Justin Lanternfel

A traveling skunk-taur of a merchant. Black fur sported the signature dual streaks of white running down the back providing that distinct warning of the species' natural deterrent against anything that might harass him along the trail. It was more often the scents of various herbs that accompanied the skunk as his wares were loaded up into various bags loaded up over his lower half like a personal pack mule. Simple traveler's garb adorned the upper body, usually cloth or light leather helping ward away the elements while a few bottles of various concoctions remained fastened to a belt for preparation in the event of emergency. He was generally a soft-spoken sort, occasionally wandering from the wilderness to visit settlements where he sold and traded things he'd gathered and brewed together out there before returning to replenish his supplies.

Sold at an early age, Justin was under the rule of an old merchant who was needing some assistance in their latter years. Accompanying them along the trails, he started off as simple labor but in time, grew to learn some of the finer aspects of the business such as item assessments and the brewer's craft manufacturing wares of his own. When his master died, his name was absent from the listed assets being distributed to inheritors so with his newfound freedom, he fell into work as an alchemist for a local branch of the adventurer guild after listening to some of the folks from there who had served as escorts for some of the caravans. The following years were something of a blur between honing his craft and teaming with other adventurers to clear out dungeons and slay monsters causing havoc here and there.

It was rough. Not necessarily the missions themselves so much as the team he often found himself working with. The guild may have some heroes at the upper ranks but starting at the bottom, it was a catch-all for everyone too incompetent to work a normal job who was willing to sign up as a glorified sellsword. Between trying to coordinate tasks with them and the occasional conflict when they decided they'd rather become bandits when opportunity struck, the whole situation was exhausting. Not to mention the time or two he was left for dead only to come back to find his former teammates had collected his share of the payment. He managed though, eventually climbing the ladder and taking on those quests that weren't just bounties posted up on the local corkboard. The guild collected the information fee, he did the job, and the cycle continued with him getting thrown at more and more ridiculous situations. The rewards went up but so were the costs involved and avoiding debt was becoming a growing problem between financing the expeditions and the issues with collecting payment that continued to frustrate the skunk.

Retiring from adventuring, he used what funds he'd raised up to kickstart his own merchant business. The merchants guild was about as cutthroat as the adventurers were though and competition wasn't taken too kindly. Frustrated with the situation, he made a home for himself out deep in the wilderness where the monsters were too strong for their lackeys to follow and harass him. It wasn't all bad. Being out there meant he could forage for valuable herbs and didn't have to deal with getting unfairly taxed as he built up a little living area out there. The monsters were a bit of an issue but with time, he managed to establish a bit of a territory for himself and keep them from tearing up things as often.

Justin tends to be a solitary sort. Much of his time is spent out by himself foraging for supplies, working on things back home, or quietly traveling along the trails. When he does interact with others, it's often in the role of the merchant selling his wares with that polite but reserved demeanor honed into a mask of civility for mutual benefit between him and his customers. It's only when he's alone that the build up stress of the interactions gradually dissipates but as it reaches higher levels, he keeps his temperament under control through a pragmatic lens, viewing himself and his emotions as another tool or variable to manipulate and keep in check while working towards whatever he's focused on at the time. While he tries to be moral in his dealings, his system of values and beliefs often have some fundamental disagreements with that of the local populace so with his business concluded, he returns back to the wilderness till the time comes for him to return again.

While out by himself, he likes to enjoy the simple things. Exploring around while foraging, experimenting around in the kitchen, maybe picking up that harmonica again to see if he's gotten a little better at it. There's always some kinda work to keep him busy most of the time but while his body's doing the labor, he tends to be a bit of a daydreamer playing around with ideas and contemplating stuff. He knows he's not the smartest of critters but given time, he can figure out whatever he puts his mind to well enough. Creativity might be a lil lacking outside of pragmatic solutions to things but he still appreciates some of the artistic stuff made by folk on occasion. Personally, he's not too much for trying to impress anybody, just doing whatever it seems like he should be doing day by day.

Race: Mephitaur
Class: Alchemist
Alignment: Neutral Good
Weapons: Natural(Tooth/Claw), Throwable Items, Skunk Spray
Armor: Light Armor (Cloth/Leather)

As part of a party, Justin primarily plays a support role providing healing and buffs to allies while loading a slew of status ailments on foes. While he prefers to avoid direct combat, he can hold his own with things a bit more in his favor once his foes are blinded, poisoned, silenced, confused, and such before getting into melee range. While he can craft and repair weapons, wielding them is one of his less admirable areas as limited vision prevents him from carrying ranged weapons and he's better off mauling foes rather than trying to swing a sword at them. The taur body type limits some of the maneuverability options in combat though it makes up for it while traveling. Out of combat, he serves as the party pack mule hauling supplies and allies along with his larger size and carrying limit.

Soaps
Bars of soap scented with herbs. Made from ashes and rather vegetable oil or animal fat.

Candles
Made from beeswax and a rope wick, these items can be used as a light source, timer, or scented with various additives as a small luxury item.

Potions
Concoctions brewed up from various herbs and fungi that produce a slew of various effects. Most are medicinal.

Foodstuffs
Homemade sauces, salsas, seasonings, preserves, etc.

Repellant
Extracted skunk spray in a jar with powdered peppers in the mix. Non-lethal but death may be preferable. Do not open.

Maps
Navigational guides of various areas. Useful for planning one's route towards a destination.

Situational Supplies
Inventory varies some depending on location. He might occasionally be selling some things foraged from the surrounding area or be peddling some items that are particularly useful in certain environments.