Balthasar Heimren's page

Balthasar Heimrin
Male human cavalier (standard bearer) 4/paladin (holy tactician) 2
Champion Tier 1
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Perception +1
Favored Class: Cavalier
FCB: Banner bonus +1
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 12, flat-footed 19 (+7 armor, +2 Dex, +2 shield)
HP 57 (6d10+16)
Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +10
Special Defenses lay on hands 3/day (1d6) Lion's Call (+2 competence bonus vs fear, +1 competence bonus on attack (both last 2 rounds), allows reroll if suffering from spell or effect causing frightened or panicked condition)
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft
Melee Radiance +12 (1d8+5, 19-20/x2)
Melee +1 morningstar +11 (1d8+5, x2)
Melee cold iron dagger +10 (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Ranged composite longbow +8 (1d8, x3)
Ranged cold iron dagger +8 (1d4+4, 19-20/x2, 10 ft)
Special attacks challenge 2/day (+4 damage, +2 AC vs target), banner (+3 morale save vs fear, +2 morale attack on charge), Iomedae’s Inspiring Sword (+2 attack/save/skill for 1 round), tactician, weal's champion 1/day
Paladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st, Concentration +3)
At-will - detect evil
STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 15
Base Atk +6; CMB +10; CMD 22
Traits Child of the Crusades (Campaign), Natural-Born Leader
Feats Armor Proficiency (light, medium, heavy, shields) (B), Dazzling Display, Divine Fighting Technique (Iomedae’s Inspring Sword), Iron Will, Pack Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Proficiency (simple, martial, whip) (B)
(B)-Granted by class features
Mythic Feats - Mythic Power Attack
Skills (ACP -1) Climb +6, Bluff +9, Diplomacy +11, Handle Animal* +9 (+11 with mounts), Intimidate +9, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (nobility)* +10 (+12 if involving my liege), Knowledge (planes) +3, Knowledge (religion) +6, Profession (soldier)* +5, Sense Motive +9, Swim +6
*- denotes background skill
Languages Common, Dwarven
SQ Aura of good, divine grace, Order of the Lion
Combat Gear 1 potion of CMW, 1 potion of CLW, 1 potion of lesser restoration; Gear masterwork cold iron longsword, +1 morningstar, morningstar, composite longbow (Str +0) with 20 cold iron arrows, 2 cold iron daggers, +1 agile breastplate, heavy steel shield, Fighter's kit (backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, an iron pot, a mess kit, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), a waterskin), 10 gp

Balthasar was born to lead. His great-great grandfather, Tevon, was a Chelaxian noble and devout follower of Aroden who sought to avoid involvement in the Chelish Civil War. When the call for the First Crusade went out, he led his entire family and all his armsmen and retainers to Mendev, where he helped to force back the demons in the First Crusade. He was still alive when Drezen was attacked, and died standing on its walls, surrounded by the corpses of lesser demons before he was finally overwhelmed. Balthasar’s great-grandfather Marcus, who was in Kenabres at the time, led several armies in an effort to drive back the demons and reclaim Tevon’s body. Though he was unable to do so, he bought sufficient time for the Wardstones to be created, in which Balthasar’s Great-Great aunt Tabitha was heavily involved, as a Wizard of considerable power.

When the Third Crusade began, Balthasar’s grandfather Dunsan found the zeal of the inquisition to be distasteful, and was one of the few in Kenabres to take the time to actually make sure people were guilty of being cultists of Baphomet before arresting and trying them. Though unable to rein in the excesses of the inquisitors, he made sure that people knew him as a just and fair man, who did not accuse and execute for no reason. In the Fourth Crusade, Balthasar’s father Valus led armies driving back the demon hordes of Khorramzadeh the Storm King before his death, and his Aunt Pella helped found the Order of Heralds, to further rein in the excesses of the inquisitors of the Third Crusade. The name of Heimrin has been associated with every Crusade, and the scions of House Heimrin are known for their imposing stature, their strength, and prowess in battle leading the charge against the forces of Demonkind on horseback, lance forward, and plate mail gleaming. When a Heimrin walks into a room, their sheer presence commands attention. This is the path of nearly every Heimrin.

Balthasar very neatly falls under the category of “nearly”. Being several inches shorter than his other male kin at only 5’11”, he does not possess the height of a Heimrin. His hair is a reddish-brown, more similar to his mother’s than his father’s. Though he possesses both the physical strength and the take-charge attitude of his kin, he does not have the same larger-than-life presence they do, and so does not command a room in the same way.

