescent, Ciro was a regular attendant at the Spires of the Morning, where he discovered and cultivated talents for wrestling and javelin throwing. By his teenage years, he was an accomplished medal winner in both and was being courted by the church of Lathander for training as a paladin. His aunt, the Lady Hlanta, held early hopes that he might take up magecraft, but the intricate diagramming, convoluted gestures, and general grace required for arcane spellcasting was too much for the undexterous youth, so training in divine magic seemed a good substitute to the family.

Though he was quite fond of the Lathanderites, Ciro himself had a deeper appreciation for the power the skillful use of language gave to his family, and he instead sought entrance into the church of Deneir. Though Ciro was intelligent enough for a life of scholarship and proved to be a gifted writer and poet, his penmanship was atrocious, making him a bad candidate for a scribe. The church of Deneir was reluctant to take him in, but with the Melshimbers' influence as generous sponsors to sages and authors, as well as the importance of their printing business, the Deneirans couldn't refuse outright.

Ciro was taken in by the Vault of Sages in Silverymoon, where he quickly became a fixture in high society, even attending the Lady Alustriel as an openly moonstruck admirer. His poetry and insight into the currents of her court quite pleased her, though she considered him a bit foolish for holding trivial ambitions. For in Silverymoon, Ciro found the perfect marriage between his love of writing and gossip: the broadsheets. He began a regular column reporting on the happenings in high society as a means of chronicling this moment in history, to the great acclaim of the common folk. Both Lady Alustriel and the Vault of Sages looked on the pursuit with some disdain, however.

Even though it took longer than usual due to his extracurricular activities, Ciro completed his training and took formal vows to enter the priesthood of Deneir. Ciro felt his calling was to return to Waterdeep to chronicle the extensive high society of his homeland. Ciro is not sure whether it was his aunt, the Lady Alustriel, or someone at the Vault of Sages who truly exerted influence on his behalf, but an unparalleled opportunity opened in Waterdeep: Khelben Arunsun had consented to allow a Deneiran scribe access to his private library to copy the texts for the Vault, and Ciro was picked for the spot.

Now that he's returned home, Ciro has quickly established himself as a premier broadsheet writer chronicling the wondrous lifestyles of the rich and famous for all. And, maybe, just maybe, his first scholarly text will expose the hidden life of one Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun for the benefit of posterity.

Appearance

Ciro is of average height at 5'9" and solidly muscled. His olive skin tone and dark, wavy hair are typical of his family's heritage, and, like his clothes, he wears his looks well. Ciro always dresses in the latest fashions, and in fact has the good taste to be even slightly ahead of the current trends, but not so far ahead as to appear gauche.

Ciro welcomes the spring with the debut of his manticore fur jacket and manticore wing leather cap. He has also readied his new set of plate mail with accents of wine red and iridescent nacre in Melshimber gray. Ciro's cousin Colodacia has had a particularly triumphant hair season since returning from Secomber, bringing tightly curled ringlets into vogue for both women and men, who sport only the barest shadow of scruff, or a subtle goatee at most, to avoid an over-styled effect. Cotton has been the traditional spring fabric in Waterdeep, and this year looks no different, but especially in demand is Morvaran cotton in pale gold or lavender. Citrine and smoky quartz from the Sword Mountains are favored as accents, but the truly visionary--and wealthy--choose honey sapphire newly presented from the Great Rift instead. Ciro's offering from Silverymoon this year is frost silver, a metal with an icy patina.

Ciro always has a holy symbol of Deneir and his scrivener's kit on him somewhere, haphazardly displayed.

Character Record

Useful Links

• Scriptures • Spells • Logos Domain
• Campaign NPCs • Rumors • Goods & Services Costs • Broadsheets
• Blackstaff Tower • Yawning Portal • Refuge of Maldiglas • Undermountain
• House Melshimber • Nobility of Waterdeep • Wines • Deneir

Interactions

• Ideals: Knowledge is meant to be shared regardless of class and level of education; in fact, the most privileged and clandestine individuals are the very ones whose secrets should be exposed.
  
  • There is no greater power than words to affect the world.
• Flaws: Ciro makes a vice out of following fashion. He must stay ahead of the current fashion trends, and better yet will exert great effort to dictate those trends.
  • Ciro believes that a good chronicler should not involve himself in the events he chronicles, but he frequently fails on this front, as meddling comes naturally to him.
  • Although Deneirans are expected to be accomplished scribes, Ciro has abysmal penmanship bordering on blasphemy.
• Bonds: Ciro spent quite a few summers at the Helm-and-Eye Estates outside of Scornubel when he was younger. He loves these estates and considers relocating there one day. He is also very fond of Raimfre Melshimber, sometimes too much for Lady Hlanta's tastes.
  • Ciro developed a deep appreciation for the courts of Silverymoon while he was an acolyte there and considers Lady Alustriel a figure of enviable glamor. He strives to bring some element of her fashion to Waterdeep.
  • Ciro is fast friends with Aiwen Frostbough, and his wrestling mentor Dawnbringer Darus Killian.
  • Ciro's first love is Pike "The Grizzly of the North" Belabranta, with whom he has rekindled a relationship now that he has returned to Waterdeep.

