Aelfred Agnarsson's page

About Aelfred Agnarsson

Aelfred Agnarsson
Male Human Ranger 2 / Shaman 4
CG Medium Human
Init +5; Senses Perception +10

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Defense
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AC 21, touch 15, flat-footed 16 (+5 armor, +5 Dex, +1 Nat);
hp (2d10+4d8+12)
Fort +, Ref +, Will +

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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee falchion +9 (2d4+4, 18-20/x2, S)
Melee morningstar +8 (1d8+3, x2, B/P)
Melee cestus +10 (1d4+3, 19-20/x2, B/P)
Ranged composite longbow +11 (1d8+3, 110', x3, P)
Special Attacks favored enemy, power attack, deadly aim

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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 20(18), Con 14, Int 12, Wis 20, Cha 14
Base Atk +5; CMB +8/+10; CMD 23
Feats
Traits
Skills Climb + Craft-Smith + Diplomacy + Disable + Handle Animal + Heal + Knowledge (geography) + Knowledge (local) + Knowledge (nature) + Knowledge (planes) + Perception + Profession (Farm) + Profession (sailor) + Sense Motive + Spellcraft + Stealth + Survival + Swim +

Languages Common (taldane), Hallit, Druidic
FCB

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Abilities
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TRAITS

FEATS

CLASS ABILITIES/QUALITIES
Track (Ex) adds half his level (minimum 1) to Survival skill checks made to follow tracks.
Ranger Combat Style (Archery) gain bonus feat: Rapid Shot

SPELLCASTING
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Profile
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Appearance
While his size would be unremarkable among other races of men, Aelfred Agnarsson would be described by most Northmen as a bit small. Despite his compact stature, Aelfred is strong, hardy, and agile, giving him an edge as many would underestimate him because of his size. He wears his brown hair long and loose, with a full beard to match. Most defining of his characteristics are his mismatched eyes, one brown and one blue. Around his right eye, he has a tattoo of strange rune in a dark blue ink, though it is unrecognizable as a standard character.

He garbs himself in a suit of scaled leather armor, granting him a balance of protection and mobility, as befits his skills. He bears a long seax on his hip, along with a throwing axe and a smaller seax. Upon his back is a pack filled with equipment, along with a quiver and his bow, and a metal shod, spiked club that can deal brutal wounds.

Personality Aelfred is a man caught between two worlds, yet not entirely in either. He is a Northman by birth and upbringing, yet he has not experienced the life of a Norse warrior or huscarl. He is gifted as one of the Volva would be, yet being born a man he has been denied the secrets and powers the truly indoctrinated hold. Yet despite his dual nature, Aelfred is not bitter. He trusts that this is Woten's will, and that he has some as yet unseen purpose to serve. He is generally reserved, especially in new company, though as a boy had been more outgoing. It is possible this side of him will arise should he spend more time among the villages and halls of the North. In truth, Valdis' call that Aelfred must leave his duty as her bodyguard and venture forth is exciting, for though Aelfred has shared some limited time with his kinsmen when Valdis has visited various Jarls and villages, he longs to live up to his father's heritage, to fight glorious battles, and revel in the great halls, feasting and drinking. He hopes to serve Woten well, so that one day he may join his father in the Halls of Valhalla, where the brave, they live, forever.

Background Agnar Blackmane served his Jarl as a dutiful huscarl for many years. A vigilant bodyguard, mighty warrior, and vicious raider, he was everything a Northman should be. And after many years of service to the Jarl, he saw fit to grant Agnar lordship over a small fishing village. Agnar packed his possessions and traveled west through the dense woods, seeking his new home. On the road, he met a young woman, gathering herbs from the forest's bounty. Though he was old enough to be her father, a palpable attraction immediately existed between the two. The lass, Ylva, agreed to accompany Agnar, and in time they were joined under Woten's blessing. In short time, Ylva was found to be with child, and on a particularly dark night, Agnar received the joyous news - she had given birth to a son.

But every story has two sides. Ylva was not a simple lass, but rather one of the Volva, the wise women who wandered the wilds of the North and were able to tap into the very magic of the land. She had received a vision that a raven-haired man would come, and in union with him she would be blessed with a child, an heir to carry on the tradition of her sect. So it was through divine guidance that she was in the woods along that road when she encountered Agnar. Taking his namesake appearance as a sign, she sought his seed, so that the prophecy might be fulfilled. And so it was, that on the night of a ghost moon, an eve when the moon can only be seen by one with the Sight, Ylva did deliver forth a child. A child marked with the eyes of a seer... yet, it was a boy.

Much to her disappointment, she gave birth to a son. The signs had been right. She had even gone into labor under the ghost moon, and the child had been blessed with the marks of one gifted among her kind, for he bore eyes of two different colors - one to see what is now, and the other to see the future. But, such gifts had only ever appeared in girls. The child, her son, would be raised as all Northman are, as a farmer and warrior. Still, Ylva did not leave as she had planned. For in truth, during her pregnancy, she had come to love Agnar. And thus she chose to leave behind her life as one of the wise women, and instead live the life of an herbalist, mother, and wife. The child was named Aelfred, after Agnar's uncle who had raised him.

From an early age, Aelfred was an inquisitive child. He learned quickly, almost intuitively. He learned of the ways of a farmer and a warrior, as taught by his father. Yet so too did his mother impart some knowledge on the lad, teaching him to read the runes. His father thought a boy learning to read and write was a waste, but granted his wife this annoyance as Aelfred seemed to greatly enjoy the time with his mother. Aelfred's youth was mostly rather unremarkable.

Yet, there were moments, where he had strange instincts, instincts that would turn out right. Usually they pertained to trivial things, and thus were dismissed. Sadly, his father did not trust Aelfred's premonition on the fateful spring night. The next morning a heavy fog laid across the bay, cloaking the creatures coming from the deep. Aelfred awoke to screaming and the sounds of battle. Draugr had arisen from their rest and sought the taste of flesh. The men and women of the town fought heroically, yet the walking dead were too many, and one by one the people died. Aelfred saw his father cut down six of the beasts before he himself was taken low. Suddenly aflame with fury, his mother Ylva unleashed a strange arcane wrath upon the creatures. This destroyed several, but also set much of the town ablaze. Overcome by the heat, Aelfred lost track of his mother and fled the undead horrors pursuing him into the woods. He ran far, yet turning, came face to face with one. The creature's claw lashed out at his face, striking him. Everything went black.

When he awoke, Aelfred found himself looking up at his mother. No, wait, he thought, it was not her, for the woman was older and her hair was streaked with gray. Seeing the boy's confusion, the woman smiled softly, "Hello Aelfred, I am your mother's sister, Valdis. I am sorry that we were not able to foresee the attack. Your parents have risen to Valhalla, and so you will come live with me." Still confused, Aelfred felt his face, where the wound should have been. His skin was mended, though blood and dirt still stained it. He rose to his aunt's outstretched hand and, not having any other choice at 12 years old, followed her.

The next several years were filled with growth, learning, and wonder. Valdis, and her sisters that visited (for the Volva were far more plentiful that rumors he heard had even told), taught Aelfred many things - the secrets of the wilderness, the art of hunting and trapping, how to hear the sounds of the land and follow the signs of animals. She schooled him on bits of lore and wisdom, of the benefits of certain herbs and plants, of the truth of steel and how to wield it. She taught him the legends of the Norse gods, and how each offers their blessing upon a worthy Northman. Then, finally, she revealed to him the signs of his birth, the omen of his eyes, and the strange fact that he was born a man. He would never have the Sight to the level of some of the Volva, who could see hours, days, years into the future. But he nevertheless was blessed with a touch of the Sight, and so too did Valdis help reveal this to him. Likewise, he began to exhibit the gift of Life, the ability to mend wounds in those in need.

During these years Aelfred also faced great conflict, for the Volva all made their homes in remote, dangerous locales. In return for his tutelage, Aelfred served as a bodyguard and hunter to Valdis. He fought all manner of foes, from men to orcs, undead to the fey. He learned to combine his physical capabilities with the gift Valdis had unlocked for him. As he reached manhood, he exhibited a great strength and agility, yet did not reach the stature of other Northmen. Still, he had a speed and natural cunning that granted him swift, quiet movements. And his knowledge and perception allowed him to identify his foes' weaknesses. Beyond that, the Volva taught him to move in the wilds unnoticed. He learned to combine these into his hunting and fighting, working in a manner that was distinctly Norse, yet attuned to a lone warrior.

That is, until he encountered his bonded spirit. He had been tracking a herb of elk, fast on the move, looking to gather meat for the fast descending winter. Just as he drew his bow to fire, a young snow leopard leapt from a tree, taking down the elk he was about to shoot. At first he felt robbed, but the animal's strength and agility had been truly impressive, and seeing the much smaller leopard take down a mighty buck made Aelfred regard the creature as kindred. As the animal stood over its kill, Aelfred slowly approached. At first the leopard warily crouched down, but then something changed. It allowed Aelfred to come right up to its kill, even as it took its first victorious bite. Kneeling over the dead elk, Aelfred reached down and tore free a piece of meat, then ate it as well. The two, one man, one feline, stared at each other. And in that moment, Aelfred caught a glimpse of the animal's mind and soul. They were bound, inseparable in life.

But that was some years ago. As of late, trouble is brewing in the North, and Valdis has informed Aelfred his unique gifts are needed among their people.