About Lena KensleyPronounced LEH-na. Backstory:
Lena was born in the River Kingdom of Severarches. She was the elder child of a druid and ranger; Semma and Nikolas. She had a brother, Henry, three years her younger. When Henry was ten years old, the family horse he was riding got spooked by a nearby snake and reared. Henry fell and broke his neck. Lena was riding with him and always felt responsible for his death – even at thirteen, she felt that she should have been able to get to her brother and calm the horse. The terrible memory has lingered with her.
Lena was always a curious and inquisitive child – she possessed a burning desire to learn and know how things worked. She had many and varied a conversation with the Oakenstewards – learning from them and challenging them with her own thoughts. She was a gentle and affable child and her parents took pride in her every accomplishment. She adored reading and her father would often seek out merchants or travel to larger townships in search of books for Lena. When she wasn’t reading, she was singing and her sweet voice filled their house. She felt the deep void left by her brother’s death, but she never wanted her parents to feel sadness and so she did all in her power to entertain them with stories or song. It did not take long for her parents to realise that Lena was destined for something greater than Sevenarches and it was decided her mother would remain in town and her father would take Lena to Taldor, to one of the great Bard colleges in Oppara where she would get the training she desperately sought. It was sad leaving her mother behind, but as a druid her mother had other responsibilities that she could not forsake, even though she supported her daughter’s endeavours. Once Lena and her father travelled to Oppara, she toured both the Kitharodian Academy and the Rhapsodic College. She spent a month in the first before moving to the smaller Rhapsodic College and studying there for she enjoyed it better. The colleges and libraries of Oppara were some of the finest, not only in Taldor but in greater Golarion, and she made the most of the opportunity, knowing what it is was costing her family both in coin and time spent apart. She studied hard and her father found work with the Taldan River Guard – helping to guard the western river approach to Oppara. When she graduated from college, Lena found herself a teaching position – she enjoyed instilling knowledge upon children and broadening their minds in learning and musical pursuits. Her credentials were impeccable and many a noble family sought her services as tutor. Her father continued as a soldier/guard until she decided to return to the River Kingdoms and take up a position in Gralton with one of the old noble families who has fled there during the ongoing revolutions in Galt. Her father, knowing his daughter was now old enough to stand on her own, returned to Sevenarches to be with his wife. During the course of her employment in Gralton, Lena watched as the deposed aristocracy of Galt desperately sought to regain what they had lost – either through counter-revolutionary activity or the sending of hapless adventurers into Galt to retrieve lost family heirlooms left behind in the rush to escape the guillotine's blade. There was in-fighting among the old noble houses of Gralton. It was born from some desperation for the power and prestige they once had, lost and sought once more. It was in Gralton, in her current teaching position, that she subsequently came across an intriguing flier and made further, discreet inquiries. One of the displaced nobles was funding an exploration – secretly gathering settlers and materials and wanting to travel east, beyond Avistan, to create a new and independent settlement there, free of the atrocities of war. The endeavour appealed to Lena – this could be a new opportunity for her - she could possibly start a school and teach the children of the settlers, far away from the machinations of revolutionaries, politics and warmongers. She could not tell her current employers of her plan for they would not understand (unless they knew of such an expedition, but she was not certain they did). Lena was not happy to leave her wards, yet she could see the possibilities of such a new settlement, as all children deserved a fine and true education and not just the progeny of the wealthy or influential. She would present herself to the organisers of the expedition and make her plea to join the expedition. If accepted, she would write a letter to her parents explaining her decision so they would not fret too much. Lena was both excited and a little fearful at the prospect of this journey, but the former was a greater motivator. ============
Physical Description:
-------------------- PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION -------------------- Image of Lena Height: 5'5"
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Personality:
Curious, inquisitive, studious, driven, friendly/good-natured, compassionate, loyal, trustworthy, musical but not dramatic or out to steal the limelight (not a showcase pony). Courageous and protective of loved ones and those under her care. ======
Character Stat Sheet:
Female Humanoid (Human) Bard (Archivist) 2
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AC 15; touch 12; flat-footed 13 (+3 armour, +2 dex)
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Speed 30ft
Spells Known (CL 2, Concentration +7) 1st (3/day, DC 13) Cure Light Wounds, Feather Fall, Sleep
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• Beast Bond (Social): You share a close bond with animals.
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• Overprotective: In your youth, you saw a younger friend or loved one suffer a grievous injury or die, and you blamed yourself for not having been there to help, even if there was nothing you could have done.
