[Characters] The Forsaken

[Begon Ugo]

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[Disaster Master]

Application Rimona (click to enlarge) Name: Rimona, Princess of House Barca Race: Human Gender: Female Class: Wizard (Enchantress) Alignment: Lawful Evil Background Trait: Student of Philosophy Crime: Fraud Roleplay Sample: More than once, Rimona had longed back to her time at the Ghastenhall Mage School. How carefree her life had been back then. She hadn't worried about anything and invested all her energy in the study of the arcane. Her foster parents, who by the way had never spoken of how she had come to them as a small child, had always made sure that she lacked for nothing. However, since she had passed her diploma with distinction, she had to stand on her own two feet. To implement her long-term plan, which she always took time to refine, she had to recruit loyal minions, collect politically explosive information, and study magic in-depth in the most remote libraries and temples. Although Rimona had all the time in the world - if she did not overthrow Markadian V, then just Bellinda I - all these projects cost money, nevertheless. They cost a lot of money that Rimona didn't have. With her magic skills, she could have earned well in an honest way, certainly and with a little patience. But she felt now that it was beneath an immortal's dignity to work for others. The pact with hell had already corrupted her soul, so the subtle difference between honestly and dishonestly earned money did not seem to matter anymore. She had specialized in the arts of enchantment magic early on, so it was not difficult for her to "shop" at various places while the respective buyers "forgot" to charge her for the goods. But even without magic, she was able to win people over, and within a short time, she had useful contacts in fence circles, who sold the goods for her if they were not spell-scrolls that she wanted for her own. Slowly but steadily, her fortune swelled. At some point, however, Rimona had grown tired of these petty scams. She planned something big. Besides, she felt that Asmodeus was demanding such a thing of her. It had to her attention that the High Cardinal of the Church, Vitallian of Estyllis, searched for relics of the very greats of church history for the High Spring Mass in honor of Mitra. He then wanted to consecrate these relics with great pomp at the mass and solemnly transfer them to the Great Temple's sacristy. "So the cardinal's lackeys took the bait," Rimona said with satisfaction to the two middlemen she had hired. The three of them sat in a separate side room of the Four Jolly Bargemen. The innkeeper would never have guessed in his life that the pretty friendly girl who had ordered the room from him was a criminal planning a big scam. "Tomorrow, we will get the down payment, half of the negotiated amount. After that, you will give them the relic," the magician, who still looked as if she were sixteen, went on. "Where exactly did you find the glowing hand of Saint Vurguzz?" asked Joe, one of her two agents. Rimona smiled at him with slight disdain. "I don't know why you need to know that so badly. After all, even the cardinal's people were satisfied with the certificate of authenticity. Maybe there are more artifacts at my source. I wouldn't want to tempt you and give you the wrong idea that you could do the next deal without me at all." In truth, of course, she could give him no answer at all. The whole relic was a fake. She had used quite a bit of money to get all the scrolls with the spells she had used to craft the hand. She had had the certificate of authenticity made by a known forger who had fallen for her charms. Regrettably, he had fallen victim to an accident shortly after that. Even though she had spent so many resources on the forgeries, Rimona was delighted. She believed that her "relic" was immune to the usual spells of divination. And the cardinal's people would pay so much money that she would get out her stakes several times. A minor flaw in her plan was only the two middlemen she had hired. She had made it her scam never to make an appearance herself. Every world knew her only being the nice, obedient girl who had to get along alone without her parents. No one knew that she was pulling strings in the background. The downside was that it needed confidants. However, it was still better than being in the direct line of fire herself. But better is not necessarily good enough. Rimona had to learn this when the police force of Talingarde somehow managed to track her down after a ritual involving the "Shining Hand of Saint Vurguzz" as an essential component went disastrously wrong. To be precise, the rabble-rousers faced her twice. The first time they thought they had fallen victim to a mix-up, this Rimona could not possibly be the wanted criminal. But the second time, they were sure. "Girl, girl," one shook his head sadly. "You're much too young and pretty for that sort of thing. Branderscar Prison will be hard on you." For a moment, Rimona considered resisting arrest by casting a spell. But then she would have been finally guilty in the eyes of the state power. No, I will try to play the innocent, she thought to herself. When she was later brought to court and accused of fraudulent deception, Rimona had to chuckle to herself at first, despite her situation. If the judge knew that I had a pact with Asmodeus' forces, he too would consider that little bit of deceit unimportant. However, Rimona's smile froze instantly when the court announced her sentence: life-long hard labor in the salt mines. For an immortal, this was worse than any death sentence of any kind. Personality: Rimona is intelligent, vain, calculating, and charming. She has always been the best in class and would like it to stay this way. Grown-up with caring foster parents, she could have even become a nice girl, hadn't she had a life-changing contact with an agent of Asmodeus during a magical ritual during her studies at the wizard school of Ghastenhall. She learned that she is, in fact, the last rightful heir to the throne of Talingarde if only the traitors of House Darius hadn't overthrown the House of Barca. Asmodeus had planted a seed in her mind that quickly grew. If she is the rightful queen, she must reclaim the throne once she is powerful enough. Rimona doubled her efforts in the courses on magic, but she began to fear that she would be too old when she has amassed enough power to challenge the Darius dynasty. This time, she contacted the herald of Asmodeus deliberately. The Lord of the Nine Hells readily proposed a pact. He would make her immortal and stop her aging so that she would have all the time in the world to pursue her plans, but her soul would belong to him should her life nevertheless end due to external forces. During her inquires on ways to buy her more time, Rimona had read about the possibility of lichdom in an ancient tome. Asmodeus promised the same but with eternal preservation of the beauty of her body. Rimona signed the deal, and everything was good for a while. She could ease into her long-term goal. But discontent on the devilish agreement was growing on her. She has taken the path of the wizard to become independent and autonomous. But now, she is at the mercy of the Lord of the Nine Hells. What favors will he expect from her? What is it worth to become the immortal queen of Talingarde if you are a devil's thrall? And so, Rimona has set herself a second goal, which is slowly overshading her original one: She needs to find a magical formula to preserve youth on her own, whatever the cost!

Statblock Rimona, Princess of House Barca Female human enchanter 1 LE Medium humanoid (human) Init 2; Senses Perception +1 -------------------- Defense -------------------- AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex) hp 8 (1d6+2) Fort 1, Ref 2, Will 2 -------------------- Offense -------------------- Speed 30 ft. Arcane School Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +6) . . 8/day—dazing touch Enchanter Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +6) . . 1st—charm person (DC 16), protection from good, sleep (DC 16), sow thought[ARG] (DC 16) . . 0 (at will)—daze (DC 15), detect magic, mage hand . . Opposition Schools Evocation, Illusion -------------------- Statistics -------------------- Str 7, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 14 Base Atk +0; CMB -2; CMD 10 Feats Deceitful, Scribe Scroll, Skill Focus (Bluff) Traits student of philosophy Skills Bluff +14 (+17 to lie (as a result of using Int instead of Cha)), Diplomacy +7 (+10 to persuade others but not to gather information (as a result of using Int instead of Cha)), Disguise +4, Intimidate +4, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Knowledge (history) +9, Knowledge (nobility) +9, Knowledge (planes) +9, Perception +1, Sleight of Hand +3, Spellcraft +9 Languages Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Infernal SQ arcane bond (Blacky, thrush), enchanting smile, silver tongued[ARG] Other Gear wizard starting spellbook, Arcane Familiar -------------------- Special Abilities -------------------- Dazing Touch (8/day) (Sp) As a standard action, touch dazes foe for 1 rd, if HD <= wizard level. Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar. Enchanting Smile (Su) Gain bonuses to Bluff, Diplomacy and Intimidate. Turn enchantment spells. Enchantment The enchanter uses magic to control and manipulate the minds of his victims. Evocation You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Evocation school. Familiar Bonus: +3 bonus on Diplomacy You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach. Illusion You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Illusion school. Share Spells with Familiar Can cast spells with a target of "You" on the familiar with a range of touch. Silver Tongued You can shift a creature's attitude by three steps with Diplomacy.

[MoonZar]

Name: Duke Baltar Korador (The Shepherd) [Character Sheet]
Race: Human
Gender: M
Class: Sorcerer
Age: 23
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Background Trait:
Primary Crime: Slave Trading
Other Crimes: Slavery, Murders

Party role: Face, Healing, and Businessman.
Homeland: The Cambrian Ports
Family: Alfred Korador (grandfather), Vordamir Korador (father)
Master: Asmodeus

House Korador was born through greed and at the expense of others. It began ten generations ago, long before Baltar was born, in what was once a well off merchant house that plied their trade across the southern port and islands. Their ships sailed the waters collecting spices, silks, and various riches sold in the continent's greatest cities. For generations, trade was good; they even elevated themselves as a noble house and their land expanded to the point of becoming a duchy. However, little by little competing merchants combined with heightened pirate activity whittled down the assets and the decline of house Korador began. The head at the time, Duke Alfred Korador, Baltar's grandfather, began to resort to more unsavoury business methods in an attempt to save his house. What began as a little smuggling here and a bit of bribery there slowly began to escalate as profits began to return to the house. Alfred managed to create a massive smuggling network, most of the illegal goods such as drugs were touched by agents of the family. Power and wealth corrupted the businessman even further when Alfred associated himself secretly with the clergy of Asmodeus to take over the slaves trading on the continent. Leveraging Korador's smuggling routes, the clergy could now rely on a continuous flow of slaves into their illegal market, most of them located underground, on remote islands or in foreign lands. This organization became known as The Blight.

Alfred became more wealthy than the king at some point. His only failure was his son, Vordamir Korador. His heir was dump and a drunkard. It became quickly evident that he would lead the house to disaster after sinking his own sailing ship by manoeuvring foolishly in shallow water. The young heir spent most of his time in brothels and taverns instead of learning how to run the family affair properly. Blood been blood Alfred stubbornly hoped that his son would improve and become a worthy successor. A fatal mistake for the great house Korador. Vordamir has a lot of batards children, but only one worthy heir from a legitimate marriage. His name was Baltar Korador, and be became Alfred favourite very early on. The patriarch of the family had a long life, but in his last years he became sick. Vordamir saw this as an opportunity, and took over the house and The Blight by force. Alfred's life was spared at the condition that he retired from the family public and business affairs. Though the old fox still had one card to play to save his house by raising a worthy successor.

Vordamir slowly but surely guided the family to his doom, while Talingarde squashed The Blight and the clergy of Asmodeus one step at a time. Baltar was raised in wealth and tasted all-mighty power early on in his life. Ignored by his father most of the time, his grandfather Alfred took him discreetly under his wing and taught him everything he knew. He introduced Baltar to former associates that helped him learn real experience in several humble roles in The Blight. He participated in smuggling deals, sell slaves in foreign lands. He spent most of his youth travelling and became an exceptional businessman who knew very little of violence first hand as an army of thugs and murderers was dealing with nuisances for the family.

Baltar had a lot of freedom since his father didn't care about him. He led a hedonist life for most of his young adult life. Keeping for himself the most beautiful slaves, collecting them like objects of art. Enjoyed the purest drugs and the most exotic food. Accumulating exotics items from the four corners of the world. Life was good! Ohhh he enjoyed dominating others, in particular women. Not through violence and chain, but with cunning manipulations and words. Most of his slaves under his influence stayed willingly over time and served him without questions.

Ironically Alfred's father, Vordamir, died before his grandfather. A rival organization assassinated him. Alfred could do little about the family's disastrous affairs at this point, and Baltar ignored that his family was ruined all along. Desperate on his death bed, Alfred revealed his last secret to his grandchild Baltar. All along he was a dark cardinal of Asmodeus, since he put together The Blight. He explained to Baltar where to find other clergy members that are hiding or on the run. More importantly, he also told him the location of a secret shrine in the family castle dungeon. In there he should be able to find his most precious unholy possessions. Baltar was shocked, but quickly this all made sense. The slave market, The Blight, the alliance with Asmodeus minions. It all felt natural that his grandfather was one of them. Without realizing it, he as well followed Asmodeus' teaching by becoming a slaver.

Unfortunately for Baltar, he didn't have the time to investigate his unholy birthright. The king's knights were already at his castle doorstep and took the fall for his family crimes. He was captured. Tortured in the king dungeon for a while, but didn't sell out what he learned about Asmodeus faithful. He lost everything, his title, lands, castles, and worst, his lovely slaves who defended him were slaughtered in front of him. When they were done with interrogating him he was transferred to Branderscar Prison pending his execution for slave trading.

