About Jacomo PagliacciComedy and Vengeance follow the same maxim - timing is everything. Statistics:
Male Human Unchained Rogue (Knife Master) 1
LE or LN Medium Humanoid (Human) Init: +4 (+3 Dex + 1 trait); Senses: Perception +4 ------------------------------ DEFENSE ------------------------------ AC 15 (16*), touch 13 (14*), flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +3 Dex, +0 shield, *+1 dodge after a successful feint) hp 10 (Max@1st level + 1 Con + 1 favored class) Fort +1, Ref +5 Will* +0 * -1 against spells with the emotion descriptor that do not also have the fear descriptor. ------------------------------ OFFENSE* ------------------------------ Speed 30 ft. Melee +3 dagger, 1d4 dmg/19-20 x2
Ranged+3 dagger, 1d4 dmg/19-20 x2, Range 10’
*+1 trait bonus to hit and damage against agents of House Thrune and worshipers of Asmodeus, including most (but not all) devils. Sneak Attack
----------------------------------------------------
Traits
Drawbacks
Feats
Skills, Adventuring (9 points; 8 class + 0 INT + 0 favored class)
Skills, Background (3 pts; 2 level + 1 INT + 0 favored class)
*ACP 0 applies to these skills.
Languages Common, Infernal Racial & Class Abilities:
------------------------------ RACIAL ABILITIES ------------------------------ Standard human, except for the following alternate racial ability: Heart of the Streets: Humans from bustling cities are skilled with crowds. They gain a +1 racial bonus on Reflex saves and a +1 dodge bonus to Armor Class when adjacent to at least two other allies. Crowds do not count as difficult terrain for them. This racial trait replaces Skilled. ------------------------------
Finesse Training. Sneak Attack. If a rogue can catch an opponent when they are unable to defend himself effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage. The rogue’s attack deals extra damage anytime his target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks his target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 every 2 rogue levels thereafter. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet. This additional damage is precision damage and is not multiplied on a critical hit. With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (such as a sap, unarmed strike, or whip), a rogue can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack—not even with the usual –4 penalty. The rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with total concealment. Hidden Blade. A knife master adds 1/2 his level on Sleight of Hand checks made to conceal a light blade. This ability replaces trapfinding. Sneak Stab. A knife master focuses his ability to deal sneak attack damage with daggers and similar weapons to such a degree that he can deal more sneak attack damage with those weapons at the expense of sneak attacks with other weapons. When he makes a sneak attack with a dagger, kerambit, kukri, punching daggers, starknife, or swordbreaker dagger, he uses d8s to roll sneak attack damage instead of d6s. For sneak attacks with all other weapons, he uses d4s instead of d6s.
Equipment & Encumbrance:
------------------------------ GEAR WORN ------------------------------ Leather armor; +2 AC (armor), +6 Max Dex, ACP 0, SF 10%, Spd 30, Wgt 15lbs (10gp) Daggers x4; 1d4 dmg, 19-20/x2, Range 10', Wgt 1lb ea (8gp) --2 sheathed at belt, 2 concealed on person. Outfit, Entertainer's Wgt 3lbs (3gp) or Outfit, Traveler's. Wgt 5lbs (1gp) Cloak, Reversible. Red/Black. Wgt 1lb (1gp) Locket, silver. Contains likeness of his late wife. 0lbs (5sp) ------------------------------ POSSESSIONS ------------------------------ Kit, Disguise. 10/10 uses. Wgt 8lbs (50gp) Kit, Entertainer's. Wgt 3lbs (5sp) Kit, Juggler's. Wgt 10lbs (15gp) (89gp spent) Money 0 PP 5 GP 11 SP 0 CP ------------------------------
Current Encumbrance Level: Light Light 0-33 lbs Medium 34-67 lbs Heavy 68-100 lbs
Five Things to Know:
What he can do: Jacomo is a professional street performer specializing in juggling, tumbling, sleight of hand, and buffoonery, all of which have been blended into his knife-fighting technique to great effect. Who he is: Jacomo is an angry, broken widower bent on vengeance against the Church of Asmodeus. Personality: Methodical, precise, pragmatic, and driven, though recent events have filled him with an anger that he struggles to contain. He has become fixated on his hatred for the Church of Asmodeus and the government that supports it, for when he loses focus on these he is threatened to be overwhelmed by his own shame, regret, and loss; so long as he’s blaming others he can avoid considering his own responsibility in the loss of his family. Appearance: Pale skinned and possessed of a slim, lanky frame. When not performing he dresses in simple travelers’ clothing; his professional outfit is chequered harlequin’s garb with a bright maroon cloak, his face painted white with black eyelids and upper lip, accented with red circles which describe the arc of a ball in motion. When not performing his air is one of melancholy, though his demeanor becomes one of grim determination when pursuing a task at hand. Reason for being in Kintargo: Native born and bred.
