Sufficiently Advanced Magic (Inactive)

Game Master Losonti

This lonely existence was what awaited Gul when he was born...but for a quirk of fate. For the young orcling was one of the Fey Taken. He remembers next to nothing about this time, for he was truly young when it happened. But the experience left an impression on the orc that drastically changed his life. To the members of his tribe, Gul was always an outcast. Unlike his fellows, he was filled with an insatiable curiosity, and had within him a drive to know everything about where they lived. He was likely the first orc who ever lived in the Dushnikh caves who learned how to read the dwarven runes that adorned the walls, outside of easy reach of any orc who might vandalize them. He was the first orc who would enter a chamber and wonder why it had been carved and who might have lived there. He was the first orc who collected items, not for the purpose of murder, but out of appreciation for the item itself. He was a genius amongst his kind, and it made him stand out. And standing out in orc society for anything besides strength was, to put it charitably, not a good thing. He learned how to fight, not for the joy of conquest, but to defend himself against his fellows.

As he grew older, Gul found himself spending more and more time with the tribe's few slaves. Usually merchants captured while crossing the trackless dune-sea. The orc forced these unfortunates to teach him their tongue, and to answer questions about the outside world. Those who could provide him with the most answers received both food and protection. Actions which in turn led to Gul's continued victimization at the hands of his larger kin.

This could only end in one of two ways. His death or his exile. The latter happened when one of the prisoners slowly mixed in with his story telling tales of the "city of Torch" and the wonders within. The prisoner slowly spun these tales until he broached the subject. Free him, and he would lead Gul to the city and would vouch for his safety within. A few sleepless nights later, and a few beatings later at the hands of his less intellectually capable kin, Gul gathered all of his worldly possessions and freed the man. Together they fled Dushnikh for Torch.

The man was good with his word, and introduced Gul to the guards as a half-orc from Chesed. Having practiced this lie on the way, Gul was allowed entrance and was introduced to Khonnir Baine. Khonnir, easily seeing through the clumsy lie, took Gul in, seeing a true curiosity within him. And it has been with Khonnir that Gul has stayed with since. A servant and a student, learning at the feet of the great wizard.

Personality and appearance

Despite Gul's fey thoughts, he is still an orc. The blood of his people runs pure through his veins and the ferocity of the orc is not easily escaped. While he is undoubtedly curious to a fault and ever eager to learn more about all around him, he is also ferocious when angered. The quiet, inquisitive orc can still fly into a rage, and when holding his beloved butchering axe (an ancient dwarven weapon modified by generations of orc smiths) he is a force to be feared.

Like all orcs, Gul would be taller if he could stand up straight. As it is, he is powerfully built by human standards, though is not spectacular by the standards of his people. His dull green skin is covered in tattoos and old scars and with his tusk-like teeth, he is not a pleasant sight. It is his intelligence that allows him to pass for a half-orc, for nobody really believes it possible for an orc to speak as he does about so many topics. Finally, he can always be recognized by the sheer amount of minor items on his possession. A dwarven runestone here, a centuries old sheathe there, a broken buckler there...this combined together has made what he calls "four-mirror armor", a collection of different pieces of items and armor thick enough to block all but the most determined attacks.

Feats
Elemental Focus (electricity) Choose one energy type (acid, cold, electricity, or fire). Add +1 to the Difficulty Class for all saving throws against spells that deal damage of the energy type you select.
Scribe Scroll You can create a scroll of any spell that you know. Scribing a scroll takes 2 hours if its base price is 250 gp or less, otherwise scribing a scroll takes 1 day for each 1,000 gp in its base price. To scribe a scroll, you must use up raw materials costing half of this base price. See the magic item creation rules in Magic Items for more information.

Traits
Skymetal Affinity (Numeria) You gain a +2 trait bonus on Fortitude saves against the negative effects of skymetals, as well as a +2 trait bonus on Craft checks made to create weapons or armor out of skymetals.
Skymetal Smith The fires atop Torch Hill have long been a boon to smiths and metalworkers, and your family is no exception. Whether you grew up in Torch or simply made several trips here with your parents to use the fire, this was to be your first time to use the torch for your own project. You managed to use the fires to craft a small weapon or piece of armor from skymetal, but not long thereafter the fires went out. The violet flames are as much a part of your upbringing as anything else, and their loss distresses you; you hope to find a way to rekindle the torch below the hill. You’ve long hoped to work with skymetal, and begin the game with a small metal bauble made of the skymetal of your choice—you made this item yourself. The item is nothing more than a valuable art object worth 100 gp. You can sell it to gain an additional 100 gp when creating your character, but if you keep it, your pride in its crafting grants you a +2 trait bonus on Will saving throws made against emotion and fear effects. You lose this bonus if you willingly sell or give up the item, but if it is destroyed or lost through no fault of your own, you retain a +1 trait bonus on such Will saves.

