Freelands of Mirrym: Margaret Thorne

by Patrick Lawinger

"Ooh! A book! I haven't read this one yet!"
     -Margaret Thorne

Margaret began life as the daughter of acrobats in a travelling circus, but her life was changed after a small carnival in Holsinger on Streele. At 10 years of age she was already beginning performances on the tight rope; however, it was her demonstration of a sharp mind and calm nature that impressed Warrick Light, a wizard living nearby.

Renee Brandt illo

     She was able to quench a fire started by a panicked monkey by “copying what I’d seen a wizard do.” Her utter calm while others panicked, and her ability to create a complex spell simply from having watched someone else cast it several times, convinced Warrick of her incredible potential. He convinced her parents that Margaret should remain behind as his apprentice and her life has been forever changed.

     Always curious, Margaret revels in the many books in Warrick’s library and is thrilled by her magical abilities. As Warrick’s first apprentice, Margaret has received careful, individual training that few budding wizards could hope to obtain. At a mere 16 years old, Margaret is destined to become a powerful wizard.

     Margaret keeps her pale blond hair tied in braids with bows or hair clips of some sort. She is thin, yet muscular, and her robes hang from her shoulders to brush against her legs as she walks, making Margaret look more like a child than a budding wizard of great power.

     While few would call her beautiful, she has a winning smile and wonderful personality that attracts people to her. Her childhood as a performer has eliminated any fear she might have of rejection. Margaret’s life so far has been devoted to knowledge; she takes a child-like delight in learning new facts, reading new books and casting a spell for the first time. Her enthusiasm for the study of magic is infectious; people walk away from conversations with her wondering why they never started studying magic themselves.

     While most fledgling mages start out as hard-worked apprentices or pay huge sums of money to their mentors, Margaret has benefited from Warrick’s incredible generosity and encouragement. Even though Margaret’s enthusiasm has brought new life to Warrick’s own magical studies, both of them know that it is time for her to move on. Warrick feels she needs to see the world and understand that knowledge gained from books must be tempered with the experience obtained from travel.

     Margaret, on the other hand, is eager to explore and learn new things, something she knows she can’t do studying in a tower. With the supplies and spells Warrick has given her, Margaret is ready for adventure and exploration.

Margaret Thorne, female human Wiz3; Medium humanoid (5’ 6”, 110 lbs); CR 3; HD 3d4+3; hp 11; Init +6; Spd 30 ft; AL LG;       Armor: AC 12 (+2 dex), touch 12, flat-footed 10.       Attacks: Base Atk +1, Grp +2; Melee: Dagger +2 (+1 BAB, +1 str) (d4+1, 19-20/x2).       Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5.       Abilities: Str 12 (+1), Dex 14 (+2), Con 12 (+1), Int 16 (+3), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 14 (+2).       Languages: Common.       Skills and Feats: Concentration +6, Knowledge (arcane) +7, Listen +5, Spellcraft +8, Spot +5, Tumble +3; Alertness, Brew Potion, Improved Initiative, Scribe Scroll.       Spells (4/3/2; save DC 13 + spell level, 0% arcane spell failure chance): 0-Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Light, Mage Hand; 1-Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Sleep; 2-Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, Web.       Possessions: Elixir of hiding, Heward’s handy haversack, blanket, wine skin, bullseye lantern, 2 flasks of oil, 50 ft. of silk rope, 3 days of trail rations, bar of soap, 10 gp, 50 gp gem.