At his mother's words, Andrei inclined his head at her offer. "Hells, knowing what I know now, I'd do him in for free - but if you'll pay me to do it, so much the better." He said, habitually making sure his rapier was free in it's sheath.
A course of action decided, Andrei begins to move purposefully towards the exit, knowing his mother will follow. "Oh yes, he is going to taste my displeasure very keenly." He said, as he began to walk back to the place where it had begun last night...
Assuming nothing goes wrong on the way...
Arriving at the door of his newest target, Andrei pounded on the door a few times, and drew his rapier, preparing himself to strike his would-be murderer down hard.
"Stay clear, mother." He said, as he waited for a response, making sure she wasn't in danger.
I'll be posting as soon as I get home from work today (in a few hours). Sorry to have been quiet, I've only been posting sporadically as I've been unwell and busy at work.
Andrei sighed inwardly. Of course she'd been hired to kill him! It was the kind of thing Calistria like to throw his way.
"It's alright." He said, placating her. "She didn't kill me, although I wonder why someone wants me dead - I don't remember irritating anyone lately." He continued, as he began to pace the room. "So why would Hazrim want to kill me then?" He mused.
"I guess the fastest way to find out is go and talk to the man." He said, his voice firm with determination. "Would you care to come along and inquire also? I don't want you getting caught in the crossfire though."
"Carissa?" He asks, as his mother recognizes the name. "I'm sorry I had to kill her, for what it's worth." He says, most likely failing miserably at consoling his mother. "For anyone else, they wouldn't get a name - but he's not employing me right now, so I will. Hazrim is his name - middle aged, paranoid, and tight-fisted. Sound like anyone you know?" He asked, already knowing the answer that was coming.
Andrei hated days like this, when things became complex.
Andrei flashes a winning grin at the Tiefling girl as she leaves the room, before standing and embracing his mother when she announces her presence.
"You are beautiful as always mother. Calistria hasn't stopped smiling on you, I see." He said, complimenting his mother on her looks as he always did. "But I came here because of that." He said, stressing the word as he gestures to the now-donated dagger.
"It's not one of mine. One of your girls tried to kill my employer last night - and it was a pure waste of potential." He said, locking eyes with his mother, his voice betraying no hint of emotion.
"Now why would one of your girls be fixing to kill one of my clients?" He asked, his gaze steady.
Andrei nodded his agreement, and went into the chapel to pay his respects. Kneeling before an altar, Andrei spoke quietly. "Lady, I know we don't always see eye-to-eye on stuff, but, uh, thanks for keeping me alive last night - I appreciate that." He said, his head bowed. "I feel bad that it led to me killing one of yours though." He said, almost as an afterthought.
"In payment, I'm giving you the dagger that almost ended me. It's not much, but maybe another one of your servants will find a use for it. Preferably a use that has nothing to do with ending my life." As he spoke, Andrei placed the plain dagger into one of the nearby collection plates, knowing one of the Lady's followers would take the blade eventually.
"Here's hoping you keep bringing me good fortune." He said, ending his 'prayer'. All that was left to do was wait for his mother to arrive. As he waited, he looked around the chapel, examining the other supplicants.
At Fortune's words, Andrei laughs softly. "Lady, for you, I'd take up all three options. For now, lets stick to the last two, eh? I'll pay my respects first, if you could let my mother know I'm here?" He said, his voice one of careful respect.
"Had any 'interesting' clients lately?" He asked casually, never loosing his slight smile. Interesting clients always meant someone that Andrei needed to go visit. And 'chat' to about manners and the like.
Andrei sighs inwardly at the rudeness of his employer - this was why he didn't take petty contracts, he reminded himself.
"That's fine sir." He replied in response to Hazrim's comment on danger pay. "Keep in mind though, that if I have Gendarmes knocking on my door, I won't be sending them to you - I'll come myself." He said, the neutral tone of his voice seeming cold all of a sudden.
"When you get back, assuming I haven't found a better offer, you know how to get word to me." He told the man, as he collected his pay.
"I'll bid you good day then." And so saying, Andrei left the miserly merchant to his papers.
Wandering aimlessly for a short while, Andrei began to head in the direction of Calistria's temple - his mother should have some answers about why in the hells one of her call girls would be fixing to kill a merchant.
Leaving his apartment, Andrei spins the dagger around on the palm of his hand, catching it by the hilt every time. His senses constantly aware, Andrei finds the Blot in the sky to be an oppressive thing, a portent of doom. Not a particularly superstitious man, he nonetheless finds its presence disturbing.
Andrei moves through the streets on light feet, causing minimal disturbance at his passing. He thinks back to the attack the night before as he toys with the dagger that could have ended him. Why was she there to kill his employer? He wondered to himself.
Most of the time, when someone hired a guard, they were just being paranoid - but this one was different. Maybe he should ask his employer that question.
Nodding to himself that it was a good thought, Andrei stops in front of the door he had guarded last night, and knocks purposefully twice. Who would want to kill a merchant? Perhaps today, he'd find out.
