Greetings!

Adventurers are often accompanied by various hirelings, henchmen, companions, and retainers. Some such companions are by circumstance not always straight away hardened professionals or well-trained mercenaries--on occasion, different relationships are formed, and otherwise unusual companions are gained. One of the members of the Character Party has gained two adolescent companions in recent months. The character, Khaeden, came upon the two adolescents grieving the loss of their family in a recent battle, with their village in flames and ashes. Khaeden told the boy and girl to join him, and that with him they would be safe. For an added dimension of drama and hilarity, I have allowed two of the girls in the group to take upon themselves the role of Otto and Helga. They often scheme together on how the young Otto and Helga can make Khaeden's life interesting!

Khaeden has two adolescent companions that accompany him everywhere on his journeys. Khaeden's two Danevar adolescent companions are a boy, Otto, and a girl, Helga. The two adolescents are siblings and orphans that Khaeden has picked up during one of the group's recent engagements in war, defending Danevar lands from invading Havnu warriors. The boy, Otto, is 13 years old, with dark, gray eyes, and wheat blonde hair. Otto is tall for his age, being 5'10" and with a strong build, like a young bull. Otto is stoic, resolute, and soft-spoken. The girl, Helga, is 16 years old, 6'2" and built like a rhino, with a strong and powerful form. Helga has long, platinum blonde hair, and pale, gray-blue eyes. Helga is loud, opinionated, and forceful.

Whether Khaeden is out in the field, in camp, or in town at Caedburough, Otto and Helga are ever-present, like shadows always at his side. Otto is disciplined and conscientious in seeking to stand guard at night, and is watchful and suspicious. Otto grooms the group's horses, feeding them and tending to them with attention and care. Otto is diligent also in cleaning and caring for Khaeden's armour and weapons. Helga insists on washing Khaeden's clothes, cooking and preparing food for him, and bathing and grooming him attentively. Helga is always insistent that Khaeden looks his best. Helga prepares herbal teas and also medicines, and stitches and dresses Khaeden's wounds with obstinate and controlling zeal. Helga ensures that Khaeden has fresh furs to wear, and all of his clothing is in good order. In addition to constantly looking after Khaeden, Helga ensures that all of her brother's needs are likewise taken care of in a diligent and responsible manner.

In recent months, Otto and Helga have both become increasingly involved in training with armour and weapons, which are often mismatched and ill-fitting, as well as participating in hunting animals, fishing, and gathering other food for Khaeden, as well as the whole group. While the group was recently in town, staying at one of the group's lodges, Khaeden discovered his many bags full of coin were gone. Khaeden then questioned Helga, whereupon Helga forthrightly explained to him that she had taken all of his money and had locked half of it away in a great iron-bound chest; Helga took a fourth of it and invested it into her girlfriend Thinghera's pottery business; the remaining fourth portion of Khaeden's coin she invested it into her girlfriend Marbuna's dairy farm, with solemn promises from each of them that they would receive excellent reward in return. Helga asked Khaeden if he thought it was better for his money to work harder for him, instead of him working harder for his money? Helga told Khaeden that he was like a snorting, wild beast, and that she wasn't going to let him waste his hard-won silver on ale and whores. Then, Khaeden discovered that his girlfriend Saegetta—who had been staying at his lodge for several weeks—was gone, and nowhere to be found inside the lodge, nor her possessions. Helga explained sincerely to Khaeden that she and Saegetta had quarreled, and that Helga then helped Saegetta in reaching a new place of clarity that she would be happier elsewhere, with someone else. Helga explained to Khaeden in a stern manner that Saegetta was weak, and that she was a lazy, fat cow. Helga firmly insisted that Saegetta was not good enough for him, and that Saegetta didn't want what was best for Khaeden.

Khaeden is thusly accustomed now to the two adolescent's constant companionship. Khaeden has been constantly assailed by Otto and Helga to equip them properly with armour and weapons. Helga told Khaeden that they both sought to obey him in all things, but that they would not leave his side—he would have to beat them without mercy or kill them to get them to abandon his side. Helga told Khaeden flatly that for them to leave his side would betray their oath to the spirits of their family, watching them from the halls of Valhalla. Faced with such resolve from both of them, Khaeden has resigned himself to the task of having them both fitted with customized armour and weapons, suitable in all ways for their build and physique.

What stat and ability profile do you think would be appropriate for such young adolescent companions?

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

I'd stat Otto as a 1st level ranger, and Helga as a 1st level fighter. Standard attribute spread. I don't think they need much more than that. Depending on the system (I'll be honest, I can't remember what you're running), you might swap a couple proficiencies around to match up to their actions.

Quote from: Ghostmaker on November 11, 2020, 08:44:38 AM
I'd stat Otto as a 1st level ranger, and Helga as a 1st level fighter. Standard attribute spread. I don't think they need much more than that. Depending on the system (I'll be honest, I can't remember what you're running), you might swap a couple proficiencies around to match up to their actions.

Greetings!

Hey there, Ghostmaker! Yes, I use D&D 5E. Otto gets to be a 1st level Ranger and Helga is a 1st level Fighter. That sounds cool, Ghostmaker.

It's kind of funny, because originally, the two adolescents were just a "colour" encounter as the group moved through a burned out Danevar village that had been blasted by the attacking Havnu. The character Khaeden seemed to be inspired by a spontaneous burst of compassion, and told the kids to join him. Since then, the adolescents have become more involved in doing stuff, and they are usually played by two girls from the group, providing more drama and such. *laughing* Khaeden is committed to providing them with at least some sense of safety and a home, as the two adolescents are orphaned and otherwise homeless. As teenagers, naturally, they are pushing for more independence, but also wanting to be "adults" and do adult things, and get in on "the action." Their own sense of loyalty and devotion to Khaeden is of course not always *obedient*--but is relentless, intense, and even obsessive.

I'm imagining they will be thrilled to have customized armour and weapons made for them. That seems to be important to the girls. They of course, insist on looking good too, and wanting to be fashionable and stylish.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK