Temple of Elemental Evil - Delving the depths of the Abyss on Golarian.

Game Master Tirion Jörðhár

Molasbar is an elven wizard (evoker).

Strength 7 (-4 points)
Dexterity 16 (5 points plus two racial bonus)
Constitution 13 (7 points plus two racial penalty)
Intelligence 20 (17 points plus two racial bonus)
Wisdom 10 (0 points)
Charisma 10 (0 points)

Skills are almost entirely of the intellectual sort and will likely remain that way, though I may change and drop some points into stealth if I were to be the only one holding back an otherwise stealthy group. He is starting with the Breadth of Experience feat, which gives him at least +7 in all knowledge skills. Focused Mind and Magic is Life round out his traits.

As his background will show, Molasbar is an elf who is very self absorbed and bent on the acquisition of power. Don’t let that fool you though. He is committed to the downfall of the forces behind the disasters that are striking to the point of heroics, but for his own self serving reasons. There is no risk of him “throwing in” with the bad guys because the world of the good aligned is much easier and more pleasant to exercise massive power and wealth within.

Regarding the questions…
1) Who would Molasbar save from the web? It depends. Does the maiden have callouses on her hands? If she does then, lovely as she may be she is probably a peasant or some other unimportant member of society. If that is the case, then at least the priest may feel some sense of debt or obligation for the rescue. If the maiden’s hands are manicured, then she is probably from a family of merchants or even nobility. A reward, financial or otherwise, may be in the offings.
2) Rush the goblins and cast Burning Hands. If they were to hear Molasbar or find his tracks, they may take him unaware later and that is unacceptable. Dealing with them now eliminates that possibility. As for the prisoner, it depends on how much effort it would take to avoid catching him in the fan of flames from the spell. Spare him if it is not too inconvenient.
3) An orphanage? Seriously? The banquet is the perfect time to circulate the question as to what reward the king will offer for ridding his kingdom of the dragon and waiting while the gossip goes around to see what comes of it. On a good day an orphanage would have an odor about it and, as you know, elves have sensitive noses.
4) Molasbar would progress as a straight evoker without distraction. No money spent on magic weapons or any of those things to distract him from his focus. He would expand his spell book as rapidly as possible to make his as utilitarian as possible. He would also have all knowledge skills well into the double digit bonuses to explain things to the rest of the adventurers, breaking them down into as small of words as possible for their benefit.
5) Paksinarrion is my favorite hero. I love the slow development the author shows of the paladin and the way we see the eyes of the hero. I like a hero that doesn’t grow outside their bounds and still shows some insecurities and doubts. My favorite villain is still Smaug from The Hobbit. Intelligent, powerful, mysterious and feared. Even after his death, he still causes a war between all the major forces of good in the region! How nefarious is that!?!
6) I read and played the Village of Hommlet (the original module that was the start of the Temple series) way back when. I don’t remember much of anything though, so it is pretty much a clean slate. I never played the video games.
7) Why, set off immediately to rescue the distraught father’s daughter, of course! Though he has no money, he is likely to be well connected in town. Getting a reduced price on equipment, magic items or a room upgrade at the inn is as good as coin in the purse. And if the brigands have been successful, perhaps I can enlist the aid of a dwarf or two to pack the valuables back for resale.

Aldrick Stormfury was raised by his human father, a street performer, in Oppara. His father was never hugely talented, but the big city provided enough for them to get by. Aldrick trained as a bard under his father, but what he was most fascinated by was the knights that would ride through the streets during large parades. He wanted to emulate them so badly, that his father actually bought him a (cheap) little suit of armor as a child. Aldrick decided early on that he would become a knight, and that other bards would one day tell tales of his greatness, and to make sure nobody messed it up, he would write the tales himself! As time went by, Aldrick developed some arcane talent, but it wasn’t until recently that he decided to travel. Last year Aldrick’s father told him about his Jann mother(who left when Aldrick was just a babe) while on his deathbed. Now, Aldrick is going to chase the tales he grew up hearing about, hopefully making a name for himself and learning more about his genie heritage along the way.

1) Before you is a huge web. In it are a priest of Iomedae and a beautiful maiden. You have time to rescue one of them, which one and why?
It would have to be the maiden. Iomedae is a goddess of battle and her priests are expected to be able to handle themselves in dangerous situations. Also, the priest himself (presumably good) would want me to save the innocent. Of course, there is also the fact that I am very interested in becoming the center of my very own epic tale, and saving damsels is an inherent part of that.

2) You are traveling through the forest and you suddenly see three goblins poking at a bound prisoner on the ground. What do you do?
If I’m with a group, I probably wouldn’t hesitate to below a roar of challenge (activate inspire courage) and charge the nearest goblin, expecting my comrades to back me up. If I am alone, I would realize that three against one is fairly bad odds, and probably opt for magic. I might be a little quick to act sometimes, but in a case like that I will take a moment to consider my options.

3) You just returned from successfully defeating a dragon which had been terrorizing the local villages. An orphanage requested that the brave heroes come so that the children can meet them. You accept, but then receive an invitation from the King to join him at a banquet in your honor. You cannot do both, what do you do?
I have a soft spot for orphans. If the king’s banquet is close enough, I will reschedule with the orphanage so that I can come back after the banquet. If the banquet is too far to make travel back to the village viable, I will ask my fellow heroes to go the banquet and beg my forgiveness for being unable to appear, and make my appointment with the children.

4) How do you expect your character to develop by level 5? Level 10?
My character is a bard who focuses on oratory and seeks to create his own epic centered on himself and those who support his endeavors. As such, he will most likely remain a bard for his career, unless something in the campaign makes another choice make sense. If he were a human, I might consider the dragon disciple prestige class (nothing screams epic like draconic blood), but that just doesn’t fit for a suli.

5) Who is your favorite villain and your favorite hero from a medieval story and why? Can be historic, from a book, or from a movie.
My favorite hero is probably Robin Hood. A bit clichéd, but I love the idea of a man who was in the crusades coming home and becoming much more... chaotic. The knights who went on the crusades are supposed to be the ideal of LG chivalrous types, but this guy goes on a crusade, gets tortured and comes back home to break all the laws.
My favorite villain is a bit tougher. The best one I can come up with right now is Baba Yaga. I originally read about her in Orson Scott Card’s “Enchantment,”where she is the archetypal witch from all the fairy tales. After reading that I read up on her a little more, and I liked the idea that she was usually rather malicious, but often times ends up helping the heroes.

6) Let me know if/how much you have played/read the ToEE - any version including AD&D, 3rd Ed., Return to ToEE, or any video games or novels. 

I have not read or played any of the ToEE books or games.

7) You are sitting in a tavern when a distraught father runs in and announces that his daughter has been kidnapped by brigands and now they are demanding a ransom or will kill her. He says he has no money to reward the party but hears that the brigands have had much success. What do you do?
I do my damnedest to convince the party that we have to go after her. It doesn’t matter if we get rewarded, the girl is in trouble, and these brigands are just going to continue hurting people. If my traveling companions won’t go with me, I’ll find others who will.

1d6 ⇒ 2

1) Before you is a huge web. In it are a priest of Iomedae and a beautiful maiden. You have time to rescue one of them, which one and why?

The Priest, of course. Since said fellow, once freed, can also gain experience and thence in the fullness of time return said beautiful maiden to the mortal realm. Also, being the defender of one faith does not negate the character from helping defend other faiths, within reason.

2) You are traveling through the forest and you suddenly see three goblins poking at a bound prisoner on the ground. What do you do?

Grin, laugh, draw my weapon and ATTCK!

3) You just returned from successfully defeating a dragon which had been terrorizing the local villages. An orphanage requested that the brave heroes come so that the children can meet them. You accept, but then receive an invitation from the King to join him at a banquet in your honor. You cannot do both, what do you do?

Gather up the children and have a great 'Adoption' ceremony. Then take my new, extended family to the King's banquet.

4) How do you expect your character to develop by level 5? Level 10?

To gain skills in both swinging the sword and imbuing said weapon with arcane power

[b]5) Who is your favorite villain and your favorite hero from a medieval story and why? Can be historic, from a book, or from a movie.

You've stumped me, I have nothing. Other than the 'classic' Robin Hood? Nup... 


6) Let me know if/how much you have played/read the ToEE - any version including AD&D, 3rd Ed., Return to ToEE, or any video games or novels.

Aye, many years ago I owned and poured over the original "Village of Hommlet". I, which would be similar to most on the boards, remember seeing the 'Return to Temple of Elemental Evil' thick bound book, but little else.

7) You are sitting in a tavern when a distraught father runs in and announces that his daughter has been kidnapped by brigands and now they are demanding a ransom or will kill her. He says he has no money to reward the party but hears that the brigands have had much success. What do you do?

Reassure the father then sneak off to enact a daring rescue of said daughter from under the noses of said brigands. Return rescued and wooed maiden to her father. Assuming any brigands survive? Offer them a chance at reform and a position as retainers, shield brothers etc.

Sunset is of a group of 'Temple defenders'. Whether it be Tulwar wielding Humans in the churches more dominated by those people or Elven Curved Blade wielding Elves defending the faith of the Dawn Flower.

Sunset's life is of a martial bent turned to defending the faith. An arcane focused warrior instead of an spiritual fighter.

1) Before you is a huge web. In it are a priest of Iomedae and a beautiful maiden. You have time to rescue one of them, which one and why?

Flip a coin, both are worthy of saving. If my magics would not let me save both, then it would be to fate or chance as to which received my aid.

2) You are traveling through the forest and you suddenly see three goblins poking at a bound prisoner on the ground. What do you do?

Goblins, being generally up to no good would be a concern. I would sneak as close as I could before casting an illusion of a few dogs and creating some sound effects to go along with them. After the goblins were scared off, I would see if the prisoner was worthy of my aid.

3) You just returned from successfully defeating a dragon which had been terrorizing the local villages. An orphanage requested that the brave heroes come so that the children can meet them. You accept, but then receive an invitation from the King to join him at a banquet in your honor. You cannot do both, what do you do?

Bring the children to the king's banquet. A good king would understand the obligation of honoring the first request, while another king would not be worthy of my presence.

4) How do you expect your character to develop by level 5? Level 10?
Ynaeve will progress as a wizard. I do not for see her multiclassing.

