Would like to apply with Cricket here, a former viking turned into a fencer who venerates Desna. Mechanically he is a fighter with the eldritch guardian archetype and has butterfly familiar. Took a couple of flavor choices for now and while he is not outstanding now in terms of power, he has the potential to become very effective later.
Questions:
What is your character's name?
Fredrik Oskarson, but almost no one knows it. Everyone calls him Cricket.
How old is your character?
23.
What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
Cricket is a lanky Ulfen with long blond hair and scraggly facial hair. He has an easy smile and seems to be both dim-witted and lazy. He wears an old chain shirt, has a couple daggers in his belt and carries a rapier by his side. Strangely, he is followed by a large butterfly.
What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
Cricket is very optimistic and hopeful, is always smiling and always trying to see the positive side on everything. He isn't dim-witted at all, being quite smart, but because of his self-doubt and some wounds from the past, he rather prefer others to underestimate him. Better to surprise than disappoint.
Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
Cricket was born and raised in Bildt, on the Broken Bay kingdom of the Land of the Linnorm Kings. He was raised by his mom and a large amount of "aunties".
Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
His mother is called Edda Istriddottir, and is still alive. His father he never met, but her mother says his name was Oskar. His mother is a prostitute and his father was a warrior.
Do you have any other family or friends?
Cricket has no other family aside from his mother, but he considers many of his mother's friends as his aunties. He had very few friends in Bildt, but has a couple in Sandpoint, mostly patrons of The Hagfish. His best friend is, by far, Jargie Quinn himself, the owner of the place.
What is your character's marital status? Kids?
Cricket is unmarried, single and have no kids... not that he knows about at least.
What is your character's alignment?
Chaotic Good, even if the 'good' part had been repressed a lot when he lived in Bildt.
What is your character's moral code?
Be loyal to your friends.
Does your character have goals?
To be admired.
Is your character religious?
While this is a recent thing, he is devoted to Desna.
What are your character's personal beliefs?
Enjoy life and live in the moment. There is no fate.
Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
Cricket is very optimistic and a reasonable singer. He pretends to not care about what others think and can be quite obnoxious from time to time, specially with bullies. His voice cracks constantly and while he tries to sound as confident, he doubts of himself.
Why does your character adventure?
To get filthy rich. He craves admiration from others and due to his Ulfen upbringing, he believes it is linked to him getting rich.
How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
Cricket is a fighter. He gets into the thick of it and is a devil with his rapier... quite the opposite from when he used to fight with an axe and a heavy shield.
Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
A good amount of scars. He doesn't know how he got most of them.
How does your character get along with others?
Pretty well, as long as they do not try to change his ways.
Is there anything that your character hates?
Cricket hates other Ulfens and bullies. The moment they'd left him behind in Sandpoint was the best thing to happen to him.
Is there anything that your character fears?
Cricket fears that his new friends in Sandpoint discover he is a failure.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Better not listen to that." Cricket points to the gems. "Rambling gnomes are a sure way to madness. At my age, I don't dabble with this kind of drugs."
"Oh... not my knee!" He exclaims about the bane of old people while scurrying away. Once safe, he turns, look carefully at the undead and then shoots at the ceiling.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"We can rule out beasts and animals unless you also find other signs, like old fur, scales, feathers, droppings." Cricket tells. "Perhaps just children or thieves."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Fortitude:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Cricket takes a deep breath just before getting hit by the spore and thus avoids the poison. He'd not risk dealing with spores again. He almost loses his breath when hit by the thing, though.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Gesturing the others to halt, Cricket slowly approaches the shriekers to deftly deal with them.
Survival:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Once the deal is done, he collects a pair of air sacs. "Good for stuffing! Lamb meat, peppers, lentils." He shares. "Normal lamb meat, not undead one."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Cricket aims again, even more carefully this time, but decides to step back before shooting and this slips a bit. He sighs as the bolt bounces on the cave floor. "Father giveth and Father taketh away..." He mumbles.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Ugh!" Cricket whines as the pseudopod hits his armor. Scurrying away from the fungus mass, Cricket studies it briefly before shooting a incredibly precise shot!
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Perhaps surprising to everyone but Mal, who he has worked with before, Cricket arrives riding a massive rhino beetle. Its body is mostly green and grey, while the horn progressively turn to red as they reach the points. Some portions of his carapace show lichen and even a few mushrooms growing from its back. In contrast, its powerful legs show some brand new barding. While the bug doesn't move particularly fast, it is still faster than a dwarf on foot, and gives the strange impression of being a mobile tower.
Cricket waves to the others. "If you are having some trouble carrying your packs, my friends can help with that. She is very strong."
***
As they begin to move, Cricket dismounts from his beetle and moves to the front, scouting ahead. "Could any of you take the time to map the tunnels?"
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Mushrooms are bad for you, Miss Mal." Cricket deflates the question.
"Right, right, Mister Krohan." He says. "If you are hiring my services, it matters not to me if you are sane or not. I'll guide you to where you want to go and back home in safety."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Cricket listens to Elbert, or Krohan, tell his tale, but he isn't convinced. "More than a century ago, I was hired to guide an elvish researcher across the Darklands. At some point, we were ambush by morlocks." Cricket shares.
"The fight wasn't that complicated, but the elf ended up throwing a fire spell at some of the creatures, burning them to a crisp but also burning some Zugga mushrooms." He lets it sink before continuing. "When I regained my senses, I was tied and naked, my mouth tasting dirt and leather. To my utter shame, I was told that after inhaling the fumes of the mushrooms, I started to cackle and then bleat like a goat. I tried to eat my clothes and apparently found my own boots delicious. I was tied because my contractor was sure I was looking his mule in a disturbing way."
