About Salomae AmselSalomae Amsel
Determined Zeal (Ex) - At 2nd level, a deliverer shrugs off attempts by his moral opposite to control or kill him. On any round in which deliverer attacks an opponent whose alignment is at least two steps away from his own (such as a lawful good deliverer fighting a chaotic good or lawful evil foe, or a neutral foe with no other alignment components), he gains a +2 bonus on Will saving throws against that opponent’s abilities, as well as the benefit of the Diehard feat until the end of his next turn. This ability replaces the slayer talent gained at 2nd level. Sneak Attack - At 3rd level, if a slayer catches an opponent unable to defend itself effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage. The slayer’s attack deals extra damage anytime his target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the slayer flanks his target. This additional damage is 1d6 at 3rd level, and increases by 1d6 every 3 levels thereafter. Should the slayer score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this additional damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet. With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (like a sap, whip, or unarmed strike), a slayer can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –4 penalty. The slayer must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A slayer cannot use sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment. Studied Target +2 (move action, 1 at a time) (Ex) - A slayer can study an opponent he can see as a move action. The slayer then gains a +1 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks attempted against that opponent, and a +1 bonus on weapon attack and damage rolls against it. The DCs of slayer class abilities against that opponent increase by 1. A slayer can only maintain these bonuses against one opponent at a time; these bonuses remain in effect until either the opponent is dead or the slayer studies a new target. If a slayer deals sneak attack damage to a target, he can study that target as an immediate action, allowing him to apply his studied target bonuses against that target (including to the normal weapon damage roll). At 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th levels, the bonuses on weapon attack, damage rolls, and skill checks and to slayer DCs against a studied target increase by 1. In addition, at each such interval, the slayer is able to maintain these bonuses against an additional studied target at the same time. The slayer may discard this connection to a studied target as a free action, allowing him to study another target in its place. At 7th level, a slayer can study an opponent as a move or swift action. Track +2 (Ex) - A slayer adds 1/2 his level (minimum 1) to Survival skill checks made to follow tracks. Trapfinding +2 - A rogue adds 1/2 her level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). A rogue can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps. Trap Sense (Ex) - At 3rd level, a rogue gains an intuitive sense that alerts her to danger from traps, giving her a +1 bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks made by traps. These bonuses rise to +2 when the rogue reaches 6th level, to +3 when she reaches 9th level, to +4 when she reaches 12th level, to +5 at 15th, and to +6 at 18th level. Boons:
Blessing of Arshea - Once during the campaign you can consume a creature in rapturous joy. This functions as the Waves of Ecstasy spell except that it targets only a single creature. This is a spell-like ability. (DC= 10 + 1/2 level + Cha modifier). Earned by posting on Valentine's Day 2016. Blessing of Thisamet - Once during the campaign you may spend an hour sharing a meal with someone and grant your guest the effects of a restoration spell (as a spell-like ability). A simple meal will suffice for a normal use of this blessing but in order to dispel a permanent negative level you must provide food and drink worth at least 100 gold. No other material components are required to use this blessing. Earned by posting on Thanksgiving Day 2017.
Blessing of Neshen (1 Round) - The first time during the campaign that your character dies you have a chance at rebirth. For a number of rounds equal to the number of times you have received this blessing, your spirit lingers with your corpse; during this time healing magic still functions normally on you. If you receive enough healing to remove the dead condition, you do not die but but instead gain one negative level for each round that you had the dead condition. Unlike normal negative levels, these negative levels reduce your total but not your current hit points. If you were killed by a death effect this ability instead allows you to retry the saving throw for the effect once each round that your soul lingers. If you succeed one of those subsequent saves, you awaken in whatever condition you were in when you died and gain (normal) negative level equal to the number of rounds you had the dead condition. Earned by posting on Easter Sunday 2016.
