Harrower

Ensis Spirius Corax's page

161 posts. Alias of Tilnar.


Full Name

Ensis Spirius Corax

Race

Human (Chelish)

Classes/Levels

Swashbuckler 2

Vitals:
(HP: 23/23 AC: 17/13/14; Percep: +4; Init: +3; Fort +1, Ref: +5, Will: -1; CMD: 16; CMB +3; Speed: 30; Panache; 1/2)

Gender

Skills:
(Acro +6; Bluff +6; Climb +0; Diplo +7; Disg +2; EscArt +5; Intim +6; Ride +1; SenMot +3; Stealth +7; Swim +0)
Male

About Ensis Spirius Corax

Male Human (Chelish) Swashbuckler 2
CG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init: +3, Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception +4
Languages: Common
Deity: Milani
Age: 23 Birthday: 23 Sarenith
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DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
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Ensis stands a wiry 6'5" tall, with a long and lean frame. His complexion is fair, with a small smattering of bronze freckles scattered across the bridge of his nose and cheeks being the only sign he's ever been out in the sun. His shoulder-length midnight-black hair is a marked contrast to his light skin, flowing in waves around his face, with two thin braids framing the high cheekbones and hawkish nose of Chelish nobility while also keeping his hair out of eyes the colour burnt amber, with small flecks of gold and black. The cheekbones, nose, and the intensity of his gaze give him a vulpine, almost hawkish look, which is only reinforced by the fact that, despite his lanky, almost awkward, long limbs, he moves lightly on his feet with the grace of a dancer... or a predator.

Ensis was born to House Thrune.
Now he's a Milani-loving rebel.
There's some cool stuff between points A and B, which I'm still working on, below:

Early Life:

Ensis was born on the wrong side of the sheets in Egorian, his mother, Tarana, a comely bard and his teen father, Lucian, a lesser member of House Thrune, eleventh-cousin thrice-removed of the Empress... or some such thing. Tarana was a commoner, some 10 years older than his father -- and when she approached to tell Lucian that she was pregnant, rather than being given coin, she was taken in.... then cast out when the baby was born and its parentage could be confirmed.

Of course, this wasn't the tale of his birth that Ensis was told.

Instead, Ensis was always told that Tarana was a commoner who bedded his father for the coin, and was seeking to better her station by bearing a son... And that House Thrune was far too clever for such a simple, common ruse. Instead, they bought her off, trading a small pouch of gold for the boy.

Of course, wanting to ensure that Lucian's prospects for marriage and life were not sullied, there was little desire to keep the boy in Egorian -- especially given the chance for Lucien to marry one of his cousins and get closer to political power. Further, Lucian and his new wife were unwilling to look after the boy, even if he might be useful to spend on a future marriage or to ransom to another House. Instead, he was shipped off to Kintargo, to live with his great-great-aunt, Duruna. Ensis' birth was never disputed, but he was never recognized as one of Lucian's legitimate children. Instead, he was given the same education and training as House Thrune's most loyal guardsmen.

Of course, Duruna was well into her fifties when the boy arrived, and the dowager wanted little to do with getting her hands dirty -- and so most of the actual minding of the child, the comforting, the cleaning, the storytelling, the nurturing, fell to the house slaves, especially Alba, a matronly halfling who had just recently managed to have her children smuggled out of Cheliax and to freedom via the Bellflower network. Alba and Ensis each filled an important hole in the other's heart.

Despite access to a decent education, Ensis was never a terribly scholarly child... There was something, some strange hollow echo to all of the histories he was made to learn. Even bladework, which was something that he'd loved playing at as a child, was joyless in his formal training... Being trained in formation combat as a guardsman, even a future officer, left him little room for personal flair. It only grew worse as puberty started and he started to grow, as the instructors forced him to hold position and wouldn't even let him take full advantage of his long reach. Still, he was a dutiful, if unenthused student, if only to ensure that he could keep training here and not be shipped off to learn from the Hellknights as Duruna kept threatening.