5) Who is your favorite villain and your favorite hero from a medieval story and why? Can be historic, from a book, or from a movie.
I would have to go with Richard Rahl as a favorite hero, as much as he won, he also lost, his brother, his father, other siblings, followers, his first lover, even the company of his beloved. A classic tragic hero. As for villains, I'd have to go with Cleopatra VII, a real historical figure that lusted after power and fame, and was willing to use what she had to get it. She seduced kings, and probably others, but was unable to hold onto her ill-gotten gains in the end.


6) Let me know if/how much you have played/read the ToEE - any version including AD&D, 3rd Ed., Return to ToEE, or any video games or novels.

I have heard of ToEE, never played any of the table top or video games. I've occasionally come across references to tpk's or other war stories but couldn't give you any specifics, it's been a while.


7) You are sitting in a tavern when a distraught father runs in and announces that his daughter has been kidnapped by brigands and now they are demanding a ransom or will kill her. He says he has no money to reward the party but hears that the brigands have had much success. What do you do?

That's rather easy, inquire about to learn what i can about where the brigands hang out, how they get their information, where they are expecting the exchange, then hunt them down and burn them.

STR 7, DEX 14, CON 12, INT 20, WIS 10, CHA 16

Skills, Feats and Traits are all listed on the profile. Summarized as: appropriate for a young wizard with specialized education and training for a conjurer, traits focusing on her communication with others (bluff and diplomacy).

Backstory and personality are also posted to the profile.

It is her quest to follow the dream she believes came from Aroden that brings her here.

Not his real name, but one he tends to give out to acquaintances.

Str 10 (0)
Dex 14 (5)
Con 14 (5)
Int 20* (17) *Racial Bonus Here
Wis 10 (0)
Cha 8 (-2)

Played the PC game but only really dabbled in it. Won't remember enough to make it worth changing anything.

Your already quite familiar with my posting habits etc.- once we're into August i'd be able to meet posting requirements pretty easily.

1) Before you is a huge web. In it are a priest of Iomedae and a beautiful maiden. You have time to rescue one of them, which one and why?

Krenace would rescue the priest of Iomedae, reasoning that the man would likely be of greater value to the community due to his skills and knowledge- he would also be a greater ally against whatever spun the web...

2) You are traveling through the forest and you suddenly see three goblins poking at a bound prisoner on the ground. What do you do?

Krenace would try to drive the goblins off, but would not fight to the death.

3) You just returned from successfully defeating a dragon which had been terrorizing the local villages. An orphanage requested that the brave heroes come so that the children can meet them. You accept, but then receive an invitation from the King to join him at a banquet in your honor. You cannot do both, what do you do?

Krenace would write a formal apology to the orphanage for his absence and give a small donation to the worthy establishment. He'd also try and find time in his schedule to visit at a later date.

Ultimately though, the King is the highest authority in the kingdom and Kings are often over proud. Krenace would not wish to offend and would wish to attend the king's banquet.

4) How do you expect your character to develop by level 5? Level 10?

Krenace is likely to dabble around with his spells somewhat- although some of his more potent spells will be necromancy its unlikely he'll be learning spells like Animate Dead. He'll remain a straight sorcerer and will likely mix around some buff, de-buff and group support.

Personality-wise, hard to say right now in all honesty. Although i'll have a solid idea of who he is at the start of the game, I like to be a little organic with character development. Could never have predicted Curnach becoming a Law man for example (he started True Neutral).

Krenace will be taking his role as "Chronicler" very seriously and i'll include various updates to his journal for the "Campaign Journal" forum as well as the IC.

5) Who is your favorite villain and your favorite hero from a medieval story and why? Can be historic, from a book, or from a movie. 


Hmm... I'm assuming Fantasy does not= Medieval here unless its a similar kind of social hierarchy. Favourite villain would be Petyr Baelish from Song of Ice and Fire, for sheer genius and rising from humble beginnings to greatness.

Favourite hero would be Sir Gawain of the King Arthur stories. Stoic, honourable and loyal to the end and in my opinion, a greater knight and example of chivalry than Lancelot.

6) Let me know if/how much you have played/read the ToEE - any version including AD&D, 3rd Ed., Return to ToEE, or any video games or novels. 


Answered above.

7) You are sitting in a tavern when a distraught father runs in and announces that his daughter has been kidnapped by brigands and now they are demanding a ransom or will kill her. He says he has no money to reward the party but hears that the brigands have had much success. What do you do?

Krenace would bide his time rather than leap in to volunteer- he'd make inquiries, assess the situation with a little more knowledge and then most likely volunteer. Although he is LN, he leans mildly towards Good.

I'd like to use this as a starting point which I would expand on if chosen, i'm just struggling for time right now while packing! Note I rolled starting age, weight and height.

Appearance-

Krenace isn't a particularly imposing figure, he stands at a reasonable 5 feet 9 inches. Fairly slight of frame, he weighs in at 135 lbs and is a young half-elf at 23 years old, barely an adult. His Elven heritage makes itself easily visible and is rather prominent within him- more so than most half-elves. His ears and facial features are irrefutably Elven, but the dark mess of ebony black hair atop his head and the squinting, narrow eyes that struggle with bright light are something very different; a constant reminder that his father was a dark Elf, rather than a surface dweller. His eyes are green with the slightest purple hint to them and a small tattoo of a Rat is emblazoned upon his neck, usually hidden by the collar of his grey, simple scholars robes. He can often be seen scribbling in his journal or transcribing mundane documents with the help of one of his cantrips, Scrivener's Chant. Other than the robes on his back, Krenace has a couple of belt pouches and a backpack, and he travels light. His face is unblemished and pale, giving him something of an unhealthy pallor.

