Through the looking glass

Game Master Lloyd Jackson

Thom's earliest memories are of a life amidst the caravan wagons on the twisty roads of the rugged Varisian countryside. Raised by a community of nomadic Varisian gypsies, his elvish heritage made him somewhat of an outsider even among those who loved him. Hiding it became second nature (Disguise), though he learned early that his unique heritage did give him a few quirks others didn't have (bard cantrips/spells). With a little practice, these 'tricks' just became a small extension of who he was.

There was much he enjoyed and learned during his Varisian upbringing. A love of life. A love of travel. He picked up a charming, approachable nature as well as the ability to spin a tale… or a lie when the situation demanded. A certain Varisian moral relativism was learned alongside the use of dagger, bow, blade, and whip. His natural ability to read others was as much blessing as curse. And his rustic surroundings – full of trees to climb, lakes and marshes to swim, and animals to stalk – were perfect for an athletic young boy.

But as the boy very slowly grew into a young man – and he watched his friends and parents advance so much faster than himself – his sense of displacement grew more and more uncomfortable.

Until one night he simply left. Varisia is a big country, but the world is bigger still. Somewhere out there was Thom's place. He just needed to find it.

Unfortunately, Thom never did.

Thom spent his early adult-hood searching the Inner Sea and beyond… always seeking a place or a people that seemed to fit. And always looking in places where an air of trustworthiness or an easy skill with a blade could get work. He spent a turn taking orders from a sheriff. He made a run as a mercenary. He even sweated out a few years as a caravan guard in the sands around Osiriana. And through it all, his knack for reading people and places always left him with the same empty feeling. He didn't belong, so he'd move on. Just enough time to pick up a few tricks, but never long enough to really take up the trade itself.

The life of an adventurer comes easy for people like Thom. No roots. No pesky moral restrictions. That magic mix of bravado, charm, talent, toughness, and no lack of luck. Thom got adventuring jobs as easy as he made friends (something he'd never lacked).

But then there was that one job that changed everything.

Feel free to speak into what kind of gig would have gotten Thom mixed up in this little world-jump. It really doesn't matter to me, as the gig would have been about the adventure itself, not the item or person involved. And I think it'd be great if Thom knew his crew pretty well (whatever fellow players are also on the team), and he would have relied on the smartest of them to help get the detail sfo the job ironed out. Really, whatever works for me.

…but after realizing that he was no longer on any corner of Golarion he could recognize, he'd stumbled upon the Book. It didn't look like any of the books of magic he'd seen in his years. Though it did look old… and well maintained. On the worn leather cover, it simply read "The Bible". The lettering looked to have been some kind of cheap gold gilding at some point. Thom didn't know what it was about the book, but he picked it up. It just felt important. A certain ageless heft to its bulk. And the small words written on every page in a perfect, systematized handwriting, along with the notes written in a tiny, spidery script crammed into the margins of nearly every page, seem to stir something deep in Thom. Something that's been dormant… or maybe neglected… for as long as Thom can remember.

Thom doesn't know this place. He doesn't recognize its people, their cities, or their cultures. In some ways they are foreign; in some ways they are so alike the many cultures he's seen growing up.

But somehow, this Book, this place, and this Alpha and Omega are important… and Thom is determined to find out why.

I'll determine how much Thom knows about the Bible when you tell us how long we've been on Earth. I took the Comprehend Languages spell, so he could have immediately begun to understand the words (as well as the words of the notes of its previous owner), and he's used it to teach himself the english language… at least on sight (so I took a rank in Linguistics).

The Archaeologist angle is going to be refluffed to be his elvish heritage mixed with his drifter lifestyle. He's got these tricks (spells/cantrips) that he does, even if he doesn't really know how he does them (no ranks in Spellcraft or Knowledge: Arcana.. at least yet). His Archaeologist Luck is, well, his luck. And the bard chassis gives him a bunch of class skills and ranks to flesh out his 'jack of all trades' feel, though my goal isn't to try to keep all these skills maxed by any means… more of a generalist platform on which his new calling will be built.