A Day in the Life of Andrei Imarad
Andrei, feigning sleep, kept an eye on the shadow that peeled away from the darkened alley. Watching, it approached the door he was 'guarding' and he saw the hood of the robe turn towards him, catching the gleam of eyes within the shadowed cloak. As he leaned against the wall, a dagger was drawn into the shadow's hand, the steel blade catching in the poor light of the street.
The shadow moved closer, and Andrei concentrated on keeping his breathing deep and even, and his limbs relaxed, as he watched the shadow move closer. The shadow stopped before him, and Andrei could hear a deep, focusing breath being taken as the dagger was raised for a killing stroke. And still Andrei waited for the perfect moment to strike.
As the blade descended, Andrei exploded into action, catching the arm of his would-be killer with his left hand, and flicking the wrist of his right. There was a steely snapping noise, and a blade appeared from under his sleeve, resting over the back of his fist. Taking the barest moment to savor the scene, Andrei drove the hidden blade into the shadow's chest, slipping between the ribs and entering the heart.
With a choking gasp, the shadow fell backwards as Andrei released his grip, the body falling to the cobblestones with a dull thump. Crouching, Andrei wiped his blade clean on the cloak of the now-dead shadow, and re-sheathed his sleeve blade. Pulling back the shadow's hood, the face of a beautiful dead girl, no older than himself was revealed.
"A waste." He muttered, disappointed but the loss of such beauty and grace. With a heave, Andrei lifted the corpse into his arms, and carried her to the nearby pier. Placing her gently on the ground, Andrei searched the body for signs of identity, but only found a purse with a few silver in it - a hired kill. Tying a weight to her legs, Andrei dropped her into the black water, and headed back to his post.
Entering, a middle-age man looked up from some papers.
"They sent you an assassin." Andrei said, with no preamble. "They were wasting their time." He continued, tossing the small bag of coins onto the table.
"Keep it." The man said. "Consider it a bonus."
Nodding, Andrei retrieved the money pouch, and tucked it into his belt.
"You can go now, Andrei - the won't send anyone else tonight."
"Very well. Shall I return in the morning?" He asked, knowing that it would require a renewal of his contract.
"That would be most appreciative - I'll pay your fee." Came the response.
"Then I will see you a candlemark after dawn." He said, leaving the building, and heading back to his rented room. He made a mental note to make sure his blade hadn't taken any damage from the attack, and to sell the dagger of the woman who'd tried to kill him in the morning before he started work again.
Perhaps he would visit his mother also, and find out why one of her 'girls' was out to kill merchants...
Andrei is basically ready to rock (except for flavor). I'm going to sleep on it (It's after 12AM where I am), and see what my mind has come up with by morning. He'll be fully fleshed out then - I promise.
Even if I throw in an action point, and roll a natural 6, I'm not gonna make the DC for that save, so I won't bother. Curse you IC! I don't think it likes me - I should just use physical dice - My DM dice like me better.
EDIT: Yep, rolled a natural 17 (meaning I'd get a save roll of 18). Oh well, I guess its sleepy-time for the biggest meat-shield in the group! If they Coup de Grace me, I'm so haunting you guys!
I should start re-making a character now, huh? Maybe a hexblade. Or a Samurai. Think I could play a warrior with a rare fighting style?
Andrei, glad that his extensive training in defensive maneuvers had kept him unharmed, rapidly switched to offense, a trick that could cause many combatants trouble, striking at the obsidian elf to his right. Drow 4
Andrei will backpedal to where most of the group are (as far as he can get with a move action), and then use his Protection Devotion power (+2 to AC to himself and all allies within 30ft). Assuming the Drow in front of him doesn't lay the smackdown first!
Here's a new post, not as much character writing involved.
Moving forward cautiously, Andrei mirrors the fleet-footed shifter, approaching the stairs. As he moves, Andrei raises his shield, ready to protect himself form any assault.
Taking the lead, Andrei moves into the nearest room, taking care to scan the ceiling, as well as the ground.
"Everyone, stay close." The Knight said, quietly.
Andrei nods at the group, pleased to know everyone's skills. "Excellent. I would suggest at the first that we attempt to shed some more light on the situation - literally."
"If there are no signs of a weapon, could it have been caused by magic?" He asked, his hand resting on his longsword again. "Perhaps we should find a way to draw our murderer to us. Any suggestions?" He asked, looking for assistance.
"Interrogation is good, but we need to capture the culprit first."
Having remained quiet for a few moments, Andrei listens to the suggestions and ideas being thrown around. "I would be loath to separate the group." The Knight said finally. "Tactically speaking, I do not feel it would be very wise."
Thinking for a moment, Andrei spoke again. "Perhaps it would be wise to attempt to send one of our number outside to alert the watch." He said, looking at the shifter. "You seem fast on your feet. If we could find a way to get you out, do you think you could alert the watch?" Andrei asked, not even sure if they could get someone out.
