Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master EltonJ

Daranil Aldaris found himself at the mercy of the streets of Korvosa in his late teenaged years. Possessed of a great curiosity but flat broke and alone, he had to take whatever jobs he could. Unfortunately, circumstances brought him into the open arms of one Gaedren Lamm. This master certainly put him to work, for better and for worse.

Mostly worse.

But things changed when he found a discarded holy symbol of Shelyn. He asked around and ended up in a temple to the goddess of beauty. And there, he was inspired by the enthusiasm and the art and the pure unmitigated joy that filled the halls and filled his heart. This first touch of the divine would plant a seed within him that would grow despite his harsh conditions.

When his master found out, Daranil learned just how harsh it could be. The beating he received left him with a partially caved-in eye socket and a misaligned jaw, features that he covers up as often as possible. Left broken and scarred, he was too afraid to go back to that temple for fear of getting in trouble, but he did to go other temples and seek other gods.

It was this newfound obsession with art and religion that inspired him to run away to seek his own fate. He went from temple to temple, attempting to take inspiration from the stories and in turn inspire others. And as he saw other faits, he saw other forms of beauty and expression. Some he loved, some he hated, but he was intrigued enough to have thoughts about all of them.

His most recent visit was with a small sect of traveling urgathoans. While he found himself ultimately disgusted and even offended by the abundance of undead, he was otherwise enthralled by their ways of celebrating life and indulging oneself. It was here that he decided to completely lose himself in his performances, opening his heart and speaking his mind, though his opinion that undeath was the “fool’s gold of immortality” was quick to get him sent away.

Now with a fistful of holy symbols and a song in his heart, Daranil is filled with new purpose and meaning. Life is a performance, as is death. And with the Gods as his audience, he would give them a show so grand that they would have to notice him.

This elven male in clothed a gaudy patchwork of outfits. He wears bandages over his mouth and a wooden mask over half of his face.

Daranil Aldaris
Male elf school savant arcanist 1
FCB: 1 Arcane Pool per level
N Medium Humanoid (Elf)
Init +5; Perception +3
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Defense
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AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (1 Dex)
hp 8 (1d6+2)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +2
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee (tbd)
Ranged (tbd)
Class spells known/prepared (CL 1st; concentration +7)
1st (3/day) - *cause fear, magic missile, silent image
0th - detect magic, ghost sound, mage hand, prestidigitation
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Statistics
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Str 9, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 10, Cha 15
Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 10
Feats Improved Initiative (b)Command Undead
Traits (Ca)Unhappy Childhood: Religious, (So)Talented: Dance
Skills Artistry (Forensics) +8, Knowledge (Arcana) +8, Knowledge (Local)+8, Knowledge (Religion) +8, Perception +3, Perform (Dance) +7, Spellcraft +8, Use Magic Device +6
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Goblin, Sylvan
Combat Gear (tbd)
Other Gear (tbd)
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Special Abilities
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Elven Immunities
Keen Senses
Elven Magic
Weapon Familiarity
School Savant Favored school: Necromancy. Opposition schools: abjuration and enchantment.
Channel Energy 7 times per day

Daranil Aldaris has been to many temples in his time spent roaming. Partially to live off of their charity, but mostly to take in as much divine knowledge as possible. With his belief that he is a literal actor for the gods, he seeks to invent his own Pantheon of his favorite deities. He calls it the Great Patrons: which includes Calistria, Shelyn, Norgorber and Urgathoa. Though he will never mention Norgorber as a member of the pantheon out loud, purely out of respect for his secrecy.

The arcanist sees himself as an artist performing for his Great Patrons, treating every action as some potential contribution to the show. Thus, he prefers melodrama and ostentation in all things.