Skills are going to be scattered around to pick up a rank or two in a variety of skills (to represent his eclectic experiences), and the only maxed out skill (at the beginning of the game, at least) will be Sense Motive. He's always been able to read people. Other than that, he'll have a smattering of adventuring and social skill ranks (i'm thinking Bluff, Climb, Diplomacy, Perception, Stealth, and Swim). Then, I'm dropping a single point into KNowledge: Religion and Linguistics, both thanks to him finding the Bible that was the catalyst for his transformation into who he will be now (a Paladin of God).

Feats will (likely) be Power Attack, Skill Focus: Sense Motive (racial), and Lingering Performance (to make the most of Arch.'s Luck).

My goal is for Thom to be one of the group's melee combat specialists, though he approaches even that from a generalist perspective. He prefers to wear non-encumbering armor and shields, and will carry weapons that allow him flexibility and effectiveness in a range of fight types (light-ish armor, quick-draw shield, longsword, morningstar, daggers, bow, and scorpion whip). I'm going to play off his spells (whether bardic or paladinic) as simply tricks or subtle prayers. Hopefully he'll be the group's unremarkable back-bone character… he claims to be a simple mercenary, but over time hopefully he'll get the chance to exhibit some very selfless bravery in the face of whatever dangers this new world throws at us.

Vidak had expected he would be sent out into the wilds, maybe with one or two companions, and bring back a smilodon, or it's tusks. Instead however a much more daunting task awaited him. His tribe met with another at the southern end of the Iceworm Hills. He, together with a group of a total number of twelve others, was supposed to go in there and bring back a dead iceworm, a remorhaz. They were to return within the week, preferably with their mark but without it if they could not find one. They, however, did find one, or rather it found them. During the night of their first camp, when Vidak had just passed the watch to one of the members of the other tribe, it struck. First it swallowed the new guard on it's way up, revealing it's full form. The beast was at least 30 feet long and must have been rather old as opposed to the youngling they intended to take down. Before everyone managed to get ready to fight the beast the tremendous heat coming from it's back had set several tents ablaze, some with their residents still inside. Unprepared for such a task the remaining hunters threw spears at the beast, but those that didn't catch flame before hitting the beast bounced of it's hard carapace. Only the single acolyte that had joined them had any success in hitting the beast using his spells, but the result was that he was eaten next. It was the quick thinking of Vidak's cousin that saved them. He came up with a plan to lure the beast into a giant chasm they had passed on their way here, hoping they could trick it into falling to it's death.

They pulled the smoldering remains of one of their companions out of a burning tent and dragged it behind them though the snow. At first the beast didn't seem interested but when all it's potential food moved with the corpse it was quick to follow. It was only a short chase before they reached the chasm and the threw the corpse over the edge, but instead of going after it like they had hoped the remorhaz stayed put, eyeing them all as if deciding who to eat first. Before it could launch itself at any of them however a terrifying roar came from the chasm, a roar that surprised both the hunters and the beast. The roar was soon followed by an enormous white form that came up from the chasm as it appeared the smoldering corpse had disturbed the rest of an enormous white dragon. Ignoring the pesky humans the dragon launched itself at the enormous insect before it, wanting to eliminate the source of the maligned heat. Vidak and his remaining comrades made themselves scarce as quickly as they could, hiding behind a large mound of snow. From there they watched the battle, a battle eventually won by the dragon through nothing but brute force. When the battle was over the dragon tore open the carapace of the beast and started dining on the soft flesh within. When it was done it turned it's heads towards the hunters and spoke in common, "You brought me a delectable meal, for that you get to live." With that the wyrm took wing. As soon was it vanished over the horizon the hunters came out and rushed towards the carcass of the dead iceworm to cut off it's spines and fangs, that's what they had come for after all.

That night they returned to their tribes, their bags filled with fangs and spines and their tents used to carry the remaining dead and wounded so that they could receive a proper burial. After the short and simple ceremony the seven remaining hunters, both wounded and whole, related their story to their tribes. The shamans praised the spirits for their luck while the hunters slapped them on the back to congratulate them with a spectacular hunt.

