I still haven't decided on a second trait, but this is my mostly finished concept: an "imperial kobold" who is trying to become the family guardian (or kirin) of the Kaijistu family.
By the way, I'm taking the Childhood Crush for Ameiko, but I was wondering if I could reflavor it so that, rather than earning her love, Karp is trying to earn her approval as a guardian spirit. If she ultimately acknowledges him as a true and proper dragon spirit, that counts as earning her "love". Would that be cool?
Stats:
Karp the Kobold
Male Kobold Sorcerer/1
LN Small Humanoid (Reptilian)
Homeland: Tien Xia
Init +2; Senses Perception +2
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Defense
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AC 15 Touch 14 Flat-footed 12
HP 6/6
Fort +0 Ref +3 Will +2
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee
Special Abilities Water Blast +4 DC 13 Ref (6/day)
Spells
1st (DC 14) - Mage Armor, Snowball (DC 15)
0th (DC 13) - Detect Magic, Read Magic, Ray of Frost, Resistance
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Elemental Focus (Cold)
Traits Childhood Crush (Ameiko),
Skills Kn. Arcana +5 (1), Spellcraft +5 (1), Use Magic Device +7 (1)
Languages Draconic, Common
Combat Gear
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Equipment
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History:
Karp actually hails from Tien Xia's southwestern coast, and has traveled a great distance with the help of his mentor, Lo Shin'Pa, an imperial sea dragon. Much like his teacher, Karp displays traits of imperial dragons more than traditional western dragons, sporting stubby antlers in place of fringes, a pair of long scaly whiskers, and a prominent (albeit, small) trail of frills all the way down his spine. Nevertheless, his pride in his draconic blood motivated him to seek out his imperial teacher and master the powers that he was born with. Seeing as he demonstrates great control over water, it seemed natural to consult an ocean dragon for aid, but to his surprise, Karp was born with an even greater destiny to his name: he was the descendant of a family kirin (or guardian) who was slain in battle protecting the family he was charged with.
Inspired at learning of his history, Karp trained for 5 years with Lo Shin'Pa, relentlessly learning to master the power in his blood and harness it for his new purpose: becoming a family kirin himself (and in the process, becoming a full fledged dragon!) Daily meditations and deep reflection with the aid of a friend of the dragon, a Samsaran named Rai Nox, allowed Karp to reach deep into his bloodline's history and learn the name of the family he must protect: the Kaijitsu family. With Lo Shin'Pa's aid, Karp learned that the last member of the family, Ameiko Kaijitsu, lived in a town far to the west called Sandpoint. Taking wing on his mentor's back, Karp traveled quickly to his new charge and eventually found her... much to her confusion.
Currently, Karp resides in Sandpoint, staying as close to Ameiko as he possibly can without annoying her, but watching dutifully over her from day to day.
Personality:
Karp takes his duty as the Kaijitsu family guardian very seriously, and will readily lay down his safety for anyone from the bloodline... although currently, the only one left is Ameiko. Karp realizes that despite his task, he is still learning how to properly carry out his duties, and considers himself a "dragon-in-training". He also understand that Ameiko is quite capable of fending for herself, but he insists on handling any task that he feels may put her in greater danger than she can manage. (Sadly, he views EVERY task as a dangerous one, leading to him constantly waiting on Ameiko hand and foot until she shoos him away.) Even so, Karp in convinced that if he can become a proper family guardian and earn Ameiko's acceptance of his position, he will ascend into true dragonhood.
When "off duty", Karp likes to learn as much as he can get his claws on, even if he has some trouble understanding it. Although not particularly studious or bright, he enjoys flexing his mental capacity and challenging his mind in new ways. Anything that relates to dragons or dragonkind in particular excites him, and can occupy his time for hours on end if he's not careful (a fact Ameiko has exploited to her advantage more times than she cares to count). He enjoys experimenting with new things, and if something unknown is on hand, you can bet it will be Karp's hands that be the first to toy with it... even if he probably shouldn't.
Yeah, that puts me in the ground. Or in the dragon's stomach, I guess.
