Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Earlier with Murob...
Karzok answers her frown with a growl. It was a simple request, why was it not being honored? "Why do you hestitate? I do not take pleasure in killing, far from it. I assure you this is a heavy burden I carry. But the men I seek have wronged me in a very profound way and I intend to make it so that they never harm another person again." He looks down at the vials for a moment, then back up into Murob's eyes, "If you don't give them to me then, what, do you intend on selling them for coin at the first market we come across? What then? They'll be peddled to some cutthroat, which will use the poison to kill an innocent civilian in some dark alley? How would that weigh on your conscience?" He takes a step towards her, lowering his voice, "Wouldn't you prefer that I use it to put bad men into the ground? I would hope so." And with that he holds out a hand for the vials.
Presently...
After learning of the Yosiah's good intentions, he has no problem following his direction, although if it were up to him he would simply fire another grappling arrow across the chasm and climb across a rope. He wipes the sweat from his brow and takes a pull from his waterskin. Not waiting for any objections from the group, he trots off towards the ocean, scouting out the path before them, his dark shadow following closely behind him.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok listened in on the magically translated conversation with half an ear. On one hand he wanted to learn as much as he could about the surrounding area, but on the other his mind was already made up. He would travel to First Landing, alone if he had to. Breddaric and his men would pay for their crime and Karzok was here to see it through.
Seeing Murob studying the vials, Karzok walks over to her, "Manage to get a handle on what this stuff might be?"Assuming she tells him the vials are poison..."Poison, you say? I've a use for that. The men I'm looking for I intend to kill, so I'll take every advantage I can get." He says flatly, his dark eyes cold and without emotion.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Thank you. Baby and mama are doing just fine.
I like random encounters if they add something to the experience, but not so much if they're used for padding.
When I was running RotRL for a few friends, one of the most memorable moments was when I cooked up was a random encounter of a hydra and a couple marsh giants during a rafting voyage. They can certainly add something to the experience if they're done right.
Considering the high bar you've set up to this point, I say go for it.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Without looking up from his stew Karzok voices his agreement, the dancing flames reflected in his dark eyes. "We make for First Landing. I have business there that I must attend to." The dark concoction moistens his bristling chin as he nods to Murob, "As you say, we've no idea of this man's intent. He seems to be on the level, sure, but we already missed our destination by a fair margin. We've no need for more distractions." He stuffs a lizard skewer into his mouth, sucking on the bones.
He gestures to the merchant, "Any chance of rousing him before we leave in the morning? We could use another pair of hands. Besides, he looks over to Elizabeth and Arven, "you've gotta be tired of carrying the poor sap."
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok welcomed the solitude of the hunt. Since the crash, he really hadn’t had the chance to process all that had happened and what their new situation meant for his mission to find Breddaric and to destroy him and his men. Roaming the thick wood inevitably took him back to his time spent in seclusion within the Shudderwood when he transitioned from youth to man, from craftsman to bounty hunter.
Even though he was a world apart from that place, the sounds and the smells were virtually identical. His nostrils flared as he inhaled the thick aroma of pine and detritus and a calm settled over him. He didn’t allow himself too much time for fancy as he kept a sharp eye on the thick brush and soft earth. He picked clean a patch of wide, golden mushrooms and snatched up a handful of small lizards. He grunted in frustration as his arrow missed it’s mark and a brown hare darted off into the leaves, never to be seen again.
A few short days and they would be in First Landing and the real hunt would begin. Hopefully they encountered no more distractions in their trek to their new home.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
In other news:
In a shocking turns of events my consistent roll20 group dissolved today for a variety of RL related reasons. This is heartbreaking for two reasons:
1. In my experience it is extremely hard to find a reliable group on roll20.
2. We were playing my 'white whale' AP: Second Darkness. What really stings is that we just started book 3 and (I'm assuming) we were about to head to the Darklands.
I'm not going to hesitate to being the search for a new gig, so would any of you fantastic people know any good groups or players that frequent roll20 that you could put me in touch with?
The only caveat to this request is that I want to play in Golarion. I figure that if Paizo went out of their way to develop the setting, then I should honor that commitment by playing in it. Otherwise, I am up for just about anything.
