Firbolg Cleric of Knowledge | DDB
Wander joined paths with the team while both were investigating the tomb of an ancient giant. She started her journey on a mission from her god (whom she only knows as Knowledge) and her people to save them from the unknown darkness under the northern mountains. Wander comes from a large family of healers and tinkers but hasn’t traveled too far outside of her clan lands until now. She does not do well with thinking before the doing, especially when there are buttons or switches around. But she is solidly dedicated to being a help to all she can and will (apologetically) unleash pain upon threats to her clan and team.
Signature Weapon: Holy Symbol
Signature Move: Command
Wander’s Story
As recounted to after meeting the first adventurers that became the Derailers
At the base of great mountains, to the north of the Mountainroot Stead, there are caves. They aren’t considered anything of importance, and the clan prefers to stay in the safety of the forest. I’ve always been keen to explore and soon found my way in and out of the mountain caves when looking for herbs, berries, and minerals for potions. Most were empty, one housed a bear (I learned how to disappear that day), a couple had the remains of very old campsites. And then, the spring after I was named… 20 or so winters ago, I found it: The entrance was just like any other, although it was a bit higher than I’d climbed before. But I heard this slight whisper in my mind urging me forward, assuring me I would be safe, asking me to go further.
As I lit my lantern and started through the tunnel, the rough rock and earth became smooth, carved stone. There were carved shapes on the walls, giants and dragons and other races. There was a huge door covered in sigils and glyphs, just slightly ajar. Massive stairs lead down into a large cavern, columns rising in two rows down the center of the room and an empty tomb at the far end. On either side of the room there were sets of armor in different sizes, sitting on display. To the left and right of the tomb were alcoves full of books, scrolls, and tablets. Behind the tomb was a huge carving of a crowned giant battling a giant lizard or dragon with tusks. I later found a winding tunnel that led to a circular room with colored runes carved on the ground.
In one of the alcoves, as I looked among the books in languages I couldn’t read, I found a cracked green stone in the shape of a leaf. I took it. It felt warm in my hand and I could sense a presence of calm and rightness.
As I looked at the carvings along the open and empty coffin, the runes that had meant nothing before, started to become clear in my mind. “Tigorian the Mountain Slayer” it read. Realizing how long I had been gone, I mentally marked the place in my mind, and hurried back home, taking the stone with me and already planning to return.
I showed the stone to Vineyard, who cautiously encouraged my exploration. In the following seasons, I returned to the tomb as often as I could between my clan responsibilities. The more time I spent among the books, the more I could understand. I began to hear a voice explain what I was reading or images would come to my mind of places and people. Other times, a breeze or twinkle of light would guide me to a manuscript that would fit with another I was studying. The presence gave no name, so I called it Knowledge. It didn’t always respond, but was there when I needed. I continued to study and began to realize I had new skills. I no longer needed a torch, I could create light myself. The covers of damaged books would begin to mend in my hands. Back home, when I apprenticed with my mother, people I helped healed faster, bones set quicker. My connection to Knowledge continued to grow.
And then they came. I had been studying in the tomb when Knowledge told me to hide. Hearing voices at the top of the stairs, I dove behind some rubble near a set of armor. A huge Goliath and a large green troll came in, followed by orcs dragging bodies of dead beasts and supplies. Setting the bodies in a pile, the orcs began setting up tents for a more permanent stay, at the direction of the hunched-over troll.
The troll began chanting, speaking in… draconic? I had never heard the language before, but the words became clear in my mind. As he spoke, he began walking in circles, throwing dust and drawing shapes in the ground.
“Tiamat, Queen of dragons, I beseech you yet again. Grant me the door to your servant, Carvakus, that I may bring about your will.”
Then, in common he spoke: “May The Earth Dragon bring Zandoria to her former glory, for all Orcs and followers of the Order of Carvakus! The troll’s staff glowed red, and blacks smoke filled the room. With a swift movement of his gnarled hands, the ground began to shake and a chasm broke open in the cave floor. The troll pointed, signaling an order to the orcs. The orcs stepped forward and started digging, while others started throwing down dead bodies, then returning up the stairs to get more. There were so many corpses. Knowledge railed in anger, but I was frozen with fear.
The Goliath finally spoke: “How long will this take?”
“A while. We will need to keep Cilandrio occupied, especially Riverband’s king.” snarled the troll.
“I think I can manage that.” replied the Goliath
“No, I don’t think so,” snapped the troll. “I think it’s time I myself was introduced to your king, yes?.”
The Goliath paused, then silently nodded.
It was then that the ground began to rumble. And then screams started, as the orcs brought down live captives. I couldn’t tell who they were; elf, human, dwarf. I didn’t dare move, I couldn’t. They threw them over, their cries fading in the distance. And then the world cracked, columns came down, a few of the orcs fell in the fissure. I snapped out of my panic, grabbed the spear, shield, and armor next to me, turned invisible, and ran.
As I reached the top of the stairs, I heard them say “We need more.”
Somehow avoiding the orcs outside, I escaped home, making sure to cover my tracks. I explained to Vinyard what I saw. It was agreed that I would follow the leading of Knowledge and seek out someone or something to help us rid the mountain of the orcs and their allies. I donned the armor, shield, and spear I grabbed from the cave, and set out with the blessing of my clan.
I journeyed south. Weeks turned to months as I searched through caves and tombs of Giant and Knave, looking for answers. Eventually finding myself in Deepbell, a cold little fishing town, where the locals spoke of the cave of Fjord Stonebreaker. A name familiar from my research, so I went to explore, hopeful I would find something helpful. Unfortunately, a group of bandits had gotten there first, led by a blue Tiefling with a pet dire polar bear. They got the drop on me, and there I was when you all came in.