Galen Mistbringer's page

Psychic spells never have verbal or somatic components, and have only expensive material components. Psychic spells are purely mental actions, and they can be cast even while the caster is pinned or paralyzed. Focus components work the same way with psychic spells as they do with other spells.

When a spell calls for an expensive material component, a psychic spellcaster can instead use any item with both significant meaning and a value greater than or equal to the spell's component cost.

Instead of verbal and somatic components, all psychic spells have components related to the caster's inner being. The two psychic components are called emotion components and thought components. If a spell's components line lists a somatic component, that spell instead requires an emotion component when cast by psychic spellcasters, and if it has a verbal component, it instead requires a thought component when cast by psychic spellcasters. Psychic spells cast by non-psychic arcane and divine casters use any listed somatic and verbal components as normal.

Emotion Components (replaces Somatic): Emotion components represent a particular emotional state required to cast the spell. A psychic spellcaster marshals her desire in order to focus and release the spell's energy. It is impossible to cast a spell with an emotion component while the spellcaster is under the influence of a non-harmless effect with the emotion or fear descriptors. Even if the effect's emotion matches the necessary emotion to cast the psychic spell, the spellcaster is not in control of her own desires and animal impulses, which is a necessary part of providing an emotion component.

Thought Components (replaces Verbal): Thought components represent mental constructs necessary for the spell's function, such as picturing a wolf in vivid detail—down to the saliva dripping from its jaws—in order to cast beast shape to transform into a wolf. Thought components are so mentally demanding that they make interruptions and distractions extremely challenging. The DC for any concentration check for a spell with a thought component increases by 10. A psychic spellcaster casting a spell with a thought component can take a move action before beginning to cast the spell to center herself; she can then use the normal DC instead of the increased DC.

Undercasting: Some psychic spells can be undercast. This means that the spellcaster can cast the spell at the level that he knows, or as any lower-level version of that spell, using the appropriate spell slot. When a spellcaster undercasts a spell, it is treated exactly like the lower-level version, including when determining its effect, saving throw, and other variables. For example, a psychic spellcaster who adds ego whip III to his list of spells known can cast it as ego whip I, II, or III. If he casts it as ego whip I, it is treated in all ways as that spell; it uses the text and the saving throw DC for that spell, and requires him to expend a 3rd-level spell slot.

Whenever a spontaneous spellcaster adds a spell to his list of spells known that can be undercast, he can immediately learn a spell in place of each lower-level version of that spell he knows. In essence, he loses each earlier version and can replace it with another spell of the same level that is on his spell list.

Mindtouch (Su) 1 pool: detect surface thoughts of spell target (as the 3rd-round effect of detect thoughts).
Overpowering Mind (Ex) 2 pool: increase Will save DC of linked mind-affecting spell by +1.
Phrenic Pool (4/day) (Su) Pool of points you can use to modify psychic spells as they're cast.
Physical Push +2 (2/day) (Su) Add Wis bonus to a Str, Dex, or Con ability or skill check. Recover 1 pool if you succeed.
Sentimental -2 perception to avoid being surprised. -2 Reflex to avoid traps or hazards
Star Struck (Shensen) +1 trait bonus to Knowledge (local) checks; Roll twice and take better result on Cha check 1/day.

- 1 dagger (in wrist sheath)
- 1 sling
- 1 pouch of sling bullets (6)
- 1 bag of marbles
- 2 acid flasks

- 1 artisan's outfit
- 1 pocketed kapenia scarf (+4 to SoH to hide objects)
- 1 reversible cloak
- 2 wrist sheaths (+2 to SoH to hide objects)

- 1 belt pouch
- 1 prismatic crystal (modifies read aura time, increases light level)
- 1 performer's token (silver, of Shensen)
- 1 fortune-teller's deck
- 1 flint & steel
- 2 chalk sticks

- 1 scroll case
- 5 parchment
- 1 inkpen
- 1 vial of black ink

- 1 satchel (backpack)
- 1 pint oil
- 9 performance tokens (wooden, of Zephyrus)
- 1 wooden flute (from Dany)
- 1 deck of gaming cards
- 1 set of gaming dice
- 1 ball of string
- 1 bell (brass handbell)
- 1 tankard (tin)
- 1 teapot
- 10 candles
- 1 candle lamp
- 1 candlestick
- 1 censer (for incense)
- 10 sticks of incense (common)
- 1 whetstone
Encumbrance: Light Load (26.0 lbs, limits 26/53/80 lbs.)

