About Bjoern GhostbearData:
Name: Bjoern, son of Beorg, called the Ghostbear Race: Human Tharag Thulan Job: Gladiator 5 Age: 20 Alignment: CG Personality: Boastful, aggressive, overprotective Likes: Warm food, easy woman and fights to boast after Dislikes: Boring jobs, watered down ale Favorite foods: Roast oxen with onions and potatoes and ale Hobbies: Drinking Physical Description: A huge man with blond hair and a long braided beard, heavily muscled Languages: Tharag Thulan, Lamuran, Susrahnite Combat:
Sword of ... +11 1d10+12 17-20/x2/ S Gladius +10 1d6+11 19-20/x2/ P+S Dagger +10 1d4+11 19-20/x2/ P+S Three bladed katar +10 1d4+11 20/x4/ P Javelin x3 +6 1d6+6 20/x2/ P 30ft Sling +6 1d4+6 20/x2/ B 50ft HP 64 (1d8+5d12+6x2+6+5) Saves: F +7 (+2 to poison and disease) R+3 W+4 AC 23 FF 22 T 14 Armor 6 CE +2 D +1 Dex +1 Shield 2 Nat 1 DR 3/- Tharag Thulan/Savage:
Also known as Tharagians, these northern tribesmen inhabit the cold wastes at the edge of the world. In each generation, there are always some northerners who leave their ancestral lands to escape the ancient blood-feuds of their clans and explore the decadent empires of the south. Appearance: Dressed in wolf-skin cloaks and tall boots of wolverine-fur, these barbarians of the north have long, yellow beards, white skin, and piercing blue eyes. Religion: The Tharag Thulans revere the Moon-God, the Wolf-God, and the Skull-God. Culture: These remote northern barbarians are mostly Savages. Some clans and individuals are Nomads, and as well as rare Civilized half-breeds. Language: Tharag Thulan, plus Lamuran as a bonus language. Racial Traits: +2 racial modifier to Strength; +2 racial bonus to Climb and Survival skills; +2 racial bonus to saving throws against poison and disease. Ability Adjustment: +2 to Strength Sturdy: Permanent benefit as per the endure elements spell (select either cold or heat, as appropriate based on the origin of the savage), and a +1 natural bonus to Armor Class. Feral: Savages gain a +2 racial bonus to Perception checks. Superstitious: Savages suffer a –4 penalty on saving throws against creatures with the frightful presence ability. Gladiator:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Gladiators are proficient with all simple weapons, plus all martial melee and thrown weapons. They are proficient with light armor and medium armor and shields, including tower shields. Combat Expertise The gladiator receives Combat Expertise as a bonus feat. Exotic Armor Proficiency (Partial) The gladiator receives Exotic Armor Proficiency (Partial) as a bonus feat. Gladiator Style The gladiator selects one of the following styles, representing his formal style. The gladiator may ignore prerequisites when selecting a bonus feat from his style, whether through this ability or chosen as a general bonus feat. Beast-Fighter: The gladiator gains the Power Attack feat. In addition, he gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls against animals and magical beasts. Gladiator Training A gladiator counts as a fighter of his level -2 for the purpose of qualifying for combat feats. Additionally, a gladiator can ignore the usual prerequisites for the following feats: Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Trip, Improved Grapple, Stunning Fist. Improved Gladiator Style At 2nd level, the gladiator gains an additional ability, based on his style. The gladiator may ignore prerequisites when selecting a bonus feat from his style, whether through this ability or chosen as a general bonus feat. Beast-Fighter: The gladiator gains Stand Still He also gains the ability of wild empathy as a ranger. Uncanny Dodge (Ex) Starting at 2nd level, a gladiator can react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. He cannot be caught flatfooted, even if the attacker is invisible. He still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. A gladiator with this ability can still lose his Dexterity bonus to AC if an opponent successfully uses the feint action against him. Physical Development At 2nd level, the gladiator receives the following feats as a bonus feat: Toughness Bravery (Ex) Starting at 2nd level, a gladiator gains a +1 bonus on Will saves against fear. This bonus increases by +1 every four levels beyond 2nd. Gladiator Defense At 2nd level, the gladiator gains Dodge as a bonus feat. Shake It Off A gladiator of at least 2nd level gains a +2 bonus to save versus any condition transmitted by an attack. This ability has no effect on afflictions Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex) At 5th level and higher, a gladiator can no longer be flanked. This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the gladiator by flanking him, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target has gladiator levels. If a character already has uncanny dodge (see above) from another class, the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
A gladiator of at least 5th level gains a +2 bonus to Combat Maneuver Defense.
A gladiator gains +1 to damage with melee attacks at 5th level. This bonus increases by +1 every five levels, to a maximum of +4 at 20th level.
