Jamros Lightouch's page

Jamros spent his early days the same way most young gnomes do. Following everyone else's coat tails. Some days he would follow the halflings, working small jobs for a small wage. On others, he would join the human children in their strange games that fascinated him to end. And still others he would prowl the alleyways with the thieves and low-lifes, preying on the innocent for their own gain. Good and bad didn't matter to Jamros, all he cared about was that sweet feeling of discovery.

He found his greatest discovery in Tear, his first and strongest love. They did everything together, sharing new experiences every day. She even taught him about magic, how weaves through the earth beneath him and the air around them. She was stronger with magic and could even see it all around them. Jamros relished the challenge of finding her secret. His pursuit of knowledge naturally led him to Korvosa’s prestigious school of magic, the Academae.

Tear didn't like that idea. The Academae was a scary place filled with nasty demons, creepy rituals and homework worst of all, but Jamros didn't listen. He told her “There's so much to find there and so many spells they'll make your spin.” that was the last time he spoke to Tear and the very next day he applied for enrollment. The Academae’s caretakers were all too willing to accept a race as magically gifted as gnomes into their ranks.

And yet the small gnome disappointed them at every turn. For several years Jamros toiled under the watchful gaze of his professors. Realizing that their magic was not like Tears magic, he shunned the all of his teachings and availed himself entirely on the school's vast repository of written knowledge. There were so many spells. So many new, colorful and exciting spells. But nothing like Tears magic. This was the first time Jamros had felt learning something had wasted his time and he knew that only Tear had the answers he sought. Dropping out was simple enough. The Academae wanted nothing to do with Jamros at that point and were all too quick to verily shove him out the door.

But what awaited the young gnome outside the school's walls was not the life he had left behind. It wasn't long before Jamros discovered Tears whereabouts. The Grey district was a lonely place and he felt that quite keenly as he sat crying at the gravestone. How inadequate it felt. So insufficient to contain the splendor that was her life. And the more he thought about it, the more inadequacy he found. In the grey quarter-No! The whole damn city. It disgusted him, so much so that he needed a distraction from it all.

Then a distraction came. Trail of smoke that seemed to beckon to him. He followed without question, winding his way through the many rows of stones and treading deeper into Korvosa’s history. All around him wisps of smoke appeared, taking shape and forming great canopies. Suddenly they weren't smoke anymore and Jamros wasn't in Korvosa. The air was filled with sound of songbirds and buzzing bees. And the roses! They were everywhere and best of all they were black instead of red. Jamros thought that rather curious and he wanted so badly to smell one. Leaning forward he inhaled deep, but instead of a rich bouquet, he smelled sulfur. He felt very hot suddenly and turning around it became clear why. The roses were on fire, burning to a crisp. Jamros wanted to run, but his path was blocked. A single tombstone sat before him. Carved on its face were many letters, but only one name seemed important. Thrune.

Years later when Jamros thought back on his life, he wondered why he had snuck onto that merchant ship Cheliax. At the time he told himself it was so he could discover more of the world, but now he knew better. Magic, true magic had shown itself to him and this “Thrune” would know why. Discovery didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was that unfinished puzzle and he would do anything to solve it.

“You don't know what you're turning down here sir.” Steven protested. “I mean this might be your big chance.”

“My big chance? For what, to prance about in silly clothes and pretend smile at everyone?” Jamros said, not bothering to look up from his book.

“It'll be a nice change of pace from all the bloody messes you get yourself into.” Steven said, shuddering. “And besides, it's not like you're in the churches favor right now. Maybe smoothing over relations with Korvosa will show them you're more than the wild attack dog who sniffs out game and….are you even listening?”

Jamros closed the book loudly, thumping it on the table as he pushed his pale green hair from his face. “Well you see this book is very interesting and I was getting to the best part before you so rudely interrupted.” he said as he reached for his hat and placed it on his head.

“You're going out? Lord Virgil will be expecting a respo-”

Jamros raised a hand, silencing the young squire. “Lord Sagging-Jowls Will get his answer in due time Steven. I have important matters to attend to.” he said then motioned towards the weapon rack. “Fetch me Glenda.”