I'll be searching for a new group on my own, of course, but if you all know someone, don't hesitate to chime in.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok spares no words for the still warm corpse. He grabs a wide leaf from a nearby tree and wipes his blade clean, sliding it back into it's sheath. To the halfling he simply says, "Try to stay with the group. I am called Karzok. From Ustalav."
He pulls out his bow and trots up to the front of the group, following closely behind Yosiah. Murob's comment catches his ear, "With a group this large traipsing through the woods I doubt I'll be able to find much game, but I'll range around and see what I can scare up." He splits off from the immediate group, traveling a few hundred feet away, keeping both his eyes and ears trained to the forest looking for available food sources.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Chest heaving after the short but furious battle, Karzok turns to Murob, "I believe that may not be the wisest way. This land may be foreign to us, but we were sent here to establish order and leaving a raging ogre loose to wreak it's vengeance on whomever it may stumble across is counter-intuitive to our goals. This beast cannot be left alive." He does not stall for the acquiescence of his companions.
Karzok walks over to the sleeping ogre, an impassive mask on his face. He raises the heavy blade of his greatsword to the sky and lets it fall onto the exposed neck of the ogre, creating a sickening thunk as it severs most of the tendons.
Coup de grace:4d6 + 14 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 6) + 14 = 34
If the defender survives the damage, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die, although I doubt that will be necessary!
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Seeing his opening, Karzok steps around the ogre, trying to draw some of the attention away from Yosiah. He seems to grow a few feet taller as he brandishes his huge finely made sword. With a growl he chops in from the side, hoping to take out the large brutes legs.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
As the ogre Karzok was attempting to flank slumps to the ground, Karzok keeps his head low, moving across the camp site in an attempt to flank that ogre with their new brazen friend.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok hears Murob words, but there is clear doubt in his eyes, "They mean to eat the halfling. I'm not quite sure they'll be that easy to scare off. This land seems to be less welcoming than we'd like and I plan on denying these beasts their next meal." Two sets of black eyes stare at Murob as his dark passenger mimics his every move. He slowly slides his greatsword from it's sheath and begins to move into a flanking position.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
After considering Mogwai's words for a moment, Karzok turns to Elizabeht, "I wouldn't so readily dismiss the search. We seemed like a capable group on the beach, I say we press on." He gives Sorala a side glance for confirmation.
"We have lost many and I'm sure a few of our group are still in shock. But if there is life left to preserve, I am one for seeing it through."
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
His work done, Karzok lets his rope fall to the ground as he easily makes his way back down. He removes the clawed gauntlets and stows them away along with the rope in his pack. He overheard a decision is in the process of being made and pipes in abruptly, "If Sorala wishes to locate this halfling, then that is my vote. I've already seen enough death for one day."Unless it was Breddaric and his men. Did they manage to avoid the storm? After we find this runt I've got to figure out how far away they may have landed.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok nods to Yosiah signalling that he is ready and then easily catches the end of the extended rope. He holds fast to the trunk with his thighs while tying a suitable load-bearing hitch around the man. He lowers the portly man safely to those on the ground who quickly slice through the webbing and begin diagnosing his condition.
Karzok braves the other branches and makes his way over to the other bundles, keeping his eyes on his surroundings, anticipating the arrival of a horde of disgruntled spiders at any moment.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok nods to the local, gathering up the rest of the weapons before quickly following the rest of his new companions into the trees. He stuffs the arrows into his already bristling quiver, slings the crossbow over his shoulder, and straps the spears to his back. He had become a walking armory.
He quickly notices the drag marks and the halfling's quick step, but follows suit looking up into the trees to see the human sized wads of webbing. "Hold a moment," he says to anyone looking like they're about to attempt the climb. He pulls out his damp silk rope and a grappling arrow and fires into the trees, hoping to catch on one of the thick branches.
Shortbow:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Karzok nods as the arrow finds purchase. He tests the rope's hold and then if no one else volunteers, he begins climbing up. He concentrates for a moment, summoning his shadow double into existence to bolster his defenses.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
At Yosiah's implied question, Karzok glances at Mogwai and nods, "Yes, he is friendly. A cleric of some sort, like you." He points at Mogwai and then to Yosiah, holding his hand to his chest and looks up to the sky as if in prayer.
