## Basic Information - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Wandering scholar of ley lines - **Location:** Duskwatch, Deadwood Glade region, South Angoria (recent arrival) - **Alignment:** [Likely Neutral Good or True Neutral] - **Occupation:** Scholar, Researcher, Planar Studies Expert ## Personality Curious, excitable, reckless ## Background Jeren Malthis arrived in Duskwatch from South Angoria with a singular obsession: studying the planar ruptures and ley line disturbances around the Rift Scar. As a scholar specializing in planar mechanics and magical theory, he views the Deadwood Glade region as an unprecedented research opportunity—a place where the barriers between planes have weakened or torn, creating phenomena found nowhere else in Solare. His academic enthusiasm often overrides his common sense, making him willing to venture into dangerous locations for the sake of knowledge. ## Research Focus Malthis studies: - Ley line convergences and disturbances - Planar ruptures and their effects on local reality - The Rift Scar's unique magical properties - Connections between undead activity and planar instability - Ancient magical structures in the Deadwood Glade His research could have significant implications for understanding [[Anam]]'s return and the growing undead threat, though he approaches it from a purely academic perspective rather than a military or religious one. ## Political Position Malthis claims neutrality, focusing on research rather than politics. However, his arrival from South Angoria and his foreign funding make locals suspicious. Some believe he's a spy for the Human Union, using academic credentials as cover for intelligence gathering. High Priest [[High Priest Daren Hollis|Daren Hollis]] is particularly suspicious of him, viewing his secular approach to dangerous planar phenomena as reckless and possibly heretical. ## Allies & Enemies **Potential Allies:** - [[Mistress Ceyla Dorn]] (fellow knowledge seeker) - Other scholars and researchers - Adventurers willing to escort him to dangerous locations - Progressive elements who value academic inquiry **Potential Enemies:** - High Priest [[High Priest Daren Hollis|Daren Hollis]] (views him as suspicious outsider) - Traditional conservatives who distrust foreign scholars - Those who fear his research could awaken dangerous forces - Anyone who believes he's actually a spy **Suspicious of:** - [[Captain Brannic Torrell]] - Eldress [[Eldress Sybil Drowen|Sybil Drowen]] ## Adventure Hooks - Seeks adventurers to escort him into the Rift Scar for research - May need protection from dangerous entities attracted to his studies - Could offer payment for recovering magical artifacts from the Deadwood - Might request assistance in setting up monitoring equipment near planar ruptures - Could accidentally awaken something dangerous and need rescue - May discover crucial information about [[Anam]]'s return through his research ## Connections - Works with [[Mistress Ceyla Dorn]] accessing historical archives - Probably stays at [[Innkeep Varric Dolm|Varric Dolm]]'s inn (prime gossip target) - Under suspicion by High Priest [[High Priest Daren Hollis|Daren Hollis]] - Monitored by [[Captain Brannic Torrell]] for security concerns - Might have correspondence with South Angoria academic institutions ## Notes for DMs Jeren is perfect for introducing exposition about the Rift Scar, planar mechanics, and the magical consequences of [[Anam]]'s return. His academic perspective provides a secular counterpoint to religious explanations of undead activity. **Character Dynamics:** - **Reckless Enthusiasm:** Will venture into obviously dangerous situations for research - **Academic Tunnel Vision:** Focused on understanding phenomena, not practical dangers - **Outsider Status:** His foreign origin makes him perpetually suspect - **Morally Ambiguous:** Not evil, but his pursuit of knowledge could enable dangerous outcomes **Campaign Uses:** 1. **Exposition Delivery:** Explains complex planar mechanics in-character 2. **Quest Giver:** Needs escorts to dangerous research sites 3. **False Flag:** Is he really a spy, or just an eccentric academic? 4. **Catalyst for Disaster:** His research could accidentally trigger something terrible 5. **Crucial Discovery:** Might uncover key information about defeating [[Anam]] **Plot Twist Potential:** - He _is_ a South Angoria spy, but his research is genuine—he has dual motives - His research accidentally weakens planar barriers, making undead incursions worse - He discovers something about the Rift Scar that changes everything about the region's history - He's _not_ human—he's a disguised celestial/fiend/outsider studying the planar damage **Moral Questions:** - Is dangerous knowledge worth pursuing? - Should academic freedom exist even when it might endanger others? - Can you trust someone whose loyalty is to truth rather than community? - Should scholars be allowed to study planar ruptures in populated areas? Let your players decide whether Jeren is a valuable ally, a dangerous fool, or something more sinister. His enthusiasm and expertise make him likeable, but his recklessness and suspicious timing create natural conflict.