Pollexia Invaded (Inactive)

Game Master Darksmokepuncher

Trent Walker is a career soldier. He joined the army as soon as he was able. He'd been raised in armor, trained to the sword since he could stand. Born to a noble line, he never really had a chance to be Count. Third son to the brother of the current Count, he had at least seven ahead of him in line. So he turned his attention to battle. And he was good at it.

An honorable battle is a fine thing, but this gorilla warfare is another thing. Cutting off a warhost from their supply caravan is cruel. Effective, but not within the rules of war. Just who are these people?

Trent is a very neat and orderly man, he likes everything in is place and can get a little flustered when things don't go according to plan. He is a fairly gruff and stoic man, he never could get the hang of the courtly graces. He never had the handsomeness of his uncle, and his time as a soldier has only enhanced his rough looks. He is scarred and his know nose is crooked from having been broken several times. He is a tough man, who just carries on through pain and injury.

Male human fighter (unbreakable) 2
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +2

Defense
AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (+7 armor, +1 Dex, +3 shield)
HP 31 (2d10+11)
Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +1 (+1 vs. mind-affecting effects)
Defensive Abilities unflinching +1

Offense
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee bayonet +5 (1d6+4) or
dagger +5 (1d4+3/19-20) or
mwk bastard sword +6 (1d10+3/19-20)
Ranged light crossbow +3 (1d8/19-20)

Statistics
Str 16 +3, Dex 13 +1, Con 16 +3, Int 12 +1, Wis 12 +1, Cha 8 -1
BAB +2; CMB +5; CMD 16
Feats Diehard, Endurance, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Shield Focus, Toughness
Traits armor expert, shield bearer
Drawbacks meticulous
SQ +1 hit point, +2 to one ability score, bonus feat, skilled

Skills
Acrobatics -6 (-10 to jump); (Ranks:0, +1 Dex, -5 ACP, -2 untyped (meticulous)) (-4 slower than 30ft)
Appraise -1; (Ranks:0, +1 Int, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Bluff -3; (Ranks:0, -1 Cha, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Climb -4; (Ranks:0, +0 class, +3 Str, -5 ACP, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Diplomacy -3; (Ranks:0, -1 Cha, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Disguise -3; (Ranks:0, -1 Cha, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Escape Artist -6; (Ranks:0, +1 Dex, -5 ACP, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Fly -6 (Ranks:0, +1 Dex, -5 ACP, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Heal -1; (Ranks:0, +1 Wis, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Intimidate +4; (Ranks:2, +3 class, -1 Cha)
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +5 (+7 to navigate underground); (Ranks:1, +3 class, +1 Int) (+2 compass)
Knowledge (engineering) +5*; (Ranks:1, +3 class, +1 Int)
Knowledge (nature) +2; (Ranks:1, +1 Int)
Knowledge (nobility) +2*; (Ranks:1, +1 Int)
Perception +2; (Ranks:1, +1 Wis)
Profession (soldier) +6*; (Ranks:2, +3 class, +1 Wis)
Ride -6; (Ranks:0, +0 class, +1 Dex, -5 ACP, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Sense Motive +2; (Ranks:1, +1 Wis)
Stealth -6; (Ranks:0, +1 Dex, -5 ACP, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Survival +6 (+8 to avoid becoming lost); (Ranks:2, +3 class, +1 Wis) (+2 compass)
Swim -4; (Ranks:0, +0 class, +3 Str, -5 ACP, -2 untyped (meticulous))
Background Skills *
Languages Common (Pollexian), Jocastian

Equipment and Encumberence
Weapons and Ammo bayonet, dagger (2), light crossbow with 30 bolts, mwk bastard sword,
Armor and Defense mwk banded mail, mwk heavy wooden shield
Combat Gear
Other Gear backpack (bedroll, canteen, ink, inkpen, mess kit, pot, shovel (folding), silk rope (50 ft.), soap, torch (10), trail rations (14), traveler's outfit, ), belt pouch (compass, flint and steel, twine (50'), whetstone), belt pouch (money), soldier's uniform
Coins 5 gp, 3 sp, 7 cp
Carrying Capacity
L / M / H - 76 / 153 / 230 lbs.
Encumberence
Medium Load - 124.8 lbs.

