Way of the Wicked

Game Master Megan Robertson

Jericho Fiendaxe
Male Human (Unarmed) Fighter 1
LE Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +1 ; Senses
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DEFENSE
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AC 12, touch 1?, flat-footed 1? (+1 Dex, +1 Dodge)
hp 11 (1d10+1)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will -1
Special defense: +2 vs. sleep, paralysis and stunning. May charge through allies. Ignore difficult terrain when charge, run or withdraw.
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OFFENSE
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Spd 30 ft.
Melee
Unarmed strike +6 (1d3+5/20/x2) (*1d3+7 for first strike)

Ranged

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STATISTICS
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Str 20, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +6; CMD 17

Feats
Improved unarmed attack
Dragon style feat
Dodge
Intimidating prowess

Skills
Climb +9 (+1 sp, +3 trained, +5 Str)
Intimidate +13 (+1 sp, +3 trained, +2 Cha, +5 Str, +2 Piracy)
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +4 (+1 sp, +3 trained)
Swim +9 (+1 sp, +3 trained, +5 Str)

Languages Common

Gear:

GP remaining: 0GP 0SP

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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Traits:
Armour expert:When you wear armor of any sort, reduce that suit’s armor check penalty by 1, to a minimum check penalty of 0.

Piracy: You have been caught in the act of piracy on the high seas. This is a rare crime these days since Markadian I called the Victorious burned the last major pirate fleet to threaten these isles. Still the crime is punished harshly. Likely you are the sole survivor of your ship. Punishment: Death by hanging
Benefit: You may select either Bluff or Intimidate. The selected skill receives a +2 trait bonus and is always a class skill for you.

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BACKGROUND
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Jericho is one of many illegitimate sons of Arronax Endymion, former fleet admiral of Cheliax. At least, that's what his mother Mya had told him. At her prime she was a sacred priest of Calistria, and she was sent by her church House of the Stolen Kisses in Quent, along with several others to try and expand domain of her goddess onto Ollo.

It seems that this idea did not find a good reception with Avimar Sorrinash, ruler of Ollo at the time. His "allies", the sahuagin informed him that they considered sea and lands around Ollo domain of their gods, and that they will not tolerate it. Since he was unwilling to move against sacred priests of Calistria himself, Avimar arranged for a raid of sahuagin to happen while he was away. Raid targeted specifically the site designated for new temple of Calistria and almost all persons related to it were either killed or dragged away. His mother Mya was one of those which were captured, but it seems that her luck held out. Instead of becoming food for those obnoxious creatures, like many others, raiding party which had her imprisoned, was in turn successfully ambushed by man of Arronax Endymion. She was recaptured and brought to his ship, along with other loot. She spent there next two months, with his fleet, at sea, before admiral got bored of her, and resold her back to some of his local contacts in Ollo. Eight or nine months later, Jericho was born.

His mother never talked to Jericho about her time on those ships, but she was always insuring him that his father is admiral Arronax himself. For sure. Not that it mattered much. They scrounged somehow for living, with Mya being disgraced and cast out of the church. When he was 13, his mother was killed in one of the orgiastic hunts of Avimar Sorrinash' crew of werewolves.

Jericho somehow survived, and for the next 12 years he did hard physical labour jobs and petty thefts, just to obtain food somehow. With time, he became a skilled brawler, and after some time, he started working as one of many bouncers in a shady dockside establishment in Ollo. There, he came into contact with one of many groups planning to overthrow Avimar. As for dozens of plots aimed at him before, Avimar was onto this one as well, and at the most opportune moment he released his werewolves against the conspirators. Again, more due to luck (if one can call it that way), Jericho was able to run away and avoid the slaughter. He ran from Ollo, hiding as stow away on the first ship leaving port. Being based at Ollo, of course it was a pirate ship. Jericho was found after a while, and after a flogging, he "volunteered" to join ship's crew. He survived, and thanks to his great strength, he even prospered, becoming one of the ships sergeants after some time. On the ship, Jericho was "introduced" to the worship Asmodeus, since both captain and most of the crew were devout worshippers.