Horoscope

Age 22 in 1353; Born Greengrass, 1331 DR (Year of the Leaping Dolphin)
Born under the Sign of the Star and with Selûne full under the sign of the Chalice
Those born under the sign of the Star are courageous, energetic, impetuous and determinded to make their own way in the world. Self-reliant and adventurous, they love taking risks and are tenacious workers. Affectionate and charming, they inspire great loyalty in others.

Those born with Selûne under the sign of the Chalice are mercurial, innovative, creative and confident. Easily bored, they crave mental stimulation and challenge. They are eloquent and gifted performers, exuding natural charm.

Combat

• Armor Class: 21
  • (Armor: 19 + Dex Mod (n/a) + Shield (+2))
  • Armor: Plate Mail +1, AC: 18, Weight: 65 lbs.
• Hit Points: 69, Hit Dice: 7d8
• Initiative: -1, Speed: 6
• Attacks
  • Mace of Disruption: Bonus: +6, Damage & Effects: 1d6+3 Bludgeoning, Weight: 4 lbs
  • Javelin: Bonus: +6, Damage & Effects: 1d6+3 Piercing, Weight: 4 lbs

Spells

• Maximum # of Prepared Spells: 2
  
• Magic Ability: Wisdom
  
• Saving Throw DC Total: 15,
  • (Base DC (8+mod): 12 + Spellcasting Bonus: 3)

Cantrips

• Read Magic (Divination)
• Message (Transmutation)
• Sacred Flame (Evocation)
• Thaumaturgy (Transmutation)
• Spare the Dying (Necromancy)
• Guidance

Domain Spells 1st Level

• Comprehend Languages
• Healing Word

Prepared Spells 1st Level

• Comprehend Languages
• Healing Word
• Cure Wounds
• Bless
• Guiding Bolt
• Shield of Faith

2nd Level

• Augury
• Glyph of Revealing
• Prayer of Healing
• Spiritual Weapon
• Hold Person

3rd Level

• Dispel Magic
• Mass Healing Word
• Bestow Curse
• Spirit Guardians

4th Level

• Arcane Eye
• Divination
• Guardian of Faith
• Adamantine Mace

Spells Per Day

• 1st: 4
• 2nd: 3
• 3rd: 3
• 4th: 1

Resources

Money: 41 pp, 1949 gp, 265 ep, 771 sp, 2417 cp

• Banked: Tourmaline(60 GP) x2, Tigers Eye Agate(10 GP) x1, Sunstone (11 GP), Hydrophane (40 GP) x1, Ophealine(8 GP), Iols (60 GP) x2, Onyx (40 GP), Varascite (12 GP), Goldline (6 GP), Greenstones (9 GP) x4, Augelites (9 GP) x4, Violenes (13 GP) x3

Carried Equipment: Plate Mail +1, Shield, Mace of Disruption, Javelins (4), Amulet of Health, Adventurer's Kit, Holy Symbol, Flask of Holy Water, Scrivener's Kit, Small Steel Mirror, Ink, Ink Pen, Journal, 300 gp worth of diamonds, Scrolls of Remove Curse, Revivify
Stored Equipment:High soft rothe leather boots set with silver and goldline accents (110 gp), Finely-wrought ash longbow of Reghedman make, with copper accents (100 gp), a fine selection of his family's wines
Collected Works:

• • History of Candlekeep and the Rise of the Cult of Deneir (Religion DC 20)
  • Sons of the Deep Green (Tabaxi; History DC 20; 80gp), a tome looking at ancient cultures of the jungles of Chult
  • Why I Ride Men And Not Horses, by Her Royal Highness Princess Alusair Nacacia Obarskyr of Cormyr
  • Cormyrian Customs And Scandals
  • Stars In Paradise: The Astrology of Evermeet, translated by Torcaunt of Evereska
  • Haiku Poetry Of Wa And Kozakura, translated by Lady Aril Iluhar
  • The Land Of Djinn, translated by Henna of Deneir
  • The Eye and Candle: Collected Deneiran Writings, by various Deneiran scriveners (Religion)
  • Greeting the Dawn: A Collection of Inspirational Lathanderan Homilies, by Morninglady Shydra Thanter of Berdusk
  • The Binder's Canon: Rites from Myriad Temples of Oghma, by High Scrivener Glonthyl Illendo
  • The Tears of Heaven: A Collection of Selûnite Poetry, by Denera Blesder
  • Fallen Legacies: Archaeological & Historical Analysis of the Mere of Dead Men, by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun
  • The Wizards' Armory: A Compendium of Staves, by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun
  • The Wizards' Armory: A Compendium of Wands, by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun
  • The Wizards' Armory: A Compendium of Sundries, by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun
  • Words to Would-Be Apprentices, by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun
  • On the Matter of Magecraft & the City: A Summary for the Lords of Waterdeep, by Khelben Arunsun the Elder

Lifestyle: Wealthy, 25 gp/month (Definitely not from Khelben's expense account).