Background: Childhood:
Born to an ordinary farming family in the (mostly) ordinary farming town of Nybor, the only thing initially notable about Salomae as compared to her twin sister Taliah was the small blobby birthmark centered roughly over her heart. However, that began to change around the time that Salomae was five years old. At first, her parents simply laughed off Sal’s excited recollection of dreams that she would occasionally have. ”I dreamt I was playing hide-and-seek with a big deer, mommy!” and ”I dreamed about the big deer again daddy! He let me ride on his back and we went to a town by the sea that was made of sand – it was so pretty!” at first seemed the simple vibrant and imaginative dreams of a child. As Sal grew older however, the dreams began to occur more frequently and word of them began to spread throughout Nybor in part due to the chatter of Sal herself and that of her siblings. She also noted that her birthmark had slowly begun to change, the blobby, indistinct lines growing clearer, but she wasn’t sure of what it meant. Eventually, her parents were approached by the local priest of Erastil who had heard of their daughter’s dreams. He asked to speak with Sal and gently asked her to describe her dreams to him. As she did, he noted that the strange ‘sand town’ was a common theme and asked if she could remember what the town looked like – and if she could draw a picture of it. Though no artist, there was no mistaking the place depicted in the young girl’s drawing – Sandpoint. But Sal had never been to Sandpoint, her parents had explained. None of the family had, though they were familiar enough with it from listening to tales and chatter from local caravans passing through. Sensing that there was obviously something very unique about Sal, the priest asked her if there had been anything else strange to happen to her. Though slightly embarrassed, she showed him and her parents the birthmark – now unmistakably the same as the holy symbol of Erastil, though as it might be seen if it had been a smudged painting; blurry and out of focus, but Erastil’s symbol nonetheless. Once the priest was done speaking with Sal and she was allowed to go rejoin her siblings who were playing outside, a discussion was held between himself and her parents. Their daughter had been marked by Old Deadeye for some purpose that was as of yet unknown, but one thing was clear – she had dreamed of Sandpoint for a reason, so to Sandpoint she should go, to live and study at the cathedral there. The distance was not too terribly far from Nybor and it would be easy enough for her family to both write to her as well as come to visit when they were able. Though initially a little scared at the thought of leaving her family and siblings behind, especially her twin sister Taliah, Sal soon grew excited at the prospect of seeing the town that she’d dreamed of for so long. And so the arrangements were made and in her tenth year, Salomae journeyed with her family to what would be her new home in Sandpoint. That was nine years ago.
Background: Adolescence & Adulthood:
Time passed. Though she quickly grew to love the town of Sandpoint and many of the people who lived there, she also slowly began to grow frustrated with her life there at the cathedral. An energetic and strong-willed child, monastic studies often bored and frustrated her; she much preferred spending time outside. There were others living at the temple as well, some older and some younger, some who had been brought to the cathedral as babies and some who were nearly grown before arriving – all marked by the gods, just as she was. But they had guidance. Some of them took easily to a life of study, whether divine or magical. Others routinely spoke of receiving instruction from the gods through prayer, meditation…even song and dance, in some cases. Sal had not dreamed of Erastil once since her arrival in Sandpoint. Had it all been a mistake? Surely not, the gods don’t make mistakes…right? And her birthmark remained in place, though it also had not changed since she came to Sandpoint. Although Father Zantus often reminded her that she had been marked for a reason and that said reason would eventually be revealed to her, Sal found it hard to reconcile those words with the fact that it seemed like she had no real talents or skills to serve Erastil, unlike the others who had come to Sandpoint. And so in an effort to keep her thoughts focused on something productive, Sal began to cast about for what she could do to be useful, if not to Erastil then at least to Sandpoint itself. Having always been mildly interested in swordplay and the mock battles that would often accompany local festivals, she cast about for someone to teach her and was eventually directed to Savah Bevaniky. Noting that Sal seemed more agile than strong, Savah instructed her in the use of the rapier; while not quite on the level of a Taldan dueling academy, the lessons were enough for Sal to get by. Once she grew old enough, and after a fair bit of pestering from Sal, Sandpoint’s local ranger-protector Shalelu finally agreed to start taking Sal out on some of her easier patrol routes through the nearby wilderness. From Shalelu, Sal learned much – how to keep her eyes open for trouble, how to move quietly when needed, how to live off the land if she had to, instruction on the local terrain and wildlife, and how to properly use a longbow. Satisfied that she at least has the necessary skills to help defend Sandpoint should the need arise, Sal now spends less and less time at the cathedral and more and more out patrolling the area.
