GM Peachbottom's War for the Crown

Game Master Peachbottom

I live in France (GMT +2), and I'm a PhD student in English Literature. I'm not a native English speaker, but I'm fluent in it.

I've started playing on Paizo when I was still in high school, and I have to admit I wasn't very good at the beginning! I learned over time.

All of the games I've been a part of have sadly died before we could finish an AP. I have no real-life table. I'm currently a player in four games.

Vuldrani Heartsong

Female Gnome, Court Bard (1)
Alignment: NG
Age: 82
Size: Small (2'13")
Weight: 33 lbs
Hair: Coral pink
Eyes: Magenta
Deity: Desna
Init +2; Perception +7
Favored class: Bard (+1 HP, +1 Skill, +1 Bardic Performance/day)
Languages: Common, Gnome, Sylvan, Dwarven, Elven
Speed:

Special Capacities:
Size: Gnomes are Small creatures and thus gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.

Obsessive: +2 Craft (painting).

Gnome Magic: Gnomes add +1 to the DC of any saving throws against illusion spells that they cast. Gnomes with Charisma scores of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1/day—dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, and speak with animals. The caster level for these effects is equal to the gnome’s level. The DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the gnome’s Charisma modifier

Illusion Resistance: Gnomes gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against illusion spells and effects.

Keen Senses:Gnomes receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.

Sound Mimicry: Gnomes with this racial trait are skilled at imitating sounds and voices. Doing so requires a Bluff check opposed by the listener’s Sense Motive check, and the gnome gains a +4 racial bonus on Bluff checks to mimic sounds (including accents and speech patterns) she has listened to for at least 10 minutes. Listeners unfamiliar with a particular sound take a –4 penalty on the Sense Motive check. 

Gift of Tongues: Gnomes love languages and learning about those they meet. Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +1 bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks, and they learn one additional language every time they put a rank in the Linguistics skill. 

Low-Light Vision: Gnomes can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.

Bardic Knowledge: A bard adds half his class level (minimum 1) to all Knowledge skill checks and may make all Knowledge skill checks untrained.

Cantrips:Bard’s learn a number of cantrips, or 0-level spells, as noted on Table: Bard Spells Known under “Spells Known.” These spells are cast like any other spell, but they do not consume any slots and may be used again.

-------------
DEFENSE
-------------
AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12
HP: 10
Fort: +1
Ref +4
Will: +3

------------
OFFENSE
-----------
Spd: 20 feet
Melee:
Sap (+3/ 1d4/ x2/)
Whip (+3/1d2/x2/)

Ranged:
Crossbow, light (+4/1d6/19-20/x2/80 ft)
Bolts (10)

---------------------------
Equipment and Money
---------------------------

Starting Money: 105 GP
Combat gear:
Defense: Lamellar Cuirass; Buckler
Offense: Sap, Whip, Light Crossbow, Bolts (10)

Other possessions: Courtesan's Outfit, Flint and Steel, Masterwork Paints, Journal (portfolio), Spell component pouch, Ink (vial), Inkpen, Torch (2), Scrolls, Waterskin, Soap, Spellbook (travelling)

Spare Money:
PP: 0
GP: 0
SP: 8
CP: 7
Other valuable:
Carried Weight: 24 lbs

Encumbrance:
0-26: Light Load
27 -53 lbs: Medium Load
54-80: Heavy Load

-------------
Statistics:
-------------
Str 8 Dex 14 Con 12 Int 13 Wis 12 Cha 16
Base Attack: +0; CMB : -2; CMD: 10

Feats:
Light Armor Proficiency (except metal armor)
Simple Weapons Proficiency ( plus the longsword, rapier, sap, shortsword, shortbow, and whip )
Shield Proficiency (except tower shields)
Weapon Finesse

Skills: 8 (Base 6 +1 Int+ 1 Favored Class)
Bluff +8 (+9 Gift of Tongue/ +12 if Mimicking Sounds)
Craft (painting) +6 (+2 obsessive)
Diplomacy +8 (+1 Gift of Tongue)
Intimidate +7
Linguistics +5
Perception +7 (+2 Keen Senses)
Perform (oratory) +8
Sense Motive +6

Background skills:
Level 1:
- Perform (keyboards) +8
-Knowledge (nobility) + 7 (+1 Bardic Knowledge)

Traits:

Rising Star:All too often, great minds must suffer for their art, but you’re one of the lucky ones. Your skills attracted the attention of a noble patron who pays for your food, housing, and tools. As your patron introduces you to other cultural elites, you’re slowly learning to navigate the treacherous waters of high society, but you still remember the lean times when each meal was a hard-won treasure. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive and Survival checks, as well as checks using Craft (painting). Once each day, you can invoke your patron’s reputation or name one of your own prominent works to gain a +2 circumstance bonus on a single Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check. You begin the game with a masterwork musical instrument or tool appropriate to the Craft or Perform skill you selected, a gift from your patron.