Four People in His Life:
Mentor: Axius Guida, an accomplished actor and jongleur. In his prime he was an acclaimed performer in Kintargo before a political scandal ruined his reputation and career; he has spent his waning years leading a troupe of street performers called The Red Mummers. Friend: Decundus Canaglia, aka “Canny Decks,” a childhood friend of dubious character and employ. While Jacomo only dabbled in the criminal lifestyle, Decundus made it his life’s pursuit. Despite their clashing philosophies the two have remained fast friends, and it was to Decundus that Jacomo turned for help in honing his knife fighting skills. Enemy: Mercius Malvagio, Asmodean church official. The man who promised Jacomo that he would be considered for entrance into the church’s ranks in exchange for his infant son; though Mercius is unaware of it, Jacomo now plans to kill him. Acquaintance: Relia Vraji, an ancient Varisian soothsayer and wise woman. Introduced many years ago by Axius, she became interested in young Jacomo after reading his harrow, and has kept tabs on him ever since. While he is respectful of her due to his mentor’s obvious faith in her abilities, Jacomo remains dubious she possesses any real powers of prophecy. Three Memories:
Moment that changed him: First seeing the Red Mummers perform. Moment that impacted him: Being informed that he hadn’t been accepted into the church’s ranks, and his wife’s subsequent suicide. Moment that sticks with him: The first time he danced with his wife Ballaria. Two Goals:
Goal #1: To be armed and alone with Mercius Malvagio, so he may revenge himself upon him. Goal #2: To overthrow the Church of Asmodeus, in the (probably mistaken) belief that this will provide catharsis to his suffering. One Thing That Gets Him Out of Bed:
It used to be the enjoyment of his craft and to provide for his family; now it is to enact vengeance for their fates. (Possibly Far Too Wordy) Background:
Disclaimer: This is much, much longer a background than I normally submit, especially for a first level character. If it’s too wall-of-texty, I’ve included a briefer summary in the next spoiler down. Exposition: Born one of four siblings to devout but impoverished parents in Kintargo, Jacomo spent his early childhood begging on the streets and watching as one by one his brother and sisters fell ill and perished. As he grew older he and his comrade Decundus became involved in petty crime on the city docks, but a close brush with the law and a stern scolding from his parents scared young Jacomo straight; shortly thereafter both his parents succumbed to sickness as well. He fended for himself as a beggar until one day he witnessed a performance of the Red Mummers, a small troupe of street performers who engaged in marvelous feats of acrobatics; when they began juggling knives between them Jacomo was transfixed. The precision and control displayed amazed him, and he knew then and there that he wanted to have that kind of discipline and skill. He approached the group and begged for an apprenticeship which the group’s leader, Axius Guida, granted. Complication: Like most apprenticeships Jacomo’s involved several hard years assisting the Red Mummers with menial tasks before he began to be trained in earnest. It was during this time that he first met the Varisian fortune teller Relia Vraji; Axius brought him to her for a harrow reading, and in his cards she saw “a metamorphosis into both butterfly and wasp - but the risk of being drawn like a moth into the flame.” Axius took this as a very promising fortune and began Jacomo’s proper training immediately afterwards. After Jacomo’s first performance, in which he excelled, the Mummers went to celebrate at a bar frequented by artists and performers. It was there that he first met his wife, Ballaria Sarta. She danced with the acrobats and jongleurs with a grace that put them all to shame, save for Jacomo; he knew then and there that he wanted her as his wife. Their courtship was brief, his sincerity and wit quickly winning Ballaria over, and they were soon married. Climax: Jacomo enjoyed married life, and though poor they scraped by with him working with the Red Mummers and her as a seamstress. After a time Ballaria became with child, and Jacomo knew then and there that if he was to provide a secure future for his family he would need help. He had always maintained his faith in Asmodeus, tithing to the church even as a beggar, and it was to that exemplary institution he turned. Inquiries led to a referral to Mercius Malvagio, a ranking official within the church. Mercius informed him that in exchange for a fee he would make sure Jacomo received consideration for recruitment into a new force the church was assembling to be made up of men and women skilled at stealth and combat; it would be dangerous, but the position would pay a sum of over a thousand gold a year. Pleased by this development, Jacomo sought out Canny Decks and began re-training the knife skills he’d once used in his disreputable youth, blending the discipline and precision of his performance art into that of his knifework to great effect. Ballaria gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and that same night Mercius came to their home and informed them that the time had come for him to submit a candidate for the discussed position. ”Those who demonstrate the proper talents and qualities will be chosen,” he told them, then produced a contract for Jacomo - he would be Mercius’s candidate for the price of one thousand gold. Jacomo despaired that the sum was beyond their ability to pay, but promised that once he secured the position he would repay Mercius out of his wages. While sympathetic to their plight, Mercius required payment up front; if they could not