Artho is a rebellious young man, whose parents decided to send him to live with his lone mage uncle. Having been aided by his uncle to bring to life his own magical skills, he was then sent to know the world, and gain practical experience.

Char Sheet:

Male Human Wizard 5
Chaotic Good

Strength 12 (+1)
Dexterity 18 (+4)
Constitution 18 (+4)
Intelligence 18 (+4)
Wisdom 14 (+2)
Charisma 11 (+0)

Size: Medium
Height: 5' 1"
Weight: 135 lb
Skin: Pale
Eyes: Dark Brown
Hair: Black Wavy

Total Hit Points: 35

Speed: 30 feet

Armor Class: 14 = 10 +4 [dexterity]

    Touch AC: 14
    Flat-footed: 10

Initiative modifier: +4 = +4 [dexterity]
Fortitude save: +5 = 1 [base] +4 [constitution]
Reflex save: +7 = 1 [base] +4 [dexterity] +2 [lightning reflexes]
Will save: +6 = 4 [base] +2 [wisdom]
Attack (handheld): +3 = 2 [base] +1 [strength]
Attack (unarmed): +3 = 2 [base] +1 [strength]
Attack (missile): +6 = 2 [base] +4 [dexterity]
Grapple check: +3 = 2 [base] +1 [strength]

Languages: Common (? 5 more)

Light Crossbow [1d8, crit 19-20/x2, range inc 80 ft., 4 lb, piercing]]

Owl familiar

Feats:

    Lightning Reflexes
    Magical Aptitude
    Spell Mastery x1 Spells:
    Scribe Scroll [free to wizard]
    Silent Spell

Traits:

Skill Name   Key Ability  Skill Modifier   Ability Modifier   Ranks  Misc. Mod

Appraise Int 5 = +4 +1
Balance Dex* 4 = +4
Bluff Cha 0 = +0
Climb Str* 1 = +1
Concentration Con 9 = +4 +5
Craft_1 Int 4 = +4
Craft_2 Int 4 = +4
Craft_3 Int 4 = +4
Diplomacy Cha 0 = +0
Disguise Cha 0 = +0
Escape Artist Dex* 4 = +4
Forgery Int 4 = +4
Gather Information Cha 1 = +0 +1
Handle Animal Cha 4 = +0 +4
Heal Wis 4 = +2 +2
Hide Dex* 4 = +4
Intimidate Cha 0 = +0
Jump Str* 1 = +1
Knowledge (arcana) Int 9 = +4 +5
Knowledge (history) Int 6 = +4 +2
Knowledge (local) Int 6 = +4 +2
Listen Wis 3 = +2 +1
Move Silently Dex* 5 = +4 +1
Perform Cha 0 = +0
Profession Wis 3 = +2 +1
Ride Dex 6.5 = +4 +2.5
Search Int 6 = +4 +2
Sense Motive Wis 2.5 = +2 +0.5
Spellcraft Int 13 = +4 +5 +2 [Knowledge, arcane] +2 [magical aptitude]
Spot Wis 3 = +2 +1
Survival Wis 3 = +2 +1
Swim Str** 1 = +1
Use Magic Device Cha 5 = +0 +3 +2 [magical aptitude]
Use Rope Dex 4 = +4

* = check penalty for wearing armor

This character also has 1 ranks in Speak Languages.
Spellcraft >=5 ranks gives +2 on use magic device checks on scrolls.

Zero-level Wizard spells: 4 per day
First-level Wizard spells: 4 (3+1) per day
Second-level Wizard spells: 3 (2+1) per day
Third-level Wizard spells: 2 (1+1) per day
High intelligence gains bonus spells daily

Artho's Equipment:

    Light Crossbow
    Crossbow bolts (quiver of 10) x2
    Backpack
    Bedroll
    Blanket, winter x1
    Flasks x1
    Ink vial
    Ink pen
    Parchment sheets x4
    Soap
    Waterskins x1
    Spell component pouch
    Spellbook x1

    Total 28lb

Owl familiar: Str 6 Dex 17 Con 10 Int 8 Wis 14 Chr 4; Hit points: 17; Initiative +3 (dex); Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average); AC: 20 (+2 size, +3 dex, +2 natural, +3 level); Claws +5 melee 1d2-2 [sic.]; Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +6, Listen +14, Move Silently +20, Spot +6; Weapon Finesse (claws) Alertness feat when in arm's reach; improved evasion; share spells; empathic link; deliver touch spells; speak with master;

The owl confers +3 on spot checks in dimly-lit conditions.
If the familiar is within reach, +2 on spot and listen ("alertness").