Background-

Krenace grew up in a small hamlet in rural Taldor, the son of a comely tavern serving girl, now middle-aged. His mother frankly refused to speak of the circumstances around his conception and he was conditioned to never ask by the time he had more cause to wonder. Although somewhat ridiculed for his mixed features and hindered by his sensitivity to bright light, he had an adequate childhood. His life may have amounted to little had the local hedge wizard not taken a shine to the staggeringly intelligent young boy and taken him on as an apprentice. Krenace always struggled with bright light and never felt more at ease as when he was serving his master indoors, studying tomes and books by candlelight. Although he clearly had an aptitude for wizardry, it became obvious to both Master and Apprentice that his Elven father had left him a legacy of more than just sensitivity to light and physical features- even as an Apprentice, Krenace developed various magical abilities and rapidly mastered two spells of the first order- an instinctive, magical energy that lashed out and a draining ray of negative energy that sapped the strength of those he struck with it. He also "inherited" various other spells from his father, including an ability to manipulate lights and darkness.

Eventually, the apprenticeship ended when it became clear that intense study of the formula and process of magic was not helping Krenace develop any further. His master called upon an old friend from Varisia who helped awaken the rest of Krenace's ability- and also assisted him in acquiring his Rat familiar, Dhaun. He taught Krenace to use his innate magic to inscribe the familiar safely onto his skin as a tattoo and laid the foundations of Krenace's interest in the magical school of Necromancy.

Having heard the tales drifting into Taldor from Yanmass, the half-elf left his new master's service and took on the name "Krenace" as an alias- translated to "Young Scholar" in Elven, and decided to make his fortune. Strange tales were coming out of Yanmass, and Krenace was determined to see this strangeness for himself, to investigate and document it while all the while seeking to unlock more of the magic within him.

Personality-

Having lived in Taldor's tight hierarchy as a member of the Unbearded, Krenace rarely questions authority or rebels against it. He is a solemn, dutiful and earnest young man who is also rather naive despite his arcane knowledge.

He approaches most problems in the same manner- with careful investigation followed by a prudent course of action based on his analysis. He disapproves of rashness in others and although he is not socially "awkward" he certainly fails to leave a positive impression in most social encounters. He takes solace in the company of his familiar and dog, having become an animal lover out of necessity perhaps rather than choice.

Other than these two distinct traits, Krenace is really a book waiting to be written. The events of his first adventure would no doubt shape the young, impressionable chronicler... for good, or ill.

Original Point-Buy (Points spent): Str 08 (-2), Dex 14 (5), Con 13 (3), Int 18 (17), Wis 9 (-1), Cha 13 (3)

Suli Original Racial Ability modifiers: +2 Str, +2 Cha, -2 Int.
Suli Modified Racial Ability modifiers: +2 Str, +2 Cha, -2 Wis.

Final Scores: Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 7, Cha 15

Str 10
Dex 16 14+2(race)
Con 14
Int 19 17+2(race)
Wis 10
Chr 8 10-2(race)

UNNAMED HERO CR 1/2
Male Tiefling Wizard 1
NN Medium Outsider (Native)
Init +9; Senses Darkvision (60 feet); Perception +0
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DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10 (+3 Dex)
hp 8 (1d6+2)
Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +2
Resist cold 5, electricity 5, fire 5
--------------------
OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Dagger +1 (1d4+1/19-20/x2) and
Quarterstaff +1 (1d6+1/20/x2) and
Unarmed Strike +1 (1d3+1/20/x2)
Ranged Crossbow, Light +3 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Spell-Like Abilities Darkness (1/day)
Wizard Spells Known (CL 1, 1 melee touch, 3 ranged touch):
1 (2/day) Color Spray (DC 15), Magic Missile, Grease (DC 16)
0 (at will) Dancing Lights, Read Magic (DC 14), Detect Magic
--------------------
STATISTICS
--------------------
Str 12, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 14
Feats Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus: Conjuration, Wizard Weapon Proficiencies
Traits Focused Mind, Reactionary
Skills Bluff +1, Fly +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +8, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +8, Knowledge (Engineering) +8, Knowledge (Planes) +8, Knowledge (Religion) +8, Spellcraft +8, Stealth +5
Languages Abyssal, Aklo, Common, Draconic, Goblin, Infernal
SQ +4 bonus on initiative checks, Abjuration, Acid Dart (7/day) (Su), Conjuration, Earplugs, Empathic Link with Familiar (Su), Necromancy, Share Spells with Familiar, Summoner's Charm (+1r) (Su)
Combat Gear Bolts, Crossbow (20), Crossbow, Light, Dagger, Quarterstaff; Other Gear Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Case, map or scroll (empty), Chalk, 1 piece, Earplugs, Ink (1 oz. vial, black), Inkpen, Parchment (sheet) (2), Rations, trail (per day) (2), Spell component pouch, Spellbook, wizard's (blank), Waterskin
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+4 bonus on initiative checks You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach.
Abjuration You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Abjuration school.
Acid Dart (7/day) (Su) 30' Ranged touch attack deals 1d6+0 Acid damage.
Conjuration The conjurer focuses on the study of summoning monsters and magic alike to bend to his will.
Damage Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Cold attacks.
Damage Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Damage Resistance, Fire (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Fire attacks.
Darkness (1/day) (Sp) Darkness once per day.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Earplugs +2 save vs. hearing effects, -5 hearing-based Perception.
Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar.
Focused Mind +2 to Concentration checks
Necromancy You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Necromancy school.
Share Spells with Familiar The wizard may cast a spell with a target of "You" on his familiar (as a touch spell) instead of on himself. A wizard may cast spells on his familiar even if the spells do not normally affect creatures of the familiar's type (magical beast).
Spell Focus: Conjuration Spells from one school of magic have +1 to their save DC.
Summoner's Charm (+1r) (Su) Increase duration of summoning spells by 1/2 level (permanent at 20).