Lord Baltar was obviously upset, he barely had the time to digest his family downfall that he was about to die. Yet, he never lost hope and began to pray Asmodeus, waiting for a sign or an opportunity to get to work in his name like his grandfather did before. He didn't have an unoriginal idea like becoming king or dominate the land, his desire was to become the greatest slaver of all time... The greatest human collector! Not by accumulating a ridiculous number of slaves, but quality over quantity. A collection that would make the devil of hell, jealous.

Personality Baltar is a calm, and charismatic individual. He carries himself with an air of confidence no matter the situation and rarely loses his cool. His attitude towards others is that of a social gentleman, in particular with ladies. Baltar treats all those he meets with respect so long as they show him the same whether they are a slave or a noble. He actively makes time to get to know those he associates with and encourages them in their goals and aspirations as the pursuit of pleasure and greed lead people in the hands of Asmodeus sooner or later. Baltar enjoys culture, particularly music and acting. The company of the cultivated slave and individual delight him. When working, Baltar is a gentleman but displays tactful skill in negotiations and social maneuvering. Beneath his social mask, Gerard is cunning, ambitious, and driven in his goals to create a new world order. He carefully invests in people just as much as he does in businesses in order to foster future opportunities and alliances. His business tactics vary depending on the situation, but he is not averse to using less savoury methods as a last resort to achieve result.

 

Mechanics Duke Baltar Korador HP: 28/28, AC: 11 Fort: +3, Reflex: +2, Will: +8 Other Defense: +8 vs charm and compulsion effects, +2 bonus on saving throws made against poison, resist fire 5 Skills: Perception +5, Diplomacy +12, Bluff +12, Intimidate +10 Spells Level 0 (DC 15) at will: Read Magic, Mending, Light, Detect Magic, Daze (DC 17) Spells Level 1 (DC 16) 7/day : Charm Person (DC 20), Color Spray, protection from good, Greace Other Abilities: Corrupting Touch (Sp) 8/day Potions: - Scrolls: Invisibility CL3, Magic Missile CL3, Hideous Laughter CL3 Other Items: Status: -

[Elanir]

„Ten“ Name: „Ten“ (Tenverias) Race: Human Gender: Male Class: Monk (Unchained) Alignment: LE Background Trait: Reactionary (+2 to Initiative rolls) Crime: Heresy (+1 to saves Vs divine spells) Personality: Ten is young, passionate and rash, eager to prove his worth and unveil Mitra’s hypocrisy behind the god‘s supposed benevolence. He is egotistical and arrogant, but if one manages to gain his respect he can turn out to be a devoted ally and friend. Believing that the world belongs to the strong, gaining Ten’s respect usually means that one has to beat some sense into him or best him in some other way.   The young man stealthily approached the brick wall surrounding the orphanage grounds trying to still his racing heart. You are a fool!, he told himself for what must have been the hundredth time that day. They should be afraid of facing you, not the other way around. The hypocrites, those surrounding themselves with the inexperienced and the weak, the cruel teachers and the ones hiding behind their god’s lies. The time has come for the sheep to know the truth and turn on the so-called shepherds and their armored hounds, trample them underneath their hooves and finally know what it means to choose their own path. ***** It had been eight years since Ten himself had been one of the sheep inside, a frail and skinny child trying to please the priests in charge of the orphanage and hide himself from the stronger boys who were constantly bullying him. How could he have not? To fail to obey one’s elders was a sin, as was to answer violence with violence. The words of the scriptures were sacred and Mitra‘s servants the god’s representatives on earth, their holiness uncontested. The most grave sin of all however was to have a mind of your own, to question the lies you were served as divine truths and to want to become something other than a humble servant of the Church. It was the one sin that had caused Ten to „fall from the grace of Mitra“ as the priests had put it or be expelled from the orphanage and left to fend for himself in the inhospitable streets of Daveryn as the youth had experienced it. Why? Because he had questioned the tutors‘ practices. How could the rod be a blessing meant to turn insolent children to true believers? How could involuntary fasting be used to strengthen a boy’s body and spirit? How could being confined to a dark room for days on end make one better appreciate Mitra’s light of salvation? Ten could not see how and when he dared to ask, the priests did not try to show him. Instead they used their time-honored methods of bringing the stray sheep back to the light: rod, hunger, darkness and isolation. This time they failed. This time a limit had been crossed. This time the sheep chose to follow the darkness instead of the light. To contain the evil from spreading the offender was expelled and the gates closed behind him, depriving him of food, warmth and shelter. "Man has once again fallen", whispered the priests sorrowfully, only in Ten’s case it was a fourteen-year-old child, not a man. A child condemned to death, though the priests would never admit such a thing. "Every action has its consequences", they said, "One has only to repent to be welcomed back into Mitra’s loving arms", they added and blessed their god for his magnanimity. The boy did not repent and he did not die. He did what he had to to survive. He sneaked into stalls to sleep at night, avoiding the startled innkeepers’ kicks in the morning, he fought rats as large as cats for something to eat and stole patched tunics and threadbare sheets to try to keep himself warm. He hid from the knights and the soldiers bearing the king’s insignia and fled from the ones who were not above stealing from a homeless child that had not eaten in days. "Hell on earth", the priests would have commented, sadly shaking their wise and compassionate heads, but it was not so, not entirely. Life was hard and dangerous, but his was now a life of truth. It was a life that made him harder, smarter, more resilient. Ten learnt when to be quick and when to be strong, when to hide or run away and when to face his opponents, he learnt that tears are useless and prayers even more so. He finally realized how hunger, darkness and cold could turn a boy into a man. Not a man of Mitra, humbly bowing before the god and kissing his sandals in repentance, but a man of strength, one that could look the Shining Lord in the eye and spit on him for the way he thought the world his playground. It was this kind of man that caught the attention of Old Geron. Asmodeus himself? A devil? One of the god‘s mortal servants? Something else entirely? It’s up to the GM!Old Geron was a mysterious figure, perhaps the most mysterious individual in Daveryn. He was old certainly, but no one could tell exactly how old he was. A hundred years old? Several hundreds? A thousand? All Ten knew was that Geron seemed to know and have seen everything. He always had a story or interesting rumor to share and he always knew what a person’s desire was deep in their heart of hearts. How? "Experience", he claimed and laughed mischievously. He became Ten’s only friend and then he became his mentor. He showed the boy the old ways, the techniques to turn flesh to steel and break down walls with a single punch. He showed him how to strike like a viper and climb like a monkey, become one with the shadows and run faster than the wind. He finally showed him that the world belonged to the powerful, that there is no greater right than might, that all else is hypocrisy and the delusions of the weak. Ten took these lessons to heart. The skinny boy grew strong, much stronger than any other man he knew, stronger than the knights and holy warriors doing Mitra’s bidding and keeping the sheep contained. The timid boy grew confident, more confident than the priests and acolytes who were assured of their heavenly lord’s favor in keeping the sheep tame. And one day the now strong and confident man had to prove himself. "Power is not granted for free", Old Geron explained, "You must fight for it hard. You must face that which had influence over you in the past so that you will be rid of it in the future." And so the young man did. ***** The brick wall surrounding the orphanage was tall enough to serve as a pen for the sheep, but proved no real obstacle for the determined and athletic young man who sought to scale it. With a feline‘s grace Ten climbed over it and silently landed on his feet. Careful not to be spotted, the young man looked around. Everything was exactly the same as on that fateful day he had been driven away. The large main building with the boys‘ dormitories, the old temple where Mitra was praised and sermons were held, the dirt paths crisscrossing the herb garden, the neat rows of trees. Time seemed to have stopped, preserving anything inside the wall in a state of suspended animation. It was of course as Mitra preferred it. Both he and his servants hated change, growth and evolution and gladly condemned everything and everyone to exist in eternal peace, eternal boredom and stagnation, shackled by obedience. The young man spat on the ground. "Gaolers!", he called them and not for the first time. "Suppressors of all that is worthy and new!" This had to stop and he was the one to put an end to it. Turning his gaze towards the old temple, the soft glow of candles and oil lamps through its stained glass windows strangely inviting, Ten started swiftly walking towards it. It was time for vesper, the evening prayer to the Shining Lord, and everyone would be gathered inside, begging the god not to deprive them of his life-giving light and promise them that the sun would rise once more. The young man scoffed. Such nonsense, lies to keep them fearful of a life in darkness, the true life. The closer he got to the temple, the louder became the voices coming from inside, the clearer the words of prayer and supplication. He had been one of them once, singing for Mitra‘s pleasure, feeling warmth and comfort inside him. Now he was cold more often than not, but at least his eyes were open and his ears could detect the poison hidden in the god’s hymns. It had all been worth it. "Blessed Lord of good and light Hear the hymn our hearts recite Grant us your eternal might Help us in our daily fight. Shining Lord and heaven‘s king Your godly name we praise and sing Shelter us beneath your wing You who love and peace do bring. Keep the darkness far away Free our hearts from grave sin‘s sway Fear and worry please allay All you ask we shall obey. Immortal Lord of truth and life We call to You with voice and fife Our hearts are pure, we hold no knife Protect us from the Dark One‘s strife." Ten felt sickened at the ignorance of the sheep and the lies of the shepherds. It was no wonder the orphans were indoctrinated at such a young age, before they could think for themselves, before their eyes had seen enough to distinguish between truth and fantasy. No, this could go on no longer! The great door leading to the temple groaned with protest at the man‘s powerful kick, but the old wood was no match for youthful muscle and tendon. It cracked and then opened, allowing the cold and the darkness to enter the light god‘s temple. Ten slowly walked towards the altar, his eyes firmly upon the priests standing beside and behind it. His sudden appearance made the song and words of praise die in the children’s throats and even the priests seemed surprised, unable to understand how someone would dare defile Mitra‘s sacred place of worship in such a way. "False prophets and hypocrites!", cried out the intruder, his thunder-like voice filling the temple. "You speak of good and life when all you do is enthrall those in need with your god‘s searing light. The brilliance of the sun blinding the senses to the truth and bringing death to free will and growth. Your Church and those who support it are in eternal need of slaves and you, knaves, willingly provide them, twisting young, malleable minds to mistake power for sin and stagnation for happiness. Shame on you for spreading such lies! Let these children follow their own paths, tell their own stories. Most will perish, true, but the world is not kind to the weak. There will be some who will survive, those with steel in their hearts. They shall be able to choose between light and shadow, bring down the despots of power and shape the world as they see fit. That is their right! We don’t need your deity flooding the world with light when no one asked him for it. He doesn’t have the right. This world is made for mortals and it is ours to rule as we see fit." For such heretical words to be heard in such a holy place was a terrible sin, a sin that caused visible pain to many of the followers and acolytes of the Shining Lord. Some grimaced in anguish, while others averted their gazes so that they might not be further affected by the man‘s almost palpable darkness. One of them however, the eldest among them, kept staring at the heretic as if trying to read the deepest secrets of his heart. And after a few moments he obviously succeeded, for the light of recognition shone in his eyes. "Tenverias?", he called reluctantly, "Is that you?" The young man stopped, now only a few feet separating him from the so-called shepherds. "I have no use for a name that belonged to one of the blind men doing your god‘s bidding. I am now called Ten, because I am worth ten times as much as you, frauds!" The elder priest‘s eyes grew hard. He might have been willing to help someone see the error of their ways, but had little tolerance for insolence. "Is this the kind of gratitude you have for the god who saved your life when your mother abandoned you, newly born, before our door? Is this the thanks you owe Mitra‘s faithful for offering you food and shelter, raising you, showing you the path to light? Is this the way to treat your brethren, you who chose to turn your back on them and abandon all they hold dear? Shame on you, boy! And shame on the one whose words you so unquestioningly repeat!" If Ten had been angry before, he was now furious. "I abandoned my brethren!? You were the ones that sent me away for criticizing your cruelty towards my brethren! Do you think that they don’t recognize the poison you spew? Look at them! Ask them!" Turning towards the orphans Ten raised his fists in an attempt to rally them. "Come on, stand up! Be sheep no more! Become men, like I have, and bring waste to this nest of lies!" The young man was certain that the orphans would rise behind him, howling with rage, cut the priests to pieces, bring down Mitra‘s statue, and set the Temple aflame. But nothing happened. They merely stood there silent, their eyes glued upon not the rebel, but the elder priest, waiting for instructions. It was only then that Ten realized the depth of the corruption. These were no free-thinking individuals any more, they were willing slaves, unworthy of truth and freedom. "Your brethren renounce you! Your fathers renounce you! God renounces you!" With every proclamation the priest‘s voice seemed to grow stronger and the young man had difficulty to keep himself from flinching. "You shy away from truth and redemption so there can only be punishment, fallen one!" Ten laughed, but the laughter felt hollow, lacking in certainty. "Just try it, priest. I‘ll break your frail frame in two. You and all the false prophets like you. I am Ten and I am ten times the fighter any of you are." The elderly priest closed his eyes and smiled as if he considered the young man before him no greater a threat than a mere fly. "You might be Ten, but we are a hundred inside this temple. And thousands outside of it. What do you hope to accomplish against the Church, a kingdom, a nation devoted to Mitra‘s light? There can be no victory, only death. Take him." The last words were spoken softly, almost a whisper, and yet dozens of orphans, children of all ages stood up from behind their pews and surrounded their fallen brother. Ten gritted his teeth and having nothing more to say let his punches and kicks speak for him. Half an hour later a group of priests and youths led Ten, bound in chains, to the nearest knights outpost in Daveryn. Old Geron, safely hidden behind a column bearing the statue of one of the Markadians -did it really matter which one?-, saw the procession and cackled. "I told you, boy, power isn’t free. You have to fight for it hard. But you are ready now. Yes, ready. Survive and follow the path before you - the path to power. See where it leads. We shall meet again - one way or the other. For your sake, we had better meet when you have proven yourself a victor and made our enemies pay." With a final cackle Old Geron disappeared among the shadows.

