Here's my submission- I figure there will be a lot of paladins and clerics, so I'm going with a fighter, with Exposed to Awfulness and the Guardian path.
Brief background:
Spoiler:
During his youth, Garridan lived in an orphanage in a town several miles into Mendev past the wardstones. Life as an orphan being an unfortunately common circumstance for children following many of the crusades, it was a substantially large complex staffed by priests of Saerenrae and members of the community. One black day during Garridan's 14th year, a small detachment of demons broke through the wardstones and rampaged through the countryside. Naturally, the orphanage was a prime target for their rampage and the defenders held little chance of fending off the fiends.
Left for dead after being raked by a babau's ichor-dripping claws, Garridan fell into a nightmare racked coma for several weeks before at last returning to the world of the living in a hospice in Kenabres. While his body recovered fully despite the terrible scars and infection he had weathered, Garridan's young mind was shattered by the attack. Sudden noises sent him into a panic and his dreams were a thing of terror. While he found employment in a bakery to keep himself fed, he grew fearful and withdrawn. It was in his 16th year that he began drinking and not long after that he took to using shiver as a means of obliterating the nightmares and getting some peaceful rest.
His life rapidly fell to pieces and he left Mendev for the River Kingdoms, where shiver would be easier to come by... and he wouldn't have to rely on fair means to obtain it. For several years, Garridan plied the rivers and forest with a gang of miscreants and bandits. And for a time he was able to drown out his conscience with drinks, drugs and women. But during a slow season, he fell into withdrawals. Without a second thought, the rest of the gang made off with his possessions and Krale was left to fend for himself.
Garridan made his way to Crusader's Rest when he regained his footing. There, he turned himself in to the garrison and gave up all the information he could about his former "friends". After a brief period of voluntary incarceration, he kicked his habits and returned to Kenabres to strive for a fresh start and to perhaps lend his strength to the next Crusade.
Which is how he wound up cooking at the Ruby Throated Calf, a rough bar near the east gate. While Garridan enjoys cooking, the tavern is not exactly the best place for a man seeking sobriety... and every day his hard won resolve is tested more and more.
"I'm good to go.", Garridan says, giving his leather truncheon a slap. "We'll get this bastard, Andre- but he's going to trial. Let's none of us get carried away."
I keep seeing the (x new) tag next to things I just looked at or posted in- though it seems to be restricted to aliases. Haven't had any disappearances, though.
Garridan's spent his wages moving his family to a nicer place in Trail's End; he's not making quite enough to get them into Midland like he hopes, but they have a place all to themselves, more amenities and better food- 80 gp to have eight months of average living and the rest put away in the Bank of Abadar.
Fresh off his patrol, Garridan strides into the square still in uniform. His new clothes aren't as patched and worn as they were when he arrived at the Citadel and his stride's a bit looser, almost a swagger. Krale's a rare sight at the Citadel except during drills and in the exercise yard, having moved out to be with his family now that they've moved to a more spacious house. He pulls the gloves from his hands and waves an informal salute.
"Evening, boys and girls. Good to see you all in one piece."
"I think I understand, guys. I'm also quite disappointed, much like our sergeant no doubt, to see a promising young man put his future in jeopardy with such thuggish behavior."
He claps a hand on the lad's shoulder.
"But I have a feeling that this little encounter is exactly what he needs to turn it all around."
"Easy for you to say. I lose my job doing the right thing, I've still got mouths to feed.", Garridan grumbles.
"Fine. If we're going to do this, we have to take him to Soldado and explain the situation... and hope that the investigation bears us out. And if we've got any hope to avoid disciplinary action, we'd best be damn convincing; it's still essentially his and our word against Verik and his cronies."
Who would be Verik's commanding officer and what's the procedure for an arrest? Is it possible to go over his head and make an official statement about what went on tonight?
"I think there's a big difference between what I'm proposing and what the Sergeant's been up to. Frankly, I think our lad here did the right thing, even if the law doesn't agree with me and if he doesn't spend a night at the Citadel or worse, I wouldn't lose any sleep- so if the Sergeant happens to decide that cutting him loose is in his best interest and it keeps him safe, I'll let it go."
Garridan throws up his hands.