Naturally Gifted: For unknown reasons, you have deeper reserves of magical energy than those around you. Perhaps you are descended from a family of powerful arcane casters, or maybe you believe this trait marks you as destined for magical greatness. Wherever the truth lies, you gain an additional use of one of your gnome magic spell-like abilities each day. This does not always have to be the same spell-like ability—one day you might use dancing lights twice, only to use the additional casting for speak with animals the next day.

Languages (5): Common, Gnome, Sylvan, Elven, Dwarven

----------
Bardic Performances:
----------
A bard is trained to use the Perform skill to create magical effects on those around him, including himself if desired. He can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + his Charisma modifier. At each level after 1st a bard can use bardic performance for 2 additional rounds per day. Each round, the bard can produce any one of the types of bardic performance that he has mastered, as indicated by his level.
Starting a bardic performance is a standard action, but it can be maintained each round as a free action. Changing a bardic performance from one effect to another requires the bard to stop the previous performance and start a new one as a standard action. A bardic performance cannot be disrupted, but it ends immediately if the bard is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round. A bard cannot have more than one bardic performance in effect at one time.
Each bardic performance has audible components, visual components, or both.
If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the bard for the performance to have any effect, and many such performances are language dependent (as noted in the description). A deaf bard has a 20% chance to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with an audible component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against his daily limit. Deaf creatures are immune to bardic performances with audible components.
If a bardic performance has a visual component, the targets must have line of sight to the bard for the performance to have any effect. A blind bard has a 50% chance to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with a visual component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against his daily limit. Blind creatures are immune to bardic performances with visual components.

Level 1:
Countersong (Su): At 1st level, a bard learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components.) Each round of the countersong he makes a Perform (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Perform skill check result for the save. Countersong does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Countersong relies on audible components.

Distraction (Su): At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the Distraction, he makes a Perform (act, comedy, dance, or oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by an illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack may use the bard’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the Distraction is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the Distraction, but it must use the bard’s Perform check result for the save. Distraction does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components.

Fascinate (Su): At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and capable of paying attention to him. The bard must also be able to see the creatures affected. The Distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents the ability from working. For every three levels a bard has attained beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with this ability. Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect. Fascinate is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability. Fascinate relies on audible and visual components in order to function.

Satire (Su): A court bard can use performance to undermine the confidence of enemies who hear it, causing them to take a –1 penalty on attack and damage rolls (minimum 1) and a –1 penalty on saves against fear and charm effects as long as the bard continues performing. This penalty increases by –1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. Satire is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability that uses audible components.

----------
Spells:
----------
Spells per day:
0: At will (Cantrips)
1: 2 (Base: 1 + 1 Charisma)

Prepared Spells:
0: (DC 13)
Summon Instrument
Detect magic
Read Magic

1: (DC 13)
Hypnotism
Recharge Innate Magic

Adopted by her uncle when she was just a baby after both of her parents died while adventuring, Vuldrani has lived in Oppara all her life. A skilled pianist, Asurren Heartsong frequently gave private recitals to Oppara's elite, and gave his niece a thorough education in fine arts, teaching her how to draw, play music, and behave when dealing with nobility.

Treated as something of a child prodigy amongst Oppara's intellectuals, Vuldrani struggled to maintain her fame when she reached adulthood. While she had always considered painting to be her true artistic calling, it did not pay as well or gather the same attention as the concerts she gave in her youth, and with more experience came the crushing realisation that, after years of putting painting on the backburner, she simply was not as good as the artists plebiscited by powerful patrons.

Improving her skill with a brush was a long and painstaking process, during which her uncle had to work extra hard to financially support the both of them. In a terrible twist of fate, just as Vuldrani started to sell her paintings, her uncle's health began to decline. To her horror, she had to watch as he succumbed to the Bleaching little by little, eventually losing all will or skill to play the piano. In less than a year, he was dead, leaving Vuldrani with meagre savings, a house too big for her and bills she could only pay thanks to her uncle's inheritance.

The past two decades have been a miserable game of keeping up apparences while living hand-to-mouth, until her paintings miraculously attracted the attention of a wealthy noble who offered to become her patron. With no choice in the matter, Vuldrani was forced to accept, though she loathes the idea that someone could hold that much power over her.

An elegant woman, Vuldrani prefers to dress in silken, soft-coloured dresses that compliment her pink hair and ruby skin well. She dislikes getting her hands dirty, and prefers armours and weapons that are either aesthetically pleasy or easy to dissimulate beneath her clothes. Unused to coarse environments, she always wear soft-scented, floral fragrances and styles her hair in Taldane fashion rather than with extravagant gnome hairpieces.

Taught to hide her emotions well from those who would use them, Vuldrani maintains grace and poise at all times. Her movements are carefully controlled, and while her face is fairly expressive, even the glint of amusement of her eyes never exactly betrays what she finds funny.