Jericho hates Calistria, as he believes that she has deserted his mother. He also hates Cheliax (although he has never seen it) and Admiral Arronax Endymion, as the only "representative" of Cheliax he knows. But most of all, with all his passion he hates werewolwes and Avimar Sorrinash, and he would do everything in his power to exterminate them.

It happened 5 days ago. Almost for a full day, they have chased after what seemed to be heavily ladden sloop. They have finally caught it, but the chase brought them dangerously close to Andoran coast. They have overpowered crew of the sloop rather fast, but suddenly a vicious storm broke out. Storm lasted for several hours, and when it was finally over, instead of feeling relief, Jericho and his crew mates saw a fresh Andoran frigate quickly approaching. Their ship damaged by the storm, and with his comrades exhausted, they knew they could not outrun them. So with grim determination, they faced Andorans, fighting like crazy. Despite all their courage and desperation, there were simply too many enemies, and Jericho saw his squad mates getting killed one by one. With a loud battle scream he jumped at the attackers, crushing them with his brute force. And then, something hit him on the head and his world went black. Several days later, Jericho awoke in the cell of infamous Branderscar Prison. Same guard who told him name of the prison, happily informed him that he is about to be hanged in 3 days time...

My sin is Pride. My crime is forgery. I am the only daughter of a family of lesser nobles. My father was a knight who served the king well and was handsomely rewarded with expansive estates and servants. He took a wife, the most beautiful in the manse, but common. She loved him, so that was all that mattered and amongst many of the other lesser nobles, who may have developed judgmental contempt for such a practice, the great name of the LaVayn house was losing its credibility. The LaVayn's were very noble in their attitude towards their serfs and servants and treated them well.

All enjoyed prosperity for a time. That is until a cunning young noble from the DuGrav family appeared with a edict from the King to mobilize the knights once again in defense of the kingdom. Valiant and brave, my father was eager to oblige the benevolent king and defend the crown once more.

It wasn't but a county away that the small band found themselves ambushed by bandits who heavily outnumbered the group who had not yet collected any other knights. The rogues were hooded so they couldn't be identified, and for a robbery,they didn't take much.

The young DuGrav escaped with some serious lascerations and an arrow wound, but the scoundrel had to "sell it", didn't he?

My mother tried her hardest to run things, but she hadn't paid close enough attention to my father's business, especially since it was mostly handled by cousins in the banking trade. Cousins who were doing quite well if you know what I mean.

The LaVayn family was proud and powerful, but it lacked male heirs. Finally, it was agreed upon by my mother after pressure from some of my aunts, one of which was a DuGrav through marriage.

The estate slowly began to disintegrate, but what really incensed me, was the removal of my father's pictures from everything as well as our family name wherever it appeared. All of my possessions began to become absconded by my newfound step-siblings. It wasn't like I was spoiled, but when you are the only child of wealthy land-owners, who else are they going to buy things for?

It was while I was looking for these things that I found it, the parchment that is. The one that fooled my father and lulled him, eagerly to his premeditated death. There it was with the king's seal and everything. He loved me and he was the greatest knight in the kingdom, and now the LaVayn name was being systematically erased. My mother was being treated little better than a commoner, who seemed less joyful these days, but did not complain. It's not supposed to be this way. I must have justice! And I did. It was easy too. Or at least I thought it would be. Soon after my discovery, my step-father destroyed the document found amongst my possessions by my aunt and decreed that I had been stirring up dissention in his house and must leave.

Leaving the house unmarried was unthinkable to mother, but it was okay with me. I was never really interested in the duties that my station required, but I was offended that despite her initial objection, her attitude toward the matter had quickly changed.

You see, the young Algorn DuGrav was a bit older now and ready to marry. My cousin Ana was a very beautiful, kind, compassionate and trusting young lady. She was always nice to me and had she not gotten involved with Algorn, perhaps things would be different.

I studied the forged document closely. I spent many late nights sculpting the signet, dyeing the wax and practicing the hand of the bishop.

