Olli's Backstory

Name: Olli (olive branch, peace maker)

Age: 75

Human, Cleric:

Life Domain

Spiritual Understanding with the Lotus Flower

A bit of a wanderer in his older years

Understanding of Magic

Family:

Birth mother: Human, Entertainer (let’s say she was familiar among the sailors and water folk)

Birth Father: Human, Captain of the Sea Dream, Sailor

Half-Brother: Half Gnome/Human, an academically minded Bard with neutral evil tendencies (we will get introduced to him later)

Adoptive Mother: Matilda Quinlan (irish for second chance), Half Elf/Human, Cleric

***

Born upon a ship in the Sea of Selenta (meaning the banished), a child was given a hard start to life right away. Upon having given birth, his mother, an entertainer, did not want to be burdened with a child when she could be making money on the ships and at the taverns in the ports that they would frequent on their journeys. His father being a sailor and captain of the Sea Dream put work first and family always came after the ship and sailors aboard his vessel.

After a rough storm immediately following the child’s birth, the crew begged the captain to make port for repairs and gathering of supplies. Seeing the opportunity to give the child up, the couple mutually agreed to give him up to some other poor soul when they made port. Upon making port, the couple went around the humble port looking for supplies and possibly desperate fools to “take care” of their child while they shopped/skipped town. The port was the starting point to the city of Selenta. This was fitting as the child was to be left behind by his parents. It was poor looking and parts in ruin while others were in repair. Few shops and stalls had been spared in the last plunder of the war. It did not seem to matter who was winning or whose soldiers came through because the city was in constant need of repair. Despite the hardships, the people there were kind and immediately noticed that the crew and captain of the Sea Dream were in need of supplies and rest. The locals directed them to an inn for them to rest and to recuperate their weary bodies before repairing the ship at the first light of dawn.

The captain and his flaunting wife did not make as great of an impression as his crew did. They were shied away from and looked down on due to how she openly flirted and offered “entertainment” services to all sorts of gentlemen of all kinds of backgrounds…(everyone has one loose character in their family, it was the Sea Captain’s wife and child’s mother). The innkeeper was so disturbed by her lack of discretion and the Captains never ending thirst of ale that made him louder and more vulgar with every pint that he swore to personally drown them in the sea if they did not pay, leave, and get back on their damned boat. At this point the crew had retired to the upstairs rooms of the inn and had all paid on their own as they had come to know that the Captain would not pay for anyone aboard the ship unless it was for his woman. For the crew knew that work resumed after their feeble attempt to rest while their Captain drunkenly grew louder down below. The woman then offered a proposal to the innkeeper: “We will leave and return to the ship as long as you take our child and cared for him for him while we repair our ship. A damaged ship is no place for a child.” The innkeeper said yes to get them out of his sight.

The innkeeper himself was Father Endros, a monk. After being “blessed” with this unknown child from the sea, he took it upon himself to bring him to the home of a fellow cleric. As one can tell, running a temple is not easy when half of the roof is gone and you have to continually rebuild from the damages of war. Some of his best work was done by providing food and rest at his inn. He could not have done it without the support of his dearest friend, Matilda Quinlan. Matilda was a skilled woman of the Life Domain and was knowledgeable about magic, spiritual connections, and helping healing the sick. She has been an incredible resource during the progress of rebuilding the city of Selenta.

Father Endros knew that the odd couple that graced his presence this evening would not come back. He had seen this scene play out time and time again. The war was not kind to new families. It was easier to flee and leave young children behind with those that could not have children or those that were willing to care for them. Usually it was done in better taste, but then again, when you are a drunken sailor and a woman that entertains to make income, you should not expect too much. Matilda will know what to do with the child. She always know s how to help others, even if it is concerning a child being abandoned.

As he approached her home in the twilight hours, Matilda was already waiting for him on her door step. She was sitting with her tea in mug, steam rising and filling the air with sweet mint and ginger. She had a second mug sitting to her right as if she were waiting for the good monk himself.

M:“Bloody ‘ell, who did left ye another blessing instead of some gold or silver tonight?”

FE: “This bastard of a sea captain aboard the Sea Dream and his sea wench. She has the taste for anything that has genitalia and can stand upright and has gold lined in his pockets. Blasted fools don’t know good when they see it. Their crew be so tired and patient and will be right to fixin’ that ship of theirs as soon as dawn approaches. I ‘spect them to leave in 2 days with the hurry they dropped this bundle on my counter as payment. Didn’t even have to think twice about it.”

M: “It is for us now and them to go forward on their journey, wherever it may be. Shame they left ye in such a hurry. Let me guess, drunk off his arse and she wanted to give a show? Child deserves better no how.”

Father Endros handed the child to Matilda to hold while he sat, took his tea that she had provided and slowly came down from his tempered mood. He knew that she was right or course. She always had a level head. She usually knew what to do when confronted with problems such as this. As they sipped their tea, Matilda rocked the baby. After some time in silence, Endros broke the silence.

FE: “In another life, we could have had a family together.”

M: “What is it you want Endros? You gettin’ a soft heart, are ye?”

FE: “You know what I mean, Matilda. I am saying we could have had a family and be together like this. But-”

M: “This is not our calling. We never were meant to start a family. Rather we were meant to help so many others. A family would not have allowed that for us. Ye know the consequences of what that would have been for us both. You would not have had your temple, and I would not have grown in my Life Domain. Remember, we can raise and guide, but ye cannot create life. If ye do not get out of your head there, I be setting to dunk ye head in some cold water.”