As Yosiah does the burial rites, Karzok pulls out his worn Tien book and rips out a page. He bends down and gently lays it onto Dareon's chest. His way of saying goodbye was to leave a little piece of his legacy for the dead to take into the next life. A part of Karzok moves on while another part of him stays behind.
With that done he similarly moves on to help with the burial efforts. Once that is done, he takes a quick inventory of the spare weapons and approaches the well-dressed woman, "Can you fight? Could you make any use of these?" He points to the pile of weapons. "A dagger? Or crossbow perhaps?" His manner is awkward, and it is clear to any observer that is he unaccustomed to lending a helping hand to those in need.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok sits and stares out at the waves while the others take inventory of their situation and attempt to communicate with the bearded native. So caught up in his thoughts he doesn't see Sorala until she is nearly on top of him. He glances up, then does a double take as he sees his father's book in her hand and a twinkle in her eye.
Karzok's shadow double poofs out of existence as he leaps up from the sand with a cheer. Before he realizes what he is doing he grabs her up in a great bear hug, lifting her a few feet off of the ground. Then he notices the slight look of disapproval in her face and quickly sets her down. He clears a throat, taking a brief moment to compose himself, "Thank you my friend. I don't believe I have the adequate words to express how much this means to me. Thank you." He briefly flips through the worn pages and then stuffs the book into his soggy pack. He puts a hand to her shoulder in a more appropriate gesture of gratitude and then heads off to examine the gear.
He walks over to where Murob is identifying the items and is taken aback momentarily as she focuses her strange energies on his wounds. But he relaxes as her healing energies ease his pain, "Uh, ahem, thank you for that. You say these gauntlets are magical? The ones that came from the man we failed to save?" A dark cloud graces his eyes, and his shadow form threatens to return, but he steels himself against the darkness and accepts that the man's fate had been sealed.
He bends down and gingerly picks them up as if they might burn his fingers. Yet another token of the dead. He turns them over and examines the straps, finding them to be in working order. "I would make use of these, unless someone objects?" He glances around for a moment and when no one does, he begins ceremoniously strapping them onto his forearms. He looks through the rest of the gear and then picks up Dareon's body and begins marching inland. Once he finds a suitable place, he sets the body down gently and begins carving out a pit in the sand with the flat of his sword. It isn't long before sweat is running down his body in rivulets.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok roars at the fleeing gillmen, slashing the water a few times, spraying droplets of salt water into the sky in futility. The diplomacy being handled by the others, he simply stands and observes, nodding when he is named, and addressing any questions with short, curt answers.
He sits in the sand and watches the waves, not quite ready to begin this next chapter of their voyage just yet. His inner turmoil mirrored in the shadowy figure mimicking his every move. As Sorala leaves to begin her search, he motions for her attention, "The book - the Tien book - keep an eye out for me, would you?" He flashes her a half smile then resumes his thousand yard stare into the horizon.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok pauses for a moment as he watches the huge lizard lay waste to the ship and it's remaining crew. In the moment of clarity, he sees Sorala at his side, "Come, my friend, let us end these fools here and now!"
With a grunt he brings his massive sword to bear and thrusts forward, attempting to skewer one of the few remaining gillmen. A blade of pure shadow thrusts into the same opening.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Grunting his assent to Mogwai, Karzok steps over to put himself directly in front of the advancing gillmen. He grins as he selects a new target for his wrath, the gillmen whom the halfling attempted to stab with his spear. He raises his sword for a lethal strike, his shadowy companion mimicking his every move.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Fortitude:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Caught up in the fury of battle, Karzok barely notices as the lizards nip at his arms. Small trickles of blood run over his knuckles as he grips the hilt of his sword and swings away, hoping to destroy the lizard to the south as it attempts to flank him and his ally.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok growls something unintelligible as he charges in, his shadow double trailing his every move. Raising his massive sword he brings it down hard in a brutal overhand chop hoping to bring a swift end to the lizard threatening the howling goblin.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
leinathan wrote:
As Karzok gets up to ask about the lookout, he finds his movement restricted - something pulls on his ankle - and he nearly falls. He finds a rope looped around his ankle. Looking back behind him, he can see the lookout, face-down in the sand, a hand still clutched to the rope.