The death of her closest relative and the velvety cruelty of the court has left her cynical, disillusioned about her future as an artist and her place in the world. Her sense of humour is bitter, and in spite of moving in the same circles as nobility, she holds no empathy for them. Instead, out-of-their-depth newcomers often attract her sympathy, and she has been known to discreetly help them survive the pool of sharks in which they were unwittingly thrown – even to the detriment of her own reputation.

Sir Ashoka Varima the third born son, of a lesser nobleman earned his knighthood as a mounted knight-captain of a Taldan Phalanx. it was shortly after that time that his father arranged a marriage to Lady Trina, a young woman from a minor noble family. She was intelligent, strong willed and a beautiful dancer. They lived happily in the ‘Worldbreaker Hill district in Oppara. Soon, they were blessed with two children, first their daughter, Padmavati and a couple of years later, their son Kunala.

When Lord Varima wasn’t with his unit handling military responsibilities, he was home doting on his wife and children. He loved spending time with them playing board games and going to different restaurants in Oppara; introducing the children to different cuisine. He would spend time with Kunala playing strategy games, taking him hunting with the dogs and teaching him how to use a falcata, the weapon of the Rondelero. Occasionally, Lord Varima would throw parties, inviting other military officers and their wives, just so he could show off what a good dancer his wife, and later his children, were.

Lady Trina would spend her time taking care of the household responsibilities, supervising the staff and teaching the children proper behavior for Taldorian nobles. She especially enjoyed teaching them to dance, and they were introduced to her instructor and coach Archirel Destrie at an early age. Archirel kept a dancing school in the Senate's Hill District where Lady Trina and the children would walk to every day.

When Kunala and Padmavati first started lessons with Archirel, Kunala didn’t think he would get the hang of it. He had mastered courtly dancing; his small wiry frame fit the spins and turns well. But Master Destrie expected him to perform lifts and throws. These seemed difficult, his partner being two years older and Kunala was slight; to the point that other children would chase him and Padmavati had to come to his rescue. Eventually, with much practice and strength training, Kunala was able to do the lifts, and perform with his sister. Master Destrie, their mother and father were all very proud of them.

That same year their lives were devastated. One summer evening, while Lord Varima was with his unit patrolling beyond the bridge, there was a fire in the villa. They believe it started in the kennels, but no one is sure. They just know that Lady Trina had woken the children and sent them out, but she went back in to salvage something and got caught in the fire, dying of smoke inhalation. The neighbors and their servants scurried to stop the fire from spreading but the damage was done. Their lives were in ruin, their home gone, their beautiful mother dead.

Their lives went on, but Ashoka was not the same. He moved the family into a small rented house, barely enough space for a junior officer. Padmavati and Kunala continued their dancing lessons, it was the one thing of their mother that Lord Varima was able to hang on to. But he would spend most of his time with his unit, sinking himself into his career. Padmavati took over the responsibilities for the small home and Kunala would help where he could. It was rarer and rarer for father to spend time with them. Gone were the days of play board games or hunting, but Ashoka, when home, would instruct Kunala with the falcata. Saying ‘a man of Taldor must be able to defend himself.’ Fortunately, Master Destrie felt sorry for the children and he would spend time with them in the evenings when their father was away, teaching them things that they would need to know living in Oppara.

Father continued becoming more and more distant, the only time the children would see him smile was when he would watch them dance. That was also the only time they would see him cry. Padmavati and Kunala grew even closer and relied on their mentor Master Destrie. Soon he was using them to train younger students and as partners for private dancing instructors with richer and more famous senators and nobles children.

Three years after their mother died, calamity struck again. Padmavati and Kunala learned that their father had died in a skirmish fighting bandits a few miles outside of town, on the other side of the Grand Bridge of the Empire. To make matters worse, they learned the news four days after the event, from the land lord of the property they were living in. The owner had little pity or patience and less time. They were forced to gather the belongings they could carry and were put out on the street. They both quickly grabbed their few belongings, Kunala added his fathers dueling gear to his pack, while Padmavati found their fathers cloak pin, that had the family crest on it, that he wore for special occasions. The landlord told them the other items would be sold to cover the cost of their father’s debt to him.

Their father had been considered a black sheep of his family, they had only met a few relatives when their mother was alive, and none since; so, the children were literally out on the street. Not knowing where to go, they went to the only adult they knew they could trust, dancing Master Archirel Destrie. Archirel let them move into the attic of his studio. He increased the amount of time they helped instruct, and he found times and places they could perform. They were making ends meet and were developing a name for themselves in circles where dancing was popular. This popularity unfortunately got the attention of a not so distant relative.

Early one morning while they were training the very youngest class, Master Destrie, came in the classroom and dismissing the children telling Padmavati and Kunala that they had a visitor waiting to speak to them in his office. The irregularity of this was not lost on them as they went to the office to find a very well dressed middle aged woman waiting on them. She introduced herself as Countess Varima. Her husband, the Count, had heard about these wonderfully talented ‘Varima’ children and wanted to learn more.