Tracked Resources
Crossbow bolts - 0/30
Dagger - 0/2
Shield Bearer - 0/1
Torch - 0/10
Trail rations - 0/14

Special Abilities
+1 Hit Point FCB (2) +1 Hit Point
+2 to One Ability Score (Constitution) The selected attribute gains a +2 racial bonus.
Armor Expert When you wear armor of any sort, reduce that suit's armor check penalty by 1, to a minimum check penalty of 0.
Armor Proficiency (Heavy) When you wear a type of armor with which you are proficient, the armor check penalty for that armor applies only to Dexterity- and Strength-based skill checks.
Armor Proficiency (Light) When you wear a type of armor with which you are proficient, the armor check penalty for that armor applies only to Dexterity- and Strength-based skill checks.
Armor Proficiency (Medium) When you wear a type of armor with which you are proficient, the armor check penalty for that armor applies only to Dexterity- and Strength-based skill checks.
Bonus Feat Humans select one extra feat at 1st level.
Diehard You are stable and can choose how to act when at negative Hp.
Endurance +4 to a variety of fort saves, skill and ability checks. Sleep in L/M armor with no fatigue.
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bastard sword) You make attack rolls with the weapon normally.
Martial Weapon Proficiency - All You are proficient with all Martial weapons.
Meticulous -2 on all untrained skill checks
Shield Bearer When performing a shield bash, you deal 1 additional point of damage. Also, once per day on your turn as a free action, you may provide one adjacent ally a +2 trait bonus to his Armor Class for 1 round.
Shield Focus +1 Shield AC
Shield Proficiency You can use a shield and take only the standard penalties.
Simple Weapon Proficiency - All Proficient with all simple weapons.
Skilled Gain 1 additional skill rank at 1st level and 1 additional rank whenever they gain a level.
Toughness You gain +3 hit points.
Unflinching +1 (Ex) Gain +1 bonus to Will saves vs. mind-affecting effects

The big thing up in the air is what country Cairenn's heritage might be, as I don't know the military history and relationships between the nations. Let me outline what I'm thinking, and you can tell me if there's any region where this would actually be a feasible backstory. I know it's a little longer than you requested, sorry about that.

Cairenn was born to an innkeeping couple in a border village between Pollexia and [Other country], one of the little towns whose ownership is the cause-- or pretext-- for skirmishes, and a minor negotiation point in treaties between nations. The ordinary folk care little what flag flies over the town, as long as they are allowed to live their lives in peace... but Cairenn and his family weren't so fortunate. Cairenn was nine when the armies of Pollexia moved through the town in the most recent war.

Near half of the townspeople were ethnically Pollexian and the town offered no formal resistance to the military force (not that their small militia of pig farmers and blacksmiths would have done much anyway). All the same, there were casualties of war: Cairenn's mother and father. A common drunken soldier, enjoying the grudging 'hospitality' of the inn, propositioned Cairenn's mother; she rejected him with a slap to the face. A scuffle broke out. The inebriated infantryman stabbed Cairenn's mother with his dagger; Cairenn's father came through the door to see his wife a victim and her attacker still holding a bloodied blade. Mad with grief, he ran at the soldier... and so it was that Cairenn was orphaned, having seen the entire thing. Young Cairenn had heard stories that said that knights were just, and fair; he ran sobbing from the inn's common room and threw himself at the feet of one of the Pollexian officers, a man in shining armor, demanding justice as only a child's naivete might.

The knight in question was a strict man, but not a cruel one, and he investigated the boy's claim and found the truth of it. He ordered the soldier punished (I was thinking a public lashing, if that fits the Pollexian ethical sense), but that still left Cairenn himself. Favorably impressed with his demeanor, the knight, Rothliss by name, took the boy into his household as a servant. Cairenn ultimately was shuffled into the stables, for he had loved to tend the horses of his family's guests, and knew as much about their care as boys twice his age. The traumatized war-orphan found something approaching peace in the quiet companionship with the animals, in doing the tasks set for him diligently and well, and he did his best to try and forget the sight of his mother bleeding on the common room floor.

Rothliss took a mild, distant interest in the boy, checking in on him ever so often when the knight happened to be home from campaigns. He saw to it that Cairenn learned to read and to write, and that he got the training in a blade that a man-at-arms would have. More than once, Rothliss reflected that Cairenn's low birth and provenance was something of a shame, for the boy had a natural charm to him with people as well as beasts, and was a hard worker as well-- more responsible than the squires often serving him, spoiled sons of other lords. When Cairenn came of age, Rothliss sponsored him into the army. He could never be an officer, of course, but... the army could always use good men.

His ways with beasts, and his easy manner with people, have made Cairenn a natural for the role of message courier and stable-hand. He has enough of a civil tongue in his head to carry news respectfully, and he is good at proceeding through dangerous territory on his own, on a horse. Thus it is that at nineteen years of age, Cairenn serves the army of the country that orphaned him.... and if he has resentments, he buries them deeply, for he understands all too well that the cost of failure is punishment, and that his life and prosperity is conditional solely on if he continues to please and to serve.

