Lania 'Shrike' Fordyce's page

Dazzling Display While wielding the weapon in which you have Weapon Focus, you can perform a bewildering show of prowess as a full-round action. Make an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes within 30 feet who can see your display.

Dual Heritage A half-elf double scion appears to be an elf in one identity and a human in the other identity. She takes no penalties to Disguise checks to appear as the race that matches her current identity. The selection of which race is the social identity and which is the vigilante identity is made at 1st level and cannot be changed. Additionally, when a half-elf double scion switches from one identity to another, she is representing different aspects of her heritage rather than personality. As a result, a half-elf double scion has the same alignment in both of her identities. This alters dual identity.

Dual Identity (Ex) A vigilante hides his true identity, allowing him to move about social circles and nobility without carrying the stigma of his ruthless actions. In effect, the vigilante has two identities: one is a polite member of society while the other is a skilled and cunning warrior. To keep up this charade, the vigilante usually has two names: his true name, used in polite company, and his vigilante name, used to strike fear in the hearts of those who oppose him. Knowledge checks about one do not reveal information about the other, unless the vigilante’s true identity revealed to the world at large.

The vigilante can start each day in either of his identities, referred to simply as social or vigilante. Changing from one identity to another takes 1 minute and must be done out of sight from other creatures to preserve the vigilante’s secret.

Changing identities is more than just changing outfits and clothing (although that is certainly a part of it); the process often also involves applying make-up, altering his hair, and adjusting other personal effects. Furthermore, the change is as much a state of mind as of body, so items such as a hat of disguise and similar spells and effects that change the user’s appearance do not reduce the time required to change identities. Most social talents require the vigilante to be in his social identity, but a vigilante who uses vigilante talents in his social identity risks exposing his secret.

Despite being a single person, a vigilante’s dual nature allows him to have two alignments, one for each of his identities. When in an identity, he is treated as having that identity’s alignment for all spells, magic items, and abilities that rely on alignment. For the purpose of meeting a qualification for a feat, class, or any ability, he is only eligible if both of his alignments meet the requirements.

A vigilante’s two alignments cannot be more than one step from each other on a single alignment axis. For example, a vigilante with a lawful neutral social identity could have a vigilante identity that is lawful good, lawful neutral, lawful evil, neutral, neutral good, or neutral evil. If a vigilante is the target of an effect that would change his alignment, it changes both of his alignments to the new alignment.

Any attempts to scry or otherwise locate the vigilante work only if the vigilante is currently in the identity the creature is attempting to locate (or if the creature knows that the two identities are the same individual). Otherwise, the spell or effect has no effect, revealing nothing but darkness, as if the target were invalid or did not exist.

Elven Weapon Command (Ex) A half-elf double scion can wield traditional elven weapons as well as elves can. The half-elf double scion treats any weapon with the word “elven” in its name as a martial weapon, and gains Weapon Focus as a bonus feat for one such weapon. (Choosing elven branched spear)

Hidden Strike 3d8/3d4 (Ex) A stalker vigilante gains an ability called hidden strike, which allows her to deal an extra 1d8 points of precision damage on melee attacks (or ranged attacks from within 30 feet) against foes who are unaware of her presence, who consider her an ally, or who are made flat-footed by startling appearance. This extra damage increases by 1d8 at 3rd level and every 2 vigilante levels thereafter. A stalker vigilante can also deal hidden strike damage to a target that she is flanking or that is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC, but in these cases, the damage dice are reduced to d4s. A stalker can deal hidden strike damage against targets with concealment (but not total concealment).

Once this choice is made, it can’t be changed. While many vigilante talents are usable by both specializations, some are unique to each specialization. A stalker vigilante can apply only one talent marked with an asterisk (*) to a given hidden strike, and only when that hidden strike is dealt against a foe that is unaware of the stalker vigilante’s presence (or who considers her an ally), unless otherwise noted.

Frightening Ambush (Ex) (Vigilante Talent L6 Free Feat) As a free action, you can attempt an Intimidate check to demoralize a flat-footed opponent you attack.