At first glance, the typical passersby may regard Galen as having a fair-seeming and youthful clean-shaven face, though usually they would fail to even notice him at all. A young man of no great height or build, his body is slim but not particularly athletic, with the hardiness and hands of one who has neither martial training nor well-suited to hard labor. His skin has the more tanned complexion of his Varisian heritage, though it is lighter than most Varisians that travel and spend their time outdoors. With nondescript brown hair and light hazel-colored eyes, the most charming quality of Galen is his smile – boyish and youthful but with a note of genuine understanding. His voice is neither high nor low, on the softer and quieter side with a natural (though untrained) harmony and pitch to it.

Galen often wears the artisan’s tunic, vest and breeches of a shopkeeper’s assistant in the districts of Old Kintargo or Jarvis End, though at times he dons the more scholarly cassock-style robes when employed upon occasion as a scribe or translator in Villegre District across the Bleakbridge. Favoring nondescript browns or greys over flashier dye colors, the two exceptions are with his cloak and scarf. His typical dark grey woolen cloak is reversible to display numerous rich silken shades of azure embroidered with silver thread whenever he is performing as “Zephyrus” or out about with his lady love Dany and her outgoing, outspoken friends. Galen too possesses a richly colored thick scarf – a Varisian family kapenia scarf that his Nan made for him – bearing a pattern of dark green and deep violet with a weave of sky blue in it. Aside from his fortune-teller’s deck also from his Nan, the scarf is one of his favorite possessions. He wears the occasional hat which suits the occasion, though he owns nothing flashy or distinctive in that regard.

Galen is a transplant of Varisia, orphaned at a young age out of Korvosa due to violent circumstances that affected his family – he is given the assumed name “Mistbringer” which he knows is not his father’s true family name. Galen spent his years as a child until the age of ten with his Nan (his father’s mother) in a large wandering nomadic caravan, learning the Varisian skills, lore and languages of being on the roads of such a land. At eleven Galen and his Nan took ship from Magnimar to Kintargo, where she had connections from her youth; his Nan sets up a modest herbalist shop in Old Kintargo, providing a means for him to work on his letters and studies.

At the age of fourteen on his “nameday” Nan presents him with his kapenia scarf as well as a sizable sum of money she has hidden these many years, and convinces him to enroll in the Alabaster Academy to elevate his status. Galen follows her advice, and for the next four years he lives and studies in the Villegre District; he is a passable student in both letters and various types of lore, though he finds his mind grows stronger in a peculiar type of “magic” which he initially mistakes for sorcery. His ease with languages, greater means and increased confidence in negotiating Kintargo leads him to discover the Kintargo Opera House, finding the bards and actors of Kintargo to be a second love next to the Varisian legends and stories of his youth. In particular he cannot get enough of Shensen and makes a point to attend as many of her performances as possible - a performance coin she once tossed to him in a group of admirers something he still holds dear. It is around this time that he meets Danyeren “Dany” Teslias, an exciting and bold fellow student of Alabaster and patron of the bardic arts, and a friendship begins that eventually leads to thrilling ‘on-again, off-again’ romance as they get older. Dany encourages Galen to take up his storytelling talents as the tale-weaver “Zephyrus” and helps him work out a small performance act with it, supplementing his act with his prestidigitation magic and slight-of-hand tricks as a Varisian vagabond. Though Dany’s friends aren’t necessarily Galen’s friends, he finds his social life is enriched by being in proximity to their brilliance and outgoing nature.

