About Baythani DiConti BiancheKITHARODIAN ACADEMY PATRON *AND* CHURCH OF SHELYN PATRON: Baythani DiConti Bianche
Combat Gear mw rapier, mw comp shortbow w/20 arrows, +1 mithral shirt, darkwood buckler, 2 daggers, wand of cure light wounds (CL 1, 10 charges, 150 gp), holy water (3), +1 ring of protection, +1 amulet of natural armor; Other gear colored scarf with continual flame, usually tucked into sash Baythani is an established priestess of Shelyn, although her means are hardly traditional, as she has followed the path of the bard, and serves as a wandering inspiration, travelling the lands and spreading the message of the lady of love, beauty and the arts, along with her retinue of devout artisans and ‘seekers after beauty.’ She serves as an ambassador for the Kitharodian Academy, travelling from noble patron to noble patron, ensuring the livelihood of her alma mater, providing fantastic performances with her travelling troupe, and, some say, providing earthier incentives for specific lords and ladies. She frowns at such low, petty rumors, having only eyes for her constant companion, serving as both cohort and lover, the graceful and supple Shelyn-worshipping glaive-wielding monk who has left her birth and family names behind and answers only to ‘Petal.’ While it might be assumed that her travelling troupe is primary made up of similar performers, she has drafted from the great theatre many strong-backed and clever-handed craftsmen, and her own villa is a magnificent sight, serving as an inspiration to all who visit. The Academy regularly schedules events at her villa, which they coyly refer to as ‘informal gatherings,’ but are socially significant events in their own right, in which aspiring artists can seek out patronage, and not merely singers and dancers, but also craftsmen and architects and gardeners who work in the latest styles, showcasing their work in Baythani’s own halls and courtyard, so that those invited are inspired to retain these young masters to brighten up their own manses and topiaries. In this manner, Baythani is making the careful transition from supplicant, always on the road capering for support from jaded patrons, to becoming something of a patron herself, something she much prefers, as the road no longer inspires her the way it once did. Due to her increasing desire to stay at home and enjoy the glamorous surroundings her career has allowed her to build, she finds it increasingly necessary to patronize young aspiring artists, to send them on the sorts of favor-currying missions that the Academy always has need for, to re-secure the patronage of nobles who might begin to feel that the Academy is out of sight, and out of mind. Boons While she may sometimes feel like the Academy is teetering on the brink of financial ruin, always scurrying to find new patrons, Baythani knows that the resources of the Kith are vast, and not at all measured in coin. Those who do her a service may be put into contact with artists and artisans of many sorts, with prodigal skill in almost any craft, including some that can have many alternative and interesting aspects, such as career stage-costumers who can dress up a farm-wife to appear as a duchess, and show her the proper carriage and poise to carry off that ‘role.’ Her pull in the church of Shelyn is less impressive, but she can still secure healing services from the adepts in her retinue, or allied clergyfolk, as well as assistance from the Shelyn Monks, glaive-wielding acrobatics who put the artist into ‘martial artist,’ and who regard Petal as one of their ‘Flower Masters.’ Her cohort's special feat; Shelyn Monk (General Feat)
Benefit Your training in the favored weapon of your patron deity allows you to treat the glaive as a ‘special monk weapon,’ and use it as part of a Flurry of Blows. At the completion of this training, you are also awarded a finely-crafted masterwork glaive, at no cost. Additionally, while wielding a glaive, you gain a +2 circumstance bonus to Acrobatics and Perform (dance), due to your specialized training in using the haft of the weapon to ‘vault’ obstacles, catch onto protrusions and swing your body around corners, as well as the many dazzling and athletic training routines you learn. You can use a glaive to perform a disarm or trip maneuver, although you gain no special bonus with those maneuvers from this training, and you receive a +2 to your CMD to resist a disarm or sunder attempt against a glaive in your hand. Special A Shelyn Monk with this feat, Weapon Focus (glaive) and Dazzling Display also gains a +2 bonus to Intimidate checks when she attempts to make a Dazzling Display with a glaive. This feat can be taken as a Monk bonus feat at level 1, 2 or 6. |
