Magus [bladebound]1 hp 9/9; Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +3; AC17 T 14 FF 13
Gender
Male
Size
M
Age
27
Alignment
NG
Location
Ustalav
Languages
Common, Hallit, Halfling, Sign Language, Varisian
Strength
10
Dexterity
18
Constitution
10
Intelligence
16
Wisdom
12
Charisma
8
About Barek Noson
Crunch:
Barek Noson
Male Kellid Magus [Bladebound] 1
NG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +4; Senses Perception +1
Defense AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +4 Dex)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +2 Ref +4 Will+3; -1 fire, +2 vs fear
Offense Speed 30 ft.
Melee Rapier +5 (1d6, 19-20/x2);
Ranged Shortbow +4 (1d6/x3)
Special Attacks arcane pool (4 points, +1), spell combat
Magus Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +3)
1st - Corrosive Touch, Feather Fall
0 (at will) - Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost Statistics Str 10 Dex 18 Con 10 Int 16 Wis 12 Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 14
Feats Endurance, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Weapon Finesse
Traits Making Good on Promises, Student of Philosophy
Skills Acrobatics +5, Diplomacy +3, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Spellcraft +7, Use Magic Device +5
Background Skills Appraise +4, Knowledge (history) +4
Languages Common, Elven, Hallit, Sign Language, Varisian
Gear Rapier, Studded Leather Armor, Backpack, Bedroll, Belt Pouch, 5 days rations, Spell Component Pouch, Waterskin, 10 Sunrods, 1 oz. ink, 5 sheets of parchment, 23gp, 9sp
Five points:
Barek Noson was born to a Kellid tribe in northern Ustalav. Because Kellids respect little more than strength it is a miracle his father did not drown him at birth when he came out so scrawny. It was during his formative years that Barek learned it was better to be fast and smart than strong, and he was able to avoid being picked on by the other larger children of the tribe with his wits and speed. He only formed one friendship within the tribe, a young man named Gurog, who was also picked on for having strange things happening about him that no one could explain.
One day Barek was caught by Orcs raiding across the border from Belkzan and it was only due to the efforts of his kinsman that he was rescued. 11 warriors died that day. It was then that Barek’s father, Kronug-Kah, declared Barek unfit to live with the tribe if he could not protect himself or die a warrior’s death on the field of battle and gave him the surname Noson as a sign of contempt. Barek left that day and has not since looked back.
It was soon that Barek found himself wandering into a Varisian camp dehydrated and crazed. The members of the caravan took it upon themselves to feed and care for Barek, as well as teach him more about the world than he would ever learn living with his tribe. Barek was fascinated and was very quick at picking up everything he was taught, throwing himself into the teachings with a vigor the Varisians found disturbing. They were all too glad when their caravan dropped him off at Vigil so they could continue in relative peace.
Barek thirsted for more knowledge and did what he could to learn ever more about the world. It was just his luck that some Pathfinders were passing through Vigil on their way up north to the Worldwound. A particularly annoying Fighter within the group, a woman named Alika Esru, taunted Barek throughout the lessons he managed to beg off of them. Barek finally had enough and challenged Alika to a duel to stop her insults. Alika quickly accepted and threw Barek a rapier. Barek’s anger ignited the Kellid blood in his thin frame, and while he was not great, he was proficient enough to earn Alika’s respect during their two round bout.
The Pathfinders, and especially Alika, began training Barek in earnest, encouraging his study in all aspects of combat. He took to arcane magic with the same proficiency he showed with the rapier. All too soon the Pathfinders had to leave, much to Barek’s dismay. He practiced every day with pieces of wood representing the rapier and a couple of cantrips until he found he was able to wield spell and sword at the same time. His confidence grew in leaps and bounds afterwards, and he felt he did not have to fear for his safety again.
It was a rainy day in Vigil when Barek heard news of “another barbarian” coming in with a group of traders. Curious, Barek went to see who this other Kellid was, and upon finding out it was Gurog, Barek was overjoyed! He quickly went to see his friend who shied away from him, declaring that he was a freak and to be shunned. Barek did not care and slowly got Gurog to open up, who revealed he had been kicked out for being found out to have strange powers and dreams of Asmodeus. Barek showed Gurog that he was learning more about the world beyond the tribes lands. Gurog pushed Barek to teach him more and Barek confessed that he needed to learn more to do so. Gurog hatched a plan for relieving a wizard of one of their scrolls and both young men agreed that it was the best idea to stretch what they could do to see what more the world could offer.