Steven sighed exasperated, but heeded his master. “I'll never understand why you choose to carry such a cumbersome weapon. Why not the mace?” he said, frustration making way for curiosity.

“Where I'm going it's best not to display my badge of office.” Jamros replied, slotting the double ended staff into the grooves on his exquisitely crafted leather armor. “Don't wait up for me.”

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“Right then, there's the paperwork. It will get you safe passage on the Gliding Gale.” the rotund merchant exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “Now I must ask, what sparked this sudden interest in Tian Xia hmm?”

Darren could think of any number of reasons to depart from Cheliax, though he doubted it would be wise to disclose them to a sleazy merchant. So he merely replied “J-just seeing the sights. Felt like I needed a change you know?”

The corpulent man nodded in mock agreement. “Of course, of course. After all, I hear Tian Xia is beautiful this time of…” he stopped suddenly, taking notice of a figure at the back of the shop. “Can I help kind sir?” he said giving a smile That revealed several gold teeth.

“Unfortunately no.” the robed figure replied, pulling out a hooked pole casually. “You see, it's this gentleman here that has something I need.”

Darren, recognizing the voice, reached for his wand, but the stranger was quicker, sending the blunt end of his weapon in a rising arc that smacked Darren upside the head. The blow made him reel, but it gave him time to aim his wand. Darren muttered a few arcane words under his breath and sent a small globe of acid hurtling towards his assailant. The attack would have hit its mark, but the man spun his strange weapon about, deflecting the acid. A few drops were able to get past his defenses however, and sizzled as they made contact with his cloak.

Darren sneered then barreled forward hoping to catch his attacker by surprise. The stranger threw off his cloak, revealing a small man with pale green hair, and he reacted by sweeping the blunt end of his weapon in a low arc. The maneuver caught Darren off guard and his momentum caused him to trip and face plant.

Jamros stood over the mage's prone form, holding the hooked end of his weapon inches from his throat. “And where do you think you're going?” he asked, leaving the hooked end of Glenda hovering mere inches from the man's throat.

“No where! I was just going on a short vacation is all.” Darren blurted, eyeing the hook fearfully. “Is there something wrong with that?”

“Oh heavens no. Everyone needs a vacation every now and again.” he said with a chuckle, pulling a notebook out of pocket. “Some more than others it would seem. You know I read a fascinating book recently. Would you care to hear about it? Of course you would.”

Jamros flipped through his notes one handed, not removing the hook from Darrens throat. “Its a story about a boy who was so very lonely. So lonely in fact that he decided to pay pretty women to be friends with him. Trouble was, the boy didn't have any money and the money he did have belonged to the state. So he stopped giving them money so he could be happy with his new friends. However all good things must end, and the boy became very frightened when the state discovered his trick. What did he do? Well he ran far away and he lived happily ever after.” Jamros’ speech culminated with him closing his notes and replacing them in his pocket. “Now, what do you say we tell that nice little story to the guards hmm?” he said, and with a flourish, spun his pole about. Darren didn't have time to react as the pole smacked the back of head, knocking him unconcience.

Jamros sighed and was about to call the guards when he spotted something among the merchants wares that caught his eye. The merchant cowered when Jamros approached with a mad grin. “Salutations good sir. Might I inquire as to where you found that brooch?” he said indicating a silver brooch that depicted a songbird grasping a bouquet of flowers in it's talons.

The merchant tried to put on his customary smile, but his lips were quivering as he began to speak. “Ah y-yes, a most delightful piece is it not?”

“Yes, and one I am intimately familiar with.” Jamros replied no longer smiling. “And I don't believe you answered my question.”

“Well I've had this brooch for some years. It was sold to me by one of my contacts in Korvosa.”

“And who was this contact exactly?” Jamros said with an eery calm, as he leaned forward over the counter.

“I don't know his real name, but he called himself a lamb.” the merchant said, clearly trying to avoid eye contact.