At the age of eighteen, Nan grows ill and soon dies, leaving Galen truly alone in Kintargo without family. In true Varisian fashion she was many things in her long life, but at times she had the foresight and was proficient in using a true Harrow Deck from her own mother, well more than just a fortune-teller that swindled fools for desirable lies. Nan tells Galen on her deathbed that she brought him to the “Silver City” those years ago because of a Harrowing she once had performed on him, and that his special powers would come to fruition here hand-in-hand with his Fate, even though that could also mean his Doom. To hide from it, however, was not the Varisian way, and she asks him to stay and discover his true self after she is gone.

With Nan’s death the herbalist shop passes to a business associate of hers, and Galen finds his funds to attend the Alabaster Academy start to dwindle, forcing him to discontinue his formal studies by the age of nineteen. By the age of twenty he works an assortment of scribing and translation jobs for Villegre scholars, though he can no longer afford to live in Villegre District and instead lives in a lower-rent boarding house of Old Kintargo just a block away from Nan’s old shop. He eagerly steps out when he can with Dany and her friends to perform as “Zephyrus” in either Aria Park or Veritas Plaza, attend a rousing dance at the Three-Legged Devil in Jarvis End, or just to meet up with them over across the Bleakbridge in Villegre Park or the Long Roads to listen to the latest news, gossip and political rantings. In the past few months their romance has intensified, and Dany has taken to teaching Galen how to properly play the flute, bestowing one to him as a gift on the Shelynite day of Crystalhue during the winter solstice that has just passed.

Personality:
On the surface, Galen is a relatively quiet and unassuming fellow – at first glance not the material of strife and rebellion. He enjoys acquaintances of many different walks of life, but has few close personal friends. He enjoys conversing with others in a warm and off-putting fashion, but is not outspoken or gregarious with his speech. He has an easy smile but is not one to preen or overly impress. He loves being in a room with energy and interesting affairs going on, but prefers to sit on the periphery to watch and listen while others demand the attention of the room. Galen has his opinions on many topics and knowledge of subjects, but doesn’t feel the need to convince others of his opinions or mastery of his knowledge.

The exception to this quiet and serene disposition is when he performs as “Zephyrus” for the people: his demeanor is much more animated as Zephyrus when engaged in storytelling, recital of poetry and working the crowd with his magic and wits, as compared to when he is simply Galen. An expression of his ego, his friend and (sometimes) romantic partner Dany helped him to come up with the act, including an alteration of his hair and clothing using his prestidigitation magic, coaching his voice and gestures to match the storytelling. Galen’s alter-ego as Zephyrus is not much of a secret to those that live in Old Kintargo where he lives, but after seeing Shensen perform numerous times at the Opera House, he decided to emulate his performance idol by adding some element of mystery to his own persona. Galen knows he will never be good enough to showcase his act at the Opera House, nor does he wish to take such a grand stage – he is content to turn a child’s frown to a smile and lighten the hearts of those who are heavy in the Silver City, even if only for a brief time.

An orphan through the product of violent misfortune, raised only by his grandmother and spending much of his earlier years on the roads and byways of Varisia in the nomadic traditions of his people, Galen could have drifted to become a wild vagabond or scoundrel with a dark heart and darker intentions. Yet he did not, thanks in no small part to his Nan…and to a certain extent his wider “family” of Varisian elders of the caravan train. While he knows how to steal and lie, his Nan kept a stern hold of him and showed him the ways that he didn’t have to. He didn’t have much in his youth, but Nan ensured they had enough to do well enough – and more importantly he had both love and full attention from his grandmother. Long ago his Nan made a decision to raise him and devote herself to his well-being. In turn he loved her unconditionally, the pain of losing his parents and close family becoming a distant memory in time. The bonds of friendship and hope of love are what keep Galen centered to this day: a kind soul that has known hardship and grief but which has not been utterly damaged or corrupted.

Galen is a student and practitioner of balance, attempting to keep his emotions in check while at the same time experiencing the emotions and passions of a youthful existence. This too is a product of his upbringing by his Nan, though to some degree Galen always has had patience and wisdom beyond his years. Fundamentally this helps him in two distinct areas. Firstly, he knows if he lets go and pursues an emotional and uninhibited course, it will only lead to playing the fool and becoming the target of some foul mischief that could undo him, with no one there to protect him should he falter. Secondly, he knows the unhinging of emotion and rational thought prevents him from unlocking and using his special “sorcery” – something he dearly wishes to learn more about and foster within himself.

