<div class="floatleft">(http://www.stephandtonyinvestigate.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/prince-of-persia.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Sera Howlette</strong> (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1077893)</span><br/><strong>AC:</strong>20<br/><strong>HP:</strong>Full<br/><strong>Status:</strong>Normal<br/><hr/><br/>Sera Howlette, distinguished scholar and adventurer, was indeed accompanied by one Penn Bogues.  It was an unusual pairing, but he had an answer memorized to account for her illogical presence.  He had practiced it in the crucible of public inquiry, and forged what he believed to be a 'strong response.'  It was a response that truly tickled;  everyone got a kick out of it.<br/><br/>"Alas, my dear sir or madam, that wretched scamp was sent to me by Fusiliers, Incorporated.  Fusiliers is in the business of mail-order brides.  Now, I consider myself a worldly man, and am no racist towards the little people that inhabit our continent.  But I originally sent out for an elven maiden, and not a whisper gnome.  But a whisper gnome is what I received.  What did I do next?  I contacted Fusiliers by mail and explained the error.  They told me that the error was on my part.  Indeed!  After a heated exchange, it turned out that it<em>was</em>my fault.  I ordered a bride from an older catalog.  Do not tease me, it was a mistake.  So, being that I am impartial and fair, I acquired for myself a whisper gnome as a wife, and am quite pleased with the result.  She never speaks!  Never.  She is also the sovereign of impropriety, much to my amusement."<br/><br/>This, of course, was untrue--but it pleased Sera to tell a tall tale.  The truth was much less humorous, and Sera was positively still in the dark as to what truly happened.  The young man didn't know anything about Penn's background.  She was not very forthcoming with information.  She was simply there.  She was always there.  She was a constant presence, always waiting in the shadows.  Sera was never alone, but Penn wasn't exactly his companion.  She lacked the skills to be a confidant or a business partner.  She was practical, however, and her perpetual silence allowed him to think.  Except when she didn't allow him to think at all.<br/><br/>At the Great Hall, Sera demonstrated every courtesy to his fellow adventurers, while keeping an eye on his... charge?  friend?  He rather liked the idea of having Penn as a friend, but he surmised that a knife was friendlier.<br/><br/>"Now, my darling, you mustn't be so egregious in this company," he had said in his usual conspiratorial tone,   "No snarling.  No hissing.  And, please do not feed any more mongrels."<br/><br/>To Sir Sunblade, Sera gave a bow and a smile.   "Good morning, sir," he had said.   "Delighted to make your acquaintance."  And to the Oracle, Sera had said, in a cordial, non-confrontational manner,  "Top of the morning to you, madam."<br/>