The Countess explained that they had investigated the children’s history and had learned their sad story. That their father, was the Counts nephew, and that their grandfather, the Counts brother, was dead. This making the Count their guardian. She also explained that their father had left a great debt which would need to be paid. She smiled and explained that the simplest way for that to happen would be to marry Padmavati off to a wealth husband. Padmavati handled the news maturely, she was almost at her majority and understood this was a noble woman’s responsibility to her family. Kunala was not as mature and said some things to the Countess that Padmavati said he should regret, though he never did.

The next time they saw the countess, she had information about three possible suitors for Padmavati to meet. A very old senator who had outlived his third wife and was looking for a fourth. A fat middle aged Marquess whose fort was near the border on the Whistling Plains, who happened to be in the city to find a wife. The third was the oldest son of the Viscount of Golsifar a small port city. Their family had been raised to nobility four generations before, and they wanted to marry into one of the larger Noble families for prestige.

After meeting the three men, Padmavati agreed to marry the young Golsifar. The wedding had been five years ago. Padmavati’s husband, Lord Jalrune, had replaced his sick father as the Viscount of Golsifar. The couple had three beautiful daughters and the young Viscount, in his desire to please his wife and demonstrate the family’s cultural growth, had become Kunala’s Patron.

Kunala, now twenty-one, because of his outburst at the countess, is not in the family’s good graces. Refusing to move from Oppara, he decided to continue living in the attic at the dance studio. He still works with dancing Master Archirel Destrie; teaching all the large classes and doing a lot of the private tutoring. Without a full time partner, he no longer competes in dancing contests, but he has taken up dueling to deal with any perceived slights. He has also become involved with the liberal political movement that desires to change the laws concerning women and their rights; he feels he owes it to his sister for what she has done for him and because the laws are unjust. He may not be able to change Padmavati’s options, but he might be able to change Taldor for his nieces.

Whatever Kunala is wearing, his six-foot athletic frame makes it look good. His bronze skin is highlighted by his long wavy black hair, a gift from the Varima side, immigrants from Vudra. His hazel eyes emphasized by long lashes. The makeup and cologne he wears, subtle; while his thin mustache and goatee, proving him noble-born, are considered avant-garde in their sparseness.

He is generally seen in his Courtier’s outfit. The red velvet cloak pinned to the kidskin, double-breasted, jacket with his father’s family crested broach. His matching kidskin boots worn folded, so his calf muscles are highlighted by the checkered tights. His cod piece the same velvet as the cloak. His Falcata strapped to one hip, his “buckler” to the other, it isn’t obvious that he wears a chain shirt under the jacket.

Kunala is a study in contrasts; focused and flighty, stubborn while desultory, flippant but deadly serious at times. There are a lot of things that don’t matter to him. But the things that do, matter a lot. Concerning things that matter, publicly he thrives on people’s approval; the applause for a good performance, the smile or nod when he’s dressed well, the chuckle after a well-spoken innuendo. Privately His country matters, he is Taldan through and through, so he is very concerned about the direction the throne is going. His immediate family matters, specifically his sister and her daughters, he hopes the daughters will have options their mother did not.

On the Myers Briggs scale Kunala is an Entertainer

Habillus was born to an upper-middle class family - his parents are tailors who designed clothing for some of the minor noble families (as well as other less fancy work) After a somewhat wild and rambunctious childhood, he discovered boxing at school and was able to focus his energy into something with a purpose. It turns out he had a knack for it and with some training he lead his school to several victories in bouts against other schools.

When it came time to learn a trade, he apprenticed with one of the better known barbers in Taldor - and was soon part of preparing various nobles to look their best for public (and private) events. It was in this capacity he first came into contant with Lady Lotheed - at first her interest was merely as a source of information - someone in Habillus's position did have the opportunity to overhear various tidbits of information.

Habillus had continued his interest in boxing and regularly competed in various competitions. He recently had a successful bout against Marbellan "Lanky" Logthorn, breaking Lanky's fifty-plus match undefeated streak, and this has thrust Habillus into the public eye. Lady Lotheed decided to change her plans for Habillus to a more public role.

Habillus strives to be an honorable and upright gentleman. Like many athletes, he follows Kurgess and believes in fair fights and performing good deeds - while most of his fighting has been in the ring, he has on occasion assisted in sorting out barroom brawls and the like. He is proud to be a Taldan, although he disagrees with some of the current policies. He is looking to see if he can use some his sudden fame into changing things for the better.

Habillus is taller than average and broad-shouldered. He dresses smartly, whether he is cutting hair or in the ring. He is well groomed and particularly proud of his broad moustache that he takes care to keep waxed to a point - after all, who would want to trust their hair to a stylist who could keep their own hair neat.