Meanwhile, off camera:

Tarana, despite having had the child physically taken from her and being all-but exiled from Egorian, did not stop trying to locate her son. Fortunately, as a bard, she had little trouble traveling about Cheliax, looking for slivers of information and making contacts that could help her... of course, as one might expect in Cheliax, contacts willing to trace the steps of House Thrune were usually tied to some sort of resistance. All in all, it took her more than a decade, and probably enough coin to buy a title for herself, but she managed to finally get word that he was in Kintargo.

Contact:

When Ensis was 12, his mother's contacts via the Bellflower network were finally able to have one of the house slaves deliver a letter to him. Thinking there was little to be gained in looking at the "words of a whore", Ensis destroyed the note -- as should a strong and proud scion of his house, rather than allowing some terrible liar to work her way in and extract coin, or other favours. Still, despite his anger and the righteousness of his actions, he never told his great-aunt, if only to make sure that Alba wouldn't get in trouble. The notes kept coming, roughly one a month, and kept being fed into the fire, until, finally, after two years of trying, Tarana decided it was time to take a truly large risk. With some careful, well-placed bribes, and some well-applied make-up, she visited her son, coming in as a blade-tutor.

She said nothing of the true reason for her visit, something keeping her silent. Instead, she watched him and corrected his posture, teaching him the swift strikes of a fencer, shocked that his strength and swiftness allowed him to move the heavy blade as if it were a rapier. She returned each day for a week, taking in her son, pleased to at least be able to teach him something -- and shocked at just how quickly he was learning it. Ensis loved this instruction, finally pleased to be able to fight in a way that made sense to him -- only to have it beaten out of him the next time he attended his formal training. There, he was beaten for trying to fence, rather than fight. He was furious the next time he saw Tarana, and demanded one good reason to not have her arrested or beaten for stealing his House's money.

Her reason, the truth of her visits, was not one that he'd expected, and it shocked him into silence... at least, long enough for his mother to tell him the truth of his origins. How she'd wanted to keep him, but was threatened -- and that nobody ever refuses a scion of House Thrune (which, incidentally, also how he came to exist in the first place, even if she never told him that). There was something about her story, maybe how her voice broke when she spoke of trying to find him for years -- or maybe the realization that she'd done so much -- given so much -- to find him -- more than she could ever hope to get back from the family's vaults -- that made him believe her. Knowing that she could never come back as a blademaster, not after the beating, they agreed to pass letters... and Tarana would surprise him with a visit or two each year, as she could manage it.

He found himself excited to get his mother's letters, to hear tales of the world outside his great-aunt's estate, of the real world. There was something solid to those stories, something that resonated in the tales of heroism, in the tales of tragedy in loss. He learned more from those missives than he'd ever gotten trying to memorize by rote the history of the Ascendancy. He found himself looking for more of such stories, lagging in town after some of his lessons, spending his own coin to hear bards and buy tales of commoners. He especially sought the stories of the Silver Ravens, the Bellflowers, of anyone who would stand up for themselves against the Hellknights, the Infernal Majestrix and her servants).

Fermenting Rebellion:

During these little trips in town, when he was 16, Ensis met a young man named Spinias who seemed to be very good at finding him more stories... After a few months of pestering him he learned that Spinias was an acolyte of Milani. Spinias expected that Ensis would have him arrested, given that the worship of Milani was clearly against the law, but, somehow, all the stories he'd read, the stories he'd heard from his mother -- everything -- resonated in Ensis, especially given the difficulties he'd been having with an increasingly rigid set of demands at home. Rather than turn his friend in, Ensis took vows, dedicating himself to the Everbloom, spending more and more time with Spinias... and his sister Rosabla (and trying to court her, though in secret, lest Duruna find out).

When he was 17, however, the simple carved holy symbol he kept in his room was discovered by his great-aunt, who threatened to turn him over to the Hellknights... Before Durana could make good on her threat, however, Alba stepped forward and claimed that the symbol, as well as some scrolls filled with stories that would, at the very least, be frowned upon. Ensis never saw her (or the scrolls) again. He sent word to his Tarana, hoping that she could somehow use her connections with the various networks to save Alba.

He received word that she'd look into it.

Ok, most of the stuff above here is worked out -- it's the stuff from here on that's a mess and being sorted out. Stuff in there isn't quite ripe yet...

