Alika's page

mwk Backpack 4lbs

Chalk (10) 1sp
Chalkboard 1gp, 2lbs
Chest, Medium 5gp, 50lbs
Courtier's Outfits (2) 60gp, 12lbs
"noble" outfit 75gp, 10lbs
Rare Perfume (1 for 10 doses) 10gp
Jewelry worth 50gp
Wig (Mediocre) 75gp, 1 & 1/2lbs
Wig (common) 25gp, 1/2 lbs
Inkpen (4) 4sp
Ink, black (2) 16 gp
Belt pouch 1gp
Sealing Wax 1gp, 1lbs
Signet Ring 5gp
Stationary (10) 10gp

PP 6 GP 13 SP 5

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

Bardic Performance A bard is trained to use his Perform skill to create magical effects on those around him, including himself if desired. He can uses 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.

Each bardic performance has audible components, visual components, or both.

Cantrips (Sp) 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.

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.

Inspire Courage (Su) A 1st level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard’s performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level. Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability. Inspire courage can use audible or visual components. The bard must choose which component to use when starting his performance.

Alika is the daughter of a tribe from the deep deserts of Osiron. Her tribe was raided by another, and those that survived, including Alika, were sold at market in Katapesh. A large scale slaver recognized Alika's ability to observe and disseminate information, noting that Alika was more frightened of the men scribbling on tablets than she was of the enforcers that jabbed spears into the bars of their cage.

This slave master was a wizard who aspired to the lost culture of the Azlant, and recognized Alika's intelligence. He bought the lot of the survivors of her tribe, and seeking to isolate her and claim her as his apprentice, unleashed a plague upon the lot en route to Absalom. The master, Ureste took Alika for his own, instructing her in languages and the history of nobility. Alika listened and learned in silence, absorbing first Draconic, and soon enough Azlanti, which at first appeared to her a cypher to keep his notes. She understood his intent, and still kept her silence, having no desire to join her tribe in the Boneyard, but to survive to take revenge against the man.

A day's journey from Absalom, Ureste and the captain herded what remained of the crew onto an skiff and set the slave galley to flame. For several years, Alika remained at Ureste's mercy, learning his ways, but never once speaking. Ureste was no fool, he waited for her to respond to his efforts and accept him as her master. Alika's will, however, was too strong to accept his offer. His behavior became increasingly erratic, until one evening, their last together, he unveiled a brand of his own design, heated it with his magics, and pressed it to her breast. If she would not accept him as a magical superior, she would forever bear his mark as a slave.

Alika was sold at market, her beauty and training in languages alone fetched her an enormous price from a Galtian textile merchant, Harlan Vaylen. She was brought into his home, where her education was continued, although in a much different discipline. In particular, Alika's voice, which she never once employed in Ureste's presence, was trained to reach great heights. Alika was informed that she was to assume responsibility for the merchant's heir's share of Vaylen's trade, as the son proved and quite publicly to have inherited any of Harlan's savvy. Alika's purpose was simple, to captivate all she met with her guile, to distract from the unworthy heir, and rule in his name with smiles and whispers in the dark.

Alika's talents as such were well employed. She seduced as easily with her voice as any lesser woman might with her touch. It was not required that she lay with men, and all the better, as she recognized that none would respect her if she did. All the while, Alika gathered what she believed to be reliable contacts under her influence, steadily working towards achieving her goal of gaining support to strike at Ureste where it would hurt, his slaving operation. On the night she arranged to meet a powerful potential ally, Ureste intercepted Alika, easily binding her in a charm spell. Compelled, she dressed and dined with him. He complemented her progress, and the brand he had left upon her.

In the morning, when Alika returned to her flat to wash and dress for her assignment, Harlan was waiting for her. Exhausted, Alika prepared herself for her execution, recognizing that his personal guard and pull with the local militia was far greater than her own, but instead he furnished her with a chest and a letter.

"Had he but asked, I would have," he answered her inquiry. "Go. Now."

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