About Marcus CavanaghCombat Vignette:
There was a piercing scream, Marcus whipped around to see a vicious weasel of a man holding a knife to Lady Aspel’s throat. There was general uproar with half the saloon grabbing bottles, stools or whatever came to hand, but they all held back. Nobody wanted to cross Black Darren! Lady Aspell’s aging father Ser Justin was protesting loudly, begging the infamous braggart not to harm her, but Black Darren just laughed and pressed harder with the knife. Lady Aspel had a sudden intake of breath and a pin prick of blood welled at her throat. Defeated Ser Justin placed his money pouch and his wedding band into Black Darren’s hessian bag.
This would never do! Unlike the common man, Marcus wasn't cowed by Black Darren's vile reputation. With a practiced eye Marcus studied the swaggering bandit examining the way he held himself, a trained killer no doubt but overconfident. Marcus was sure he could take him, but how to get there before he harmed Lady Aspel? Half a dozen tables and a knot of patrons stood between him and the confrontation. He thought back to his years of contemplation at temple and inspiration came - the sinuous movements in the style of the orient dragon was needed here! Suddenly he was in furious motion, weaving in and out of tables and chairs, positively flying between a group of gawping men. Like a thundercrack his fist connected with Black Darren’s cheek snapping his head back. Darren looked startled and totted a few steps before falling in a heap. Twang-thwack! That would be Red, Black Darren’s partner in crime. ”My lady we must get down!” cried Marcus apologetically before not ungently pulling her down behind the relative safety of an overturned table. As he decided what to do next, several arrows thudded into the table, their bodkin points poking through an inch of oak! Marcus regarded the gleaming bodkins cooly, a grizzly way to die but one the masters at the temple had never feared. He would rely on his training aided by the latest scientific advances. He pulled out a slim vial from his jacket, deftly uncorked it and downed the elixir in gone gulp. Already he felt the mutagenic effects coursing through his body, priming him for a fight but making his thoughts fuzzier. He winked at Lady Aspell saying ”Excuse me my Lady, it’s time to take out the trash.” Suddenly he jumped over the table and ran straight for Red. Of course Red had his arrow nocked and loosed at such a short range he couldn’t possibly miss, however Marcus was in the zone and with one economical movement he flicked the arrow aside and then he was upon him. Red dropped the bow and pulled out a short stabbing sword. Marcus ducked aside from this and smashed his elbow into Red’s solar plexus resulting in a satisfying whoosh as the air was forcibly expelled. Red doubled over and Marcus kneed him in the face sending blood and teeth flying. Amazingly Red somehow picked himself up and with a murderous shout he threw a dagger at Marcus who batted it aside before side kicking Red in the chest sending him flying to land in a broken heap. Straightening his jacket and dusting himself off, Marcus remarked to no one in particular, ”Glad that spot of bother is over with.” Noticing the looks from Lady Aspel and her father, Marcus bowed formally and said, ”Marcus Cavenagh at your service my Lady!” Mechanically that's 4 rounds of combat where he used a bunch of class features: Studied Target, Martial Flexibility: Dragon style, Charge, Knockout, Martial Flexibility: Deflect Arrows, Drink a mutagen. Background:
A tall powerfully built olive skinned man with piercing blue eyes walks over and bows at the precise angle demanded by etiquette. He speaks to you in a rich and cultured voice, “Marcus Cavanagh, Gentleman Thug at your service sir! Allow me to introduce myself, I was borne and raised in Oppara, the very center of the world!”
