| Speed 30ft (20 ft. encumbered)| Active conditions: none.
Gender
Male Human Slayer (Vanguard) 1
Age
27
Alignment
Lawful Good
Deity
Abadar
Languages
Common
Occupation
Mercenary
Strength
13
Dexterity
16
Constitution
12
Intelligence
10
Wisdom
12
Charisma
14
About Bogdan Kolar
Character summary
Bogdan is my ‘oddball’ entry for this campaign, even though he’s human and wouldn’t have trouble fitting into any group. The point of the character is, that he’s a mercenary at the moment, despite your call for characters driven to leave a legacy. I’m hoping that Bogdan will provide some down-to-earth counterweight in the early campaign for all the overly ambitious characters in the beginning of the campaign, while being able to grow into his own potential through playing.
I’m not ashamed to admit that this character is inspired in part by Han Solo, although he’s not a scoundrel by any means. Instead, I’d like to borrow from his interaction with Leia in Star Wars. Bogdan would fit best if he can be paired with someone whom he’s supposed to protect, despite her (or his) objection. Bonus points if she’s nobility and they collide at first, while possible growing closer as the campaign progresses (maybe even ending up as consort?) Alternatively, in a crew full of big personalities who are just getting to know each other, he could provide the glue in the party, making sure that they get the job done.
Mechanically, Bogdan fills a ranged striker combat role*, with a range of physical skills and some practical party leadership if it’s needed. When it comes to kingdom building the leadership roles I see him fulfilling are Marshal, General or Royal Enforcer. Warden fits thematically, but seems to be a mismatch for Bogdan’s stats. I’d be up for Consort as well, if it develops naturally.
* I'm aware that the Slayer (and especially the Vanguard) has a bit a of bad reputation for being too good/optimized. I don't think that's the case with this character, being focused on crossbow-style and having a balanced approach to stats and skills.
About me
I haven't been on this forum for very long, although I have been roleplaying for quite some years. I've finished a couple of PFS scenario's on PbP here and have recently been lucky enough to be selected into GM Giuseppe's Quest for the Everflame. The experience of an 'actual' campaign with selected characters has been very rewarding, thus far. I've chosen two posts from that campaign to show about my posting style, both out of combat and in combat. (Link1) and (Link2). The rest of the thread should hopefully show my posting frequency and consistency, if you would like to dig into that.
Background, Personality and appearance:
Background
Bogdan’s mother was together with his father for the whole of one afternoon and evening. She was a serving maid working in Valiece’s only inn when a nobleman from House Surtova came through after a day of hunting. She served him food and wine, he took a liking to the young woman and she went with him when he invited her up to his room. When he departed the next morning with his entourage, he left her with a baby on the way and a pouch of gold for the trouble.
Secrets were hard to keep in the small village and the townsfolk, living by the traditions of Erastil, spoke shame of it. His mother never married, making it just the two of them when he grew up. She would call it her worst mistake when he asked about his father, but she’d always ruffle his hair, give him a hug and explain that it couldn’t be that bad of a mistake, if it brought her the dearest thing in her life. He didn’t learn more about his heritage and didn’t care. He had heard enough by than to know not to get involved in the schemes of nobles.
The young boy grew up the small village and learned to take care of himself, earning some coppers running errands or doing chores in the inn. Bogdan was often regarded with a wary eye for his parentage, if not outright bullied, but he was known for his agility, courage and keen eye. They knew where to find him to do the things that others couldn’t or wouldn’t do, like the time when he had to lure an escaped bull back into its pen, or when he managed to take out a particularly cunning fox with his sling.
When we was old enough, it was clear to his mother that Valiece was too small a world for her child. She urged him to go, when the opportunity presented itself to hire on with a passing merchant caravan. Since then, Bogdan has had numerous jobs and employers. Wherever his travels take him, he is quick to make friends, learn the local news and find out where his skills could earn him some silvers. He lives by his word and will take almost any job, with two exceptions: nothing that’s against the law, or dealing with the nobles and their schemes. He has a reputation for getting the job done, which suits him just fine. Unfortunately, this reputation also includes his shady parentage, although most of the rumours get the details wrong.
Personality
Bogdan has an optimistic and pragmatic outlook on life. He doesn’t care too much about the future, preferring not to think too far ahead, except about for the promises he makes and the jobs he takes on. Those he regards with a lot of weight: He’s as good as his word and he’ll see any job to the end, diving into them with severity and urgency.