Skills Acrobatics +3 (-1 to jump), Bluff +0 (-4 to affect animals), Craft (jewelry) +8 (+10 trait to create weapons or armor from skymetals), Diplomacy +0 (-4 to affect animals), Disguise +0 (-4 to affect animals), Intimidate +0 (-4 to affect animals), Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (geography) +8, Knowledge (planes) +8, Perception +4, Spellcraft +8; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception

Languages Aklo, Common, Draconic, Hallit, Orc

SQ arcane bond (ring), cornered fury, iron skin, unnatural

Other Gear wizard starting spellbook, ring (arcane bond;worth 100 gp)
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Special Abilities
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Agile Maneuvers Use DEX instead of STR for CMB

Arcane Bond (Ring) (1/day) (Sp)

Cornered Fury Ratfolk can fight viciously when cut off from friends and allies. Whenever a ratfolk with this racial trait is reduced to half or fewer of his hit points, and has no conscious ally within 30 feet, he gains a +2 racial bonus on melee attack rolls and to Armor Class. This racial trait replaces swarming.

Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).

Opposition School (Fire) You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Fire school.

Iron Skin +2 (7/day) (Su) You gain a +2 armor bonus to your Armor Class for 10 minutes; this bonus increases by +1 for every 5 caster levels (maximum +6 at 20th level). You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence bonus.

Metal Rending (Su) Whenever you cast a spell that deals hit point damage, you deal extra damage to creatures made of metal or wearing medium or heavy metal armor. Affected creatures take additional damage equal to 1/2 your wizard level. This bonus damage is not increased by Empower Spell or similar effects. This bonus only applies once to a spell, not once per missile or ray, and cannot be split between multiple missiles or rays. The damage is of the same type as the spell.

At 20th level, whenever you cast a spell on a creature made of metal or wearing medium or heavy armor, you can roll twice to penetrate the creature's spell resistance and take the better result.

Unnatural Some ratfolk unnerve normal animals, and train to defend themselves against the inevitable attacks from such creatures. These ratfolk take a –4 penalty on all Charisma-based skill checks to affect creatures of the animal type, and receive a +2 dodge bonus to AC against animals. An animal’s starting attitude toward ratfolk is one step worse than normal. This racial trait replaces rodent empathy.

0-Level
Acid Splash
Arcane Mark
Bleed
Dancing Lights
Daze
Detect Magic
Detect Poison
Disrupt Undead
Flare
Ghost Sound
Light
Mage Hand
Mending *
Message
Open/Close
Prestidigitation
Ray of Frost
Read Magic
Resistance
Touch of Fatigue

1st Level
Body Capacitance *
Gravity Bow *
Mage Armor
Magic Missile
Magic Weapon *
Shock Shield *
Shocking Grasp *

A few years later, Jac and his master were wandering the waste, looking for materials with which to craft some new items, when a particular sheen caught Jac's eye. While it's wasn't anything significant, Jac's master identified the discovered metal shard as a piece of skymetal. While it wouldn't be enough for anything significant, it could be used to make a small piece of jewelry. The master tasked Jac, as his final project as an apprentice, to create something out of the shard of skymetal.

Excited about the project, Jac put all his knowledge and skill into the metal. Days turned into weeks, but finally, Jac was able to produce a single ring to his master. While the quality of craftmanship was adequate, the master told him that it would have been much better if it was made of regular materials. That said, the master gave Jac one final lesson with the ring; how to turn it into a focus, like a full-fledged wizard.

Now he is looking to prove his skills, as both a wizard and a jeweler, in the town of Torch, and the land of Numeria in general. And if he can manage to get his hands on more of that skymetal, all the better.

Jac is not a coward, but he prefers not to get into a fight without good reason. That said, having been the youngest of a small horde of ratlings, he had to learn to defend himself to some degree. He knows how to get down and dirty, when his back is to the wall.

Jac's love for metal has grown into more of an affinity, possibly bordering into obsession. While he takes any opportunity to study metal objects, especially to find out how they were crafted, he obsesses over the various skymetals in the same way a human might oggle precious gemstones.

Example image of Jac

Feats
Elemental Focus (electricity) Choose one energy type (acid, cold, electricity, or fire). Add +1 to the Difficulty Class for all saving throws against spells that deal damage of the energy type you select.
Scribe Scroll You can create a scroll of any spell that you know. Scribing a scroll takes 2 hours if its base price is 250 gp or less, otherwise scribing a scroll takes 1 day for each 1,000 gp in its base price. To scribe a scroll, you must use up raw materials costing half of this base price. See the magic item creation rules in Magic Items for more information.