Abadar: ”Some say art lives only by the allowance of its patrons. In this case, I pray the patron remains silent and allows the artist to do his work.”
Asmodeus: ”It is a true paradox that Cheliax is such a cultural metropolis and yet is so keen to censor. Asmodeus pretends stand tall by placing one foot on top of the other.”
Calistria: ”A favored patron of the arts who’s blessings are as welcome as her curses are deserved. A shame her performers can’t handle constructive criticism.”
Cayden Cailean: ”His followers do everything in their power to get you to not take them seriously, but you’d be a fool not to.”
Desna: ”To dance between the stars in the dark places between, and have so little to show for it. Shame.”
Erastil: ”It’s comical how a pillar of the divine can occupy himself with such aggressively mundane activities, but I fear the joke is growing stale.”
Gorum: ” I hesitate to call his followers ‘performers’ and yet, I must admit, few can do spectacular brutality quite like them.”
Gozreh: ”I find that the grand performance of disastrous storms lack a certain… personal element. Haha, ‘element.’ I do slay myself sometimes.”
Iomedae: ”Oh, to be smitten by a paladin. To have years of training and devotion, faith and steel, brought to bear against you in a climactic finale. And to know, at that moment in time, you’re the only thing in the world that matters to them.”
Irori: ”The ‘pursuit of perfection’ is what stagnation calls itself to feel better. Any art with meaning is far more spontaneous.”
Lamashtu: ”One must rise above the filth and muck to achieve apotheosis. They have instead chosen to rut in it.”
Nethys: ”I grew out of my ‘flipping a coin to look intimidating’ phase half a decade ago. They, on the other hand, are taking it to ironic extremes.”
Norgorber: ”To have such talented performers, but to deliberately avoid having audience? A thrilling conundrum for certain.”
Pharasma: ”A bit dull, if you ask me, but she does a wonderful job of keeping my muse entertained.”
Rovagug: ”His performers practice a certain… intellectual minimalism.”
Sarenrae: ”Oh shining sun, oh great healer. I cannot promise to serve you, but I promise your next patient will have an unforgettable story.”
Shelyn: ”I struggle to find flaw in such an pure expression of soul and beauty, though her followers fail to realize that art, true art, is far more visceral than any painting or sculpture.”
Torag: ”There is a certain joy in bringing art to this world, wrought by one’s own hands. But sometimes, art can be found in what you take away from this world.”
Urgathoa: ”My muse, my Moth in the Moonlight. I pray that one day you realize just how perfect you would be if you were to simply embrace life once again.”
Zon-Kuthon: ”Oh, how very… obvious.”
Minor Gods: ”Quality over quantity, my friend. Quality over quantity.”

Dwarf: 3
Elf: 2
Halfling: 1
Half-Elf/Drow: 3
Half-Orc: 2
Half-Giant: 1
Human: 4
Ratfolk: 2
Unknown: 2 (Crit and Joker)

Female Human (Varisian) bard (Detective) 1, CG medium humanoid (human)

Init +3; Senses Perception +5,

Languages Common, Draconic, Infernal, Read Lips

AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12, hp 11 (1HD), Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +3

Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)

Ranged light crossbow +3 (1d8/19-20), within 30 ft. +4 (1d8+1)
Melee cold iron dagger +0 (1d4/19-20)
Ranged cold iron dagger (thrown) +3 (1d4+1/19-20), within 30 ft. +4 (1d4+1)

Face 5 ft. by 5 ft. Reach 5 ft.

Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 13

Special Actions Distraction, Fascinate,

Known Bard Spells (CL 1st):
1st (2/day) - cure light wounds (DC 14) , tears to wine (DC 14)
0th (at will) - dancing lights , detect magic , mage hand , prestidigitation (DC 13)

Abilities Str 11, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 17

Special Qualities Arcane Investigation, Armored Casting, Bardic Performance, Bonus Feat, Cantrips, Careful Teamwork, Countersong, Eye for Detail, Skilled,

Feats Fast Learner, Point-Blank Shot

Skills
*Acrobatics +7,
Appraise +3,
*Bluff +7,
Craft (Untrained) +3,
*Diplomacy +7,
*Disable Device +8,
Disguise +3,
Escape Artist +3,
Fly +3,
Heal +1,
Intimidate +3,
*Knowledge (History) +7,
*Knowledge (Local) +7,
*Perception +5,
*Perform (Dance) +7,
Perform (Untrained) +3,
Ride +3,
*Sense Motive +5,
*Sleight of Hand +7,
*Stealth +7,
Survival +1,