"But if we're going to go strictly by the book, then I'll stick it out. It's possible Verik's overselling his influence- he always talked big, even back in the day, so maybe he just wants us to think there's no way to expose him."
Allysen makes her way upstairs just as the small boy emerges from the corner. He sulks over to Garridan and hands over the sling. He bows his head and awaits your instructions.
You lead the boy back out towards Verik and the two other guardsmen. You have about a minute before you will reach them to discuss how you'd like to handle the situation.
"Andre, Allysen, what do you think? I wouldn't be surprised if those louts are the kind to beat a kid and I'm not about to put him in danger... but we need something to show for tonight. Much as I hate it, seems the best we can hope is to point out that he could spill about their extortion to a magistrate- and Verik would want to dismiss the charge to make sure that doesn't happen."
"All right, let's have a word with the sergeant, seeing as he'll want to congratulate you on following his suggestion. Come on, on your feet- we haven't got all night. And what's your name- or do you just go by kid?", Garridan says to the boy.
Garridan looks over to Andre for a moment, a doubtful look on his face.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 "So this was a guard? He was wearing a cloak like ours? Be as specific as you can- what did he look like?"
Garridan crosses his arms, using the same air of stern impatience he would on his younger brother.
"Well, first- hand me the sling and get on your feet and we'll discuss this. What man told you to fire the rock? Do you know him? Do you always do what some stranger tells you to?"
Garridan heaves himself back up, staggering toward the corner.
"Funny, eh? See how funny it is when you've spent the rest of the night in the Citadel.", he says. "C'mon, kid. Fun's over- let's do the responsible thing and nothing worse will come of this."
Once Andre's had enough time to cover the door, Garridan pulls open the skylight and hops inside.
Acrobatics w/armor check penalty: 1d20 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 5 = 6
Garridan winces, going to the side of the roof and whispering loudly down to Andre.
"You all right? Listen, he's in the warehouse, I saw him through the skylight. If you can make your way down to street level and find the exits, we might be able to head him off."
Are there any safe spots to climb down into the warehouse through the skylight? Do I need to break the window or can I pull it open?
"I couldn't see any sign of him in the window.", Garridan says, clambering up onto the roof. He raises an eyebrow doubtfully to see Andre preparing to jump.
"That looks a bit... risky.", he says. Garridan looks down through the skylight to see if there's any sign of things being moved, or even anything to quickly grab to ease the trip across the roofs.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14 All my points next level are going into perception.
"This is pointless. And what are we gonna do if we find him? Drag a little kid over there? What'll that accomplish? One way or another, nothing good's coming out of this; I wouldn't be surprised if we're cleaning latrines tomorrow the way Sergeant VanAsskerkin operates."
Garridan follows in to the market, slapping Karralo on the back.
"It's a good thing we're here to help- save your expert watch skills for the real crooks.", he says dryly.
Leaving Allysen to be the friendly face of the watch, Krale follows with steel-eyed authority and barely restrained menace. His hands are never far from his weapons and all he says are short, clipped sentences.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Garridan sticks by Allysen and Andre, both hands tucked into his sword belt. He looks past the Verik and the others to see the source of the projectile.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 3
To say she was annoyed that she would be with Vancaskerkin and separated from some of her friends was an understatement. Still, she was taught that duty and honor comes before self and comfort, so she bore the unwanted attention with the same professionalism she had adopted over the past weeks. Although she really wanted to do what it looked Garridan was about to do.
After they were dismissed, she pulls him aside.
"Keep calm, there's no good in bloodying your hand by breaking his nose. Hopefully he'll leave me alone if I ignore him long enough, and if not, I can keep him from doing anything untoward."
"I'm not going to do anything stupid.", he says. "But he'll get his in time. There's only so long he can push this nonsense and I hope I'm there when he reaches his limit."
After the "inspection".
Garridan glances between the trio.
The astute observer will see the all too common Korvosan leeches in all their splendor, here on the waterfront. Uniquely the only species of worm capable of puffing themselves up after feeding, they inexplicably share many traits with the weasel... including enough skill at self-preservation to both flaunt their crimes while avoiding just enough evidence that a second-hand report will turn up enough doubt to escape just persecution.
Garridan keeps his face blank, trying to keep the steam from blowing out of his ears and digging his nails into his palm to resist punching Verik in the back of the head on his exit.