afford to pay in coin, perhaps something else of value might be exchanged? ”I see you have a new child, born this very night; hardly enough time to grow attached. I will take him instead.” Ballaria balked at the offer, but Jacomo was not so hasty to dismiss it; a high price, to be sure, but he was confident his skills at blade and shadow would earn him a place in service to Asmodeus. They would then have the wealth and security to raise any number of children, rather than risk raising their current son in their impoverished state; surely the church was better equipped to see to their son’s future than they. Reluctant and teary-eyed, Ballaria agreed, and Mercius praised their wisdom as they amended and signed the agreement. Gathering up the child and making his leave, the priest gave instructions on where and when Jacomo should appear for his interview. Reversal. Jacomo was put through a series of tests at which he excelled, and he also brought along all his tax records detailing his lifelong tithing to the church, including the contract with Mercius for his son, to show his dedication to the faith. He left feeling supremely confident in his performance, and remained so when he was summoned to Mercius’s presence a few days later, right until the man informed him of his failure. His mind reeled at the shock. ”Your talents are top notch,” Mercius stated, ”it’s your qualities which exempted you: low birth, employment under a known dissenter, questionable profession - I mean,” here the priest gave a chuckle, ”you are quite literally a clown.” Mercius smiled sympathetically. ”Still, you garnered some praise and attention, and it’s rare anyone is selected their first time around. Work on your qualities, Jacomo, and in a few years’ time you may have a real chance at selection.” Jacomo stared blankly at Mercius, and he knew then and there that the priest had known that he wouldn’t be chosen. ”Where is my son?” Mercius’s brow furrowed in annoyance. ”He’s not your child anymore, so quite frankly it’s none of your business; however the fact is I don’t know where the child is, but with a new lord-mayor taking office I assume sacrifices were needed to ensure a successful transition of power. Now if you’ll excuse yourself, I have a rather busy day. These gentlemen will show you out.” With a wave of his hand, two church guards appeared and escorted the dumbfounded man out to the street. Catastrophe. Jacomo returned home seething with resentment, and he raged against Mercius, the church, and the lord-mayor. ”They refused me! The liars! Malvagio all but promised that I’d receive the commission when he knew all along I had not a chance! Liars and betrayers!” Ballaria simply stared at him as he raged, silent tears running down her face. ”And our child!” Jacomo’s voice changed to a harsh whisper, his eyes unable to meet those of his wife. ”Our child, sent as sacrifice for the new lord-mayor...” He collapsed into a chair, unable to process it all. Ballaria stared at him for a while longer, then left for their bedchamber without a word. Finally the onset of evening roused Jacomo from his catatonia, and when he looked after his wife he found her hanging from the bedchamber rafter. The flood of anguish, shame, anger, and self-loathing at the sight was too much for Jacomo to bear, and something inside him broke. He realized that the rules and laws he’d followed his whole life were rigged against him, indeed that the intent of the whole system was to defeat him, to keep him poor and helpless. The rage inside of him turned cold, and he knew then and there that he would do everything within his power to see the Church of Asmodeus and all it supported brought to ruin.
Background Precis:
Jacomo was born in Kintargo to a devout but impoverished family, all of whom died before he reached adulthood. As a young boy he was briefly employed in dockside criminal activity, a profession his life-long friend Decundus chose to pursue. Jacomo begged for coin until he was inspired by the juggling and acrobatics of the street performance troupe the Red Mummers, whose leader, Axius Guida, agreed to take him on as an apprentice. He learned the discipline and skills necessary to become a performer himself, and met and married the seamstress and dancer Ballaria Sarta. When she became pregnant he decided he had no wish to raise a family poor, as his had been, and so sought employment with the Church of Asmodeus, where he learned they would be accepting those skilled at stealth and combat into their ranks. He brushed up on his knife skills and was given the opportunity to be considered for the position by Mercius Malvagio in exchange for a fee; when unable to pay the sum, he instead agreed to give up his and Ballaria’s first born. Jacomo failed to get the job, and learned that Malvagio had known all along that he’d had little chance of employment. Upon the news that their plans had failed and that their son had likely been used as sacrifice for the new lord-mayor, Ballaria hung herself in despair. His life ruined, Jacomo has vowed to do everything within his power to see the Church of Asmodeus and all it supported brought to ruin. Inspirations:
I'd be a liar if I didn't point out Lord Valentine's Castle, which I read long ago and instilled in young me the belief that juggling is inherently super cool (one I quickly learned was far from universal.) I'm enamored of the idea of the tragic comedian, as well as the 'man of peace turned to violence' trope in general. I imagine his motley being similar to Dottore in construction, but with a red hooded cloak rather than the hat/mask, and a black and white harlequin checker pattern. I Started a Joke/Bee Gees, Still I'm Sad/The Yardbirds, Cirkus/King Crimson, Death of a Clown/The Kinks.
|
