Aulis Säröterä

Despite the violent domain of the goddess he embodies, Aulis is a kind, compassionate man who rarely raises his voice. From his calm body language to the softness of his voice, Aulis favours the diplomatic approach when it comes to conflict, suggesting to some this may be something he’s deliberately been taught to do in his past. For many, there is comfort to be found in his mild manners and perceived calmness, but some cannot help but feel there is something unsettling about the sheer self control and restraint Aulis carries himself with. 

In spite of his current struggles with his faith, Aulis still relies on the ethical and practical teachings of the Snakebearers. Feeling more lost and alone than ever before in his life, following his old habits helps establish a sense of control and normalcy for him, if only for a moment. Though he is often the first to make suggestions and take the initiative, Aulis will quickly discard his suggestion if another is presented. It’s only when he’s certain that his suggestion will prevent further harm when Aulis becomes stubborn of his opinions, but even then he’s following a code of conduct given to him by his religion, rather than truly a decision of his own. 

Aulis was born and raised in the northern highlands of Oytorha, in a village where the worship of the goddess Sheara is thought to originate from. His parents were highly ranked clergymen of the Church of Snakebearers, and it appears Aulis was always expected to devote his entire life to the worship of their serpentine goddess. 

Because Aulis talks very little of his past, it’s currently unknown whether he was always trained to be a cleric, or if the “previous duties” he occasionally alludes to are something different in nature. Nonetheless, it seems he’s spent most of his life travelling from one place to another, actively “preventing harm” in ways Aulis hasn’t really elaborated on. 

Some rumours about him speak of a man who, in his arrogance, burned himself in the flames of a spell too powerful for him — after all, many swear they have seen scorched skin underneath the bandages; hard as a rock, and black like burnt coal. 

• Has started the campaign as level 1 war cleric. Aulis is the more tanky of the two clerics in the party, and focuses more on offence than defence. To Aulis, defeating your opponent before they have the chance to wound you is a crucial part of healing.

• Aulis has spent his life studying poisons as a tribute to his goddess. He understands the many ways they’re made, as well as how they’re used. Because of this, he doesn’t accept food or drink from strangers, and will use spells to detect poison and disease on a regular basis.

• Aulis appears to have a darkvision. The topic has not been brought up, however, and so it remains undisclosed for the time being.

• Can speak Common, Celestial, Dwarfish, and Elvish — as is perhaps expected of a man of cloth, such as himself.

• Aulis is a Finnish name meaning “generous” or “helpful”. Säröterä is a portmanteau of the words “fracture” and “blade”, and it’s a surname Aulis chose for himself after he set out on his current journey.

• Has a tendency to tap his heels against the ground when he starts moving.

• Is afraid of ravens, in particular those moving in large flocks. Aulis appears to associate them with an especially harrowing experience from his past.

• The green, scale-like tattoos underneath his left eye are used by highly ranked clergymen of the Snakebearers, to display their loyalty and commitment to their goddess.