Melisana of Ventris
Melisana of Ventris is a human Ranger and the newest combat-capable member of the party. The daughter of wealthy merchant Melkeras of Ventris Island, she was captured by pirates and enslaved aboard The Dorak, shipwrecked alongside the party on Doomed Island, and proved herself essential during the Treasure Hunt adventure � her sailing skill made the final escape possible, and her quick action saved Zeale's life. After the adventure, she trained as a Ranger, vowing never to be helpless again.
Ability Scores
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 15 (-1 AC) | 14 | 15 (4 bonus languages) | 15 | 14 |
Combat Statistics
| Class | Level | HP | AC | THAC0 | Alignment | XP | Next Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger | 2 | 10/10 | 6 (studded leather + DEX) | 19 | Neutral Good | 3,020 | 4,500 |
Ranger Abilities
| Ability | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hide in Shadows | 15% | Natural settings only; studded leather or lighter |
| Move Silently | 21% | Natural settings only; studded leather or lighter |
| Tracking | Base | Free proficiency; +1 per 3 levels |
| Animal Empathy | Yes | Animal saves vs. rods to resist |
| Two-Weapon Fighting | Yes | No penalty in studded leather or lighter |
| Species Enemy | Goblinoid | +4 attack vs. goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears; -4 reaction |
Saving Throws
| PPD | RSW | PP | BW | Spell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 |
Weapon Proficiencies
- Longsword (main hand)
- Short sword (off-hand, two-weapon fighting)
- Longbow
- Dagger
Non-Weapon Proficiencies
- Tracking (free � Ranger)
- Seamanship (she sailed the galley to safety)
- Swimming
- Survival
Equipment and Inventory
Weapons
| Weapon | Damage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Longsword | 1d8/1d12 | Proficient � main hand |
| Short sword | 1d6/1d8 | Proficient � off-hand for two-weapon fighting |
| Longbow | 1d6/1d6 | Proficient � 40 arrows |
| Dagger | 1d4/1d3 | Proficient � backup/thrown |
Armour
- Studded leather armour (AC 7, adjusted to AC 6 with DEX 15)
Adventuring Gear
- Backpack, bedroll, waterskin, cloak
- Rope (50' hemp), torches (6), flint and steel
- Trail rations (7 days)
Background
Melisana was taken prisoner and held as a slave aboard the pirate galley The Dorak. When the ship was wrecked upon the shores of Doomed Island during a violent storm, she was freed along with the rest of the party. She immediately offered a reward for safe passage: 100 gp per party member (400 gp total), with her father Melkeras promising an additional 2,000 gp upon reaching Ventris Island.
Adventure History
Episode 1: The Shipwreck
Melisana introduced herself after the party defeated Hafkris on the beach. She deduced that a port was most likely on the sheltered east or south coast of the island, guiding the party's initial direction of travel.
Episode 3: Temple of the Goddess
Melisana received a divine boon from the Goddess (Cure Light Wounds). She used it immediately on the unconscious Mira, rolling 8 � maximum on 1d8 � healing Mira from -5 to 3 HP and restoring consciousness. This was the roll that saved the party's only mage. Without Mira, the party would have had no Magic Missile, no INT 16 insight to find the secret door, and no one to pull the lever or fight the zombies at the end.
Episode 4: Manor of the Sea King
Melisana helped close and barricade the door to Room 38 when the party fled from the goblin patrol. She accompanied the party into the catacombs.
Episode 6: The Crypt � Critical Support
Melisana's contributions in the finale were essential:
- Stabilized Zeale: When Zeale fell to the zombies at -7 HP (later bleeding to -8), Melisana ran from Room 17 and bound his wounds, preventing his death
- Broke the wall: Worked alongside Mira for 30-40 minutes, prying bricks from the sealed crypt with bare hands to open a boat-sized hole
- Moved the unconscious: Helped Mira drag Zeale (the heaviest companion, in studded leather) when Mira's STR check failed
- Levered the galley: When Mira could not push the 30-foot galley alone, Melisana used an oar as a lever to get it moving across 60 feet of chamber floor
- Sailed the escape: Cut the sail bindings, caught the storm wind, and helmed the galley away from the island under orc arrow fire. Her sailing skill was the final piece that made the escape work
Between Adventures � Becoming a Ranger
On Ventris Island, Melisana refused to return to the sheltered life of a merchant's daughter. The ordeal on Doomed Island had changed her fundamentally � she had watched her companions fight and nearly die while she could do nothing but drag their bodies and sail the boat. She was grateful, but she was done being protected.
She trained with the Ventris militia in swordplay and with local woodsmen in tracking, survival, and archery. Her intelligence (INT 15) and wisdom (WIS 15) made her a quick study. Her hatred of goblinoids � born from watching goblins and orcs terrorize the island � became the focus of her Ranger training. When the party declared their intent to seek further adventure, she strapped on a longsword and joined them as a full combat member.
Her seamanship remains invaluable � she is the only party member who can sail a ship.
Current Status
Healthy � 10/10 HP. Arrived in Saltmarsh as the party's fifth member. Equipped with dual swords (two-weapon fighting), a longbow, and studded leather. No longer the merchant's daughter who needed rescuing � now a Ranger who fights alongside her companions.