Lethal Grace (Ex) (Vigilante Talent L6) The vigilante combines strength and speed into incredibly deadly attacks. He gains Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat, and if he already has the Weapon Finesse feat, he can immediately swap it for another feat for which he qualified at the level he chose Weapon Finesse. When using Weapon Finesse to make a melee attack using his Dexterity bonus on attack rolls and his Strength bonus on damage rolls, he also adds half his vigilante level on damage rolls. This bonus damage is not reduced or increased if the vigilante is wielding a weapon two-handed or in an off-hand.

Owl’s Sight (Ex) (Social Talent L1) The vigilante gains low-light vision. If she already has low-light vision, she gains a +4 competence bonus on Perception checks in dim light. The vigilante also gains a +2 competence bonus on Sleight of Hand and Stealth checks at night.

Renown (Ex) (Social Talent L3) The vigilante becomes known for deeds and abilities regardless of his current identity. This renown grants him favorable treatment in civilized company and lends him an air of menace while facing down his enemies. While he is in his social identity, a vigilante can spend 1 week gaining renown among the locals of any community of no more than about 200 individuals (a village, if using settlement population ranges). This could be the entire community or a smaller neighborhood in a larger settlement. He must spend at least 4 hours each day socializing and making contacts. After spending 1 week doing this, whenever he is in his social identity, all NPCs in the community have a starting attitude toward him that is one category better, as long as each person’s initial attitude would have at least been indifferent (see the Diplomacy skill description). While he gains renown in an area using his social identity, he also spreads rumors and tales about his vigilante identity. Once he has gained renown in a community, he gains a +4 circumstance bonus on Intimidate checks whenever he is in his vigilante identity. This bonus applies only while he is near the community in which he has gained renown; he must be within a number of miles equal to his vigilante level. A vigilante can hold renown in a limited number of communities (normally one, with other social talents allowing two). If he gains renown in a new community, he must decide which one of his previous communities to lose. These effects are subject to GM approval. For example, the GM might rule that an NPC or monster has not heard any tales about the vigilante. Or, a foe may have a starting attitude toward him that’s one category worse, rather than one category better.

Seamless Guise (Ex) A vigilante knows how to behave in a way that appears perfectly proper and normal for her current identity. Should anyone suspect her of being anything other than what she appears to be while either in her social or vigilante identity, she can attempt a Disguise check with a +20 circumstance bonus to appear as her current identity, and not as her other identity.

Social Grace (Social Talent L5) The vigilante selects any one Intelligence-, Wisdom-, or Charisma-based skill other than Perception or Use Magic Device. Whenever the vigilante is in his social identity, he receives a +4 circumstance bonus on checks with the selected skill. At 5th level and every 4 levels thereafter, he can select another skill (with the same restrictions) to gain this bonus. (Choosing Diplomacy, Perform (Dance))

Spear Dancing Style (soon) Choose one weapon from the polearm or spear fighter weapon groups. (Choosing elven branched spear.) While using this style, you grant the chosen weapon the double special weapon feature, using the weapon’s normal statistics for its main-hand end and the statistics of a light mace for its off-hand end. A weapon wielded in this way loses the brace and reach special weapon features.

Startling Appearance (Ex) At 5th level, a vigilante learns to use the element of surprise to his advantage, startling foes that are unaware of his presence. Whenever a vigilante with this ability attempts an attack against a foe that is completely unaware of the vigilante’s presence (usually due to Stealth or invisibility), the foe is treated as flat-footed for the rest of the vigilante’s turn (uncanny dodge or a similar ability prevents this effect unless the vigilante is at least 4 levels higher than the foe with uncanny dodge). The foe also takes a –4 penalty on attacks made against the vigilante until the start of the vigilante’s next turn.

Two-Weapon Fighting You can fight with a weapon wielded in each of your hands. You can make one extra attack each round with the secondary weapon. Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two weapons are reduced. The penalty for your primary hand lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6. See Two-Weapon Fighting.

Unshakable (Ex) Starting at 3rd level, a vigilante adds his class level to the DC of any attempts to Intimidate him.

Up Close and Personal (Ex) (Vigilante Talent L4) When the vigilante attempts an Acrobatics check to move through an opponent’s space during a move action, he can attempt a single melee attack against that opponent as a swift action. If the Acrobatics check succeeds, this attack applies the vigilante’s hidden strike damage as if the foe were unaware of the vigilante. Otherwise, the vigilante applies the hidden strike damage he would deal if the target were denied its Dexterity bonus to AC. Only a stalker vigilante of at least 4th level can select this talent.