Placing the evidence was easy enough as Ana's visits had increased, so her belongings at the manse slowing increased. Letters corresponding to a "friend", unfortunate collateral damage that I had to actually involve another soul, indicated secret participation in withcraft and rituals of Asmodeus.

Once discovered, I was overjoyed at the church's response to the situation as both Ana, her friend and Algorn were apprehended and sequestered pending the end of the investigation and trial.

My mistake? Maybe it was impatience, or the fact that the case was quickly growing cold, but I couldn't live with just an accusation. I needed revenge for my father. My boldest crime, and the one that got me here in this rat-infested cage, was a mandate from the king calling for the execution of Algorn, Ana and the other girl.

The document was fool-proof, but apparently in my fervor, I spilled a bit of "the king's red wax" on my shoe that I carelessly left lying about for my snooping aunt.

I can say that I am proud of the length of time it took for investigator's to come to the correct conclusion. They will all pay. LaVayn will be restored.

My sin is Pride. My crime is forgery. I am the only daughter of a family of lesser nobles. My father was a knight who served the king well and was handsomely rewarded with expansive estates and servants. He took a wife, the most beautiful in the manse, but common. She loved him, so that was all that mattered and amongst many of the other lesser nobles, who may have developed judgmental contempt for such a practice, the great name of the LaVayn house was losing its credibility. The LaVayn's were very noble in their attitude towards their serfs and servants and treated them well.

All enjoyed prosperity for a time. That is until a cunning young noble from the DuGrav family appeared with a edict from the King to mobilize the knights once again in defense of the kingdom. Valiant and brave, my father was eager to oblige the benevolent king and defend the crown once more.

It wasn't but a county away that the small band found themselves ambushed by bandits who heavily outnumbered the group that had not yet collected any other knights. The rogues were hooded so they couldn't be identified, and for a robbery, they didn't take much.

The young DuGrav escaped with some serious lascerations and an arrow wound, but the scoundrel had to "sell it", didn't he?

My mother tried her hardest to run things, unfortunately she hadn't paid close enough attention to my father's business, especially since it was mostly handled by cousins in the banking trade. Cousins who were doing quite well if you know what I mean.

The LaVayn family was proud and powerful, but it lacked male heirs. It was suggested many times that my mother remarry and even aggressively at times. She had really loved my father, but was shameful of the estate falling into disrepair. Finally, a remarriage was agreed upon by my mother after relentless pressure from some of my aunts, one of which was a DuGrav by marriage.

The estate slowly began to disintegrate, but what really incensed me, was the removal of my father's pictures from everything as well as our family name wherever it appeared. All of my possessions began to become absconded by my newfound step-siblings. It wasn't like I was spoiled, but when you are the only child of wealthy land-owners, who else are they going to buy things for?

It was while I was looking for these things that I found it, the parchment that is. The one that fooled my father and lulled him, eagerly to his premeditated death. There it was with the king's seal and everything. He loved me and he was the greatest knight in the kingdom, and now the LaVayn name was being systematically erased. My mother was being treated little better than a commoner, who seemed less joyful these days, but did not complain. It's not supposed to be this way. I must have justice! And I did. It was easy too. Or at least I thought it would be. Soon after my discovery, my step-father destroyed the document found amongst my possessions by my rat-faced aunt and decreed that I had been stirring up dissention in his house and must leave.

Leaving the house unmarried was unthinkable to mother, but it was okay with me. I was never really interested in the duties that my station required, but I was offended that despite her initial objection, her attitude toward the matter had quickly changed. I guess she didn't appreciate my stubborn insistence that our new family consisted mostly of self-serving scoundrels who wanted to sweep our old life under the rug. Or maybe her hand was forced in the decision.

The young Algorn DuGrav was a bit older now and ready to marry. My cousin Ana was a very beautiful, kind, compassionate and trusting young lady. She was always very nice to me and had she not gotten involved with Algorn, perhaps things would be different.

