The Wikipedia article on the RMA says that they always wear their signature armour, use sawtooth sabres, and only take assassination jobs (often refusing contracts if they involve extras like spying).
Do they have members who act as spies or trackers, and not actual assassinations? I'm wondering if perhaps they recruited Arryn to train as an infiltrator, watcher, or information gatherer. Also, do recruits who bail on their training need to be constantly looking over their shoulders? How far into one's training can one get before not being allowed to back out?
I'll preface my answer by saying that some of this will be my own interpretation and/or expansion on the existing lore since Paizo hasn't written many adventures focused on the Red Mantis. Also note that some info won't be disclosed till certain points in the adventure.
There are some who specialize in spying and tracking, for the purpose of preparing for assassinations. They always wear their signature armor and use sawtooth sabres when on official assassination contracts. They don't have to be in their armor when they're not on a job. They could have recruited Arryn initially to serve as an infiltrator, watcher, or information gatherer, but they would have eventually wanted him to travel to Mediogalti Island for additional training to become an assassin.
As for watching your back, they undoubtedly are very upset that you bailed, but you also weren't an official Red Mantis assassin yet, so it's not as severe as if one of their actual assassins defected. It's never a bad plan to watch your back, though, when the Red Mantis are involved.
Marko Zuul, Human Cleric of Milani
I tried to keep his background story a bit compact, I've got more but you'll be going through a bunch of characters and backgrounds.
Name: Marko Zuul. Human (Varisian). Hair: Black. Eyes: Brown. Age: 34
Human Level 4 Cleric of Milani, CG
Domains: Liberation and Healing
Wealth: 6000gp, nothing above 3000gp
Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 13+1, Wis 14+2, Cha 10
HP: 35=8+3+15+9
Traits: Hedge Magician (Magic), Avenger (Campaign)
Feats: Skill Focus (Spellcraft) from Focused Study Alternate Racial, Fast Learner, Craft Wondrous Item
Skill 7=2+2+1/h+1/fc+2/background
Diplomacy 7=4+0+3, Knowledge Arcana 6=1+2+3, Knowledge (Planes) 8=3+2+3, Knowledge (Religion) 9=4+2+3, Sense Motive 10=4+3+3, Spellcraft 12=4+2+3+3 Perception 7=4+3
Appraise 6=1+2+3, Craft, Heal 7=1+3+3, Knowledge History 6=1+2+3, Knowledge Nobility 6=1+2+3, Linguistics 9=4+2+3, Profession
Languages: Common (Taldane), Varisian, Varisian Sign Language, Hallit, Polyglot, Celestial, Sylvan, Aklo
Domains: Healing and Liberation. Channel Energy 2d6. 3/Day. Rebuke Death. 6/Day. Liberation. 4 Rounds a day
Avenger: A close family member or friend was assassinated by the Red Mantis. You have taken it upon yourself to avenge their death by slaying the Mantis God. As such, you have done what you can to study the Red Mantis and learn how to counter their tactics. You receive a +1 trait bonus to damage rolls and rolls to confirm critical hits against Red Mantis members. Additionally, when you are flanked by a member of the Red Mantis, the bonus to their attack rolls is only +1.
Spells Prepared
Orisons x4 Guidance, Resistance, Detect Magic, Detect Poison
1st x4, Cultural Adaptation, Shield of Faith, Bless (2) [Cure Light Wounds]
2nd x3 Undetectable Alignment, Shield of Fortification, Delay Poison [Cure Moderate Wounds]
Gear: Ring of Sustenance, Mwk Breastplate, Heavy Mithril Shield, Consecrated Elysian Bronze Morningstar, Shield Sconce, Clerics Kit, Iron Holy Symbol, Mwk Backpack, Sleeves of Many Garments, 650gp
Elysian Bronze http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/special-materials/#TOC-Elysian-Bronze
Consecrated http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/goods-and-services/toys-games-puzzles/#TO C-Consecrated-Weapon
ACP -3
Marko Zuul was awoken by a harsh bark of laughter by a man elsewhere in the stables. To go from the River Council guiding Galt to a hopeful new future to sleeping in some stables for a few coppers had left him a bit crestfallen. “Once I drag you slips back they will let me undertake the trials and you’ll be back in your place.” The triumphant and utterly smug sounding man’s voice came from nearby once more. What silly twit was waking him up, it was the middle of the night.
Rubbing his palms against his eyes he groggily peered upwards unseen by the man. He woke up quickly enough when he did, the man was a human of Chellish descent who wore fine breastplate reminiscent of, but legally distinct from, the Order of the Chain. The two terrified halflings and the man’s previous statement made the situation clear.
If he put on his armour the Arminger would surely notice him. Instead he chose to wait while the would be Hell Knight began to gloat over the two scarred looking halflings, the woman was bleeding from her temple. “If you had just accepted your place in the order of society none of this would have happened. You see your hubris-” The Arminger’s sentence came to an abrupt end as the hard steel of Marko’s morningstar caved in the back of his head.
“Well I wont be staying in Ustalav for too long now I think.” He sighed, a little bit disappointed with how jaded he had become with violence. The two halflings needed a little bit to process the change in their fortunes. He started undoing the straps of the breastplate on the still warm corpse.
“Thank you Sir, he was going to-” the halfing man began before Marko nodded “I recognised what he was. Good thing he was paying attention to his surroundings or we might have been in trouble.”
Over the next few days Marko travelled with the halflings to the River Kingdoms where he suggested that the Order of the Chain might find it harder to operate. “The River Freedoms are far from perfect but they serve well enough here, and I had hoped in Galt.”
“You mentioned you were from there, what happened?” The male halfling who went by Jeeve’s, a name given to him by his former owner, asked.
“Galt has a rather high turn over politically. Everyone thinks they can do a better job. The group I was with were called the River Council… we were in power five months which might not seem like much but by the standards of Galt is respectable. We had hoped to use the River Freedoms as a baseline. The way Galt was- and is- going it will either need a light touch government that safeguards people or it will fragment.” He looked wistfully to the South East his stomach twisting.
“Well like all we hoped to be the ones that stuck around for the long haul but we had a pretty clever back up plan. The River Kingdoms generally ensure certain basic freedoms with their laws. If we could promote their adoption even if we died it would help protect Galt from things like slavery, I don’t think it is out of the realms of possibility these days. If it fractured into smaller states this could still work… but clearly somebody disliked the notion.” He closed his eyes and rolled his neck deciding whether or not he should continue. He was wearing the arminger’s breastplate which had been reworked to remove the heraldry.
“What happened after four months?” Jenny the young halfling woman ventured. She was the more quiet of the two.
“We were put upon by our rivals and successors, though not without outside help of course. No something about what we were doing led them to try to expedite things. Our head of security and other key people were targeted and killed by assasins. I saw one of them, it left me with a nasty scar on my arm thinking I was dead after I tried to intervene. I’ve heard a little about them since, they’re called the Red Mantis Assasins. They wont kill heads of state and they didn’t directly but they removed the support network and left him vulnerable to our foes. The First Citizen died at the hands of Galtean men and women while we were still reeling in shock.” He didn’t want to dwell on those times, they were too emotional.
“I was hounded out of Galt, I hoped to disappear into Ustalav, it’s in dire need of some good reforms but I didn’t want to stick around and see what the sheriff would think of my actions. But no harm, there is a spot near the border there I want to check out but it’s a different county so I doubt anyone there is looking for me… mostly because it’s one of the abandoned ones.”
“What’s there?” Chirped up Jenny again this time.
“Ever heard of Elysian Bronze?” He looked at them to see them shaking their heads, as he expected. “Well it’s said there were weapons and suits of armor made of this material to fight great monsters. Now Iomedae is well known for taking part in the war against the Whispering Tyrant-” The halfling’s visibly shuddered at the mention of the abomination “-but Milani played her part as well. It is said that one of her disciples saved the life of a Ustalav Noble, last of his line. He arranged that upon his death his warhammer would be given to the man who would become one of her first priests. It had been reforged numerous times and Leopold, the priest, had it the metal crafted into the form of a morningstar. When he died however his son put it in his father’s tomb.”
Marko shook his head. “The young man meant well but such metal meant for more than gathering dust. There are stronger metals, more potent indeed but it has a romantic nobility in my eyes. It should be used to battle rampaging giants and monsters best left in legend. But it was left with the priest in his tomb. However years later the son penned down it’s location. Galt may be known for revolution and political infighting these days but let me tell you it was once known for the finest poets and some of the greatest universities… and I came across it, in what I suspect is a long forgotten tome. If I get there and overcome whatever defences the son put in place, he mentioned they existed not their nature, I can take up the morningstar and use it to battle villainous monsters both mythical and mundane.”
Jeeves looked at him and licked his lips. “Isn’t that sort of grave robbing.”
Marko looked at his sideways and responded incredulously “Nonsense, clearly by writing it down the son recognised the error of his ways… and if not that at worst at this stage it’s amateur archaeology.”
Sorry for the late reply, I have gone and caught a nasty cold from my students. As for which of the Eldest I was thinking of as Hector's patron... Any of them could work considering the fact that they can manipulate their surroundings on a simple whim and so could show a mortal whatever they desired. I am leaning towards Magdh, Shyka or The Green Mother. Magdh because of her inclination to fate and prophecy, Shyka because of the many forms and time manipulation (perhaps Hector is not this 'Lost One' but will be one day? Or is the descendant of them?), The Green Mother of course fits the seduction angle and is the most sinister of the bunch. I wanted to leave it open to an extent so you could play with it, but if you want me to make a definitive choice I certainly could.
Hector's class has been decided as well. He will be an Oracle unless I have a sudden wave of inspiration for another class. There is time left in the recruitment, so it is definitely possible!
Marko Zuul, Human Cleric of Milani
I tried to keep his background story a bit compact, I've got more but you'll be going through a bunch of characters and backgrounds.
** spoiler omitted **...
Thank you for the stats and backstory. Did you have a place in mind where Marko is originally from? Also, how did Marko decide he wanted to join in the Mantisbane Pact?
Sorry for the late reply, I have gone and caught a nasty cold from my students. As for which of the Eldest I was thinking of as Hector's patron... Any of them could work considering the fact that they can manipulate their surroundings on a simple whim and so could show a mortal whatever they desired. I am leaning towards Magdh, Shyka or The Green Mother. Magdh because of her inclination to fate and prophecy, Shyka because of the many forms and time manipulation (perhaps Hector is not this 'Lost One' but will be one day? Or is the descendant of them?), The Green Mother of course fits the seduction angle and is the most sinister of the bunch. I wanted to leave it open to an extent so you could play with it, but if you want me to make a definitive choice I certainly could.
Hector's class has been decided as well. He will be an Oracle unless I have a sudden wave of inspiration for another class. There is time left in the recruitment, so it is definitely possible!
Hope you get to feeling better soon. Thank you for the details. You don't have to pick a specific Eldest, if you'd prefer, but you're certainly free to. If you do, I would advise against The Green Mother, since her alignment is NE. Oracle also sounds good.
@ Talivar: My guess is this...when fighting a group of assassins and their god, the two most important skills to have are: Stealth and Perception. Stealth so that they won't see us coming, and perception so we can see them coming. Luckily, sorcerers get invisibility, but being able to sneak around just seems useful. Especially from a spell conservation point of view. Perhaps use a trait to pick up stealth as a class skill?
Yes those two and probably sense motive as third. Darkvision is also likely essential too since most Red Mantis will have a mask and will often use magical darkness offensively.
So here's a question for the peanut gallery, how can a human sorcerer from Andorann pick up stealth as a class skill? Mechanically I know of a few traits that do it (Slippery: Bellflower network, Highlander, Uskwood Hunter) but none of them match that background.
Shadow or Umbral bloodline works, but I suppose I'd have to drop the whole acid thing from Talivar's background. On the other hand I do like the visuals of a sorcerer commanding shadow and flame and the level 3 bloodline power is dark vision.
This is what I have for now as a Crunch. Fully intending to pick up the Historian trait to make up for the fact that Lore is probably going to be the usual wandering spirit. Later on, I'll pick up Craft Wondrous Item and (maybe) Craft Rod. Still working on a backstory I'm happy with though.