HP: 23
AC: 16, Touch: 14, Flat-footed: 12

Speed 30ft (20ft due to medium load)
Initiative: 6

Str: 8
Dex: 18
Con: 14 (-15 to die)
Wis: 14
Int: 10
Cha: 12

BAB: 2
CMB: 1
CMD: 15

Fort: 4 (9 to stabilise when dying)
Ref: 9
Will: 2

Combat:

Sneak Attack: Within 40ft of target, deal an extra 1d6 damage.

Musket - +7, 1d12+1 x4, 40ft, capacity 1, misfire 1-3 (5ft), b and p
Two handed weapon – Reload as a move action.

Nodachi - +1, 1d10-1, 18-20x2, p or s

Traits:

Reactionary: +2 Initiative
Adopted – Halfling penalty decrease to sniping

Alternate Racial – Heart of the wilderness

Feats/Rogue Talents:

1a. Point-blank Shot
1b. Precise Shot
1c. Gunsmithing
3. Rapid Reload (reload 2-handed musket as a move action)
Talent – Ninja Trick: A ninja with this ninja trick increases the range at which she can deal sneak attack damage by 10 feet. A ninja can take this trick more than once. Its effects stack.

Skills:

Acrobatics*: 10 (4 dex, 3 ranks, 3 class)
Climb*: 5 (-1 str, 2 ranks, 3 class)
Diplomacy*: 5 (1 cha, 1 rank, 3 class)
Disable Device*: 8 (4 dex, 1 rank, 3 class)
Escape Artist*: 8 (4 dex, 1 rank, 3 class)
Knowledge (Local)*: 5 (0 int, 2 ranks, 3 class)
Perception*: 8 (2 wis, 3 ranks, 3 class)
Sense Motive*: 6 (2 wis, 2 ranks, 3 class)
Stealth*: 10 (4 dex, 3 ranks, 3 class)
Survival*: 6 (2 wis, 1 rank, 3 class) – 7 to track
Swim*: 3 (-1 str, 1 ranks, 3 class)

Gear: Leather Armour (10gp, +2AC, +6 Dex, 16lb’s), +1 Musket (2,300gp, 9lb’s, broken to anyone but me), Nodachi (60gp, 1d10, 18-20x2, brace, 8lb’s, s or p), Gunsmith’s Kit (15gp, 2lb’s), Alchemical Cartridge, Paper (Bullet x50, 600gp).

Wealth: 15gp

Light load: 26 lb’s
Medium load: 53 lb’s
Heavy load: 80 lb’s
Lift overhead: 80 lb’s
Lift off ground: 160lb’s
Drag/Push: 400lb’s

Carrying: 34lb’s (Medium Load)

Gunslinger:

Grit (Ex): A gunslinger makes her mark upon the world with daring deeds. Some gunslingers claim they belong to a mystical way of the gun, but it's more likely that the volatile nature of firearms simply prunes the unlucky and careless from their ranks. Whatever the reason, all gunslingers have grit. In game terms, grit is a fluctuating measure of a gunslinger's ability to perform amazing actions in combat. At the start of each day, a gunslinger gains a number of grit points equal to her Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). Her grit goes up or down throughout the day, but usually cannot go higher than her Wisdom modifier (minimum 1), though some feats and magic items may affect this maximum. A gunslinger spends grit to accomplish deeds (see below), and regains grit in the following ways.

Killing Blow with a Firearm: When the gunslinger reduces a creature to 0 or fewer hit points with a firearm attack while in the heat of combat, she regains 1 grit point. Destroying an unattended object, reducing a helpless or unaware creature to 0 or fewer hit points, or reducing a creature that has fewer Hit Dice than half the gunslinger's character level to 0 or fewer hit points does not restore any grit.

Critical Hit with a Firearm: Each time the gunslinger confirms a critical hit with a firearm attack while in the heat of combat, she regains 1 grit point. Confirming a critical hit on a helpless or unaware creature or on a creature that has fewer Hit Dice than half the gunslinger's character level does not restore grit.