Suppose Andre must have missed that comment... or just doesn't care. What I wouldn't give to be able to wipe that smirk off his face with my knuckles...
Leaving the citadel behind him, Garridan heads first to the market and buys fresh bread, a side of good beef, vegetables and a few sweets. With his bounty in hand, he crosses the river into the Varisian ghetto. While the area isn't really "bad" per-se, Krale has little liking for it since he remembers all too vividly where the family used to live. He does nod and wave to the people he knows in the neighborhood, though, not going out of his way to be unfriendly.
Finally coming to a small house in the middle of the lane, he's accosted by a boy of about 7 winters that throws his arms around the guardsman's legs. Tussling his hair, Garridan picks up his little brother Lucca and heads into the house where his mother and younger sisters, the twins Malena and Shalaye (both 16). He sets down the groceries and greets his family after his long absence, consenting to let Malena neaten up his shaggy haircut and deflecting his mother's insistence that she pay him back for the groceries. He passes the afternoon catching up, but cuts the visit short enough that he can easily make it back in time for his detail with Vancaskerkin.
Returning before dusk, he readies his equipment and though he's not ready to forget the Sergeant's comment, Garridan's much calmer and more focused than he had been.
Finding himself alone at the mess table, Krale just sits back for a minute.. waiting until it won't be too awkward to follow after to the bunks.
"So much for making friends."
He clears his dishes and heads off to for a night's rest.
"Glad to meet you, Pai.", Krale says shortly before Andre tosses aside his food.
Garridan looks a touch irritated. "Food's still probably better than what dad's eating..." "If that were the case, don't you reckon this mess hall would be a bit more crowded? And I'm terribly sorry m'lord doesn't find the food to his liking; perhaps there was a mix-up in the kitchens and the chef will retrieve the roast venison from the prison where it was mislaid."
"If you got something you want to say Garridan, then say it." Andre growls from across the table. "The hall's empty because the foods bad, and people would rather eat on their own time and dime then this pig slop. And don't call me m'lord, I work for a living." Reaching for his tankard Andre takes a long drink of water before he reaches into his belt pouch and retrieves some tobacco and starts to roll it into a cigarette. "I know how the city works Garridan. Wear this cloak around town and don't be surprised if the local eateries gives you free meals. Everyone knows It's good to be friendly with the authorities. Or at least the wise ones do."
"What I was saying, if you didn't quite catch it, is that this food may not be to your gourmet standards, but it remains edible food. More than what some people are enjoying tonight in this very city- which I am also more than familiar with. Throwing down your spoon like a child won't get you something better. It's your right to go hungry if you choose, but my meal will go down easier without having to listen to you griping about it."
Garridan takes a measured sip from his cup.
"And if the rest of the watch isn't eating here, more power to 'em. They've finished their training, it's their right. What I meant was that if the guard were as desperate as you claim, there would be a lot more recruits sharing this fine meal with us. So, I choose to believe we may have some potential. And I was just taking the piss out of you, by the way."
"Glad to meet you, Pai.", Krale says shortly before Andre tosses aside his food.
Garridan looks a touch irritated. "Food's still probably better than what dad's eating..." "If that were the case, don't you reckon this mess hall would be a bit more crowded? And I'm terribly sorry m'lord doesn't find the food to his liking; perhaps there was a mix-up in the kitchens and the chef will retrieve the roast venison from the prison where it was mislaid."
"Stop wallowing, that's not how you earn respect.", Krale reminds himself.
Garridan clears his throat.
"It was an off-day for me as well, Allysen, and for a lot of us I'm sure. Tomorrow we'll do better. As long as we're still here, Watch-Sergeant Soldado must see potential."
Garridan takes the offered hand and gives a firm shake, though he looks surprised when Allysen says she's almost 30.
"I'm Garridan... Garridan Krale. Sorry, you don't look much older than my younger sister. Didn't take you for a priestess."
"You'd be surprised how often I hear that. I never said I was a priestess, though, just a follower of Iomedae. You're right though. I'm only a minor one though, and little skilled in the gifts I am given. What might you be, Garridan Krale? I'm thinking soldier."
She is enjoying herself as she gets to know the met, but she catches a shock of green hair about waist-high between two of the recruits.