Thanks for running this, though. I enjoyed it while it lasted! (Methinks next time, I'll be going with a blasting sorcerer, or at least something normal. I just attribute this short run to bad luck.)
Karp snarls as he raises his trident once move, leveling the weapon at the dragonkin before glaring. The weapon started to glow with a light blue hue as he shouted again, darting into his enemy with his new weapon.
Activating smite on the dragon and adding to the rolls. Probably gonna need it.
If my luck persists like this, it very well might be. Perhaps this is why people don't recommend kobolds as frontliners. :/
Karp shakes his head as he tosses the blood trickling down from the fresh wound off into the snow, staining it. He was about done for, and he knew it. If this abuse kept up, he wouldn't last another minute.
Still, if he was going down, he was going down fighting. Raising his trident skyward, blood blinding his vision a bit, he shouted loud and proud in his native tongue.
"Though I may fall, mighty Baa Looguh's will shall persist! May the Saline Ones grant me strength! TALLY HO!" he cried, before lunging for the dragon and hoping to deal a crucial blow to the beast.
Karp pants, not looking very good himself. Halfway dead, but refusing to stand down, Karp demonstrates that kobold resilience and perseverance that would make other races marvel. Readying his trident once more, he charges in, aiming to stab the dragonkin straight between the eyes.
Karp feels the claw cut into him, leaving him wounded badly. Still, no rightful champion of the Great Wet Ones would give in this easy! In spite of his vicious wound, Karp readies his trident again, tackling the beast with his weapon as blood continued to paint the surrounding snow.
Disabled now, staggered as well. Taking 1 damage to attack again.
Karp startles back, surprised by the leaping dragon creature. However, at the last second, he whips his shield out, pushing it back and panting a bit. Drawing his trident, Karp snarls back.
"A dragon!? I dislike fighting my distant kin, but if you mean me harm... TALLY HO!" Lunging forward, Karp aims to skewer the beast with his ramshackle polearm.
Karp wades through the snow, forging on in spite of it nearly covering him up to his waist. The heavy packs he carries both aid in plowing through the snow, and hinder him by slowing him down...
Karp sifts through the weaponry, not finding a great deal of anything that he could use with it all being unsized for him. However, he opts to take the opulent dagger, figuring it could come in handy at some point later. Perhaps as a trade, or even a useful tool. Satisfied, Karp continues on his way along the trail.
Yes, I just forgot to change it and use a CLW potion.
Potion of CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Karp flies away and falls facedown into the snow as the log knocks him completely off his feer. Groaning into the snow, he grabs another potion out of his back and downs it, wincing as he tried to keep himself on his feet. Today simply wasn't his day...
Potion of CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Yeah, just keeping my head afloat on this little venture. Shortest rescue in history. :/
Getting up and barely on his feet, blood starting to wash away the blue dye on his scales and revealing the brown skin underneath. Walking back to the chest, Karp kicks it, grumbling before continuing on the path.
Karp pauses as he approaches the chest, creeping towards it carefully and pulling out his trident. Leaning closer, Karp pokes at the chest, before carefully attempting to lift the lid and see what might be inside. After the zombies, it was clear whoever was behind this attack was playing games with their pursuers, so he's not totally trusting of this abandoned chest.
Satisfied with his efforts, Karp decides to leave the beings there for the wilds to deal with. Given how cold it is, they were sure to freeze or at the very least succumb to some pack of wild animals. He hated to leave his precious net, but all in the name of justice. He could get another.
Grabbing any gear he dropped, Karp ran off down the path, trident raised and yelling his battle cry. "Tally ho!"
Karp stares down at the zombies, readying his net and dropping it down over the undead to corral them together. Then, lassoing the corralled creatures, Karp began to run around the creatures together, hoping to tie them to the tree before they could react.
Not sure what I would roll for that. It's more executing a strategy and hoping it works...
Karp reaches back into his pack, balanced on the branch as he retrieved his fishing net and a length of rope, tying the rope into a big lasso. Looking down at the zombies, Karp whistled, calling the other two over to his location.
"Almighty Baa Looguh! Grant me your blessing as I cast my net to the frozen waters, and bring forty a bountiful harvest! ...please!"
