History: Levn was a whip-thin lad, raised on the outskirts of the Narlmarches by Kellid bandits. It wasn't a family sort of situation - more a "do the unwanted jobs or get beaten" sort of deal. The only names he had at the time were "Boy" or "Runt." Levn mostly got by through his mental abilities - he was able to think three steps ahead, and not be present in the most dangerous situations.
Eventually the bandits began working for the Stag Lord, and Levn was more than smart enough to know where that would lead. He was looking for a way out - and fate delivered it to him. The bandits ambushed a band of elves, and he managed to convince the elves that he would help them - if they would help him.
He smuggled their weapons and spell components back to them, and then joined them in their fight for freedom against the surprised bandits. He even saved the life of one of the elves when they were about to be stabbed in the back - but he got there first, deflecting the blow. This turned out to be pivotal in his life.
The elf in question [name is TBD by the GM, whatever fits in best] didn't usually concern themselves with half-humans... but this one was like a scruffy, scrappy, sweet little dog! They couldn't just abandon him now!
This is how Levn got his name - it's a soppy pet name from the elf, much to his eventual ire. "Levn" means "abandoned" in the Elvish tongue - and the rest of his name, "Ortani-Máingaurwaith," similarly means, "raised by wolves/men-like-wolves." It's not a name he's proud of.
But Levn didn't know that at first. He was just happy to be away and kept reasonably well-fed and safe by his new keepers. More than physical needs, his appetite for knowledge was fully awakened, and the amused elves taught him all that he wanted to know - for enrichment, of course.
In the end, though, Levn chafed at being treated like a pet. One night he simply up and vanished, running away from "home" - followed by Daemariel, who saw him leaving. Unable to shake the obliviously friendly elf, and not willing to see him come to harm, Levn resigned himself to Daymar's presence. He didn't discard his name, however - he wore it as a badge of pride. But rather than "Raised-by-Wolves," he changed his last name to "Naraiwe Ortea," or "Phoenix Ascendant." He felt this better described his path in life.
Grown into a disreputable-but-charming young man with a keen intellect and always, always a hunger to learn, Levn gravitated toward the new kingdom of Veteris (where adventurers had predictably dealt with the Stag Lord and his followers), with many an adventure along the way. He even made the Kyonin run in under 12 parsecs!
One good friend he made along his path was Kellen Spirittalker, a Kellid shaman who seemed to share his disdain for bandits and his history among them, without going all Abadar on the River Freedoms. Meeting obstacles and dangers without breaking stride, they stuck together through thick and thin, and now Levn is Ride or Die for his best friends, Kellen and Daymar.
Elves: Levn has a complicated relationship with elves. On the one hand, he admires them for their culture, their knowledge, and their mercy in taking him in, and he's ride or die for his "big brother" Daemariel... and on the other hand, he's well aware that they don't consider him an equal, even remotely. He'll trash talk them, but he'll still help them if they need help. For his peace of mind, though, he prefers hanging around humans, aside from Daemariel.
Motivation: Like most half-elves, Levn is seeking a place to belong. The place he's chosen, though, is the seedy underbelly of society amid other smugglers.
Intellect: Levn has always been clever - how clever, he's had to hide to stay alive as a child, enough so that he does it reflexively now. He'll say dumb things, and make rash decisions (no one ever said he was wise), but behind the curtain his mind is full of intricate turning gears, putting things together, making leaps of deduction, and seeing connections others don't see.
Appearance: Levn is always a bit scruffy and unkempt, but he manages to make it seem charming rather than sloppy. His shoulder-length hair is eternally touseled, which coincidentally hides his half-elven ears. His green eyes are always thoughtful, and he has a habit of fidgeting with his fingers while he listens to others. Quick on his feet and as deft as he is clever, he appears to be both unarmed and unarmored - but appearances can be deceiving. He went from skinny as a child to merely lean as an adult, and carries himself with an air that suggests that starting trouble with him would be unwise.
2. 2 goals
Character goal: Prove he's not just some guttersnipe or pet! He wants to Make A Name for himself... in certain circles. (What he actually wants is to belong somewhere.)
Player goal: Adventure! Romance! And found-family!
3. 2 secrets
Known secret: The disgraceful circumstances behind his name.
Unknown secret: Levn has some connection to the nobility of Brevoy and Kyonin. How did he come to grow up under the mercy of the bandits of the Greenbelt?
4. 3 people tied to Levn
Friendly: [Elf name], who took him in as a stray all those years ago. They may still be searching for him - who doesn't grieve when a pet runs away?
Friendly: Levn has made a few friendly acquaintances among the people he's worked with; chief among these is Saval, a sharp middle-aged woman and accomplished fence who happens to be in direct competition with Barzok. She often has work for Levn, and their relationship is amiable.
Hostile: Barzok the Fisherman, a smuggler and fence who has a nasty habit of turning his enemies into bait, did not appreciate Levn stealing his cargo out from under his nose, even if Levn did make the Kyonin run in under 12 parsecs.
5. 3 memories, mannerisms, or quirks
Mannerism: Levn tends to hide his ears under his mane of hair, hoping to pass as human for... Reasons, which he doesn't care to examine more closely.
Mannerism: Levn trash-talks elves and in general acts more human than elven, but he still has a soft spot for elves in trouble, though he denies it.
Quirk: Levn tends to sit or stand perfectly still while he's listening to someone - apart from his hands. He fidgets with things with his fingers, especially when he's listening or thinking hard.
CMD 18 (+2 vs disarm/sunder maneuvers vs traditional elven weapons)
HP: 44
SAVES Fort: +4
Ref: +8 (trap sense +2)
Will: +6 (unfailing logic: +2 vs illusions, use 1 inspiration pt as immediate action to use Int instead of Wis on saves vs illusions for 1 rnd (Will +9))
OFFENSE Init: +3
Speed: 30'
Wild Stride trait: You can move through naturally occurring difficult terrain without any penalty while within your favored terrain [forest]. Terrain created or modified by magic or traps affects you normally.
Ranged
composite +1 Str longbow +7 (1d8+1, x3) P 110'
Studied strike: +2d6 dmg
AOOs: 2 (no AOOs for combat maneuvers w elven weapons during AOO)
Elven Battle Training: You have received special training with traditional elven weapons (longbows, composite longbows, longswords, rapiers, shortbows, composite shortbows, and any weapon with the word “elven” in its name). You receive a +2 bonus to your CMD against disarm and sunder maneuvers directed at one of these weapons you are wielding. In addition, if you are wielding one of these melee weapons, you may make an additional attack of opportunity each round (this bonus stacks with Combat Reflexes).
Elven Battle Style: While wielding a longsword, a rapier, or any melee weapon that has “elven” in its name, combat maneuver checks attempted with that weapon as attacks of opportunity don’t themselves provoke attacks of opportunity.
BAB: +4 CMB: +5 (no AOOs for combat maneuvers w elven weapons during AOO)
Lvl.3: Rogue talent: Fast Stealth (Ex)
Benefit: This ability allows a rogue to move at full speed using the Stealth skill without penalty.
Lvl.5: Inspired Intelligence (Ex)
Benefit: An investigator can add his inspiration die to all Knowledge, Linguistics, or Spellcraft checks without expending a use of inspiration, even those he’s not trained in.
Equipment:
Worn equipment:
+1 glamered lamellar darkleaf cloth armor
burglar's bracers
amulet of natural armor +1
+1 keen bladed belt