Talia Dionne
Aasimar shaman 4 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 35, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 7)
CG Medium outsider (native)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +17
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +1 deflection, +1 natural)
hp 27 (4d8+4)
Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +10; +2 vs. death, energy drain, negative energy, or necromancy spells
Resist negative energy 5
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Special Attacks hexes (chant, evil eye)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th; concentration +7)
1/day—daylight
Shaman Spells Prepared (CL 4th; concentration +9)
2nd—barkskin, hold person (DC 17), resist energy; hypnotic pattern[S] (DC 17) or tongues[S]
1st—bless, burning hands (DC 16), entangle (2, DC 16), heightened awareness[ACG]; color spray[S] (DC 16) or identify[S]
0 (at will)—create water, dancing lights, detect magic, guidance
S spirit magic spell; Spirit Heavens Wandering Spirit Lore
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 7, Dex 10, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 20, Cha 16
Base Atk +3; CMB +1; CMD 12
Feats Accursed Hex[UM], Alertness, Improved Initiative
Traits seeker
Skills Acrobatics -3 (-7 to jump), Diplomacy +12, Fly +0, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (nature) +9, Knowledge (nobility) +6, Knowledge (planes) +9, Knowledge (religion) +9, Perception +17, Sense Motive +7, Spellcraft +9; Racial Modifiers +2 Diplomacy, +2 Perception
Languages Celestial, Common, Elven, Sylvan
SQ deathless spirit[ARG], monstrous insight, spirit animal (bat named Midnight), stardust
Other Gear lamellar (leather) armor[UC], amulet of natural armor +1, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, 940 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Accursed Hex Target a creature with a hex a second time that day if it made its save the first time
Chant (Su) As a move action, extend the duration of other hexes by 1 rd.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Deathless Spirit +2 saves vs. death, necromancy, and negative energy effects, and don't lose hp from negative levels.
Deliver Touch Spells Through Familiar (Su) Your familiar can deliver touch spells for you.
Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar.
Energy Resistance, Negative energy (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Negative Energy attacks.
Evil Eye -2 (8 rounds, DC 17) (Su) Foe in 30 ft takes penalty to your choice of AC, attacks, saves, ability or skill checks (Will part).
Familiar Bonus: +3 to Fly checks You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach.
Monstrous Insight (6/day) (Su) As a standard action, attempt know check to ID monster and gain +2 to att & AC vs. that foe.
Share Spells with Familiar Can cast spells with a target of "You" on the familiar with a range of touch.
Spirit Animal (spirit animal (bat named Midnight)) If spirit animal is slain, cannot use spirit magic or prepare new spells.
Stardust (6/day) (Sp) Foe in 30 ft sheds light, can't be invisible/conceal & -2 to att & perception checks for 2 rds.
Midnight
Bat (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 131)
N Diminutive magical beast (animal)
Init +2; Senses blindsense 20 ft., low-light vision; Perception +13
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +2 natural, +4 size)
hp 13 (1d8-2)
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +6
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 5 ft., fly 50 ft. (good)
Melee bite +9 (1d3-5)
Space 1 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 1, Dex 15, Con 6, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 5
Base Atk +3; CMB +1; CMD 6
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +2 (-10 to jump), Diplomacy +1, Fly +16, Perception +13, Spellcraft +2; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception
SQ improved evasion
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Blindsense (20 feet) (Ex) Sense things and creatures without seeing them.
Fly (50 feet, Good) You can fly!
Improved Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save; half on failed save.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
@ Talivar: My guess is this...when fighting a group of assassins and their god, the two most important skills to have are: Stealth and Perception. Stealth so that they won't see us coming, and perception so we can see them coming. Luckily, sorcerers get invisibility, but being able to sneak around just seems useful. Especially from a spell conservation point of view. Perhaps use a trait to pick up stealth as a class skill?Yes those two and probably sense motive as third. Darkvision is also likely essential too since most Red Mantis will have a mask and will often use magical darkness offensively.
So here's a question for the peanut gallery, how can a human sorcerer from Andorann pick up stealth as a class skill? Mechanically I know of a few traits that do it (Slippery: Bellflower network, Highlander, Uskwood Hunter) but none of them match that background.
Shadow or Umbral bloodline works, but I suppose I'd have to drop the whole acid thing from Talivar's background. On the other hand I do like the visuals of a sorcerer commanding shadow and flame and the level 3 bloodline power is dark vision.
There's Wisdom in the Flesh if you can fluff away the Irori connection.
Personally, I'm a huge fan of the umbral bloodline. It has a situational bloodline arcana, but it's totally within your power to create that situation yourself.
So here's a question for the peanut gallery, how can a human sorcerer from Andorann pick up stealth as a class skill? Mechanically I know of a few traits that do it (Slippery: Bellflower network, Highlander, Uskwood Hunter) but none of them match that background.
Shadow or Umbral bloodline works, but I suppose I'd have to drop the whole acid thing from Talivar's background. On the other hand I do like the visuals of a sorcerer commanding shadow and flame and the level 3 bloodline power is dark vision.
If you're willing to go without your skilled racial trait, there are a couple different ways to make it a class skill that way. There are Fey Thoughts & Fey Magic or Practiced Hunter. There are also a few others that give bonuses to stealth checks, but don't actually make it a class skill.
This is what I have for now as a Crunch. Fully intending to pick up the Historian trait to make up for the fact that Lore is probably going to be the usual wandering spirit. Later on, I'll pick up Craft Wondrous Item and (maybe) Craft Rod. Still working on a backstory I'm happy with though.
** spoiler omitted **...
Most of your crunch looks good. And I like your choice of familiars. One thing I did notice is that you have a wisdom score of 20. As mentioned under character creation, the highest your starting score can be is 18, so you can have a 19 at most. If I may, I would suggest putting those points toward bumping up your constitution score instead. Also, even with the reduction by 1 from a lower wisdom score, your perception score is crazy impressive.
Look forward to seeing how it works with your backstory. Also, if you and Talivar are both selected, I'm going to constantly forget which of you is which. (lol)
I have updated Arryn's backstory. I wanted to flesh out his defining moment beyond "became disillusioned with the RMA", so I took some inspiration from Kilarra's background and created a mentor-style character who preyed on him when he was at rock bottom, trained him as an infiltrator, then used him to help with her contract, all without his knowledge.
Thanks for that GM, I just missed it. Dropped Wisdom to 18, and increased Charisma a little more. Putting more points into CON is better, but she's kinda meant to be sorta frail ish, riskier though it is :/
Don't be fooled by the Perception though, it includes a +2 bonus from Alertness that the familiar provides, so in practice its a tiny bit lower. I also love the idea of a bat familiar, flying around reflecting stars in the sky. Its adorable =]
Talia Dionne
Aasimar shaman 4 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 35, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 7)
CG Medium outsider (native)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +16
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +1 deflection, +1 natural)
hp 31 (4d8+8)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +9; +2 vs. death, energy drain, negative energy, or necromancy spells
Resist negative energy 5
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Special Attacks hexes (chant, evil eye)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th; concentration +8)
1/day—daylight
Shaman Spells Prepared (CL 4th; concentration +8)
2nd—barkskin, hold person (DC 16), resist energy; hypnotic pattern[S] (DC 16) or tongues[S]
1st—burning hands (DC 15), entangle (2, DC 15), heightened awareness[ACG]; color spray[S] (DC 15) or identify[S]
0 (at will)—create water, dancing lights, detect magic, guidance
S spirit magic spell; Spirit Heavens Wandering Spirit Lore
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 7, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 18
Base Atk +3; CMB +1; CMD 12
Feats Accursed Hex[UM], Alertness, Improved Initiative
Traits seeker
Skills Acrobatics -3 (-7 to jump), Diplomacy +13, Fly +0, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (nature) +9, Knowledge (nobility) +6, Knowledge (planes) +9, Knowledge (religion) +9, Perception +16, Sense Motive +6, Spellcraft +9; Racial Modifiers +2 Diplomacy, +2 Perception
Languages Celestial, Common, Elven, Sylvan
SQ deathless spirit[ARG], monstrous insight, spirit animal (bat named Midnight), stardust
Other Gear lamellar (leather) armor[UC], amulet of natural armor +1, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, 940 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Accursed Hex Target a creature with a hex a second time that day if it made its save the first time
Chant (Su) As a move action, extend the duration of other hexes by 1 rd.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Deathless Spirit +2 saves vs. death, necromancy, and negative energy effects, and don't lose hp from negative levels.
Deliver Touch Spells Through Familiar (Su) Your familiar can deliver touch spells for you.
Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar.
Energy Resistance, Negative energy (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Negative Energy attacks.
Evil Eye -2 (7 rounds, DC 16) (Su) Foe in 30 ft takes penalty to your choice of AC, attacks, saves, ability or skill checks (Will part).
Familiar Bonus: +3 to Fly checks You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach.
Monstrous Insight (7/day) (Su) As a standard action, attempt know check to ID monster and gain +2 to att & AC vs. that foe.
Share Spells with Familiar Can cast spells with a target of "You" on the familiar with a range of touch.
Spirit Animal (spirit animal (bat named Midnight)) If spirit animal is slain, cannot use spirit magic or prepare new spells.
Stardust (7/day) (Sp) Foe in 30 ft sheds light, can't be invisible/conceal & -2 to att & perception checks for 2 rds.
Thanks for that GM, I just missed it. Dropped Wisdom to 18, and increased Charisma a little more. Putting more points into CON is better, but she's kinda meant to be sorta frail ish, riskier though it is :/
Don't be fooled by the Perception though, it includes a +2 bonus from Alertness that the familiar provides, so in practice its a tiny bit lower. I also love the idea of a bat familiar, flying around reflecting stars in the sky. Its adorable =]
** spoiler omitted **...
I'm in a game with a shaman that has a platypus of the heavens. Makes me giggle but is venomous and deadly!
Regarding stealth, Quovex, if chosen, will be able to add lots of mist to help in case of a snafu for escapes.
checking in real quick, should have everything done this weekend. i decided to take things slowly.
building my dhampir into an eldritch knight type character.
I have updated Arryn's backstory. I wanted to flesh out his defining moment beyond "became disillusioned with the RMA", so I took some inspiration from Kilarra's background and created a mentor-style character who preyed on him when he was at rock bottom, trained him as an infiltrator, then used him to help with her contract, all without his knowledge.
I like the updates. Thank you.
Thanks for that GM, I just missed it. Dropped Wisdom to 18, and increased Charisma a little more. Putting more points into CON is better, but she's kinda meant to be sorta frail ish, riskier though it is :/
Don't be fooled by the Perception though, it includes a +2 bonus from Alertness that the familiar provides, so in practice its a tiny bit lower. I also love the idea of a bat familiar, flying around reflecting stars in the sky. Its adorable =]
** spoiler omitted **...
Thank you for the updates. Appreciate the commitment to role playing her stats.
As for the Perception, it's still impressive. I actually calculated all the bonuses earlier. When I first saw it, I thought you had accidentally put a 1 before the 7. Haha. Here's hoping your backstory includes an explanation as to how she came by her bat friend.
Ok, I thought not. I was only a couple paragraphs in to the story anyway. How about an android instead? Close enough, right? The backstory will be different, but I'm liking what's coming to mind.
Android will be okay. My main concern is how it will fit into the theme of the campaign, which doesn't have many (likely any) sci-fi themes. I'll wait to see your backstory before commenting further.
I'm in a game with a shaman that has a platypus of the heavens. Makes me giggle but is venomous and deadly!
Regarding stealth, Quovex, if chosen, will be able to add lots of mist to help in case of a snafu for escapes.
That could definitely be nifty in a pinch.
checking in real quick, should have everything done this weekend. i decided to take things slowly.
building my dhampir into an eldritch knight type character.
Thank you for checking in. Look forward to seeing the build.
