Freelands of Mirrym: Kel Darbec

by John Toppe

“You’ll never catch me if you insist on remaining two steps behind.” 
     -Kel Darbec

Kel’s life began in the town of Holsinger on Streele. When Kel was still a young boy, his father was killed by passing bandits. A few years after that, Kel’s mother and both his brothers died when a plague swept through the town, leaving Kel in the care of an overcrowded orphanage. The orphanage was run by well-meaning clerics, but the numerous conflicts in the area and periodic waves of contagion overwhelmed their capacity to offer proper care to the young children there. Because he was smaller than the other children his age, Kel was often picked on and suffered beatings at the hands of the bigger boys.

     This slowly came to an end as Kel began stealing things from the orphanage and framing the bullies for the crimes. Soon Kel’s tormentors were gone, and Kel had learned that he had a great talent for stealing. Any one could take things by brute force; only a truly clever man could take something without its owner knowing for hours or even days. And that meant a much smaller chance of being caught.

     By age 14, Kel left the orphanage (with a few choice items stolen from the clerics) to see the world, and find where the real money was - the big city. He headed to the Freecity of Mirrym and discovered what it meant to be a small fish in a very large pond. Not only did he need to watch out for the city guard, but there were numerous other thieves already established there, and they were not looking for competition. After a number of attempts on his life from rivals in the city, Kel went back to an old trick; he started framing others for his own crimes. Through careful bribes Kel made sure that several of his adversaries met with “accidents” while in jail, so allowing Kel’s power to grow.

     A ruthless man with many schemes for his own enrichment and the downfall of his rivals, Kel has quietly worked Mirrym for many years. His success is due to recognizing the right kinds of things to steal. The mayor was not going to report that his bribe money was suddenly gone. His fellow thieves also make for excellent targets, as well as wonderful challenges for his crafty mind. Though growing older, Kel is still as clever and ruthless as ever.

Kel Darbec, male human Rog6; Medium humanoid (5’ 7”, 140 lbs); CR 6; HD 6d6; hp 21; Init +2; Spd 30 ft; AL NE;       Armor: AC 16 (+2 dex, +4 leather armor +2), touch 12, flat-footed 14.       Attacks: Base Atk +4, Grp +4; Melee: Shortsword +6 (+4 BAB, +2 dex) (d6, x2/19-20).       Saves: Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +4.       Abilities: Str 10, Dex 15 (+2), Con 11, Int 16 (+3), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 9 (-1).       Languages: Common.       Skills and Feats: Appraise +11, Disable Device +11, Escape Artist +10, Forgery +12, Gather Information +10, Hide +12, Knowledge (local - freecity of mirrym) +12, Listen +11, Move Silently +13, Open Lock +11, Search +11, Spot +11; Blind Fight, Combat Expertise, Stealthy, Weapon Finesse.       Special Abilities: Sneak Attack +3d6, Trap Sense +2, Evasion, Trapfinding, Uncanny Dodge.       Possessions: Masterwork shortsword, leather armor +2, potion of invisibility, potion of spider climb, potion of cure light wounds, potion of darkness, 5 x 20 gp gems, 80 gp.