Traits
Skymetal Affinity (Numeria) You gain a +2 trait bonus on Fortitude saves against the negative effects of skymetals, as well as a +2 trait bonus on Craft checks made to create weapons or armor out of skymetals.
Skymetal Smith The fires atop Torch Hill have long been a boon to smiths and metalworkers, and your family is no exception. Whether you grew up in Torch or simply made several trips here with your parents to use the fire, this was to be your first time to use the torch for your own project. You managed to use the fires to craft a small weapon or piece of armor from skymetal, but not long thereafter the fires went out. The violet flames are as much a part of your upbringing as anything else, and their loss distresses you; you hope to find a way to rekindle the torch below the hill. You’ve long hoped to work with skymetal, and begin the game with a small metal bauble made of the skymetal of your choice—you made this item yourself. The item is nothing more than a valuable art object worth 100 gp. You can sell it to gain an additional 100 gp when creating your character, but if you keep it, your pride in its crafting grants you a +2 trait bonus on Will saving throws made against emotion and fear effects. You lose this bonus if you willingly sell or give up the item, but if it is destroyed or lost through no fault of your own, you retain a +1 trait bonus on such Will saves.

Skills Acrobatics +3 (-1 to jump), Bluff +0 (-4 to affect animals), Craft (jewelry) +8 (+10 trait to create weapons or armor from skymetals), Diplomacy +0 (-4 to affect animals), Disguise +0 (-4 to affect animals), Intimidate +0 (-4 to affect animals), Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +8, Knowledge (engineering) +8, Knowledge (planes) +8, Linguistics +8, Perception +4, Spellcraft +8; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception

Languages Aklo, Common, Draconic, Hallit, Orc, Undercommon

SQ arcane bond (ring), cornered fury, iron skin, unnatural

Other Gear wizard starting spellbook, ring (arcane bond;worth 100 gp)
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Special Abilities
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Agile Maneuvers Use DEX instead of STR for CMB

Arcane Bond (Ring) (1/day) (Sp)

Cornered Fury Ratfolk can fight viciously when cut off from friends and allies. Whenever a ratfolk with this racial trait is reduced to half or fewer of his hit points, and has no conscious ally within 30 feet, he gains a +2 racial bonus on melee attack rolls and to Armor Class. This racial trait replaces swarming.

Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).

Opposition School (Fire) You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Fire school.

Iron Skin +2 (7/day) (Su) You gain a +2 armor bonus to your Armor Class for 10 minutes; this bonus increases by +1 for every 5 caster levels (maximum +6 at 20th level). You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence bonus.

Metal Rending (Su) Whenever you cast a spell that deals hit point damage, you deal extra damage to creatures made of metal or wearing medium or heavy metal armor. Affected creatures take additional damage equal to 1/2 your wizard level. This bonus damage is not increased by Empower Spell or similar effects. This bonus only applies once to a spell, not once per missile or ray, and cannot be split between multiple missiles or rays. The damage is of the same type as the spell.

At 20th level, whenever you cast a spell on a creature made of metal or wearing medium or heavy armor, you can roll twice to penetrate the creature's spell resistance and take the better result.

Unnatural Some ratfolk unnerve normal animals, and train to defend themselves against the inevitable attacks from such creatures. These ratfolk take a –4 penalty on all Charisma-based skill checks to affect creatures of the animal type, and receive a +2 dodge bonus to AC against animals. An animal’s starting attitude toward ratfolk is one step worse than normal. This racial trait replaces rodent empathy.

Long before the concept of Androids consumed the world (even in their rarity), a rogue died. She had attempted to set alight a home with a wand of fireball. The rogue failed to activate the wand properly and as a result, blew herself up. At that precise moment, the blast strangely severed her soul from her now consumed body. Left aimless and driftless for millennia the rogue found no rest.

After Sona was created though, a light shone for the rogue who was named Laree. Distant though it was, it gave her direction. Some 50 years passed and Sona's maker died of old age. Having spent a lifetime in adoration of him, Sona somehow perished from heartache.

At that moment, the soul of Laree the Rogue took Sona's place. Since then, Sona has begun to take charge of this new gift on life and make the most of it. She now uses her skills to the betterment of mankind and has been for the past 20 years. Now, Sona is a tinkerer, a smith of Skymetal, and a part-time adventurer when the need arises, and adopted daughter of Skymetal forgers for her unique perspectives on forging. Now that the flame has gone out, her own flame is lit.