Point Form Junk -- random thoughts to be fixed:

- Tarana's luck ran out, however, as she was asking questions in the wrong place -- she was captured by Order of the Nail Hellknights and was to be executed for treason.
- Ensis gathered up his gear, his mind filled with stories of heroes, and his heart filled with anger -- ready to head into the fortress and free his mother -- but next to his sword, he found a final note from his mother,
- In the letter, she told him that she'd turned to Milani after he was born, that through the church she'd made contact with various resistance groups, including the Bellflowers and the Silver Ravens
- She told him that her biggest fear, especially after all this time, was that he'd turn out like his father -- someone who just took what he wanted from the world, as was his due.
- She said, instead, that she was impressed with his desire to dig into the truth and the tales of those who'd opposed his family -- that she was proud of the character he'd shown and the man he's grown into
- She said that he couldn't save her, and forbid him from trying -- saying that he -- and Cheliax -- weren't ready
- Instead, he needed to fan the anger burning within his heart, but keep it hidden, to use the tools that he was given to become strong enough to fight back
- Finally, he was given the name of a tavern where he could sometimes find young acolyte of the Everbloom -- one of his mother's trusted contacts
- Still, despite the recommendation that he stay hidden and learn more, the loss and anger twisted inside Ensis.

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DEFENSE
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AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 13, CMD 16
(+4 armor, +3 dex)

HP 23 (1HD) {12,11}
Fort: +2, Ref: +6, Will: +0 -- Special: Charmed Life [+2 to any save]
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OFFENSE
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Speed: 30 ft. (6 Squares)

Melee:
Longsword +6 (1d8+3/19-20) [Slashing]
Rapier +5 (1d6+2/18-20) [Piercing]
Dagger +5 (1d4+2/19-20) [Slashing, Piercing]

Ranged:
Shortbow +5 (1d6/x3) [Piercing], 70' range increment
Dagger +5 (1d4+2/19-20) [Slashing, Piercing], 10' range increment

Base Atk: +2, CMB: +4
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 15
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TRAITS
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Historian of the Rebellion (Campaign)
You’ve long been interested in the legacy of the Silver Ravens—a group of freedom fighters that rose to prominence in Kintargo during the Chelish Civil War. There’s frustratingly little information today about the group, and you suspect that most of what was recorded about the Silver Ravens has long since been redacted or destroyed by government agents, but you’ve managed to pick up a tidbit here and there. Most of your knowledge isn’t so much about the Silver Ravens specifically, but more about general histories of rebel groups and freedom fighters who have fought against oppressive governments throughout history, both in Cheliax and beyond.

Your familiarity with rebel groups allows you to grant a +2 bonus on an Organization check of your choice once the party reestablishes the Silver Ravens during the first adventure. You can change which check you assign this bonus to once at the start of the rebellion’s Upkeep phase. Your time preparing for joining the Silver Ravens has also honed your skill at remaining unseen. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Stealth checks, and Stealth is always a class skill for you.

Fiendish Blood (Racial)
Long ago, your ancestors' blood mixed with that of fiends. Gain low-light vision.

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FEATS
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Armour Proficiencies: Light, Buckler.
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple, Martial.

Normal:
Weapon Focus (Longsword), Slashing Grace (Longsword)
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SKILLS (5+int) [6/6]
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Trained are marked with *, italics for class skills.

Skill Name [Total] = Rnk + Stat + Misc (Description)
Acrobatics*[+6] = 2.0 + 3 + 3 -2 (AC)
Appraise [+0] = 0.0 + 0 + 0
Bluff*[+6] = 1.0 + 2 + 3
Climb [+0] = 0.0 + 2 + 0 -2 (AC)
Diplomacy*[+7] = 2.0 + 2 + 3
Disguise [+2] = 0.0 + 2 + 0
Escape Artist*[+5] = 1.0 + 3 + 3 -2 (AC)
Intimidate*[+6] = 1.0 + 2 + 3
Knowledge (Untrained) [+0] = 0.0 + 0 + 0
Perception* [+4] = 2.0 + -1 + 3
Ride [+1] = 0.0 + 3 + 0 -2 (AC)
Sense Motive* [+3] = 1.0 + -1 + 3
Stealth* [+7] = 2.0 + 3 + 4 -2 (AC) {Historian Trait}
Survival [+0] = 0.0 + 0 + 0
Swim [+0] = 0.0 + 2 + 0 -2 (AC)
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Class Skills:
Acrobatics, Bluff, Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Intimidate, Knowledge (local), Knowledge (nobility), Perception, Perform, Profession, Ride, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, and Swim.