Karzok stumbled face first into the sand. He looked down at his leg and saw his silken rope caught on his ankle. Quickly he spun around, and when he saw Dareon's body he didn't even have the presence of mind to stand up, he simply crawled through the sands over to his motionless form.
It didn't take long for him to realize there wasn't anything he could do. The lookout was passed the point of being helped and had moved on from this world. Karzok sat in the sands, silent grief surging through his body.
At first, he was completely oblivious to the approach of the gillmen. But once the splashes got louder and the hissing began, the new arrivals had his full attention. He calmly stood up and stepped forward, sliding his immense sword from it's sheath. If he noticed the bearded cleric's pleas for peace with the locals, he showed no sign of it. The time for grieving had passed, now was the time to destroy. His pain must be justified by the slaughter of his adversaries. And these gillmen seemed like a fine place to start.
His muscles snapped taut as his veins bulged. He flexed his entire body until a dark replica of his form manifested from his pores and seeped out to stand beside him. He was vengeance manifest.
Shadow double:
Shadow Double (Sp): An ankou’s shadow can take a full-round action to create a single, quasi-real, shadowy duplicate. This shadow double remains in his square, mimicking his movements as a single mirror image, except that it lasts until it is destroyed or he chooses to dismiss it as a swift action. This ability does not stack with the mirror image spell or with similar abilities, such as the copycat ability of the Trickery domain.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Kn. Nature:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
It was a long moment before Sorala's words pierced Karzok's veil of grief. He looked up, then looked around, really taking in their surroundings for the first time. "What is this place?" he managed to croak before his minds eye returned to his last memory before the crash. "The lookout! Did he make it?" He begins scanning the beach for the man, trying to find some shred of hope in all this sorrow.
In his search he notices Murob milling about, checking on the wounded. He trots up to her, his boots squishing, the leather plates of his armor making small wet slapping sounds, "Have you seen the lookout?"
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok groans as he wretches sea water into the sands. He waits a moment for his vision to clear as he takes in his immediate surroundings. Their voyage was over, the ship was lost. And with that, his chances of catching his father's killers were also forfeit.
Panic knifes through his chest as he pats himself down, realizing his Tien book was lost at sea. His last memento of his father was gone. "GGRRrruuuuaaAAAHHH!" he bellows in utter futility, startling a few colorful birds in the nearby trees which quickly take flight to avoid the growling menace on the beach.
Karzok sat up, his head hanging low, hot tears streaming down his face.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
The elation of his shot finding it's mark is short-lived as the deck pitches once more and the struggling sailor falls out of view. Karzok reacts similarly with Murob and Sorala, quickly grabbing the uncoiling rope, bracing himself against the rail and, with a great grunt, flexes all of his muscles against the weight of the water-logged man at sea.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok curses as his arrow hits the rail and starts as Murob pleads with him to try again with such intensity. "Yes! The arrow, where is it?!" His hands shaking--he's not accustomed to acting decisively under so much pressure--he searches the deck for the tied off arrow. Clearing the rope from any obstruction, he steadies himself on the lurching deck before taking a bead on the churning waters near the man and firing again.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok stops his descent with the others and the hairs on the back of his neck rise as Sorala claims that someone is trying to sink the ship. He crashes to the deck with a grunt as the great wave slams into the hull, but is quick to regain his footing.
Through the din of thunderous waves and ominous chanting, Karzok can just barely make out Murob's calls for help. He rushes to the rail while pulling a few items from his pack. He ties the end of his silk rope to an arrow and lets loose, firing in the area of the lookout, hoping not to skewer him outright. A natural 1 here might be interesting...
Shortbow:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5HOLY S*$& and I roll a 1. Karzok may have just become the most hated man on the ship!
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok grunts as the rains begin to pelt his armor. He quickly stashes his tattered book of Tien legends which he was flipping through to pass the time until landfall.
As he heads below deck he runs into Sorala and Henne, conversing with a female half-orc he'd spotted aboard, but hadn't yet had the chance to speak to, "Hello, my friend." He says to Sorala, and then glances at Murob, giving her a blank stare, unsure how to interact with another half-breed. "Did you all get a cha--" he stops short as his ears pick up the chanting between the claps of thunder, "A storm that speaks? Should we anticipate encountering such strange things in this foreign land?"
