About Darius FilipesMale human investigator (empiricist) 1/paladin (vindictive bastard) 1 THP 0 HP 20/20 | Init +1 Percpt +5 | AC 20/11/19 CMD 14 CMB +3 | Fort +3 Ref +3 Will +3 Insp 3/3 Loc Cr 1/1 VS 1/1 Spells:
INV (CL 1; cn +4) Prep: 1st 0/1/2 PAL (CL 0; cn +2) Skills:
Appr +3 Bluff +7 C(alch) +7 Dipl +7 Dis Dev +1 Disg +2 H.Anim. +2 Heal +4 Intim +7 K(hist/loc/nob/plan) +7 Ling +3 Pr(sold) +4 S.Motive +5 Splcrft +3 Surv +6 UMD +2
-----------------------End Headers----------------------- Return to Korvosa:
The tavern was far too high-class for him, Darius thought as he sat alone in the corner. The richly appointed chairs, fine hardwood furniture and brightly lit interior were far removed from what he had become used to. Leaning forward, he looks into his half-empty mug of ale, sloshing it around briefly. He pondered the time, wondering if his friend would show. He’d only sent her a letter a few weeks ago, and from what he’d heard she’d become a big shot in the guard. Might not have time for a random drop in like this.
“Darius?” a voice calls out, causing him to look up from his drink. The raven-haired woman standing before him in full armor was unfamiliar enough that it took him a few moments to react. “Cr… Cressida?” he says somewhat incredulously. It was obviously her once he pulled himself together. She had grown quite a bit in the years since he’d seen her last. “I wasn’t sure if you’d make it. Getting kind of late.” “Sorry about that,” she responded sincerely, “urgent business. Job keeps me busy you know.” “I imagine! Head of the guard and all that. Field Marshal no less. You’ve really made something of yourself,” he says with a laugh. ”And here I am dragging my sorry hide back to Korvosa broke and looking for work. Surprised you had time to meet with me.” He looks down into his drink again for a moment before picking it up and taking a swig. “What happened?” Cressida asks, broaching the subject gingerly. ”The last I heard from you was when you set out with Jerold to join the crusades in Mendev. You were pretty excited back then, no?” ”I was, yeah. Was also a kid back then, filled with my Uncle’s ideas of redemption and beating back the darkness. The training was great, got to be a real paladin of Sarenrae and all that hullabaloo. Got my shield, my armor, the divine blessing of the Dawnflower. Real blast for a kid, let me tell you. We ended up stationed in Kenabres, helping out with refugees and the like. Not always the most savory characters coming through, but the church and my Uncle were all about redemption. ‘There’s no one who can’t rise above their past,’ Jerold used to say…” Darius’s voice trails off as he gets lost in his memories. The early days in Kenabres had been something truly spectacular. Jerold had arranged for their travel to get them to Kenabres in time for Armasse, which only added to his excitement. They’d been joined by three of his Uncle’s friends who’d come up from Nimirthas; All three, like his uncle, were followers of the Dawnflower who intended to join up to help in the battle against the demons pouring out of the worldwound. It was easy to get caught up in the excitement, and he took to their teachings eagerly on the long trip up. The reality of the Third Crusade was something else entirely, however: In the years he spent there, he saw nothing but opportunists and zealots; burners punishing anyone and everyone they didn’t like the look of; low templars and others coming in and abusing their positions in the crusades for power. There was nothing glamorous or exciting about the truth of it. The days of the crusaders valiantly pressing back the hordes of the demons were truly gone, it seemed. Still, despite all that, Darius had believed in his Uncle’s words, in his convictions. As a paladin of the Dawnflower, he—like the others there with him—worked to aid the refugees and help those in need. They often extended their help to people that were mistreated by the overzealous followers of High Prelate Hulrun Shappok, working hard to offer them opportunities at redemption. ”What did that get him?” he says absent-mindedly as he raises his head to look at Cressida again. ”Several of the young