Vigilante Specialization (Ex) At 1st level, a vigilante must choose to be either an avenger or a stalker.

Weapon Focus (Elven Branched Spear) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.

[dice=Thorn v. X, flanking OR charge OR attack of opportunity provoked by movement OR daredevil softpaw boots, Power Attack]1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2[/dice]
[dice=Damage, Thorn, [lesser] hidden strike, Lethal Grace, Power Attack]1d8 + 3 + 3 + [3d4]3d8 + 6[/dice]
[dice=Mwk composite longbow v. X, Deadly Aim]1d20 + 9 - 2[/dice]
[dice=Damage, mwk composite longbow, [lesser] hidden strike, Deadly Aim]1d8 + 2 + 3d4/3d8 + 4[/dice]
[dice=Acrobatics, acrobat's pillar, daredevil softpaw boots]1d20 + 13 + 2 + 5[/dice]
[dice=Diplomacy, fashionable accessories, Social Grace]1d20 + 9 + 2 + 4[/dice]
[dice=Disable Device, masterwork thieves' tools]1d20 + 11 + 2[/dice]
[dice=Intimidate, dim light or darkness, Renown]1d20 + 10 + 2 + 4[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (Local)]1d20 + 6[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (Nobility)]1d20 + 4[/dice]
[dice=Perception, dim light or darkness]1d20 + 9 + 2[/dice]
[dice=Perform (Dance), professional costume, Social Grace]1d20 + 11 + 2 + 4[/dice]
[dice=Stealth, dim light or darkness, night, belled catsuit]1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 2[/dice]

She was not prepared for Gaedren Lamm. Lania took on the name Merula Antius and a human identity to put a thin veneer over her family's shame, though it was certain many of her clients recognized her and knew the truth. While she was busy teaching the bored daughters of nobility and rich merchants as a dancing-instructor, and auditioning endlessly for less stable but more lucrative work as a performer at various theaters with the intent of eventually joining the elite company at the Marbledome, her younger brother Isideo, just ten years old, was neglecting his studies and spending more and more time out of the house. One day six months ago he simply vanished.

Lania's whole life since that terrible day has revolved around how to get him back. When Korvosa's Guards could not or would not help her, she began investigating on her own after her jobs let out at night, and sleeping during the daylight hours. She could not afford for anyone to know of her interest and have it get back to the kidnapper, for she and her mother (always in fragile health since her breakdown of a few years ago) were too easy to find and too vulnerable to a determined criminal or gang. So Lania began using a convenient mask from a recently discontinued performance, and emphasizing the elven features she normally found it easier to hide in order to pass for human.

Slowly, as the weeks and months passed and she spoke to more and more of the bereaved parents, siblings, guardians and peers who were not too intimidated to say anything about their experiences, she realized that Isi was far from the first innocent to be taken by the vile child-snatcher Lamm, and it was far from his only heinous crime. Drugs, muggings, murder — all treated with the same seeming indifference by the legitimate authorities that they showed to Pilts Swastel, Touran Palastus, the King of Spiders, and all the other abusive scum preying on the vulnerable in the city's underbelly. Lania used to believe that the Korvosan Guard kept the King's peace fairly well; but her family's abrupt descent from the rarefied air of the Heights has opened her eyes and left her embittered about the prospects of 'justice' for people like her.

If the authorities will not act, someone will. By this time, Shrike is a powder keg of suppressed rage, and it will not be long now before she finds Gaedren Lamm and earns her name. The only question is whether she stops at him.

Isideo Fordyce (Brother; 10 year old male half-elf child, golden hair, blue eyes) — A well-favored and basically good-natured but slightly spoiled and needy child (due to everyone doting on him after his father left), Isi used to worship Lania and follow her everywhere he could. She spoke Elven with him after Papa left, and was trying to teach him how to handle a bow. But unsurprisingly, with all the disruptions in his young life and with Lania suddenly having no time to spend with him, in the year before his disappearance he was showing a distinct tendency to act out. In that time, he and Lania often fought over his schoolwork, his weapons practice, and his unsupervised excursions into the city. Lania blames both herself and their mother for his disappearance, because while she had to work most afternoons and evenings, she knew that Vita was often not fit to supervise or discipline him, Junie was busy, and yet they could not afford to hire a full-time nurse in addition to a housekeeper. Isi loves music, sweets, and the hippogriff riders of the Sable Company; his greatest ambition was to ride a hippogriff himself someday. Like Lania, his face looks markedly more human than elfin, but unlike her it is a consistently distributed trait: his pointed ears are not especially long and would certainly never let him pass for an elf. High: Dex, Cha. Low: Wis. (References: as noble child; as orphan)