Deeds: Gunslingers spend grit points to accomplish deeds. Most deeds grant the gunslinger some momentary bonus or effect, but there are some that provide longer-lasting effects. Some deeds stay in effect as long as the gunslinger has at least 1 grit point. The following is the list of base gunslinger deeds. A gunslinger can only perform deeds of her level or lower. Unless otherwise noted, a deed can be performed multiple successive times, as long as the appropriate amount of grit is spent to perform the deed.

Deadeye (Ex): At 1st level, the gunslinger can resolve an attack against touch AC instead of normal AC when firing beyond her firearm's first range increment. Performing this deed costs 1 grit point per range increment beyond the first. The gunslinger still takes the –2 penalty on attack rolls for each range increment beyond the first when she performs this deed.

Gunslinger's Dodge (Ex): At 1st level, the gunslinger gains an uncanny knack for getting out of the way of ranged attacks. When a ranged attack is made against the gunslinger, she can spend 1 grit point to move 5 feet as an immediate action; doing so grants the gunslinger a +2 bonus to AC against the triggering attack. This movement is not a 5-foot step, and provokes attacks of opportunity. Alternatively, the gunslinger can drop prone to gain a +4 bonus to AC against the triggering attack. The gunslinger can only perform this deed while wearing medium or light armor, and while carrying no more than a light load.

Quick Clear (Ex): At 1st level, as a standard action, the gunslinger can remove the broken condition from a single firearm she is currently wielding, as long as that condition was gained by a firearm misfire. The gunslinger must have at least 1 grit point to perform this deed. Alternatively, if the gunslinger spends 1 grit point to perform this deed, she can perform quick clear as a move-equivalent action instead of a standard action.

Optional Rule: Daring Act

The following method for regaining grit points requires a measure of GM judgment, so it is an optional rule.

Daring Act: Each time a gunslinger performs a daring act, she can regain grit. As a general guideline, a daring act should be risky and dramatic. It should take a good deal of guts, and its outcome should have a low probability of success. If it is successful, the gunslinger regains 1 grit point.

Before attempting a daring act, the player should ask the GM whether the act qualifies. The GM is the final arbiter of what's considered a daring act, and can grant a regained grit point for a daring act even if the player does not ask beforehand whether the act qualifies.

Rogue:

Sniper

Some say that the sniper is the worst kind of assassin: a killer who waits silently in the shadows and then strikes from a distance without remorse. Snipers, of course, understand that such protestations about “cowardice” and “honor” regarding their profession are in fact merely the bleatings of sheep fearing the slaughter and pay them no heed. Most snipers take pride in their formidable abilities, which allow them to take life quickly, quietly, and efficiently, then disappear into their surroundings without a trace.

Accuracy (Ex): At 1st level, a sniper halves all range increment penalties when making ranged attacks with a bow or crossbow. This ability replaces trapfinding.

Deadly Range (Ex): At 3rd level, a sniper increases the range at which she can apply her sneak attack damage by 10 feet. This range increases by 10 feet for every 3 levels after 3rd. This ability replaces trap sense.

Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level and higher, a rogue can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the rogue is wearing light armor or no armor. Ahelpless rogue does not gain the benefit of evasion.

Gunsmithing

You know the secrets of repairing and restoring firearms.
Benefit: If you have access to a gunsmith's kit, you can create and restore firearms, craft bullets, and mix black powder for all types of firearms. You do not need to make a Craft check to create firearms and ammunition or to restore firearms.

Crafting Firearms: You can craft any early firearm for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the firearm. At your GM's discretion, you can craft advanced firearms for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the firearm. Crafting a firearm in this way takes 1 day of work for every 1,000 gp of the firearm's price (minimum 1 day).

Crafting Ammunition: You can craft bullets, pellets, and black powder for a cost in raw materials equal to 10% of the price. If you have at least 1 rank in Craft (alchemy), you can craft alchemical cartridges for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the cartridge. At your GM's discretion, you can craft metal cartridges for a cost in raw materials equal to half the cost of the cartridge. Crafting bullets, black powder, or cartridges takes 1 day of work for every 1,000 gp of ammunition (minimum 1 day).