It was my new position as a clerk for the church that I gained accesss to what I needed for revenge. Women were not usually given this position, but somehow I had convinced them that I would be the best clerk that they ever had. I proved it too. I put in long hours and brought great order to the clergy.

One night, I studied the forged document closely. I spent many late nights thereafter sculpting the signet, dyeing the wax and practicing the hand of the bishop.

Placing the evidence was easy enough as Ana's visits had increased and my connection with the servants gave me easy access to my former manor, so her belongings at the manse slowing increased. Letters corresponding to a "friend", unfortunate collateral damage that I had to actually involve another soul, indicated secret participation in withcraft and rituals of Asmodeus.

Once discovered, I was overjoyed at the church's response to the situation as both Ana, her friend and Algorn were apprehended immediately and sequestered for days pending the end of the investigation and trial.

My mistake? Maybe it was impatience, or the fact that the case was quickly growing cold, but I couldn't live with just an accusation. I needed revenge for my father, for myself. My boldest crime, and the one that brought me to this rat-infested cage, was a mandate from the king calling for the execution of Algorn, Ana and the other girl.

The document was fool-proof, but apparently in my fervor, I spilled a bit of "the king's red wax" on my shoe that I carelessly left lying about my new residence at the church for my snooping aunt to find.

I can say that I am proud of the length of time it took for investigator's to come to the correct conclusion. I am sorry that I made the unfortnate mistake of not fully destroying the eveidence. That won't happen again. My sentence? I'm unsure. Supposedly I should be banished to the salt mines, however I hear that they are considering execution because three people were almost wrongy put to death. If it happens, it is because my forgery was so perfect, that the king could not sleep at night in fear of what might happen "by his decree."
I won't be killed though. They will all pay. The great LaVayn name will be restored, at any cost.

Herzog was born into a mid level family of merchants and traders in Talingarde. While his family ran a reputable business owning warehouses for holding goods for shipment, his uncle Tarvi often used the family to traffic illicit goods. Tarvi was a likable fellow and grew to be Herzog’s favorite person. Some of the family suspected Tarvi was somehow lining his pockets, but most didn’t want to uncover something which would tarnish the family’s honor and thought they should leave well enough alone. Over time, Tarvi learned how to move a variety of goods under the radar, including stolen property, drugs, and black market goods. As Herzog grew older, Tarvi slowly showed him more of his operation and showed him how they and the rest of the family benefitted from the additional income and the protection from criminal elements.

It was when Tarvi took on a special shipment that Herzog became truly interested. It was a small shipment out of Talingarde of orphans. These were to become slaves for some noble in another land. Herzog took special interest in keeping the orphans in line and displayed a cruelty towards them that even surprised Tarvi. With his introduction to the slave trade, Herzog soon began to organize Tarvi’s “special” shipments. While doing so, he learned of the full faith of Asmodeus. While Herzog had heard the name during his uncle’s work, it was mostly due to the god’s work with contracts. Now Herzog became familiar with Asmodeus’ place as the god of slavery, and he relished the new found faith, joining a special sect known to devour their enemies. Using his contacts, he sought out a priest of Asmodeus and began specialized training. The priest delighted in the possibility of having a member inside Talingarde, watching over the fledging slave trade.

As one of Asmodeus’ Enforcers, Herzog returned to his uncle’s portion of the business and attempted to expand it. He sought out other slavers and brought them into the network, to run as an efficient machine. As was inevitable, Talingarde authorities soon began to trace the missing people, and Herzog’s pride in his creation blinded him to his own vulnerabilities. Herzog thought his fledgling network would never die and misread any indications the Talingarde officials were learning about his work. Finally, Herzog was captured during a sting attempt where one of the Alerion Knights posed as a slaver with his own growing network. Herzog met with him to bind the new network to his own. In an instant, the Captain seized Harzog, but the Enforcer of Asmodeus fought back, killing the man. As reinforcements arrived, they found Herzog cutting out the man’s heart and feasting on it.