“Lambs?” Jamros mouthed, then he was smiling again and chuckled. “Thank you, you've been very co-operative.” he said before smashing the glass counter with his hammer and gingerly removed the brooch from among the broken glass. “You have good night now, Mr Samiir.” Jamros said as he skipped out of the shop, whistling a merry tune.

Samiir wiped the sweat from his brow and replied “Th-thank you for your patronage sir.” but Jamros was no longer listening. He was far too engrossed in his own thoughts Maybe I'll stop by Lord Virgil’s office after turning in young Darren. I do believe I have that answer now.

-To be continued

Jamros
Male Gnome
Inquisitor 1 (Witch Hunter)
CN Small Humanoid (gnome)
Init +1; Senses Perception +9
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DEFENSE
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AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +1 size, +1 Dex)
Hp 13 (1d8 +1 Con, +1 class bonus)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +5
Defensive Abilities Judgement 1/day
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OFFENSE
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Speed 20 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee Heavy Mace +3 (1d6 +2) (x2)
Gnome Hooked Hammer +3 (1d6 +2/1d4 +2) (x3/x4)
Ranged Light Crossbow +2 (1d6) (x2 19-20)
Spells (CL 1st; concentration +4)
1st (3/day)—cure light wounds, doom (DC 14)
0—detect magic, sift, light, read magic
Domains Spellkiller Inquisition
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 16, Cha 9
Base Attack +0; CMB +1; CMD +12
Feats DisruptiveB, Toughness
Traits Bruising Intellect, Lost Love (Widowed), Asmodean Demon Hunter (no effect)
Skills
*Heal +3 (+3 Wis)
*Intimidate +8 (+2 Int, +1 rank, +3 class skill, +1 Stern Gaze, +1 Trait bonus)
*Knowledge Arcana +6 (+2 Int, +1 rank, +3 class skill)
*Knowledge Local +3 (+2 Int, +1 rank)
*Knowledge Nobility +3 (+2 Int, +1 rank)
*Knowledge Planes +6 (+2 Int, +1 rank, +3 class skill)
*Knowledge Religion +6 (+2 Int, +1 rank, +3 class skill)
*Linguistics +3 (+2 Int, +1 rank)
*Perception +9 (+3 Wis, +1 rank, +3 class skill, +2 racial bonus)
*Sense Motive +8 (+3 Wis, +1 rank, +3 class skill, +1 Stern Gaze)
*Spellcraft +6 (+2 Int, +1 rank, +3 class skill) (+9 when identifying spells, magic items or scrolls)
*Stealth +3 (+1 Dex, +4 size bonus, -2 armor penalty)
*Survival +3 (+3 Wis)
Languages Common, Gnome, Sylvan, Elven, Orc, Infernal
SQ Judgement 1/day, Stern Gaze, Spellkiller Inquisition, Spell Sage
Combat Gear wand of acid splash (28 charges), potion of cure light wounds
Other Gear backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, candles (10), cheap holy text, flint and steel, iron pot, manacles, mess kit, rope, soap, spell pouch, torch (10), trail rations (5 days), waterskin, wooden holy symbol, heavy mace, gnome hooked hammer, lamellar (leather), light crossbow, bolts (20)
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Spellkiller Inquisition (profane) You gain the Disruptive feat as a bonus feat (even if you do not meet the prerequisites). When you defeat an enemy (whether by reducing it to 0 or fewer hit points, taking the enemy captive, or accepting a truce), you gain a +2 sacred or profane bonus to AC for 1 minute per level. You gain a sacred bonus if you are good, profane if you are evil; if you are neutral, you choose either sacred or profane when you select this inquisition. After you choose which type of bonus you gain, you cannot change the bonus type. When you hit a creature with levels of alchemist or any arcane spellcasting class, or that uses spell-like abilities, you can end this effect to stagger that creature. The creature gets a DC 14 Fortitude saving throw against this effect on each of its turns (including the turn in which it gained the effect). A successful save ends the staggered condition