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• Weapon Finesse (Combat feat): With a light weapon, elven curve blade, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls. (If you’re attempting a disarm, sunder, or trip maneuver, you can apply your Dex bonus instead of your Str mod on the combat maneuver check (assuming you’re using a finessable weapon, of course). For other combat maneuvers, you use the normal rule for determining CMB (Str instead of Dex).)
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Background Skills (2x2=4):
Adventuring Skills (8+1FC=9x2=18):
LANGUAGES
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Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect. Fascinate is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability. Fascinate relies on audible and visual components in order to function.
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Starts playing with Explorer's Outfit worth 10gp Weapons, Accessories & Ammunition
Armour
General Gear & Equipment
Purchased at Dwarven Hold:
Horse & Horse Gear
Total Cost: 934gp, 7sp & 3 cp out of 1,000gp. (Saving some coin for the new settlement.) Total Weight carried by Saara if travelling on foot: 37-38 lbs (light load) (STR 11 per M/W Backpack, Light Load 38 lbs or less, Medium Load 39-76, Heavy Load 77-115)
Light Combat Trained Horse: LÍADAN:
This proud horse thunders across the grassy plain with fluid grace, wind tugging at its loose-fitting barding. Light Riding Horse CR 1
XP 400
DEFENSE AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 9 (+2 Dex, –1 size)
OFFENSE Speed 50 ft.
STATISTICS Str 16, Dex 14, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 7
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Attack The animal attacks apparent enemies. You may point to a particular creature that you wish the animal to attack, and it will comply if able. Normally, an animal will attack only humanoids, monstrous humanoids, giants, or other animals.
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GM's 3 questions and Lena's answers:
1. Why is your character fleeing Galt? Are they from a neighbouring nation? What attracts them to this expedition? Be specific! Lena is from a neighbouring nation (currently in the River Kingdoms, but journeyed there not long ago from Taldor). She is not fleeing any persecution. Lena sees this as a great opportunity to do good for the new settlement and for herself. (By teaching the children of the settlers, she hopes to instil in them a great desire and drive to learn and better themselves. It is her way of trying to change the world, and its horrors, through the new generation.) She is attracted to this expedition because deep down she is an idealist and believes there can be a better place, where people strive for the common good and will not be caught up in the madness of war upon war – rebellion against rebellion – until all is destroyed and nothing can grow. She is looking to settle down and put down real roots. --- 2. In character, write your pitch to the noble as to why your character should be taken along. The rendezvous point is a secret, so you must convince the noble that your character is trustworthy. She lifted her chin and smiled as she entered before taking the pro-offered chair. ”Good day, Lord Aristide. My name is Miss Lena Kensley and I am a teacher of history, of the wild, of the cities, of the healing arts, magic and music. I graduated with exemplary grades from the Rhapsodic College in Taldor. I came by your flier and I wish to put my name forward for the expedition. I am young, but I am eager, loyal, hardworking and carry with me knowledge that can be useful as we journey and then settle down. I care for the welfare of children – my students – and any who are under my care in general – I will not forsake them. I am fair enough swords woman and a decent rider. I can speak without prejudice and am at ease talking to people from all societies. I am not prone to theatrics, anguish or grandstanding. I am accustomed to towns and open wildlands and cities alike, so I will not be daunted by the task, if you should include me in your expedition, which is my grandest wish. I will teach any who need it. And, if there is need for some light distraction from the challenges ahead, I can entertain the settlers and adventurers with tales and song. I wish to build a better land and find my place within it.“ --- 3. Long term, what role does your character hope to play in the fledgling community? Start a business? Range outside the town to scout for threats? Serve in or lead the militia? Found a temple to their deity? Establish a thieves' guild? Dream as big as you like! At first, a short term goal would be to open a school for the children of the settlement, even the adults who cannot read and write. Lena believes knowledge is a powerful tool and with the right mindset could be a force to be reckoned with. The school will cater to everyone, wealthy and poor alike (she believes everyone deserves a good education and foundation). As part of this, she would also like to open a small library, where books can be accessed by the people of the new settlement. Long term goal: Lena would like to open a bard college like the one she attended in Taldor: Rhapsodic College. She would dearly love to pass along her knowledge and love of music to a new generation and create the best trained bards, bringing music and culture into the growing settlement, and, making the college to the standard of those found in the bustling metropolises.
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