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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Swashbuckler Finesse (Ex)
At 1st level, a swashbuckler gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with light or one-handed piercing melee weapons, and she can use her Charisma score in place of Intelligence as a prerequisite for combat feats. This ability counts as having the Weapon Finesse feat for purposes of meeting feat prerequisites.

Panache (Ex) (oo)
More than just a lightly armored warrior, a swashbuckler is a daring combatant. She fights with panache: a fluctuating measure of a swashbuckler’s ability to perform amazing actions in combat. At the start of each day, a swashbuckler gains 2 panache points. Her panache goes up or down throughout the day, but usually cannot go higher than 2, though feats and magic items can affect this maximum. A swashbuckler spends panache to accomplish deeds (see below), and regains panache in when confirming a critical hit or landing the killing blow with a light or one-handed piercing melee weapon (or a longsword).

Deeds (Ex)
Swashbucklers spend panache points to accomplish deeds. Most deeds grant the swashbuckler a momentary bonus or effect, but some provide longerlasting effects. Some deeds remain in effect while the swashbuckler has at least 1 panache point, but do not require expending panache to be maintained. A swashbuckler can only perform deeds of her level or lower. Unless otherwise noted, a deed can be performed multiple successive times, as long as the swashbuckler has or spends the required number of panache points to perform the deed.
*Derring-Do (Ex): At 1st level, a swashbuckler can spend 1 panache point when she makes an Acrobatics, Climb, Escape Artist, Fly, Ride, or Swim check to roll 1d6 and add the result to the check. She can do this after she makes the check but before the result is revealed. If the result of the d6 roll is a natural 6, she rolls another 1d6 and adds it to the check. She can continue to do this as long as she rolls natural 6s, up to a number of times equal to her Dexterity modifier (minimum 1).
*Dodging Panache (Ex): At 1st level, when an opponent attempts a melee attack against the swashbuckler, the swashbuckler can as an immediate action spend 1 panache point to move 5 feet; doing so grants the swashbuckler a dodge bonus to AC equal to her Charisma modifier (+2) against the triggering attack. This movement doesn’t negate the attack, which is still resolved as if the swashbuckler had not moved from the original square. This movement is not a 5-foot step; it provokes attacks of opportunity from creatures other than the one who triggered this deed. The swashbuckler can only perform this deed while wearing light or no armor, and while carrying no heavier than a light load.
*Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex): At 1st level, when an opponent makes a melee attack against the swashbuckler, she can spend 1 panache point and expend a use of an attack of opportunity to attempt to parry that attack. The swashbuckler makes an attack roll as if she were making an attack of opportunity; for each size category the attacking creature is larger than the swashbuckler, the swashbuckler takes a –2 penalty on this roll. If her result is greater than the attacking creature’s result, the creature’s attack automatically misses. The swashbuckler must declare the use of this ability after the creature’s attack is announced, but before its attack roll is made. Upon performing a successful parry and if she has at least 1 panache point, the swashbuckler can as an immediate action make an attack against the creature whose attack she parried, provided that creature is within her reach.

Charmed Life (Ex) [+2] (ooo)
At 2nd level, the swashbuckler gains a knack for getting out of trouble. Three times per day as an immediate action before attempting a saving throw, she can add her Charisma modifier [+2] to the result of the save. She must choose to do this before the roll is made.

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EQUIPMENT (66L/132M/200H) [7gp]
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Carried/Equipped
outfit (traveler's); chain shirt; longsword; rapier; 5 x daggers; signet ring; shortbow; arrow (x20)

Backpack, Masterwork [ Bedroll; Rations (Trail/Per Day) (x4); Waterskin (Filled); Mess Kit; Silk Rope (50')];

Pouch, Belt [ Chalk x 5, Flint and Steel ]
Pouch, Belt [ Candle x 10, Candle Lamp ]

Coinpurse: 11gp, 14sp, 15cp

Current Load: 62 lbs (Light)