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Special Abilities
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Armor Training 1 (Ex) Worn armor -1 check penalty, +1 max DEX.
Blind-Fight Re-roll misses because of concealment, other benefits.
Compass +2 circumstance for Survival or Knowledge (Dungeoneering) to avoid becoming lost.
Earplugs +2 save vs. hearing effects, -5 hearing-based Perception.
Hero Points Hero Points can be spent at any time to grant a variety of bonuses.
Martial Studies (1/combat) Martial Scientist theme feat.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Background and History:
Gemma Atherton 10 Minute History
Step One: Write five background and concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character
1. When Gemma was only two months old, she (along with 15 other babies and children from outlying farms) was taken by the Fey as a direct retaliation against the king for insufficient tithe. She was returned when she was five, but there was never an explanation as to why. A few of the other children were returned as well at other intervals (but not all). She has very little recollection of her time with the Fey other than fear, discomfort and mistrust of anything Fey, along with more than a few nightmares.
2. She is 5’7” with shoulder length dark brown hair and brown eyes. She is very pretty (not mousy at all). She would be described as pretty damn sexy even in academy uniform, but she doesn't see it as a positive. She understands why some women use their wiles to manipulate men, but that’s not her way at all.
3. She is all government and academy. Her loyalties lie with the current regime. The only other loyalty that supersedes that would be the one she has to her younger sister.
4. She is rather serious with a rod-up-the-backside sort of demeanor a lot of the time.
5. She is straight-laced with few-to-no vices.
Step Two: List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game
1. To learn more, always and improve her abilities.
2. To incorporate actual urban intelligence/investigation elements into her book knowledge of battle and war.
3. To realize that the academy way is not the only way and that her loyalties may need to change so she can grow.
4. To reconnect with her family and learn that even though they live in a way that she doesn’t want to, their presence is still comforting and important and they are genuinely good people (even though they couldn’t protect her as a child).
Step 3: List at least two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves her but that she is not actually aware of yet
1. She was taken by the Fey and then returned five years later without reason or explanation. She had a sigil branded on her right ankle which is a constant reminder that she was taken. She has no idea what the symbol means and has never tried to find out.
2. Because of her sigil, she is forever tied to the Fey.
Step 4: Describe at least three people that are tied to the character, two of them friendly, one that is hostile
1. Bliss Atherton, sister – very friendly (beloved little sister, one year younger, Urban Empath).
2. Jeffrey Wescott, Risuri Army Leftenant – very friendly (been with Gemma at the academy since day one, very handsome in a boyish sort of way, very close friend, very intelligent, has a quiet calm about him, the kind of guy that will win the war simply because of his patience and rational/positive outlook). Recently sent out in the field with Sebastian Lockwood.
3. Sebastian Lockwood, Risuri Army Leftenant – enemy (been with Gemma at the academy since day one, also quite handsome but in a big, beefy, dickish sort of way). What started as a friendly rival, quickly became heated due to their extremely competitive natures. Both were always trying to “one up” each other. Gemma hates him because he’s such an a+*%@%@ but he’s her best and brightest competition, which she respects. Recently sent out into the field with Jeffrey Wescott.
Step 5: Describe some memories, mannerisms or quirks that your character has. They don’t have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor
1. Gemma was nicknamed “Rigs” by many of her classmates from the Battalion. Started by Sebastian Lockwood in friendly jest due to her ability to “rig” anything into a weapon. The nickname quickly became irritating (which Sebastian used to full advantage as their rivalry grew). She now hates the name.
2. She carries around a compass given to her by her father when she left the family farm for the academy. It is engraved inside with the inscription “So you may always find your way home.” The irony of the inscription was not lost on her.
3. She loves her parents but they are superstitious farm folk (made even more superstitious with her abduction). She wants to distance herself from that and her humble beginnings…not that she is ashamed, she just doesn’t want to be what they are.
4. She has great dislike of The Wildlands because of her childhood experience. This makes her very suspicious and cautious outside of an urban setting. There is always the fear that the Fey may come back for her someday.
5. She is atheist for the most part, feeling the “gods” could not protect her from the Fey.
6. She has very few, if any, prejudice against other races (or half-races) since all of the races can be both good and bad in their own ways. Her obvious exception is the Fey (and some elves due to their past connections with the Fey).