Cricket eats some bread before adding. "So, with no disrespect intended, but do you have any evidence of this wild tale besides your words? I'm old and I've lost many friends to the ravages of mind... and talking objects, visions and compulsions are clear signs someone with bats in the belfry."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Cricket rushes after the protean, reloading as he goes. He takes aim, but then pauses as he considers if they need to kill the creature. Cricket never really liked to shoot someone in the back, specially when he wasn't sure they'd come back to become an enemy in the future.
Strike, IC:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13
He shoots and misses. He sighs, no really disappointed.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Cricket zips his mouth as Gig is surprised about the ancestors views about goblins, specially after Mal agrees. Cricket was ancient and he knew pretty well what orcs and goblins were capable of and, most importantly, he'd heard the stories of his kind. He does not believe they have changed at all, despite the recent appearances, but he would allow himself to be fooled and pretend he was as gullible as the young. He'd not be mean or disrespectful to them in the least, for he wasn't this kind of person, but if and when they show their true colors, his crossbow would be ready.
"They still are heroes." Cricket replies.
---
"What is that thing?" Cricket asks, alarmed. He doesn't wait for an answer though, figuring that whatever it was, it was bad.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Gods help me and don't let me return as a ghost!" Cricket yelps as he fumbles with his crossbow and studies the spirit of Ulki. He aims at her arm while moving away from her flaming axe.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
There are very few perks of being old and one of them is refraining from doing certain tasks. Cleaning rotting fruits from a tomb was one of them. Instead, Cricket tours the place, pointing to Heldin where it was nastier. "There, Heldin... is that a dead rat?"
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Cricket watches his companions, then looks at Heldrin and smiles, his teeth red with raspberry. Still smiling, he steps back five feet and looks at his companions again. He steps another five feet back.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"I did, I did." Cricket nods and smiles to Mal. "Now, calm yourself, uhn? Allow yourself to be surprised, uhn? And not disappointed."
Ah, the sweet feeling of a new love. Nothing sweeter, and nothing more dangerous. Cricket smiles, his eyes becoming slightly wetter as ancient memories surface his mind. Memories of love and promises, even if unfulfilled. He shakes his head.
"I'm no sportsman. Never was and certainly not now... can't help with that, but, if we have the time, we could take a look on this tavern, uhn? Always help a tavernkeeper I say."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Oh, easy easy!" Cricket exclaims, as he studies the next leech and reloads. As he inhales to stead himself before shooting, a small fly enters is nose, causing him to shoot wide! "Blasted bug! Haa.... haaa... Atchoo!"
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Cricket is for sure not among those with strong arms, but he hopes his deadly aim could help. If those leeches are as big as Tregellon says, perhaps he could shoot them!
He doesn't draw his crossbow yet, not to scare the poor dwarf.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Oh no!" Cricket exclaims as the xulgath gets to Brijetta. His fingers move on their own as he reloads his crossbow while Cricket looks for an opening. Once he finds it, he aims for the head.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Crossbow in hand, Cricket studies the foremost xulgath. As they are running towards them, this leaves Cricket little time to actually aim properly, causing him to shoot wide before he turn tails and gets away from them.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Now, pay attention to where my feet go, uh?" Cricket says to Gig, since he has been struggling lately. He moves his left leg some, which produces a slight creaking noise, as an old rusted door, though after a couple movements it becomes silent. "Oh, the old times, when my joints were properly lubed..."
Stealth:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Like a very silent bug, Cricket skitters across the hall.
Giving Gig an auto success and pointing out to others how to do it.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Cricket shrugs and shakes his head, showing some doubts. "Say you have an accident, uhn? Nasty business. A blade slashes your gut and you are on the brink of life. You'll need someone to patch you up nice if you are to see another day."
"Would you rather have six somewhat unskilled people poking your insides, or a single skilled one? Both will cost the same." He asks, raising his eyebrow. "I'm old, and to me, I'm pretty sure I'd rather hire a single skilled fellow to make a one-person job than a crew of novices."
He shrugs again. "But I'm old and you are new. Perhaps it makes sense in this new world... I think, young Fazil, that if you can't beat the gauntlet on your own, you should rethink this whole business."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"Nice to meet you, Fazil. I'm called Cricket." He says, offering his hand.
"Very well, riches aplenty, uhn? Proving your worth to the guild? Good, good." Cricket nods. "Suppose, they would not mind you being lost here for a couple days and then only leaving the gauntlet because five other fellows decided to give you a hand?" He asks in a way to let the kobold reach his own conclusions.
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
"We are friends of Ussa and were sent here looking for a kobold named Fazil." Cricket says somewhat smiling. "We were told this fellow Fazil is a good hearted one, but believes there is a short path to a good life by risking his life."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Acrobatics:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Cricket, who has been quiet for the moment, deftly moves towards the body, showing expertise in navigating in such terrain. "This place is deadly alright..."
Male CG human fighter 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 14 (14 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +4, W: +2* | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM +2 | Speed 30 ft. | Active conditions: none.
Nature:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
"Oh, it is not a gremlin." Cricket says, shaking his head. "Yes, it is a fey, but a house spirit, an angry one that is perhaps feeling disrespected."
"Dvorovoi I think they are called, house spirits that likes to care for animals but hates animals with white-fur for some reason." He says, shrugging, before turning to Ektar. "You have a choice to make, Mister Ektar... you either find some way to get rid of this house spirit or you make amends with them. I suggest the later, because once pleased they will take care of your augdunars better than the best employee you could ever hope to find."
"I think he is living on the barn's loft. You'll probably have to sell your white-furred animals and leave meals for the spirit. Be polite and patient, formally introduce yourself and every animal you have."