FE: “Of course. I understand. What shall he be named? The bloody parents did not even tell what his name is. I don’t think he even has one. And who will raise him? All of the towns folk have taken in more than their share of people to help during the last raid. We don’t have enough buildings in repair yet to even set up a place for such people in need.”

M: “I will raise him. Since I cannot not have a family of my own, I will raise him as my son. I will be honest with him about his birth family, but when he is old enough to understand. If ye be kind enough to help me raisin’ the wee lad, I would be most grateful, Father Endros. It is the callin’ ye took when you became a monk. To help those in need. Plus the company would be nice.”

FE: “It is settled then. I must be getting back to the inn. Take care, Matilda and the tea was just what I needed.”

As Father Endros made his way back to the inn, Matilda knew that there was no mistake in what took place tonight. She knew that Endros was going to arrive to her home with something strange. She however did not expect it to be a child. Nonetheless, she kept her word and raised the boy as her own. She named him Olli, which means “olive tree, peace maker”.

***

Time went by and over the years not only did Olli grow in the faith of the Life Domain, he also held a friendly and kind relationship with his step-mother Matilda. Although he never called her mother, he gave her the respect of a mother. Under his own choosing, he took on her last name and became Olli Quinlan. His name not only meant peace maker, but it now meant second chance. This was fitting considering his second chance at life with Matilda.

He learned about the temple and why the war raved the city of Selenta. He learned that the war stemmed from decades of hate and greed. The people of Selenta sadly were constantly in the crossfire of the war. To help with aiding the people, Olli went on to train as a cleric and help those hurt in the war. As he traveled, he developed his love of tea and the desire to help people. He learned of magic and how he can use it to help others and not use it for evil purposes. While on his journeys, Olli befriended a wizard who then made him his apprentice. This is where Olli learns about healing spells, learning to use his divine energy to fuel his magic abilities, and sensor the undead and destroy them. He eventually became an intermediary between the holy and mortal world. Over time these factors contributed to Olli being a resourceful cleric in the war. He was on and near the battlefield for many years until the way was made for peace. Overtime, everything became more of a political stance and towns were not ravaged so much as they were dictated.

Olli learned to speak Dragconic, understand orc curses, elvish musical expressions, and dwarvish military phrases. Matilda made sure that he was well rounded if he were to ever leave Selenta. She did not expect him to stay in one place forever, but rather go be an adventurer and help people in that way. Olli was not tied down to Selenta as she and Father Endros were. The people looked up to them as leaders, and Olli was free to make his way as he chose. Matilda mentored him with the knowledge and faith that she had in the LIfe Domain and encouraged him to find his spiritual connection in the world. She encouraged him to be the peace maker just as his name was. Olli would never forget where he started, and would make visits when he could to see Matilda. She could not travel, but can still sense when he is near and will be waiting on the front steps of her home with tea ready for him as if she was expecting him.

Olli has been an adventurer and will get called on by different types of companies to join their crew no matter the cause. When he is not on a journey, Olli can be found at his home, shop, or stall in the market square. He lives next door to his mentor, the wizard. There they spend time together smoking their pipes, contemplating life, and enjoying tea together. Olli has never stopped learning about magic and when given something he does not know, he goes to his mentor. More than once, he and his mentor go out together for adventures. Sometimes they go separately and they never say when they will return.

When we meet Olli, he is a modest, 75 year old man with green eyes and light brown skin. He is no more than 100lbs and stands exactly at 5 feet. He lives in the town of Delgarra. He has a private garden that very few are privy to. Inspired by his step-mother, Olli has a garden filled with rare and beautiful flowers from his adventures to help with ailments, diseases, and elixirs. He also has basic herbs and plants for cooking and simple enjoyment of the beauty of nature. Olli is very appreciative of the little things in life. His favorite flower (which he possesses a great knowledge of) is the Lotus Flower. Most of his garden has signs of the lotus flower among the stones and walkways carved into them.

Olli’s shop, Lotus Treasures, is mostly to fund his adventures. His stand in the market square is focused on unique tea cups. The tea cups serve as a conversation starter whether it is the history of the cup or which brew of tea to buy from the neighboring shop/stall that sells tea. When a customer wants to know more about spiritual guidance, he invites the individuals or parties to his shop for a more private meeting. Because of his optimistic attitude, nothing can shake him or surprise him. Due to growing up in war and serving in the war, Olli has chosen to have a positive outlook on life even when unforgivable and tragic events occur. Being a cleric, he know that others look to him for guidance.

The cleric is a good judge of character and works hard to help those in need. He does what he can for the people and can be a bit obsessive to finish a goal no matter the cost to those around him at times. On a spiritual level, he is highly knowledgeable in the spiritual meaning of the lotus flower. He is a believer in people following their hearts and taking time to enjoy life. The lotus flower is also found in his shop and on his stall in the marketplace.

Being seasoned by war is not always easy. At times, he does not sleep so to pass the time, he walks in his garden. Usually on the days following the sleepless nights, Olli will have the most peculiar customers come to his stall. It is as if the Life Domain is leading these folks to him. Sometimes it is for guidance on a spiritual journey, other times to take part in an adventure.