Galen knows his unique brand of magic is not “sorcery,” though for a long time he thought it was…or something akin to what bardic acquaintances of his practice. Studies at Alabaster Academy and the final talks he had with Nan before her death brought him to the realization that he is “different” from other arcane sorcerers and bards. The odd crystal Nan left to him illustrates this different legacy to him well – his gifts are much more tied to the Varisian Harrow deck fortune-tellers and spirit mediums than anything else he has discovered in Kintargo to-date. His talents delve mostly into entertainment, trickery and compulsions of the mind, though after one incident where he was chased by a group of gang toughs in Redroof District where it borders Old Kintargo, Galen found he could propel cobblestones and other large objects the size of a helmet at a foe with only his mind, able to hurt or maim with crushing force. He eschews such blatant actions of violence…though deep in the recesses in his mind he feels a wall that holds back more deadly powers not yet made manifest.

Galen knows his name of “Mistbringer” is an assumed name – though he knows his true family name told by his Nan before her death, he will never reveal it to others. His kapenia scarf is richly woven in the colors that Nan said suited him well – normally the kapenia traces the lines of his family history, which he would tell friends that it stretches back hundreds of years. In truth, the lines go only back to his Nan and nothing before her, circling back to himself. He finds that to be a fine joke that he and his Nan both shared when she bestowed the scarf on his naming day.

Galen is no evangelist or sacred worshiper, avoiding zealotry in most forms, but he does revere three deities in roughly the following order: Shelyn, Irori and Desna. Desna is part of his past, a connection to his Varisian heritage and the dreams of wandering free in the nomadic caravan of his people. He hears the Song of the Spheres most when he plies the trades of his wily kin, when he wishes for luck in a game of chance or when he dreams of his family long gone. Irori has intrigued Galen ever since he came across a hidden copy of Unbinding the Fetters in an obscure section of the Alabaster Academy libraries, finding the meditative forms and diet regimens extremely helpful to center himself and grow his strange powers. He embraces the yearning for increasing and preserving knowledge, though his preferences tend to fall to tales and interesting cultural practices over the stodgier topics of history, philosophy and law. As for Shelyn, Galen has come to embrace her as his favorite patron – introduced to the faith at the Songbird Hall by Dany some years ago, around the same time he discovered the marvels of the Kintargo Opera House. He has been introduced to aspects of Melodies of Inner Beauty, and holds the three aphorisms of The Eternal Rose as his own. Galen knows he will never be as handsome, talented or creative as many of his bardic friends and acquaintances, yet he understands he can still do his part to bring beauty to the world – something he expresses most avidly in his performances as “Zephyrus” … and his love for Dany and those who are close to him.