Karp breathed a heavy sigh as he downed the potion, before stepping back. This wasn't working, and he was quickly getting outnumbered. It was time to work smarter, not harder!
Turning and taking off to the entrance of the trail, Karp growled as he started to climb up the nearest tree and out to a branch hanging over the path. Now if he could just lure them under him...
Karp snarls as the zombie gets in another blow on him. Hopping back a couple feet, Karp fishes out one of those potions and stuffing it in his maw, chugging it as he readied his trident for another stab, spitting out the emptied bottle at the undead.
Karp hard work is rewarded with a good thwack to his front armor plates, knocking him back and off into the snowy ground. "Undead!? Bah, rabble-rousers! In our tribe, we say the dead are of little use! Away with you! Tally ho!"
Karp drew his shield and trident from his back, before stepping forward and jabbing his unimpressive weapon into the nearest undead.
Karp dives into the carriage of clothing, digging around inside before poking his head back up at the other carriage, half a dress still draped over his face.
"Ah! Someone is trapped inside? Tally ho!" he cried his strange battle cry, leaping out and rushing to the other carriage before yanking it's door open.
Karp pauses, turning back to look at the carriages. Grimacing a little, he decided perhaps he should check. Maybe something was still intact he could use to track them?
Heading back for the carriage, Karp opens the door of the overturned one, peering inside to see if anything was left.
Breaking the sword free, Karp tumbles back to the ground, grunting on impact. Having acquired the sword, Karp hitches it up to his backpack, before opting to head down the path and follow the snowy trail into the forest. Odds were, if that woman was kidnapped, they'd have dragged her this way...
Karp twists his head around as he looks up at the icy statue, cocking his head to one side and the other. Some of this looks helpful, if only because such beauty might have some value to others; they looked too big for his little frame. Blast... a cart and donkey would've been useful right about now...
Still, he might be able to handle carrying that longsword. Clambering up, Karp attempts to dislodge the blade from it's icy grasp.
The thought to get some warmer clothing luckily crosses Karp's mind before leaving town, stopping at the shop and picking up a small set of them. After a good hike through the slowly chilling air (and possibly getting lost once or twice), Karp locates the site of the attack.
With nothing nearby, Karp moves closer, intrigued by the statue of ice. His fringes tighten as he creeps ahead, keeping a watch for anything that might still be left behind...
That'll be awesome. Travel is good to cover if it serves the story. Otherwise, eh, it's skippable, imho.
Karp takes the potions and looks up at the ulfen, nodding. "With mighty Baa Looguh at my stead, I can accomplish this task. Rest easy, I shall return with her lady-ness soon!"
Stepping out, Karp puts the potions in his bag, before retrieving his armaments and making haste out of town in the directions provided.
Karp listened intently, before pounding his chest and grinning toothily. "Hah! Then they shall be shocked to find my scales can bear the weight and cold of the deep oceans themselves! If they are so small, that will make them easier to chew!"
Karp immediately turns to start out the door, before stopping and coming back, a claw raised. "It would be wise to investigate this attack first... except I have no directions. Perhaps someone could lend me a map?"
Karp winced at the sight of the big ulfen warrior; in the back of his mind, he was starting to have second thoughts about this venture... but he'd given his word! No turning back!
"Then it is fortunate I am here and not them; your wounds do not indicate a lack of valor. You are still of usefulness if alive, as our tribe always said!" The kobold consoled, before asking his questions. "What creatures must you have faced to earn such wounds? And how did you garner frost bites? It is warm around these parts."
"The servants of the Great Wet Ones need no reward: justice and aid are pleasures in and of themselves!" Karp said valiantly, oblivious to any sort of undertones the speaker may be having. "By all means, take me to him! I will see that his bravery shall not be in vain!"
Happily relinquishing his weapons, Karp follows his escort to see what kind of condition the battered bodyguard is in.
Karp's fringes perk up at the mention of a poor lady. Stopping at this, he ponders, cocking his head to one side and the other, before changing his direction and heading for the town hall. Once there, he asks for the mayor, and tells them that he wants to know more about the poor woman in need of rescue.