Personality
Keth is out to learn of the outside world now. He's by nature curious and inquisitive about everything that he doesn't know...which is plenty. He is protective of the young and animals....for others its survival of the fittest. he has never seen a dwarf, gnome, or halfling; but he is familiar with elves..who frighten him with their aloofness. He despises Orcs and Goblinoids for their rapacious ways. He rubs his jaw when hes thinking and his laugh is loud and ready when humor is involved...he doesn't get subtle humor...but pretends to. His time with the Varisian Wise man gave him a true love for learning and he eagerly studies nature.

Background
Keth was born to a woodsman's wife, who died in childbirth on the outskirts of The woods of the Choking Tower In Southern Numeria. He was a half-Breed. Half Orc Half Human. His mother had kept the romance with a half-orc adventurer a secret. She had become enamored of the rough and tumble rogue and had a clandestine affair that left her with child. Keths father, a simple man, had tried to hide the resentment he felt that this half orc child had caused his wifes death, and he had double the shame that it wasnt his child anyway. it had taken a toll on their relationship. Keth had learned some woodcraft from his 'father', One Jebediah Grannich.

So Young Keth had been an outcast among the people of the neighboring communities and farmsteads. Growing up quite the loner. He took to Hunting as a way to not only make some quick coin, but also to prove his worth. When he was 17, fancying himself a 'Monster' Hunter he told his father he was leaving to find his place in a world that shunned him. He left to wander the Southern Numeria Wilds. Then a fateful day occurred where he ran into some Elves who had come north to explore the wonders of the starfall. They almost killed him, out of a quick reaction to what they saw as a threat....but a member of their group saw the fear in the half orc and spared his life...He took Keth to a local 'herbalist' who nursed Keth back to health. This local Herbalist, Joseph Varan, who lived in the nearby hills to near Torch, took Keth in and found the Half-Orc an eager student. He taught Keth some of the ways of the wild and the 'old ways', Things only the Druids of old might know. To protect himself, ward off evil, Keth took to adorning his body with runic tatoos that were taught to him. Keth lived there for a couple years, actually beginning to feel he belonged somewhere. He liked that feeling...to belong somewhere.

He earned the nickname Longstrider for his long strides that can take him away or into trouble quickly. Then the unspeakable happened, A about 6 months ago, some Thugs sacked the home of the Herbalist and left signs that they were from the rumored Technic League. as a message for those who failed to follow their instructions regarding found technology, and killed the elder man. Keth, returning from a hunt found his mentor dead and followed their spoor to the city, where he lost it in the alleyways and sewers. He has since lived on the fringe of society in Torch, hunting and providing meat to the butchers of the city for his coin. He has followed up every rumor he can find for who the members of the Technic League were who performed this duty. His pursuit of vengeance has lead him to the doorstep of a realization that law and order come at a price and sometimes it must be paid for in blood.

On one such sojourn into the wild, hunting for locals he awoke to a young wolf standing at the edge of his campsite. Since that day, he and 'Wolf' have been constant companions. He has been working to train the feral animal and is having some luck.

They were passing through a small town called Torch when Braxton’s father grew too weak from the disease to continue. They rented a room at the Boarding House and Braxton watched, unable to help, as his father succumbed to the disease that took his mother. Braxton had known this day would come eventually, had been warned of it for as long as he could remember, and he was lucky enough to be almost a man and more or less able to take care of himself before he was left alone.

With a visceral image of the fate that awaited him, Braxton Wynter decided to try and fabricate a solution for the disease that would eventually take his own life instead of hoping others would find a cure as his parents did. Sooner than he expected, he found an answer in an unlikely place: A bounty hunter that came passing through Torch one day. The bounty hunter had been noticeably modified by technology and after queries by Braxton, the woman revealed almost all her natural body had been replaced by machinery. Replacing his own muscles with technology that was immune to disease could save his life. Unlike the woman, Braxton was not a wealthy bounty hunter that could afford to shell out hundreds of thousands of gold coins to have someone else provide him with the modifications he needed, so he set out to learn the craft himself.

Khonnir Baine, a prominent councilman in Torch, felt for Braxton and his father, though there was nothing he could do to assist the dying father. The local leader took Braxton under his wing and helped point him towards sources from which he could learn medicine and cybernetics. Sharp of mind, Braxton took to the education easily and quickly grew to the point where he was comfortable offering services as a healer of both man and machine in exchange for gold. It wasn’t long before Braxton himself became what passed for an expert in Torch. He had devoured all the material on cybernetics that Torch had to offer, and he realized he had to move beyond the small town if he were ever to achieve his goal to save his own life. The first step: he would need a lot more gold.

Braxton Wynter is sixteen years old. He is five foot, nine inches and one hundred seventy pounds. With a strong, athletic build – for now – he is a formidable warrior. He is intelligent, focused, and independent. Despite his terminal need to advance his own cause, he is generous and is not below providing healing or repairs for free to those who cannot afford to pay, though no one would call him the most personable man in town.