Feats Traits, Skills:
Feats: Power Attack (G) Combat Expertise (G) Exotic Armor Prof (Partial) (G) Intimidating Prowess (1) Endurance (H) Weapon Focus Bastardsword (G) Toughness (G) Dodge (G) Exotic Weapon Proficiency Bastardsword (3) Dazzling Display (G) Stand Still Traits: Big Game Hunter You have spent long hours hunting giant creatures and have become skilled at bringing them down quickly. You gain a +1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls against Large or larger creatures of the animal type. Threatening Defender You know how to avoid a blow while still maintaining your offensive posture. when you use Combat Expertise, reduce the number you subtract from your melee attack rolls by 1. Skills: Skill Ranges Lv0 (4 +1H) + Gx6(2+1H) = 19 ACP -3 (-4)with shield *Acrobatics: 5 = 1 + DEX Mod + 3 - ACP; Appraise: 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; *Bluff: 0 = 0 + CHA Mod + 0; *Climb: 15 = 3 + STR Mod + 3 + 2 -ACP; Diplomacy: -2 = 0 + CHA Mod + 0; Disable Device: N = 0 + DEX Mod + 0 - ACP; Disguise: -2 = 0 + CHA Mod + 0; *Escape Artist: 1 = 0 + DEX Mod + 0 - ACP; *Handle Animal: -2 = 0 + CHA Mod + 0; *Heal: 0 = 0 + WIS Mod + 0; *Intimidate: 13 = 4 + CHA Mod + 3+6 +2 comp; Know(Arcane): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Know(Dung): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Know(Engin): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Know(Geo): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Know(Hist): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Know(Local): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; #Know(Nature): 4 = 1 + INT Mod + 3; Know(Nobility): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Know(Planes): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Know(Religion): 0 = 0 + INT Mod + 0; Linguistics: 1 = 1 + INT Mod + 0;; #Perception: 11 = 6 + WIS MOD + 3+2 *Perform (Act): 2 = 1 + Cha Mod+3 *Ride: 1 = 0 + DEX Mod + 0 - ACP; Sense Motive: 0 = 0 + WIS Mod+0; Sleight of Hand: N = 0 + DEX Mod + 0 -ACP; Spell Craft: N = 0 + INT Mod + 0; #Stealth: 1 = 0 + DEX Mod + 0 - ACP; #Survival: 7 = 3 + WIS Mod + 3+2; *Swim: 7 = 1 + STR Mod + 3 -ACP; Use Magical D.: N = 0 + Cha Mod + 0; Equipment:
Starting Wealth 300 gold pieces /252,36 Weapons: 41,1g Gladius 15g
Backstory & Motivation:
12 winter solstices ago. In the village of Hotspring, during the time of the freezing winter winds, close to the winter solstice, the women of the Bear-clan fought a cold war against the men. They moved around in their white furs of hare and fox, wolf and snow deer, like ghosts, barely visible against the the background of freshly fallen snow. Silent like snow, or sometimes hissing like a snowflake falling on open fire. They took care to stay away from the clan-hall, built in rough timbers, eternal lit alight by the logs in the hearth and stayed in the edge of the woods, or met in the women's hall to pray to the north wind to bring blisters to the feet of their men, or freeze their loins. And woe to any man moving alone, no matter of skald or mighty warrior, because the women of the Bear-clan, all of the blood of the savage Tharag Thulan race, were fierce warriors and the snowballs, hard and packed around small shards of ice, would pelt the poor men like hails, unrelenting and thrown with the force of a blizzard. The women hated that days, because from the warm south the traders came, with their sleighs and sleds, bringing with them iron weapons of the south and sweet wine from Taraamite, sweet and heavy, and their slave women. Women of dark and black skin, with eyes like coals, shaved and perfumed. They would bed their men and take their barter and leave them exhausted and dreaming of them for the next moons. So rarely a men ventured out alone, only the boys were excluded. Bjoern was one of those boys, and so he used that little freedom to venture abroad. Bjoern was the son of Beorg, one of the strongest warrior of the tribe, and while still less than 10 solstices, already big and strong. His father did not spare the rod, and would often force him to sleep with the dogs, barely domesticated, to make him strong and hard. His mother Sigrud had ordered him to look for his father, and take care that he wouldn't whore away more than they could afford. Slowly he moved to the four interconnected tents of the foreigners, heated by coal-pans, and smelling of strange spices, wine and sex. He moved back the entrance lap and slowly moved inside. One of the dancers moved up to him, and offered him a mug of spiced wine, hot from the firepit. Deeper in the tent the charade would have worked, but the wind pushed the smoke away and Bjoern could see how old she was, how tired under her painted face. Still he took the offered cup. He slowly walked deeper in the tent and saw his father looking up from a game of dice, throwing the dice at the floor and cursing his luck. But then the dice broke and and it open to see that the dice were loaded. Beorg looked perplexed for a few seconds and in a flash draw his dagger and stabbed at the fat merchant. Iron cut deeply into flesh and blood was flowing. Chaos broke out as blades flashed. Bjoern threw his tankard at a mercenary and was rewarded with a club on the head. The last Bjoern saw was the tip of a broad blade penetrating his father's chest. When Bjoern woke up the next time he was laying on a sleigh, his hand tied with leather straps and a bandage on his head. A few hours later he learned that he now was a slave and that he would be sold to make up for the losses the caravan leader. This night was the last time Bjoern wept. The very last time. 8 winter solstices ago. After working in the gladiatorial slave pits of Susrah for almost four years, towing the dead from the arena every day, working to carry backbreaking loads of food to the monster pens, Bjoern had been one time to often been reprimanded