Kanthu, Mystran Priest

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Charraj
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Kanthu, Mystran Priest

Unread post by Charraj »

Kanthu

Image
Surname: Amari
Origin: Turmish
Age: 30s
Sex: Male
Deity: Mystra
Alignment: Neutral Good
Height: 6'3"
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
General Health: Tall, physically fit
Profession: Priest, mage
Habits/Hobbies: Reading, drawing
Languages: Turmic, Common, Chondathan, Elven, Dwarven
Weapon of Choice: Morningstar, blunt weapons

Appearance
    • "The Turmish people are said to be tall, mahogany skinned, and
      beautiful, and those men of the trading classes have square, long beards."
      • -Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Box Set (1987), page 86
  • Kanthu is tall and muscular. He wears his hair and beard long, though his beard used to be neatly trimmed and square. Since he no longer works as a trader, he has let his beard grow out. He usually wears a suit of well-maintained armor and a pair of silver spectacles.
Personality Profile
  • Gentle and easy-going, good-natured and quick to smile, Kanthu is almost always willing to help when he sees someone in need. He has a curiosity to learn, especially when it comes to arcane magic. Although he can defend himself, he does not consider himself especially talented at combat. He'll often avoid fighting if he can.
Background
Turmish - Alaghôn
    • "The kingdom of Turmish is known throughout the Sea of Fallen Stars
      as the heartland of the Reach due to its peaceful nature and concentration
      on commerce over warfare. Its capital, Alaghôn, serves
      as the most popular port-of-call along the southern fringes of the
      Inner Sea.
      The people of Turmish are tall, mahogany-skinned, and generally well-educated,
      especially in business and agriculture. Custom dictates that the male merchants of
      Turmish have square, neatly trimmed beards. This custom has given rise to the phrase
      'as square as a Turmishan's beard,' used to indicate a fair deal throughout the Reach.
      The warriors and mercenaries of Turmish pride themselves on their intricately crafted
      armor. From the most prominent noble to the least known militiaman, fighters of Turmish
      keep their armor in exquisite condition and frequently adorn them with embellishments.
      Such embellishments are usually expensive additions, such as gold inlay or gems.
      To the people of Turmish, the armor is a status symbol. Valuing one's armor as much as
      one's beard is quite common."
      • -The Vilhon Reach, page 33
    • "The Turms look upon spellcasters with respect and
      some degree of admiration, just as they do any learned
      individual. Turm wizards do their best to live up to the
      high standards their countrymen have for them. They
      attempt to maintain high ethical and moral standards
      in all their affairs and give generously of their time and
      advice.
      ...
      Turmish wizards, like their merchants, are noted
      throughout the Vilhon Reach for their honesty and fairness.
      They are seen as wise and noble souls who use their
      magic and intelligence to protect their friends and keep
      their enemies at a distance. As might be expected, their
      magical abilities reflect this."
      • -Wizards and Rogues of the Realms, pages 68 and 70
  • Kanthu was born in Alaghôn to two well-established and respected wizards who owned a small but high-end magecraft shop. His parents educated him and had him work in their shop as he grew up. They taught him to conduct himself with integrity, honesty, and fairness in all things. He also learned reading, writing, math, and the fundamentals of magic from them. Though he was very intelligent in his own right, Kanthu never proved to be quite as keenly brilliant as his parents. No one in the small loving family minded though. Kanthu was, and still is, the pride and joy of his parents.