men we had taken in turned out to be cultists of Baphomet. They had been operating out of the small building we had set up as a barracks to help those who would have fallen between the cracks otherwise. The men murdered one of Hulrun’s assistants, and when caught the Burners forced a confession out of them that Jerold had been their ringleader.” Darius winces for a moment and leans back in the too-comfortable chair, looking up at the ceiling. ”They didn’t listen to anything we said…” ”I am truly sorry Darius, Jerold was a good…” the Korvosan woman starts, only to be interrupted. ”Being a good man didn’t get him anything,” he spits out, before catching himself. ”Sorry, Cress, it’s just… what was the point? In the end the Iomedeans cracked down on that particular group of burners, and Jerold was proven innocent. Fat lot of good it did him. Being proven innocent posthumuously… seriously. The rest of us were let go afterwards. The church of the Dawnflower was compensated for the loss, but that was it for me.” He looks at Cressida, the sympathy clearly written on her face and stops himself for a moment with a laugh. ”Gods I’m pathetic,” he says, taking another swig of his drink. ”So when did this happen?” she asks, sloshing her own mug around in her two hands. This certainly wasn’t exactly the light-hearted, warm reunion he’d imagined when he left all those years ago. Life was life though, and he wasn’t exactly ready to roll over and die, even if it did seem to suck most days. He’d just have to make do with what he had, and Cress was one of the few friends he had left, so this is how it had to be. ”Donno, that was just over a decade ago maybe? Hung around for a few years there before I left. Had no connection to the Dawnflower anymore, so I travelled for a while with some Varisians who were headed back in this general direction. Thought I might be able to come back here and work for the guard or something. Had my uncle’s alchemy book and what little he’d taught me, used that to earn my keep on the trip. Sent you a letter when I got a good idea of when I’d be arriving here. Glad you showed up,” he says awkwardly before jokingly adding, ”I mean, I’m pretty sure they’d have thrown my scruffy ass out the door shortly if you hadn’t.” That comment earns him a brief glare from the old man tending the bar, but Darius does his best to ignore it, turning back to the conversation at hand. Cressida manages a laugh and followed by a bittersweet smile. ”I don’t know if I can give you a position in the guard, or if you even really want one, Darius. But we do have need of freelancers from time to time. I also know a couple people who might be able to help you out with a place to stay until you can earn enough to pay for your own,” she says as she shifts her seat back slightly and pushes her finished drink off to the side. ”Thanks, Cress. It’s good to know you have my back,” Darius responds sullenly. ”I do,” she starts in response, ”but the next time you show up out of the blue with a shit story like this, you are NOT cheaping out on me with ale. I have standards, you know. You owe me a bottle of good Korvosan Whiskey or the like,” she chides him. Standing up, she steps over and slaps a hand on his shoulder. ”Now finish that and go sleep off your stupor, Darius. I’ll arrange for a room for you here tonight, and send an aide to help you get things sorted out tomorrow.” Darius laughs for a moment before finishing off his drink. He watches as Cress turns and heads out, stopping only briefly to speak with the proprietor, then gathers his things as the old man approaches him to lead him to his room. ”This way, ser.” Backstory:
Raised in a small town in Nirthimas, Darius Filipes spent his early years tending his family’s small farm, and later working in the town militia to help support his parents. His father and mother both passed when he was seventeen, and with little left to tie him to Nirthimas he headed to Korvosa to live with his uncle, Jerold Filipes. His uncle kept a small house in the poor part of town, and between his powers as an acolyte of the dawnflower and his expertise in alchemy, managed to tend to their needs quite effectively.
