Arkady Zeitsev's page

Weapon 2, Resistance 1, Deflection 1, Dexterity 1, Intelligence 1, Constitution 1

Bleeding Attack
Combat Trick

Brawler's Cunning
Martial Flexibility Move Action, 4/Day
Martial Training
Unarmed Strike 1d6 lethal
Sneak Attack +3d6
Spellcasting
Finesse Training Weapon Finesse; Arkady may add his Dexterity bonus to damage with unarmed strikes rather than his Strength bonus; Tactical Teleport (70'/day)
Trapfinding +3
Debilitating Injury
Evasion

Amulet of Mighty Fists (Corrosive, Ghost Touch)
Wand of Snowball (Caster Level 5th)
Large Wagon x4
Covered Wagon
Heavy Horse x5
Light Horse

10475gp

What Arkady looks like

Step 1: Write 5 background and concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character. These can be a concept overview, a list of important life events, a physical description, a personality profile...whatever you need to get an image in your mind. 5 is just a minimum...more elements are encouraged!

1. Arkady is a widower, and losing his wife broke his spirit. He was away from Varnhold tending to their business when the village was pulled into the Shadow Plane and destroyed, and his wife died fighting.

2. Arkady has an eight year old son, Zus, whose protection is now his overriding priority.

3. Arkady is a native of Pitax but has spent much of his life on the road, first as a caravan guard and later as a caravan master. He met his late wife guarding a merchant's wagons together, and the pair together eventually went into business for themselves, their first venture seeing them settle in the freshly founded village of Varnhold.

4. Arkady is the youngest son of a long line of arcane scholars, but was too free-spirited and feckless in his youth to pursue their path. Instead he dabbled in the arcane arts while making a living by his wits and blade. His family was disappointed, but indulged their "spare son," but in the end he left Pitax nonetheless; the king's excesses were well known by then, but when they came to inconvenience him personally he left to seek greener pastures rather than embarrass his family by speaking out.

5. Arkady recently spent his life's savings to commune with the spirit of his late wife, only to learn that she is content in the afterlife and will not return.

Step 2: List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.

1. Arkady means to move his son from Varnhold, which he sees as nearly deserted and vulnerable, to somewhere safer. Perhaps to New Haven, in the shadow of the castle, protected by a large garrison. It will take time; he currently lacks the means to effect the move.

2. My goal is to explore the situation where Arkady is willing to do things in the defense of Newhaven that the rest of the party might find distasteful. I would enjoy watching him handle a threat alone and in secret, in an underhanded manner, and then the RP that follows as it becomes habit, the other PCs learn of his leanings and either reject him or lead him to redemption.

Step 3: List at least two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!

1. Arkady married above his station - his wife was a cousin to White Estrid, and belovedby her family. He has sent word of her passing, and expects that when the circumstances of her death come to light he will be sought out in the name of vengeance by an angry brother or father for his failure to protect her (despite that she was a more capable warrior than he).

2. Arkady is willing to stoop to anything to ensure the safety of his child and - by extension - Newhaven. He would sell his soul for their prosperity. He believes himself a moral man, and in his mind has limits. He knows it not, but these are lies he tells himself. He will stop at nothing to see to their continued survival.

Step 4: Describe at least three people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.

1. Kabula "The Little Bull" - Earned his nickname because he is nearly as broad as he is tall, The Little Bull is among Arkady's oldest friends. The short, thickset Mwangi tribesman was a prince among his people until he was taken and sold into slavery. Years passed, extraordinary circumstances saw him outlive his master, and he met Arkady as a caravan guard. They remained together once Arkady and his wife purchased their own operation, and Kabula was captain of their guard until he lost a leg in their service. He was recovering from that wound when Varnhold was taken, and he is responsible for the survival of Arkady's child.

2. Dagmer - A Dwarven financier in Olegsgrav, responsible for funding some of Arkady's ventures. A significant portion of the money used in the attempt to raise Arkady's late wife was intended as a payment for Dagmer, who will soon begin to wonder where his money is (and soon afterward, turn his mind toward seeing Arkady's knees broken).

3. Gytha - Shield bearer to Arkady's late wife, it is Gytha whom Arkady now trusts with the daily business of his household. She is a devout follower of Gorum, as was her lady, and immensely fond of the child.

4. Zus - Arkady's son, age eight. He is a clever boy, tall and strong like his mother. Once a playful and good-natured child, the death of his mother and his father's subsequent withdrawal have left him a sullen, rebellious boy.

5. Solvi - Arkady's late wife. His great love, Solvi was an Ulfen warrior-maiden and a heroine among her people. A close cousin to White Estrid, Solvi was a devout follower of Gorum who found her calling in the protection of the weak.

Step 5: Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.

1. The memories that haunt Arkady are of sweet moments shared with his wife. Her smile, her laugh, the smell of her - he treasures these memories, though they break his heart in the remembering.

2. Arkady remembers happiness and relief in the birth of his child, and the joy of sharing that with his wife.

3. Arkady remembers the feeling of helplessness at learning of the death of his wife while he was away, and fears he is damned by his inability to take comfort in the survival of their child.