Within a week their scheme was perfected and, after many hours of grueling work, accomplished. The scroll stolen was, in actuality a magic scroll, and extremely powerful to boot. Plucked from a distracted wizard’s pocket, and reading the esoteric writing Gurog determined it was a Gate spell. Somebody or something was watching over the boys as they were able to successfully cast the spell from the scroll. Unfortunately for them a Horned Devil stepped through the new tear on the material plan. Gurog froze and Barek, thinking his friend in danger, stepped forward to distract the devil. With a flick of its wrist it wrapped its chain around Barek and with a snap of its fingers created a burst of flame around the held adolescent. It was mere seconds before the devil was banished by the defenders of Vigil, but it was still almost too close a call for Barek. The man who saved Barek and brought him to caring hands was none other than Professor Lorrimor.
Barek came to and seeing how injured he was asked Professor Lorrimor to keep the extent of his injuries a secret. Lorrimor, impressed by Barek and Gurog’s ability to cast such a rare spell asked what Barek wanted to do with his life. After consideration Barek said he wanted to join the Pathfinder Society. Luckily for him Lorrimor knew just who to contact and got Barek set up to head to Absolom, though only after extracting a promise of repayment as this was no small favor. Barek agreed after much hesitation.
After leaving Ustalav Barek was shocked at how the lands outside of his country were so...vibrant. Nothing was more vibrant than Absolom though, city at the center of the world and headquarters for the Pathfinder Society. The next three years of his life were filled with training and scut-work, working his way to full Pathfinder Agent. That achieved, he was sent all over the world, though he often found himself around Lake Encarthan.
Despite his skill with blade and sorcery he was more often called to play diplomat, learning how to use his natural intelligence to talk his way through missions. That method failed when he ran into some worshipers of the Whispering Tyrant, looking for ways to get into Lastwall and begin to break out the great lich. Among their possessions was a treatise, written from the perspective of the Whispering Tyrant, though clearly re-written and annotated through countless iterations. What caught Barek's eye, was the promise of power able to do anything, even break the curses of those who followed the Tyrant.
That was many years ago and now Barek has received a letter stating his name was in the will Lorrimor left upon his death. He packs his things and heads back to his home country with much trepidation, but his head held high.
Two Goals:
To find a way to remove the burns cursed into his body by the Horned Devil
Find lore rumored to be hidden throughout Ustalav by the Whispering Tyrant
Two Secrets:
Secret hidden from others: The fireball that nearly killed Barek left horrible burns and scars across his entire body. Because of this Barek constantly wears full body clothing, leaving only his face and his right hand exposed.
Secret hidden from him: Gurog froze because the Horned Devil opened a telepathic conversation with him saying he was one of Asmodeus’ chosen mortals. It told him that he could stop Barek from being harmed if he only said so. Gurog’s allowing Barek to be harmed sealed the deal with Asmodeus and it is unknown how Gurog feels about his choice.
People tied to Barek:
Gurog: It is unknown where Gurog has gone since Barek left for Absolom or how he feels about Barek knowing it was his fault Barek was hurt.
Kronug-Kah: Barek’s father, who cast him out from his Kellish tribe and gave him the ultimate dishonor with the surname Noson. Kronug-Kah is thought to be still leading Barek’s home tribe in northern Ustalav.
Alika Esru: Varisian Pathfinder whom Barek ultimately respects for showing him the basics of swordplay and giving him the confidence to fight for himself.
Three key memories:
Barek’s banishment from his home tribe. Though he does not show it, this caused Barek to doubt himself for several years. He wandered into the wilderness hoping to die as he should have when the orcs attacked his home before being saved by the Varisian caravan. It was only with the help of the Pathfinders in Vigil that these doubts were conquered.
The first time Barek successfully held off Alika while mock dueling. Holding mastery of blade and spell fills Barek with the confidence he never knew as a child, like he can mold his own destiny, instead of being molded by others.
The fireball that gave him his burns and the aftermath with meeting Professor Lorrimor. The fireball has burned Barek’s memories and psyche as well as his flesh. Now every evil thing that has happened in his life is filled with afterimages of fire and charred skin. Lorrimor was only able to assuage these thoughts long enough to get Barek’s goals from him. Barek was grateful for the Professor using some favors to send him to the Pathfinder Society and remembers that day and the promise he made.
Fear:
Open flames cause Barek to lose concentration, even in life threatening situations. His scars seem to burn every time he is near open flames and the few times he has been engulfed during his training he completely panicked and was unable to do anything until the flames were put out.
Appearance:
Small for a Kellid, Barek barely reaches five and a half feet in height, with his typical thick soled boots and head wear giving him a few more inches. He is lean in form as many other Kellids are, though he lacks the pure muscle that most of his people have, leaving him scrawny and sickly looking. At all times when out in public Barek is covered head to toe in concealing clothes and robes, only ever having his tanned face and right hand exposed to the elements. Underneath he is a mass of scar and burn tissue, and because of this has very little hair on his body at all. His eyes are a dark green, similar to the dark forests where he trained as a pathfinder.