For himself, Cairenn would rather turn any conflict he can, with a peaceful word rather than a blade. He learned firsthand that the true cost of war is not merely to soldiers but also to ordinary people. He is not a coward, but he takes no joy in the glories of battle. He also knows that 'knighthood' is a privelege only for those born to it, and that 'honor' is a luxury not everyone has access to.

Cairenn Bell
Male human cavalier 2 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide 32)
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +6
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Defense
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AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+6 armor, +1 Dex, +1 shield)
hp 19 (2d10+3)
Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +1
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee dagger +5 (1d4+3/19-20) or
. . heavy pick +5 (1d6+3/×4)
Ranged shortbow +3 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks challenge 1/day (+2 damage, allies gain +1 to hit), tactician 1/day (Precise Strike, 4 rds)
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +2; CMB +5; CMD 16
Feats Mounted Combat, Precise Strike[APG], Ride-by Attack
Traits inspiring rush, trustworthy
Skills Acrobatics -4 (-8 to jump), Bluff +6 (+7 to fool others), Climb +5, Diplomacy +8, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +6, Perception +6, Profession (soldier) +6, Profession (stable master) +5, Ride +1, Sense Motive +5, Survival +5 (+6 to provide food and water for allies or to protect allies from harsh weather), Swim +2; Racial Modifiers dragon's skills
Languages Common
SQ aid allies, mark of slavery, mount (horse named Princess), order of the dragon
Combat Gear oil; Other Gear mwk agile breastplate, light wooden quickdraw shield, arrows (20), dagger, heavy pick, shortbow, bit and bridle, candle, flint and steel, inkpen, masterwork backpack, powder, scroll box, teapot, torch, trail rations, twine (50'), waterskin, 18 gp, 4 sp, 6 cp
(Note that he has more gear listed, which is carried, and noted, on Princess)
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Special Abilities
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Aid Allies +3 (Ex) Aid Another grants +3
Animal Companion Link (Ex) You have a link with your Animal Companion.
Dragon's Challenge +2 (1/day) (Ex) +2 to damage target, -2 AC vs. others when used, allies gain +1 to hit the target of your challenge.
Dragon's Skills +1 (Ex) +1 to Survival checks for allies.
Inspiring Rush (1/day) +1 to attack and damage on charge, allies who charge before next turn also gain bonus.
Mark of Slavery -2 to skills and attacks after failing a skill check, unless you're retrying the skill check,
Mounted Combat (1/round) Once per round you can attempt to negate a hit to your mount in combat.
Precise Strike +1d6 precision damage for melee attacks if you and an ally with this feat flank the same target.
Ride-By Attack You can move - attack - move when charging mounted.
Tactician (Precise Strike, 4 rds, 1/day) (Ex) Grant the use of your teamwork feats to all allies in 30 ft.
Trustworthy +1 on Bluff checks to fool someone.

Princess
Horse
N Large animal
Init +1; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 16 (+3 armor, +1 Dex, +4 natural, -1 size)
hp 23 (3d8+9)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +2
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Offense
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Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite +4 (1d4+3), 2 hooves +4 (1d6+3)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +2; CMB +6; CMD 17 (21 vs. trip)
Feats Athletic, Toughness
Tricks Attack, Combat Riding, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel, Stay
Skills Acrobatics +5 (+13 to jump), Climb +5, Perception +5, Ride +1 (+3 to stay in the saddle), Stealth +1, Swim +5
SQ combat riding, stay
Other Gear mwk studded leather, crowbar, feed (per day) (4), hemp rope (50 ft.), military saddle, saddlebags, winter blanket
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Special Abilities
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Combat Riding [Trick] The animal has been trained to bear a rider into combat.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.

The only daughter of a self-made merchant, Alexis was never a stranger to hard work. Given great responsibility from a young age, she proved time and time again her managerial skills both in the household and in the market by her father's side. Her skill in handling other people helped her father's business blossom and succeed as she aged.

Had Alexis been born a man she would be the pride of the family and the obvious successor to her father's fortune. However, as a woman, her responsibility was paired with very little credit; her contributions were constantly swept under the rug and accredited to her father's genius. The lack of recognition grated on Alexis's pride, though she told herself she could still work with what she had. All she needed was to find a feeble-minded husband who could be manipulated into giving her the reins on the family business, and then it would all be hers upon her father's death. Maybe she could get a cute maid to spend her nights with instead of him; that would be truly ideal.

Her hopes were dashed when her father was presented with a golden opportunity. A duke from the other side of the country, with more need for gold than prestige, had offered to marry Alexis in exchange for a large dowry. It was a perfect opportunity for Alexis's father, of course, as becoming the father of a duchess would shatter the glass ceiling that prevented him from moving any further upward on the social ladder. On the other hand, for Alexis this deal was an utter disaster. Locked away in a far-off castle and away from all of the reliable contacts she had accrued, Alexis would lose everything she had worked for, and she certainly was not going to favor a man who thought he could barter for her like a bale of wheat. No, there had to be some other way.