Herzog is a half-orc with dark hair. His large frame, about 6’3” and 265 pounds, is imposing, but only serves to enhance his intimidating stature. He likes wearing black and red to honor his god, though he understands the need to hide his allegiance to Asmodeus while among the rest of Talingarde.

Full Name: Sotha Zyn
Class: Bladebound Magus
Gender: male
Size: 6'3” 140lbs
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Deity: unknown
Location: Talingarde
Languages: Common, Elven, Goblin, Draconic, Orc
Occupation: Noble

Strength 16
Dexterity 12
Constitution 12
Intelligence 16
Charisma 10

Sotha Zyn belongs to a family of elves that was granted noble status in return for some service that the family's forebear did for Talingarde. Considering how well known the Zyn family is for its members military prowess, it is likely he was a general of some distinction. Sotha, however, had little interest in that. He had always been interested in studying, whether magic, history, or whatever else, and so he balked at the expectation of his family to serve in the Talingarde military. Eventually, he gave in, on the condition that he would become a soldier as long as he could continue to study magic.

He seemed to take a completely different view of life in the military after becoming a Magus. He poured himself into his training, and before long, his sword arm was as strong as his mind. After finishing his training, he was sent to the Savage North to fight against the encroaching monsters. While stationed there, he made the effort to learn to speak with them, the better to overhear their plans, he called it. Unknown to others, he would meet with the creatures they were fighting, goblins, possibly, and he managed to convince them to surrender to his company. It later turned out that Sotha had been abusing his position as quartermaster's assistant to pass along weapons to the goblins in exchange for a token force of them to surrender.

The surrender of the goblins was part of a plan. He figured that if hostilities ceased by his hand, he would get an audience with the king. He was right, though to his dismay, the audience with the king was in the company of his comrades, making Sotha's plan harder to put into effect, and nearly impossible to survive. Even so, when the king came to him to offer congratulations, Sotha cast True Strike and stabbed at the king. The strike would have been fatal if not for the soldier next to him reacting quickly enough. Sotha surrendered immediately, and found his way to Branderscar Prison afterward.

No one knows why Sotha tried to kill the king, he has said nothing of it, and in fact, during his trial he had claimed that madness had overtaken him, and that he was unaware of what he'd done. The truth is that Sotha himself doesn't know why he did it. What he knows is that for some time, he has been heeding the counsel of a voice in his head, one that appeals to his pride, and suggests things that he might do, things that he deserves to do. Whatever the voice is, Sotha trusts it well enough to put his life in it's hands.

Perception +3
Initiative +1

Saves
-Fortitude +3
-Reflex +2
-Will +3

AC/Flatfoot AC 11/11
Touch AC 10

CMB +3
CMD 14

Hit Points: 12

BAB +0
Speed: 30ft

7 skill points per level

Intimidate +4 (1 rank)
Knowledge (Arcana) +7 (1 rank)
Knowledge (History) +4 (1 rank)
Knowledge (Planes) +7 (1 rank)
Perception +3 (1 rank)
Spellcraft +7 (1 rank)
Swim +7 (1 rank)

Sin and Sentence:
Envy: any time an enemy CR equal to level-1 rolls a natural 1, gain +1 to attack, damage rolls, skill and ability checks for the next round. If they make a natural 20, you are sickened for one round.

High Treason: Tried unsuccessfully to dethrone the King, +1 to will saves Deft Dodger +1 to Reflex saves

Race Abilities:
Low Light Vision
Elven Magic: +2 to spellcraft checks to identify magic items
Keen Senses: +2 perception
Arcane Focus: +2 on concentration checks made to cast defensively

Class Abilities: Arcane Pool: 1/3 class level plus intelligence modifier
Cantrips
Spell Combat: -2 to attack rolls on a full attack lets the magus attack and cast a standard action spell in the same turn.