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Pathfinder® and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC®, and are used under license.

Played the original way back in the day and played the computer game a few years back. Have always loved it!

1.Web: Beautiful Maiden. Who can turn down a beautiful woman. I would feel a little sorry for the do-gooder, but in the end a man has his needs!
2. Goblins: Watch for awhile and see what they are up to. After accessing the situation, deal with the goblins and expect something from the prisoner in return for my help.
3. Dragon: Go meet the king! Much better chance to receive a reward and who can turn down a good party (see question 1)
4. Development: Straight wizard as a controller
5. Favorite villain/hero- Both are Raistlin Majere (Dragonlance)
6. Original AD&D, TOEE video game
7. Father: Team up with my fellow adventurers and go get his daughter.

ARCANE FAMILIAR CR 1/4
Male Scorpion, Greensting
NN Tiny Magical Beast ((Vermin))
Init +3; Senses Darkvision (60 feet); Perception +4
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DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 16 (+3 Dex, +2 size, +4 natural)
hp 4 (1d8)
Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +2
--------------------
OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Sting (Scorpion, Greensting) +5 (1d2-4/20/x2) and
Unarmed Strike +5 (1-4/20/x2)
Space 2.5 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
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STATISTICS
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Str 3, Dex 16, Con 10, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 2
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 7 (15 vs. Trip)
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Climb +7, Fly +8, Perception +4, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +15, Swim +3
Languages
SQ Improved Evasion (Ex), Poison (Ex)

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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Improved Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save; half on failed save.
Poison (Ex) Sting - injury; save Fort DC 10; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect sickened for 1 round; cure 1 save.

Hero Lab® and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com
Pathfinder® and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC®, and are used under license.

Nicolae was left on the steps of a Temple to Nethys in Ustalav as an infant. The priest saw his duel race as a sign from Nethys that the child was destined for greatness. The priest raised him as his own son. Nicolae excelled in the classroom and picked up things quicker than the other kids. Even in Ustalav, Nicolae was strange. Because of his success in class and his weird looks, he was picked on daily. As he grew, the bullying increased. He learned how to escape physical confrontation by quickness and wit(REACTIONARY). When things got too bad for him, his father sent him off to Absalom to a school of the arcane. Nicolae found his new school challenging. He was no longer the smartest kid in class. He learned to work hard and gained a thirst for knowledge. He spent hours studying ancient tomes looking for some advantage over his classmates.

After graduating from the university, he decided to seek out ancient writings to continue his studies. He had a desire to grow in power.Like the deity he was taught to revere, he holds magic above all. He recently read a tome about a possible Temple that holds ancient power and has left to investigate.

Nicolae is a complex individual. He is an extremely loyal friend, but takes awhile to get to know people. He is extremely interested in anything magic and ancient writings. He is a team player and likes to control situation around him including the battlefield.

X has been raised as a dwarf in the military stronghold of Rolgrimmdur. As soon as he was beyond the early meanderings of toddlerhood, he has lived and breathed a soldier's life of training. This suffuses his personality and the way he comports himself. Brevity in action, honesty and loyalty are all well held ideals. He does not suffer flippance or humor lightly and believes that honor is earnt by those that have it and not given merely due to people being in a position of power.

Authority is followed and obeyed for as long as they are proven just and pure, though he has no issues standing up to those that would guide him from the path of truth. But the gravity of his upbringing and blood occasionally weighs upon him heavily, sending him into an introspective funk.

He'll start off quite dour and honor / duty focused, though also insensitive to mitigation of evil / dishonorable acts.
Over time will be dependent alot on group dynamic and how his companions influence him.

The first thing that you notice about the dwarf approaching you is the calm and steady manner in which he carries himself. There is significant bulk on his frame, and although he might be slow to move and react... there is a tangible sense of the surety of stone to him.

His hair drawn back into a shoulder length ponytail, and beard braided with copper beard rings; barrel chest and thickly muscled arms and legs; calloused hands and a gravelly deep voice all scream dwarf to the observer... and yet there is something more to him. His eyes betray the secret of his otherworldly heritage - with the pupils, iris and whites all combined into a sky blue and slightly luminescent color. When drawn to anger the orbs flare with an inner fire, fueled by the conviction of his beliefs.