When he arrived, he spent time training to get into the city guard, perhaps with the thought of eventually joining the Sable Marines. In his spare time, he helped with Jerold’s tending to the poor and sick, picking up bits of knowledge in alchemy here and there as he did. It was during that time he met Cressida Kroft. The Abadarans in the city often made use of Jerold’s services, and during one visit they brought along the young black-haired girl. The daughter of nobles, she would normally not have interacted with someone like Darius, but having set out upon the path to become a paladin of Abadar, Cressida spent time learning the duties that might become hers in Korvosa. Darius is close-lipped about those days in his life, but it is clear that he and Cressida became close friends. The two sparred regularly, pushing each other in their training and discussing their futures within the city. When his uncle began receiving letters from old friends of his, however, things changed quickly. Jerold began regaling Darius with tales sent by his friends of Sarenrites who had gone to Mendev to aid in the battle against the demons there. Adventure, excitement, the triumph of good over evil… These all appealed strongly to Darius; Far more, in fact, than the mere thought of simply becoming a guard again. So when Jerold informed him that he and his friends were planning to go to Kenabres to join up, Darius didn’t hesitate for a moment. He packed up and left, stopping briefly on that same morning to say goodbye to Cress before heading out. Years later, after being worn down by the reality of the third crusade in Kenabres, Darius eventually began his journey home. Having found a spot on a small Varisian caravan returning back towards Korvosa, he payed his way by further honing his alchemical skills as well as working as a caravan guard. In the years since returning to Korvosa, Darius has worked as a freelance investigator and bounty hunter for the guard. He has honed his skills in alchemy, as well as in deduction in general, using his intellect to help him keep up with criminals that have otherwise outwitted the guard. He and Cressida meet once or twice a year to catch up, spending an evening drinking in an establishment suitable for someone of her station. Darius’s remaining free time and money goes to far less reputable establishments, where he often spends his day drinking the cheap swill he can afford while waiting for another job. Appearance and Personality:
Clean shaven, well-groomed, brightly polished, well-kept armor… these are not traits that apply to Darius. Perhaps they may have once, but not these days. Generally sporting stubble suggesting he hasn’t shaved in days; his short, slightly curly salt-and-pepper hair unkempt; and his cloak wrinkled and stained from years of use, one might think him to be a mockery of a guardsman. His shield, once painted with a vibrant rendition of the holy symbol of the Dawnflower has lost most of its paint, and what little remains is faded and cracked, though the shield is still functional and well maintained otherwise.
At his hip is his scimitar in a simple scabbard, the weapon he'd trained with all those years ago. Across his chest is a bandolier containing several vials and flasks he has mixed up that day, depending upon what it is he might be required to do, along with a small pack full of alchemy supplies on the hip opposite his sword. Gruff and self-deprecating, Darius doesn’t exactly seek out friends or companionship these days, though he’ll often share stories with others drinking in the bar. A story for a story’s a fair trade, after all, even if most of his stories don’t have happy endings. Despite his hardened nature, however, he still manages to make use of the skills he’d picked up in Kenabres to talk his way out of—and honestly just as often into—sticky situations. He still believes in the system overall. Law had gotten things right in the end with his uncle after all. It was just that sometimes the system needed aid getting things done quickly enough so that people didn’t die. To that end he’s often willing to bend the rules somewhat, and has become adept at gaining entry into people’s houses and belongings when doing so is likely to aid him in catching a criminal. He draws a bright line at profiting off of those skills directly, however, and looks harshly upon those who use such dubious skills for personal gain. This unique combination of flexibility, morality and skill has netted him a positive reputation with the city guard and those in contact with them, and a fair bit of infamy with those whom he is often tasked with hunting. Of course it doesn’t hurt to be friends with the head of the guard either, and he has received requests through her aides on more than one occasion for his help with more sensitive matters. Role and Advancement:
Darius, as an ex-paladin of Sarenrae is built as a Paladin(Vindictive Bastard) 1/Investigator(Empiricist) 1. Future progression will focus on his investigative skills, taking extra levels of Inquisitor unless something major happens. He will be able to use intellect for quite a few skills as empiricist, giving him rogue-like trap-finding, disable device, and strong perception/sense motive, while being built as a front-line guardian in heavy armor. In combat he’ll be able to demoralize foes by dealing non-lethal damage, as well as aid others in their attacks. Eventually he’ll be able to provide buffs to his allies via infusions as well, or use them to bolster himself in combat.
Depending on how his story progresses, could eventually move in one of two other directions: Redemption, which leads towards his becoming a paladin again, or further frustration and dissatisfaction, leading him to gravitate towards service as a Hell knight. Why am I excited about Darius?:
Firstly, I love the contrast between him, a fallen paladin, and Cressida. They exemplify two different ends of the spectrum of success and fulfillment of their life’s goals.