"Actually, can you answer that while we go over here? I see someone I think is in need of a little cheering up."
With that she begins to make her way over to the green-haired gnome.
"Uh, just Garridan is fine, if it pleases. And, yeah, I'm a soldier after a fashion."
"At least that sounds better than 'ditch digger and day laborer with some fencing lessons and a few years of education'..", he thinks as he follows Allysen, just nodding to Pai without time for an introduction.
Being processed...
Garridan keeps his teeth clenched, coloring slightly as Verik quite loudly recalls his father... and emphasizes his last name.
"Thanks, Vancaskerkin. If you're still this much of a loudmouth, I'd have to wager your sword-arm is just as mediocre... at which point, I look forward to seeing you in the practice yard.", he thinks bitterly.
He takes the cloak and moves on. "Thanks.", he says.
While he does fairly well on the picking things up and hauling them section of training, the encounter with Verik left a bad taste in Garridan's mouth- enough to throw him off his game the rest of the training day.
Strength check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Melee attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Ranged attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Fortitude save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
"Quite sure." Most of her nervousness disappears when Garridan answers her question, but the mention of her parents cast a bit of a cloud over her face. "As for my parents, they probably could care less about where I am. Still, I'd like to think that I'm capable of making my own choices at nearly 30 years of age." She gives Garridan a grin and holds out a hand.
"The name's Allysen, a follower of the Inheritor. It's a pleasure to meet you, though I'm afraid I don't have your name."
Garridan takes the offered hand and gives a firm shake, though he looks surprised when Allysen says she's almost 30.
"I'm Garridan... Garridan Krale. Sorry, you don't look much older than my younger sister. Didn't take you for a priestess."
A young woman, or rather a girl just hitting womanhood walks into the courtyard and looks around at those who arrived before-hand. She looks a little nervous, but her excitement is palpable. Long, coppery-red hair is pulled back into a ponytail that falls midway down her back and shimmers like fire in the morning light. Next to it is a bundle covered in cloth, with a eight foot long spear sticking out of both ends. There's also a sword and shield strapped to her back. She sees a gnome, but prudence kept her from asking what she was doing here, seeing as she didn't seem to happy to be here.
Instead she goes over to the neat and trim, if worn looking, man that was standing off to the side. Her nerves come to and blue eyes dart to the sides above freckled cheeks as she approaches, but she manages to get a hold of herself before speaking to him in a voice that sound like an angel's. (Mainly because it is :D)
"I'm sorry to bother you, but do you know if there's anyone we're supposed to talk to?"
"You're not bothering me. Truth be told, I'm not sure myself. I'd reckon we're supposed to line up here and wait until the officer in charge comes out to give us our orders and get us into line...."
He looks the girl over.
"Are you sure you're old enough to be signing on? Do your parents know you're here, Miss...?"
A young man enters the courtyard shortly thereafter, standing very straight. His short beard and hair are neatly trimmed and though his clothes are oft-mended and patched under his chainmail, they are neatly pressed. He looks about for other early arrivals, completely overlooking the gnome, before resting his left hand on the pommel of his sword and standing in a relaxed posture. Just waiting for someone to come and notice that he's here, he's early and he's ready.
@Garridan: Since we are both Full BAB, I wanted to get a idea from you on where you see your character progressing. Are you going to go full TWF chain eventually? 2hander? Trying to adapt a bit, since I could go Shield Spec or TWF spec, as a sword and board for my weapon focus chain as a ranger.
I'm going to stick mostly with TWF. I spent my bonus feat on the swordbreaker dagger, planning to take improved disarm as my next feat. Then I'm either going to go for the TWF chain, power attack or possibly the whirlwind attack feat down the line- and I can also respec my bonus feats later on if I need to. I see him as more graceful than brutish when fighting, so I probably won't go for the power attack chain. I haven't focused on maneuvers this much before, so I want to see how he works out.
GM Idyll- forgot about that human bonus skill point and thought I put the favored class bonus into skills. I'll go for an hp point. Any ideas on what bonus language would work best? Varisian?
I'm almost done with Garridan, just haven't spent all my starting gold. Do we need to buy standard adventuring gear (backpacks, bedrolls, etc.) if we live around the city?