History:

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Artho was born to a rather wealthy merchant family. He was neither the youngest, nor the eldest. From a young age he proved to be rather more unruly than his brothers and sisters. Whilst his brothers had shown quite a talent for business since young age, and his sisters could hold their own against the noble ladies in any social event, showed a huge talent for horse riding, and a not smaller one to chase the young maids of the household. Even more embarrassing for his father, he was named after him, Artho Visesi. As his antics increased, his father patience grew thinner and thinner. One day, after concluding that was probably his wife blood that made the boy what he was, he decided to write a letter of presentation and send Artho to live with his wife’s eldest brother. This had the advantage of removing the problem from his hands, and sending Artho to live in the secluded forest that his uncle chose has home. What’s more given that his uncle was a renowned sage, though Artho Snr had his own thoughts about this, his wife was unlikely to object.

As such, on the first day of the spring, young Artho, together with a small escort to ensure that he wouldn’t go astray galloping after some maiden, was sent to his uncle. For Artho, despite his grumblings about leaving the comfort of the manor behind, he saw it as some sort of adventure, far preferable to sitting around crunching numbers like his brothers. It was with awe that he saw the landscape change, and that he entered the forest where his uncle had his home. The home was somewhat of a shock as it was a large log house. A really large log house. Artho had a brief interview with his uncle and was from that point onwards left to his own devices only meeting his uncle briefly at the odd meal. The house was run by a servant, Zeuse that for all Artho knew was a mute as he never uttered a word. Spring gave way to summer, and then to autumn as young Artho bored himself around the house in the forest. There were no other houses in sight, and nobody seemed to visit his uncle, and he also never seemed to leave the area.

As winter came, Artho found himself unable to leave the house due to the inclement weather. Short of things to do he ended up opening the door for the library, and finally found a use to those long hours of reading tuition. He was amazed to say the least. The books versed on a topic he never had previously read, magic. Much to his surprise he also discovered that Zeuse could speak. In fact, he could speak a lot and proved an invaluable resource for all of Artho’s queries about the world. He was surprising knowledgeable on many matters, except magic to Artho’s disappointment, but his knowledge of kings and courts, battles and soldiers was much more than could be expected from a servant.  Not only that but he did not talk as a servant. Zeuse was also particularly curious about Artho’s skill with a bow, and made his best efforts to instil some more skill into Artho.

Winter gave place to spring and Artho was called to his uncle’s study. Having never been in there Artho was greeted by an even more extensive library. He realized how little he knew about his uncle. His uncle’s desk was swamped under what looked like ancient tomes. He sat in a small chair opposite the desk, after clearing the books from it.

‘So Artho, Zeuse told me you developed an interest in the books in the library. Tell me, what attracts you in them?...’
Artho was taken aback by the question. ‘Can magic actually achieve those things?...’
His uncle frowned. ‘Power, I see...’
‘No, no... It’s just well, you know... How could they ever do some of those things?...’
‘I see your father imparted some of his wisdom on you. Magic is not trickery. The fact that most magus are nothing more than tricksters does not make magic into such. You can do it.’
‘Me?...  I’m not sure I’m that much of magician material...’
‘There’s a reason I asked the question Artho. First, let’s get the terms right, a magician is a trickster, you would be an elementalist. An elementalist is not an elementalist because he wants. He is an elementalist because he is born like that.  A real one at least. Let me tell you about our family. We were farmers for as long as anyone can remember. Man of the earth. Our ancestors were notorious for producing fabulous crops when other people struggled. Our lands were never raided or burned, and despite the weather were not affected by as other’s crops. Why do you think that was? Because they were in connection with the earth element. They understood and used their power. They manipulated it to their purposes. That’s the connection I have. And if I’m right so do you. That would explain your love for thundering hooves in the prairies, that would explain your constantly running into woods and meadows. If your father is correct in his account of the facts, and despite all other things, he is usually very precise at that, that’s all you ever done, despite being educated for different things. That’s what we call a calling, and given our family’s history, that’s why I think you can hope to be an elementalist of the earth element.’