Secondly, while as a character he’s somewhat tropey, what with being a washed up guard and something of a hard-boiled detective/noir type. I believe that the setting and nature of his fall give him the possibility to become something far beyond the tropes he seems to embody. I can truly see his character moving either towards redemption or falling further depending on how his adventures in the city progress, or possibly even remaining balanced firmly between them. Overcoming his jaded nature and becoming devout again would be an interesting twist, and one that could involve returning to Sarenrae or perhaps even converting over to Abadar given his ties to Cressida. On the other hand, his desire to help stamp out lawlessness could easily be driven to obsession by the loss of friends he makes along the way, leading him to sympathize with and perhaps even attempt to join the Order of the Nail. Modified Code of Sarenrae:
As an ex-paladin of Sarenrae, his moral code still strongly derives from his training. He has, however, made revisions and simplifications that better reflect the reality of the world he has to deal with, rather than the idealistic, naive view of his once peers. • I will protect my allies with my life, as will I protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Crunch:
Darius Filipes
Male human investigator (empiricist) 1/paladin (vindictive bastard) 1 LN Medium humanoid (human) Init +1; Senses Perception +5 -------------------- Defense -------------------- AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19 (+7 armor, +1 Dex, +2 shield) hp 20 (2 HD; 1d8 + 1d10 + 2 con) Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +3 -------------------- Offense -------------------- Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor) Melee scimitar +3 (1d6+2/18-20) Special Attacks vindictive smite 1/day (+2 attack and AC, +1 damage) Paladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +3) . . 1/day—locate creature (only to find ally) Investigator (Empiricist) Extracts Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +4) . . 1st (2/day)—heightened awareness[ACG], <empty> -------------------- Statistics -------------------- Str 14, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 14 Base Atk +1.75; CMB +3; CMD 14 Feats Combat Advice, Enforcer[APG] Traits callous, merciful scimitar, nirmathi militia Skills [17 = (2+6) cls + 6 int + 1 fcb + 4 bkg] Acrobatics* -7 (-11 to jump), Bluff [2] +7, Craft (alchemy) (b)[1] +7 (+8 to create alchemical items), Diplomacy [2] +7, Disable Device* [2] +1, Heal [1] +4, Intimidate [2] +7, Knowledge (history) (b)[1] +7, Knowledge (local) [1] +7, Knowledge (nobility) (b)[1] +7, Knowledge (planes) [1] +7, Perception [2] +5, Profession (soldier) (b)[1] +4, Sense Motive [2] +5 (+9 to oppose the Bluff checks of creatures that attempt to deceive you by winning your sympathy.), Stealth* -7, Survival [2] +6, Swim* -7 ACP -8 [-6 armor + -2 shield] (b) – Background Skill; * - ACP applied Languages Abyssal, Common, Hallit, Varisian SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +1), bitter, doubt, inspiration (3/day), trapfinding +1 Other Gear banded mail, heavy wooden shield, scimitar, alchemy crafting kit[APG], backpack, bandolier[UE], bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, ink, inkpen, investigator starting formula book, masterwork thieves' tools, mess kit[UE], pot, soap, torch (10), trail rations (5), waterskin, 12 gp, 5 sp -------------------- Special Abilities -------------------- Alchemy +1 (Su) +1 to Craft (Alchemy) to create alchemical items, can Id potions by touch. Bitter Heal 1 less point when receiving healing from an ally’s class feature, spell, or sla. Combat Advice As mv act, designate enemy, ally gains +2 comp bonus on next atk vs. target. Doubt -4 for an hour on any skill or ability check after you fail that type of check Enforcer If you deal nonlethal damage with a melee weapon, make a free Intimidate check to demoralize. Inspiration (+1d6, 3/day) (Ex) Use 1 point, +1d6 to trained skill or ability check. Use 2 points, to add to attack or save. Trapfinding +1 Gain a bonus to find or disable traps, including magical ones. Vindictive Smite (1/day) (Su) +2 to hit, +1 to damage, +2 deflection bonus to AC when used. Maths:
Stats Str: 14 = 14 pb [5] Dex: 13 = 13 pb [3] Con: 10 = 12 pb [2] Int: 16 = 14 pb [5] + 2 racial Wis: 10 = 10 pb [0] Cha: 14 = 14 pb [5] Skills (19 ranks; 8 class + 6 int + 4 bkg + 1 favored)
Init: +1 [1 dex] Saves
Attacks
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