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Sorala wrote:
The Squire stepped aside as a pack of sows was herded, between two rails, into the cargo hold of The Odyssey. Inhaling deeply again, Sorala gave Karzok a quick nudge with her elbow, and then pointed to great ship. "Too bad we're not riding aboard that one, eh? At least for me. I'd probably have no work at all. Just kick back and enjoy the ride, like a noble aboard a, what're they called, a howdah?"
Dodging the animals, Karzok considers, ”I wasn’t given a job, so I guess it’ll be like that for me either way.” He shrugs. ”Although I’m not sure how much I’ll enjoy the ride.” He looks out over the open seas, the first time he’d ever laid eyes on something so vast, ”Then again, this is truly a wonderful display of our natural world. With an awesome sight like this, how can one be so caught up in one’s own inner demons?” He fingers the thick heavy ring on his right hand.
--
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Karzok’s head snaps up when the call that land has been spotted rings out. He squints his eyes at the blinding horizon, but finally he sees the thin line of green. His palms begin to sweat and his knuckles turn white as he grips the railing. "Somewhere out there Breddaric and his men are already infecting the land. Their taint will be purified by my blood-soaked hands."
His vengeful reverie is broken as a storm over the shattered remains of Azlant catches his eye. "That can't be good." He says to no one in particular.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Mid-30s gov't contractor from Maryland. Been playing TTRPGs since D&D 2e. I like a good balance of all aspects of gameplay and I feel that too much of any one thing can get stagnant.
I just realized that the three characters I am currently playing are a ranger, a rogue, and a slayer, so I guess you can tell what my wheelhouse is, heh. Glad to be a part of the group and looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Karzok's profile is good to go.
1. That scares me as a front-liner with an AC of 16, but all of your alternative suggestions sound good to me.
2. Nothing really bothers me much, so feel free to broach whatever subject you deem necessary.
3. I find most alignments don't really matter much anyway. The characters alignment always seems to come through in their role-play, whether intentional or not.
4. I'm not opposed to it, but let's discuss it when we get there in a year or three.
5 & 6. Sure thing. The combat maneuver rule sounds very interesting. That might open up some alternative build options for me, so I'll definitely keep it in mind.
Male Half-Orc Slayer (Ankou's Shadow) 2/Expert 1 | HP 16/23 | AC 16, Tch 12, FF 14 | CMD 17 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 | Init +4 | Perception +7 | Darkvision 60'
Hello and thanks for the selection. I've got the mechanics and combat gear hammered out in Hero Lab, I just have to do the mundane gear and Karzok will be all set.
Karzok was one of the few half-orcs that was the product of a happy, healthy relationship. They lived in relative solitude, on the edge of the Shudderwood, with the closest town being Tamrivena. His human father, Dennin, was a hardworking lumberman and his orc mother, Erza, was a housewife who would carve the leftover scraps into magnificent trinkets to sell at various nearby markets. When he came of age, his mother carved him a thick blackwood ring which he still wears on his right hand. Although now it is stained with her blood.
The attack came unexpectedly in the night. His father’s rivals were always trying to undermine him, but he always came out on top, whether through wits or smart business practices. They couldn’t stand the fact that the most successful lumber business in the area was run by a man who bedded with an orc. So they contracted some men to take care of him. It happened on a night like any other. They slipped something into his drink at the tavern and then they came in the night and slit his throat while he slept. His mother put up a hard fight, felling a handful of them before she was dealt a fatal blow and they fled into the night. She died shortly after in Karzok’s arms. As she exhaled her last breath, a crushing wave of despair surged through Karzok, fracturing his very essence. A darkness seeped out of his body and coalesced into an exact copy of his physical form. In his grief, Karzok didn’t notice it at the time, but this was the very first manifestation of his shadow double.
Karzok was never particularly brave or strong. He had no training in combat or hint of magical talent. He was a simple young man with a bit of skill in carving that he had picked up from watching his mother over the years. In most social circles he was considered a half-breed and an outcast. The friendships he did have, however, were steadfast and lifelong. One of those friendships was with a local street rat, Kiv. After the attack, Karzok gathered up his things and reached out to Kiv. Kiv was a con artist plain and simple, and therefor he found common ground with Karzok as always being on the outside looking in. He was smooth, easy to talk to, and laughed a lot. But when it came down to it, he would do whatever it took to get what he wanted. Kiv owed Karzok a favor for cutting him on a deal his father made with a fletcher in Tamrivena. He was able to get Karzok two important items: a sword he had swiped from a raided caravan a few weeks back, and, more importantly, a list of the men involved in the murder of his father. He also informed Karzok that the man ultimately responsible for the murders, his father’s rival Henrig Broadcreek, was also dead. Apparently, there was a dispute over the money the murderers were promised and they took their payment in blood.