He shares a wry grin with you, ”I know I know, you've heard the propaganda spread by uncultured fools about Absolm. Having lived in both I can categorically state they are wrong. Absolom may have the numbers but Oppara has the Acadame! Still there are advantages to a varied upbringing... Access to the very best tutors of all sorts: the Lore masters in the Acadame; a semester or two at the tempering hall in absolom; a crash course in applied alchemy at the Arcanamirium; etiquette and history at the Kintargo Opera House; street fighting in Kintago; and of course rhetoric and linguistics back in Oppara! Knowing a little about the world makes traveling all the more exciting, especially in these parts. Oh the stories I could tell you of Varisia, cradle of legends! It’s an old land, with written history stretching back ten thousand years to the time of the Thassilonian Empire. So much has happened in that time Earthfall, and the Age of Darkness that followed. The Chelish expansion and so much more! To be here is a privilege.” He looks you in the eye as he adds conspiratorially, ”Of course there are legends of another sort in these parts too: scarnazi swindlers, gambling dens, pesh dealers and addicts, highwaymen and common thieves. One needs to keep their wits about them and it helps if you're, how should we put it? It helps if you're handy in a fight… It has been said that I am, mostly by my fists, the benefit of my time in Irori’s temple. Whenever possible I try to apply the scientific method to combat. I’ve read the papers describing the very latest advances in mutagenic research. I am something of a dabbler with these myself. It’s true they cause crushing headaches, but the short term surge of power is worth it if used in the right occasion. Likewise careful observation and assessment of an opponent often reveals gaps in their talent and training which the astute can take advantage of. The old adage, knowledge is power, is most definitely true!” The Proust Questions - Golorion edition:
Your favorite virtue? The scientific method if, is it’s own virtue, because to do it properly one must have integrity. I apply it to everything I do, I believe Irori would approve. Your favorite qualities in a man? Straight talking, honesty, integrity. Your favorite qualities in a woman? Straight talking, honesty, integrity and of course feminine charm! Your chief characteristic? I apply rigorous logic to everything I do, be it exercise, or pursuing obscure tomes, even daily mundana. What you appreciate the most in your friends? Quick wit, good cooking and integrity. Round these parts it helps if they know what they’re doing in a fight too. Your main fault? I must make more allowances for others, not everyone had the benefit of a proper education. Your favorite occupation? Chess boxing, no really - it is quite exhilarating! Your idea of happiness? Making one perfect step in Iori’s kata number 3. Your idea of misery? Trying but failing to make one perfect step in Iori’s kata number 3. If not yourself, who would you be? Hmmm difficult, I think it would be most interesting to be one of the Decemvirate. Of course that is pure fantasy. Where would you like to live? In Oppara of course, after travelling extensively. Your favourite colour and flower? Blue. I always found corn flowers especially lovely. Your favorite prose authors? Irori of course although I’m partial to the writings of Lem too. Your favorite poets? Lem and Merriweather Stokes. Your favorite hero? Sir Laribold Croome, a gentleman and a scholar. Moreover a compatriot too! Your favorite heroine? Koriah Azmeren for sure, she braved the Darklands and fought the Drow! Crunch:
Marcus Cavanagh
Male human (Taldan) brawler 4/investigator (empiricist) 4/gestalt 4 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 23, 30, 100) LN Medium humanoid (human) Init +2; Senses Perception +10 -------------------- Defense -------------------- AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 shield) hp 48 (4d10+8) Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +5 (+2 save vs. illusion and disbelievable effects); +2 trait bonus vs. charm, compulsion, and emotion effects Defensive Abilities trap sense +1; Resist unfailing logic -------------------- Offense -------------------- Speed 30 ft. Melee unarmed strike +11 (1d8+5 plus 2 precision damage) or . . unarmed strike flurry of blows +9/+9 (1d8+5 plus 2 precision damage) Ranged sling +8 (1d4+4 plus 2 precision damage) Special Attacks brawler's flurry, knockout 1/day (DC 16), maneuver training (dirty trick +1), martial flexibility 5/day, studied combat (+2, 3 rounds), studied strike +1d6 Investigator (Empiricist) Extracts Prepared (CL 4th; concentration +7) . . 