Statistics
STR: 16 = Base: 14; Racial: (+2) Human
DEX: 13 = Base: 13
CON: 12 = Base: 12
INT: 10 = Base: 10
WIS: 13 = Base: 13
CHA: 12 = Base: 12

Fort: +3 = Base: +2; CON: +1
Ref: +3 = Base: +2; DEX: +1
Will: +1 = Base: +0; WIS: +1

AC: 13 = Base: (+10); Dexterity: (+1); Armor: (+2) Leather
Touch: 11
FF: 12

BAB: 1
CMB: 4 = BAB: (+1); Strength: (+3)
CMD: 15 = Base: (+10); BAB: (+1); Strength: (+3); Dexterity: (+1)

Init: +1 = Dexterity: +1
Speed: 30ft
HP: 11
Languages: Common

Attacks
Melee
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d6+3, x2)
Unarmed Strike +3 (1d6+5, x2) (Power Attack)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3, 19-20/x2)
Ranged
Sling +2 (1d4+3, x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+3, 19-20/x2)

Skills
Acrobatics: 5 = +1 rank; +1 DEX; Misc: (+3) Class Skill
Appraise: 0 = +0 INT
Bluff: 1 = +1 CHA
Climb: 7 = +1 rank; +3 STR; Misc: (+3) Class Skill
Diplomacy: 6 = +1 rank; +1 CHA; Trait: (+1) Athletic Champion; Misc: (+3) Class Skill
Disguise: 1 = +1 CHA
Escape Artist: 1 = +1 DEX
Fly: 1 = +1 DEX
Heal: 1 = +1 WIS
Intimidate: 5 = +1 rank; +1 CHA; Misc: (+3) Class Skill
Knowledge (nobility): 1 = +1 rank; +0 INT
Perception: 6 = +1 rank; +1 WIS; Trait: (+1) Athletic Champion; Misc: (+3) Class Skill
Profession (barber): 5 = +1 rank; +1 WIS; Misc: (+3) Class Skill
Ride: 1 = +1 DEX
Sense Motive: 5 = +1 rank; +1 WIS; Misc: (+3) Class Skill
Stealth: 1 = +1 DEX
Survival: 1 = +1 WIS
Swim: 3 = +3 STR

Race Features
Type (CRB 27): You are a humanoid with the human subtype.
Bonus Feat (CRB 27): You gain a bonus feat.*
Skilled (CRB 27): You gain one additional skill rank per level.*

Class Features
Armor and Shield Proficiency: You are proficient in Light Armor. You are proficient with shields (excluding tower shields.) *
Weapon Proficiency: You are proficient with all Simple weapons. You are proficient with weapons from the close fighter weapon group. Additionally you are proficient with the following weapons: Handaxe; Sword, short
Brawler's Cunning (Ex) (ACG 23): Your Intelligence counts as at least 13 for the purpose of qualifying for combat feats.*
Martial Flexibility (Ex) (ACG 23) (3 /day): You can gain the benefit of a combat feat you don't have for one minute. You can select one feat as a move action. If you use this ability again before the duration expires, you can replace a previous feat with another choice. You must meet the prerequisites of each feat gained. Each individual feat selected counts towards the daily uses of this ability.
Martial Training (Ex) (ACG 23): Your brawler levels count as both monk and fighter levels for the purpose of qualifying for feats.* You count as both a Fighter and Monk for the effects of feats* and magic items.
Unarmed Strike (ACG 23): You gain Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat.* Your unarmed strike does 1d6 damage*. It can deal lethal or non-lethal damage and is treated as both manufactured and natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects.

Traits
Athletic Champion (APWftC 8): You gain a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy and Perception checks and these are class skills for you.* You gain a +2 trait bonus on checks to navigate through a crowd or resist being moved against your will, including spells and bullrush, drag and reposition combat maneuvers.
Strength’s Fanfare (ISG 222): When you are the subject of any sonic effect that grants a morale bonus on attack or damage rolls, you also gain a +1 trait bonus on Strength based skill checks; on combat maneuver checks to bull rush, grapple, and reposition; and to your CMD against those combat maneuvers.

Feats
Combat Expertise (Core 119): You can choose to take a -1 penalty on melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +1 to your Armor Class.
Power Attack (Core 131): You can choose to take a -1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased to +3 with two-handed weapons, a one handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that deals 1.5 strength damage. This bonus to damage is decreased to +1 if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon. These effects last until your next turn.
Improved Unarmed Strike (Core 128): You are considered to be armed even when unarmed—you do not provoke attacks of opportunity when you attack foes while unarmed. Your unarmed strikes can deal lethal or nonlethal damage, at your choice.

Equipment
Leather, Dagger, Sling, Artisan's Tools, common, Mirror, small steel

In my 40s, in Melbourne, Australia
First played pathfinder 12 years ago, been on the boards a bit after that. Played in a few games a few years ago, then took a break when kids were born, been back now a year or so, currently in one active game.