    When Kanthu turned 16, his parents invited a good friend of theirs to tutor him and further his magical education. The tutor's name was Taye, and he was as unorthodox and unconventional as Kanthu's parents were brilliant. Taye taught Kanthu a new understanding of the Weave and helped him develop his metamagic techniques beyond what many think possible. He showed Kanthu around Alaghôn and introduced him to many of the city's wizards. Kanthu learned that most Turami wizards shared his parents' sense of integrity. This instilled in him a sense of pride as a wizard of Turmish. To this day, Kanthu insists on conducting himself with honesty and decency. Taye's wily humor rubbed off a little though, and Kanthu might joke and tease people warmly.
Image
The Church of Mystra
    • "Love magic for itself. Do not treat it just as a weapon to reshape the world to your will. True wisdom is knowing when not to use magic. Strive to use magic less as your powers develop, for often the threat or promise of its use outsripes its actual performance. Magic is Art, the Gift of the Lady, and those who wield it are privileged in the extreme. Conduct yourself humbly, not proudly, while being mindful of this. Use the Art deftly and efficiently, not carelessly and recklessly. Seek always to learn and create new magic."
      • -Mystra's Dogma
  • Kanthu's studies with Taye concluded when he turned 22. At this point, Kanthu wanted to further his education and deepen his understanding of the Weave. This desire lead him to the Church of Mystra, which he was already following as a lay worshipper. In Kanthu's opinion, Mystra's dogma of wisdom and restraint in the use of magic had always flowed nicely with the Turami ethos of integrity and honesty. Now, Kanthu decided to take the next step and ordained as a member of the clergy. He studied Mystran dogma and religious teachings for a decade, and even found love within the church.
    Image
Adventures in Chondath and Beyond
    • "Adventurers seeking employment to investigate lost
      ruins and ancient cities are normally referred to Chondath
      'or one of those other cities within the Vilhon,' by
      the harbormaster of Alaghôn. There is a common belief
      in Alaghôn (and Turmish) that the monsters are elsewhere,
      which is not always the case."
      • -The Vilhon Reach, page 35
  • Eventually, Kanthu felt he'd learned all he could with the church and left to travel and learn from the world. He spent three years adventuring in Chondath before turning his attention west to the Sword Coast.
Goals
  • Learn more about the Weave
  • Offer his magical services to help others
Possible Plot-Hook Ideas
  • Kanthu is not overly proud, and is perfectly willing to learn from other people.
  • Since arriving on the Sword Coast, Kanthu has learned from Isabella that Magefire was conjured by a late elven Mystran theurge named Aeili. Kanthu now seeks to learn the secrets of Magefire for himself. He intends to use Magefire to cure Rhaeg of a certain ailment.
  • Kanthu has family members and loved ones in Alaghôn, and looks forward to seeing them at some point.
Miscellaneous Facts
  • Underneath his armor, Kanthu has lion-themed tattoos that glow when he casts his magic. (Wizards and Rogues of the Realms, page 67.)
  • His tutor Taye taught him how to cast magic without somatic or verbal spell components; Kanthu can utilize the Power and the Art just by thinking about it.
  • Kanthu's mother is a master evoker and his father is a master diviner. His parents met Taye when they were all arcane apprentices in Alaghôn. Though Taye respects their genius intellect and even their choice to settle down into a quiet life, he thinks Kanthu's parents could be a force to be reckoned with in the world at large.
  • Kanthu's parents are proud of him for joining the Mystran clergy. Taye thinks it was a waste of time.
Last edited by Charraj on Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mara - Paladin of Jergal
Tabby - Hedge witch, former bandit
Samuel - A professional
Sempo - Former butler, priest of Siamorphe
Charraj Cain - Mystran. Dead.
DM Mister Rogers - It's such a good feeling to know that we're lifelong friends.
User avatar
Charraj
Posts: 2737
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 5:38 pm
Location: EST

Re: Kanthu, Mystran Priest

Unread post by Charraj »

From an early age, Kanthu's parents instilled in him a willingness to help others. This value is common among Turami wizards, and it seems like common sense to Kanthu: if people trust and help each other, then everyone benefits. Kanthu is not out to save the world though, and indeed regards the notion as being a bit grandiose. He's just inclined to be of assistance if a situation presents itself.

Kanthu's theme:

Mara - Paladin of Jergal
Tabby - Hedge witch, former bandit
Samuel - A professional
Sempo - Former butler, priest of Siamorphe
Charraj Cain - Mystran. Dead.
DM Mister Rogers - It's such a good feeling to know that we're lifelong friends.
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