X is garbed for war, with heavy scale armor complemented by a brace of hammers both small and large and a heavy steel shield. The front of the shield bears an etched sigil of a poorly known empyreal lord - Ogoun, whose fiefdom is fire and iron. Gauntleted hands grip the weaponry easily, ready to bring them to bear if the need arises.

In 1551 the glorious Dwarven empire of Tar Taargadth collapsed as it was overrun by the assault of orcish hordes and their savage allies. One of the cities to fall was Grakodan, though not without the orcs paying a deep price. A cabal of Paladins faithful to the archon lord Ogoun were based in Grakodan, and called upon their patron for aid - being blessed with a Shield Archon joining the failed defence.

When the orcs came, they brought foul demons and cultists after hours of bloody battle managed to bind the shield archon to the mortal plane and slay it... causing the true death of one of Ogoun's faithful. The corpse of the archon was defiled and his armor turned into a fetish for the shamans.

Years later the halls were re-taken, though the conquering dwarves did not see the significance of the fetish - corroded and defiled as it was and it was gathered up with the rest of the orc's filth to be burned. It fell upon a lowly cleric in service to Angradd to recognize one of the few sigils that were yet legible.

Knowing that the fetish were the perverted remains of an archon, he saw them cleansed and laid to rest in a dwarven tomb - with full honors. This was not unnoticed by the powers, and the dwarf was visited in dream by one of Ogoun's heralds - a dwarf with a beard and hair of flame. The herald offered the priest a boon, though one not without price... in exchange for the grace of Ogoun looking over the re-settled ruins, one of his sons would be 'marked' for a quest of divine importance.

Years later as Rolgrimmdur was settled upon the ruins of Grakodan, the pious priest married and his wife bore two sons. The first, a stout dwarf who followed in his father's footsteps to clergy; and the second - X - who had clearly been marked by the gods. Eyes of blue and as he was born, the child began to burn with a cold flame that did not consume the child or mother.

Raised in the home of dwarven soldiery X took easily to instruction and proved himself an avid pupil of warfare. Strength of arm and stoutness of spirit overrided his occasional slowness of movement and pubescent clumsiness. It was in his early adulthood - just as he was to take the admission test for the Ninth Batallion... that he was called.

Praying in full armor and bearing his hammers before the tomb of the archon that his father had honored, he was instilled with a divine drive and fervor to travel East. He sensed that there was a cesspool of evil that needed to be rooted out.. and somehow he knew that he must be the one to do so.

As he arose, he noted that his hammers and shield had been etched with the sigil of his lord in Fire and Iron, Ogoun. His father's initial resistance faded to a whimper as he recognized the sigil and knew that this was the calling alluded to before.

It was so that X set out from Rolgrimmdur as a young adult, as yet unbloodied by combat - but that did not make his resolve any weaker. He travelled East and below the Fog Peaks, drawn by a pull upon his spirit towards the frontier town of Yanmass... ignorant of what dangers lay before him...

Score (Points) + Racial = Final
STR: 14 (5) + 0 = 14
DEX: 17 (13)+ 0 = 17
CON: 9 (-1) - 2 = 7
INT: 12 (2) + 0 = 12
WIS: 14 (5) + 2 = 16
CHA: 11 (1) + 2 = 13

ALLYSEN
Female Changeling Inquisitor 1
NG Medium Humanoid
Init +3; Senses Darkvision; Perception +7
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DEFENSE
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AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14. . (+3 armor, +3 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 9 (1d8+1); Judgement of Sacred Healing 1
Fort +0, Ref +3, Will +5
Defensive Abilities Judgement of Sacred Protection +1; DR Judgement of Sacred Resiliency 1: Magic; Resist Judgement of Sacred Purity +1, Judgement of Sacred Resistance 2 (Cold)
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OFFENSE
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Spd 30 ft.
Melee Claw x2 (Changeling) +2 x2 (1d4+2/20/x2) and
. . Longsword +2 (1d8+2/19-20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +2 (1d3+2/20/x2)
Ranged Shortbow +3 (1d6/20/x3)
Special Attacks Judgement of Sacred Destruction +1, Judgement of Sacred Justice +1, Judgement of Sacred Piercing +1, Judgement of Sacred Smiting (Magic)
Spell-Like Abilities Icicle (6/day)
Inquisitor Spells Known (CL 1, +2 melee touch, +3 ranged touch):
1 (2/day) Magic Weapon (DC 14), Cure Light Wounds (DC 14)
0 (at will) Light, Detect Magic, Guidance, Sift
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 17, Con 7, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 13
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 15
Feats Toughness +3
Traits Heirloom Weapon (Proficiency): Longsword, Undead Slayer
Skills Acrobatics +2, Bluff +5, Climb +1, Diplomacy +5, Disable Device +3, Escape Artist +2, Fly +2, Intimidate +2, Knowledge (Religion) +5, Perception +7, Perform (Oratory) +2, Ride +2, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +5, Stealth +6, Swim +1 Modifiers Monster Lore
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven
SQ Hulking Changeling (Ex), Inquisitor Domain: Water, Judgement (1/day) (Su)
Combat Gear Arrows (20), Longsword, Shortbow, Studded Leather; Other Gear Backpack (8 @ 22 lbs), Blanket, Crowbar, Flint and steel, Grappling hook, Holy symbol, wooden: Pharasma, Rations, trail (per day), Rope, silk (50 ft.), Sunrod (2), Thieves' tools, Waterskin
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Hulking Changeling (Ex) A changeling who was born of an annis hag is much more physically formidable than other changelings. You receive a +1 trait bonus on any damage you inflict with a melee attack.
Icicle (1d6+0) (6/day) (Sp) 30' Ranged touch attack deals 1d6+0 Cold damage.
Inquisitor Domain: Water Granted Powers: You can manipulate water and mist and ice, conjure creatures of water, and resist cold.
Judgement (1/day) (Su) Variable bonuses increase as the combat continues.
Judgement of Sacred Destruction +1 (Su) Weapon Damage bonus.
Judgement of Sacred Healing 1 (Su) Fast Healing
Judgement of Sacred Justice +1 (Su) Attack bonus
Judgement of Sacred Piercing +1 (Su) Concentration and vs. SR bonus
Judgement of Sacred Protection +1 (Su) AC bonus
Judgement of Sacred Purity +1 (Su) Save bonus
Judgement of Sacred Resiliency 1: Magic (Su) DR/magic
Judgement of Sacred Resistance 2: Cold (Su) Energy Resistances
Judgement of Sacred Smiting (Magic) (Su) DR bypass
Monster Lore +3 (Ex) +3 to Knowledge checks when identifying the weaknessess of creatures.
Undead Slayer +1 weapon damage vs. undead.

