Kallyr Starbrow: abilities

We know that in 1613 she is mainly famed as a warrior, though she has already done at least one Heroquest, visiting a star (Polaris) and "gaining a marvelous magic crystal in doing so which holds power and spells, and can lead her (or her soul) back to that star at any time." However, as a HQer she is less experienced than Minaryth Purple.

In terms of her cult affiliations, she is mainly known as a Vingan leader. But in 1613 she held the Orlanth Thunderous position on the High Council, so must presumably have been a ranking Thunderous priestess as well. Since she's an Orlanthi leader, she must be at least initiate level in the Rex sub-cult. I would guess that in both cults she is a respected warrior and HQer, but perhaps regarded warily by the more orthodox (and cautious) leadership. She is also an initiate of Sartar: the ancestor-worship sub-cult. She was initiated as soon as she reached adulthood, then almost ignored the cult until 1602. By then there was no priesthood left, so she had left it rather too late to learn more. Lighting the Flame required knowledge of some of the deepest secrets of the cult, so she must have learnt a lot from somewhere between then and 1627. I'm open to suggestions about the source: Temertain probably knew less than she did.

HQ powers: the main ones she's known for are those from her Polaris quest. Greg confirms that this is her main power. Quote from private email:
"BUT I want to point out something really important though: Starbrow's greatest power is not from being a Vingan. It is from her Starbrow, which allows her to walk in the heavens." See my discussion of that link for more details - it's not too abstruse, really. Since she does the LBQ (or at least, a ceremonialised version of it) in 1626, she's probably done a lot of the preparatory Orlanthi quests before that.

She's probably got access to any standard magic from either Orlanth or Vinga: whatever your plot requires. If you use my Vinga write-up, be a bit careful about which gifts and geases you give her. The ones that force her to challenge all Solar Rune levels would make it very difficult to have her travelling in disguise: especially if you want to use her in Sun County!

Between 1613 and 1625, most warriors and HQers of her level are tied down with responsibilities. Having been exiled, she's free to do nothing but adventure, and her abilities have improved as a result. By 1625 she's probably the best individual fighter in Sartar. Garrath, when he arrives, is probably about her equal in straight skill but would win a real fight between them due to extra strength and endurance. A few years later, after taking several HQ injuries and being killed once, she can still win a fight against Gunda. But she loses against Harrek.

As a leader? Well, she's extremely good at inspiring people to follow her. But she's no strategist. She knows it, and will take advice from anyone who's better at the job. Her relationship with her followers tends to be personal rather than "counting heads": she sees her warband as an extended family rather than cannon-fodder.

Other (non-combat) skills? Remember that her grandmother was a famous herbalist, and according to my story at least, her father was a Healer. She knows a lot about healing, in terms of skills and magic both. Remembering that Chalana Arroy will happily teach their skills (though not spells) to anyone interested, I'd give her at least mastery in Refine Medicine and Plant Lore: possibly the other healing skills as well.

Her languages can be plot-dependant: don't restrict her too much. In my story she's spent some time post-1602 in the Lunar Empire, hunting down the troops who destroyed her clan, and picked up spoken Lunar while she was there. (I rather like the idea that she acquired a pure Glamour accent, and as a result upstages the provincial Fazzur in 1613, but this is admittedly OTT). She's literate: Minaryth sends her complex written reports in the 1620s.