Fortune found Alexis when her home country of Pollexia found itself under siege by foreign invaders. The struggling armies, spanked in defeat after defeat, were looking for any recruits and were not quick to ask questions or verify identities before giving you your equipment and shipping you off to the front lines. Women disguising themselves to join the military was certainly not a novel concept, and Alexis pulled it off more easily than she anticipated; all it took was cutting her hair and binding her modest chest and nobody even thought to call her "she". For the first time, Alexis was earning money rather receiving whatever stipend her father saw fit; for the first time, Alexis was getting the respect she deserved as a natural-born leader rather than having to manipulate men into thinking her ideas were theirs.

What could possibly go wrong?

Male human Swashbuckler 2
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +6; Senses Perception +6

Defense
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +4 Dex, +1 Shield)
HP 18 (2d10+2)
Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +1
Defensive Abilities: Charmed Life 3/day

Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee MW Rapier +8 (1d6+4/18-20) or

Statistics
Str 10 +0, Dex 18 +4, Con 13 +1, Int 10 +1, Wis 12 +1, Cha 14 +2
BAB +2; CMB +2; CMD 16
Feats Weapon Focus Rapier, Fencing Grace
Traits Reactionary, Merchant
Drawbacks Hedonistic
FCB: +2 skill points

Skills
Acrobatics +7; (Ranks:1, +3 class +4 Dex, -1 ACP)
Appraise +6*; (Ranks:2, +3 class +0 Int, +1 trait)
Bluff +6; (Ranks:1, +3 class +2 Char)
Climb +3; (Ranks:1, +3 class, +0 str, -1 ACP)
Diplomacy +6; (Ranks:1, +3 class +2 Char)
Disguise
Escape Artist +7; (Ranks:1, +3 class +4 Dex, -1 ACP)
Intimidate +6; (Ranks:1, +3 class +2 Char)
Knowledge (nobility) +4*; (Ranks:1, +3 class +0 Int)
Knowledge (local) +4; (Ranks:1, +3 class +0 Int)
Perception +6; (Ranks:2, +3 class +1 Wis)
Profession (Trader) +5*; (Ranks:1, +3 class, +1 Wis)
Ride +7; (Ranks:1, +3 class +4 Dex, -1 ACP)
Sense Motive +5; (Ranks:1, +3 class, +1 Wis)
Stealth +3; (Ranks:0, +4 Dex, -1 ACP)
Survival
Swim +3; (Ranks:1, +3 class, +0 str, -1 ACP)
Slight of Hand +7; (Ranks:1, +3 class +4 Dex, -1 ACP)

Background Skills *
Languages Common (Pollexian)

Equipment and Encumberence
Weapons and Ammo
MW Rapier 320gp 2lbs
MW Buckler 155gp 5lbs
Armor and Defense
MW chain shirt 250 GP 25lbs
Combat Gear
Other Gear
Masterwork backpack 50gp 4lbs
Dice
Cards
Bottle of Moonshine
?
Carrying Capacity
L / M / H - 33 / 66 / 100 lbs.
Encumberence
Medium Load - ? lbs.

Tracked Resources
Trail rations - 0/14

Special Abilities
Derring-Do (Ex):
Dodging Panache (Ex):
Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex):

Reactionary: You were bullied often as a child, but never quite developed an offensive response. Instead, you became adept at anticipating sudden attacks and reacting to danger quickly. You gain a +2 trait bonus on initiative checks.
Merchant: You lived your life as a merchant, buying and selling goods. You gain a +1 trait bonus on any Appraise and Sense Motive checks you attempt while bargaining for the price of goods. Appraise is always a class skill for you.
Hedonistic: You are a creature of pleasure and comfort. Whenever you spend a day without gaining reward or treasure (at least 10 or more gold pieces) or spending an hour on entertainment or pleasure, attempt a DC 20 Fortitude save at the end of that day. If you fail, you begin the next day fatigued. This fatigue lasts 4 hours, or until you receive a reward or sufficient entertainment or pleasure.

Gustav LeMonte is a fair weather friend traveling merchant. When times are good he is happy to share them with you and when times are bad he urgently has business in the next village over. For Gustav the war meant opportunity. Armies are always looking for equipment and for those with a stout heart day old battle fields tend to offer a lot of merchandise if you are good with soap and a brush.

Unfortunately for Gustav he attempted to sell a wagon load of gear to an officer who was lower on troops than on equipment and found himself conscripted into the army. Thankfully his negotiating skills and his load of equipment got him the slot of the army quartermaster. After all if your on the front line and your commander runs away you might not notice, but if you are with the baggage train then you are the first to follow the commander.