1) Before you is a huge web. In it are a priest of Iomedae and a beautiful maiden. You have time to rescue one of them, which one and why?

Allysen thinks for a long moment, her sleeve-covered hands twisting around each other. She looks up and plainly states, "I save the maiden. The priest would probably be shouting at me to leave him and save her anyway. Hopefully the girl will see this and live in a way that honors the holy-man." Her eyes shift to looking at her sleeves as she breathes a heavy sigh.

2) You are traveling through the forest and you suddenly see three goblins poking at a bound prisoner on the ground. What do you do?

"I lure them out by pegging one with my bow and then using my sword to kill or chase them off."

3) You just returned from successfully defeating a dragon which had been terrorizing the local villages. An orphanage requested that the brave heroes come so that the children can meet them. You accept, but then receive an invitation from the King to join him at a banquet in your honor. You cannot do both, what do you do?

"I apologize about not being to attend the banquet, but I had already made plans. I would say, however, that I would love to be invited to give the King the thrilling tale of what happened later if he wishes. Then, I spend the time I would have spent listening to self-important braggarts telling stories and playing games with children."

4) How do you expect your character to develop by level 5? Level 10?

Level 5: Inquisitor with a dip into Rogue. I imagine Allysen as a sneaky character with skills moving towards a Rogue's. So, as a guess a Inquisitor 3/Rogue 5, it depends on how useful those skills are and what the party needs.

Level 10: Same as at level 5, but more weighted to the inquisitor side, so Inquisitor 7/ Rogue 3. Again, it depends on party needs and how much those skills are being used.

5) Who is your favorite villain and your favorite hero from a medieval story and why? Can be historic, from a book, or from a movie. 


Hmmm, that's a tough one. I would have to say Jarlaxle for my favorite villain. I know, I know, a character from the Legend of Drizzt saga, how utterly bleh. But hear me out. I like the suave, calculating villain archetype and Jarlaxle is a pretty good example of it, but there are times where he miscalculates and has to let go of the pride and arrogance that is his trademark in order to save his skin. It's a lot like the mouse bullying the cat, and it's interesting to me.

As for heroes, I like Vin from Mistborn. I won't spoil too much of the books for you, but how she adapts to a totally different world and how she deals with things a 16-year-old would have to deal with while learning how to control her power is pretty impressive.

6) Let me know if/how much you have played/read the ToEE - any version including AD&D, 3rd Ed., Return to ToEE, or any video games or novels. 


Nope. I've heard of it, but most of what I know came from your intro post.

7) You are sitting in a tavern when a distraught father runs in and announces that his daughter has been kidnapped by brigands and now they are demanding a ransom or will kill her. He says he has no money to reward the party but hears that the brigands have had much success. What do you do?

"I tell him to hang a red kerchief on the lintel of his home and I'll return as soon as I am able with his daughter."

Blood and death. Those smells still haunted her after almost three years. Blood, her mentor's blood, her sister's blood, the blood of the sick and dying, all of it blurred into a horrific metallic smell that wanted her to scream until her throat and lungs bleed. The smell of death hovered like a specter over the grisly scene as lives were ripped out with wicked claws, or slipped away through ragged rends in skin and flesh.

Then there was the screams of terror, the howls of pain, the ripping of flesh from bone, and the smacking of bloodied lips. The symphony of horror played its macabre song as the scents of that terrible night swept over her and wrapped her mind in bonds of fear. Above all of it, there was the voice, the mewling voice, calling out to her, begging her to join in the slaughter.

Worst of all was the scene that completed the play of horrors. The glassy eyes of friends staring at her as the life behind them faded accused her. The blood of the clergy pooling on the floor damned her. The monster, that mewling, horrific monster, rending of her sister haunted her, even as she lay there listening to the screams.

