About Janus Tucca
Description
Janus is a short, small-framed man in his late teens. He has features typical of lower-class Chelaxians in Korvosa — a pale complexion and an almost hawkish face with sharp cheekbones and a narrow nose, cheeks, and chin, usually with no more than a day of stubble. He has flat black hair that he keeps cut to shoulder length, often tied back with a worn leather cord. His eyes have rich brown and gold hues, but easily become darkened by shadows when he suffers from lack of sleep. Growing up in Old Korvosa, Janus learned the trick of being unobtrusive when he was a young boy. He wears simple dockworker’s clothes, covered by a hooded cloak at night or in inclement weather.
Physical Ability Scores High Dex (16), Higher than average Str (12)
Skills Acrobatics, Perception
Tropes Badass Bookworm
Gear Shortswords (2) (20 gp), Studded Leather Armor (25 gp), Pickpocket’s Outfit (—)
Personality
Shaped by his brother’s good nature and leadership, but also the necessities of surviving Old Korvosa, Janus does what is necessary for his family and friends to survive, even if his plans typically don’t strictly conform to the laws of Korvosa. Contemptuous of the wealth and power flaunted by Korvosa’s merchant and noble elite, Janus is happy to redistribute things to his views of a more equitable situation. An inveterate schemer, Janus has grown to appreciate the art of the heist or scam nearly as much as the result.
Alignment Chaotic Good
Mental Ability Scores High Int (14), High Cha (16)
Skills Bluff, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Knowledge (local), Perform (oratory), Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, Stealth
Tropes The Smart Guy
Janus’s Story
Vergil was supposed to lead the family to better times. Maybe even greatness. Janus's older brother showed an early knack for the arcane. He was bold, exciting, and the hero Janus and his siblings looked up to for protection on the streets of Old Korvosa. Janus never knew his parents well. Youngest of seven, his mother died giving birth to him and his father was crushed in a dock accident when he was three. Vergil was his light...and his hope for a better life.
It was Vergil who helped Janus learn survival on the streets of the old city. Who was a friend. Who to avoid. How to make his way across the Shingles without getting killed. It was Vergil that chased off Lamm's goons when they tried to lure Janus into their gang. And it was Vergil who taught Janus how to harness the strange new talents with random lights, sounds, and embarrassing smells that suddenly showed up when he turned ten.
When the wizard's came for Vergil and gave him a rare scholarship to the Academae, Janus and all of his brothers and sisters knew their days of begging, stealing, and performing odd jobs across the city would soon end. Vergil would be a great wizard. His success would raise the entire family to a better station. But Janus saw his brother change as studies in the Hall of Summoning took their toll. Something was wrong. His eyes were haunted. He became gaunt and a weight seemed to fall on his back.
But Janus wrote it off as just weariness from the studies. Soon the old Vergil would be back. But it was never to be. One day, Vergil stopped coming. Word came from the Academae that he was dead. Slain by a devil or demon.
Unable to accept that his brother was gone, Janus sought answers. He threw himself against the Academae only to be rebuffed by the wizards. He hounded students at their haunts and chased imps over the rooftops. His persistence was rewarded. Two names. Shiver...and Lamm.
But Lamm proved to be an elusive quarry, even to one as street savvy as Janus. With rumors of the king’s imminent death swirling through the streets, the young man hunted Lamm, only to have word of the criminal’s demise reach his ears instead.
Archetype: Sandman
Languages Shoanti, Varisian
Spells Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Light, Prestidigitation, Disguise Self, Grease
Bardic Performance Stealspell
Bard (Sandman) Special Abilities Master of Deception
Feats Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse
Traits Drug Addict (friend), Vagabond Child (urban)
Tropes Promotion to Parent, Death by Newbery Medal, Big Brother Mentor, Tragic Bromance
Gear Blue Book (Korvosa), Masterwork Thieves’ Tools (100 gp)
Janus Tucca (20 point buy, 2nd Level)
Male Human (Chelaxian) Bard (Sandman) 2
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses Perception +4
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 13 (2d8)
Fort +0, Ref +6, Will +2; +4 vs. bardic performance, sonic, and language-dependant effects
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee masterwork shortsword +3 (1d6+1/19-20/×2) and
. . shortsword +2 (1d6/19-20/×2)
Special Attacks bardic performance, bardic performance: countersong, bardic performance: distraction, bardic performance: fascinate
Bard (Sandman) Spells Known (CL 2nd; concentration +6):
1st (3/day)—hideous laughter (DC 14), grease (DC 14), disguise self
0 (at will)—detect magic, read magic, ghost sound (DC 13), prestidigitation (DC 13), light
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 12, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 16
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 15
Feats Two-weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse
Traits arcane temper, drug addict (friend), vagabond child (urban)
Skills Acrobatics +7, Bluff +9, Diplomacy +10, Disable Device +10, Knowledge (local) +6, Perception +4, Perform (oratory) +8, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +8, Use Magic Device +7
Languages Common, Shoanti, Varisian
SQ bardic performance: stealspell, family ties, master of deception, sneakspell: spell dc, well versed
Combat Gear Air crystal, Alchemical grease (3), Flash powder, Smoke pellet; Other Gear Studded leather armor, Masterwork Shortsword, Shortsword, Blue book (Korvosa), Spell component pouch, Thieves' tools, masterwork, 15 GP
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Bardic Performance (standard action) (9 rounds/day) Your performances can create magical effects.
Bardic Performance: Countersong (Su) Counter magical effects that depend on sound.
Bardic Performance: Distraction (Su) Counter magical effects that depend on sight.
Bardic Performance: Fascinate (1 targets) (DC 14) (Su) One or more creatures becomes fascinated with you.
Bardic Performance: Stealspell (DC 14) (Su) Touch attack while performing can steal the ability to cast chosen or random spells.
Family Ties Not fulfilling family requests: -2 penalty on all Wis and Cha based ability & skill checks (DC 20 Will negates).
Master of Deception +1 (Ex) You add half your bard level to Bluff, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth checks.
Sneakspell: Spell DC +1 (Ex) Bonus to spell DC if the target is denied DEX bonus.
Well Versed (Ex) +4 save vs. bardic performance, sonic, and language-dependent effects.