@ Talivar: My guess is this...when fighting a group of assassins and their god, the two most important skills to have are: Stealth and Perception. Stealth so that they won't see us coming, and perception so we can see them coming. Luckily, sorcerers get invisibility, but being able to sneak around just seems useful. Especially from a spell conservation point of view. Perhaps use a trait to pick up stealth as a class skill?Yes those two and probably sense motive as third. Darkvision is also likely essential too since most Red Mantis will have a mask and will often use magical darkness offensively.
So here's a question for the peanut gallery, how can a human sorcerer from Andorann pick up stealth as a class skill? Mechanically I know of a few traits that do it (Slippery: Bellflower network, Highlander, Uskwood Hunter) but none of them match that background.
Shadow or Umbral bloodline works, but I suppose I'd have to drop the whole acid thing from Talivar's background. On the other hand I do like the visuals of a sorcerer commanding shadow and flame and the level 3 bloodline power is dark vision.
Darkvision: Take dimweller in place of skilled. Lose a skill point each level, but you get darkvision.
For skills, you could use stealth. So what I'd do is this:
Trait: Silent Hunter (you silently hunt the cultists)
Here goes! Hope to save some squishies!
** spoiler omitted **...
I like the backstory. And no one can accuse you of having a generic build. Given your backstory, I will allow you to take the trait that's normally reserved for halflings. You mentioned that Teniel is a 'pureblood Half-Elf,' so I take it both his parents were half-elves?
What class(es) are you planning to take levels in going forward? I assume you're planning to focus on being a melee tank/support?
Hi there, GM_Zek!
The premise of campaign has really sparked my imagination. Zeldana is about the fourth or fifth character I've created with the intention of submitting, but ended up scrapping in favor of something else. I hope you enjoy reading about her as much as I enjoyed writing about her, but all suggestions and criticism are certainly welcome. I submit her for your perusal.
Also, I should probably explain the poem at the beginning of her Backstory: the reason the Mantis killed her mother and is now targeting her is due to the discovery of this prophecy. While it isn't a high priority, the Mantis have a standing order to kill on sight any and all Kitsune with multiple tails.
Its many tails in tow,
By light of moon the butterfly
Its magic shall bestow.
If fox and fly together bound,
The sabred red will flee
The Mantis that moves without a sound
Will plague not Inner Sea”
-”Prophecy” found on a broken tortoise shell, inscribed by a Pyromancer of the Dragon Empires, 4142 AR
”We were never going to live forever, you know.”
Zeldana Arcovici looked down at her father’s bloody, matted fur. She held him so close that it had stained her own white coat, the drops so red they looked like rose blossoms in a snowy field. Her mother lay dead a few yards back, the bloody stumps of her tails now dripping into many small pools. Why they had spared her father’s tail she couldn't tell, but to him they were just as cruel: his throat had been slit. Deep. She could almost see his vocal cords moving as he spoke, now with great difficulty:
”You must hide... child. In plain sight. Hide your fur, hide your tails, they must never see who you truly are. Take ca…”
As his body went limp, Zeldana ran her fingers through his fur. Her mother had always said his bright orange coat was the envy of all Kitsune in Qiang Tian. It was the softest and most brilliant any had seen. Now its brilliance was covered in gore and mud.
Her pale eyes wept as she recited an old incantation in Senzar, and the dirt and blood began to evaporate from his fur as she outstretched her hand. She had no time to bury them: their murderers were doubtlessly searching for her, but she had to leave them looking respectable. She would make time for that.
Zeldana Arcovici was not always called that. Long ago in Tian Xia, the couple who’d sire her were two heroes by the name of Akiyama Akira and Akiyama Aika. The former was a fierce warrior and master shapeshifter, dazzling his foes with astounding speed and grace of both tooth and blade. The latter, his wife, was a young but powerful sorceress whose magicks bent the very forces of nature to her will.
Unfortunately, the duo’s adventures had pitted them against some very strong foes, some of whom were more powerful politically than in battle. One such foe, a Minkaian Imperial Governor by the name of Ikechi Chou, exiled the duo, and made sure that both their human and vulpine faces were posted on every street corner with a hefty bounty attached. Finding no place they and their soon-to-be-born-child could live safely in Minkai, the Akiyama family fled on the first boat to Avistan.
Strangers in a strange land, they were highly fortunate in their destination: The Varisian town of Sandpoint. The couple had heard a fellow family of immigrants from Minkai by the name of Kaijitsu had settled there many years back. The Akiyamas were hoping they might find a sympathetic shoulder to lean on and to help them get their bearings.
The patriarch of the family, Lonjiku, had no such sympathy. He spat and screamed at them, calling them “Dirty tricksters and vagrants! You want a handout? Go find my daughter in her dirty pub!” before threatening to forcibly remove them from the stoop of his manor.
Not wanting to attract too much attention, and seeing that Kitsune were not necessarily seen with the kindest of thoughts, the couple changed into human form and took the old jerk’s advice: to find his daughter. The meeting with Ameiko Kaijitsu went far better than the one with Lonjiku. She offered to teach the two Taldan in exchange for working at her tavern, the Rusty Dragon, for a few months.
Heavy with child, Aika soon went into labor, and was helped by Sandpoint’s Clerical community’s best midwives: Koya and Niska Mvashti. Unintended consequences abounded, however: Aika gave birth while in her human form, but as with all Kitsune her baby girl came out vulpine. This would have been surprising enough, but her fur was also white as moonlight, and she had two tails! The Mvashti’s were shocked (nearly to the point of fainting on Koya’s part), but what happened next was even more ludicrous.
Apparently Kitsune sometimes imprint their humanoid looks from the first human they see, as when the child was first held in Koya’s arms, she shapeshifted to look like a Varisian! Her father thought this was hilarious, and asked the Mvashti’s to give her a Varisian name as “She’ll never pass for Minkaian!”
Indeed she couldn’t. The Akiyama family stayed in Sandpoint to offer Zeldana a stable childhood amongst those who looked like her, and indeed she grew up to resemble a most beautiful Varisian young women: tall, slender, dark of hair and skin, and with bright lively green eyes. She learned much from her now-Godparents, the Mvashtis, including how to dress, dance, and defend herself like a Varisian.
Though clumsy with a bladed scarf, she was a prodigy with the starknife, leading Madame Niska to believe that the girl was ”Blessed by Desna herself.” Upon hearing this, Zeldana’s parents simply nodded, completely unsurprised. Kitsune born with white fur were thought to be blessed by the gods with incredible power, and her second tail was even more of an indicator. That she had been chosen by the Goddess of The North Star seemed nothing but appropriate.
Koya gifted young Zeldana The Clamor of The Spheres an ancient battle manual which the young girl devoured. She practiced the beautiful sweeping movements daily, relying on Koya for correction and strict discipline in technique. Eventually, the young lady had memorized each page and could perform every movement with pinpoint precision.
Upon coming of age, Zeldana (with permission from her parents) was allowed to receive the beautiful tattos of Varisian tradition. The process was painful, but the results stunning: the colorful tattoos even further emphasized the most beautiful aspects of her form. The ink itself was magical as well, warding her from magical influence on her mind.
It is far too ironic that one blessed by the goddess of luck would fall victim to such misfortune. The murder of Zeldana’s parents was as abrupt and seemingly senseless as it could be, and Zeldana escaped in a Varisian caravan the next day with the help of Koya and Madame Niska. She long believed that the Minkaian Governor from her parents’ past had caught up to them, and this suspicion was all but confirmed in letters from Koya: the wounds on her parents bodies were caused by a serrated blade coated with tetradotoxin, and her mother’s waterskin had been laced with Dust of Eox, nullifying her warding magics. All these were trademarks of the Red Mantis Assassins, who could have easily been hired by Ikechi Chou.
Months went by, and Zeldana saw no further sign of the Red Mantis Assassins. It was possible that her parents were their only targets, but she still stayed in human form at all times. She didn’t want to risk the same fate at the edge of a sawtooth sabre. This did not, however, mean that she kept a low profile. Akiyama Zeldana had, for all intents and purposes, died. Zeldana Arcovici, however, was just beginning.
She might have been dispondent in her mourning if she had not become incredibly popular on her caravan. She was regarded as their official healer: should anyone have a wound of the flesh or of the mind, talking to Zeldana was the way to treat it. She could talk circles around any problem, constantly suggesting new methods of attack, and her ability to mend numerous wounds made her invaluable when the inevitable scuffle or accident occurred. Add on her impressive abilities with a starknife, and Zeldana became everyone’s favorite little sister. She traveled with the caravan far and wide, getting into trouble wherever she went.
In her first journey through Magnimar, Zeldana was captured by an Okeno human-trafficking ring, sending able-bodied and beautiful women to Katapesh and Kaer Maga. Using her innate Magicks and guile, Zeldana was able to Command, Charm, and sneak her way out of the slaver’s cells, managing to free a great many other slaves-to-be in the process.
Re-armed and with several other Varisians from her caravan in tow, as well as a few enraged Sczarni gangsters from Magnimar’s back alleys, Zeldana fought the slavers into submission. She freed the rest of their stock and turned the slavers in to the local magistrate.
When the caravan stopped in Nybor, she caught wind of some local poachers killing animals and selling their offspring on the black market as pets and guard-animals. Hearing these tales sent Zeldana into flashbacks of her own parents being slaughtered, and the young Kitsune found that she couldn’t just sit idly by while such cruelty was perpetrated.
She sought the help of a beautiful local Dryad by the name of Mequenthriel to stop the poachers once and for all. Mequenthriel was initially highly distrustful of Zeldana, but upon revealing her true Vulpine form, (now sporting three tails!) he started to listen in earnest. By the time she had finished telling him about her parents, Mequenthriel's face was speckled with dewy tears. He would gladly help her and the captured animals.
With Mequenthriel’s assistance and crack archery skills, the two killed or captured all of the poachers and turned their charges loose to the wild. One bear cub, though, took a shine to Zeldana and refused to leave her side. Mequenthriel translated for the bear, saying that his name was ”Bobarkazathoth the Black, Destroyer of Dragonflies, Annihilator of Dandelions, and Eater of Bees.” Zeldana decided that just ”Bobar” was good for short.
Zeldana bid farewell to her Varisian caravan, and stayed in Nybor with Bobar and Mequenthriel, the latter of which she started to have very strong feelings for. Together the three of them protected Nybor and the surrounding lands from Goblin raids, Ogre attacks, insane gnomish alchemists, and all manner of incursions on nature and the community.
Battle after battle, Zeldana grew stronger as did her relationship with Mequenthriel. The two became lovers when Mequenthriel took Zeldana someplace that no outsider had ever been entrusted with: a glade of incredible beauty and chaos that served as a portal to The First World. The experience of being so close to such an incredible font of magic caused Zeldana to spontaneously revert to her vulpine body which, to her surprise, had grown a fourth tail! She and Mequenthriel were inseparable after that.
That is, until rumors reached Nybor of a secret treaty that sought to eliminate the very god of her parents’ murderers. Zeldana was torn between her love and the idea of finally being able to live her life as a free Kitsune, to let her fur fly in the streets and boughs of her new home. Mequenthriel, bound to his tree, could not come with her no matter what, but despite his longing and love for her, he bade her go. He sent Bobar with her as her protector and guardian, and called in a few favors from some of the gnomish spellcasters of Nybor.
On the day of her departure, Zeldana was surprised to find gleaming beautiful chainmail, a buckler engraved with a fox the color of snow, and a starknife that shone so bright it nearly glowed all left in her bedroom. The gnomes who Mequenthriel called upon were makers of magic items, and he bade them forge equipment specifically for her. They also managed to cobble together a nonmagical suit of chainmail for Bobar, who had grown quite a bit, and was extremely pleased with his new intimidating raiment.
With a kiss and wave from his glade, Mequenthriel bid goodbye to his lover and friend. Zeldana set out to her next adventure: Iadara, and all the perils that lay with it! Could she finally possess the freedom that she sought and stop living in fear? Only time will tell...
Should she change form, however, Zeldana is truly a sight to behold. Unlike most Kitsune, her fur is as pale as moonlight, and she sports four bushy tails instead of one. Her eyes are a pale and piercing blue with slit pupils, and shine like a cat’s in the light.