Alika Junian (Housekeeper; 53 year old female human, brown hair, brown eyes) — The loyal and officious 'Junie,' who has been Vanaletia's lady's maid since she first came out in society, was the only servant who stayed on with the Fordyces after their reversal of fortunes. She now is a combination lady's maid, cook and housekeeper who is as much or more responsible for them not all starving on the street as Lania. Accordingly, she gives advice and participates in household decisionmaking more like a strict aunt than a servant. Her cooking, though much improved, is still mediocre at best, but she is paid three silver shields a day and earns every pinch. Three times a week, her niece comes to help her with the cleaning, which otherwise would be too much for one person. High: Wis, Int. Low: Cha, Str.

Dancing Lesson Students:
Jakthia Serimus (daughter of Costa Serimus; 15 year old female human, brown hair, blue eyes) — Although her one-quarter elven ancestry granted her a touch of extra grace and charm that makes her well suited to dancing, it is even more apparent in her spontaneous and rebellious nature. Jakthia means no harm and Merula can usually channel her energy into fun, but she is full of mischief, disinclined to pay attention to the finer details or practice the more staid dances, and occasionally makes thoughtlessly honest remarks, such that Merula feels she is being paid mostly to tactfully teach her genteel manners, more than how to waltz. Oathdays student.
Dessa Perenne (daughter of Lolia Perenne; 17 year old female human, brown hair, brown eyes) — Quiet, serious-minded and dutiful, she is a handsome girl who is the pride and joy of her parents and an ideal student in every way except one: despite almost three years of Merula's best efforts, she still has two left feet. Oathdays student.
Keyra Endrin (daughter of Marcus Endrin; 13 year old female human, red hair, gray eyes) — Named after her famous ancestor Keyra Palin, she is tall and physically gifted even at only thirteen, but impatient with learning to dance. She would much prefer to spend her time weapons training or riding, as she wishes to follow in her father's footsteps. Above is dressed up, but this is more her normal look. Stardays student.
Cordelinda Tuttle (a granddaughter of Darb Tuttle, and daughter of a rich bureaucrat and a magistrate; 15 year old female human, black hair, gray eyes) — A painstakingly proper but somewhat stiff and haughty girl who is inclined to make mistakes and then be sullen and crabby during lessons. But Merula can hardly blame her, for her imperious and exacting mother Druvalia is watching and correcting her every move — something none of the other parents do. Wealdays student.
Alika Weagra (niece of Gasta Weagra; 14 year old female human, black hair, brown eyes) — The slightly plump, very shy, and prodigiously intelligent Alika suffers through dancing-lessons only because her aunt has decreed she must to get back to her beloved books. She is Merula's most recent student, and is yet to come out of her shell. Firedays student.
Senervina 'Senna' Archerus (daughter of Endrik Archerus; 17 year old female human, black hair, black eyes) — Beautiful, eccentric, and vain, but not haughty, Senna will talk to anyone who holds still long enough like they are old friends. She is already a more than capable dancer, but has insisted to her father that she continues to need instruction even after almost three years, more to have an outlet for her social energy than anything else. Merula suspects that Senna knows she needs the money, but is too kindhearted to say so out loud. Wealdays student.

