I must not let this become a waste of time. Ikkath's face twists into a disgruntled scowl, and he wordlessly walks the perimeter once more. This time, he looks for fallen or low-hanging branches straight enough to serve as arrow shafts. He also searches for feathers or leaves for fletching, and remaining near the edge of camp, begins to work what he finds into more arrows for his quiver.
Ikkath finds room in his pack for two wood spears, and meets the old man’s eyes. “Wild men. Will do. Make sure your workers are not mistaken as intruders.”
The most dangerous game. At last, a true test. He tugs the tension of the bowstring and adjusts the quiver of arrows that hangs at his belt, and scans the perimeter. When the rest of the group is ready, he walks the edge of the site to find any high defendable locations, any natural hazards to be aware of, and any places within the nearby forest where these wild men might use to hide.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Ikkath’s gaze wanders to the surrounding trees, looking for anything dangerous, or out of the ordinary. His stride slows somewhat as they approach the site as he counts the number of workers, looking for the one in charge of the others.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Walking to his best guess at one of the officials, he simply states, “We come from Dublin. You are having some kind of trouble, yes?”
After a few basic calisthenics, Ikkath gathers his things and quietly follows the rest of the group. He watches carefully for any danger that might approach, and keeps his bow ready, should he need it at a moment’s notice.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Survival 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 blarg
He tries to help navigate through the forest, to keep from getting lost, but falls silent again when his contribution doesn’t prove to be that helpful.
As the others get settled in, the half-orc wordlessly walks a close perimeter around the camp, checking for natural hazards or signs of animal burrows or nests nearby. As the night deepens in earnest, he looks for three hiding places with good visibility around the camp where he can alternate every hour or so during his watch. He holds his bow and quiver ready as he keeps vigilant eyes and ears.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21, for natural hazards Stealth 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11, for hiding (bleh) Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23, for the night watch 1d20 ⇒ 7, for Frodo...
“I can see in the dark, I’ll volunteer for watch,” Ikkath glances at Kryd, not expecting the humans to be able to help, “so long as I get enough sleep after.”
He looks through the dense forest, looking for an ideal place to camp.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Survival 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15, Kn: Nature (untrained, 10 max) 1d20 ⇒ 2, I wasn’t sure what to roll, so here’s a guess.
Ikkath listens attentively to the gunslinger’s explanation as they walk to the edge of town. “Interesting. This powder you speak of sounds dangerous, but it looks as though you know what you’re doing.”
The half-orc shrugs, shaking the bow in his hand. “I’d still prefer to trust the wood, string, and fletching, myself.”
As they move through the town, he keeps an eye out for more “holy men” of Gorum, or any other rabble-rousers, this time with his bow and quiver ready. Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
So, 70gp for five (assuming Jathal is still with us?) makes for 14gp each, yes?
Ikkath shakes Deck’s hand, and nods to Moria as he shoulders his pack. “Agreed.”
The archer quietly regards the mage’s actions with mild interest before looking over the rest of the dead man’s belongings. “I have little use for any of these, save maybe the gold, but this wasn’t my kill. Anyways, I’m ready to leave.”
He stands about ten feet from the door, keeping a relaxed but alert watch on the entrance while waiting for the others.
The half-orc watches the other three bumble out of the tavern. He turns and nods to Deck, “Well done, human! What do you call yourself, and what is that?”
Ikkath points to the smoking thunderstick in the human’s hands.
The tense archer starts at the sound of the odd contraption in Deck’s hand and yanks the longbow from his pack and stands up. One hand carefully strays to the quiver on his belt as he watches the leader’s hand touch the greatsword. He glances quickly to the other three crusaders, uneasy about these close quarters.
“I believe,” Ikkath interjects sternly, “we would like to hear these alleged charges before committing any,” he glances pointedly at the crossbow, “rash actions.”
He folds his arms and keeps his gaze on the leader, knowing if he moved for his bow, he could count on a bolt in his chest.
Ikkath listens to the others, and finishes his water before speaking to Deck. “Likewise, I’m doing this for the challenge. I’ll be damned if there’s nothing but trees and dirt out there.”
He meets everyone’s eye and nods curtly. “Ikkath Onetooth. I study the way of the bow.”
Those around him can see that the half-orc is missing a bottom tusk as he speaks. Artistic scars cover the arms that rest on the table, and his dark hair hangs just past his shoulders. He wears simple, threadbare traveling clothes and the pack on the floor includes a quarterstaff and longbow.
Meet Ikkath Onetooth, the half-orc Zen Archer (submitted by Kendrick Longwater for the 2nd group). Thanks for your patience! Also, Connor McGinnis: the Zen Archer class gets the Weapon Focus feat at 2nd level, could I possibly start with something else like Skill Focus? I have Weapon Focus in the build right now; I’ll wait for your ok if the change is alright with you. Let me know if I forgot something.
character sheet:
LN Half-orc Zen Archer (monk 1)
Init +4; Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 16 ( +2[Dex] +4[Wis] +10)
hp 9 (1d8 +1 [favored class])
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +7
Speed 30 ft.
ATTACK
Melee: quarterstaff +2 (1d6 +2/x2)
dagger +2 (2d4 +2/19-20x2)
Ranged: Flurry of blows (longbow) +2/+2 (1d8 /x3)
Str 15, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 14
Skills: Acrobatics +2, Climb +2, Craft (fletching) +0, Escape Artist +2, Intimidate -1, Knowledge (religion) +4, Perception +8, Perform -1, Ride +2, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +6, Survival +9, Swim +2
Feats: Weapon Focus (longbow) [GM: see question above], Perfect Strike [bonus] (1/day), Point-Blank Shot [bonus], Precise Shot [standard]
Class Abilities: Flurry of Blows, Perfect Strike, Unarmed Strike
Racial Traits: Darkvision 60 ft, Intimidating (+2 Intimidate), Orc Blood, Sacred Tattoo (+1 saving throws)
Traits: Reactionary (+2 Initiative), Outcast (+1 Survival)
Languages: Common, Orc
Gear: (Level 1) 150gp: 1 longbow, 60 arrows, 20 blunt arrows, 20 flight arrows, 20 cold iron arrows, quarterstaff, dagger, bedroll, hemp rope (50ft), backpack, flint and steel, waterskin, Unbinding the Fetters, fletching tools, traveler’s outfit, 10 trail rations, 48gp and 9sp.
story and physical description:
Raised in an orphanage, the unwanted half-orc Ikkath Onetooth learned quickly to trust himself, and only himself, for his well-being. He discovered some skill with the bow along the way, and into adulthood had some trouble finding steady work. He scraped by an impoverished existence on the fringe of town, living off the land and selling pelts for necessities he could not forage or craft. On one occasion, a traveling priest included a copy of Unbinding the Fetters with a charitable sack of foodstuffs. Ikkath read the sacred text several times over and focused Irori’s instruction to his archery. Very soon, his progress with the bow allowed him to afford finer tools for his fletching, rope, and a few odds and ends. When news of this endeavor reached his pointed ears, the half-orc hurried to be counted among the volunteers, eager for improvement and curious of the world beyond the town.
Ikkath Onetooth stands around six feet tall, his lean build covered by a threadbare traveling cloak. A dagger is sheathed at his belt, and a longbow and quarterstaff protrude above his shoulder from the pack on his back. Tiny inscriptions on the exposed skin of his arms are the result of patient scarification, lines of Irori’s more paradoxical instruction carved in the orc tongue. Calloused hands, a weathered face, and a gruff, reserved demeanor hint at Ikkath’s life of poverty and practical self-reliance.