She is always accompanied by Bobar (a.k.a. Bobarkazathoth the Black, Destroyer of Dragonflies, Annihilator of Dandelions, and Eater of Bees), a black bear of Medium size who sports a suit of chain mail armor. He also carries a pack of Zeldana’s belongings as, though she’s not weak, she hates being weighed down by it all.
Female kitsune oracle 4 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide 42, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 4 175)
CG Medium humanoid (kitsune, shapechanger)
Init +0; Senses low-light vision; Perception +7
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Defense
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AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 17 (+5 armor, +4 Dex, +2 shield)
hp 31 (4d8+8)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +4
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 starknife +8 (1d4+5/×3) or
. . bite -2 (1d4)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th; concentration +8)
. . 3/day—dancing lights
. . 2/day—charm person (DC 16), disguise self, misdirection
Oracle Spells Known (CL 4th; concentration +8)
. . 2nd (4/day)—cure moderate wounds, hold person (DC 17)
. . 1st (7/day)—command (DC 16), cure light wounds, obscuring mist, protection from evil
. . 0 (at will)—create water, detect magic, detect poison, mending, purify food and drink (DC 14), read magic
. . Mystery Lunar
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 19
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 13
Feats Divine Fighting Technique (desna's Shooting Star), Magical Tail[ARG], Magical Tail[ARG], Magical Tail[ARG]
Traits - custom trait -, - custom trait -
Skills Acrobatics +6, Bluff +5, Diplomacy +11, Disguise +12, Heal +4, Perception +7, Sense Motive +5, Spellcraft +6, Survival +7
Languages Common, Giant, Goblin, Senzar, Sylvan, Varisian
SQ change shape, kitsune magic, oracle's curse (wrecking mysticism), revelations (primal companion, prophetic armor)
Combat Gear kitsune star gem (1st level)[ARG]; Other Gear +1 chain shirt, +1 buckler, +1 starknife, belt pouch, flint and steel, masterwork backpack[APG], 41 gp, 2 sp
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Tracked Resources
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+1 starknife - 0/1
Charm Person (2/day) - 0/2
Dancing Lights (3/day) - 0/3
Disguise Self (2/day) - 0/2
Misdirection (2/day) - 0/2
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Special Abilities
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Animal Companion Link (Ex) Handle or push Animal Companion faster, +4 to checks vs. them.
Change Shape (Su) Assume a single human form.
Divine Fighting Technique (Desna's Shooting Star) Starknife att/dam is Charisma based. Advanced: full-rd thrown starknife deals 1d4 hits.
Kitsune Magic Kitsune add 1 to the DCs of any saving throws to resist enchantment spells that they cast.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Prophetic Armor (Ex) You may apply your Charisma modifier instead of Dexterity to AC and Reflex saves.
Share Spells with Companion (Ex) Can cast spells with a target of "you" on animal companion, as touch spells.
Wrecking Mysticism A divine entity has blessed you with a source of eldritch power that erodes your fortitude, increasing by 50% the duration of any poison, sickened condition, or nauseated condition affecting you. Whenever you would gain a mystery spell, you can gain Magical Tail as a bonus feat
Bear
N Medium animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 22, touch 12, flat-footed 20 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 31 (4d8+8)
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +2
Defensive Abilities evasion
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Offense
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Speed 40 ft. (30 ft. in armor)
Melee starknife +4 (1d4+5/×3) or
. . bite +8 (1d6+5), 2 claws +8 (1d4+5)
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Statistics
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Str 20, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +8; CMD 20 (24 vs. trip)
Feats Light Armor Proficiency, Medium Armor Proficiency
Skills Acrobatics +1, Perception +5, Stealth +1, Swim +4
Other Gear chainmail, starknife (5), backpack, bedroll, mess kit[UE], pot, soap, trail rations (5), waterskin
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Special Abilities
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Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
A question before I finish up some crunch on a character idea....Would you accept Woodland Skirmisher to trade out Forest Ghost for Jungle Ghost?
The concept I feel was designed around the idea of Wooded Lands....and there are only two wooded lands possible in Favored Terrain and an argument could be made for you to be able to choose one of the two instead of only forest...and I feel that a jungle specialist would be something the Elven Queen would attempt to acquire.
Hi there, GM_Zek!
The premise of campaign has really sparked my imagination. Zeldana is about the fourth or fifth character I've created with the intention of submitting, but ended up scrapping in favor of something else. I hope you enjoy reading about her as much as I enjoyed writing about her, but all suggestions and criticism are certainly welcome. I submit her for your perusal.Also, I should probably explain the poem at the beginning of her Backstory: the reason the Mantis killed her mother and is now targeting her is due to the discovery of this prophecy. While it isn't a high priority, the Mantis have a standing order to kill on sight any and all Kitsune with multiple tails.
** spoiler omitted **...
Thank you for the detailed work up! I especially liked the poem. I felt like I picked up on yet another one of its nuances each time I read it. Generally speaking, it seems like Oracles don't specify a deity that they worship. Did Zeldana's parents worship Desna? Will Zeldana switch to her Vulpine form occasionally or is she mostly uncomfortable walking around that way? Is there a particular mechanical reason why her skin/tattoos glow or is that more of a flavor thing? Is Zeldana aware of the prophecy or is it only something the Red Mantis know of?
Are you planning on Zeldana being in melee along with Bobar or more at medium-range? I noticed you put 'custom trait' twice for your traits, have you figured out which ones you are going with yet?
A question before I finish up some crunch on a character idea....Would you accept Woodland Skirmisher to trade out Forest Ghost for Jungle Ghost?
The concept I feel was designed around the idea of Wooded Lands....and there are only two wooded lands possible in Favored Terrain and an argument could be made for you to be able to choose one of the two instead of only forest...and I feel that a jungle specialist would be something the Elven Queen would attempt to acquire.
Yes, that's fine. Though I would go ahead and rename the archetype 'Jungle Skirmisher' for accuracy's sake. : ) Look forward to seeing the character!
Hey Eris, interesting build, Shamen are seriously underated. The flexibility from wandering spirit is fantastic.
Thank you for the detailed work up! I especially liked the poem. I felt like I picked up on yet another one of its nuances each time I read it. Generally speaking, it seems like Oracles don't specify a deity that they worship. Did Zeldana's parents worship Desna? Will Zeldana switch to her Vulpine form occasionally or is she mostly uncomfortable walking around that way? Is there a particular mechanical reason why her skin/tattoos glow or is that more of a flavor thing? Is Zeldana aware of the prophecy or is it only something the Red Mantis know of?
Are you planning on Zeldana being in melee along with Bobar or more at medium-range? I noticed you put 'custom trait' twice for your traits, have you figured out which ones you are going with yet?
1. Thank you!
2. No, Oracles certainly don't have to worship a specific deity, especially when the source of their Mysteries can be... mysterious. Zeldana, however, really seems to have embraced her relationship with Desna and the Starsong's influence on Varisian culture.
Being from Minkai, Zeldana's Parents most likely worshiped Shizuru and/or Tsukiyo. They certainly would know of Desna, as her worship does extend to Tian Xia as the "Resplendent Goddess of Fortune, and the Goddess of the North Star." They may have extended prayers to her upon occasion, but she's far from the main God of their pantheon.
That being said, the two were not particularly religious. As a Fighter/Sorcerer duo, religion was not a huge part of the Akiyama's life until their daughter started exhibiting her divine abilities.
3. Zeldana will stay in her human form unless the situation necessitates her transformation (to show someone she trusts them, if her only method of defending herself is her bite attack, etc.). If/when she does transform, I plan on having a different avatar post so that you and all the players can more easily tell.
I'd say she's actually more comfortable physically in her vulpine form, but she follows her father's dying words and stays hidden for her own safety. She knows her parents were no pushovers, and an organization capable of tracking them down and murdering them is not one to be underestimated. She thinks of it as a big risk to take.
4. The Tattoos glowing is more flavor than anything, but they're indicative of the Tattooed Varisian trait that was supposed to show up in her stat block (Herolab! *Shakes fist*). I had planned on involving them in more flavor with spellcasting: The glowing tattoos flying off her body to illuminate areas (Dancing Lights), attatching to and immobilizing others (Hold Person), or specific spells coming from tattoos of specific shapes (Obscuring Mist coming from a tattoo of a cloud, etc.)
It's also a bit of a callback to Seoni's depictions in the Pathfinder comic books of her tattoos glowing during spellcasting.
5. Zeldana has no idea of the prophecy whatsoever. Chances are that the Red Mantis's acolytes were divining for lore about He Who Walks In Blood, and got a "ping" on their divination radar about this artifact. It's quite possible this is also how they came to know of the Akiyamas: Red Mantis journeys to Minkai for the prophecy, sees wanted posters of two Kitsune, put two and two together, Mantis offers services to Governor Chou for his "Fox Problem."
6. Zeldana is meant to be a highly flexible character. She's no slouch in melee, can throw her starknife, can cast buff/healing spells on Bobar and other allies, and can debuff enemies with her enchantment spells. She's meant to take whatever role is most optimal for the party at any given time.
7. I've definitely chosen. Those were supposed to be Marked and Tattooed Varisian, I just forgot to edit the statblock post-Herolab.
Being Varisian I suspect Marko has spent a lot of time growing up traveling around the Lake Encartan area.
If he heard about the Mantisbane Pact he'd seek out trying to help it as in his backstory several friends an allies were killed by or in some cases with the aid of the Red Mantis. Galt being Galt the people back there who hired them are almost all dead now most likely leaving his revenge focused on them. After acquiring his new morningstar he might have started heading into one of the country's involved in the pact and done some adventuring there.
A note on the morningstar I had the idea of it's head being stylised to bear the resemblance of roses with the spikes of the morningstar being their thorns.
In the end I decided that +3 stealth wasn't worth worrying about, he's got vanish and will probably pick up invisibility later. Likewise he can pick up darkvision, when cast with his metamagic rod it'll last for many hours. I did however decide to change his bloodline to Marid - there's a nautical theme in his background (which has been updated) and blasting with a touch of control via rime spell will probably work better in practice. Anyway unless there's any mistakes I think he's done.
Golly gee.
I'm still not 100% happy with the writing of the background but, it's up on Mite's profile.
I'll put it here too juts in case.
”If you really want in that bad, I can show you how,” Mithlumin said.
The woman spun to face him, arms outstretched and with the tip of her sword pointing at the ground. ”Who are you?” she answered in the common tongue, ”Why are you here?”
Mithlumin stopped mid stride and held his hands out, palms turned upward, ”Mithlumin Aldleas. I live in Erages. I come out to these ruins all the time.” As he waited for her response, Mithlumin noticed that the cuffs of her sleeves were singed,”Tried to pick the lock and narrowly avoided the fifteen-foot spray of flames?” He chanced a step forward as the woman lowered her blade, It resets every two hours, by the way.”
Cierra knelt and shoved a set of thieve's tools into a canvas pack, ”It’s an old lock. Too much dirt in the grooves.” With the pack slung over her shoulder, she stood again and narrowed her eyes at Mithlumin [B”If you can truly get me inside this tower, I'll consider us even for you creeping up on me. And if you are lying to me, I'll kill make sure you never make it home.”[/b]
”I still don't think you're 'possessed,’ Mite,” Cierra groped blindly in the hole in the wall, a grimace on her face.
Mithlumin shrugged and averted his eyes from the olive skin that shone through the thin cotton blouse, ”I never said 'possessed,’ you did. I said that something shares my body. It's not my fault that your wholly human brain can’t comprehend the complexities of my mental and spiritual state.”The half-elf leaned against the wall and raised an eyebrow, ”Also, you really shouldn't be doing that. I brought Gelvin here once and he almost lost a hand doing that. Don't you adventurer types bring tools so you don't have to risk your limbs?” In reality, Gelvin had only been bitten by some angry ants but, when Gelvin told the story he was almost cut in half by a swinging scythe. Mithlumin liked to meet in the middle.
Cierra furrowed her brow, Do I look like an 'adventurer type’ to you, Mite? I hate being out here,” she grunted, ”I prefer the big city.”
Mithlumin winced at the name. She had taken to calling him ”Mite” the day he had said that the Other hated it when his childhood bullies had called him that.