[Chrystrom]

Wicked Witch from the West Between the darkness and the light lie the shadows… and it is the half-seen, half imagined horrors lurking there that strike the most terror. Name: Moriah ap Rhys (Character Sheet on Roll20) Race: Human Gender: Female Class: Witch Alignment: Lawful Evil Background Trait: Reactionary Crime: Witchcraft   Background: Moriah comes from the Iraen, the native people of Caer Bryr. When the Talireans conquered southern Caer Bryr many of the Iraen fled north, but others remained in the south and lived an uneasy peace alongside their Tailrean overlords. The Tailreans tended to look with pride at their civilizing influence on these Iraens...the Iraens often felt differently. After the death of both her parents to the black tongue plague that ripped through southern Caer Bryr when she was six, Moriah was raised by her grandmother, Halifax. Grandma Hali, as Moriah called her, was a hedge witch providing minor cures and healing for the village on who’s outskirts she lived. As a young girl Moriah was initiated by her grandmother into the secrets of the traditional magic of their people. This traditional magic had been declared to be ‘witchcraft’ by the Church of Mitra and even though witchcraft was strictly outlawed under Talirean law, the local people, even the Talireans, kept Halifax’s secret since she cared for them. That was until the local noble Lord Cornwell’s oldest son was stricken with a high fever that left him first paralyzed and then in a coma. Lord Cornwell’s personal priest had failed to cure the boy with his fervent prayers to Mitra and so the Lord was desperate. One of Cornwell’s servants mentioned to him the old woman and her granddaughter who lived on the edge of the village and sometimes provided cures for the villagers. The lord had Halifax and Moriah dragged to his manor in the middle of the night and then he demanded that the old woman and her granddaughter cure his son. Halifax warned him that the boy was too far gone, but the Lord refused to hear her diagnosis and once again ordered that his son be cured. Halifax, with Moriah's assistance, did all she could for the young boy, even going so far as summoning a spirit of the dark woods. All her powers depleted and physically exhausted, Halifax returned to her home with her granddaughter. When the boy died three days later, Lord Cornwell blamed the hedge witch for his death and, consumed by his grief and wrath, he reported Grandma Hali and Moriah to the pitiless witch hunter Sir Balin of Karfeld. Grandma Hali and Moriah were arrested a week later at the point of Sir Balin’s sword. They were both charged with Witchcraft, found guilty, and sentenced to death by burning. They were then branded and lead away in chains to Branderscar Prison to await their fiery deaths. Then yesterday, the guards came to the cells and shoved and dragged Grandma Hali out of her cell and down the hallway to the execution courtyard. Moriah could hear her grandmother’s shrieks as the flames consumed her, until they were finally cut off with a silence filled with the crackling of flames.   Personality: Things could have been different; they could have been better for the world. Moriah’s character was poised on a knife’s edge of formation. She would never have been the caring and gentle woman that her grandmother was, but at worst she might have ended up as simply another odd and eccentric woman living deep in the forest, not an unknown thing in Caer Bryr. Moriah had always been too enamored with the deep forest shadows and the moonless nights for most people to feel comfortable near her. She had returned this shunning by playing tricks upon the villagers, sometimes frightening, sometimes edging towards vicious. Moriah felt her ostracization by the villagers deeply and yet there was the equally deep love of her grandmother. Balanced…poised… Moriah as a girl was interested in the mystery of the traditional magic of her people. The secrets, the darkness, the power, inherent in the magic called to her, whispered to her, sang a song of shadows in her soul. Grandma Hali tried to teach Moriah about healing. She told her granddaughter that their magic needed to be used to tend their land, to care for their people, and to maintain their traditions. Balanced…poised… Things could have been different; they could have been better for the world…but then the Talireans had burned her grandmother, throwing Moriah off the knife’s edge and into the shadows where these threads of her character were twisted and the hunger for vengeance and retribution bred in the darkness, much to the world's regret.   RP Sample: Moriah sits on the cold stones of their cell holding the crumpled hands of her grandmother. When they had been found guilty of witchcraft, besides the branding they both suffered, her grandmother’s fingers had been broken and her tongue cut out to keep her from using her magic. Moriah was deemed not a serious threat and the guards had not taken the same precautions with her. Now Grandma Hali can only sit there moaning and grunting in pain as they wait to die. Moriah is trying to be strong for her grandmother, trying to be brave, but inside she is terrified. She wants to throw-up, to cry, to beat her fists against the stone walls and scream. I don’t want to die, I don’t want to burn. We did nothing wrong! Grandma Hali tried to heal that miserable boy and she had warned his father that he was going to die. Why blame us when what was going to happen anyway, happened? Why must these Talireans hate what they don’t understand? Why does the Church of Mitra get to call our traditions evil and kill us for not bowing at their bloodstained altars? Moriah begins to fantasize seeing Lord Cornwell and his priest sitting there before her, their hands broken and their tongues cut out…maybe even her hand wielding the knife. These sadistic, vengeful day dreams are interrupted by the sound of her Grandmother choking back sobs. Moriah reaches up a tender hand and wipes away the tears streaking Halifax’s kind face. “Grandma, it’s going to be ok.” Moriah shudders at the stupid, empty lie, but what else could she say? “At least we are together, they haven’t taken that from us. If we are going to die…” If? If? What is she saying? There is no if… “at least we will die together. There’s some comfort in that.” What comfort? Burning is burning you fool. Are you going to take comfort as your skin burns away knowing your grandma’s skin crisps next to you? Moriah’s stomach heaves as that thought sends chills shaking through her thin body, and it is all she can do to keep the bit of food and water they had been given this morning from spattering the cell floor. The hours continue to crawl by, punctuated by the sounds of her grandmother’s pain and the cries of anger and denial from the other prisoners. Then Moriah hears the outer door bang open and the sound of hobnailed booted feet marching down the prison hallway. The guards stop outside of their cell, open the door, and shove Moriah away from her grandmother. Two of the guards drag the old woman towards the cell door as Moriah tries to fight off the guards holding her against the far wall. “NOOO! Take us both! Don’t make her die alone…please don’t leave me here without her!” One of the guards, not ungently, shakes Moriah and says, ”Girl, it ain’t your time yet. Your turn to burn will come, don’t go rushing to the flames.” Once the guards have the old woman out of the cell, the rest of the guards give Moriah a final shove and then exit and lock the door behind them. The young woman retreats to a dank and shadowed corner where she sits rocking and silently weeping. After endless minutes, Moriah hears a wordless wail rising from the execution courtyard and echoing back and forth from the stone walls of the prison. The keening cry goes on and on, until it is suddenly cut off and all Moriah is left with is a silence quickly filled with the crackle of flames. Moriah sits there in that darkened cell, wrapping the shadows around her like armor. As she listens to the flames burning, the smell of scorched hair and flesh, like a sick miasma, seeping throughout the prison, the young woman feels something inside of her turn to ashes. The woman she could have been burns with her grandmother and out of those embers is born something else, something darker. From the ashes a new burning begins in her heart…the cold dark flame of vengeance flickers to life. I will get out of here and I will make sure that the Talireans and their wretched Church never forget the day that Halifax burned!

 

Moriah ap Rhys

Character Stats Hit Points 9/9 Temp HP 0 Armor Class 12 Flat Foot 10 Touch 12 Fort +2 Reflex +2 Will +3 Senses Darkvision 60' Initiative +4 Languages Talingardian (Common) Iraen (ethnic) Infernal Abyssal Celestial Sylvan Draconic   Skills Perception +2 Knowledge Arcana +10 Knowledge History +9 Knowledge Nature +9 Knowledge Planes +10 Knowledge Religion +6 Knowledge Local +6 Spellcraft +9 Stealth +3

Attacks
Weapon/Spell	Total Attack Bonus	Damage	Critical	Range	Notes
----	---	----	----	---	------

Hexes - DC15
Hex Name	Uses	Casting Time	Range	Target	Duration	Effect
Evil Eye	At will	1 Standard Action	30'	1 creature	a number of rounds equal to 3 + the witch's Intelligence modifier. A Will save reduces this to just 1 round.	–2 penalty on one of the following (witch's choice): AC, ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks.
Cackle	At will	Move Action	30'	Creatures under the effects of an agony, charm, evil eye, fortune, or misfortune hex	1 round (added)	Has the duration of all eligible hexes extended by 1 round.
Misfortune	At will	1 Standard Action	30'	1 creature	1 round	Anytime the creature makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result.

Spells
Orisons (At Will) - DC15
Spell Name	Casting Time	Duration	Effect
Detect Magic	1 Standard Action	Concentration, up to 1 min per level	see speel descrition
Guidance	1 Standard Action	1 minute or until discharged	+1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check.
Stabilize	1 Standard Action	instantaneous	Creature with –1 or fewer hit points is automatically stabilized and does not lose any further hit points.
-----------------
Level 1 Spells - DC16
Spell Name	Casting Time	Duration	Effect
Cure Light Wounds	1 Standard Action	Instantaneous	Cures 1d8 points of damage + 1 point per caster level (maximum +5).
Ear-piercing Scream	1 Standard Action	Instantaneous	The target is dazed for 1 round and takes 1d6 points of sonic damage per two caster levels (maximum 5d6). A successful save negates the daze effect and halves the damage.
Obscuring Mist	1 Standard Action	1 min./level	A misty vapor arises around you. It is stationary. The vapor obscures all sight, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet. A creature 5 feet away has concealment (attacks have a 20% miss chance). Creatures farther away have total concealment (50% miss chance, and the attacker cannot use sight to locate the target).
-----------------
Active Spells		-------

+

[Tahril]