Stiggur Ryles
Male human (Taldan) occultist (ancestral aspirant) 1
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +5; Senses Perception +4
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+5 armor, +1 Dex)
hp 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +2
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee lucerne hammer +3 (1d12+4)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with lucerne hammer)
Implement Schools
Enchantment (Necklace) Resonant—glorious presence; Focus—cloud mind
Transmutation (Weapon) Resonant—physical enhancement (strength); Focus—legacy weapon, size alteration
Occultist (Ancestral Aspirant) Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +5)
1st (2/day)—enlarge person (DC 15), murderous command[UM] (DC 15)
0 (at will)—daze (DC 14), purify food and drink (DC 14)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 7
Base Atk +0; CMB +3; CMD 14
Feats - Heavy Armor Proficiency, Improved Initiative
Traits - disgraced noble, student of philosophy
Skills:
Acrobatics -3 (-7 to jump)
Bluff +2 (+4 to conceal your identity, +8 to lie (as a result of using Int instead of Cha))
Diplomacy +2 (+8 to persuade others but not to gather information (as a result of using Int instead of Cha))
Knowledge (arcana) +8
Knowledge (local) +5
Knowledge (nobility) +8
Knowledge (religion) +8
Linguistics +8 (+10 to spot or produce forgeries)
Perception +4
Sense Motive +4
Sleight of Hand +1
Spellcraft +8
Use Magic Device +2
Languages Azlanti, Celestial, Common, Elven, Hallit, Osiriani
SQ implements 2, mental focus (5/day)
Other Gear scale mail, lucerne hammer, 75 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Cloud Mind (dazed 1 rnds HD <= 1, else staggered 1 rnd, DC 14) (Su) 1 focus: Creature in 30 feet is dazed or staggered.
Glorious Presence (Su) Implement grants competence bonus on Charisma skill checks and ability checks.
Legacy Weapon +1 (Su) 1 focus: weapon touched gains enhancement bonus plus a special ability.
Mental Focus (5/day) (Su) You have a pool of points that activate your focus powers.
Physical Enhancement +2 (Strength) (Su) Implement grants bearer enhancement to one physical attribute.
Size Alteration (Sp) 1 focus: increase or decrease a creature's size by one step.

Stiggur Ryles was born the day Mauricio Adrianus was struck from all official records in Oppara. He was part of a rather important minor noble family but was possessed with an obsession in ascending to the higher echelons of society. Nights spent pouring over every genealogy book, every marriage treaty he could find in the archives led him to a singular belief: The Adrianus family had a legitimate claim to the throne. This would be his ticket to upper nobility. Or so he thought…

Unfortunately, a letter bearing his father’s seal denouncing Maxillar Pythareaus, commander of Taldor’s military, was discovered and made public. Despite the claims of his father and all his allies that this was a forgery and was meant to discredit him, the fallout that ensued was devastating. Once the dust settled, no trace could be found of the Adrianus name in any record or document, and his parents had vanished as if they had never existed. No one dared to acknowledge him for fear of reprisal by the commander of Taldor’s military. He was forced to abandon all he had except for a few trinkets, and forge himself a new identity. But every night, he would lay in bed, agonising; had his folly and obsession caused the destruction of everything he held dear?

Stiggur now sees enemies everywhere he looks. Every meal he consumes is poisoned, every acquaintance he makes is a spy, and no one is innocent in the great conspiracy against his family. He will prove his claim to the crown is valid, and once he sits upon the throne, he shall call down a firestorm of cataclysmic proportions upon all who ever stood in the way of Mauricio Adrianus.

A man of 29 years of age, Stiggur Ryles is absolutely meticulous in everything he does. He polishes all his buttons himself exactly 3 times in the morning, until they shine just right. He then slicks his thick shoulder length black hair first on the right, then the left, and finally in the centre to hide the initial part he himself created. He keeps his face clean shaven as his father believed “Facial hair is the sign of the indolent and the slovenly”, but secretly he always wished to grow a long, bushy beard like some of the Ulfen guard of Oppara. The leather thong cord that ties back the hair can only be twisted clockwise, just like how his mother taught him when he was younger. To skip a step would be to invite judgement upon his person for the lack of care in his appearance.

Standing at 5’8”, he continues his morning ritual by inserting lifts into his shoes to bring him to a more appropriate height of 5’10”. He laments his average height as the only failing of his genes, but he compensates for it with the powerful frame he hides within his billowy clothes. The soft click of scales undulating as he makes his way through town betray that a strong physique is not the only thing he attempts to conceal within the loose garments

A dab of cologne, before he leaves his bedroom is the final touch that completes the image of Stiggur Ryles that he has created. But if one were to carefully examine the lucerne hammer, or any of the various trinkets and baubles that adorn him or his pockets, they would find that most if not all harbour the now forbidden symbol of his old family. To bear the symbol of his family is an important detail that Mauricio cannot willingly leave the house without.

He is prone to obsession regarding anything to do with his disgraced family. He constantly searches out for trinkets and heirlooms, even just a small scrap of paper that might mention their name is invaluable to him. He can suitably control himself in the presence of others who aren’t privy to his true identity. But those that he does trust have all heard his near manic ramblings on his family, the conspiracy against them, and his desire for vengeance in their name.