2nd—alchemical allocation[APG], invisibility . . 1st—anticipate peril[UM] (DC 14), cure light wounds, enlarge person (DC 14), long arm[ACG] -------------------- Statistics -------------------- Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8 Base Atk +4; CMB +10 (+11 dirty trick); CMD 21 (22 vs. dirty trick) Feats Dirty Fighting, Extra Investigator Talent[ACG], Improved Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, Pummeling Style[ACG] Traits principled, scholar of the ancients, student of philosophy Skills Acrobatics +7, Appraise +1, Bluff -5 (-1 to lie (as a result of using Int instead of Cha)), Climb +0, Craft (alchemy) +11 (+15 to create alchemical items), Diplomacy +6 (+10 to gather information (You can use your Intelligence Modifier instead of Charisma), +10 to persuade others but not to gather information (as a result of using Int instead of Cha)), Disable Device +12, Disguise -3, Escape Artist -2, Fly -2, Heal -2, Intimidate -3, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +1, Knowledge (engineering) +1, Knowledge (geography) +1, Knowledge (history) +11, Knowledge (local) +10, Knowledge (nature) +1, Knowledge (nobility) +1, Knowledge (planes) +8, Knowledge (religion) +10, Linguistics +7, Perception +10, Ride -2, Sense Motive +10, Spellcraft +10, Stealth +7, Survival -2, Swim +0 Languages Azlanti, Common, Dwarven, Elven, Thassilonian, Varisian SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +4), brawler's cunning, ceaseless observation, inspiration (5/day), investigator talents (expanded inspiration[ACG], mutagen[UM]), keen recollection, martial training, meticulous, mutagen (+4/-2, +2 natural armor, 40 minutes), trapfinding +2 Combat Gear tanglefoot bag (2); Other Gear mwk chain shirt, mwk heavy steel shield, sling, amulet of mighty fists +1, cloak of resistance +1, backpack, bandolier[UE], bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, investigator starting formula book, masterwork thieves' tools, portable alchemist's lab[APG], waterskin, winter blanket, 377 gp -------------------- Special Abilities -------------------- Alchemy +4 (Su) +4 to Craft (Alchemy) to create alchemical items, can Id potions by touch. Brawler's Cunning (Ex) Count as Int 13 for the purpose of combat feat pre-requisites. Brawler's Flurry +2/+2 (Ex) Can make full attack & gain two-wep fighting, but only with unarmed strike, close, or monk wep. Ceaseless Observation (Ex) Use INT instead of CHA for gather information (+4) Dirty Fighting Forgo flanking bonus to make combat maneuver not provoke attack of op. Expanded Inspiration (Ex) Free Inspiration on Diplomacy, Heal, Perception, Profession, Sense Motive (if trained). Improved Unarmed Strike Unarmed strikes don't cause attacks of opportunity, and can be lethal. Inspiration (+1d6, 5/day) (Ex) Use 1 point, +1d6 to trained skill or ability check. Use 2 points, to add to attack or save. Keen Recollection At 3rd level, an investigator can attempt all Knowledge skill checks untrained. Knockout (1/day, DC 16) (Ex) Declare before attack, if hit then foe is unconscious 1d6 rds (Fort neg), resave each rd. Maneuver Training Martial Flexibility (move action, 5/day) (Ex) As a Move action, gain a combat feat for 1 min. More gained for greater actions. Martial Training (Ex) Brawler levels count as fighter/monk levels for feat/item pre-reqs and effects. Meticulous -2 on all untrained skill checks Mutagen This discovery gives the alchemist the mutagen class ability, as described in the Advanced Player's Guide. (This discovery exists so alchemist archetypes who have variant mutagens, such as the mindchemist, can learn how to make standard mutage Mutagen (DC 15) (Su) Mutagen adds +4 to a physical & -2 to a mental attribute, and +2 nat. armor for 40 minutes. Power Attack -2/+4 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage. Pummeling Style Total damage from all unarmed attacks before appplying DR. Studied Combat (+2, 3 rounds) (Ex) As a move action, study foe to gain bonus to att & dam for duration or until use studied strike. Studied Strike +1d6 (Ex) As a free action on a melee hit, end studied combat vs. foe to add precision dam. Trap Sense +1 (Ex) +1 bonus on reflex saves and AC against traps. Trapfinding +2 Gain a bonus to find or disable traps, including magical ones. Unfailing Logic +2 (Ex) +2 save vs. illusion and disbelievable effects Hero Lab and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com
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