Ciro

"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.

Winter's end has found him in a long coat and tri-cornered hat all trimmed in beaver's fur from the Dalelands and a barely there goatee, but with spring, he is looking forward to refreshing eggshell blue Saradushan cottons accented with Waterdhavian black pearls. Ciro has spent the latter part of the winter introducing silvered ram's wool, a favorite of Lady Alustriel's, into high society in preparation for spring as well. He will surely be sporting carefully managed scruff and a chest bared just so with the warmer weather.

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

Character Record

Neutral Good Human Male Cleric (Lvl 1) Spy. Born on Greengrass in the year 1331 DR, the Year of the Leaping Dolphin.

• Ability Scores: Strength 16 (+3), Dexterity 8 (-1), Constitution 12 (+1), Intelligence 14 (+2), Wisdom 18 (+4), Charisma 16 (+3)
• Saving Throws: Wisdom & Charisma

Proficiencies

• Skills: Deception, Search, Stealth, and Persuasion
• Tools: Healer's Kit, Disguise Kit, Thieves' Tools, Artisan's Tools
• Armor: Light, Medium Armor
• Weapon: All Simple Weapons

Traits & Languages

• Traits: Speed 6
• Languages: Common, Chondathan, Thorass, Alzhedo, Espruar

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 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.
  • 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.
  • Ciro's first love was the champion wrestler Pike "The Grizzly of the North" Belabranta, who taught Ciro many unorthodox maneuvers. Now that he has returned to Waterdeep, the two have rekindled their relationship, though it has settled into a more casual affair. Still, Pike accompanies Ciro to many functions.

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: 15
  • (Armor: 14 + Dex Mod (-1) + Shield (+2))
  • Armor: Scale Mail, AC: 14, Weight: 45 lbs.
• Hit Points: 9, Hit Dice: 1d8
• Initiative: -1, Speed: 6
• Attacks
  • Mace: Bonus: +4, Damage & Effects: 1d6+3 Bludgeoning, Weight: 4 lbs
  • Javelin: Bonus: +4, Damage & Effects: 1d6+3 Piercing, Weight: 4 lbs

Spells

• Maximum # of Prepared Spells: 2
  
• Magic Ability: Wisdom
  
• Saving Throw DC Total: 13,
  • (Base DC (8+mod): 12 + Spellcasting Bonus: 1)

Cantrips

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

Domain Spells

• Comprehend Languages
• Healing Word

Prepared Spells

• Command
• Bless

Spells Per Day

• 1st: 2/2

Resources

Money: 31 gp, 9 sp, 8 cp

• Banked: x

Carried Equipment: Scale Mail, Shield, Mace, Javelins (4), Adventurer's Kit, Holy Symbol, Flask of Holy Water, Scrivener's Kit, Disguise Kit, Small Steel Mirror, Satchel w/ Secret Compartment, Ink, Ink Pen, Journal
Stored Equipment: Book: History of Candlekeep and the Rise of the Cult of Deneir (Religion DC 20), a fine selection of his family's wines
Lifestyle: Wealthy, 25 gp/month (Definitely not from Khelben's expense account).

Other Important Individuals

Kerei Ilzimmer

Aiwen Frostbough

Pike Belabranta

Tolvin Thongolir

Dawnbringer Darus Killian

• 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 has repaired his relationship with Pike, but Kerei has been ever-present on the social scene. His interest in Ciro has apparently not waned, despite Ciro's protests that nothing further will happen between them, and he has filled Ciro's wardrobe with exquisite fashion-forward winter and spring outfits, all visions of Ciro's fancies made real. At the same time, the Ilzimmers have tauntingly introduced their own styles to the scene to rival the Melshimbers' declared tastes. Ciro has been confronted anew with Kerei's offputting allure, and he has only kept the man at the barest armslength.

• 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.

Projects, Goals and/or Downtime

• x

Experience Points

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