After gathering a few things, Karzok fled blindly into the Shudderwood. He wasn’t in his right mind when he left everything he knew behind. The list of men responsible for the murders was stuffed deep down into his pack and forgotten. He spent many months eking out a meager existence in the wood, but in that time he began honing his skills as a hunter. He would stalk through the wood after game and with the hides of his kills he began fashioning together a suit of armor. After tanning the hides, he would carve intricate patterns over the leather. He crafted the suit of armor in a style he found in an old book his father gave him when he was young. It was a book of Tien legends filled with noble samurai and stalking ninja. He studied the swordplay within, and--while his wide bladed sword was much less elegant than their katanas--he would mimic their fighting styles. He admired the strength and tenacity of the mounted warriors and the efficiency and deadliness of the assassins. He combined these tenants into a trademark combat style. He struck hard and fast and with deadly accuracy. He also carved himself a bow for the times when he had to fell game from afar. His confidence grew as his hesitancy to kill waned. Then the day finally came when he reached deep into his pack and drew out the list. He memorized every word then threw it into the dying embers of his campfire. He walked out of the wood, heading south.
Travelling from town to town he pieced together more and more information about the men and eventually he found that they were heading to Absalom to embark on an expedition to establish a new colony in Arcadia. He found that the men were collectively known as Breddaric’s Blades, their leader being Breddaric Valethorn, a name of which he was unfamiliar. Having no ties to the lands in which he travelled, Karzok made the decision then and there that he would follow these men to the ends of Golarion if he had to. The laws of men no longer apply to him. He will have his vengeance one way or another.
Karzok met up with a Irrisenian woman named Sorala on the road south, Fighting Chicken’s submission, who decided to join him in his journey to Absalom. Along the way, they fought off bandits and resolved a dispute centered around cattle rustling. The two swordsmen have developed a friendship, and Kazok appreciates that the woman walks a similar path as he does; one looking towards escape and a new beginning. Mechanically, this comradery will be represented by the teamwork feat Escape Route.
Karzok:
Karzok is of a medium build with a scraggly beard and unkempt dark brown hair. His hands are scarred from his trials and tribulations of being a carver and novice leathersmith. His clothes are threadbare and slung over his shoulder are a makeshift shortbow and a surprisingly fine greatsword. His armor is also of exceptional make, the leather lamellar covered in intricately carved patterns of leaves, birds, and simple animals. A hooded dark gray cloak hangs loose from his shoulders. He has a thick dark wooden ring on his right middle finger and carries a torn and tattered book of Tien legend which he pulls out of his pack and reads when there is nothing else to occupy his attention. He is a man of few words, but is relatively well-spoken. At the moment the only person he trusts is Sorala, a woman he’s been travelling with for a number of weeks.
If you have any questions or want more detail, don't hesitate to ask!
Is there a set time for the cut-off? I am writing throughout the day, but if I can't complete the story in its entirety, I will submit the incomplete entry for your perusal with the intent of finishing it if you deem Karzok worthy for this campaign.
I'm still here hammering away. I've got a lot of ideas for Karzok that I am trying to nail down into one cohesive narrative, but here's a small preview:
Karzok's father ran a successful lumbering operation in Belkzen until his rival hired a group of men to slay him in the night. This is the moment when Karzok's shadow double manifests itself for the first time. After a payment dispute, the group also murdered this rival before fleeing. Before escaping into the woods, Karzok called in a favor from an old friend and obtained a list of names of the persons involved.
After surviving in the wilds for a time, honing his craft as both a stalker of prey and a leathersmith, he now hunts the men who ruined his family. Last he heard they were joining an expedition from Absalom to found a new colony in Azlant. Is he a murderer? He's not sure, but either way he intends on following.
Along the way he meets an Irrisenian woman named Sorala and they become traveling partners, braving the perils of the road south together.