"I agree that we are all here, but not by chance. It is within us to solve this mystery. What may I do to assist?" Andrei regretted that in a situation like this, Andrei was next to useless - there was nothing to fight.
Obviously, the female half-elf was some kind of investigator - and it also seemed as though a healer was present.
"Can you tell me anything of what happened here? Is he dead?" Andrei asks, sheathing his blade, whilst directing his questions at the two apparently most knowledgeable about such things.
"I am Andrei. Soldier of the Silver Flame." He said, feeling that introductions would serve better later, but not wanting to seem rude.
"Colvare, throw the light up near the body." Andrei said, a tone of command that the sorcerer had never heard before creeping into his voice. "I will go and take a look." A grim, determined visage settled on the young man's face as he drew his longsword, whispering something under his breath.
Spoiler:
"Flame, guide me."
Waiting briefly for his instructions to be followed, Andrei begins to make his way up the stairs.
Andrei will not approach the body until it is illuminated by the bolt.
"It is strange that she would go to the trouble of contacting the pair of us, and then not show up." Andrei replied to the question, still not totally understanding Colvare's presence.
"A few tricks? Try not to burn everything down around you with one of your 'tricks' eh?" Andrei smiled, his cold demeanor beginning to thaw.
Everyone will probably see what he does now...
At the short sound of commotion, Andrei's hand blurs to rest on his longsword, the leather-wrapped hilt creaking as he closes his fist. "Something is not right." He says, quietly.
Crossing the room quickly, Andrei casts quiet instructions to Colvare over his shoulder. "Remain behind me. I shall investigate."
Catching the shifter's eye, Andrei gestures for him to stay back, before moving towards the hall.
Nodding curtly to his old acquaintance, Andrei replies, also in a whisper. "Not yet. I still have my final trials to complete."
"You received one too? She is late - and I am concerned." Andrei said, his voice cold and professional. Andrei was suspicious of the note, and even more suspicious of the fact that the letter was sent not just to him, but to someone he used to know.
Sounds good to me, I'm up for knowing Andrei beforehand, worked together once or twice perhaps?
Fine by me. If that's the case,
Spoiler:
you would probably know that Andrei is very devoted, but isn't preachy. You would probably also know that Andrei is trying very hard to become a Paladin.
Here is my background, spoilered if you want a surprise.
Spoiler:
Andrei, born the bastard son of a Knight of the Silver Flame, has had a life filled with trials, hardship, and discipline. The fact that his father, Lukar, is not noble-born is just about the only reason why his birth does not make him ostracized. With no knowledge of his mother, Andrei has spent the majority of his life under the thumb of his father, who possesses the desire for Andrei to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately for Lukar, Andrei was found to be lacking in a certain level of ‘purity’ to be accepted into the Paladin order.
Still wanting to please his father, Andrei worked hard to be accepted into the general army, quickly showing an aptitude for combat, having been blessed with a body that responds very well to physical conditioning. His father was further mollified when Andrei demonstrated proof of a strong faith – resulting in an ability to tap into divine power for a short time.
Having proved both his physical prowess and strength of spirit, Andrei was finally accepted into the knightly order at the age of nineteen. Within the last two years, Andrei has distinguished himself as a devoted servant of the Silver Flame, and has recently been assigned to the chapterhouse in Sharn to further his training...
Changed my portrait. Working on my backstory, etc at the moment. I think I've purchased all the gear I need, but I'll double-check. I might go for Chainmail instead of a Chain Shirt, despite the movement penalty. I suppose as the meatshield (or one of them), that I should have a fairly high AC. It's only at 18 right now, but I can move my full speed.
I think then (provided it is alright with you), that will play a fighter, but take advantage of the Divine Fighter Alternative Class Features found in Complete Champion. They will serve to give my character that divine feel. I'm thinking that the hook would be something along the lines of: His father is a Paladin of the Silver Flame, and wishes his son to follow in his footsteps. The son, not quite possessing the 'purity of heart' required for paladin-hood, but a still a soldier of God. In fact, most people, when they look at him, will probably think, "Oh look, a Paladin." But I can assure you, results matter to him more than following the law (So he's Neutral Good).
I'd also be interested in the Protection Devotion Feat (also found in Complete Champion), as I feel it goes quite strongly with the concept.
Essentially, I want to make a fighter with a strong connection to the divine - he's just not a paladin. Pretty much every chance I can take a decent divine-style feat to improve my ability to fight or defend everyone else, I'm going to look at. All of the Divine Fighter Features will be taken (pending on approval), along with at least the Protection Devotion and Good Devotion feats (if allowed). The beauty is, that the fighter levels will provide me with plenty of opportunity take combat-oriented feats, whilst still giving me the chance to go down the divine path I'm thinking of.
It's funny - this guy was a really sketchy idea when I first started out (I wasn't sure if I would follow this route), but the more I think about it, the more a like it. It's kind of like being a Paladin, without being a Paladin. I love it.