Performer Friends/Colleagues:
Cherafine 'Cherie' Trias — Merula's first and best friend in the theater world, Cherie took her under her wing and showed her the ropes. She knows people from all walks of life in Korvosa. A buxom redhead who can sing and act as well as dance, she makes good steady money as the lead in a popular and long-running but unsophisticated comedic revue that she has been loath to leave for more respected but less lucrative work. The show, Zamfi's Follies, shuttles between several of the larger and stage-possessing taverns of Korvosa each day of the week: places like Jeggare's Jug, Bard's End, the Laughing Wave, and the Frisky Unicorn.
Saratha Florescu — The director of Florescu's Farrago, the dance and theater troupe Merula has recently been working for. A native Korvosan who was a dancer herself in her youth before marrying a tavern owner, she sold the tavern after he died to finance a new enterprise in the Farrago. She is generally a reasonable employer but constantly harried by budgets, time constraints, venue negotiations, and worries about her two teenage children. Desperately needs an assistant to take on some of her administrative work.
Aloysius 'Aylos' Geth — A secondary dancer, like Merula, in the Farrago, who also started around the same time as she did in the Follies and that she has thus known for about three years. He is clever, sharp-tongued and talented, but more of a laid-back hedonist than a fussy and high-strung Artist, which Merula appreciates. He also has a competitive streak, a certain absentmindedness that his friends must compensate for, and a secretly soft heart that (Merula believes) accounts for his terrible taste in men. His older sister Sorcia is one of the Catspaw Lofties, the all-female sneak thief gang based in the Shingles.
Deyanira and Ruan Mirukova — A Varisian sister and brother who are a dancer and a musician, respectively. Deyanira recently auditioned for and was hired by the chorus at the Marbledome, earning her the envy and/or pity of all their acquaintance for this step up into the lion's den of the tyrannical Touran Palastus. Ruan still plays for the Follies when not busking for himself, so their paths do not cross as much anymore.
Gisela Soveshki — A principal dancer of the Farrago, playing Brekka in the current production of Hommel and Brekka. A true professional with over two decades of experience, she is supportive and not intentionally unkind to her juniors, but her freely expressed judgements sting all the more because they are usually right. Merula has improved quite a bit since joining the company, chiefly because of her criticisms.
Lennick Imlios — A principal dancer of her current company, he was to play Hommel in the current production of Hommel and Brekka before being injured in the riots, which caused his understudy Gaekhen to have to step up for the opening night. After Gaekhen's death at the hands of a mob, he had to return early to keep the show open. A true artist, for good and bad, he is charming and generous, but also high-strung, superstitious and self-absorbed.

Dead/Missing Former Colleagues:
Gaekhen — A rather reticent young Shoanti man who was Lennick's understudy due to seniority in the company. He originated the role of Hommel due to Lennick's injury, and gave an incredible performance, but was killed by a rioting mob sparked by the All The World's Meat scandal later that very same night. Gaekhen was athletic and hardworking, with a physique more appropriate to the warrior Hommel is supposed to be. He also convinced his grandfather, the Shoanti shaman Thousand Bones, to consult on the production for greater historical and cultural accuracy.
Zellia Iorae — A young Varisian single mother who had been cast out of her highly traditional clan for reasons of unspecified 'bad luck.' Despite her skill at dancing and tumbling, she was struggling to support herself and find care for her toddler son on the inconsistent money of low-level performances, where each new show often only lasted a short time before folding. Found dead in the river two weeks after beginning a 'steadier' job serving at Exemplary Execrables.
Talethira 'Tira' Fendus — An outgoing Chelish girl raised in one of Korvosa's orphanages until the age of majority, when she was essentially turned onto the street. Highly talented as a singer and dancer both, but her shiver addiction and resultant frequent absences caused her to be dismissed from company after company, until the only shows that would hire her were little better than brothels. In one of them she met the man who pushed her into the clutches of the King of Spiders in Eels' End. She was dead in one of his brothels in under a year, officially from shiver addiction.
Vaylen Tawnos — An angel-faced blond runaway from Magnimar who could sing, act and dance and was well on his way to a successful entertainment career before being fired from the Marbledome and blacklisted by Touran Palastus over some imaginary slight. Lania knew he turned tricks on the side to support himself when work was scarce, as it often was after that. Vanished a few months after beginning a 'relationship' with an unnamed nobleman. Never found.
Aivriniel 'Ivy' Rast — An elegant brunette half-elf related somehow to the Hellknight Order of the Nail, about whom she knew a surprising amount but had nothing good to say. She could switch effortlessly between upper-crust diction and the crudest street cant, had a loose relationship with personal property, and was the best tumbler and aerialist Lania had ever seen. She also moonlighted with the Catspaw Lofties and had strongly held anti-authoritarian political beliefs. None of their mutual friends have seen her in approximately five weeks, and Lania still isn't sure if she stole from the wrong house and got caught, if someone murdered her one night and hid her body down in the Vaults where it would never be found, if she joined up with some secret society, or if she just found things were getting too hot in Korvosa and skipped town.