Mannerisms:
* Galen prefers tea to all else, though he likes Garundi coffee and drinks it whenever consorting with his friends at the Long Roads Coffeehouse in Villegre, or as a special treat upon finishing up a tedious job in the northern part of the city before returning back home to Old Kintargo. Cider and common wines (typically mulled or spiced) are favored by him, though he drinks little in the course of an evening compared to most around him, avoiding ales and hard liquor almost entirely. He keeps a teapot with him with special teas that he finds and enjoys, for the purposes of serving himself or a small group of friends.
* Galen’s favorite meal is wild hare or game bird, usually set in a good stew. He eats fruits and fresh vegetables when he can find (and afford) them, and generally avoids pastries and heavier meats (as prescribed by Unbinding the Fetters and other Irori suggestions of proper diet).
* Galen enjoys games of chance as an idle pursuit, and keeps a deck of gaming cards as well as set of gaming dice handy wherever he goes. He will play for coin if the social occasion calls for it, though he is not one to gamble for serious stakes or as a means of income.
* Galen is superstitious of Varisian occult folk divination methods – particularly rituals of séances, fortune-telling, sight readings and faith healing. His Nan kept a favorite set of fortune-telling cards which he now keeps with him at all times. Occasionally he has tried to do a true Varisian reading for auras and cards, though he thinks he is not very good at such things. He believes in the true power of a Harrow deck and those that practice that rare talent, seeing it as a boy in the nomadic caravan. His Nan told him they came to Kintargo because of a Harrowing performed upon him, and Galen does not doubt this is utterly true.
* Galen’s prized possession that he is willing to show off is a silver performance coin of Shensen, given to him by the opera star as she passed by a crowd of supporters he was in just after a resounding performance at the Kintargo Opera House. Galen swears she looked at him directly when she flipped the coin for him to catch, though his other friends deny this.
* Galen, if asked about his Varisian kapenia scarf, is happy to talk about the significance of its colors and tracing of his “Mistbringer” family history. Of course, he lies about the history of his family whenever he does so, finding it a fine joke.
* Galen, if asked about his magic, will lie and spin a yarn about some ancient Varisian bloodline which influences his "sorcery".
* Galen tries to meditate every day if he can, attempting to find his balance and self in the Irori manuscripts he once reviewed. When doing so he prefers to have his special (psychic) crystal out as a focal point and a candle, and occasionally incense.
* Zephyrus affects a heavier Varisian accent, dyes his hair according to the occasion (often cloud-white), incorporate various shades of blue into his garb. He makes the habit of giving out a wooden performance token to the attendee that shows the most interest to his storytelling, though he will also hand out tokens by request.

Rebels of the Cause (PC's):
Avrora "Vera" Vikta - Warpriest (Liberty's Blade) of Milani
Darian "Charles" Aulamaxa - Bard (Arcane Duelist)
Isabel Rhelian - Mesmerist
Phineas "Davis" Aceron - Bard (Negotiator)
Varian "Julius Vindex" Tanessen - Cleric (Hidden Priest) of Milani
Aada Bladotter - Cleric of Calistria, teacher of Isabel
Aleanya Deterion - Sorcerer (Maestro), fellow performer of the Aria as Galen
Ashess - Investigator
Brian Longarm - Fighter (Phalanx Soldier)
Dred Delgeth - Sorcerer (Shadow)
Edgar Vashnarstill - Unchained Rogue
Ellina Sensewi - Paladin (Hospitaler) of Iomedae
Garidan Layafette - Unchained Rogue
Leonardo Vashnarstill - Investigator (Empiricist)
Metsipano Rey - Sorcerer (Tatooed Sorcerer) (Harrowed), Varisian acquaintance of Galen's.
Nissim Siverto - Witch (Alley Witch)
Selana Alexelis - Swashbuckler
"Sunset" - Wizard (Spellslinger), fellow student of Isabel
Taldo the Tanner - Bloodrager (Spelleater) (Celestial)
Tychoi d'Gallarai - Magus (Eldritch Archer)

