A rugged dwarf wearing worn yet sturdy work clothes steadily digs into the side of the hill with a finely wrought pick. His long, unkempt brown hair flops with the motion of his efforts, flinging sprays of sweat into the air. His small camp sits nestled just feet away from the newly started dig. At his feet lies a large steel shield with a dwarven waraxe lying across it.
Avar lives in exile. It has been a full quarter of a century now since his ouster from Clan Falgrim. Even as he lays staring at the porcelain cameo in his hand, he no longer notices the scars from the lash crisscrossing his back. Her visage is perfect. Torl truly was a gifted artist. Sighing, he wraps it back up in the square of old oilskin before placing it back into the well made backpack.
Twenty-seven years on and he is no closer to understanding why she made those accusations. He loved her. She loved him... didn't she? The sting of those agonizing stripes were as nothing to the heart shattering pangs of her betrayal. Calistria, damn him again he still pined for her.
No dwarves would ever accept him with the marks of shame he wore. It was best he lived in the wilds, digging back into the earth; a newborn babe futilely clawing for the remembered warmth and safety of the womb. He could only just bring himself to dig out a sleeping area and that was only from a primal need to have solid ground on every side, above and below, providing a measure of defense. Eight mines he started and every one of them held such a bolthole.
A snapped twig is all the warning Avar gets before several dark forms dart into the firelight. Jaws clamp down on his ankle, thrashing back and forth trying to rip the foot from leg. Snarling back at the shaggy wolf, he grabs up his waraxe and brings it down with a mighty thwack! neatly cleaving the canine's skull. Rolling to his feet, he barely has time to swing before the rest are on him. Gripping the fabled heirloom of his family, he desperately fights for his life against the ravenous killers.
In moments it is done. The frenzied prospector stands amidst a scene of carnage heaving great gulping breaths into the bellows of his chest. The bodies of four wolves lie strewn about the camp. At least three others made it away, but he is too tired to give chase. He haggardly drags his belongings to the shallow entrance of his latest excavation.
Pushing himself as far into the ground as he can manage, he waits for dawn. When the gray of early morning finally sparks into fiery light with the rising sun, he goes out to the corpses and begins the ardous task of skinning them. Once done, he gathers up his gear and begins trudging toward the small village of Pigmill. These incursions are getting worse and the animals seem to be growing ever more bold. Something is not right and while he maintains his solitude, the locals have always been polite and respectful. They deserve a fair warning and help preparing for what is to come.
Avar Falkrak
Male Dwarf Barbarian 4
CG Medium Humanoid (Dwarf)
Init +2; Senses Perception +8 (+2 to notice unusual stonework), darkvision 60 ft.
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DEFENSE
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AC 23, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (+2 DEX, +7 armour, +1 natural, +3 shield )
hp 43 (4d12+12) (+3 Con)
Fort +7 (+9), Ref +3, Will +2 (+4) (+2 vs. poisons, +4 vs. spells, spell-like abilities)
Defensive Abilities defensive training (+4 dodge bonus to AC vs. giants), trap sense +1, uncanny dodge
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OFFENSE
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Spd 30 ft.
Melee crowbar +8 (1d6+3/x2) or
. . dagger +7 (1d4+3/19-20/x2) or
. . dwarven boulder helmet (1d4+3/x2) or
. . +1 dwarven waraxe +8 (1d10+3/x3) or
. . mwk hammer +9 (1d4+3/x2) or
. . mwk miner's pick +9 (1d6+4/x4) or
. . shovel +8 (1d6+3/x2) or
. . mwk sledge +9 (2d6+4/x3) or
. . spiked gauntlet +7 (1d4+3/x2) or
. . warhammer +7 (1d8+3/20/x3)
Ranged dagger +6 (1d4+3/19-20/x2) or
. . light crossbow +6 (1d8/20/x2)
Special Attacks +1 on attack rolls against goblinoid and orc humanoids, rage (13 rounds/day), rage powers (reckless abandon, renewed vigor)
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STATISTICS
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Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +4; CMB +7; CMD 19 (+4 vs. bull rush or trip while standing on the ground)
Feats Ironhide, Steel Soul
Traits Conscientious Miner, Rough and Ready
Skills Acrobatics -4, Appraise +5, Bluff -2, Climb -3, Craft (Armoursmithing) +8 (+2 with metal or stone), Disguise -2, Escape Artist -4, Fly -4, Handle Animal NA, Heal +1, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (nature) NA, Perception +8 (+2 unusual stonework), Perform -2, Profession (Miner) +9 (+2 with metal or stone), Ride -4, Sense Motive +3, Stealth -4, Survival +9, Swim -4
Languages Common, Dwarven, Undercommon
SQ Craftsman (+2 craft and profession checks on metal or stone), Defensive Training, Hardy, Hatred, Minesight, Slow and Steady, Stability, Stonecunning, Weapon Familiarity
Combat Gear Bolts (20), Crossbow, light, Dagger, +1 Dwarven waraxe, +1 Mountain Pattern armour, +1 Heavy Steel Shield, potion of cure light wounds (4), oil of bless weapon, oil of lead blades, potion of bear's endurance; Other Gear Artisan's Tools, masterwork, Backpack, masterwork, Crowbar, Explorer's outfit, Flint and Steel, Grappling Hook, Miner's Lantern, Miner's Pick, masterwork, Pitons (10), Pouch, belt (2), Rations, trail (2), Rope 50 ft. (2), Shovel, Sledge, Waterskin (2), Whetstone, Wristsheath, spring loaded 119 gp, 5 sp, 8 cp
Encumbrance 155 lbs (medium load) 86/173/260
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TRACKED RESOURCES
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Crossbow bolts 20/20
Rage 13/13
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Age: 103, 4'5", 192 lbs, dirt brown hair, jade green eyes, tan skin