Cierra smiled, ”Calm down, Mite...besides,”she jerked her arm hard, causing an audible ”click” to echo throughout the ruined tower, ”I found it.” The Varisian woman stepped back as one of the large slabs of stone began to lower as if on a hinge, revealing a bare pedestal behind the wall.
————————————————————————-—————-———-————-
Two weeks had passed and Cierra had finally stopped threatening Mite's life. It had probably helped that when she ran out of food and water Mite began bringing supplies from Erages and snaring the occasional rabbit.
”You still haven't told me why you're here. I told you my secret,” Mite was just as irritated asking as Cierra was hearing it.
”Gods above and below!” Cierra leapt from the tree branch to the hole in the tower wall that had once been a window. ”The way you tell it, everyone in Erages knows your secret,” she affected a sullen demeanor, “'I was kidnapped by Fey and taken to the First World. Now, a voice whispers to come to the Elven ruins and look for the path.’ Does that sum it up?”
Mite blinked and feigned disinterest, ”You forgot the part where sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, I see my reflection looking at me.”
It was true, or course. He had been taken by the Fey when he was only four years old. His parents had nearly given up all hope of seeing their youngest child again when a druid wandered into town with a five-year old asleep in his arms. The druid claimed that he had been collecting mushrooms in a clearing and as he turned to leave he saw a child clad in strange furs step out of a breach, wave to something on the other side, and then collapse.
The child slept for nearly a week and when his eyes finally opened on the sixth day he told wondrous stories about decadent foods. He spoke of colors that he couldn't describe, and a celebration that never ended. And how every time he thought he might lay in a corner to sleep the other ”colorful people” would give him a sweet cake and all fatigue would melt away.
It did not bother Mite hat Cierra did not believe him. Just as it no longer bothered him that he grew up with few friends. ”Odd,” they called him. Only Gelvin never seemed to mind the way he picked at his food or spent all of his free time exploring the Elven ruins. Then again, by all accounts, Gelvin was strange too. Even for an aged Gnome.
The only thing that still managed to get to him was the whispering from the Other. The whispers that flowed like spilled ink over his own thoughts and compelled Mite to wander the Elven ruins around Erages. It had always been hard to explain to others what the whispers were like -- they were not truly whispers after all, just the closest approximation of what it felt like. Whatever words he heard or saw were not even in a language he recognized but, he understood all the same. When they first began, at the age of ten, he tried to describe them as they felt, ”Like liquid shadows that mask my own thoughts that leave bits and pieces revealed to convey its own message.”
Cierra swore in that somewhat alien language and brought Mite back to his senses, [b]”Still can't find what you're looking for?” Her glare was enough of a response.
————————————————————————————-————-————-————-
”So, that's it then? 'Thanks for the help. Bye,’”
”I never said 'Thanks,’” Cierra turned to push a small sailboat into Lake Encarthan.
”I spent weeks helping you scour that tower and since your precious bauble wasn't there you're just going to leave!” Mite could feel the anger rising from inside the Other. No, not anger, it was panic, ”Since meeting you, the whispers have started telling me to 'follow the path,’” he grabbed Cierra by the arm, ”I have to come with you!”
Cierra spun and swept his legs from under him while drawing one of the two serrated blades. She pressed the edge under his chin, ”If you ever put your hands on me again, I'll make sure you never make it home.”
A lifetime passed before Mite's lungs knew air. He felt the Other smile before he felt his own, ”'Again?’ As in, there would more opportunities? As in I'm going with you!”
Cierra helped him to his feet, ”Don't make me regret it, Mite.”
————————————————————————
A year passed and dozens of recruits came to the tiny island in the middle of Lake Encarthan and dozens left for Mediogalti Island. Both the Other and Mite became more and more frustrated with not being permitted to progress within the ranks of the Red Mantis. Adding to his frustration, recruits that had been on the island when they first arrived overheard Cierra refer to him as ”Mit” and curiously, Other’s fury at the name dwindled. After a while it almost seemed like it took it as a challenge of sorts.
”Why won't you send me to Mediogalti?” Mite asked Cierra one morning as she was leaving on assignment. “I know I'm having trouble with the sabre but, my arrows are more accurate and hit harder than most of the recruits that come through here.”
”Because you're coming with me,” Cierra had grown weary of dodging the question. ”Remember what we were searching for in the ruins? I know where it is,” her amber eyes had taken on a fierce glow as she spoke.
Mite struggled to respond, even as he helped push the boat into the water, ”The bauble?” was all he managed to say as he stared at the Mantis outfit folded neatly in the boat.
”Not a bauble. A second Mantis Blade.”
A few nights later and the pair were crouched beneath the leaves of a large taro plant as heavy raindrops pelted the ground around them. They had waited just outside of Erages until nightfall and now they watched as the last lantern went out in the dilapidated, two-story house.
”This is Gelvin's house,” Mite said. ”Why are we at Gelvi-”
Cierra held up a hand, ”After I’m inside, you follow in suit. After this, I'll make sure you go to Mediogalti.” Cierra gave him a moment to process her words then burst out of the foliage. She clambered up an ancient tree and jumped from its branches to an open window on the second floor.
Mite took a deep breath and followed after her. But, even as he climbed to the tree branch Mite could already tell something was wrong. A bright, blue light flashed inside the house. Cierra shouted questions in Infernal.
In the the cluttered study, Cierra stood several feet from Gelvin. Her right side was coated in frost, along with a large swathe of the room which looked like it had been flash frozen. Cierra had both blades pointed towards the ground and had already begun weaving the blades in a hypnotic pattern. Mite had seen her do this before but, only while sparring though he knew what it meant. Gelvin managed a pleaful look to Mite before becoming lost in the prayer attack.
With his bow in one hand, Mite stopped just behind Cierra, ”Don’t do this,” he said.
Cierra’s glanced over her shoulder, ”The gnome put my Blade somewhere not on Golarion!”
Mite gripped the Cierra’s arm. She cursed and slashed at Mite with one of the deadly sabres. Mite gasped as a near-perfect replica of his body crumpled to the ground, dissolve into a small pool of black liquid and then vanished completely. Even through the ask, Mite could read the confusion on Cierra face. And in the instant before Gelvin hit her in the back with a searing beam, Mite thought she might have felt regret.
Cierra bellowed and turned again to face Gelvin, this time foregoing the entrancing maneuver and simply hurled one of her sabres across the room. A million thoughts raced through Mite’s mind as the blade went end over end. But when the sabre found its mark the spilled ink covered all but the Other’s command.
Kill the first. Follow the path.
Mite nocked an arrow and fired two powerful arrows as fast as he coul. The first sailed wide of the Red Mantis. The second erupted in crimson from the Mantis’ heart.
Have been spit-balling ideas all day, so a question to run past you oh mighty GM.
I'm wanting to build a character whose arc would be similar to the mortal Aroden's - a mighty smith/maker of magic who eventually forges a weapon suitable for killing a god.
Would you allow a build aimed at becoming an Ioun Angel as part of the whole 'making things' theme?
EDIT: going further along this theme I'm thinking Elven Sorceror - so another question. Would you allow the 'Sage' Wildblooded archetype to apply to an 'Impossible' bloodline sorceror? Impossible is definitely the most appropriate bloodline and Sage seems very suitable for an elf so I thought I'd ask :) If not then I'll work up something a little different.
Thank you for the detailed work up! I especially liked the poem. I felt like I picked up on yet another one of its nuances each time I read it. Generally speaking, it seems like Oracles don't specify a deity that they worship. Did Zeldana's parents worship Desna? Will Zeldana switch to her Vulpine form occasionally or is she mostly uncomfortable walking around that way? Is there a particular mechanical reason why her skin/tattoos glow or is that more of a flavor thing? Is Zeldana aware of the prophecy or is it only something the Red Mantis know of?
Are you planning on Zeldana being in melee along with Bobar or more at medium-range? I noticed you put 'custom trait' twice for your traits, have you figured out which ones you are going with yet?
1. Thank you!
2. No, Oracles certainly don't have to worship a specific deity, especially when the source of their Mysteries can be... mysterious. Zeldana, however, really seems to have embraced her relationship with Desna and the Starsong's influence on Varisian culture.
Being from Minkai, Zeldana's Parents most likely worshiped Shizuru and/or Tsukiyo. They certainly would know of Desna, as her worship does extend to Tian Xia as the "Resplendent Goddess of Fortune, and the Goddess of the North Star." They may have extended prayers to her upon occasion, but she's far from the main God of their pantheon.
That being said, the two were not particularly religious. As a Fighter/Sorcerer duo, religion was not a huge part of the Akiyama's life until their daughter started exhibiting her divine abilities.
3. Zeldana will stay in her human form unless the situation necessitates her transformation (to show someone she trusts them, if her only method of defending herself is her bite attack, etc.). If/when she does transform, I plan on having a different avatar post so that you and all the players can more easily tell.
I'd say she's actually more comfortable physically in her vulpine form, but she follows her father's dying words and stays hidden for her own safety. She knows her parents were no pushovers, and an organization capable of tracking them down and murdering them is not one to be underestimated. She thinks of it as a big risk to take.
4. The Tattoos glowing is more flavor than anything, but they're indicative of the Tattooed Varisian trait that was supposed to show up in her stat block (Herolab! *Shakes fist*). I had planned on involving them in more flavor with spellcasting: The glowing tattoos flying off her body to illuminate areas (Dancing Lights), attatching to and immobilizing others (Hold Person), or specific spells coming from tattoos of specific shapes (Obscuring Mist coming from a tattoo of a cloud, etc.)
It's also a bit of a callback to Seoni's depictions in the Pathfinder comic books of her tattoos glowing during spellcasting.
5. Zeldana has no idea of the prophecy whatsoever. Chances are that the Red Mantis's acolytes were divining for lore about He Who Walks In Blood, and got a "ping" on their divination radar about this artifact. It's quite possible this is also how they came to know of the Akiyamas: Red Mantis journeys to Minkai for the prophecy, sees wanted posters of two Kitsune, put two and two together, Mantis offers services to Governor Chou for his "Fox Problem."
6. Zeldana is meant to be a highly flexible character. She's no slouch in melee, can throw her starknife, can cast buff/healing spells on Bobar and other allies, and can debuff enemies with her enchantment spells. She's meant to take whatever role is most optimal for the party at any given time.
7. I've definitely chosen. Those were supposed to be Marked and Tattooed Varisian, I just forgot to edit the statblock post-Herolab.
2. Thank you for the clarification. And her parents' deity/deities make sense.
3. Alrighty. Storywise, that provides a good tension.
4. That makes sense. And that trait definitely explains it better.
5. If selected, that gives me something else to work with. It would be a good mystery to try to unravel.
6. Flexibility is always a good thing.
7. No worries. Thank you for clarifying.
Being Varisian I suspect Marko has spent a lot of time growing up traveling around the Lake Encartan area.
If he heard about the Mantisbane Pact he'd seek out trying to help it as in his backstory several friends an allies were killed by or in some cases with the aid of the Red Mantis. Galt being Galt the people back there who hired them are almost all dead now most likely leaving his revenge focused on them. After acquiring his new morningstar he might have started heading into one of the country's involved in the pact and done some adventuring there.
A note on the morningstar I had the idea of it's head being stylised to bear the resemblance of roses with the spikes of the morningstar being their thorns.
Thank you for the clarification. The stylized morningstar sounds like a neat idea given your deity.
Actually, just had a look at the build, and it's broken: I cut the 2nd paladin level to give him a level as a Cavalier, which doesn't work. So I may have to forgo the Cavalier level after all, given that I don't think Teniel can do without Divine Grace and Laying on Hands...
That being said, perhaps it is something that he could develop in time: an order of Sacred Knights of the Shield?
Regardless, the backstory works :)
The changes sound good. If selected, a new order could certainly be developed over time. Did you decide on a deity for Teniel?
In the end I decided that +3 stealth wasn't worth worrying about, he's got vanish and will probably pick up invisibility later. Likewise he can pick up darkvision, when cast with his metamagic rod it'll last for many hours. I did however decide to change his bloodline to Marid - there's a nautical theme in his background (which has been updated) and blasting with a touch of control via rime spell will probably work better in practice. Anyway unless there's any mistakes I think he's done.