Possessions entertainer's outfit; leather armor; Light Crossbow ; Backpack, Common [ Bedroll; Winter Blanket; Grooming Kit; Mess Kit; Survival Kit (Common); Waterproof Bag; ]; Waterproof Bag ; Belt Pouch [ String (50 ft.); Thieves' Tools; Sewing Needle; Soap; Perfume/Cologne; ]; Wrist Sheath, Spring Loaded [ Cold Iron Dagger; ]; Canteen ;

Arcane Investigation In addition, a detective's class spell list includes the following: 1st-detect chaos/evil/law/ good; 2nd-zone of truth; 3rd-arcane eye, speak with dead, speak with plants; 4th-discern lies; 5th-prying eyes, stone tell; 6th-discern location, find the path, greater prying eyes, moment of prescience. A detective may add one of these spells or any divination spell on the bard spell list to his list of spells known at 2nd level and every four levels thereafter. This ability replaces versatile performance.

Armored Casting (Ex) You can cast bard spells while wearing light armor and use a shield without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance.

Bardic Performance You are trained to use the Perform skill to create magical effects on those around you, including yourself if desired. You are trained to use the Perform skill to create magical effects on those around you, including yourself if desired. You can use this ability for 7 rounds per day. Each round, you can produce any one of the types of bardic performance that you have mastered. 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 you are killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round. You cannot have more than one bardic performance in effect at one time.

Bonus Feat Humans select one extra feat at 1st level.

Cantrips You have learned a number of cantrips, or 0-level spells. These spells are cast like any other spells, but they do not consume any slots and may be used again.

Careful Teamwork (Su) A detective uses performance to keep allies coordinated, alert, and ready for action. All allies within 30 feet gain a +0 bonus on Initiative checks, Perception, and Disable Device checks for 1 hour. They also gain a +0 insight bonus on Reflex saves and to AC against traps and when they are flat-footed. These bonuses increase by +1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. Using this ability requires 3 rounds of continuous performance, and the targets must be able to see and hear the bard throughout the performance. This ability is language-dependent and requires visual and audible components. This performance replaces inspire courage.

Countersong (Su) You can counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components). Each round of the countersong you make a Perform (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet (including yourself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use your 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 noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use your Perform skill check result for the save. Countersong does not work on effects that don't allow saves. Countersong relies on audible components.

Criminal (Disable Device) You spent your early life robbing and stealing to get by. Select one of the following skills: Disable Device, Intimidate, or Sleight of Hand. You gain a +1 trait bonus on that skill, and it is always a class skill for you.

Distraction (Su) You can use your performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the distraction, make a Perform (act, comedy, dance, or oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet (including yourself) that is affected by an illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack may use your Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform skill check proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the distraction is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous 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 your Perform skill check result for the save. Distraction does not work on effects that don't allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components.

Drug Addict (Personal Addiction) You were once addicted to shiver, a drug distilled from the venom of dream spiders. The drug induces sleep filled with vivid dreams, during which the user's body often shakes and shivers, giving the substance its street name. Shiver is particularly dangerous for the desperate, for its promises of dreams and oblivion are often viewed as the only alternative apart from suicide for escaping a dreary life. You've always thought of shiver as a problem of the lower class, but then you a crimelord named Gaedren got you addicted, and you overdosed on the stuff. You blame Gaedren for your brush with death and hate how his drugs are causing similar problems among other youths. Unfortunately, the guards seem to be more focused on the bigger dealers. They don't have time to devote many resources to what they've called, "a bit player in a beggar's problem." It would seem that if his operation is to be stopped, it falls to you. Fortunately, your body recovers quickly from toxins, and you have a +1 trait bonus on Fortitude saving throws.

Eye for Detail (Ex) A detective gains a bonus equal to half his level on Knowledge (local), Perception, and Sense Motive checks, as well as Diplomacy checks to gather information (minimum +1). This ability replaces bardic knowledge.

Fascinate (Su) You can use your performance to cause up to 1 creatures to become fascinated with you. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear you, and capable of paying attention to you. You must also be able to see the creatures affected. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents this ability from working. Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 13) to negate the effect. If a creature's saving throw succeeds, you cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes your performance for as long as you continue to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a -4 penalty on all 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.

Skilled Humans gain an additional skill rank at 1st level and one additional rank whenever they gain a level.