Human Fighter 4
LN male humanoid (human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +2
DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 19 (+6 armor, +3 shield, +3 DEX)
hp 34 (4d10 + 4 CON + 4 FC)
Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +3
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee longsword +9 (1d8+4/19–20) or warhammer +8 (1d8+4/x2) or spiked gauntlet +8 (1d4+4/x2) or spiked heavy steel shield +8 (1d6+4/20)
Ranged Javelin +2 (1d6+4/×2, 30')
STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +4; CMB +8; CMD 21
Feats (6) Two Weapon Fighting, Improved Shield Bash, Double Slice, Shield Focus, Missile Shield, Weapon Focus (Longsword)
Skills (12) Climb +8, Handle Animal +3, Intimidate +3, Perception +3, Sense Motive +10, Survival +9
Traits (2) Northern Ancestry, Honor-Driven
Languages Common
Gear: TBD, but would include masterwork or magical variations on the following, gained through years of employment as a caravan guard.
Fighter’s Kit
Longsword
Warhammer
Spiked Gauntlet
Spiked Heavy Steel Shield
Agile Breastplate
Javelins
Background:
Gustav is the second-oldest son of goat herders just outside Ludovny in Hoarwood. With little enough to support the whole family, but hoping to capitalize on his large size and quick hands, he was sent into the small town at an early age to apprentice as a caravan guard. His affinity with animals, strength of arms, and natural agility has helped him secure a position with a variety of trading outfits. His innate ability to ward off cold has been a boon to his employers, but it’s something the other guards have looked at with great suspicion.
Personality:
Gustav speaks plainly, and keeps his word whenever he gives it.
He has no love for the Jadwiga that rule over his fellow Ulfen, but neither was he eager to risk his neck to stand against them… until his encounter with the Red Rider put him on a path he would have never expected.
Appearance:
Gustav stands just over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and thick blond hair.
His clothes are plain but well maintained. Though he’s often well armed and armored, if you catch him with his gauntlets off you’ll see a trio of intertwined blue and green and grey threads forming a bracelet around his left wrist.
Ability Scores (Fluff Description):
STR 18 (7 PB + 1 L4 + 2 Mantle) – No one ever said that wrangling livestock was easy. Long hours of physical labor on the caravan trail have conditioned Gustav’s muscles into corded iron, and he’s only improved them through training over the recent years. The encounter with the red cloaked rider has him feeling more powerful than ever, though he’s not sure what to do with his newfound quest…
DEX 17 (7 pb + 2 H) – Gustav has always been agile of hand and foot, with a natural gifted that his large frame would hide. He’s always been able to put it to good effect, from catching the rocks that other children would throw at him, to returning them with better speed and accuracy.
CON 12 (2 PB) – Irrisen is a harsh and unforgiving land, and Gustav’s been forced to toughen up in response. However, his innate resistance to cold has kept him from the worst of things, so he can be a little soft at times.
INT 10 (0 PB) – Gustav hasn’t had much in the way of formal schooling, just enough to read and write his letters, and keep an open mind about learning more.
WIS 14 (5 PB) – Gustav knows when to keep his head down, and when to speak up. He’s unlikely to get tricked by others, because he’s learned how to read them. When the going gets tough, he’s as likely to rely on sheer willpower as the strength of his swordarm.
CHA 8 (-2 PB) – Though he’s obviously a man of great physical talent, he’s never had strong force of personality. Gustav is more likely to follow another’s lead than to take command, lending support when needed.
Feats (Fluff Description):
H1) Two Weapon Fighting (Core Rulebook 136) – Gustav grew up more ambidextrous than most, and spent much of his youth trying to accomplish tasks with his off hand to develop this ability.
F1) Improved Shield Bash (Core Rulebook 128) – When he took on work for the guard, Gustav began practicing at the ways he could better assault an enemy without letting down his guard.
L1) Double Slice (Core Rulebook 122) – After months of practice, Gustav’s combination of strength and quick reflexes paid off with a technique of fighting that lets him strike just as hard with his off-hand as his primary.
F2) Shield Focus (Core Rulebook 133) – As a devotee of defensive tactics, Gustav specialized in positioning his shield in just the right way to ward off attacks.
L3) Missile Shield (Advanced Player's Guide, page 165) – Furthering his training, Gustav subjected himself to barrages of stones and other projectiles to find the best ways to avoid them. He’s settled on a technique that – while far from perfect – might be just what he needs to avoid a grisly wound from an arrow or bolt.
F4) Weapon Focus: Longsword (Core Rulebook 136) – Feeling more certain of his defensive capabilities, Gustav began focusing his training on swordplay. After hours of careful practice (and a few new scars), he’s found a few new tricks to get an edge on his opponents.
Climb +8 (1 rank) – Climbing ladders, ropes, rocks, or any other thing he could clamber up was Gustav’s idea of fun while growing up. Though his armor and shield get in the way more often than not, he’s counting on his strength and skill to help with any ascent he encounters.
Handle Animal +3 (1 ranks) – Gustav grew up on a farm with many animals, and he’s learned a trick or two to try and get them to do what he wants. Sometimes it works!
Intimidate +3 (1 rank) – Gustav isn’t crazy about forcing others to do what they’re told, but if he has to, he’s not afraid to throw his weight into his voice.
Perception +3 (1 rank) – He’s had to be the lookout more than once, so Gustav tries to make sure that nothing slips past him.
Sense Motive +10 (4 ranks) – Gustav isn’t one to be fooled, and has honed his vigilance to make sure that he never is.
Survival +9 (4 ranks) – The civilized places of Irrisen are unforgiving, to say nothing of the wilds. Gustav makes sure to stay prepared for any situation.
Traits (Fluff Description):
Northern Ancestry (+1 trait bonus on Fortitude saves, cold resistance 2, Reign of Winter Player’s Guide Page 6): Gustav’s family is firmly rooted in Irrisen, and that legacy has gifted him with a toughness and cold resilience beyond most other humans.
Honor-Driven (+1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks, and Sense Motive is always a class skill for you, “People of the North” Page 11): Gustav’s Ulfen grandmother, Ädela, made sure to instill in him a strong sense of the power of his word: to follow through on his promises, once given, and to brook no patience for those who would break their oaths. He has had to discern truth from lie more often than he likes in this land of fey and witchcraft.