Feats:
Toughness

Arcane Pool 4/4

Arcane points can be used to add a +1 enchantment bonus to any weapon for 1 minute, doing so is a swift action

Cantrips Known: All Cantrips
Prepared: Detect Magic, Light, Ghost Sound

Level 1 Spells Known: Color Spray, Enlarge Person, Grease, Shocking Grasp, True Strike, Ray of Enfeeblement
Prepared: Enlarge Person, Grease

Paths to Wickedness:
How to Make a Villain
This section is intended for players. So feel free to
make a copy for personal use and distribute it.
Introduction
Guilty. You are a lawbreaker – the worst of the worst.
Too dangerous to live amongst the good people of Talingarde,
they dragged you in chains before a magistrate and
condemned you. They sent you to the worst prison in the
land and there they forever marked you. They held you
down and branded you with a runic F. You are forsaken.
You won’t be at Branderscar Prison for long. Branderscar
is only a holding pen. In three days – justice
comes. In three days – everything ends.
What a pity. If only
there was a way out of
this stinking rat-hole.
If only there was a way
to escape. If only…
No. No one has ever
escaped from Branderscar
Prison. This is where your
story ends.
What is Talingarde?
Talingarde is the most
virtuous, peaceful, noble
nation in the world today.
This land is ruled by
King Markadian V called the
Brave of House Darius. He has
only one heir – the beautiful princess
Bellinda. This benevolent monarchy is heavily
intertwined with the Church of Mitra, the Shining Lord.
You are from Talingarde. This is your home. You have
lived here your entire life. And if they gave you half a
chance, you would have your revenge on all of them.
Who is Mitra?
Mitra, the so-called Shining Lord, is the god of the
sun, bravery, honor, justice, charity and other such pusillanimous
rubbish. The Church of Mitra is the preeminent
religion of Talingarde these days. The Knights of
the Alerion, the elite warriors of Talingarde, are a Mitran
order. The monks of St. Macarius, who travel the
land healing the sick and the helping the needy, are also
a Mitran order. The House of Darius, the royal family of
Talingarde, are devout followers of Mitra.
It wasn’t always this way. Before the Darians took
over, Talingarde worshipped an entire pantheon of deities.
Preeminent among those deities was Asmodeus,
Prince of Hell, Lord of Ambition and Order. Now it
is forbidden to worship Asmodeus. To do so is to be
condemned. The Mitrans destroyed all the Asmodean
temples and burned his books and priests. There are no
followers of Asmodeus anymore in Talingarde – at least
none you know of. Devout Mitrans will not say the name
Asmodeus. He is simply “The Fallen” or “The Enemy”.
How did they catch me?
You tell us. You must pick a crime (there is a list provided
below) that you were condemned for. They
are only two requirements – you got caught
and you really did it.
It’s not surprising that the Talireans (the
people of Talingarde) caught you, though.
Talingarde is a fiercely lawful and good
society. Crime (especially
heinous crime
like yours) is not tolerated.

There is a further requirement and it is something of
an intangible quality. At some point in this adventure
path every character is going to have the chance to join
an evil organization and swear allegiance to the master
of that organization and its patron – the lawful evil god
Asmodeus. The adventure path assumes you say yes to
this chance. Therefore, you should make a character who
can say yes.
The Path of Vengeance
Perhaps right now, you may be experiencing a little
cognitive dissonance.
This campaign is about breaking out of prison, joining
an evil organization and then seeking revenge. Above,
we recommend that characters be lawful evil. You may
be asking yourself right now “how is breaking out of prison
and getting revenge lawful?”
It isn’t.
Lawful evil is the recommended alignment not because
your character is obeying the laws of Talingarde
but because your characters seek to impose a new order.
This is not the campaign for chaotic loners or freespirited
vagabonds. Those campaigns exist in abundance
and if they are what you are looking for, perhaps you are
in the wrong place. This is a campaign about joining an
evil organization with a wicked agenda. Eventually, you
may even come to control that evil organization.
“Way of the Wicked” is a chance to play an unusual
sort of character. You will play a burgeoning dark lord
-- someone who will rise from imprisonment and destitution
to become one of the greatest villains of this age.
At first, you will be a minion in service to a sinister plot.
But eventually, you will be a minion no longer. You, if
you can survive, will become the master.
And that is almost the definition of lawful evil.