I like the updated backstory. Marid is definitely a more unique bloodline. If selected, freezing the Red Mantis will likely work just as well as melting them with acid. : )
Golly gee.
I'm still not 100% happy with the writing of the background but, it's up on Mite's profile.
I'll put it here too juts in case.
** spoiler omitted **...
Thank you for the backstory. It definitely explains how your archetype came about. If you're not entirely happy with it, you still have time to update it.
Are Mite's parents still alive? And is he still friends with Gelvin? And did you have an idea in mind as to where the Mantis Blade went?
Have been spit-balling ideas all day, so a question to run past you oh mighty GM.
I'm wanting to build a character whose arc would be similar to the mortal Aroden's - a mighty smith/maker of magic who eventually forges a weapon suitable for killing a god.
Would you allow a build aimed at becoming an Ioun Angel as part of the whole 'making things' theme?
I hate to keep having to do this to folks, but I'm going to say no. It's a 3rd party prestige class and I want people to stick with Paizo products. If there's a tweak you want to make to one of Paizo's archetypes or a Paizo class ability, I'll certainly consider it, but 99% of the time I'm going to say no to 3rd party things. That said, the backstory concept you mentioned is intriguing, and I think it could work with other classes.
Damn-it Ninja'd by the GM...
Please see (just written) edit to my previous post, I seem to have anticipated some of your concerns... :D
EDIT: going further along this theme I'm thinking Elven Sorceror - so another question. Would you allow the 'Sage' Wildblooded archetype to apply to an 'Impossible' bloodline sorceror? Impossible is definitely the most appropriate bloodline and Sage seems very suitable for an elf so I thought I'd ask :) If not then I'll work up something a little different.
Damn-it Ninja'd by the GM...
Please see (just written) edit to my previous post, I seem to have anticipated some of your concerns... :D
EDIT: going further along this theme I'm thinking Elven Sorceror - so another question. Would you allow the 'Sage' Wildblooded archetype to apply to an 'Impossible' bloodline sorceror? Impossible is definitely the most appropriate bloodline and Sage seems very suitable for an elf so I thought I'd ask :) If not then I'll work up something a little different.
Considering Talivar is doing something similar with rime-blooded and the marid bloodline, yes that's fine.
-----
On that same note, Talivar, I want to make sure you know that if you go with rime-blooded, you won't be able to change your energy damage to cold since they're both Bloodline Arcana. I'm mainly noting this since your main damage spell you're going for seems to be burning arc which you won't be able to make deal cold damage if you go with rime-blooded.
Edit: I couldn't actually tell for sure if you went with rime-blooded. Were you planning to go with that or with Shahzada (or something else)?
Damn-it Ninja'd by the GM...
Please see (just written) edit to my previous post, I seem to have anticipated some of your concerns... :D
EDIT: going further along this theme I'm thinking Elven Sorceror - so another question. Would you allow the 'Sage' Wildblooded archetype to apply to an 'Impossible' bloodline sorceror? Impossible is definitely the most appropriate bloodline and Sage seems very suitable for an elf so I thought I'd ask :) If not then I'll work up something a little different.Considering Talivar is doing something similar with rime-blooded and the marid bloodline, yes that's fine.
-----
On that same note, Talivar, I want to make sure you know that if you go with rime-blooded, you won't be able to change your energy damage to cold since they're both Bloodline Arcana. I'm mainly noting this since your main damage spell you're going for seems to be burning arc which you won't be able to make deal cold damage if you go with rime-blooded.
Edit: I couldn't actually tell for sure if you went with rime-blooded. Were you planning to go with that or with Shahzada (or something else)?
Confusingly there are several things called Rime. I was planning on using the rime spell metamagic feat which as far as I understand it works because marid arcarna turns elemental spells into cold spells with the cold descriptor as required by the feat.
Confusingly there are several things called Rime. I was planning on using the rime spell metamagic feat which as far as I understand it works because marid arcarna turns elemental spells into cold spells with the cold descriptor as required by the feat.
That works. So are you not going wildblooded at all? I ask because I see it listed under your build, but I don't see what it's changing.
Going with Yuelral as you suggested. Typically, the Blackash - and the Sacred Shields in particular - endeavour to defend the members of the Academy, so the deity works. Devoted to squishy people in general ;)
I'll also be taking from the Order of the Shield (and more) to develop a proper set of rules for the Sacred Shields and the Blackash...
Sounds good. Yuelral's code is pretty basic so, if selected, we can definitely work on expanding that, if you'd like.
|
HAs far as Mite's parents go, I see it as they are still alive but, maybe weren't the bat of parents. Not due to being bad people, just in over their heads when it came to raising a kid that "heard whispers."
Gelvin is dead, most certainly.
As far as the Mantis Blade goes. I left it vague on purpose buuuuuuuut, Gelvin would've wanted to get it out of the material plane. He basically died because he'd become comfortable in his safety.
Confusingly there are several things called Rime. I was planning on using the rime spell metamagic feat which as far as I understand it works because marid arcarna turns elemental spells into cold spells with the cold descriptor as required by the feat.That works. So are you not going wildblooded at all? I ask because I see it listed under your build, but I don't see what it's changing.
I was fiddling with stuff in HeroLab and forgot to turn it off. It's not needed at all, I'll get that updated. Oh and now I realize you're using background skills just as well I looked.
Here's my submission: An elven bloodrager, but he didn't start off that way. He had been an orcish warchief in Belkzen that had a Red Mantis contract placed on him, and they succeeded in killing him. However, his mother was in fact a powerful druid. Infuriated that her son was killed by a knife in the dark rather than on the glorious battlefield, she recovers his corpse and brings him back in a new body. This time with the strong body of a gnoll, he was again able to rise to power. Unaware at the time that a contract with the Mantis was forever, he was again slain by the crimson assassins. Again, his mother calls her son back to life. However, the Mantis assassins were watching.
Drifting, silent, lonely. Thought is sparse in this place of nothingness. Infrequently, bitter memories ebbed and flowed laced with anger and hate. Like a dream bordering on a nightmare, one face appeared over and over -- a red-and-black mask designed to look like a mantis.
A familiar voice calls from a great distance, and he heeds it. As the chanting grows steadily louder, he feels the sensation of life once more. A heartbeat. Muscles twitch. Air rushes into new lungs. Eyes open, and light spills into his world.
Urug'dash sits up in shock, looking around the sylvan glade. He immediately spies his mother, her familiar weathered, toothy countenance not looking especially pleased. "Last time was better," she croaks in Orcish.
"What do you--" he begins, but his mouth felt strange mouthing the words. The gutteral sounds hurt his throat. His fangs were... absent. He looks down and sees soft, pinkish skin instead of his last form, which had powerful muscles under shaggy fur, and before that, a scar-riddled greenish gray that proudly showed the chiseled muscles beneath. "No," he begins, shaking his head.
"You are elf now," his mother spits. She pushes herself wearily to her feet. "Maybe this will keep the bugs away from you, but perhaps not. They found you as gnoll."
"No, no, NO!" he rails, standing himself. He towers over his mother now, seeing perfectly in the dim light of the glade. A red-rimmed rage overtakes him, and he punches a moss-covered menhir. It cracks and falls over, though he manages to mangle his hand in the process. He calms down some, panting, the fire of pain clearing his head.
His mother tsks and applies some magical healing to his hand. "You still channel the Iron God's ferocity, I see. But elf warchief? I think you do not go back to Belkzen."
"Where should I go? The elf lands? Should I live in their trees and drink their sweet wines? Mother! This is... this is..." he buries his face in his hands.
"This is life. This is another chance to die in battle, not to another knife while you sleep," she answers simply, cutting through to the heart of the matter.
Urug'dash lifts his head, nodding in agreement. He would continue to fight. He may have to fight as an elf, but they have their warriors too. He could do it, and maybe avoid these accursed cowards who wait until their enemy is asleep before slicing their blade across his throat. The rage nearly bubbles to the surface, but he keeps it at bay with the comfort of knowing that it was there.
"You are right," he says as he sorts through the pile of old belongings that his mother brought along with her. She had clearly retreated into the Northern Fangwood to perform her ritual, and couldn't carry everything. It didn't matter, he realizes. His old armor wouldn't have fit, anyway.
He begins to cover the hated elven skin with his garments, finding the fabric coarse and unpleasant. He tests the weight of his mighty falchion, thankful both that his mother recovered it and that it wasn't entirely unwieldy in his smaller hands.
"I will need to head for Lastwall," he tells his mother, who nods sagely.
The orc druid gathers her ritual objects, and collects the head of the gnoll that had been used to call his soul back to be reincarnated. "I will be wolf. Guard you. Watch you. Elves like wolves, I think."
Urug'dash smiles. "This one will."
====================
They travel along the outskirts of the Fangwood, completely unaware that the Red Mantis had managed to find the ritual site. They had lost track of the druid as she passed effortlessly through the woods, but managed to pick up the trail once she was joined by her reincarnated son.
As night descended upon the Fangwood, Urug'dash's mother settled down and was soon asleep. The new elf, however, found sleep elusive. The coarse bedroll irritated and scratched his blemish-free new skin. The filtered moonlight through the trees made the glade as bright as day to his new eyes unlike the comforting black-and-white of his old darkvision.
He got up and began to pace. His life as a gnoll had been very similar to his life as an orc. He had adapted to it quite quickly, and come to enjoy its fierce visage. He was able to get the remnants of his wartribe to accept him as their leader rather quickly. This body, however, was never going to find acceptance among the orcs of Belkzen. He was uncertain if he would ever accept it himself.
A whisper and a snap of a twig catches his attention. He realizes that in his reverie, he had wandered several paces away from where his mother slept. Looking back to the small glade, he sees two red-clad figures over her, one of them in the middle of drawing a blade across her throat.
The rage was upon him instantly, and with a roar he bounded over the underbrush and launched himself into battle. Completely unafraid of death, his fury singing in his blood that he would die in battle against the cowards who almost deprived him of joining Gorum in the endless battles of his afterlife, Urug'dash threw himself into reckless melee.
Yet he was not to die that night. His battle ferocity, coupled with some strange verdant energy that empowered his rage, completely overwhelmed the pair of Red Mantises. When his rage subsided, they were dead, along with his mother.
He built a pyre, burning his mother and leaving the assassins' bodies to the scavengers. He collected the few items of value from them and his mother, and continued his trek to Lastwall.
As it turned out, there was a bounty for the head of the gnoll chieftain, so Urug'dash was able to turn in his own head for a sizable reward, which allowed him to outfit himself with some armor and clothes that fit his new elven frame.
Taking the elven name Uruelleth, he traveled through Lastwall to the shores of Lake Encarthian. Still unsure of whether the Red Mantis chased him, he booked passage on a sailing vessel to Kyonin, hoping that their reach would not be as far as the elven homeland.
Settling for a time in Erages, he quickly learned about the Mantisbane Pact and immediately traveled to Iadara to sign up. Knowing that each time he falls asleep may be the last, he made his decision. He did not fear facing the Red Mantis in battle, so would take the fight to them. The orcish fury and his mother's fey influence still sang in his blood, and the followers of Achaekek would spill theirs upon his blade.
HAs far as Mite's parents go, I see it as they are still alive but, maybe weren't the bat of parents. Not due to being bad people, just in over their heads when it came to raising a kid that "heard whispers."
Gelvin is dead, most certainly.
As far as the Mantis Blade goes. I left it vague on purpose buuuuuuuut, Gelvin would've wanted to get it out of the material plane. He basically died because he'd become comfortable in his safety.
Alright, that works. And, if selected, keeping the Mantis Blade's location vague gives me more to work with, so thank you.
Ammon here, backstory is up.
working on putting the mechanics and such together now. Shouldn't be much longer.
I liked the backstory. Do you plan for Shiro to stay in Iadara or somewhere else? And where is Illia and/or her father originally from?
I was fiddling with stuff in HeroLab and forgot to turn it off. It's not needed at all, I'll get that updated. Oh and now I realize you're using background skills just as well I looked.