Other Important Individuals

Kerei Ilzimmer	Kerei "The Driving Stallion" Ilzimmer: While Ciro experienced the first flush of teenage love with Pike Belabranta, Kerei Ilzimmer was his first temptation. Kerei rivaled Pike as a champion wrestler, and though Ciro initially drew close to Pike, he later succumbed to Kerei's carnal magnetism while still in a relationship with Pike. Worse still, Kerei, despite his rough exterior, possesses a flair for style that Pike cannot match. Kerei, through his family's enterprises, has produced much of the clothing that Ciro has envisioned through the seasons, and he is fond of pointing out that the Belabrantas could never approach such endeavors. Ciro left Waterdeep shortly after his indiscretion, and upon returning, he repaired his relationship with Pike, but Kerei remained ever-present on the social scene. His interest in Ciro had not waned, despite Ciro's protests that nothing further would happen between them. However, Kerei surprised Ciro by turning up in Scornubel while the Melshimbers over-wintered there, demonstrating the intensity of his interest in Ciro and offering advanced word of the currents shaping spring fashion back in Waterdeep. Ciro once again surrendered to Kerei's pursuit. They returned to Waterdeep together, starting rumors swirling immediately. Kerei has treated Pike Belabranta with snide scorn and demanded complete fidelity from Ciro, though he takes no pains to hide his own indiscretions. Many question why a Melshimber known for his strong will tolerates such treatment.
Aiwen Frostbough	Aiwen Frostbough: Ciro became fast friends with a fellow courtier at Silverymoon, the moon elf Aiwen Frostbough. Ciro's infatuation with high concerns amuses her, and she injects her own dry observations from his side. She has recently appeared in Waterdeep to visit Ciro, confessing that noble courts seem all the duller without Ciro's insight and enthusiasm. He has introduced her to Waterdeep's social scene with great success, as she has a talent for appreciating its concerns while puncturing its self-importance with her wry remarks. She is also a grounding influence on Ciro and his greatest confidant. Aiwen quickly became one of Kerei's most outspoken critics, though she holds her tongue in public (mostly) out of respect for her friend.
Pike Belabranta	Pike "Grizzly of the North" Belabranta: Ciro's first love was the champion wrestler Pike "The Grizzly of the North" Belabranta, who taught Ciro many unorthodox maneuvers. The two initially rekindled their relationship, but Kerei has steadily driven them apart. Pike frequently appears at the same functions as the couple, but Ciro and Pike haven't spoken beyond the barest pleasantries this spring.
Tolvin Thongolir	Tolvin Thongolir: The Thongolirs have always envied the Melshimbers for their deeper connections to sage-craft and artistic patronage. Tolvin and Ciro are the same age, and as children, their families kept them in close proximity, hoping to forge a more positive relationship between the families. The two never really got along, though, and Tolvin has always been intensely critical, thinking Ciro shallow and distressingly fond of the lower class. Tolvin is an excellent writer and scholar, but often far too severe, and he seems to have taken personal offense at Ciro's current endeavors. He now writes regular articles for Burnstel's Oracular extolling the virtues of the old nobility and denigrating the lowborn that often suspiciously counterpoint Ciro's work.
Dawnbringer Darus Killian	Dawnbringer Darus Killian: Ciro still has close ties with the clergy at the Spires of the Morning. In many ways, he is a born Lathanderite, but his dedication to the power of language just slightly edges out his affection for the Morninglord. He still attends services at the Spires of the Morning and often brings his former coach, the Dawnbringer Darus Killian, to noble functions. Darus is not highborn, but his athletic build, easygoing charm, and ability to model the Nine Hells out of the latest fashions make him a welcome attendant. Darus is more supportive of Ciro and Kerei's relationship than most, as he's coached them both and recognizes a certain carnal compatibility between the two.
Sangalor of the Secrets	Sangalor of the Secrets: Ciro enjoyed his time convalescing with Sangalor, quickly realizing that the sage's own singular take on his faith meshed well with Ciro's approach. After returning to Waterdeep, Ciro introduced Sangalor to the senior members of his family, who particularly appreciated the sage's connections in Skullport. Since then, Sangalor has been a regular, albeit mostly covert, Melshimber guest. He and Ciro have a remarkable rapport, and Ciro has a deeper appreciation for his faith in reflecting with Sangalor upon his.
Archivist Nouméa Drathchuld	Nouméa Drathchuld: When it came time to tend to the grunt work expected of him as an acolyte of Deneir in Silverymoon's Vault of the Sages, there was no better friend to Ciro than Nouméa. Though she clearly entertained feelings for him from their earliest encounter, that has simmered into an affection very like one feels for a sibling. It didn't hurt that Nouméa is a fine mage, as well, and an even better scholar, always capable of ferreting out those pieces of lore that eluded Ciro. The other archivists used to suggest that the Vault itself spoke to Nouméa.
The Aerasume Trinity	Three of the Brothers Aerasume - as the many tall sons of Alustriel and a mostly-unknown elf lord are named - are triplets. Three of the youngest of the Brothers Aerasume, the Trinity sticks close to their mothers' court, where they are being trained in service to Silverymoon. Lilinthar Aerasume: The quietest of the triplets, Lilinthar spends a great deal of his time away from Silverymoon proper. He is a ranger of some skill, and very protective of his brothers. Tarthilmor Aerasume: His mother's apprentice in magecraft, and a member of the Spellguard with a promising future, Tarthilmor has a strongly political mind and a tremendous love for Silverymoon. He is also the most suspicious of the brothers. Naerond Aerasume: A paladin and mage both, Naerond is warm and outgoing, cheerful where his brothers can be distant or suspicious. Ciro was closest to Naerond during his time in Silverymoon, as the two young men often spent evening in one anothers' company (and beds), artfully stepping on the line that separates friendly lover and beloved routinely during that time.

