Character Overview
Maru is a Shadar-kai thief who fled the Shadowfell after being accused of murdering her own master. Skilled in stealth, infiltration and poisoncraft, she now wanders the Material Plane searching for answers behind a mysterious toxin that changed her life forever.
To most people she appears to be little more than a travelling burglar and information broker. Few realise every venom sac, poisonous fungus and rare herb she gathers serves a larger purpose.
The Streets of Shadowfell
Maru grew up in the backstreets of the Shadowfell where survival depended upon remaining unnoticed. From a young age she learned how to move silently, watch carefully and disappear whenever danger appeared.
Unlike other thieves she cared little for jewels or coin. Her fascination focused on dangerous things: strange fungi, monster venom and rare alchemical ingredients.
These unusual interests eventually brought her to the attention of a mysterious poisoner who served the Raven Queen.
The Poisoner's Apprentice
Under her master's guidance Maru learned extraction techniques, toxin refinement and the hidden properties of rare ingredients gathered from across the planes.
For the first time she felt she had purpose.
Everything changed in a single night.
The Black Vial
One evening Maru returned to the laboratory and found her master dead.
Ironically, one of the Shadowfell's greatest poisoners had been killed by poison.
The laboratory had been stripped clean. Every formula, ingredient and vial had vanished.
Every vial except one.
A strange black bottle marked with the symbol of the Raven Queen remained on the workbench. Only traces of the poison remained inside.
The vial had been left deliberately.
Exile
Suspicion quickly fell upon Maru. Rather than face judgement for a crime she did not commit, she fled the Shadowfell and crossed into the Material Plane.
She carried only her tools, her knowledge and the mysterious black vial.
Current Objectives
⚗ Recreate the Poison
Identify every ingredient hidden within the black vial.
🕯 Find the Killer
Follow the trail left behind by the murderer.
⚖ Clear Her Name
Return to the Shadowfell with proof of innocence.
Skills & Expertise
- Stealth
- Lock Picking
- Sleight of Hand
- Poison Crafting
- Alchemy
- Scouting
- Burglary
- Infiltration
Campaign Adventures
Constant danger follows Maru across the Material Plane, forcing her to rely upon speed, stealth and instinct.
Maru fights for her life against a ravenous Pit-Wolf.