John Octavius Gray
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| Biographical information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | John Octavius Gray |
| Species | Human |
| Sex | Male |
| Nationality | Kalderani |
| Adventuring career | |
| Class | Assassin |
| Level | 1 (at first appearance) |
| Party | TB31 |
| Affiliations | Kalderani elite Special Forces |
| Status | Alive |
| Campaign information | |
| Campaign | The Burning |
| Player | Bertus |
| First appearance | TB31 S01E01 (1 January 4691) |
John Octavius Gray, commonly known as John Gray, is a Kalderani assassin, researcher and elite Special Forces operative. He is a member of the adventuring company TB31, alongside Alaric and Lord Mayfin Solcarth. Gray is principally known for his investigation of the Communion of the Golden Hand and Orrin Marr's Royal Watch Tower, and for surviving a portal displacement into the Swamp of Azaar.
Early life
Gray was born into a military family. He subsequently became a member of the Kalderani elite Special Forces, although the dates, nature and present standing of his service have not been recorded. He was twenty-eight years old and a first-level assassin when TB31 began its recorded activities on 1 January 4691.
Adventuring career
Vertwall and the Communion of the Golden Hand
On 1 January 4691, Gray departed Vertwall with Alaric and Mayfin Solcarth. The party intercepted a wagon driven by Tommus and Nolyn and discovered four crates containing severed human heads. They arrested the drivers and brought both men and cargo to Lady Gildore. Gildore's investigation revealed that the wagon's mules were polymorphed children, that one crate carried a tracking spell, and that the drivers were under a dweomer which Oohmian clerics could not fully reverse. The consignment had been intended for the Communion of the Golden Hand in Vertwall. TB31 subsequently reconnoitred the establishment and arranged for a local boy to watch it.
Royal Watch Tower
On 2 January, Gray used his navigation skills to guide TB31 south-west of Vertwall in search of an unnaturally broad wilderness path. At the apparently abandoned Royal Watch Tower, he climbed the exterior wall and attempted to enter through an upper window, but found the internal shutter barred.
After Alaric and Mayfin breached the tower's doors, Gray took part in the confined fight beyond them. He pinned Lynardus Waterman through the foot with a dagger and felled another fleeing defender with an accurately thrown dagger. Once Waterman surrendered, Gray conducted much of his interrogation. He learnt that the tower was an active intake and holding site for Orrin Marr's operation, to which the Jade Conclave of the Yellow Sky delivered captives, including children.
Gray prepared against an attack from below by moving six casks of oil to the basement entrance. When Alaric returned from the roof after encountering a vitality-draining presence, Gray took a plain gold ring from Waterman and passed it to Alaric. Marr had required anyone assigned to roof duty to wear the ring, apparently as protection from the tower's magical ward.
Assault upon Marr's complex
When Alaric returned to Vertwall to seek assistance, Gray remained at the tower with Mayfin, Waterman, Kevyn Star and Carlus Wahl. He kept watch and continued speaking with Waterman. After Alaric's return, Gray used invisibility to scout ahead while the party investigated the lower levels. The tower's captives were freed and a concealed cave refuge and treasure cache were discovered.
Gray was present when a six-foot-wide magical eye appeared and subsequently exploded. He joined the descent into the sub-basement, where the party found Marr and his portal. TB31 pursued Marr through the portal shortly before midnight.
Displacement into Azaar
The portal malfunctioned and displaced its travellers separately into the Swamp of Azaar, approximately 25 kilometres from the Troglodyte Lair. Marr died after rematerialising and drowning, Mayfin remained missing, and Gray and Alaric survived.
Gray endured the swamp alone for a time before finding Alaric. The surviving companions later travelled to Azerel. Gray's individual encounters before the reunion have not yet been recorded.
Appearance and personality
Gray is a twenty-eight-year-old man with a rugged, weathered appearance and sharp features. During the Vertwall expedition he wore practical leather armour and carried a crossbow, rapier and daggers.
His conduct is characteristically investigative and tactically deliberate. He reconnoitres unfamiliar locations, listens for concealed opponents, questions prisoners, prepares defensive measures and scouts ahead when concealment is available. He appears more strongly motivated by information and useful capabilities than by wealth, status or prolonged social bargaining.
Abilities
At the beginning of the campaign, Gray was a first-level assassin. His recorded skills and non-weapon proficiencies are:
- Blind-Fighting
- Cryptography
- Modern History
- Improvised Weapon
- Investigation
- Identify Poison
- Navigation
- Orienteering
- Reading Lips
- Riding
- Swimming
- Ventriloquism
Gray speaks Shaikar and Ancient Gallentene. His training gives him particular competence in investigation, covert observation, travel and wilderness navigation. He has also demonstrated skill with daggers, a crossbow and a rapier.
Relationships
- Alaric
- Gray's fellow member of TB31. Both survived their separate displacement into Azaar, later found one another in the swamp and travelled to Azerel.
- Lord Mayfin Solcarth
- Gray's fellow member of TB31. Mayfin's present whereabouts following the portal displacement are unknown.
- Lynardus Waterman
- Initially an opponent whom Gray helped disable and interrogate at the Royal Watch Tower. Waterman subsequently provided the party with information concerning Marr's operation and the layout of the lower tower.
- Lady Gildore
- A powerful Vertwall magic-user who assisted TB31's investigation of the wagon intercepted on 1 January. Her tower was destroyed the following day.
Possessions
- A rapier.
- A crossbow.
- Daggers suitable for close combat and throwing.
- Practical leather armour.
- Other Special Forces and adventuring equipment not yet individually recorded.
Notes
- The character's full name is John Octavius Gray; John Gray is the common shortened form.
- Gray is described in the TB31 roster as an assassin/researcher.
- His birthplace, precise date of birth, alignment, religious affiliation, kit and current character level have not yet been recorded.
- The precise institutional name, duties and current status of Gray's Kalderani elite Special Forces service require further documentation.