Stories and Tales of Zephyrus the Storyteller:
* Plum the Plum-Colored Faerie Dragon and the Succulent Plums: A simple but fun children's story relying on sight gags to help tell it, hinting on the dangers of eating too many sweets.
* Lynn the Bird in the Land of the Crows: A clever allegory on the virtues of Shelyn, whereupon 'Lynn' is a beautiful bird that thinks she's ugly, living in the drab world of the crows where drabness and lack of color is the norm. Through her travels she espouses the aphorisms of Shelyn and brings beauty to an otherwise colorless and unhappy land.
* Riddle and Port on the Flying Corsair: Famed tales from Varisia, whereupon 'Riddle' is the brave and daring swashbuckling captain, stealing treasure, hearts and the like from those he comes across - typically greedy merchants and cruel barons and the like. Port is his dim-witted but loyal and incredibly lucky manservant-squire, and together they get into all kinds of hijinks across the Inner Sea, using Riddle's famed flying corsair ship to travel to exotic destinations where the various stories take place.
* Mott the Tart: An extremely bawdy set of "adventures" for the adult crowds of taverns, 'Mott' is a thieving man who dresses as a woman in a brothel to steal gold and secrets from the city...at the same time avoiding the attentions of a fat lord who desires "her" when "she" is dressed up. Full of puns, double-entendre and sight gags for the audience.
* The Lay of Nirmath: A long seven-part tale in the high prose style, with a mixture of tragic and romantic elements, covering the rise, triumph and death of Irgal Nirmath as he frees the fledgling lands of Nirmathas from the tyranny of Molthune. The third part of the tale covers Irgal's half-brother Evert in a story of tragic romance between he and the noble dryad Ayanna of the Cheserado, and is one of Galen's favorites stories for selfless love.
* Lament of the Red Shard: A long tale spoken in the classic poetic Old Taldane style, telling the fall of Aroden's first divine Herald, Arazni the warrior-demigoddess, also known once as the Red Crusader. Told from the perspective of a surviving Knight of Ozem who loved her and tried to talk her out of challenging the Whispering Tyrant to battle at the walls of Gallowspire, whereupon she was defeated, humiliated and slain before the Knights of Ozem and the Crusader army.
* Hop the Mouse in the Empire of Cats: A series of tales of Galen's own making along with Dany and a few of her friends. Tells the tale of the rakish Hopwise, who defies the power of the Cat Empire through charm and trickery, and teaches the other mice how to rise up and stand for themselves. An allegory for Kintargans and Cheliax.

Aphorisms of Shelyn, The Eternal Rose
* The Creation of Beauty is the Highest Art:
* Love is Never Born of Evil:
* Love is the Greatest of All Things:
Symbols: long-tailed songbird with rainbow feathers, the rose
Holy Text: Melodies of Inner Beauty
Holidays: Crystalhue (Winter Solstice)

Spells Galen Favors:
1st: Expeditious Retreat FREE, Command, Color Spray, Mind Thrust I*, Mage Armor, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Vanish, Telempathic Projection, Shield, Feather Fall, Disguise Self
2nd: Bear's Endurance FREE, Mind Thrust II*, Id Insinuation I*, Hideous Laughter, Blindness/Deafness, Mirror Image, Thought Shield I*, Mental Barrier I*, Invisibility, Darkvision, Alter Self, Rope Trick
3rd: Haste FREE, Mind Thrust III*, Slow, Loathsome Veil, Fly, Ablative Barrier, Thought Shield II*, Dispel Magic, Displacement, Mental Barrier II*
4th: Freedom of Movement FREE, Id Insinuation III*, Confusion, Intellect Fortress I*, Charm Monster, Dimension Door, Black Tentacles, Though Shield III*, Resilient Sphere, Dimensional Anchor
5th: Echolocation FREE, Id Insinuation IV*, Mind Fog, Feeblemind, Mind Thrust V*, Ego Whip III*, Wall of Force, True Seeing, Teleport
(* Undercast spells - when taken swap out for another same level spell)

Feats Galen Favors:
1) Extra Amplification, Expanded Phrenic Pool
3) Spell Focus (Enchantment)
5) Bouncing Spell
7) Greater Spell Focus (Enchantment)
9) Piercing Spell
Other Choices: Reaching Spell, Logical Spell, Spell Penetration

Amplifications Galen Favors:
1) Mindtouch (1 pt, use detect thoughts on foe failing will spell)
1) Overpowering Mind (2 pts, +1 DC to Will Save spells, +2 DC at 8th lvl)
3) Relentless Casting (1 pt, roll twice vs. overcoming SR)
7) Will of the Dead (2 pts, can target undead w/ will save spells)
11) Space-Rending Spell (1 pt./10' travel, as dimension door with max distance equal to spell slot being cast)

Skills Galen Favors (6+2 per lvl):
Top-Tier (max out): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Sense Motive
Second-Tier (1/2 max): Knowledge (history), Knowledge (local), Knowledge (planes), Linguistics, Sleight of Hand
Nice-to-Haves: Acrobatics (to rank 3), Perform (oratory), Knowledge (nature), Perform (dance), Perform (wind)