Household

Valestyn	Valestyn: Butler (Trained) A faithful Deneiran, Valestyn is honored to serve in Ciro's household, where his love of poetry and epics meshes well with his master's approach to the Deneiran faith. Valestyn is fastidious in his duties, and overjoyed that those include setting up and administrating Ciro's informal religious gatherings that have begun to come into vogue among the Waterdhavian set. Though he isn't much of a writer (Scrivener knows he's tried), he is an excellent orator, with a rich voice given to flights of passion. His handwriting is also quite fine, and Yindros depends on him to accomplish Ciro's correspondence (as Yindros' handwriting is a scrawl at best).
Benedelia	Benedelia: Chef (Trained) A cook who worked her way up from serving girl on the Melshimber estate in Scornubel, Ciro recognized the young woman's talent and eye for good wine - particularly the way she combines the two - and recruited her to return with him after wintering there over-winter. Though Ciro eats many of his meals out of house, she still prepares every meal properly, passing off a great deal of food to Valestyn, who arranges to have them delivered to the poor and needy, rendered in the name of House Melshimber and the Deneirrath faith. She specializes in wine butters, wine-and-herb preserves, wine cakes, and the like. She looks forward to the times late in the evening when Ciro has returned with a new vintage to Hero's Rest, when the two sit to sample the new vintage and discuss its virtues. Though she has a great deal of training from the renowned chef at the Helm-and-Eye Estate, she one day hopes to be trained as a sommelier as well.
Yindros Hlein	Yindros Hlein: Valet (Trained) A minor relation to House Ilzimmer, Yindros was plucked from the congregation at the Spires of the Morning and entered service at House Melshimber a number of years ago as a footman. Andedda trained the young man to be a valet, and recently presented the young man to Ciro's newly-formed household. A fan of Ciro's from the young noble's days at the Pankratium Triumphant, Yindros is something of an athlete himself, the majority of his Lathanderite devotion being focused on the faith's athleticism and aesthetics.
Taleene	Taleene: Maid (Untrained) Though Yindros shoulders the duties of housekeeper for his master's household, Ciro also employs Taleene, a practical and hardworking young woman to tend to the hardest of those tasks. Indeed, she frequently teaches Yindros a thing or two, as the young man's education is proper, but he does not know the "nitty gritty" of scrubbing out hearths and the like.

Projects, Goals and/or Downtime

• Training (Religion Skill): 240/500 days (Kythorn - Nightal 1353; Tarsakh 1354)
• Running a Business: 50gp per month (includes Wealthy Lifestyle) • Funds: 51gp
  • Flamerule 1353: Fair
  • Eleasias 1353: Windfall (+110gp)
  • Eleint 1353: Good (+25gp)
  • Marpenoth 1353: Disastrous (-38gp)
  • Uktar 1353: Disastrous (-38gp)
  • Nightal 1353: Disastrous (-38gp)
  • Tarsakh 1354: Good (+30gp)

Experience Points

Earned: 0 Chargen: Point-buy + bonus feat (+1 Wisdom, +1 Constitution) Session x.x.14