THE GRAY WALKERS
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Garth Gregor Cloppen Narissa Falconbridge Sardha Rameswaram |
Background: With the exception of Garth, the Walkers were all born in the Land of Mists. From having spent a majority of their lives in the Demiplane, all of them developed their own personal reactions to the mysterious nature of their world. Though these responses varied, they all found themselves unable to live their lives idly in a land with so much darkness. They banded together over time out of practicality, but have since developed a fierce loyalty to one another. Like all men and women, the Walkers have their own inner demons and checkered pasts. Compared to other heroic figures, however, they have not held back the darkness within themselves as successfully. They all suffer the taint of evil (failed Powers Checks) on their bodies and souls to one degree or another. For now, the Walkers have been able to come to terms with these terrible boons. The Walkers once numbered five heroes, but suffered the loss of Isabella Mangualde within the domain of Forlorn in 743.
Roleplaying Notes: The Gray Walkers have roamed the Land of Mists for almost fifteen years together, becoming legendary figures in that time. Narissa and Sardha's passion for knowledge tend to drive their journeys to new lands and strange happenings, and so the Walkers have seen a great deal of the Demiplane of Dread. Though not wholly altruistic, they have become progressively aware of the dire realities of their world, and do their best to right wrongs and destroy evil wherever they find it. The Walkers have a mixed reputation among the common folk of the Demiplane. Though they carry the unmistakable taint of evil, their valorous deeds are well-known and celebrated. Thus, they are regarded as both heralds of doom and delivering angels. The sight of their shadowy band is equally feared and prayed for in villages across the Core.
Because they are relatively powerful, the Gray Walkers should not be used as superhero allies for weaker parties. They are best utilized for the air of mystery that surrounds them. The PC's may never actually encounter the Walkers themselves, the only evidence of their existence being rumors and legends. Periodically, tales and physical evidence may surface that some powerful denizen of the night has been destroyed by a band of "creatures". The Walkers may become something for the PC's to aspire to, mythical heroes who stay just out of sight.
In my campaign world, the Walkers played out the events of Castles Forlorn successfully in 743, which epic results. One of their number, the swashbuckler Isabella Mangualde, perished within Castle Tristenoira. The heroes managed to deliver the infant Tristen ApBlanc out Forfar year 1594 and raise the young darklord as their own adopted child. Accordingly, the rulership of the domain has been transfered to the goblyn Herrd ApKie. By Barovian year 750, Tristen in seven years old; so far, it appears that his vampiric curse is being repressed. The raising of the young boy is one of the Walkers' few joys. Garth and Gregor are particularly interested in raising Tristen in the adventuring life. The druidess Maeve—aged by the ghostly Tristen's attacks and now approaching 70—managed to escape Forlorn with the party and now lives in Tepest. She will spend her remaining years guarding the Horn of the Sacred Grove, and searching for a young acolyte to which she might someday pass the artifact. All these details are fairly significant changes to the landscape of the Demiplane, and can be excluded from the Walkers' history if necessary.