Juliet Ambers Name: Juliet Ambers Race: Human Gender: Female Class: Cavalier Alignment: Neutral Evil Background Trait: Armor expert Crime: Sedition RP sample:   Juliet knelt at the altar to Mitra in her home. Tonight was the night. Years of slowly festering resentment followed by months of meticulous planning had all been leading to tonight. The night the King dies, and a new era of peace and harmony can finally reign. Juliet ultimately did not know if the King was corrupt or simply inept, but whatever the reason his laws, rules, and regulations had stifled her efforts to stomp out the monsters and heretics from this land. Were he to be removed, his daughter would take over, and with proper counseling and advice she could be made to see just how serious the threats to the realm where. Juliet did not plan this coup for her, she would not advance in station or wealth. But she had a duty. A duty to Mitra, who would weep if he could see the lands as they are now. A duty to her husband, who worked tirelessly in the courts to convict the criminals she arrested. And a duty to her newborn daughter, who she hoped would see a brighter and safer world when she grew older. She was not alone in her convictions, her position as a commander of the Knights of Alerion allowed her to transfer dozens of sympathetic individuals to her authority. Disgruntled inquisitors, overzealous knights, concerned priests, they all felt the same and they would all play their part. The trap was set, the bait was placed, all that was left to do was to play their parts. She was saying her final prayer to Mitra when she felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder. It was her husband, Cillian. He was handsome, but more than that, he was kind and understanding. She had confided her plans for tonight in him and he had supported her all the way. Still, it was natural he may feel apprehensive about what was about to happen. “My love, It’s not too late. With but a word you could call this plan off. There may be other ways to make the king see reason.” His tone had a tinge of fear, but it was overclouded with remorse. Juliet turned and stood to face him, holding him in a warm embrace. “This is the only way, Cillian. Do not worry, just wait here with Charlotte” She indicated to a nearby room where their daughter lay peacefully sleeping in her crib. “By morning, we can all be sure our lives will be much safer.” Cillian embraced her back, but then turned away to their table, uncorking a bottle of wine he had with him and poring them two glasses. “Then, at least, let us have a toast. To change, and to the future.” Juliet approached him and took one of the glasses, she didn’t like drinking before a mission, but she made an exception for him and for the occasion. Just as she had finished the glass though, only half noticing he had not drunken any himself, she heard a commotion of fighting and hollering from close by. She swiftly snatched up her claymore which lay standing against the front door but found she could not lift it. The same sword she practiced with every day and could swing like it was made of silk now felt impossibly heavy in her hands. She was forced to let the sword drop clumsily to the floor as her vision started to blur and the sound of armored footsteps came closer. Panicking she attempted to lock the door but missed the handle and on her second attempt it burst in, kicked by an armored boot, and sent her reeling backwards a few steps as no less that 4 knights burst into the room. Immediately they had seized her and began taking her to the waiting prison carriage outside. Confused and frightened, Juliet looked to her husband for help, but only found him staring at her with tears in his eyes, guilt and remorse plastered over his face as he let the bottle he brought drop to the floor, smashing and spilling its drugged contents. The full extent of the treachery she had been a victim of did not come slowly, but all at once. She began to scream as loud as a banshee, half tormented wail, half Battlecry. Even in her drugged state she managed to slip out of the guards grasp several times, dislocating jaws, breaking noses, and knocking out teeth whenever she did. They finally managed to get her outside where 2 more knights joined in restraining her. The whole commotion had woken Charlotte up, and Cillian spared Juliet one more pained look before going to attend to her. It was in that last look that Juliet stooped thrashing, gazing with fury at her husband. She made and oath that day, a silent oath known only to her and the gods. An oath that superseded her oaths to the King, her marriage vows, and even her devotion to Mitra. That night, she vowed she would kill her husband. Personality: Affectionate, kind, and motherly, Juliet’s warm and cheerful disposition slowly eroded over the years as she served as a high-ranking member of the Knights of Alerion. In her efforts to root out heretics and corruption she found herself limited by the laws and regulations in place by her superiors and by the king himself. She became disgruntled, irritable, and severe in her duties. A breaking point came when she found herself victim to an assassination attempt. While ultimately thwarted, the attempt came far too close to success, and she was convinced that had she more authority to detain, question, and arrest, then her life would not have put at such risk. Her final betrayal by her husband has only cemented her paranoia, rage, and determination to avenge herself.

Link to Character Sheet: https://www.rpgcrossing.com/profiler/view.php?id=87558

Link to Character Sheet for Rene: https://www.rpgcrossing.com/profiler/view.php?id=90208

[Bluejack]

The Brilliant Malignancy Two steps ahead? Try ten. Name: Barr Esteban Demarco https://www.rpgcrossing.com/profiler/view.php?id=87471 Race: Human Gender: Male Class: Investigator Alignment: Lawful Evil Background Trait: Resilient +1 Fortitude Crime: Attempted Murder   Barr Demarco is the son of the famous merchant Evans Demarco. The same Demarcos that have gone from one of the wealthiest families to paupers not generation ago. Barr was born to Evans after the fall while the Demarcos tried vainly to continue to hold on to wealth and power. His father committed suicide by hanging when Barr was but a youth of ten. Young Barr found his father's swinging body. Amelia Demarco had become nothing more than a high priced whore. Using the Demarco name and her fancy wardrobe and costume jewelry to maintain some standard of living for herself, and just herself. Her numerous children she allowed to suffer. Some she even sold. Barr Demarco was sold into indentured servitude as a servant to his master James Hall, a green grocer. Barr could read and write, and he was to handle the running of the store in a few short years so Hall might pursue other ventures. Barr had other intentions.   The Dark Kid "Barr, have you finished the accounts for the day?" James Hall was a barely rounding man who enjoyed his modicum of success a bit more than he had a right to do. His grocery brought fresh foods from all all sorts of farms to the patricians in the noble quarter. The fruits, vegetables and spices were the prettiest and tastiest around. He wore simple but clean clothes and a small cap that kept his thinning hair from falling into the groceries. "Yes, Master Hall,"replied Barr. Hall thought the boy thick at first. He took slowly to the accounts, and seemed lazy. He was always tired! James eventually made progress, and he was able to turn his mind towards some of the other business ventures he had neglected for too long. The whole point of buying the boy was to have him run the Grocery in a few years. Hall thought the investment was well worth the cost now. He even liked the lad. Barr always had a sunny disposition. "You'll live up to your family name yet, Demarco." Hall said it as a compliment, but he realized that the spot might still be sore. "No offense meant, boy. Your grandfather was an absolute wizard with numbers. He helped finance much of the city, you must know. " "Yes sir, Master Hall."Barr nodded and looked to the floor in deference to the man that owned his service. Barr then gave a short bow and went back to his small desk. He finished the notes in his ledger and placed them into the top drawer. Then he went out towards the store front to see how the boys were all doing. I'd thought he'd have taken to the other boys, but probably for the best. They'll need to follow his orders some day. Hall moved towards the door to the back office and watched Barr order the stock boys back to work with a few quick commands. They all seemed to follow his orders much better than the previous fellow Hall had tapped for this position. That man had been twenty-and-two, while Barr was only 14. The previous man had never had the stock boys under his control like Barr did. They almost seemed afraid of him. Barr seemed to sense his master staring at him, and his body underwent a change in posture, from one of command to one of subservience. Hall found it disconcerting that the youth had that much control at ten-and-four. What a prize he will be as a man! And only a hundred gold for him. A steal. Barr looked at Hall in subservience, and gave a curt bow. A glint came to the boys eye, so quick Hall almost missed it. Hall shivered uncontrollably.

 

Barr Esteban Demarco

Character Stats Hit Points 8/8 Temp HP 0 Inspiration Points 5/5     Armor Class 13 Flat Foot 10 Touch 13 Fort +1 Reflex +5 Will +3 Senses Move 30' Languages Talingardian Goblin Giant   Iraen Norspik Yutak   Skills Perception +5 Craft +8 Diplomacy +5 Disable Device +8 Escape Artist +5 Intimidate +3 Knowledge Arcana +8 Knowledge Local +8 Linguistics +6 Sense Motive +5 Spellcraft +8 Stealth +7 UseMagic Device +5

Attacks
Weapon/Elixer	Total Attack Bonus	Damage	Critical	Range	Notes
Fist	+0	d2	N/A	N/A	--

Extracts
Elixer Formulae	Level	Casting Time	Range	Target	Duration	Effect
Adhesive Spittle	1	1 Standard Action	15'	1 creature	1/level	Tanglefoot Bag
Comprehend Languages	1	Standard Action	Self	10min/level	Comprehends normal languages
Crafter's Fortune	1	1 Standard Action	--	Self	1day/level	+5 luck next craft check
Cure Light Wounds	1	1 Standard Action	--	1 creature	N/A	Heals 1d8+caster level
Expeditious Retreat	1	1 Standard Action	--	Self	1min/level	+30' Speed
Identify	1	1 Standard Action	--	Self	N/A	+10 Spellcraft Check on Items
Monkey Fish	1	1 Standard Action	--	Self	N/A	Climb or Swim 10'
True Strike	1	1 Standard Action	--	1 creature	N/A	+20 Insight Bonus
Active Spells		-------

[FCastor]

Davian Alder Name: Davian Alder Race: Human Gender: Male Class: Fighter (Gloomblade) Alignment: Neutral Evil Background Trait: Bastard Crime: Piracy The Journey So Far:   The... hero, so to speak, of our story -well, not the main story, but this here little tale at least- is a bastard. In more ways than one. Not that there is anything wrong with that per se, just something to get out of the way. And seeing as how Davian himself -the aforementioned hero (again... so to speak)- seems to care little about it, or so he says at least, we may as well move on, shall we? ------------------------------------ Even in Matharyn, the capital city of good and noble Talingarde, those with wealth and power have a tendency to play games, at least in a manner of speaking; games with or against each other, behind the scenes, in the shadows. They may say they do it in good fun, or they may attribute it to the boredom that usually comes with being in a position where they want for nothing. Some, if pressed enough (or drunk enough), will admit they do it for more power and influence, not what one might call a good and noble reason. But, whatever the motive, most, if not all, do it anyway. And it has been (and quite possibly will always be, for that matter) mostly ignored or tolerated by the powers-that-be as long as such dealings remain in the shadows. That is, unless the shadows are actually real and play the game themselves as well. For Asmodeus is hardly the only Power Talingarde should concern itself with. ------------------------------------ Lady Elsbeth (last name... not Alder) was one such player. However, the shadows she dabbled with, almost three decades before the so-called Forsaken escaped from Branderscar, were both imagined and real. And it is to one such shadow, or rather a shadow sorcerer who served the powers behind them, and the Lady's... tryst with him that (then not) Davian owes his existence. The man did not stay to raise his son -if he even knew he had one- and that responsibility fell on the shoulders of Elsbeth's husband, Marcus (again, not Alder). Lord Marcus suspected that the boy was not his, even if he did not suspect what his wife's other darker "pastimes" involved. Despite that though, and quite surprisingly, he chose to raise the child as his own. He was a kind, if somewhat naive, man who loved his wife dearly, enough for that love to extend to her -their- son. But also enough to allow himself to be blinded by it. And that ultimately proved to be his undoing, for when Lady Elsbeth burnt at the stake for being a witch (not an unfounded accusation, mind you), Lord Marcus burnt right next to her as her (wrongly accused and wrongly convicted) accomplice. Davian (as good a name as any for the purposes of this story) was quite a bit more fortunate, as one of his mother's loyal servants managed to spirit him away from Matharyn, saving his life even if that meant she had to divulge some (but not necessarily all) of Elsbeth's secrets, one of them regarding his parentage, during their time on the road together. What Davian, less of a boy and more of a young man by then, thought and felt about that revelation, he was in no hurry to divulge. And given how... interesting things would get for him in the coming years, it was not as if he would be given time enough to dwell on it too much, truth be told. ------------------------------------ Yes, the last decade or so has certainly been interesting. Colorful even with nary a dull moment. From a child of privilege to a street urchin, then to a tailor's apprentice in Daveryn. That lasted a couple of years or three, enough to make one think that that was to be the end of the young man's tale. However, being press-ganged into joining a pirate crew -a sap to the back of the head leaves little room for arguments or negotiations- changed that and eventually brought him to Aldencross. Of course, there are more than a few misadventures hiding in that "eventually", such as -but not necessarily limited to- an acquaintance and friendship with a fiery-haired girl who can turn into a fox, the poisoning attempt of the pirate captain and subsequent imprisonment by Talingarde-sanctioned pirate hunters (either wonderful or terrible timing those two events, it depends really), the escape before reaching Branderscar thanks to Tatyana (the fox-girl, do try to keep up) and their separation amidst the chaos of that escape. Then, there is that Asmodean Cardinal, Adrastus Thorn, and his plan, which, among other things, involved sending Davian to Aldencross as... well, a tailor (but not really... all very hush hush). And, of course, the sheer coincidence of Tatyana finding her way there as well and getting a job at the local tavern as a barmaid. See? Colorful.