Due to his years of constant research, the breadth of his knowledge is varied, and the constant lack of human interaction has unsurprisingly affected his social graces. Although he is often seen as a foul, contemptible individual, his ability to use logic in conversation tends to work to his advantage more often than not. This doesn’t prevent Stiggur from occasionally angering the wrong individual, but his trusty lucerne hammer has yet to meet a challenge it cannot defuse.

The effects of his family’s disgrace and his subsequent efforts in locating information regarding them has taken their toll on Stiggur. He is dour, humourless, and not one for petty indulgences. But, more than anything else, he is a melancholic man that struggles to see beyond the shattered life he leads. He longs to find friends that will help him take flight from his wretched existence, but his inability to free himself of his past traps him in a vicious cycle that leads only to further sorrow.

-30 years old
-From Ontario, Canada (EST time zone as well)
-I started playing PF back in 2015 and I currently GM 2 IRL 1st edition games (Tyrant’s Grasp and Way of the Wicked APs) and play in 2 IRL 2nd edition games (Strength of Thousands and Abomination Vaults) all with friends. I’m not in any pbp games.
-A fun non-RPG fact about me is that I’m an indie pro-wrestler

House Livara which is my own creation got its start in Cheliax, making a name for themselves by acting as extraplanar lesions in the trade of physical goods as well as knowledge. Fearing that the stifling rule of Cheliax would eventually cut into their potential profits.

They ultimately decided to risk relocating to the neighboring nation of Taldor to practice their arts in relative peace. Many resources were sacrificed and many connections had to be severed, but they eventually settled into their new home. While relatively new and weaker than most magic-focused houses, they make up for it with ambition; Each scion is encouraged to find a way of expanding their magical powers while also finding new connections to help strengthen the house's influence.

Xallis Livara was born as the middle child of three siblings, comfortably cushioned between the ambitions placed upon his elder brother and the doting placed upon his younger sister. When the former ran off to become a Hellknight and the later became a paladin of some fae goddess he couldn't pronounce, he found himself the sole target of their parental expectations.

Wishing to follow a more traditional role in the family, Xallis took to the art of conjuration. It was there he studied imported infernal texts, received training in the art of negotiating contracts, and prepared himself for his first proper summoning ritual. Unfortunately, due to some impurity in the reagents or an error in drawing the ritual circle, the summoning went wrong.

Xallis' memories of the ritual are hazy. Faces, eyes, and some amalgam-creature crawling towards him, and then blackness. When he awoke, he found himself wrist-deep in a putty-like substance, hands deftly weaving and shaping it. The man was no craftsman, and his knowledge of surgery was equally lacking, but something about this act felt effortless. Instinctual. Natural. After gathering his wits, he continued his work, shaping this raw essence until it took the shape of his eidolon.

While he gained a new companion, he was no closer to establishing connections that would benefit the family. Xallis attempted a few other ventures, most notably a short-lived career as an agent of the Pathfinder Society, but he found their disorganized and largely apolitical goals to offer more roadblocks than opportunities.

Xallis is now back at home, with nothing but the clothes on his back and a handful of equipment from his time as a Pathfinder, doing what he can to keep up relations to his family. With empty pockets and burning ambition, he hopes to make allies. With Navia as his secret right hand, he hopes to gain leverage over potential rivals.

Xallis is a summoner with a reasonable set of charisma and intelligence based skills and an emphasis on using Summon Monster to add flanks and support during combat. Navia, his Eidolon, is built specifically to make use of skills like Stealth and Disable Device, acting as an espionage expert out of combat or as backup combatant in a pinch. Her evolution points can also be arranged to help her cover other holes in the party's makeup.

Xallis is made using the original Summoner from the APG, but I'm more than willing to shift him into an Unchained Summoner if the class is banned.

Hi! My name is Nate Wright, and I've been playing ttrpgs since 3rd edition of DnD, mainly bouncing between that and Vampire: The Requiem games until I found my love with Pathfinder through an introduction with organized play.

I'm passionate about the game and have written a decent bit of content for it. Most of it happens on my blog, Eldritch Excursion, where I explore the intersections of flavor and mechanics while offering ways to play unusual characters. I've also done some freelance writing for Paizo, with my favorites being the Memetic Zenith and the Anadi.

I've got a love for playing weird stuff, though I do try to reign it in when the setting demands it. I tend to post in the late evening hours. I've been playing Pathfinder first edition since 2014 but I have yet to play a 1e adventure path and I would love to knock that off of my bucket list. I'm currently in a PbP of the Slithering, but I'd like to join one or two more games.