Then it ended. Just ended. No more screams. No more slaughter. Just the lone voice whispering to her, "Such a shame you didn't join in such a wonderful, bloody night my dear Allysen."

"My dear daughter."

Allysen was left at a small temple of Pharasma one cold winter's night just after her birth. The newborn changeling was taken in by the young priest who presided over the temple and soon developed a fatherly affection for the strange child left in his care. He named her after his mother, and taught her the tenets of Pharasma, and gifted her with a love of storytelling. As she grew older, the man taught her to wield a sword, speak and read the language of dragons and mages, and call upon the Lady of Graves to pass judgement on those who would violate the cycle of life and death, and their undead creations. The young girl even took up learning elven on her own.

As Allysen began to approach womanhood, however, her mentor, and others of the church, started to notice things that were not normal. First it was her tough skin, then her unusually canny night-sight, and finally, the sharp claws that her fingernails were becoming. After hearing a farmer whisper about hag-spawn, Allysen wore robes and tunics with sleeves long enough to cover her hands. She had always been told that she looked like a half-elf, and her human parent was probably Chelish. She wasn't the spawn of a hag. She couldn't be. She was kind while hags were evil, preyed upon the weak, and made pacts with unnatural powers. She did none of those things. She refused to answer the call and stubbornly refused to be acknowledged as anything other than a half-elf.

She was a half-elf, she told herself, but even the most accepting of the clergy were beginning to wonder if that was true. As she reached her fifteenth year, though, all the initial fear and mistrust among the local farmers and craftsmen gave way to an outpouring of support as they learned of her love of storytelling and her love of children, especially those orphaned by plague, bandits, or monsters.

On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, however, something dark and terrible happened. An annis hag of surprising cunning and malice attacked the Pharasmin temple and slaughtered everyone, save a small scared girl clinging to her mentor's longsword as if it was a lifeline in a storm-tossed sea. She helped bury the dead and blessed the ground where her friends and family now lay. She left the next night and never looked back. The hag had called out to her, and claimed her as its daughter. That couldn't be. She was a half-elf, right?

The first few months saw the meager funds she had saved spent and her body wracked with hunger pains. She was no hunter, but she was light on her feet and deft in her hands. She stole picks from a drunken thief, then bread from a bakery. Shame lead her to pay over three times what she took when she found a few loose coins. She'd tell stories for money and work in the temple for food and shelter, but she always left a few days after arriving. Fear, a fear that she was the child of something that could do something that haunted her even after three years had passed, drove her on. Trying to run away from her past and that fear.

Now the nightmares come less often, and the shame from the first few weeks alone had faded. Allysen was reaching a new normal of traveling from church to church and helping in anyway she could, but rumors were spreading. Strange things were happening in the Fog Peaks. A voice, a different voice from the mewling voice that sometimes called out to her, or the meek voice that begged her to run away and never stay in any place longer than a day, urged her to head up to those mountains. Things that threatened to upset the cycle of life and death were there, waiting to be judged by her blade.

Now a shady inn looms ahead. The pale woman pulls the hood of her cloak tighter around her midnight-dark hair. Her sleeves cover her hands against the cold and prying eyes. Blue and gray eyes sweep the dark road and fire-lit windows of the Inn of the Spider Queen.

Nice place Her lips purse in an expression of mild dismay. Well, better get inside before I freeze out here. Or worse...

Allysen is skittish around new people. Experience has taught her that not everyone accepts her and are less likely to if they think she's the spawn of a hag. Whenever hags or the events on the eve of her fifteenth birthday come up in conversation, she gets visibly tense and takes the first opportunity to change the subject. Children, on the other hand, bring out a different side. Allysen loves nothing more than weaving a tale of derring-do and dastardly villains to the cheers and gasps of her young audience. She isn't above playing games with them and is more than happy to watch over them for a few hours while their parents go about their business.

Beyond that, she's loyal and selfless to her friends, when she makes them. Those that get past the shell of shyness and fear find a fiercely determined woman with a heart and mind that have weathered the ravages of that nightmare-fueling night and its aftereffects far better than most. She does not tolerate the wicked and tolerates the undead and those that make them even less.

Allysen is built much like a dancer. Her frame is slight, but still has feminine curves, though far less pronounced than those of stouter and taller women. Her skin is pale to the point of being as close to white as one can get and still look healthy. Her midnight-black hair frames her round face and falls to about the middle of her back when not pulled up in its customary pony-tail. Pointed ears like those of a half-elf stick out a little when not covered by her cloak. Her blue and gray eyes are often wide and alert. Her small button nose sits above a thin and delicate mouth. Her hands are the biggest clue to her heritage, the sharp nails especially.

She wears black leather armor with dulled studs to help hide her in the shadows. A black padded tunic is under the armor. The sleeves cover the leather bracers, the dark under-tunic that reaches her wrist, and her clawed hands. A wide belt protects her stomach and kidneys and holds her quiver and longsword. Hardened leather plates protect her thighs while her boots include hardened leather armor to protect her lower legs. Thick black britches go under the armor strapped to her legs and provide a little more padding between any blows and her legs. She wears a black cloak to help keep her warm and hide her face and eyes when among people she's uncomfortable around.