Stat Block   Davian Alder Male Human Fighter (Gloomblade) 5 NE Medium Humanoid (Human) Languages Common (Talingardian), Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Infernal Initiative +5 Senses Perception +9 Defense AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +3 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 deflection) HP 44 (5HD; 5d10+10) Saving Throws Fort +6*, Ref +5*, Will +3*/+4* vs. fear Defensive Abilities Bravery +1, Shadow's Shroud 5 rounds/day Offense Speed 30 ft. Melee +1 shadow weapon +10, damage by weapon Melee Dagger +8, 1d4+3 piercing or slashing, 19-20/x2 Melee Fist +8, 1d3+3 bludgeoning, 20/x2 Ranged +1 shadow weapon +10, damage by weapon Ranged Dagger +8, 1d4+3 piercing or slashing, 19-20/x2, 10 ft. Special Attacks Gloomstorm 5 rounds/day, Shadow Weapon +1 Statistics Str 16 (+3) Dex 16 (+3) Con 13 (+1) Int 14 (+2) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 13 (+1) Base Attack +5 CMB +8/+10 when using a shadow weapon CMD 23*/24* when defending against disarm and sunder attempts made against shadow weapons Traits Category Basic (Social) You were born out of wedlock. You have always been an outsider in society, and in your own family. This perspective has sharpened your insight. Benefit You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks, and Sense Motive is always a class skill for you.Bastard, Category Way of the Wicked (Crime) You have been caught in the act of piracy on the high seas. This is a rare crime these days since Markadian I called the Victorious burned the last major pirate fleet to threaten these isles. Still the crime is punished harshly. Likely you are the sole survivor of your ship. Punishment Death by hanging Benefit You may select either Bluff or Intimidate. The selected skill receives a +2 trait bonus and is always a class skill for you.Piracy, Category Way of the Wicked (Training) Cardinal Thorn has taught you never to shirk or hesitate in a combat. Benefit You gain a +2 trait bonus on Initiative checks."Strike First, Strike Ruthlessly and Thus Be Victorious" Skills Acrobatics +11, Bluff +11, Craft (Clothing) +9*, Diplomacy +9, Intimidate +9, Knowledge (Local) +8, Knowledge (Planes) +10, Perception +9, Sense Motive +10, Stealth +11 Feats Category Combat You are skilled at attacking opponents that you cannot clearly perceive. Benefit In melee, every time you miss because of concealment (see Combat), you can reroll your miss chance percentile roll one time to see if you actually hit. An invisible attacker gets no advantages related to hitting you in melee. That is, you don't lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, and the attacker doesn't get the usual +2 bonus for being invisible. The invisible attacker's bonuses do still apply for ranged attacks, however. You do not need to make Acrobatics skill checks to move at full speed while blinded. Normal Regular attack roll modifiers for invisible attackers trying to hit you apply, and you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC. The speed reduction for darkness and poor visibility also applies. Special The Blind-Fight feat is of no use against a character who is the subject of a blink spell.Blind-Fight*, Category General Living in large, exotic cities has put you in touch with many diverse civilizations, cultures, and races. Benefit You can speak and read two additional languages of your choice. In addition, choose two Intelligence-, Wisdom-, or Charisma-based skills. Those skills always count as class skills for you.Cosmopolitan, Category General You are particularly devious, and can master more skills than others in the same amount of time. Benefit You gain 1 additional skill point per Hit Die. When you take this feat, you gain a number of skill points equal to your Hit Dice right away, and every time your Hit Dice increase in the future, you will gain an additional skill point as well.Cunning, Category Combat Your training and reflexes allow you to react swiftly to avoid an opponents' attacks. Prerequisites Dex 13. Benefit You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.Dodge*, Category Racial You possess extra versatility. Prerequisites Int 13, human. Benefit When you gain a level in a favored class, you gain both +1 hit point and +1 skill rank instead of choosing either one or the other benefit or you can choose an alternate class reward.Fast Learner, Category Combat, Conduit An inexhaustible arsenal lies in the Shadow Plane, waiting to be unleashed. Prerequisites Knowledge (Planes) 4 ranks, Shadow Weapon class feature. Benefit As a swift action, you can thin the barriers between yourself and the Shadow Plane, allowing you to create shadow weapons more easily. While this effect is active, you can create new shadow weapons as a free action. This does not increase the number of shadow weapons you can maintain at a single time. You can use this feat’s benefit for a number of rounds per day equal to your ranks in Knowledge (Planes). These rounds need not be consecutive.Gloomstorm*, Category Conduit You can camouflage yourself in shadows and gloom. Prerequisites Knowledge (Planes) 5 ranks. Benefit As a swift action, you can shroud yourself in shifting, camouflaging shadow. While shrouded in this fashion, you can attempt Stealth checks as though you had concealment, even in areas of normal or bright light. Creatures that can see normally in supernatural darkness can still see you normally. You can use this feat’s benefit for a number of rounds per day equal to your ranks in Knowledge (Planes). These rounds need not be consecutive. Special Unlike spells like shadow walk, which require you to be on a plane that is coterminous with the Shadow Plane, this feat functions even on planes that do not normally share a border with the Shadow Plane. Like all conduit feats, the effects are suppressed when planar travel is forbidden.Shadow's Shroud Racial Abilities Humans select one extra feat at 1st level.Bonus Feat, Humans gain 1 additional skill rank at 1st level and 1 additional rank whenever they gain a level.Skilled Class Abilities Fighter At 1st level, and at every even level thereafter, a fighter gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement (meaning that the fighter gains a feat at every level). These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as combat feats, sometimes also called “fighter bonus feats.” Upon reaching 4th level, and every four levels thereafter (8th, 12th, and so on), a fighter can choose to learn a new bonus feat in place of a bonus feat he has already learned. In effect, the fighter loses the bonus feat in exchange for the new one. The old feat cannot be one that was used as a prerequisite for another feat, prestige class, or other ability. A fighter can only change one feat at any given level and must choose whether or not to swap the feat at the time he gains a new bonus feat for the level.Bonus Feats, Starting at 2nd level, a fighter gains a +1 bonus on Will saves against fear. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd.Bravery (Ex), A gloomblade can create a shadowy weapon in a free hand as a move action. This can take the form of any melee weapon with which he is proficient. A gloomblade can have only one shadow weapon in existence at a time; creating a new shadow weapon causes an existing shadow weapon to vanish. At 3rd level, the shadow weapon acts as a magic weapon with a +1 enhancement bonus; this bonus increases by 1 for every 4 levels a gloomblade has beyond 2nd, to a maximum enhancement bonus of +5 at 18th level. At 7th level, a gloomblade can create (and maintain) two shadow weapons at a time as a move action; if he does, each weapon has an enhancement bonus 1 lower than normal. If a gloomblade creates only one weapon, it gains a weapon special ability of his choice (chosen upon creation); the ability must be valid for the shadow weapon’s weapon type and must be chosen from defending, flaming, frost, keen, ghost touch, merciful, shock, thundering, or vicious. (Additional special abilities might qualify, at the GM’s discretion.) At 11th level, a gloomblade’s shadow weapons each gain their full enhancement bonus if he creates two weapons. If a gloomblade creates only one shadow weapon, it gains additional weapon special abilities; the total effective bonus of these abilities cannot exceed +3. The gloomblade can now choose from the anarchic, axiomatic, flaming burst, icy burst, holy, shocking burst, unholy, and wounding weapon special abilities as well as those from the list above. At 15th level, a gloomblade’s shadow weapons each gain magic weapon special abilities with a total effective bonus of +2 per weapon. If a gloomblade creates only one shadow weapon, its magic weapon special abilities cannot exceed a total effective bonus of +5. The gloomblade adds brilliant energy, dancing, and speed to the options he can choose as weapon special abilities for his shadow weapon. This replaces the fighter’s armor training and proficiency with heavy armor and shields (he retains proficiency in light and medium armor).Shadow Weapon (Su), At 5th level, a gloomblade gains weapon training, except that he does not select a weapon group; instead, the bonus applies to the shadow weapons he creates. A gloomblade does not select additional weapon groups as he gains levels. At 9th level, whenever a gloomblade creates one or more shadow weapons, he can apply any one of the following shadow effects (chosen upon creation) to one of them. During the gloomblade’s turn, he can increase his reach with that weapon by 5 feet. The gloomblade can increase a thrown shadow weapon’s range increment (if any) by 20 feet. When he hits a foe with a melee attack with the weapon, he can use it to perform a reposition combat maneuver against the creature hit as a swift action. This does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Attacks made with the weapon ignore hardness equal to or less than the gloomblade’s fighter level. For every 4 levels he has beyond 9th, a gloomblade can apply an additional effect to his shadow weapons, to a maximum of three effects at 17th level; these effects can be split between multiple shadow weapons as a gloomblade desires, but they don’t stack with themselves. This alters weapon training.Shadow Weapon Training (Ex), A gloomblade gains Acrobatics, Knowledge (Planes), Perception, and Stealth as class skills, but does not gain Climb, Handle Animal, Ride, or Swim as class skills. This alters the fighter’s class skills.Student of Darkness (Ex), Starting at 5th level, whenever a gloomblade attacks with a shadow weapon he created, he gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls. Every four levels thereafter (9th, 13th, and 17th), the bonuses granted to his shadow weapons increase by +1 each. A gloomblade also adds this bonus to any combat maneuver checks made with shadow weapons he creates. This bonus also applies to the gloomblade's Combat Maneuver Defense when defending against disarm and sunder attempts made against his shadow weapons.Weapon Training (Ex) Equipment Combat Gear Location Wrist sheathDagger, This extremely light chain shirt is made of very fine mithral links. The armor has an arcane spell failure chance of 10%, a maximum Dexterity bonus of +6, and no armor check penalty. It is considered light armor.mithral shirt, This is a sheath designed to be strapped to your forearm and hidden under a long sleeve. The sheath can hold one forearmlength item, such as a dagger, dart, or wand, or up to five arrows or crossbow bolts. As a move action, you can bend your wrist to cause some or all of these items to drop into your hand (provoking attacks of opportunity as normal). You have a +2 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks made to oppose the Perception check of someone observing or frisking you to determine items in the sheath. You can only wear one wrist sheath per arm. Contents Daggerwrist sheath Other Gear Outfitted with concealed pockets, this clothing gives you a +2 bonus when hiding small objects on your person. Contents Chalk, charcoal, flint and steel, ioun torchPickpocket's outfit, Contents Artisan's tools (masterwork), bedroll, blanket, caltrops, canteen (full), grappling hook, mess kit, silk rope (50ft.), soap, torches (2), trail rations (7 days)masterwork backpack, Contents Compass, twine (50 ft.)belt pouch, Contents Moneybelt pouch Magic Items These soft-soled black boots provide a great deal of comfort and arch support. The boots' wearer always takes the minimum possible damage from falls (as if the GM had rolled a 1 on each die of damage incurred by the fall) and at the end of a fall always lands on his feet.Boots of the cat, Flecks of silver or steel are often sown amid the fabric of these magical cloaks. This garment offers magical protection in the form of a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws (Fortitude, Reflex, and Will).cloak of resistance +1, This item is merely a burned out, dull gray ioun stone with a continual flame spell cast upon it. It retains the ability to float and orbit, and allows the bearer to carry light and still have his hands free. It may be in any crystalline shape common to ioun stones (ellipsoid, prism, sphere, and so on). Location Pickpocket's outfitioun torch, This circlet of wrought iron alters itself to comfortably fit any wearer. It allows the wearer to alter their appearance as with a disguise self spell. As part of the disguise, the circlet can be changed to appear as any sort of hat, headgear, or hairstyle the wearer desires.iron circlet, This mithral ring set with black onyx offers continual magical protection in the form of a deflection bonus of +1 to AC.ring of protection +1 Consumables None Wealth 60 platinum pieces, 74 gold pieces, 11 silver pieces, 5 copper pieces

 