Personality:
Salomae is good-hearted, if rather outspoken and at times impatient. The continued (apparent) lack of guidance regarding her role as a chosen of Erastil weighs heavily on her mind though she does her best to hide it. It has been especially difficult for her over the past two or three years as she has begun to receive news of the marriages of her siblings and births of nieces and nephews. Since she has no idea what might be asked of her and when, she has shied away from romantic relationships feeling that it would not be fair to a prospective husband and future children when she could potentially be called upon to serve Erastil in a more active manner at any time – or even to lay down her life. Appearance:
Salomae stands fairly tall and slender for a human woman. Her dark red hair is worn in layers, with the topmost layers often pulled back into a ponytail while the bottom layers are left to flow and curl around her shoulders. Her amber eyes regard the world largely with contentment, though those that know her well may noticed something else there as of late...frustration? Resentment? Sadness? It's clear that something weighs on her mind. Sample Post:
Salomae gazed down at the piece of paper on the table, her normally pleasant expression marred by a slight frown. A letter from Taliah, which had apparently arrived several days later than planned – it spoke of the Swallowtail Festival to happen next week but now it was only a day or two away. The noise drifting in from the open window was proof enough of that, the hustle and bustle of merchants setting up their stalls and the sound of metal striking metal as the stage to be used for the announcements and other activities began to take shape. Figures that the post would be slow with the one thing it would’ve been nice to see last week instead of now, she sighs as she reads the letter again. ”Dear Sal, How are you? I’m sorry that it’s been awhile since my last letter, but the boys keep me busy most days, especially now that they’re getting big enough to get themselves into trouble. One day they’ll decide to make breakfast and leave flour and broken eggs all over the floor and the next they think it’s a great idea to try painting the barn cats! Things have been going well here, but I’m afraid that we won’t be able to attend the Swallowtail Festival next week like we’d planned; this year’s summer harvest turned out to be much better, and bigger, than any of us had expected and Evin said that he’d need everyone who could to pitch in to make sure we get it all collected and stored in time. I know you said in your last letter that you were looking forward to seeing us and I know the boys were looking forward to it too, but there’s just not enough time to spare this year. Maybe we can make the journey to see you for Crystalhue, or perhaps you could get leave to come home for a few days to visit? I know mother and father would like to see you and traveling in winter is getting harder for them each year. Think it over and let me know what you think, okay?
Love,
Sal sighed, disappointment evident on her face. It had been months since she’d seen her sister and her family and she had so been looking forward to having them in town for the upcoming festival. Of course she really knew that she should have expected as much; Taliah had her own family to care for now and responsibilities as a mother and a wife. There simply wouldn’t be time like there once was for her to come visit Sandpoint. But even though it makes sense, that still doesn’t make it any less disappointing. Heaving another small sigh, she pushed the paper away from her and rose from the table. Even though she knew her sister was already overdue for an answer, Sal just couldn’t muster up the energy or desire to put pen to paper just then. Sorry Tali. I need to get out for a bit, but I promise I'll write a reply later tonight. As she makes her way out of her small but cozy room, her flagging spirits are lifted somewhat by the sight of all the activity happening around her. So I guess I'm on my own for the festival, but maybe it won't be so bad. Could always spend it with some of the others.
Planned Character Build Notes & Potential Party Interactions:
Salomae will be built as a hopefully competent switch hitter using her longbow for range and her rapier for melee combat; future slayer talents + feats will largely be spent with an archery focus. Although I currently have no plans to make her the party trapfinder, she'll be willing to work to fill that role should there be no one else in the party capable of doing so. Regarding other members of the party, how Sal feels about each one will obviously vary a great deal depending on which deity has chosen them, how long she's known them, etc. She will likely feel some degree of envy towards anyone who happens to be a true divine class such as cleric, paladin, inquisitor, or warpriest as she sees in them as having received the guidance from their deity that she has not. Druids and rangers will likely receive a slightly different response, as will arcane classes or any other class that does not normally receive divine powers. However she will do her best to work with everyone for the greater good.
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