Ellie Appletall

Ellie Appletall's first memories were of blurry images of a magical being - beyond her ability to adequately describe - sometimes she swears it was an angel - other times she swears it was a huge gold dragon - surrounded by glowing globes - floating over her.

And then darkness.

She would awaken in the back room of Galen's Emporium of the Fantastical. The kind eyes of its owner - and elderly bugbear named Emil the Finder - stared at her.

He explained that he had found her in the alley behind his shop. Unconscious and in rags. And he could not in good conscience let an innocent perish. He thought she was maybe 5 or 6 years old.

Days, weeks, months and years passed. Emil had put out feelers through his networks, but no one ever came looking for her.

He named her Ellie - after his favourite stage actress - and Appletall because she was tiny.

Ellie helped out around the shop - doing what was needed. She would make up stories about the treasures that came into the shop - dreaming about the adventurers who brought them in. Eventually, she moved from sweeping the floors to taking in merchandise.

One day - while handling a pearl - she had a sense that it might be special and then all of a sudden it popped into her mind that it was a Pearl of Power. Emil confirmed it and from that day forward Ellie was the official magic finder of the shop. That suited her just fine - she always had an interest in magic and magical items.

As she grew up - her poor eyesight never improved. Emil had thought the trauma that left her in the alley may have affected her sight in someway. And he had hoped over time it would get better.

The day Emil died - three thugs had broken into the shop - Ellie's other special ability came to the forefront. As one of the thugs menaced her, she opened her mouth and a cone of fire enveloped the thug, as well as the more flammable merchandise.

The two other thugs fled and at that moment, Ellie knew she needed to step into the world. After mourning Emil's murder and closing up the Emporium, she set out for adventure.

With Emil dead, nothing held her to the shop and the road seemed to call to her. And only out there would she have a chance to find out how she ended up in the alley and who she really is.

Chapter 1

While in the hamlet of Roccatorre, Ellie stayed at the Moonbluff General Store. The owner, Laura, a female halfling with a dire wolfhound named Tike, was brutally direct with Ellie, speaking what was on her mind, namely the lack of male haflings in the hamlet. Katie Ching, a mute orphan girl, could be seen helping Laura around the general store.

As they entered the kobold caves, Ellie scampered up the corridor - passed the smouldering remains of the three kobolds - and found herself in an open expanse with a river running down its centre. The river was punctuated with a series of columns of stone running down its centre.

And in the distance - across the river - she could just make out the backside of one of the two fleeing kobolds - disappearing down a narrow corridor.

She came to a stop - there was no way she was going to catch the kobolds - but maybe one of her tall companions would surprise her with their speed and agility. At that very thought she guffawed out loud. All she could picture was Cherry falling into the river.

She smiled wryly. She only fell in with this odd band of companions less than a fortnight ago and yet, she had quickly begun to be fond of this band of misfits.

She had a particular fondness for the bugbear - not only because he was handy in a pinch - but because he seemed to be a genuinely good soul. His kobold companion was a bit odd - and seemed to have an issue with her - or at least she thought so - despite her speaking up in his defence with the villagers. He was - however - quite capable - successfully getting her up the corridor unseen to dispatch the kobolds.

The dog and halfling were quite the symbiotic and dynamic duo - causing havoc on the battlefield. And he was very handy with that wand. Oh so helpful!

The Killoren with his bow was very effective when he hit and seemed particularly fond of his arrows. And what problem did he have with the young woman cleric? She just wanted to experience adventure on the road and she had proven herself as very very helpful. And she kept out from underfoot.

She still did not know what to make of the Aasimar … she was not completely sure what he does - but he seemed harmless enough - spouting balls of flame.

The female half elf seemed very effective in battle when not swooning - or jumping upon traps. Such a strange character.

Ellie glanced back - and as her gaze took in her companions spilling out of the corridor - she smiled. She was looking forward to what mischief they could get into. And maybe they could help her find out more about her past … and what the lake has to do with it all.

Chapter 2

That night, as Ellie regailed Laura about their adventures in the Kobold Caves, Laura's dog Tike, chased a rat into a corner. As he grabbed it with his mouth and began to shake it about, the rat transformed into a male halfling, shouting for mercy. Startled, Tike dropped the naked halfling in front of the two ladies. He introduced himself as Arthur Meadowgrass, a rogue/swashbuckler who was part of an adventuring group that was ambushed, captured and killed by kobolds. He survived by changing into his rat form but was captured and put in the cage with the other rats. He escaped when the kobolds opened the cages to release the rat swarm at Ellie and her companions. Arthur explained that as a native halfling of the Kingdom of Kern, Yondalla granted his people the ability to shapechange into rat form to help them escape out of harm's way during the ancient Empire Wars. Arthur mourns the loss of his former companions, but says he has had enough of adventuring and wants to just settle down. Laura insists he stay and recoup with her in her quarters behind the store (he is a male halfling after all).

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

When Ellie leaves the Wizard's old library, there is a flash of light, and she has a vision.

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Rako climbed the statue of Gruumsh behind the throne and pried out the giant red pretty garnet from its one-eye. Ellie used her dragon sight and detected strong necromantic magic radiating from it. Ellie touched it to divine what other abilities it might have, but could sense nothing to justify the dark aura coming from it. Later, during the stress of combat with the orcs in the lower levels of the citidel, both Rako and Ellie would be overcome with dread as they felt Gruumsh's all seeing eye bearing down upon their souls, preventing them from taking any new actions (cursed: 50% of not being able to take any new action each round).

Once she realized she was cursed, Ellie came up with a plan, and climbed onto Cherry's back, so she could move around in combat as required with Cherry, and act when she is able.

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Total Treasure