Well, something has emerged and made it's way into Heldren, though not from the icy forests. The opposite direction in fact, though it's certainly no less strange. A few days ago, a kobold had arrived in the village, outfitted in obviously homemade makeshift armor, a large shield that looked like it was simply torn off the side of an old tree and nailed with straps of leather, and a little rusty fishing spear converted to a trident with some very clumsy handiwork.
The kobold called himself Karp, and looked to be an odd mix of blue and brown, though some of the blue looked like it had been powdered or painted on. She had set up shop in the village square, unpacking and from the looks of it, getting ready to preach something. So far, he hadn't attacked anyone, but people still seemed to be keeping their distances...
Karp the Kobold
Male Kobold Paladin/1
LG Small Humanoid (Reptilian)
Deity: The Mighty Baalooguh Faction: None, Homeland: Andoran
Init +2; Senses Perception +1
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Defense
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AC 21 Touch 13 Flat-footed 19 (+5 Armor, +1 Size, +1 NA, +2 Shield)
HP 11/11
Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +3
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee Trident +4 (1d6+2/x2) or Heavy Shield Bash +4 (1d3+2/x2)
Ranged Trident (thrown) +4 (1d6+2/x2)
Special Abilities Detect Evil (At Will), Lay on Hands (1/day)
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Power Attack
Traits Called,
Skills Diplomacy +8, Perception +3
Languages Draconic, Common
Combat Gear Scale Mail, Longsword, Trident, Light Wooden Shield
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Equipment
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Scale Mail
Trident
Longsword
Light Wooden Shield
Paladin's Kit (10 gp, 9 sp, ~15 lbs)
-backpack
-bedroll
-belt pouch
-cheap holy text
-flint and steel
-iron pot
-mess kit
-rope
-soap
-torches (10)
-trail rations (5 days)
-waterskin
-wooden holy symbol
Fishing Net
77 gp 1 sp
About Karp:
Karp used to be a simple kobold miner, happily digging his days away in the mines for his tribe's benefit. However, a tunnel he was digging ran right into an underground waterhole, and flooded the tunnel, with poor Karp trapped and drowning. Just before blacking out, he believed he saw the image of some big fish coming to his aid. When he woke up, he was somehow safely at the entrance of the tunnel and saved from the water. Being the only one around, he believed he was saved by a whale deity (in spite of the fact he's never a whale or knows what one looks like). From that day on, he became dedicated to this magnificent being of the sea, and promised to spread the word of "The Great Wet Ones" to the world. When he presented this news to his tribe, they laughed in his face and bullied him for it. Taking their insults as a challenge, he left and journeyed out to hopefully find his mighty whale god to receive his true instructions. In the process, he helps any and all that he can provide aid to.
Karp is generally a good-natured kobold, willing to aid and assist those in need, though he has a habit of jumping at the chance and getting in over his head. He constantly fights his urge to horde and hide as his instincts demand, but he recognizes sometimes, it's necessary to get the upper hand. Karp constantly preaches the good word of his whale deity, hoping to inspire others with the "divinity of salinity" and usually meets with little success. He has a poor sense of direction, so in spite of his efforts to find the ocean, he's never actually gotten to it. Karp has no sense of when to quit, as evidenced by his devotion to a nonexistent god of whales, but at the same time, this dedication serves him well, pushing him to extremes and providing quite the inspirational sight when he continues to get up and keep going when others would falter.
Nevermind! I totally have a character for a solo adventure: a kobold paladin!
Granted, he needs a bit of work to get his stats and stuff up to par, but gimme a bit and I shall fix that!
Short version: he's a kobold who survived drowning and believes it was the work of a whale god, so he serves "Baalooguh" and the rest of "The Great Wet Ones" by spread the divine saline word to all!
Karp, the eternal servant of the Saline Ones, is ready to serve these parched lands and bring them the gift of the oceans!
. . . I know that's amusing, but I think that character concept is a little too insane.
Insane? No, he's actually remarkably sane, just... confused. He's convinced he was saved from drowning by a whale god, so now he's in it's service. Other than that, he's really just an incredibly good natured kobold.