Xallis Livara
Male Human Summoner 1 (Advanced Player's Guide p54)
N Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
DEFENSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+0 armor, +1 Dex)
hp 11 (1d8+3)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
OFFENSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Dagger -1 (1d4-1)
Ranged Light Crossbow +1 (1d8, 19-20)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1)
6/day - Summon Monster I
Spells Known (CL 1)
1st (2/day) - Grease (DC 14), Enlarge Person
0th (at will) - Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Message, Light
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
STATISTICS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Str 8, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 16
Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 10
Feats Spell Focus: Conjuration, (B)Noble Scion (Scion of Magic)
Skills Bluff +8, Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (Arcana) +6, Knowledge (Nobility) +8, Knowledge (Planes) +6, Lore (Pathfinder Society) +6, Spellcraft +6, Use Magic Device +7
Traits Fast Talker, Senatorial Hopeful
Languages Celestial, Common, Elven, (B)Infernal
Combat Gear Dagger, Light Crossbow with 10 bolts; Other Gear Backpack, 0gp
SQ Cantrips, Eidolon, Life Link
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
ECOLOGY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Environment Urban or Any
Organization solitary or with Navia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
SPECIAL ABILITIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Eidolon After a one minute ritual, summons Navia.
Summon Monster 1 As per the spell, cast as a standard action. Cannot be cast while the eidolon is out.

Navia Grace
Female Eidolon (Advanced Player's Guide p58)
N Medium Outsider
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60ft, scent 30ft; Perception +4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
DEFENSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 6 (1d10+1)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
OFFENSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Speed 30 ft
Melee 2 Claws +4 (1d4+3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
STATISTICS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 15
Feats Skill Focus: Stealth
Skills Disguise +8, Disable Device +5, Perception +4, Sense Motive +4, Sleight of Hand +5, Stealth +8; Racial Modifiers +8 Disguise
Languages Celestial, Common, Elven, Infernal
Combat Gear none Other Gear Thief's Tools
SQ Darkvision, Link, Share Spells
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
ECOLOGY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Environment Urban or Any
Organization solitary or with Xallis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
EVOLUTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Free: Limbs (Legs), Limbs (Arms), Claws (Legs)
1 Point: Climb, Scent, Skilled (Disguise)

Here's some old art of the two. I may mess with their designs a bit, maybe get some heroforge screenshots, but this is a decent enough reference.

Also, because I am a gigantic dork:
Xallis' theme
Navia's theme

I like complex characters, so please excuse the term vanilla.

Tall, lean and reserved.

Start as a vanilla Fighter and using campaign material, Noble Scion (Basri)... get access to an Elven Curved-Blade proficiency.

I'm not certain if being Kelishite/Sarenrae is too much, here. But, he's a black sheep who has been serving in Kyonin in a noble's personal guard and as emissary.

Poetically, he's got equal parts Handle Animal and Knowledge (Nobility).

Multi-Class into Unchained Rogue.

EDIT: And, I'm happy to give up Trapfinding (through archetype) if we have a trapfinder character at that time, etc... not looking to step on proverbial toes.

GOAL: Finesse Training with Elven Curved-Blade and some precision damage.

=======================================

Queen's Knight

Male Human (Keleshite) Fighter 1
NG Medium Humanoid (Human)

Init +3; Senses Perception +6
--------------------

Defense
--------------------
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)

hp 10 (1d10)

Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +1
--------------------

Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft (20 ft in armor, drop backpack for 30 ft)

Melee
. . elven curve blade +4 (1d10+1/18-20) or
. . better war razor +4 (1d4+1/18-20) or
. . cestus -2 (1d4+1/19-20) or
. . chakram +1 (1d8+1)

Ranged
. . chakram +4 (1d8+1) or
. . sling +4 (1d4+1)

--------------------

Statistics
--------------------
Str 12, Dex 17, Con 9, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14

Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 15 (16 vs. disarm, 16 vs. trip)

Feats Noble Scion of Basri, Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Weapon Finesse

Traits athletic champion, dirty fighter

Skills Acrobatics +0 (-4 to jump), Diplomacy +10, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (nobility) +6, Perception +6, Ride +4

Languages Common, Elven, Kelish

Other Gear studded leather, better war razor, cestus, chakram, elven curve blade, sling, sling bullets (10), backpack, belt pouch, flint and steel, mess kit, soap, soldier's uniform, torch (3), trail rations (3), waterskin, wooden holy symbol

Money 47 gp, 1 sp, 6 cp
--------------------

Special Abilities
--------------------
Noble Scion of Basri +2 Kn (Nobility), always a class skill. Elven Curved-Blade proficiency.

Me?

I'm older, got a couple of teens.

New York - where abouts are you? Hudson Valley, here. EST.

Been playing D&D a while, since I was 15 and on here PbP for over a decade. In a few games, but several are slower. I can keep up the posting rate, but I'm not perfect.

I have a few - What, we're waiting on me?! moments.

I like crafting characters, leaving room for plot hooks. Excelling at a few things (15-point Buy is rough. There... I said it!) And, coming together as a team to overcome challenging obstacles.

Not fond of continual walls of text, although it's needed sometimes.

I try to drive the action, while going with the flow. Nothing kills a game faster than intra-table conflict (players, DMs and characters).