for being too slow. Unfairly, but the slave pits were anything but fair,anyway. Bjoern had gained even more muscle and was now a young boy of 12 winters, but heavily scarred from rod and whip, an item used by the pit-wardens with impunity and sadism. It was time to teach some of the slaves a lesson and throwing one of their own at the wild animals was a common practise to ensure the “spirit” of their property. They selected a wild toothcat, a beast of an animal, with sharp tusks reinforced by iron spikes, as their tool of punishment. It was announced between the second fight and the main event, as a moment of fun for the masses. Oh how the masses loved to see someone gutted, maimed crushed. Bjoern knew his death was close, but to be honest, it could not be worse than his living. But he was not prepared to go out without a fight, he had one chance to at least die a warrior's death, to give the Bear spirit a reason to catch him and bring him to the Ice-Den. Waiting in front of the wrought iron gate he saw, what he thought the last time gladiators fight for their lives. The second fight of the afternoon was between six convicts, thieves, rapists, muggers and an aspiring young gladiator named Castrix the Cruel, an expert with the twin blades. To make it a bit more interesting the convicts had been given a few weapons of minor quality, spears, dagger and even a big axe. It did not make a difference. Castrix was good, an excellent heel, and knew just too well how to appease the masses. As often he ended the match by castrating the last one and stuffing his member into the poor sods mouth, until he suffocated by his own dick. Bjoern knew it was time to face the gods. He moved into the sand, just a few moments before cleaned by his fellow slaves, using huge hooks to tow the dead toward the flesh-pit. Then the announcer spoke his name, as usual wrongly and Bjoern roared his defiance to the people. And the announcer yelled ”And here is the gouger!” and the gate was raised and the cat rushed in mad with pain and fury. He saw the boy and looked at him with little eyes full of hate…. and the rushed at him. At the last moment Bjoern manages to jump out of the way. But not without getting a parting gift, a long deep gash on his left leg. It was clear, another time the young man wouldn´t manage to repeat that feat. The crowd cheered in anticipation. The toothcat turned around and looked again at his prey, the young boy that had escaped him. But only once. But Bjoern saw something in the sand. The cleaners had dragged away all the corpses…. but somehow they had forgotten the bronze axe. A crude thing but… that was his best chance to at least wound the beast. Hobbling to it he picked it up. A more civilized boy would have had problems to even lift it, but Bjoern was not a spoiled child. He was a son of the north and the hard work had put hard muscles on his frame. The toothcat charged, with animalistic fury but Bjoern gave the warhowl of his clan. This time the tooth cut nearly gutted him. But the bear spirit was with him that day. A lucky strike putting the axe deep, deep inside the head of the cat. Bjoern put his left hand on his wound, but with the other he lifted the axe high as a sign of his victory. And the lannister saw in Bjoern a rare gem, a man who could one day become a great gladiator. A medicus took care of Bjoern and soon he was in the loving care of the trainers. His hardship only increased, but this time there was a purpose in it, a hope. For four years his life was hardest toil, lifting rocks and carrying them around in the hot sand to build his stamina.Hours upon hours with spear and shield, great axe and Maul and the gladius and dagger. To learn how to fight, how to kill, as a team or alone but most important of it all, how to make a show of it. He joined a team of beast hunters, working as a team with three other gladiators in matches against the most savage beasts. 2 winters ago. Two nights ago Maleen, the last of his partners succumbed to her wounds, taking in a fight against a wild rhinoceros. With her death the team of hunters was unfortunately gone for good. That meant that Bjoern now had to fight as a lonely gladiator. It was the first solo night of Bjoern. The rule of twenty was in effect. Survive 20 fights and you were free. The first real solo fight of his career. Bjoern the barbarian was pitted against Abu Daruun, a crafty Khazrajite with a wicked scimitar. Abu had a lot of experience, and his scimitar was lightning fast. Bjoern tried to cut him, but his enemy was long gone and a long gash was on his arm. Bjoern tried to slash him, but again Abu was gone and a long cut was on Bjoern`s shoulder. Then Abu went in for the kill and his scimitar cut deep. But not deep enough. Bjoern grabbed Abus hand and dragged him close. And first a headbutt then a second one. Abu stumbled back in pain and was stunned. More than long enough for Bjoern to swing his axe separating Abu´s head from his body. Raising the head high up Bjoern turned round and a second time the crowd cheered for him. Slowly he made his way through all his challenges. He was feared, he was a killer but he was no successful gladiator. He lacked the real showmanship, the charisma to become one of the great. His last bout was against a rare species, a huge white bear. The lannister was not a man who was willing to let his slaves go free so he had ordered a huge beast. A true monster. unbeatable! Or so the lannister thought. Nobody knew that Bjoern was of the Bear-clan. That he knew just too well how to fight those beasts. And that the beast was actually wrongly feed and the trots. In the end Bjoern won. But just barely. The twenty were done and he now free to collect the coins and victory spoils thrown in the arena. With his coups he left the arena, to find a new destiny. He now seeks companions, as he is sick of fighting alone. |