Erevan, Antipaladin Name: Erevan Race: Aasimar (Angel-Blooded) Gender: Male Class: Antipaladin (Dread Vanguard, Tyrant)/Oracle Alignment: Lawful Evil Background Trait: Magical Knack Crime: Blasphemy Of Covers...: Standing six feet tall and athletically built, Erevan is without a doubt a handsome man, perhaps even beautiful, owed, in no small part, to his heritage. That is not to say he is not at least a little unusual. His pale almost ashen skin and white hair, contrasted with his usually dark-colored attire of choice, can certainly raise an eyebrow or two. But, much like his light amber eyes, eyes that seem to glow with a soft golden light when in darkness, he can easily explain them away as a form of albinism or some distant elven ancestry or whatever else he may find amusing depending on the occasion and his own mood. After all, he is not too bad at lying -he has had enough practice- and it is not like there is a halo over his head or feathery wings growing out of his back. Now those? Those would require quite the effort. ...and Books: Given how regulated and even stifling his childhood was, it is small wonder that Erevan is eager to enjoy himself and experience life and all it has to offer, be it things or people or challenges or even battles. Indeed, the man seems to approach and regard a good fight or other challenge of the sort with the same temperament as he would other experiences and luxuries, even though his usually charming smile does seem to take on a somewhat more... predatory quality. Still, he is far from merely flippant. There are occasions when his beautiful face turns serious or when his anger has been stirred, but even then he manages to maintain his composure, more often than not at least, and he may even joke or smile still, though there is little warmth behind the words and mannerism. The Journey So Far:   Born to a pair of devout followers of Mitra almost two and a half decades ago, it did not take long for the boy's parents to realize that their son had more than just human blood running in his veins. After taking him to one of their god's temples, the priests there quickly determined that the child had at the very least a hint of the divine within him. Still, it was enough for the clergy to consider it a sign and thus it was decided that he would be raised within the ranks of the church, to be educated and trained to one day become a warrior priest of Mitra. Things did not go quite as planned. Never allowed to venture beyond the temple walls, the boy, having been named Erathiel, received the best education and training in matters of both religion and war, all the while being indoctrinated to the ways of Mitra. Having known little else before his time with the priesthood, it was expected that the boy would simply follow along and things would go smoothly enough. Not so however. For often enough a child longs to be just that, a child. Such a simple and natural thing really. And being denied that can breed discontent and resentment, fertile ground for fiendish whispers otherwise ignored to take root. And then even divine grace is not enough to prevent the fall. It started with a dream here, a voice right at the edge of hearing there. Just enough to nurture Erathiel's growing displeasure with his way of life and all the things expected of him, to make him doubt Mitra and perhaps, just perhaps, consider other gods. It took years, not only because of the almost ever-present Mitran priests, but also because it had to feel natural to him. But eventually it bore fruit. Erathiel, a boy no longer but a young man, became... difficult. Disillusioned, rebellious, defiant, he troubled the clerics, but they still gave him the benefit of the doubt, thanks in no small part to his heritage and his supposed "destiny". And he took advantage of that, of course, as it is considerably easier to bend the truth or outright lie when people want to believe you. And, at least for a time, it was for the same reason not particularly difficult to hide the fact that at some point his allegiance had shifted from Mitra to... someone else. Still, even Mitrans cannot be deceived forever. All the World's a Stage:   "I am flattered, do not get me wrong," the pale white-haired man said casually, not bothering to rise from his chair, a half-full -or half-empty, if one was a bit pessimistic- flagon of ale still in his hand. If nothing else, at least this tavern had some fine ale indeed. "Still, I did not expect my would-be captors to be as... illustrious as you lot," he continued in the same conversational tone. He knew full well his luck had run out, but he would at least have some fun with his rather hopeless predicament. "Maybe a guard or two? Sure. Or someone from the local constabulary?" He paused as if thinking. "Does this place actually have a constabulary? I really am not sure," he mused with a smile and a shrug before taking another sip. "It had a constable, yes," the man blocking the empty tavern's only entrance and exit said, his voice filled with barely contained anger. He was an inquisitor of the Church of Mitra and he was not alone. He was accompanied by two others, Knights of Alerion by the looks of them. And more were probably waiting right outside. "Until you killed him!" The man almost roared the words as his eyes turned to look at the dead body between himself and his quarry. "In cold bl..." "In self-defense," the pale man noted. "So, that is what he was? Well, he did attack first. I am sure there are witnesses you can ask?" "We have. And what they witnessed was you goading him, mocking him," the inquisitor replied. "So? Does hurting his feelings somehow make his attack justified?" Another sip. "Again, self-defense. Come now. Surely, even kind Mitra would defend himself if some other nasty god tried to bludgeon him over the head with a..." He paused as he too turned towards the dead man, trying to get a better look at the weapon still in his grip. "Morningstar? Mace, I think?" "Enough! Silence, blasphemer," his accuser cut him off. "You know well why we are here... Erathiel." "That," the still sitting man hissed, his eyes narrowing, as his mask of indifference slipped momentarily, "is not my name. It never was." Finally rising, he glanced at the still bloody sword by his chair, but he did not move to close his hand around its hilt. "It is what you and yours called me. Like most of my life, like all of my childhood, that too was a matter I had no say in." His eyes again on his sword, this time he almost moved to pick it up, causing the three men to reach for their own weapons. But then he stopped. "No." The single word was spoken only to the one once called Erathiel. No one else heard it. And it is to the one who uttered it that he simply replied, "Very well." As he turned to regard the three men who had come for him, he sighed and offered his wrists. "By all means."

Stat Block   Erevan Male Aasimar (Angel-Blooded) Antipaladin (Dread Vanguard, Tyrant) 2/Oracle 2 Spells or special abilities that reveal alignment return an inconclusive resultLE Medium Humanoid (Human) and Outsider (Native) Languages Celestial, Common, Elven, Goblin, Infernal Initiative +4 Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Perception +8 Defense AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex) HP 36 (4HD; 2d10+2d8+10) Saving Throws Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +10 Defensive Abilities Unholy Resilience Resist Acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 Offense Speed 30 ft./20 ft. Melee Bastard sword +7, 1d10+4 slashing, 19-20/x2 Melee Dagger +6, 1d4+3 piercing or slashing, 19-20/x2 Melee Fist/gauntlet +6, 1d3+3 bludgeoning, 20/x2 Ranged Dagger +5, 1d4+3 piercing or slashing, 19-20/x2, 10 ft. Special Attacks Swift action, target must be good, lasts until the target of the smite is dead or the next time the antipaladin rests and regains his uses of this ability +3 attack bonus vs. target, +2 damage bonus vs. target (additional +2 damage bonus on first attack if target is an outsider with the good subtype, a good-aligned dragon, or a good creature with levels of cleric or paladin), bypasses any DR target possesses +3 deflection bonus to AC vs. attacks made by the target of the smiteSmite Good 1/day, Touch attack +5, damage 1d6Touch of Corruption 4/day Spellcasting Antipaladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 2nd, concentration +5) At will - detect good Oracle Spells Known (CL 4th, concentration +7) 1st (5/day) - bless, cure light wounds, divine favor, enlarge person 0 (at will) - create water, detect magic, guidance, light, stabilize Statistics Str 16 (+3) Dex 14 (+2) Con 14 (+2) Int 14 (+2) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 16 (+3) Base Attack +3 CMB +6 CMD 18 Traits Category Way of the Wicked (Crime) Either you have defamed the great god Mitra or you have been found guilty of worshipping one of the forbidden deities (who preeminent among them is Asmodeus). Punishment: Death by burning Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Knowledge (Religion) checks, and Knowledge (Religion) is always a class skill for you.Blasphemy, Category Basic (Magic) Pick a class when you gain this trait - your caster level in that class gains a +2 trait bonus as long as this bonus does not raise your caster level above your current Hit Dice.Magical Knack (Oracle), Category Way of the Wicked (Training) Cardinal Thorn has taught you never to shirk or hesitate in a combat. Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Initiative checks."Strike First, Strike Ruthlessly and Thus Be Victorious" Skills Acrobatics +2/-3, Appraise +1, Bluff* +11, Climb +3/-2, Craft* +1, Diplomacy* +9/+5, Disguise* +3, Escape Artist +2/-3, Fly +2/-3, Heal* +1, Intimidate* +11, Knowledge (Religion)* +11, Linguistics +5, Perception* +8, Perform +3, Ride* +2/-3, Sense Motive* +10, Spellcraft* +9, Stealth* +9/+4, Survival +1, Swim +3/-2 Feats Category Racial You possess extra versatility. Prerequisites: Int 13, human. Benefit: When you gain a level in a favored class, you gain both +1 hit point and +1 skill rank instead of choosing either one or the other benefit or you can choose an alternate class reward.Fast Learner, Category Damnation Your alignment is known to you and you alone. Benefit: Those who try to learn your true alignment find it hidden or receive a false result. Depending on the number of damnation feats you possess, spells or special abilities that would normally reveal your alignment return a vague or incorrect result. If this feat disguises your alignment, you can use either your true alignment or the false one when using magic items with alignment prerequisites. One Damnation Feat: The spell or special ability returns an inconclusive result. Two Damnation Feats: Upon gaining this power, choose an alignment within one step of your actual alignment. Your alignment is always revealed as being that false alignment. Three Damnation Feats: Upon gaining this power, choose an alignment within two steps of your actual alignment. Your alignment is always revealed as being this false alignment. Four Damnation Feats: You immediately know when someone is attempting to use a spell or special ability to learn your alignment. You learn the name and alignment of the creature using the effect. Additionally, you can choose any alignment as the result returned by the spell or ability.Mask of Virtue, Category Combat Choose one type of weapon. You can also choose unarmed strike or grapple (or ray, if you are a spellcaster) as your weapon for the purposes of this feat. Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected weapon, base attack bonus +1. Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon. Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon.Weapon Focus (Bastard sword) Racial Abilities Aasimars have acid resistance 5, cold resistance 5, and electricity resistance 5.Celestial Resistance, Aasimars can see in the dark up to 60 feet.Darkvision, Some aasimars’ heavenly ancestry is extremely distant. An aasimar with this racial trait counts as an outsider (native) and a humanoid (human) for any effect related to race, including feat prerequisites and spells that affect humanoids. She can pass for human without using the Disguise skill. This racial trait replaces the Celestial language and alters the native subtype.Scion of Humanity, Variant Aasimar Ability: Some aasimars are blessed or cursed with unusual abilities. Any creature that bites you must succeed at a DC 12 Fortitude save or become sickened for 1d4 rounds. This racial trait replaces the spell-like ability racial trait.Tainted Blood, There are some aasimars whose language transcends all boundaries. They gain a +2 bonus on Linguistics and Sense Motive checks, and they learn two languages each time they gain a rank in Linguistics. This racial trait replaces Skilled.Truespeaker Class Abilities Antipaladin The power of an antipaladin's aura of evil (see the detect evil spell) is equal to his antipaladin level. A paladin who uses smite evil on an antipaladin deals 2 points of damage per paladin level on his first successful attack.Aura of Evil (Ex), At will, an antipaladin can use detect good, as the spell. An antipaladin can, as a move action, concentrate on a single item or individual within 60 feet and determine if it is good, learning the strength of its aura as if having studied it for 3 rounds. While focusing on one individual or object, the antipaladin does not detect good in any other object or individual within range.Detect Good (Sp), Once per day, an antipaladin can call out to the dark powers to crush the forces of good. As a swift action, the antipaladin chooses one target within sight to smite. If this target is good, the antipaladin adds his Charisma bonus (if any) on his attack rolls and adds his antipaladin level on all damage rolls made against the target of his smite. If the target of smite good is an outsider with the good subtype, a good-aligned dragon, or a good creature with levels of cleric or paladin, the bonus to damage on the first successful attack increases to 2 points of damage per level the antipaladin possesses. Regardless of the target, smite good attacks automatically bypass any DR the creature might possess. In addition, while smite good is in effect, the antipaladin gains a deflection bonus equal to his Charisma modifier (if any) to his AC against attacks made by the target of the smite. If the antipaladin targets a creature that is not good, the smite is wasted with no effect. The smite good effect remains until the target of the smite is dead or the next time the antipaladin rests and regains his uses of this ability. At 4th level, and at every three levels thereafter, the antipaladin may smite good one additional time per day to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.Smite Good (Su), Beginning at 2nd level, an antipaladin surrounds his hand with a fiendish flame, causing terrible wounds to open on those he touches. Each day he can use this ability a number of times equal to 1/2 his antipaladin level + his Charisma modifier. As a touch attack, an antipaladin can cause 1d6 points of damage for every two antipaladin levels he possesses. Using this ability is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Alternatively, an antipaladin can use this power to heal undead creatures, restoring 1d6 hit points for every two levels the antipaladin possesses. This ability is modified by any feat, spell, or effect that specifically works with the lay on hands paladin class feature. For example, the Extra Lay On Hands feat grants an antipaladin 2 additional uses of the touch of corruption class feature.Touch of Corruption (Su), At 2nd level, an antipaladin gains a bonus equal to his Charisma bonus (if any) on all saving throws.Unholy Resilience (Su) Oracle Mystery Class Skills: An oracle with the Battle Mystery adds Intimidate, Knowledge (Engineering), Perception, and Ride to her list of class skills. Bonus Spells: enlarge person (2nd), fog cloud (4th), magic vestment (6th), wall of fire (8th), righteous might (10th), mass bull's strength (12th), control weather (14th), earthquake (16th), storm of vengeance (18th).Battle Oracle's Curse (Ex) Infernal influence grants you profane insight and weighs on your soul. You cannot cast spells with the good or chaotic descriptors, and you can’t summon good or chaotic creatures. Good and chaotic creatures instinctively distrust you, and you take a –4 penalty on all Diplomacy checks against such creatures. You gain a +2 bonus on all Bluff and Intimidate checks. At 5th level, you gain a +4 bonus to all saving throws against charm effects. At 10th level, you gain immunity to fire. At 15th level, any weapon you wield is treated as lawful and evil for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction.Hellbound Revelation Select one weapon with which you are proficient. You gain Weapon Focus with that weapon. At 8th level, you gain Improved Critical with that weapon. At 12th level, you gain Greater Weapon Focus with that weapon. You do not need to meet the prerequisites to receive these feats.Weapon Mastery (Ex) Equipment Combat Gear Bastard sword, dagger, chainmail, iron unholy symbol of Asmodeus Other Gear Traveler's outfit, Contents: bedroll, caltrops, canteen (full), grappling hook, mess kit, silk rope (50ft.), soap, trail rations (7 days)backpack, Contents: compass, flint and steelbelt pouch, Contents: chalk, charcoal, twine (50 ft.)belt pouch, Contents: moneybelt pouch Magic Items This circlet of wrought iron alters itself to comfortably fit any wearer. It allows the wearer to alter their appearance as with a disguise self spell. As part of the disguise, the circlet can be changed to appear as any sort of hat, headgear, or hairstyle the wearer desires.Iron circlet Consumables None Wealth 30 platinum pieces, 72 gold pieces, 6 silver pieces, 7 copper pieces

