Str 17, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10 Wis 8, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +3; CMD 15
Feats Arcane Strike (1st level), Combat Advice (Bonus Human), Unforgotten(Bonus Story) Skills Acrobatics +6, Diplomacy +6, Heal +3, Knowledge (History) +5, Knowledge (Local) +5, Knowledge (Other) +1 Intimidate +7, Perception +3, Perform (Sing) +6, Sleight of hand +6, Stealth +6
Traits Helpful (Combat) Irrepressible(Faith), Mentored (Social) Dependent (Drawback) Languages Common,
SQ Gear Longsword, Studded Leather Armor, Heavy Shield (steel), Shortbow, Club, Arrows [20], 14gp
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SPECIAL ABILITIES/CLASS FEATURES
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Arcane Strike As a swift action, you can imbue your weapons with a fraction of your power. For 1 round, your weapons deal +1 damage and are treated as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. For every five caster levels you possess, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
Bardic Knowledge Add half class level (minimum 1) to all Knowledge skill checks and may make all Knowledge skill checks untrained.
Bardic Performance 6 rounds/day as a move action; Countersong (DC 13), Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1,
Combat Advice As a move action, you can offer useful advice to an ally engaged in combat at just the right moment. Designate an enemy; your ally gains a +2 competence bonus on her next attack roll against that enemy. For your ally to benefit from this feat, you must be able to clearly see your ally and the designated enemy, and your ally must be able to hear you.
Dependent You are dependent upon the acceptance of others. Whenever you fail a Diplomacy check, you become shaken for 1 hour.
Helpful When using the aid another action, you grant your ally a +3 bonus instead of a +2 bonus.
Irrepressible You can use your Charisma modifier in place of your Wisdom modifier when attempting Will saving throws against charm and compulsion effects.
Mentored Gain a +1 trait bonus on Perform Sing checks. Also gain a +1 trait bonus when you aid another’s skill check with any skill.
Showdown Gain a +1 trait bonus on intimidate skill checks.
Unforgotten reduce any nonlethal damage you take by 1 point, to a minimum of 1 point of nonlethal damage. You also gain a +1 bonus on Will saves.
Appearance:
Caede is a good-looking man with a bemused countenance that makes him look like he’s always about to laugh. His face is framed by long flowing blond hair that is always askew with green, gem like, eyes which appear to be filled with mischief. The bard carries himself with a casual confidence that says he is without a care in the world. He is most often dressed in simple but well made clothes with a vibrant burnt orange cloak.
Personality:
Caede is friendly, fun loving, and good natured trying to see everyone as a potential friend. However he seeks the adulation of others often getting sullen when his friendly overtures are rejected. He tries to have a story for every occasion and he believes everyone has a story waiting to be told. The young bard has a biting sense of humor which has gotten him into trouble on more than one occasion. His sonorous voice often gives advice in metaphors from tales of yore, with a knowing grin.
Background:
Caede is like many young men born in a small rural community, a dreamer. He is the third of seven children (Issle, Rob, Yonce, Hobb, Corrin, and Kivan) born to a family of hard working turnip farmers on the outskirts of Kassen. Much to the chagrin of his parents (Tess and Urias) the lad spent most of his time lost in thought fantasizing about knights, princesses, and lost treasures or wandering about with a song on his lips.
With little aptitude for farming Caede’s parents sought an apprenticeship for him with the tradesmen of Kassen. Unfortunately the boys lackadaisical attitude was well known and no one would take him on until Jocyn Elmaran heard him sing. The half elf recognized Caede’s natural talent and began to train the boy in song, story, and sword, the way of the bard.
Caede took to the training like a fish to water, quickly growing in skill. Recently the aspiring bard has been allowed to perform at the Seven Silvers entertaining its patrons. Now Caede is looking forward to completing the coming of age ceremony and striking off on his own to see more of the world and find his sister who he lost contact with, after she left home, a few years ago.
Short Vignette:
The mid morning sun drifted in through the windows of the mostly empty common room of the Seven Silvers Inn illuminating its two occupants. The older of the two men sat at a table with a half finished mug of ale in hand while the younger stood with a look of concentration on his otherwise bemused face.
”Once again lad,” Jocyn asked while he sipped from the mug in front of him.
Caede nodded and with a rich baritone voice began, ”Listen here and listen well for here is a tale of the Linnorm Kings!” The aspiring bard continued to recite the tale for his mentor.
”Well done Caede. Just remember the pauses are just as important as the words,” Jocyn offered soberly upon the conclusion of the tale. He pointed to a chair, ”Have a seat and let’s review the fall of Aroden.”
With a slight sigh Caede complied and tried to focused his attention on Jocyn’s words but his mind began to wander, journeying back to the past…
Cade reflected on his three years of training under the half elf’s tutelage the countless hours reading, reciting and memorizing stories. Breathing exercises, sorcery, and swordplay were just as taxing. But this is almost over. Just a few more days before the coming of age ceremony, he happily thought.
Just as quickly he focused his attention back on his mentor’s words but Jocyn was no longer talking about Aroden. The half elf had once again drifted into nostalgia and unhappy memories, regurgitating a meandering tale of past deeds, orc savages, and wounds that were better left buried.