Thank you for the updates. Your build makes more sense now. And yes, background skills are a go. Hopefully that gives you a bit more variety with your skills.
Here's my submission: An elven bloodrager, but he didn't start off that way. He had been an orcish warchief in Belkzen that had a Red Mantis contract placed on him, and they succeeded in killing him. However, his mother was in fact a powerful druid. Infuriated that her son was killed by a knife in the dark rather than on the glorious battlefield, she recovers his corpse and brings him back in a new body. This time with the strong body of a gnoll, he was again able to rise to power. Unaware at the time that a contract with the Mantis was forever, he was again slain by the crimson assassins. Again, his mother calls her son back to life. However, the Mantis assassins were watching.
** spoiler omitted **...
Glad you decided to apply! I like the submission. Do you picture Uruelleth shifting to a good alignment eventually or sticking with CN? Given his orcish past, if selected, how do you expect Uruelleth to interact with other characters and races (including other elves)? Does Uruelleth have any living relatives now that his mother died? Did he ever know his father? Is his fey bloodline tied to his repeated reincarnations from his mother or something else?
As far as your build goes, have you decided on a second trait yet? And are you planning on sticking with bloodrager as you level?
Here's my submission: An elven bloodrager, but he didn't start off that way. He had been an orcish warchief in Belkzen that had a Red Mantis contract placed on him, and they succeeded in killing him. However, his mother was in fact a powerful druid. Infuriated that her son was killed by a knife in the dark rather than on the glorious battlefield, she recovers his corpse and brings him back in a new body. This time with the strong body of a gnoll, he was again able to rise to power. Unaware at the time that a contract with the Mantis was forever, he was again slain by the crimson assassins. Again, his mother calls her son back to life. However, the Mantis assassins were watchingGlad you decided to apply! I like the submission. Do you picture Uruelleth shifting to a good alignment eventually or sticking with CN? Given his orcish past, if selected, how do you expect Uruelleth to interact with other characters and races (including other elves)? Does Uruelleth have any living relatives now that his mother died? Did he ever know his father? Is his fey bloodline tied to his repeated reincarnations from his mother or something else?
As far as your build goes, have you decided on a second trait yet? And are you planning on sticking with bloodrager as you level?
Thanks!
Regarding alignment shifts, I'm fine with letting the game dictate that. He might remain someone solely dedicated to dying in glorious battle against those who threatened to rob him of a warrior's death, or new friendships and alliances may give him a new outlook that could shift him toward goodness. That relates to your other question, about how he'll work with the other players who may be true elves and other races. I'm really excited to see how they interact, since he's definitely not going to be a "typical" elf.
I can't really expect he has much in the way of living relatives, since I figure the life of an orc in Belkzen is nasty, brutish and short. But a neat twist could be that it was a relative (brother, sister or even his father) who took out the cowardly contract with the Mantis. (I leave that to you if you choose me!)
I used the fey bloodline because it seemed the best fit (too bad there isn't an orc bloodrager bloodline). The reason would either be the druid magic of his mother, the ancient fey rings surrounding the ritual site, or something in the menhir he broke when he awoke. I'm flexible, if it's going to matter.
Lastly, yes, I will probably stick with Bloodrager, and thanks for reminding me about the other trait. I need to pick one out.
Illya's father is originally an elven slave from the underground. He escaped by selling his soul to insert evil diety here, he now lives in Kyonin. Trying to create true life to weasel out of it.
Illya and Shiro were both created in Kyonin, so that's where they're from originally.
Illya would rather not take Shiro somewhere she's going to be showing a fair amount of cruelty and blood shed. So probably leave her in Ladara. but will take her if she get's overly concerned for her safety.
Jynn T'soryn
Male elf ranger (Jungle Skirmisher) 4 (Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Magic)
CG Medium humanoid (elf)
Init +6; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10
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Defense
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AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+5 armor, +4 Dex)
hp 32 (4d10+4)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +2; +2 vs. enchantments
Immune sleep
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk elven curve blade +7 (1d10+3/18-20)
Ranged +1 darkwood composite longbow +9 (1d8+3/×3)
Special Attacks combat style (archery), favored enemy (humans +2)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th; concentration +5)
1/day—comprehend languages, detect magic, detect poison, read magic
Ranger (Jungle Skirmisher) Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +2)
1st—aspect of the falcon[APG], Speak with Animals[CRB]
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 12
Base Atk +4; CMB +6; CMD 20
Feats Deadly Aim, Endurance, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Traits naturalist, warrior of old
Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +6, Escape Artist +8, Handle Animal +9, Heal +8, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (nature) +10, Perception +10, Profession (trapper) +8, Stealth +11, Survival +9 (+11 to avoid becoming lost), Swim +6; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception, Jungle Ghost
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven, Sylvan
SQ favored terrain (jungle +2), hunter's bond (leopard named Animal Companion), track +2
Other Gear +1 mithral chain shirt, +1 darkwood composite longbow (+2 Str), arrows (60), mwk elven curve blade, compass[APG], fishhook, fishing net, flint and steel, masterwork backpack[APG], signal whistle, silver holy symbol of Ketephys, snuffbox, ivory[ACG], twine (50')[APG], waterskin (2), winter blanket, 133 gp, 4 sp, 9 cp
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Special Abilities
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Animal Companion Link (Ex) Handle or push Animal Companion faster, +4 to checks vs. them.
Comprehend Languages (1/day) (Sp) With Intelligence 11+, cast Comprehend Languages once per day.
Deadly Aim -2/+4 Trade a penalty to ranged attacks for a bonus to ranged damage.
Detect Magic (1/day) (Sp) With Intelligence 11+, cast Detect Magic once per day.
Detect Poison (1/day) (Sp) With Intelligence 11+, cast Detect Poison once per day.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Endurance +4 to a variety of fort saves, skill and ability checks. Sleep in L/M armor with no fatigue.
Favored Enemy (Humans +2) (Ex) +2 to rolls vs. humans foes.
Favored Terrain (Jungle +2) (Ex) +2 to rolls when in jungle terrain.
Jungle Ghost +2 (Ex) Gain +2 bonus on all Perception and Survival skill checks made while in Jungle terrain.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
Read Magic (1/day) (Sp) With Intelligence 11+, cast Read Magic once per day.
Share Spells with Companion (Ex) Can cast spells with a target of "you" on animal companion, as touch spells.
Track +2 Add the listed bonus to survival checks made to track.
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Genevieve
Black Panter
CG Small animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 20, touch 15, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +4 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 15 (2d8+2)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +1
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Offense
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Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d4+1), 2 claws +3 (1d2+1)
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Statistics
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Str 12, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 16 (20 vs. trip)
Feats Light Armor Proficiency
Tricks Attack, Attack, Attack Any Target, Burglar, Come, Fetch, Maneuver (Steal), Seek, Sneak
Skills Acrobatics +4 (+12 to jump), Perception +5, Stealth +12 (+16 in undergrowth); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in undergrowth
SQ attack, attack any target, burglar, sneak
Other Gear mwk chain shirt, bedroll, small tent
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Special Abilities
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Attack [Trick] The animal will attack on command.
Attack Any Target [Trick] The animal will attack any creature on command.
Burglar [Trick] An animal trained as a burglar knows the come, fetch, maneuver (steal), seek, and sneak tricks. You can order it to steal a specific item you point out.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Sneak [Trick] Creature stays hidden.
Trip (Ex) You can make a trip attempt on a successful attack.
I will do my best to get the fluff up soon. I typically do Crunch then fluff so I can write in my various traits and such.
Thanks!
Regarding alignment shifts, I'm fine with letting the game dictate that. He might remain someone solely dedicated to dying in glorious battle against those who threatened to rob him of a warrior's death, or new friendships and alliances may give him a new outlook that could shift him toward goodness. That relates to your other question, about how he'll work with the other players who may be true elves and other races. I'm really excited to see how they interact, since he's definitely not going to be a "typical" elf.
I can't really expect he has much in the way of living relatives, since I figure the life of an orc in Belkzen is nasty, brutish and short. But a neat twist could be that it was a relative (brother, sister or even his father) who took out the cowardly contract with the Mantis. (I leave that to you if you choose me!)
I used the fey bloodline because it seemed the best fit (too bad there isn't an orc bloodrager bloodline). The reason would either be the druid magic of his mother, the ancient fey rings surrounding the ritual site, or something in the menhir he broke when he awoke. I'm flexible, if it's going to matter.
Lastly, yes, I will probably stick with Bloodrager, and thanks for reminding me about the other trait. I need to pick one out.
I definitely think character alignment isn't static and can change so, if selected, that's definitely something that could shift over time.
Thank you for the ideas about who put out the contract. That's definitely something that I could potentially expand on later.
Your bloodline works and it doesn't have to be integral to your story, it's just neat when there's an explanation. And you've got time on the trait. I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it.
** spoiler omitted **
Thank you for the answers. Him living in Kyonin could definitely be troublesome. And yes, there will most certainly be blood.
** spoiler omitted **...
Stats look good. Are you just re-flavoring a lion or tiger to make your panther? Look forward to seeing how Jynn acquired his jungle skills.
Current Applicants (v. 2.0):
Full BAB
Akkuya Steelhammer - Human Slayer
Mite Aldleas - Half-elf Slayer
Kilarra Calvennis - Human Slayer
Teniel - Half-elf Fighter/Paladin
Uruelleth - Elf Bloodrager
Jynn T’Soryn - Elf Ranger
¾ BAB
Arryn Dawood - Human Kineticist
Priscilla Springheel - Halfling Rogue (Unchained)
Eluvias the Grim - Elf Rogue (Unchained)
6th Level Divine Casters
9th Level Divine Casters
Quovex - Half-elf Druid
Marko Zuul - Human Cleric
Hector Galfrey - Human Oracle
Talia Dionne - Aasimar Shaman
Zeldana Arcovici - Kitsune Oracle
6th Level Arcane Casters
Ziera - Aasimar Bard
9th Level Arcane Casters
Talivar Tamexo - Human Sorcerer
Hybrid
Illia Nym - Dhampir Bloodrager/Sorcerer
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As a reminder, players will need a completed backstory and stats for me to consider their character once recruitment closes. You don’t have to have a profile set up, but I will need a post that clearly lays out your backstory and stats. A little over a week to go. Well done to those who’ve submitted so far. *Insert here some version of, ‘You all are making it really hard for me to decide who to pick.’*
Got some more elves here to choose from. Well...sort of. One is kind of an orc...
Thanks Sa'Kage =]
I like that she can (eventually) pick up any arcane spell we need in a pinch in case we are missing something that has utility in a given situation. Also crafting!
Talivar is really really excellent though, you always manage to get the best flavor out of your characters!
Anyway, I'm still writing up my backstory, but for now decided to write up a mini story featuring Talia. Took a little bit of time so I might not finish my backstory today so its a WIP for now =]
“Welcome to Oppara” a heavily bearded man exclaimed, warmly greeting Talia, as she swept into the city, her guards behind her. Talia had protested, of course, at having to be escorted to the capital at the request of the Grand Prince accompanied by a host of guards but the men had refused to take no for an answer, insisting that her safety was the primary concern. Talia had begrudgingly accepted, fully aware that the invitation was likely to hear her latest research into the Red Mantis, something the Grand Prince had shown more and more of an interest in. Shouldering her backpack, Talia observed the guide with faint curiosity as she attempted to sidestep and weave deeper into the city.
“Err, excuse me…Talia is it?” the man asks, blocking her way carefully, before hastily holding up his arms defensively, as a guard at Talia’s side growled slightly. “Please, I was sent to meet you at the gate, you see, the Grand Prince is a little engaged and rather than ask you to wait, wondered if you would like to tour the city first until he is ready, we have many sites to see in Oppara…” he remarks, his voice trailing off slightly as it ends in a hesitant tone, no doubt expecting a cheerier or more welcoming response than what he had initially received so far.
