Sneak attack: A gun smuggler focuses on concealable firearms for her sneak attacks. When she makes a sneak attack using any weapon other than a coat pistol, dagger pistol, or sword cane pistol (either firing the weapon or making a melee attack), her sneak attack damage dice are d4s instead of d6s.
Hidden gun: A gun smuggler gains a bonus equal to half her rogue level on Sleight of Hand checks to conceal a one-handed firearm on her body. She increases the DCs of opponents’ Perception checks to realize the true nature of disguised weapons (such as a sword cane) within 5 feet of her by an amount equal to her rogue level (maximum DC 25 plus her rogue level).
Secret sidearm: As an expert in discreet and easily concealable weapons and firearms, a gun smuggler gains a battered gun identical to that gained by a 1st--level gunslinger and Gunsmithing as a bonus feat (including the ability to restore her battered gun as if she were a gunslinger), though she must select a coat pistol, dagger pistol, or sword cane pistol as her battered weapon.
Finesse training: At 1st level, a rogue gains Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat. In addition, starting at 3rd level, she can select any one type of weapon that can be used with Weapon Finesse (such as rapiers or daggers). Once this choice is made, it cannot be changed. Whenever she makes a successful melee attack with the selected weapon, she adds her Dexterity modifier instead of her Strength modifier to the damage roll. If any effect would prevent the rogue from adding her Strength modifier to the damage roll, she does not add her Dexterity modifier. The rogue can select a second weapon at 11th level and a third at 19th level. (Rapier)
At 2nd level, an underground chemist is able to retrieve an alchemical item as if drawing a weapon. She adds her Intelligence modifier to damage dealt with splash weapons, including any splash damage. She adds 1/2 her level to Craft (alchemy) checks.
Lucus Belltower was born in Thuvia, to a fairly prosperous middle-class family, who were involved in furniture manufacturing. This all changed with the Rahadoum invasion. His family fled to the coast, pursued by the infamous “Devils Own” regiment, a Chelaxian mercenary unit. He last saw his parents as they put him on a small boat, out to a Varisian trade vessel used in the evacuation. He assumes that they are dead as the Devils own slaughtered many remaining on the beach.
He ended up in Absalom, and soon found his prospects were low. To feed himself he joins a local thieves gang, and though he became good at it, he was eventually caught and was deported to Sothis.
A new land, and another change. In Sothis, he soon fell back into his bad habits, (either that or stave) but he lucked out a bit. He was caught by a gunsmith, Marco Desailles. Impressed at the young boy's skills he made him an offer. Work for him, and learn gunsmithing, or be turned over to the local authorities. As the local authorities were in a “cut the hand of a thief off” phase, Lucas agreed, thinking he would slip away later. But he found the work interesting, though hard. He was a small boy, but a gun would equalize him. He learned to shoot and repair/create guns over the next couple of years. He also learned about alchemy as an extension to that. But this all changed.
A pair of gangs started a war in their neighbourhood, and one of them threatened Marco, so they could obtain firearms. He refused and he retaliated by joining the other gang. There he made guns and ammunition, and learnt to smuggle items from one place to another. This is where he gained his nick name. He likes playing cards, but is rather bad at it. So as a joke, he was called CardShark. He didn’t like the name at first, but realised that anyone who didn’t know why he had the name would make false assumptions about him that would aid him. He hardly answers to his old name anymore.
When the war between the gangs heated up, aided by the introduction of more modern weapons, the government sent in the army and crushed both gangs. This was a violent affair, and Cardshark was betrayed by a so called friend so the friend could escape.
Captured he was given a choice, as were the other captured gang members. The international situation was becoming bad, and the army was recruiting. It was that or effective slavery in the work gangs. He chose the army. The training was brutal, the discipline was worse. But his skills were discovered, and he was assigned to the quartermaster corp. After a year he was promoted to sergeant. (he worked the highly corrupt supply corp to do so).
Cardshark is a man who has had a hard life, and as a rule trusts very few. This is because he has been abandoned and betrayed. Somewhat ugly, the result of injuries he has taken, he can be rather personable. Life is profit and loss, and he works to the profit.
Having said that, he doesn’t go out of his way to cheat anyone. Well except the army. And anyone who has pissed him off (he has a list). In his view, a deal is a deal. In that is is quite moral. But rverthing has a price, or a cost. However he hates the Rahadoum, and by extension the Chelaxians. Hurting them would be a profit by itself. He also has a tendency to act without thinking, sometimes unwisely.