Born in Kenabres shortly before the outbreak of the Fourth Crusade, Balthasar was raised in a Crusader family, with the expectation that he would grow up and make a name for himself fighting the demons on the front lines. With Khorramzadeh’s attack on the the Wardstone and the start of the Crusade, the omnipresent feel of violence always lay just out of sight. Indeed, living in Kenabres was dangerous for civilians, as evidenced when a house was damaged and collapsed near where he and some friends were practicing fighting with wooden weapons, trapping two people inside. With no one else nearby to help, Balthasar organized his friends to form a chain, allowing them to clear away enough rubble to save the woman and child who had been trapped.

When he was 12, he began his intense training in weaponry at the hands of his uncle, Henrik. He easily learned to wield a longsword, the favored weapons of the crusaders, and how to wear armor. He was taught the use of other weapons as well, and proved to be a strong warrior. His family also taught him the tools of leadership, of how to command men in battle and rally them against the ever present onslaught of the demonic incursions

Once he was old enough to join a Crusader unit, the Fourth Crusade had come to an end, the Crusaders too tired to continue the fight. Balthasar swore his oaths to obey Queen Galrey and to defend Mendev and her people unto his last, and was assigned to a guard & patrol regiment. His commander, Sir Lorik Ventrel, eagerly accepted him and made him the unit’s standard bearer, the Heimrin name carrying a great deal of weight. Since his assignment, he has seen only minor skirmishes with demons, and thus has not climbed his way up the ranks as his family would have expected. Though only 21, they are concerned he will not live up to the family name, and instead spend most of their time showering accolades on his older brother Sir Silas, who was able to serve in the final days of the Fourth Crusade and distinguished himself valiantly in battle. Constantly in his brother’s shadow, Balthasar hopes to find a way to step out of it and be viewed as his own man, and to live up to a family legacy that stands taller than any one of them.

This Armasse, his regiment has been assigned ceremonial duty in the square outside St. Clydwell’s Cathedral. As such, rather than being dressed in their normal armor, they stand at attention in Mendevian Parade Armor, with Balthasar bearing the Mendevian standard near the Cathedral itself.

Balthasar’s main motivation is to not disappoint his family. With his family having served such distinctive roles in the Crusade, there is a great deal of pressure on him not just from them, but from others as well, all on account of his name. His secondary motivation is mainly focused on driving off the demons. The family has fought in the Crusades so long and lost so many family members to the demonic hordes that they would like nothing better than to be the ones that break the demons’ hold and force them back into the Abyss from whence they came. Especially, in Balthasar’s mind, is the demon responsible for slaying his father. Though he doesn’t know what kind of demon or the name, his memories of his father are of a man who had more kindness to him, and who was more understanding of his son’s differences than his other kin.

Balthasar’s goals are to achieve recognition for great deeds, as his ancestors have, and to assume a position of command in the Crusades. He would also like to hunt down and kill the demon who killed his father, but knowing the difficulties in doing so, will settle for wiping out every demon in the Worldwound. That way he can make sure he gets the right demon.

Balthasar is a 5’11” human with a strong, athletic frame, short reddish-brown hair and paler skin, symbolizing his Chelish descent. He is typically dressed in the uniform of his regiment. When off-duty, he dresses in clothing that allows for ease of movement and comfort, eschewing fancier or more formal dress. His bow is never far from him, and he keeps all of his weapons in good condition.

Balthasar is mostly easy-going, but can be a little too intense about fulfilling his duties and in combat against demons. These are outward signs of the weight of expectations that he is desperately trying to live up to. Stories of his family’s heroism are ubiquitous, and while he doesn’t mind hearing them, he can’t help but think that they are yet another reminder of his

Balthasar will continue to progress as a Cavalier, focusing on on a support/melee combat role. I also intend to take Leadership, so if that’s a problem, let me know. Since the mount won’t necessarily be able to follow us everywhere, I don’t intend to focus heavily on mounted combat at this time, although I will probably take at least the feat of the same name. On account of that, I may multiclass Bard and go into the Battle Herald prestige class.

For Mythic, I will be choosing the Marshal path and abilities that boost both Leadership and Cavalier abilities. Depending on the options, I may dual-path Champion at some point. I’m still debating about that at the moment, however. If Leadership is not allowed, some of this will change.

Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +3 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 23 (3d10+7)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +6
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee club +6 (1d6+3)
Ranged mwk longbow +8 (1d8/x3)
Special Attacks favored enemy (humans +2)
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 5
Base Atk +3; CMB +6; CMD 19
Feats Point-Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow)
Skills Climb +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +6, Perception +9,
Sleight of Hand +9, Stealth +12, Survival +9

Balthazar:
Child of the Crusades (Marshal): The PC gains a +2
trait bonus on Will saves. Whenever he successfully
saves against a mind-affecting effect from a demon,
as an immediate action the PC can expend one use of
mythic power to cause the demon to become staggered
for a number of rounds equal to the PC's mythic tier.
The demon can reduce this effect to i round by making
a successful Will save (DC = 10 + the PCs' mythic tier +
the PC's Charisma modifier).