A young man of twenty-five or so years, of chelish decent. Kaio tries to cultivate a rakish appearance, hanging onto the latest trends as best a commoner can. A hint of smugness and dash of brashness to draw in the unwary into a game of “chance” and his next payday. Of average build and largely uneducated, he relies on psychological tricks, sleight of hand and street smarts to navigate life. The destination, hopefully; greatness. Mainly in the form of wealth and security, but also the ability to relax, enjoy camaraderie without playing games or people. When drunk he tends to complain about the state of things and how he could do it better, given the chance. Usually wrong. Favourite food is walnuts and have long tried to devise a trick to open them with a playing card, though no success so far.
Makes his home in a small run-down apartment in northern old Korvosa. But at least it's clean enough and not too cold. Main issue is the seagulls that like to wake up far too early in the morning. The place is not quite his, though his landlord lost enough money on a few games of dice that one time, that they have an understanding.
Ten Minute Background:
Kaio Felix wrote:
1) A professional card, dice and people player earning his keep in the seedier taverns of Korvosa.
2) His father was a gambler, not unlike himself – though he disdains that term. That's for people with more heart then head in the game.
3) Old man Felix went through the ice last winter. Too drunk? Or maybe finally lost enough to give up. Kaio isn't sure – nor it is anything he'd like to think about.
4) Now responsible for his sister Emi, though he loaned enough money to try and give her a less slimy chance at one of the orphanages.
5) Interested in the occult. If one can read a palm; one should be able to read a face. And imagine the games to play …
Goals wrote:
1) His sister is now missing, despite everything... Or is it because “everything” was barely anything and he should never had let her out of sight? Regardless; finding her is priority number one (actually quite refreshing for that not to be himself. Quite terrifying as well!)
2) Playing a high stakes game with the movers and shakers of Korvosa. In a beautiful hall, surrounded by glamour and elegance – looking down at the city instead of up on the splendor.
Secrets wrote:
1) Kaio can't remember his mother. Nor Emi's, whom his father claimed were the same. But... There's a good ten years between us?
2) Though he doesn't show many genuine emotions – literally his job not to – Kaio wishes he could be a bit more open, a bit more warm. Maybe that'd make it easier to make close friends? For now though; food was more important.
Three people wrote:
1) Sammy the Ham – The massive man is certainly not the brightest of Lamm's goons, but probably the kindest. When playing at the tables of Eel's End, he's a handy friend to have around in case things get rowdy. Though he doesn't gamble Sammy loves card tricks and “magic”.
2) Disella Sacer – the orphan keeper entrusted with Emi. Kaio's perception is certainly tainted by the glaring lack of said sister, viewing the woman as a wicked, greedy and selfish creature he'd sew into a sack of rocks and throw into the bay if he only could. Maybe it's that simple. Maybe not.
3) Tris ol'Tree – Medium, grandma-substitute and what passes for healthcare in Old Korvosa. Weather bitten and a bit forgetful, Kaio has known her since he was … three? Something around that; he had a nasty cough and needed more care then the hovel in the Shingles could provide. Finding each other surprisingly agreeable, he spent many more late evenings there waiting for his father to return from his gambling sprees. In the meanwhile, he learned a trick or two in exchange for minor chores and a set of young eyes.
Memories wrote:
1) Skating with Emi and his father one cold winter day. A cherished memory of an happy family.
2) The thrill of his first big win. His s!%% eating grin and the adrenaline of fleeing from the older kids seeking to reclaim their losses.
3) The aroma of exotic spices just unloaded in the docks, the dream of one day being the recipient of such wonder.
Background & Notes:
Kaio Felix – I ain't a gambler, unlike my father. I love to play. Not losing. If you are good enough, your marks drunk enough, it's a living. Had I owned a coat nice enough to get into The Heights, I'd be rich by now. Life ain't a meritocracy though. The suckers around Eel's End doesn't have much to their names. And they're really sore about losing. That's how I became 'acquainted' with one Gaedran Lamm. Generous fella, willing to lend some muscle for a cut. Even spotted me a loan when needed. Sours a bit he'd stick a knife in my back, but I don't think he cares. Or knows.
Emilia Felix – sister
Lil Emi, my sister barely half my age. Our fathers one good deed, a little sunshine in a grimy slimy world. Loves carrots, cats and being an adorable little s%&$. I've borrowed enough money from Lamm to get her into one of the nicer places in town. Enough that I'll be kissing his boots for years (more then now!) but it'll be worth it to keep her safe.
Disella Sacer – Scrapper's Hall's orphan keeper
I've never been much of a caretaker, just barely a passable brother to Emi. My work, the sleazy taverns and rowdy players, is not a place for a child. My life is not a suitable place for a child. Hells know, not suitable for anyone. So when father drunkenly stumbled down the docks for the last time, I had to figure out something. Taking loans I shouldn't I could just afford Emi a spot at that place Disella runs. So she'd be safe, so she'd be warm. That was the plan at least. Worked for a while too... But I guess that hag of a woman figured out I had no more money, nothing to give or donate. They said Emi just got up and ran away. Liar, cheats – I know my sort – and their cursed hunger for gold!
By orchestrating the movement of his ally’s body, the mesmerist imparts to that ally his own skill at a physical task. The mesmerist can trigger this trick when the subject attempts a Strength- or Dexterity-based skill check. The subject either uses the mesmerist’s bonus on the skill check in place of her own or gains a morale bonus on the check equal to the mesmerist’s Charisma bonus, whichever results in a higher modifier. The mesmerist can’t implant this trick on himself.
Defiant Luck (Advanced Race Guide pg. 77) wrote:
You can sometimes defiantly shrug off spells and attacks that would kill a lesser creature.
Prerequisites: Human.
Benefit: Once per day, after you roll a natural 1 on a saving throw or a critical hit is confirmed against you, you can either reroll that saving throw, or force the creature that confirmed the critical hit against you to reroll the critical confirmation roll. This does not stack with other effects that allow you to reroll a saving throw or an attack roll. You may only make one reroll.
Special: If you are using the optional hero point system, you can also spend 1 hero point when a critical hit is confirmed against you to have the opponent reroll the critical hit confirmation roll.
