Vara Pak-Ti

Background

Vara Pak-Ti is a human archer and scout. Her physical appearance is a bit different from the human populace in Barsaive due to her olive skin, which is typical for the human tribe of the Kathan from deep within the Servos jungle. Most Kathans paint or even tattoo white patterns on their skin to create a “natural” camouflage which helps enormously for the continued survival in their natural jungle environment. The exact circumstances which led to Vara’s cammou-tattoos having completely gone without a trace are kept confidential by the archer.

Vara started her career as a hunter with a blow pipe, a weapon quite common in the jungle. She and her village were on the run from a “gitta”, as the Kathans call the horrors in their native language, when they ran into a Theran slave hunting party made up of elves and humans. Vara lived through a few uncertain and fearful days while in chains, before a dwarven task force from the kingdom of Throal spottet the slaver’s camp and quietly took them out. They freed the prisoners and Vara was so enthralled by the small folk that she rather than return to the jungle instead opted to accompany the dwarves to their home town. On the trip the friendly dwarves taught her the basics of Throalian language so she would be able to communicate using hands and feet.

Without her even realizing she was drawn into an adventure within the caves beneath Throal – and died a gruesome death. Since her new companions brought her back to life she accompanied them until she would get a chance to repay the favor. She also learned to use a short bow which drastically increased her range as an archer. In her second adventure she helped her new friends defend their raft from an attack – and died again, this time from a brutal slash across her torso. Her companions revived her again and she helped them fight back a huge horde of skeletons – and died yet again.

These events influenced Vara threefold: First, she now lived life to the fullest and – contrary to Kathan tradition – went to seek out new adventures instead of avoiding all dangers. Second, she got more involved in strategic and tactical discussions and decisions of her group concerning difficult situations (which was a bit complicated sometimes due to her still improving language skills). And lastly she was very motivated to correctly learn the dwarven language and also to read and write, since she wanted to write down her visions, feelings and encounters from her near- and after-death-experiences for other namegivers to comprehend – a project she’s still working on, inspired by several more of these experiences.

Meanwhile her renown has increased, as has her wealth, so she now owns a small appartement in Bartertown where she can continue writing between two adventures.

Physical Description

Vara is a 24-year old human with olive skin, black hair of roghly more than shoulder length and soft, brown eyes. Her travelers garb is as practical as it is alluring and clearly shows her jungle heritage. Her only clothes are a loincloth and bikini, both with camouflage pattern. A pair of light shoes or sandals cover her feet and a long camouflage cloak protects from harsh weather. Her armament consists of a broadsword carried across the back and a bow in her hand with a large quiver at her hip. Her backpack contains the few belongings she carries with her on adventures. Her hair is mostly worn openly, only occasionally she will tie it up in a pony tail. She usually wears a pair of small earrings and a small ring or stud in her left nostril, as well as a pair of silver bracers with tribal patterns.

When in Bartertown Vara can lately be seen wearing more urban clothing. She usually wears long, white linen pants bound at the ankles and a wide top of varying design, sometimes short and showing her midriff, sometimes with sleeves. Her feet are covered with soft, light shoes or she might even wear espadrilles with heels. Both arms are covered by a variety of different silver bangles, small and large, some with patterns. A pair of varying, but mostly large silver hoops sparkle in her ears and a stud with a white gem in her left nostril. She also likes to wear a silver tiara with a large emerald that she had brought back from one of her adventures.

Vara now has a scarred left palm due to one of her flame arrows exploding prematurely while still in her hand.