[Bluejack]

Barr Demarco

OOC   Action Dashboard Initiative: Standard Action:   Move:Tableplop   Free Action:   Misc. Action:   Ongoing Effects:   Initiative:     Barr Demarco Barr Demarco Investigator 5 (Empiricist) Hit Points: 35/35 | AC: (Base) +3 (Dex) +4 (Chain Shirt, Armor Pen 0)17 | Speed: 30' | Initiative: +3 (Dex) +2 (Reactionary Trait)+5 | Normal Vision Saves: Fortitude +2| Reflex +8 | Will +6 STR 10 (+0) DEX 17 (+3) CON 10 (+0) INT 19 (+4) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 13 (+1) Weapons: Rapier: +3, 1d6, Critical 18-20, Range - 80', Crit x2, Piercing Shortbow*: +6(+7), 1d6(1d6+1) , 60' Range Increment, 20/Crit x3 Extracts: Level 1: 4/4,Level 2: 2/2 DC= Base 10 + 4(INT Mod) + Extract Level, Inspiration: 5/5   Extracts per Day: Level 1:3 Extract Formulae Level Casting Time Range Target Duration Effect Adhesive Spittle 1 1 Standard Action 15' 1 Creature 1Round/Level Tanglefoot Bag Comprehend Languages 1 Standard Action Self/Inf 10min/Level Comprehend normal languages   Crafter's Fortune 1 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf 1day/Level +5 luck next craft check Cure Light Wounds 1 1 Standard Action -- 1 Creature N/A Heals 1d8+3** Expeditious Retreat 1 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf 1Min/Level +30' Speed Heightened Awareness 1 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf 10Min/Level +2 Perception/Knowledge Identify 1 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf N/A +10 Spellcraft Check on Items Monkey Fish 1 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf N/A Climb or Swim 10' Shield 1 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf 1Min/Level +4 AC True Strike 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf 1Round +20 to Hit   Bull's Strength 2 1 Standard Action -- 1 Creature/Inf 1 Min/Level +4 Strength Invisibility 2 1 Standard Action -- Self/Inf 1Min/Level Invisible Lessor Restoration 2 3 Rounds -- Self/Inf Instant 1d4 Ability Points Active Spells -------           Skill Stat Rank Mod Skill Stat Rank Mod Acrobatics* Dex 0 +3 Knowledge (Local)* Int 1 +8 Appraise* Int 1 +8 Knowledge (Nature)* Int 1 +8 Bluff* Cha 3 +9 Knowledge (Nobility)* Int 1 +8 Climb* Str 0 0 Knowledge (Religion)* Int 1 +8 Craft Alchemy* Int 4 +15 Knowledge (Planes)* Int 1 +8 Diplomacy* Cha 3 +7 Knowledge (Religion)* Int 1 +8 Disable Device* Int 3 +12 Linguistics* Int 2 +9 Disguise* Cha 0 +1 Perception* Int 4 +11 Escape Artist* Dex 1 +7 Ride Dex 0 +3 Heal* Wis 1 +5 Sense Motive* Int 4 +10 Intimidate* Cha 2 +8 Sleight of Hand* Dex 3 +9 Knowledge (Arcana)* Int 1 +8 Spellcraft* Int 4 +10 Knowledge (Dungeoneering)* Int 1 +8 Stealth* Dex 3 +9 Knowledge (Engineering)* Int 1 +8 Survival Wis 0 +1 Knowledge (Geography)* Int 1 +8 Swim Str 0 0 Knowledge (History)* Int 1 +8 Use Magic Device* Int 4 +11   Recipe DC Cost Target Range Duration Action Effect Antiplague 25 50gp Self -- 1 Hour Standard +5 alchemical bonus on Fortitude saving throws against disease. If already infected, you may also make two saving throws (without the +5 bonus) that day and use the better result.Effect Antitoxin 25 50gp Self 1 Hour -- Standard If you drink a vial of antitoxin, you get a +5 alchemical bonus on Fortitude saving throws against poison for 1 hour.Effect Body Balm 25 25gp 1 Creature -- -- Standard +5 Heal Checks on Target CreatureEffect Powder, Flash 25 60gp17gp 1 Creature 10' 1 Round Standard This coarse gray powder ignites and burns almost instantly if exposed to flame, significant friction, or even a simple force such as throwing it against a floor (a standard action). Creatures within the 10-foot-radius burst are blinded for 1 round (Fortitude DC 13 negates).Effect Smelling Salts 20 25gp 1 Creature -- -- Standard These sharply scented gray crystals cause people inhaling them to regain consciousness. Smelling salts grant you a new saving throw to resist any spell or effect that has already rendered you unconscious or staggered. If exposed to smelling salts while dying, you immediately become conscious and staggered, but must still make stabilization checks each round; if you perform any standard action (or any other strenuous action) you take 1 point of damage after completing the act and fall unconscious again. A container of smelling salts has dozens of uses if stoppered after each use, but depletes in a matter of hours if left opened.Effect Smoke Pellet 20 25gp 5' Square/Creature 10' -- Standard This small clay sphere contains two alchemical substances separated by a thin barrier. When you break the sphere, the substances mingle and fill a 5-foot square with a cloud of foul but harmless yellow smoke. The smoke pellet acts as a smokestick, except the smoke only lasts for 1 round before dispersing. You may throw a smoke pellet as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet.Effect Smoke Pellet,Smog 25 40gp 5' Square/Creature 10' -- Standard The smoke from a smog pellet is oily, and creatures that are hit by a smog pellet or pass through the smoke are covered in thick residue. This residue makes invisible creatures visible for 1d4 rounds.Effect Smoke Stick 20 25gp 10'Cube -- 1 Minute Standard This alchemically treated wooden stick instantly creates thick, opaque smoke when burned. The smoke fills a 10-foot cube (treat the effect as a fog cloud spell, except that a moderate or stronger wind dissipates the smoke in 1 round). The stick is consumed after 1 round, and the smoke dissipates naturally after 1 minute.Effect Stillgut 25 50gp 1 creature -- -- +5 Fortitude Save versus SicknessEffect   Sunrod 25 20sp -- 30' 6 hours Standard Light 30' radius Tanglefoot Bag 25 50gp 1 Creature 10' 2d4 Rounds Standard A tanglefoot bag is a small sack filled with tar, resin, and other sticky substances. When you throw a tanglefoot bag at a creature (as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet), the bag comes apart and goo bursts out, entangling the target and then becoming tough and resilient upon exposure to air. An entangled creature takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity and must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be glued to the floor, unable to move. Even on a successful save, it can move only at half speed. Huge or larger creatures are unaffected by a tanglefoot bag. A flying creature is not stuck to the floor, but it must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be unable to fly (assuming it uses its wings to fly) and fall to the ground. A tanglefoot bag does not function underwater.Effect Thunderstone 25 30gp AC5 20' -- Standard You can throw this stone as a ranged attack with a range increment of 20 feet. When it strikes a hard surface (or is struck hard), it creates a deafening bang that is treated as a sonic attack. Each creature within a 10-foot-radius spread must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or be deafened for 1 hour. A deafened creature, in addition to the obvious effects, takes a –4 penalty on initiative and has a 20% chance to miscast and lose any spell with a verbal component that it tries to cast.Since you don’t need to hit a specific target, you can simply aim at a particular 5-foot square. Treat the target square as AC 5.Effect Abilities: Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbow, Rapier, Sap, Shortbow, Short Sword, Sword Cane.Weapon Proficiencies, Light ArmorArmor Proficiencies, Investigators are highly trained in the creation of mundane alchemical substances and magical potion-like extractsAlchemy, Lab +2, Class +2, Class Skill +4, Ranks +2, Int +4Craft Alchemy, An investigator is beyond knowledgeable and skilled—he also possesses keen powers of observation and deduction that far surpass the abilities of others. An investigator typically uses these powers to aid in their investigations, but can also use these flashes of inspiration in other situations. An investigator can only use inspiration once per check or roll. The investigator can use inspiration on any Knowledge, Linguistics, or Spellcraft skill checks without expending a use of inspiration, provided he’s trained in the skill.Inspiration, An investigator adds 1/2 his level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device checks (minimum 1). An investigator can use Disable Device to disarm magical traps.Trapfinding, An empiricist’s ability to notice the minutiae of almost everything that happens around him allows him to make shrewd and insightful calculations about people and even inanimate objects. At 2nd level, an empiricist uses his Intelligence modifier instead of the skill’s typical ability for all Disable Device, Perception, Sense Motive, and Use Magic Device checks. He can also use his Intelligence modifier instead of Charisma on any Diplomacy checks made to gather information. This ability replaces poison lore and poison resistance.Ceaseless Observation, At 3rd level, an investigator can attempt all Knowledge skill checks untrained.Keen Recollection, At 3rd level, an investigator gains an intuitive sense that alerts him to danger from traps, granting him a +1 bonus on Reflex saving throws to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks by traps. At 6th level and every 3 levels thereafter, these bonuses increase by 1 (to a maximum of +6 at 18th level).Trap Sense +1, Benefit: When the alchemist creates an extract, he can infuse it with an extra bit of his own magical power. The extract created now persists even after the alchemist sets it down. As long as the extract exists, it continues to occupy one of the alchemist’s daily extract slots. An infused extract can be imbibed by a non-alchemist to gain its effects.Alchemist Discovery-Infusion, Shortbow: +1/+0Weapon Focus, +1/+1 if within 30' range.Point Blank Shot, Benefit: You can shoot or throw ranged weapons at an opponent engaged in melee without taking the standard –4 penalty on your attack roll.Precise Shot, “Wear your armor like a second skin.” You have drilled extensively in wearing armor in combat. When you wear armor of any sort, reduce that suit’s armor check penalty by 1 to a minimum check penalty of 0.Nessian Trait. Studied Combat, Studied Strike, Swift Alchemy. Inventory: Rapier|Short Bow|Masterwork Chain Shirt|Hair Comb/Dagger|Arrows(40)|Notebook, Pen, Paper|+2Exceptional Alchemy Kit |Rope|This garment offers magic protection in the form of a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws (Fortitude, Reflex, and Will).Cloak of Resistance|Formulae Book, Thunderstones (2), tanglefoot Bags (2), Smoke Pellets (2), Flash Powder (1), Antitoxin (2), Smelling Salts (12/12), Body Balm (1), Sunrods (2), Smokesticks (2) Tanglefoot Bags (2)

[Disaster Master]

