Tales from Benchleydale: Torvik Quicksilver

Welcome back to the Vault once more my fellow Adventurers.  The primary source of my gaming fix over lock down (apart from the family board games) has come by playing D&D online with friends from the First Founding club. I'm enjoying playing Immerel the Druid in a 5th edition game (my first real exposure to this version), and running an introductory adventure using Swords and Wizardry Light.

I've also been very lucky to be invited to participate in a gaming experience over the summer called the Benchleydale Academy.  The Academy is focused on a 1st edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons sandbox setting called Benchleydale and Beyond comprising over 100 classic adventures set in a campaign backdrop created in part by the collaboration of Academy participants.

 

The adventures are inspired by the classic S3: Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, and there are two story arcs being progressed:

• Party A: Deep in the jungle, this group of adventurers are mere days away from the range known as the Barrier Peaks. Will they succeed and learn the mysteries of the mountains where many expeditions before have failed.
• Party B: Party A are missing, and their fate unknown. A group of hardy souls are to be sent to learn of their fate and provide support if they are still intent on carrying out their mission.

I've found the adventure hook for Party B to be quite intriguing and so I've decided to roll up a character for the rescue mission; even if my opportunities to play are limited due to time differences, I've really enjoyed cracking open my Players Handbook (a proud possession from my teen age years) and rolling some dice.

Note: I'll amend this post with equipment, etc. as I flesh the character out.

Name: Torvik Quicksilver

Race: Dwarf

Class/Level: Thief 5 (XP: 19101)

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Hit Points: 19

Strength: 13

Intelligence: 12 

Wisdom: 9

Dexterity: 17

Constitution: 13

Charisma: 13

Magic Items: Philtre of Love, Potion of Speed, Potion of Flying, Mace +2, Bastard Sword +1, +3 vs Lycanthropes and Shape Changers.

Money: 94 CP, 14 SP, 288 EP, 84 GP, 7 PP, 2 OP.

Background
Torvik Quicksilver is a dwarven male in his late years; there are more than a few flecks of steel grey in his beard and braided hair.  Famed as a rebellious adventurer in his youth he gained the moniker Quicksilver for the speed of his hand and accuracy of his rogue skills under pressure. 

Torvik's wild side was quelled as he fell in love and married. He took up a respectable trade as locksmith, and spent happy years with his wife and son.  However Torvik could not shake his reputation as Quicksilver and eventually the stories came to the attention of Kendrik, his son.  Keen to seek a fortune and reputation of his own Kendrik struck out as an adventurer, eventually joining an ill fated expedition to the Barrier Peaks. Those fateful mountains seem to carry a curse; many seem drawn there yet none seem to survive the trek, and Kendrik joined the names of those lost to their sirens call.

Torvik's wife Alynn never got over the loss of their son, becoming withdrawn and distant from her husband. The former adventurer held himself to blame for his son's death and his wife's grief for many years. In recent years Alynn passed away and the former thief fell deep into his cups, however he has recently heard of a rescue mission being arranged for the latest party lost to the Barrier Peaks. If Torvik could not save his son, then perhaps Quicksilver might save some other lost souls.

Current Events
Torvik hales from the southerly town of Thirteen Heads; famed for it's menagerie of fantastical beasts.  The zoo is a source of employment and wealth for entrepreneurial individuals who can provide the establishment with unusual and exotic creatures. One such procurer is the renowned Proximo.

Proximo has recently delivered an elemental curiosity; a fabled Water Wierd.  Unfortunately the zoo's handlers have been unprepared in exactly how to handle such a beast and the Wierd has escaped it's confinement and is now at large within the creek and waterways which provides the fresh water for the menagerie's other residents.

Such is the elemental's ire that it has taken to causing localised flooding within the water system and has attacked several of the zoo's employees as they attempt to draw water for the other beasts.