Restoring a Broken Firearm: Each day, with an hour's worth of work, you can use this feat to repair a single firearm with the broken condition. You can take time during a rest period to restore a broken firearm with this feat.

Special: If you are a gunslinger, this feat grants the following additional benefit. You can use this feat to repair and restore your initial, battered weapon. It costs 300 gp and 1 day of work to upgrade it to a masterwork firearm of its type.

Deadly Range (Ex): A ninja with this ninja trick increases the range at which she can deal sneak attack damage by 10 feet. A ninja can take this trick more than once. Its effects stack.

I need for him to have a reason to be compelled to struggle with the revelations in the book.

No changes to what's already been written, just layering him a bit

Monster I (6/day)

Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 1):
1 (4/day) Burning Hands (DC 14), Snowball (fire) (DC 14)
0 (at will) Spark (DC 13), Ray of Frost (fire), Flare (DC 13), Jolt (fire)

Summoner Spells Known (CL 2):
1 (3/day) Rejuvenate Eidolon, Lesser, Mage Armor, Endure Elements
0 (at will) Acid Splash (fire), Read Magic, Daze (DC 13), Mage Hand, Detect Magic
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 17

Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 12

Feats Eschew Materials, Extra Evolution, Summoner's Call (Strength)

Traits Dangerously Curious, Elemental Pupil (Fire), Twinned Presence

Skills
Acrobatics +2 (-2 jump)
Craft (alchemy) +7
Disguise +3 (+13 to appear as a plainly dressed Small human child, adult halfling, or adult gnome)
Fly +4
Intimidate +8
Perception +1
Sense Motive +1
Spellcraft +7
Stealth +7
Use Magic Device +8

Languages Common, Draconic, Gnome, Sylvan

SQ bloodlines (elemental [fire]), eidolon link, life link, share spells with eidolon

Combat Gear Wand of Summon Eidolon, Alchemist's fire (2), Flash powder (2); Other Gear Haramaki, Cap of human

guise, Shawl of life-keeping (10 HP/day), Backpack, masterwork (14 @ 8.25 lbs), Belt pouch (2 @ 0 lbs), Grizzly Bear Monster

Mask, Tea (per cup) (10), Teapot, 100 GP, 7 SP
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TRACKED RESOURCES
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Alchemist's fire - 0/2
Bond Senses (2 rounds/day) (Ex) - 0/2
Dancing Lights (1/day) (Sp) - 0/1
Elemental Ray (6/day) (Sp) - 0/6
Flare (Pyromaniac) (1/day) (Sp) - 0/1
Flash powder - 0/2
Prestidigitation (Pyromaniac) (1/day) (Sp) - 0/1
Produce Flame (Pyromaniac) (1/day) (Sp) - 0/1
Shawl of life-keeping (10 HP/day) - 0/10
Summon Monster I (6/day) (Sp) - 0/6
Wand of Summon Eidolon - 0/10
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Special Abilities
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Bond Senses (2 rounds/day) (Ex) As a standard action, you can share Eidolon's senses while on same plane.
Cap of human guise You can appear as a human child, adult halfling, or adult gnome.
Dancing Lights (1/day) (Sp) With Charisma 11+, cast Dancing Lights once per day.
Darkvision (60 feet) (Darkvision) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Defensive Training +4 Gain a dodge bonus to AC vs monsters of the Giant subtype.
Eidolon Link (Ex) Mental link allows communication over any distance, but share magic item slots.
Elemental (Fire) You may change any energy spell to use [Fire] energy.
Elemental Pupil (Fire) +1 dam when cast damaging spells of chosen element.
Elemental Ray (6/day) (Sp) Ranged touch attack deals 1d6+1 Fire damage.
Eschew Materials Cast spells without materials, if component cost is 1 gp or less.
Flare (Pyromaniac) (1/day) (Sp) With Charisma 11+, cast Flare once per day.
Hatred +1 Gain a bonus to attack vs goblinoid/reptilian humanoids.
Life Link (Su) Damage that dismisses Eidolon can be taken by you. It weakens if not in 100 ft.
Prestidigitation (Pyromaniac) (1/day) (Sp) With Charisma 11+, cast Prestidigitation once per day.
Produce Flame (Pyromaniac) (1/day) (Sp) With Charisma 11+, cast Produce Flame once per day.
Share Spells with Eidolon (Ex) Your spells ignore type restrictions for Eidolon and it can recieve your personal