Talia considered the office for a moment, before giving a half shrug. “I don’t see a problem exploring for a moment, however, there are eight of us here, which might make mobility a little difficult in the streets, I suppose that might limit some of the attractions the city might offer?” she asks quietly noticing the crowds of people in the streets head, idly wondering how pleased her bodyguards would be at having to navigate that situation.
“Ah, that is no problem, we can visit the gardens if you wish instead of touring some of the markets on display", the guide eagerly responds, happy to make use of his vast knowledge of the city itself. “They can be found just up Aroden’s Way, or, if that wasn’t to your fancy, we could also visit-"
“The gardens are fine, thank you” Talia swiftly cuts in, holding up her hand to forestall a flood of information the man was clearly eager to share. Gesturing the guide ahead, Talia falls into step behind him, her protectors following suit, watchful eyes always moving.
The procession continued on, her guide nattering on, blissfully unaware that Talia had long since stopped listening and instead had fantasised about buying a scroll of deafness for some wondrous silence. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the man’s efforts, just that she preferred to explore on her own, something sadly not possible in her current circumstances.
Chatter aside though, Talia had to admit her guide knew the city well, the gardens were certainly impressive as they slipped through the entrances and were met with the lovely aroma of flowers. There were stone benches helpfully placed around should someone wish to rest and relax, but otherwise it was a picturesque scene as Talia wandered into the center of the garden, following a stone path weaving its way through the flower beds.
“Is it your first time in Oppera?” the guide asked, taking advantage of the fact that Talia’s attention was currently distracted by the wonderful scenery on display.
“Yes, yes it is” Talia mummers, still slightly entranced, before she hears a sudden twang in her ear, as she turns sharply, to spot one of her guards fall suddenly to the ground, a crossbow bolt protruding from his neck.
“I thought so” her guide responded smugly, drawing a Sawtooth Sabre as several other assassins materialized from around the gardens, masks on and weapons ready, moving swiftly towards her.
“Stand behind me” Talia orders instantly, hearing her guards swiftly move to intercept the guide now revealed assassin, as she shouts out a mystical word, summoning two barbed chains out of the ground, which immediately crash into the crossbowman, staining the nearby flowers with blood. The minor victory was immediately short lived, as Talia witnessed more of the Mantis striding forward, ignoring their fallen colleague as the chains vanished into thin air. Without looking, Talia knew that there were more behind her closing in, as she could hear the sounds of clashing blades, her bodyguards doing what they could to keep their charge safe.
Stuck for options, Talia taps into her magic again, this time putting a little more venom into her words. At her command, a blast of colour roared out towards the closest group, and Talia felt no small amount of satisfaction watching the entire bunch cry out in agony clutching their eyes as they fell down. Breathing hard, Talia took a step backwards, as the sounds of combat ceased. Whirling, Talia checked, noticing most of her bodyguards had suffered minor wounds but were otherwise ok. Talia checked back, noticing that there were many servants still standing, including the chatterbox assassin that had driven her into the ambush, both sides warily appraising each other now that the element of surprise was lost.
Watching carefully, Talia watched the Mantis closely. She had time to wait, someone would have heard the combat, and the cities law enforcement would eventually arrive. While her bodyguards were wounded, it was nothing life threatening and she had proven that she couldn’t be taken head on, the fallen Mantis were proof of that. Therefore, she fully expected them to back off and retreat, yet the assassins made no move.
A scream sounded again, from behind her as a blade slashed through a neck. Talia glanced around, but saw nothing. An invisible opponent she thought. Blast.
“RUN” one of her guards yelled before the blade slashed again, the unseen attacker again striking without warning, tearing down another one of her defenders as the rest of the Red Mantis engaged, moving in, taking advantage of the disarray. Stuck without options, Talia took the advice, sprinting deeper into the gardens without taking any note as to where she was going, running hard for a few minutes, glancing over her shoulder until she was certain she had lost them.
Trembling slightly and full of adrenaline, Talia frantically checked her surroundings again, realising that she didn’t actually know how to leave the gardens, so intent on escaping, she hadn’t quite realised she had gotten lost. She hoped the Mantis would assume she had found an alternative way out and leave the gardens, thus allowing her to hide here.
A twig snapped.
Heart pounding, Talia twirled in a full circle, but saw nothing, which meant the invisible assassin was still around, moving closer. Talia turned, but no matter what direction she faced, there was always a blind spot at her back, she couldn’t orientate herself without knowing where the assassin would was. The aasimar let out a small sob of fear and panic before her rational mind took over, crushing the feelings down. If she was going to get out of this, she had to be smart.
It was the hardest thing imaginable, to keep calm while being stalked by an invisible assassin, so Talia closed her eyes. She forced herself to listen, to hone in on the one emotion she was waiting for.
There.
Talia felt the stab of alarm, somewhere behind her, and whirling to face it, igniting a blast of flame from her fingertips. She heard a yell of agony as the assassin appeared, now rendered visible by the clothing ignited by the rush of fire. “Burn” Talia, muttered, her tone mixed with a desire of revenge and satisfaction at eliminating the assassin that had delighted in tormenting her while unseen. His howls of pain though, would bring others running.
Talia reached behind her, gently taking Midnight out of her backpack and into her hands. Alone and stuck without options, she had relied on her friend’s ability to perceive the unseen, and the empathy link they shared to locate where the assassin would attack from, thus allowing her to aim accordingly.
“Now now, I know you hate the daylight” she murmured, petting the bat carefully, who had proceeded to send her feelings of irritation through the link after being taken out of the dark backpack. “Its important though, I need you to lead me out of the gardens, and from there an escape route where I won’t run into anymore assassins. Can you do that for me?” she asks quietly, to Midnight, waiting for feelings of a grumpily sort of acceptance, before tossing it up into the air, watching it soar upwards.
A plan in motion, Talia cast two spells in quick succession, firstly casting a billowing fog, and then casting a hypnotic pattern of lights in the opposite direction to her planned escape route. She hoped the fog and misleading lights would draw more Mantis away allowing her to make as much of a clean getaway as she could. Tapping into her magic yet another time, she threw her magical strength into the grass around her, creating a wicker horse which she promptly mounted, directing it out of the gardens as swiftly as it could run, relying on Midnight’s aerial abilities to direct them out of the gardens.
It was a fast, frantic ride, as Talia left the gardens and returned to the streets of the city. Fortunately, Midnight had selected a route largely devoid of people to increase speed, but it did mean it was empty of law enforcement, apparently they did not police far into the Narrows. Heading down a straight section of street, Talia experienced another surge of panic as yet more assassin’s wearing the trademark masks stepped out ahead, rushing in from nearby alleyways, hemming her in. Dismounting, she saw Midnight circling over the top of a nearby residence, and charged ahead, running into the advancing Mantis, making it into the building seconds ahead of them. Hurtling up the stairs, she gave a shriek of surprise as a man leaped through an adjacent window. Talia fell back, falling down the stairs, her ankle twisting slightly before she thrust her hands forward, a blast of water rushing forward, slamming into the man who uttered a surprised scream as it sent him hurtling back out the window to the ground below.
Scrambling to her feet, Talia heard a BANG as the door below flung itself open and Talia saw her chatterbox guide, now revealed chatterbox assassin stride upwards, grinning as he saw the injured Talia hobble up the stairs.
“I don’t know why you are running” the man stated, following Talia, seemly in no particular hurry, his movement far quicker than her own, impaired as she currently was. “The outcomes been pre-determined you might say, all the while you thought you were escaping, whereas you were actually running straight into net. Usually, we wouldn’t be quite so cruel, but the plan was my idea after all, and I do like seeing the crushing despair when a target realizes that there isn’t a way out,” he continued conversationally, before finally reaching grabbing distance.
Hoppling back, Talia cast yet another spell to buy time, trying to hold the man in place, wincing as her magical reserves got lower and lower. The man glimmered for a moment, freezing in place for a half step, before noticeably breaking the enchantment, moving forward again, the spell only giving Talia another few feet of distance as she made it to the top of the stairs.
“Oh please, you’re trying to restrain ME? Someone’s got a little too much self-esteem today” the man remarks in a bored tone, reaching out and grabbing Talia by the waist, before hurling her into a wall, ignoring the aasimar’s groans as she falls to the ground. “Not much of a fighter either to be honest” he continued, deliberately standing on Talia’s hurt ankle, ignoring her scream of pain. “Look at you, unable to really walk, pathetic at fighting…without your spells you really are nothing more than a pretty face really aren’t you?” he asks, smiling happily.
Pushing through the pain, Talia focuses on the last dregs of her power, sending a blast of water towards her attacker, sending him stumbling back. Making use of the distance it granted before crawling into a nearby room. Desperate to stall she drags some furniture to barricade the entrance as best as she can, before turning for an escape route, feeling a stab of panic as she realised the room is effectively a dead end. There’s a balcony outside, but Talia doubted she had the strength left for a climb, and a bulky wardrobe in the corner, which Talia attempted to move but gave up as simply being too heavy. Exhausted, she slumped to the floor.
“Ah, so you did have one more spell remaining, I guess we miscounted” her chatterbox smirked, observing Talia through the barricade. “Credit where credit is due though, even effectively powerless, forced to a crawl speed, you decide to pointlessly delay your fate by this pathetic looking barricade in front of me. What did you want to achieve, maybe an Icarus moment with that balcony? If so, I wouldn’t exhaust yourself further darling, we pulled our remaining operatives outside the building, so falling, while stylish, isn’t going to help out here” her chatterbox remarked helpfully, before viciously kicking at the furniture blocking his way, slowly shoving it aside piece by piece. Still lying on the floor, Talia crawled to the balcony, decide to check anyway, before pulling back slightly as she realized what the man said was true, there were indeed the remaining Mantis surrounding the building, gazing up, watching, waiting.
“I think you should be thanking me though, the mission statement was to prevent you spreading any of our little secrets,” the man said, watching her reactions and slow movements. “Now usually, that would mean duly carrying out our divine mandate, but then it stuck me, we could simply take you back to the Citadel. There, you can blab our secrets to anyone you like, no-one will care. Besides, I think you would look lovely in Sivlamlik” the man finishes, leering slightly.
Huffing slightly, Talia glances out across the balcony again, before spotting Midnight again, circling over a building on the opposite side of the street. Talia glanced at Midnight puzzled, before understanding glimmered and she squinted, spotting a door that would allow escape with the remaining Mantis placing themselves all outside her building. That said, the distance from balcony to the building opposite was the width of an entire street, too far to jump unless…
Talia struggled to her feet, as the assassin glanced at her with surprise, kicking aside the remnants of the barricade and stalked into the room, watching Talia take faltering steps towards the wardrobe. “Has it really come to this? Hide and Seek?” the assassin remarks in a confused tone. Talia ignored his remarks, fixing her destination in her mind and thanking her lucky stars she had had the foresight earlier in the day to prepare herself for any threat. Gasping slightly, she opened the door of the wardrobe, and slipped inside.
The assassin paused, unsure of the new development. He strode over to the door, opening it with a sing song “found you”.
He froze.
The wardrobe was empty. It was like it was some kind of magician’s act. Drawing his sabre, he shoved it right through the wardrobe, finding nothing. No aasimar. Confused, he checked behind it and searched the room again. Still nothing, and he was adamant the women hadn’t turned invisible. Perplexed, he moved to the balcony, aimlessly glancing at the building opposite. There, holding onto the doorframe for support, stood his target, a determined look on her face as she appraised him from across the street. Giving the man a wave, the assassin seethed in anger watching his mission go up in smoke as Talia moved to a different doorway, and was gone.
I'm reflavoring a Leopard. It's in the same family line as Jaguars (Which is what a Black Panther actually is) and it's roughly the same size (Jaguars are typically a bit beefier and taller but not so much so that they'd be in the weight class as a Lion or Tiger.)
Sadly that means I will be losing out on all the boons of the Large cat (Damage output wise, pounce and rake capabilities and such), but Rangers can't take them as animal companions anyways. (never fully understood that?)
I plan on possibly 5th level...maybe 7th to take boon companion to make him just as good as a Druid companion but I felt to be a tried and true powerhouse as a Bowman, I needed to get in place Precise Shot and Deadly Aim.
If given the choice I would've done Large Cat though instead of small cat.