Feats:
• Weapon Focus: Lance [ Class ] - +1 to hit when using a Lance.
• Intercept Charge [ Class ] - When an ally with this feat is the target of a charge, move up to your speed towards the path of a charge, if you move into the path of the charge, the opponent must stop and attack you instead of your ally.
• Mounted Combat [ Race ] - Once per Round, Make a Ride Check, if higher than an attack against your mount, negate that attack.
• Ride By Attack - You may make another move action in a straight line, after performing a charge on a mount. You do not provoke an attack of opportunity from the target of your charge.
• Spirited Charge - When mounted and using the charge action, deal double damage with a melee weapon (or Triple with a lance)
Traits:
• Seeker ( Social ) - +1 trait bonus to Perception, and Perception is a class skill.
• Steel Skin ( Combat ) - +2 trait bonus on Intimidate and don Heavy Armor in half the time.
• Guard ( Campaign ) - +2 to Ride and Profession (Soldier), Free combat-trained horse with studded leather barding. Once per hex: Double the defense value of one building.
Special Abilities:
• Aura [ Class ]: A Warpriest has a particularly powerful aura corresponding to the deity's alignment (Lawful Good)
• Spell Casting [ Class ]: A Warpriest casts divine spells from the cleric spell list. He must prepare such spells once per day. He may spontaneously cast healing spells.
• Sacred Weapon [ Class ]: A Warpriest can designate a sacred weapon, and its damage scales based on their level.
• Fervor [ Class ]: 1/2 Level + Wisdom; heal someone for 1d6, alternatively, cast a spell as a free action. It may only target you.
• Mount [ Class ]: You gain a mount as an animal companion; you do not take ACP to ride with this mount.
• Battle Tactician [ Class ]: Gain a teamwork feat. As a standard action, you may grant this feat to all allies within 30 feet. This lasts for 4 rounds plus one round for every two levels beyond third.
• Skilled [ Racial ] : +1 Skill Rank per Level.
• Bonus Feat [ Racial ] : Humans select one extra feat at 1st level.
Combat Gear:
• Longsword
• Masterwork Full Plate
• Heavy Steel Shield
• Waterskin
Other Gear:
• Backpack, Masterwork
War Horse (Animal Companion) Gear:
• Masterwork Studded Leather Barding
• Military Saddle
• Common Arrows (40)
• Masterwork Lance
• Mighty 3 Composite Longbow
Background:
Political Exile. If there's one phrase to describe Astor's background, that would be it. He didn't doubt that Mendev had need of more men, and more armies... but the story remained the same. Countless lords, ladies, and tyrants had stripped political rivals of power by sending their allies to Mendev to support the crusades. Certainly, it was a necessary evil, but it was not lost on the brave souls forced to fight in another land to prove their loyalty, that it was strictly in the person's best interest to see them go. Astor had been young when the Bastion family, loyalists to the Orlovsky line, and by extension Rogarvia, had been relocated to Mendev. He'd been too young to realistically understand what that meant.
He had already spent much of his youth playfighting, and dueling, and doing those things boys, especially boys that would one day become soldiers would be expected to do. But when he was sent to Mendev, things changed. The morale in Mendev left much to be desired, and it took its toll on even the newest troops. Mendev was the place they sent you to die, or live your life having done little to nothing. It was during the fourth Crusade that the Bastions were sent to Mendev; essentially an execution. Despite this, Astor's father yet lives, a bit worse for wear, and Astor was able to find religion. Iomedae's teachings spoke to him in much the same way his lineage spoke to him. Having come of age during the Fourth Crusade, Astor saw limited combat therein, but saw enough to know the terror that the demons had to offer the rest of the world.
When Astor heard that his old homeland was sending an expedition into the stolen lands, he convinced his SO to allow him to aid in the endeavor. Surely ensuring that the Stolen Lands fall into friendly hands is worthy of sending a single soldier to help guide and protect the fragile excursion. Even better if new, safe supply lines can be forged from the south to Mendev, and significantly better if the group happens upon a significant store of cold iron. If something more can grow from that, all the better. Mendev needs true allies if they are ever going to push back the tide; peace can only last for so long.
Description:
Astor is a tall and relatively broad man who is almost never seen without his helmet, which is etched with his heritage. When the helmet does come off, one will be met with his slightly lopsided, cropped brown hair, and matching brown eyes. He keeps his face clean shaven, and is nearly always wearing a crimson cloak that marks him as a worshiper of Iomedae. Like the cloak and helmet, he can often be found wearing a set of plate armor that matches his helmet in design and theme. On exceedingly hot days, he wears the breastplate from his armor, and when in a place where he feels truly comfortable (or when sleeping), he wears a simple crimson tunic.
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Age: 27
Family:
Charity Bastion: Mother. Died during Astor's youth. He remembers little of her.
Adam Bastion: Father. A high ranking officer in Orlovsky's armies... prior to the family's political exile. Now simply a ranking officer within Mendev's standing army.
Friends:
Alexis Crownguard: The two knew each other fairly well during their youth, and spent much of their spare time together. It's hard leaving home, especially those you care about... but it's good to see an old friend.
Lord Poul Orlovsky: While he does not know him, he supports him, head and shoulders over the current 'king' of Brevoy.
Jalia Torik: A dwarven smith residing in Mendev, who is responsible for meeting Astor's requests with his armor... and without charging him any more than would be expected; rare indeed in a nation based upon impending war with unholy beasts.
Rivals:
King Noleski Surtova: He has little patience for the false king who exiled his family. While he honestly owes the man his faith, he cannot forget the pettiness that robbed his family of its heritage in one swift swoop.
Ambitions & Goals:
Astor's political allegiances aren't even close to closely guarded: He does not trust the King of Brevoy, and does not personally approve of his right to the throne. As a direct result, as long as the Surtova sits on the throne, he will abstain from matters regarding diplomacy with Brevoy. On the other hand, his heart carries a flame for the Crusade as well as those who find themselves living within Mendev. If there is one reason he took on this role, it would be to secure ties with Mendev within his new kingdom, and support the crusade's endeavors as best he can.