spells.
Shawl of life-keeping (10 HP/day) Store up to 10 HP in the shawl. You heal stored HP if you are reduced to -1 HP or

less.
Summon Monster I (6/day) (Sp) Standard action summon lasts minutes, but only 1 active at a time and can't use with

eidolon.
Summoner's Call (Strength) You may give your Eidolon +2 STR, DEX, CON for 10 minutes after you summon it.
Wand of Summon Eidolon Add this item to create a wand of a chosen spell.
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Twinned Presence: Your eidolon—and your connection to it—makes others ill at ease. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Intimidate

checks, and Intimidate is always a class skill for you. In addition, if your eidolon is summoned and within 30 feet, and its

size exceeds your own, use its size modifier on any Intimidate checks you make.

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Special Abilities
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Damage Resistance, Fire (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Fire attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.

• Born into Jalmeray as a minor son of a fine merchant house, he was initially being trained to take over as a merchant's son - peddling in spice and homeopathic remedies.
  
• During his late adolescence a traveller visited during the Challenge of Sky and Heaven, and Gethric was entranced by his words and actions.
  
• Joining the prophet of Chucaro he abandoned his inheritance and has been travelling the world seeking visions and acting as spiritual guide to those people he meets along the way.
  
• He provokes visions during a morning ritual where he allows his familiar to bite his arm and lets the cobra's venom make his consciousness transcend. Thus one arm is withered and bears an epic set of 'trackmarks' from repeated prolonged bites.
  
• During his vision quests he also prepares his spells for the day.
  
• When he went into his ritual trance one day, he awoke what he initially thinks is a lucid dream... but he has since become unsure.
  
• While on Earth, he seeks to open people's minds and hearts to what his patron can offer - and potentially may build a cult like following depending on how that plays out.

Not my greatest epic... but hopefully enough there so that you know what he'll be about.

Feats:
Spell Focus: Divination
Diviner’s Delving: +2 bonus on caster level checks with divinations to overcome spell resistance or effects that impede divination (for example, nondetection). When using a divination spell that requires concentration, you gain information from the spell 1 round sooner than normal (so you gain information from the first 2 rounds with 1 round of concentration, and information from the third round in the second round of concentration).
Accursed Hex:
Brew Potion:

Hexes:
Slumber (Su): cause creature within 30ft to fall into deep magical sleep as per spell. Will save to negate, sleep lasts for rounds = witch level. Affect any HD. Flavored as the target falling into an overwhelming hallucination.
Cauldron (Ex): gain Brew Potion as bonus feat and +4 insight bonus on Craft (alchemy).

Skills: (2+4+1)
Craft (Alchemy), Knowledge (Nature, Planes, Religion), Spellcraft, Appraise, Heal.

Spells Known:
0th: all known
1st: bungle, command, cure light wounds, delusional pride, ear piercing scream, hypnotism, ill omen, shadow weapon, sleep
2nd: augury, mad hallucination

Familiar:
Cobra (use Viper stats):
Insanity Patron: 2nd—memory lapse, 4th—hideous laughter, 6th—distracting cacophony, 8th—confusion, 10th—mind fog, 12th—envious urge, 14th—insanity, 16th—symbol of insanity, 18th—overwhelming presence.

Traits:
Starchild (reflavored to Chucaro): You can automatically determine where true north is. You gain a +4 trait bonus on Survival checks to avoid becoming lost.
Indomitable Faith: +1 trait bonus on Will saves.