Tatyana Tatyana Name: Tatyana Lysytsya Race: Kitsune Gender: Female Class: Sorceress Alignment: Neutral Evil Background Trait: Reactionary Crime: Piracy Backstory: Once upon a time, there must have been a time when everything was good. At that time, which today seems to Tatyana only like the tales from an old fairy tale, she lived as a little girl together with her family and the other members of her tribe in a small village high in the north of Talingarde, where the winters are long, and the summers are short. It was also where the people of the southern nation of Talingarde had yet to infiltrate. The inhabitants of the poor but cheerful village enjoyed this seclusion, for no ordinary people lived there but a race of fox-people, and little Tatyana was one of them. Only through the mysterious ice elves who stopped by from time to time did the kitsune - as they called themselves in their own language - maintain contact with civilization. All the village inhabitants had in common was that they could change from their natural, anthropomorphic animal form into an actual human form only by their own will. Only the bright blue eyes of the human shape were a hint of the true nature. The girl Tatyana, however, had an exceptional ability. This had last appeared in her family at the time of her great-grandmother. Not only could she transform like anyone else into a human girl but also a fox cub on four legs. While this ability brought worry lines to her parent's faces, Tatyana enjoyed the freedom that the animal form gave her and got up to all sorts of mischief. Who would have thought that a girl was hiding behind a small fox body? Even though this story sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale, and a fairy tale always ends with everyone living happily ever after, Tatyana's fairy tale in her village did not end happily at all. It was on a dark November morning. She had slipped out of the house early in her animal form and run into the nearby forest. It had only recently snowed, and she loved how her paws left prints in the soft snow. In the middle of the forest was a small pond, which was now quite frozen. She wanted to skate there with her skates made by the village blacksmith. But, of course, her parents would never have allowed her to try that on her own. But if they don't know where I am, Tatyana thought, they can hardly object. Something "clicked" under the feet of Tatyana, who had not yet taken her natural shape. A small metal cage hidden under the snow shot up in front and down over her body. Not a second later, she found herself in a simple but quite effective animal trap. She pressed her paws against the metal grate, even tried to bite it open with her tiny teeth, but she had no chance. She was trapped as a little vixen. With her kitsune hands, she could have tried to lever out the mechanism, but she feared the trap would crush her if she tried to transform back, for it was big enough for the body of a small fox but not for the body of a girl. And so, hours later, Tatyana was still lying in the cage, shivering and hungry. The ice had formed the first crystals on the tips of her fur. Her hopes of being found by her family diminished as renewed snowfall covered all her tracks. Then, finally, a burabar - a bugbear - had come and taken the cage with him with a grunting laugh. Apparently, he had been poaching in these woods recently. He was quite taken with what he saw. The fur of the little fox he had caught was immaculate and shining in such a rich hue that it would make an excellent fur-bearing animal for breeding programs for any fur farm down the road. And Gratsch - for that was the bugbear's name - already knew to whom he would sell the fox along with his other catches. He had contact with a gang of pirates led by Albus Grey-Eye, who had a hidden harbor high in the north on the coast of Talingard's main island. After Markadian I had carried out an uncompromising crusade against piracy years ago, only a few bands of these pirates were still active. Albus' gang had yet to be targeted by the relentless power of the divine kingdom because he was smart enough that they were now more interested in the trade of forbidden goods than in the actual pirate business. On the ship that finally brought them south, the only thing Tatyana, locked in with a zoo of exotic animals, could eat was moldy dog food. With longing, she thought of her homeland, from which she was moving away nautical mile after nautical mile. The pirate ship finally spat her out on the coast near the port city of Daveryn. There, along with some of her fellow sufferers, she changed hands and, within a short time, found herself on a fur farm. Under cover of night, she finally dared to take the form of a human girl. Her long red hair fluttered in the wind as she freed herself from the enclosure and ran into the damp cold darkness. Her breath came in gasps as Tatyana finally arrived at a farmhouse where she could still see a candle burning inside. She didn't know what else to do, so she knocked. The peasant couple, Jack and Rosalinde, finally took in the supposed human child, not just for one night, but for longer. They did it, however, not out of love but because they got a free laborer - who later had to take care of them even in their old age. And already, after a few weeks, they made it quite clear to Tatyana that she would have to pay for the roof over her head and her meals. So, every day they gave her new tasks in the household and the fields; they did not give her parental love, recognition, and support. Tatyana would never have had a chance to make her way hundreds of miles north across the Borderlands back to her home on her own. And so she stayed all these years in the household of Jack and Rosalinde as a better maid. Perhaps the lack of love was why something in Tatyana's heart withered away, or maybe the disposition for that had already been laid in her cradle. The girl could feel less and less pity for other creatures; she already had enough worries of her own; what should the feelings or pains of others bother her too? Even Jack, the old farmer, eventually noticed these downright outbursts of callousness in the girl, who had grown into a teenager. And he was unscrupulous enough to take advantage of this. From now on, Tatyana began to carry out tasks under his orders, which, even in the best light, were immoral and where it was better not to ask too many questions. And Tatyana did not ask any questions. However, she did not intend to live her whole life on the farm either. And so, as a young woman, one day, she did not return from an assignment she was supposed to carry out in nearby Daveryn. Instead, she built a new life for herself in the port city. She got a job as a secretary for a local lawyer. She was not particularly interested in legal matters, though she found the many different clients she dealt with every day exciting. The fact that she was pretty indifferent to the fate of the people who sought the lawyer's help was helpful here and there for the job. One day a youthful girl, who simply called herself Rimona, appeared as a new client. Tatyana didn't understand what the contract was all about at the end - it was some convoluted deal or plan. However, the blonde girl had revealed to her that she was a student of magic in Ghastenhall. Tatyana asked her to show her a magic trick and was mightily fascinated by it. So she tried to imitate this trick at home in her small chamber. It was an impossibility because no one could conquer arcane magic without years of study of books, but Tatyana still managed - purely intuitively - to conjure the desired magical effect. And so the kitsune learned that there was a magical talent lying dormant in her that she had not known about before. Every evening she practiced in silence - without any books, but simply driven by the will to improve - and finally, she had a whole repertoire of spells in her head, which she could cast at any time only by her innate magical talent. And so, at some point, Tatyana felt strong enough to search for her home after all. As it happened, she learned that the natural harbor north of the city was still being visited irregularly by the pirates under Albus Grey-Eye. Tatyana, who, except for the color of her hair, bore no resemblance to the fox cub she had been at the time, managed to sign on to the pirate ship in her direct manner. Tatyana had two plans. The most important was to return to her northern home. But then she also wanted to take the opportunity to get revenge on Albus, who had gone bald during the last years. Initially, it looked like none of their plans would bear fruit. The pirate ship sailed in all directions, but not to the north, where it was cold, where their home was. Besides, she still had no real plan for how to get revenge on Albus and his crew. In the coming months, the pirates gradually regarded Tatyana as a full crew member, even if she was still made to feel here and there that she was the youngster, while the others mainly had lived on the ship since childhood. Tatyana began to make friends with one of the crew members if terms like friendship even existed among pirates. He called himself Davian and was a man in his thirties. Back when she had been kidnapped as a vixen, he had also been on the ship, but it had taken Tatyana a moment to recognize the smooth, delicate face of a teenage boy in his current, bearded pirate face. Eventually, Davian confided in her, and she learned that he had been forced into service on the pirate ship as a boy by Albus. Perhaps that had eventually saved his life. Because instead of Tatyana also wanting his life because he had been there when she was kidnapped, she had found a partner with similar plans as far as punishing Albus was concerned. Finally, both of them managed to procure a small amount of poison during shore leave. It was enough to poison one of the two decanters of wine that would be served for the evening. She only hoped Albus's wine would be served from the poisoned one. Of course, there would be collateral damage, but that was life. Everything was fine as long as she knew which decanter to pour from. Unfortunately, luck was not with her and Davian. Not only was Albus given wine from the other decanter, but a few hours later, the pirate ship was involved in a fight with a Talirean hunt boat, who had obviously taken up the fight against the pirates again. Usually, the pirates might have had a chance. However, things looked differently when a third of the crew was down for good due to a dangerous poison. The battle was short-lived and ended with the complete sinking of the pirate ship. Only a few planks soaked in alchemical fire and floating on the water, burning, still bore witness to the battle. "Look here," one of the sailors from the hunting boat said to his colleague as he roughly kicked with the toe of his boot a completely soaked female body that had been laid out on the deck next to three others. "I think this one is still breathing. There will be an extra allowance for us; when was the last time justice got hold of a pirate?" "I suppose we might as well throw the others overboard again, I'm afraid," the deep voice of the bearded colleague let itself be heard. "But you're right; the woman is a good catch beside the bearded one that we rescued from the drifting plank." He bent her down and lifted a strand of the dripping hair in which seaweed had become entangled. "Look, that unnatural red glows like fire. Indeed she's a witch turned pirate. If we hand her over to Sir Balin of Karfeld, we might get an additional medal." Tatyana coughed, and a gush of salty water came from her lungs. Half-dead, she had heard the words of the two pirate hunters. Even if the kitsune could have, it would have done no good to counter them. No matter how she would try to talk her way out of it, to Talingarde's justice, she was already guilty. If she was honest with herself, in her case, it was not wrong either. The kitsune was also too weak to cast any spell that might still have helped her. And so she had no choice but to surrender to her fate. If only she could have seen the village of her childhood once more! "By Mitra's holy ass! Jonathan, where are the prisoners?" Entirely beside himself and without explanation for what had happened, Colonel MacPherson stood in front of the empty prison wagon, which, harnessed to two draft animals, should have taken the red-haired pirate and the bearded pirate (who was no other than Davian) to Branderscar. Never, ever would a human being have fit between the bars of the mobile prison, and the door remained locked and intact. Had he known that the real question would have been whether a fox could have fit between the bars, he would not have been quite so perplexed. Nonetheless, MacPherson reacted quickly and dispatched his sergeant to initiate an at-large search. After Tatyana had polymorphed into a fox and slipped out of the prison cage, she began to run away, but then stopped short and returned. She had to free Davian as well, for otherwise, he would possibly scream alarm. Back in her human disguise, she could open the cage door from the outside. "I'm sorry, I was in a panic," Tatyana had apologized to her pirate friend who had seen her for the first time polymorphing into a vixen. She and Davian were not able to exchange a lot of words; the commencing hunt soon separated the both of them. At the end of this flight through the night - was this a constant of her life? - Tatyana did not encounter a farmhouse this time. Instead, this time she was picked up by a lady who introduced herself as Tiadora. Tatyana felt as if the lady's eyes were literally dissecting her inside. And maybe they did. Because if Tiadora had not recognized the potential of the red-haired girl, which in reality was not a human being, for the purposes of her cult, she probably would not have brought her before Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. And so Tatyana got to know Thorn and the cult of Asmodeus. The Cardinal may not have been a good man in the sense that the ruling class of Talingarde divided good and evil, but to Tatyana, he was good and the best thing that could have happened to her. Finally, there was someone who understood her and for whom she could use her skills. And so, even without question, she signed all the documents she was handed. The kitsune was one of the most eager in the training that followed. Soon she was ready for her first task in the Heartlands; later, she was sent as a sleeper agent to Aldencross, a town in the Borderlands at the foot of the fortress of Balentyne. At the local tavern, Tatyana hired herself out as a barmaid. She had devised this cover identity herself because where else would the latest information converges if not in the local tavern? And the Asmodean agent wanted to gather as much information as possible for her cult, and Tatyana meticulously wrote everything down. And when she wasn't working or sleeping in her tiny garret that she had rented, she roamed the area as a fox, eavesdropping on people where they didn't suspect a listener. Tatyana was amazed when she suddenly met Davian again in Aldencross. He had settled there as a tailor. "How are you? Solid ground under your feet is better than a swaying ship, isn't it?" Welded together by a shared past, the two got along splendidly. The first people in town began to gossip that the two would not only meet during the day. Tatyana was fine with those rumors; they distracted the townsfolk from her real mission, a mission of such a secret cult that she couldn't even tell Davian about it. If you had asked anyone in Aldencross who Tatyana was, everyone would have had nothing but the best to say about this young, fun-loving, helpful, and friendly woman in the town tavern. Her helpfulness and empathy for the guests' concerns at the pub were nothing short of proverbial.

Statblock Tatyana Lysytsya Female kitsune sorcerer 5 NE Medium humanoid (kitsune, shapechanger) Init 8; Senses low-light vision; Perception +5 -------------------- Defense -------------------- AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex) hp 35 (5d6+10) Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 5; +2 vs. fear -------------------- Offense -------------------- Speed 30 ft. Melee bite -4 (1d4-1 B & P & S) Ranged light crossbow +4 (1d8 P/19+) Spell-Like Abilities (CL 5th; concentration +11) . . 3/day—dancing lights Bloodline Spell-Like Abilities (CL 5th; concentration +11) . . 9/day—psychic strike (1d6+2) Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 5th; concentration +11) . . 2nd (6/day)—glitterdust (DC 18), id insinuation I (DC 19), levitate . . 1st (8/day)—charm person (DC 18), grease, mind thrust I (DC 17), silent image (DC 17), vanish (DC 17) . . 0 (at will)—detect magic, ghost sound (DC 16), mage hand, mending, prestidigitation, read magic . . Bloodline Psychic -------------------- Statistics -------------------- Str 8, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 22 Base Atk +2; CMB 1; CMD 13 Feats Eschew Materials, Fox Shape, Improved Initiative, Realistic Likeness, Versatile Spontaneity Traits reactionary Skills Acrobatics +4, Bluff +16, Disguise +11 (+21 circumstance to fool others with impersonation), Perception +5, Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +10, Use Magic Device +14; Racial Modifiers +2 Acrobatics Languages Celestial, Common, Elven, Sylvan SQ bloodline arcana (use thought and emotion components instead of verbal and somatic), change shape Other Gear light crossbow, cloak of resistance +1, crossbow bolts (10), headband of alluring charisma +2, backpack, belt pouch, flint and steel, mess kit, soap, 956 gp -------------------- Special Abilities -------------------- Blood Intensity +6 (Sorcerer Bloodline Power [3rd], 1/day) Add listed bonus to maximum dice of damage (doesn't stack with intensify spell). Bloodline Arcana: Psychic Your sorcerer spells and spell-like abilities count as psychic, and you use T & E instead of V and S Change Shape (Su) Assume a single human form. Eschew Materials Cast spells without materials, if component cost is 1 gp or less. Fox Shape You can take the form of a specific fox, as beast shape II. Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail. Psychic Psychic Strike (1d6+2, 9/day, DC 18) (Sp) As a standard action, ranged touch attack deals damage to foe and leaves it shaken Realistic Likeness Change shape can mimic individuals you've met, gain a +10 bonus to Disguise to impersonate. Versatile Spontaneity Cast a spell from your spell list you don't know at +1 slot level.