Artho was confused and rather lost for words...
‘Let’s do this. Take this book. Read it. It’s a story, but shows you the possibilities. And we’ll take it from there if you feel up to it.’
Artho was even more lost for words. Not only was he not being ordered around, for the first time in his life someone was given him an option. He opened the book.
‘This is your name? Did you wrote this book?... Oh. It says here appointed to the court of  King...’
His uncle sighed. ‘Never mind the titles Artho. Care for the content, not for the paper it’s printed on...’.

And thus Artho’s apprenticeship began. He was keen, and quickly went in tune with the ‘art’ as his uncle called it. Seasons passed, and even though there were times when instead of a pebble flying away a boulder would come towards him. It was a process of learning. For both.  Even though his magic was incipient by what he read in the books, as his uncle patiently explained more than once, elementalism was a growing process inside oneself. And so seasons passed, winters came and went.  One day, the first of spring for that year, Zeuse called Artho to his uncle’s study. Much to Artho’s surprise, Zeuse sat down and joined them.

‘Artho, you have done well so far.’ his uncle begun. ‘But it has reached the time for you to leave, and find your place by youself. There’s only as much I can teach you, you will have to figure a lot by yourself, through hard practice. But you need to go into the world and know it, experience it, and learn from it. For too long our family has sent their sons to the world with nothing in their pockets. I’ll give you three parting gifts. Your father would probably give you a fancy set of clothes. It’s utter non-sense that a man would be judged by his clothes. Be proud of your breeches and coat. You’ll get no clothes from me. My first gift is this pouch of money. It’s not a lot, use it wisely, but if your father gave you something useful it’s probably the skill to make much with little money. The second is Gali. She would have grow old and bothered is it wasn’t for Zeuse riding her.  I’m not much of a horseman, and you get along with her more than fine. She will serve you well and provide company from home in your journey. The third is this.’ He waved a book and passed it to Artho.
‘It’s a book’ Artho noted. ‘Yes it is. Never leave it out of sight. As you know, it’s your toll of the trade. I used that book previously, it’s fair that passes to you. Now Zeuse also wants to offer you something’.

Zeuse looked to the floor and then right in Artho’s eyes. Artho could not avoid again feeling that this man was no servant at all. ‘Your uncle told me countless times that an elementalist solves problems with his magic and wisdom. I’ll tell you now what I’ve told him countless times also, when wisdom fails, there is very little that a good bit of metal cannot solve. Here, this is my gift to you, it served me well, and I think it will also serve you well. You have shown some skill with the bow, and I’m sure you will be able to use properly if time comes.’ He produced what Artho could clearly see was a superior crossbow. Adorning its grip there was a silver piece with a crest. Artho knew he had seen that crest before but could not remember where.

As so many times during his stay with uncle Lysor he was lost for words. Later that day the beautifully black Gila waited for him. Zeuse had done his usual superb work, and the saddle had attached to it all sorts of useful equipment for the journey. As he was fixing his staff to the saddle his uncle suddenly looked extremely serious and said
‘Treat that book as you would treat your life. If you ever find yourself naked, make sure you have that staff with you if nothing else.’
As he was saying that and Artho was mounting Gila, it dawned on him were had seen the crossbow’s crest. He turned to Zeuse
‘When I’m back this winter you will tell me how did a king’s crest end up in your crossbow.’ Zeuse chuckled but said nothing. It was Lysor that said the final words
‘No. You are only to come back to this house when your journey is done. This is not about going around chasing girls and riding horses. The road you have taken is a commitment for life. You embarked on a journey; the road will show itself if you stay in tune with yourself, your place is not holed up in some woods. I decided to give you a start and a commitment.’

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