Saffron – background

Brief history

Very few gatekeepers are druids (less than a thousand in the whole of Eberron), and many, but by no means all, are orcs or half-orcs. Other races are now welcome because of the low numbers, though most of these are human. The gatekeepers still enjoy widespread support within the Reaches and the Shadow Marches.

Saffron was brought up within the western Eldeen Reaches, and developed a passion for the gatekeepers and the work that they do to protect the world against outsiders. Finally, thanks to her mentor, a half-orc named Grazzakht (who also taught her the orc language), she was accepted as an aspirant (low-level druids do not even bear the title initiate, let alone gatekeeper).

Because of growing fears that a final catastrophe is near, the gatekeepers have sent themselves more out into the world. Saffron is one such who has been deployed as a messenger between groups of hunters (non-druid teams of gatekeepers). Her determined, serious and practical nature make her ideal for this work because she does not easily panic, exaggerate or act impetuously.

As a druid, like most gatekeepers, she prefers to carry out her religious rites in private. She does not know of the dimensional seal at the heart of the local druid’s grove, though she has occasionally unwittingly carried items to the gatekeeper in the area that have aided its protection. She rarely uses the grove herself, preferring to remain in a cave to the east of the grove and closer to the village of HighBarrow, where she also sometimes stays. Her companion, a wolf named Buckthorn normally does not venture into town and is more likely to be found at the cave.

Appearance

She stands about 5’ 8” tall and has fiery red hair, cut short, blue eyes, and rather plain features. She wears a dark green hooded cloak covering leather armour the colour of dried blood. Both cloak and leather are trimmed with deer and rabbit fur. She wears green/ brown britches and brown boots. Her britches have a stout belt and leather belt pouch. Her cloak is fastened with a brooch bearing the outline of the constellation Bahamat, and she often wears an unembellished silver torc around her neck.

She does not carry the axe so favored by the orc gatekeepers, preferring the more traditional druid weapon, the scimitar, and she usually carries a small wooden shield, daggers and sling as well.

Personality

She is determined, serious and practical. Most people view her as level-headed and to be relied on in a crisis. She regards honesty, courage and selflessness as important virtues.

Important local(ish) non-druid contacts

Dale, human Ranger 5

Vorxx, half-orc Scout 3