Kwynn An'lian
Description
The black cowl of a wool traveling cloak is drawn over Kwynn An'lian's head, masking his drow features from those that revile his race. Of course, it also helps to keep the offensive rays of the sun out of his sensitive, crimson eyes. The sleight figure of Kwynn is deceiving; the professional caver and hunter is lithe and strong. His snow-white hair is bound back into a single braid that slips down his back. Sculpted, black-skinned features demonstrate a natural cunning and wickedness that don't truly define Kwynn beyond the parameters of his mercantile lifestyle. Unfortunately, he's well aware that not everyone would judge him fairly, and remains quiet usually. When he does speak, his voice is deep and resonating with confidence. Under the cloak, Kwynn boasts a fine shirt of silvery mithral chain links. A heavy, curved blade is sheathed at his waist. If he has other weapons, they are well hidden.
History
Terrazhan was possibly the heart of all drow civilization in Estonen. There was where Kwynn An'lian was born 138 years ago. And this was where he grew up, learning from an early start about just how cheap life was to the dark elves. It didn't disturb him really. He was taught the An'lian trade of rangering in Underdark -- how to hunt other creatures that wandered those caverns and tunnels, how to explore new systems to expand the drow's territory, and how to scout the caves they already knew. In short, Kwynn was raised to be a professional An’lian caver, the scouts of the great House Vae. The dark elf had an incredibly keen mind for these common but underrated tasks and a sharp comprehension of what it took to win in battle no matter what. When he joined older drow in their own ranger missions, he proved himself several times, bloodied more than once and earning his share of trophies against kuo-toa, duergar, deep dwarves, deep halflings, svirfneblin, and a variety of strange and horrible monsters.
But Kwynn did not feel fulfilled. The lifestyle wasn't adding up to what he hoped and expected it would be. Maybe it was just because he didn't feel rewarded enough by his vain and greedy race. Perhaps he secretly feared failing in Sivarnatta’s eyes and being transformed into a reviled drider. Whatever the reason, one night when he was dispatched to patrol an outer tunnel base, he simply left and never came back. Kwynn left a false trail of his own blood and a few scattered remains to suggest he was waylaid and slain by some aberration. The trick seemed to work, for no pursuit followed Kwynn fled to the overlands. He knew the sun would be painfully bright and the peoples impossibly antagonistic. But he also knew his rare talents could be high in demand, and he could charge good sums for his efforts. Kwynn traveled far west of Terrazhan, landing in a town reputed as the center for nefarious adventurers, Smyth. There in Verdentia, this drow outcast hoped to achieve his own name in time.
Personality
Kwynn is a mercenary through and through. Life is all about him and as long as he's free to walk his own path, to forge his own destiny, he will be fairly content. Of course, he expects to be well rewarded for whatever work he provides his employers! He knows he's a rare commodity. On the other hand, he knows he's a member of a despised race, and constantly plots in every social situation to stay one step ahead of those that might threaten him. There's something else: since fleeing Terrazhan, he fears he's a coward deep inside, and fights hard to prove (at least to himself) otherwise.
Goals
Kwynn will continue along the ranger class until mastery (20th level) before considering some other class -- possibly even a Prestige Class such as assassin, although that would demand a shift in alignment back towards his race's reputed wickedness.
Character Sheet