When dealing with strangers, he tries to give them the benefit of the doubt. He has experienced firsthand the impact of bigotry and tries to judge people by their actions. The emphasis here is on tries: regardless of his own claims of open-mindedness, he has a lot of prejudices about nobility, justified or not. The same lack of self-reflection is seen whenever he’s asked about taking on a permanent position somewhere, or when he’s commended on his ability to take charge. While it’s clear to others that he can take command and does it naturally whenever needed, he doesn’t want any position of long-term responsibility and doesn’t think he’d make a good leader, anyway.
Appearance
For those who know to look for them, the bold nose and high cheekbones that are common in House Surtova show plainly on Bogdan's face, the single legacy that his father gave him. He wears his straight, dark hair combed back, with length almost to his shoulder. He sports a short beard and mustache, well-trimmed even while on the road.
Being outdoors a lot, Bogdan favors practical clothing. He wears sturdy breaches and leather boots, usually worn with a fashionable white shirt and a woolen coat in red or green. He's seldom seen without his trusty crossbow, with a rapier, quiver and plain dagger worn at his belt.
Party role and Kingdom building:
Bogdan tries to provide the practical direction of the party, seeing it as his job to see the group safely clear a region of bandits. He has decent leadership and tactical skills, but does not consider himself a ‘leader’: He would gladly prefer to leave any diplomatic efforts to others. In effect, Bogdan has a bit of a blind spot there for his own capabilities. He would make a fine general one day, but doesn’t like the long-term responsibility or the burden of command and has convinced himself that he’s more of a loner, all evidence to the contrary. In game terms, Bogdan fills a ranged striker slot, with enough skills to round out the party composition.
When it comes to kingdom building, I assume Bogdan will have grown in a new role by that time. He does not have any interest in settling down at the start of the campaign, but he will have something to say about the direction the kingdom takes when we get to that part. He is a progressive thinker, valuing equality and fairness. Having spent many years among merchants and favoring Abadar, he would prefer a domain with strong laws and plenty of room for trade and innovation. He has little tolerance for nobility and their sense of entitlement, so would push for laws that don’t distinguish based on heritage. Preference for Kingdom building roles would be Marshal, General or Royal Enforcer. Warden fits thematically, but seems to be a mismatch for Bogdan’s stats. I’d be up for Consort as well, if it develops naturally.
Bogdan Kolar
Humand Slayer (Vanguard) 1
LG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Initiative +4; Senses -; Perception +6
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DEFENSE
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AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +3 Dex, +1 Buckler)
hp 11 (1d10+1)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +3
Defensive Abilities -
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OFFENSE
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. due to Medium Encumbrance when wearing full backpack)
Ranged Light Crossbow +4 (1d8, 19-20/x2), or
Melee Rapier +2 (1d6+1, 18-20/x2)
Special Attacks Point Blank Shot, Studied Target
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STATISTICS
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Strength 13 (+1), Dexterity 16 (+3), Constitution 12 (+1), Intelligence 10 (+0), Wisdom 14 (+2), Charisma 14 (+2)
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 15 Feats 1: Point Black Shot, H: Rapid Reload
Skills 9 Skills points per level (6 +1 human +2 background). -2 Armor check penalty (increased to -3 from Medium Encumbrance when wearing full backpack).
Diplomacy +6
Disable device +2 (incl. ACP)
Knowledge (Engineering) +4
Knowledge (Geography) +4
Knowledge (Local) +5
Perception +6
Sense Motive +6
Stealth +5 (incl. ACP)
Survival +6
Note: Diplomacy won’t be raised every level. Instead, I’ll dabble in some physical skills with that roaming point, keeping most of the others skills maxed. Traits Bastard (-1 on Cha-based skills when dealing with nobility, +1 Will save), Friend in every town (+1 Diplomacy and Knowledge local, Diplomacy class skill)
Languages Common (Taldane)
SQ Racial: Skilled, Bonus Feat. Class: Studied Target, move action (+1 on Attack, Damage, Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, Survival), Lookout (Half level to Initiative checks)
Favored class bonus 1/6 of a slayer talent (1x)
Note: At level 6 I will be eligible for two slayer talents. Both of those will go to Ranger combat style feats in the crossbow style: Rapid Shot and Improved Precise shot.
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EQUIPMENT
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Weapons Light crossbow, 20 bolts, Rapier, Dagger
Armor Studded Leather armor, Buckler, Traveler's outfit
Slotted Items -
Wands, Rods, Etc -
Backpack, Grooming kit, Thieves’ tools, Bedroll, Flint and steel, Iron pot, Mess kit, Rope, Torches (4), Trail rations (4), Waterskin, Whetstone
Belt Pouch 24 gp, 80 sp
Mount -
Other –
Note: Full backpack puts me at medium encumbrance. I expect to drop the backpack in combat, or stow some gear on a horse when we acquire those.
