About Mia VespertineBackground:
Born to a shopkeeper and an archeologist in Sandpoint, Mia’s youth was largely one of joy, wonder, and listening to her father’s many stories and thoughts on the ancient Thassilonean empire and its surviving ruins. Unfortunately, her life took a drastic turn for the worse when she was fourteen. Her mother had a miscarriage and fell into a deep depression she has since struggled with. Matters grew worse still when soon afterwards, her father stopped coming home from his expeditions, never being seen since. While the personal loss was great, the financial problems his presumed death caused were equally existential as the shop couldn’t continue its main revenue of selling antiques. The following six years to now were at best difficult, her bond with her mother worsening when she at times fell into the use of addicting substances to cope, often leaving Mia to take care of the struggling shop all by herself. Eventually, lacking a real family to support her, Mia came into contact with her mother’s suppliers, the Sczarni. In a twisted sense of love for her mother, a deal was made where she would partake in their criminal activities in return for the drugs she often used. However, criminal life -and more importantly, truly belonging to a larger community- were just too exciting and tempting on their own and soon she wall a full-fledged member of their ‘family’. This went on until shortly after she came of age, when growing frustrations over lack of progress with her addict mother coupled with growing burdens on her conscience led to her taking a drastic decision: she allowed herself to be caught by the town watch on purpose during a heist. Since if she was truly in danger, perhaps that would be a wake-up call for mother to rouse her from her self-destructive behavior? Unfortunately, despite landing in very real trouble, that was too much to hope for. Instead, it was Father Zanthus who spoke up to her defense, knowing of her situation from his own involvement in treating her mother. He’d witnessed her love and devotion to her and had taken note of Mia’s increasing visits to the temple, of her prayers to Shelyn. There *had* to be some good in her, a part that wanted a better life, and perhaps she was owed one chance for atonement. Sherrif Hemlock eventually agreed, under strict terms that there would *one* and one chance only and that there would be a compensatory period of communal service of at least one year. A few months later, Mia now serves in the town watch as a field medic. Very much to her surprise, when tested, she was indeed able to channel positive energy in Shelyn’s name and, lacking better options, had begun her training as a cleric in earnest. Of course, her life still wasn’t all that stable or certain with, among others, the Sczarni not being too thrilled about having the lips of one of their former own on the payroll of the law, to say nothing of the rumors of goblin aggression of late. But at least now, she was again part of something greater. She’d regained a sliver of peace of mind, and perhaps even hope. Ideas for future story development:
Taken from the 10 minute background character writing rules, potential future story hooks are one secret the character knows and keeps to herself, one secret I know but the character doesn’t know, and one secret only the GM knows/can make up for her. I can see that as something like this: -Secret that she keeps to herself: The most fitting ones are her exact past as a thief in the Sczarni and the situation with her mother, for as much as those are not public knowledge. -Secret known to me: Her missing father has somehow become involved with high-ranking Thassilonean cultists. He could be one of their victims, or even a member. Perhaps he is not the man she thought he was, and used some Thassilonean ritual on his unborn child which cause the miscarriage and her mother’s depression, to name one option. -Secret known only to the GM? – up to you!
NPC’s related to Mia:
I’ll list a couple. If only one important one is needed, her mother and/or father are obvious choices and discussed in more detail in the backstory. Alara Vespertine – her mother, a shopkeeper running her store (The Copper Clock) on her (rare) good days. She’s a woman who’s been through many setbacks in life and the loss of her unborn child and husband in quick succession pushed her over the edge into depression. Deep down, Mia holds out hope that her mother will one day recover and turn back into the kind and bright woman she was during her youth. What that would take though, after everything already tried, she wouldn’t know. Jieran Vespertine – her father, an archeologist specializing in Thassilonean trinkets and relics who disappeared roughly six years ago. Clive Ashcraft - A young human working in the town watch under Sheriff Hemlock. Her current patrol partner and closest friend in the guard. He's a tad overconfident at times and 'a cocky little s!+#' as Mia often puts it, but his heart is in the right place and he has a gift for making people laugh. He's a potential love interest for Mia depending on how things go. Personality:
Usually I improvise personalities in the first posts. Though in Mia’s case, I am currently generally aiming for a ‘fish out of water’ approach of someone who has just barely gotten access to her clerical powers and is still very much in the process of getting used to them, as well as her new penal service in the town guard/as a healer. Starting out, there will probably be some clashes between the more hardened/streetwise former thief and the more gentle and kind priestess she is eventually supposed to become. Alignment wise, she will always act as if she is good-aligned. However, given her backstory I'd be fine with her having to earn her way back to an actual good alignment and that she would instead start out as neutral. writing sample:
”So, in short, you cheated on your partner,” Mia summarized towards the closed curtain. She sighed under her breath - of her new tasks, the Confessional was the most problematic one - It most underlined her lack of experience as a priestess. Especially concerning Shelyn’s doctrine! But what could be expected, when the goddess had accepted her, a former street thief, barely two months ago into her servants? And with how Father Zanthus could only spare so much time for her instructions? ”Ah, well... yes, mother.” The man on the other side of the curtain replied. ”Meaning, you feel guilty and seek Shelyn’s forgiveness?” ”No, mother.” She blinked. ”No? What do you mean; ‘no’?” ”Well... I really liked her and would like to do it again?” ”...Let me get this straight. You’re openly admitting to adultery yet ask the servant of a love Goddess – who is technically also a member of the town guard - permission to be a repeat offender?” There was a shuffle on the other side. ”If that’s possible without getting cursed to eternal unhappiness in the ways of love?” Mia stared, slowly turning to glance at her copy of 'The melodies of Inner Beauty' . As a priestess of Shelyn, the doctrine said she was supposed to nurture new love. So why oh why didn’t it say anything about whether protecting established relationships came first or whether it was the other way around!? Okay, Plan B: Sidestepping and probing questions. Lots and lots of probing questions – have people make their own conclusions. It didn't require much knowledge, and few things made you appear more knowledgeable or likeable then pushing them in the direction they had already chosen for themselves anyway. She ignored the pang of loss - one of father's lessons. ”I believe I have to know more. First, why did do you it?” ”I… wasn’t happy. I worked myself to the bone everyday, did everything she asked, but she kept showing less interest. She became more and more critical of me and didn’t make time for the two of us like we used to.” ”Poor sod. Was she ever really into him at all? Sound like she plucked him like a feather - at best. At worst, she's probably been cheating on him for a while too, but he’s too dumb to notice. Or maybe he isn’t and did this out of revenge, but doesn’t want to admit that - maybe even to himself.” The half-elf shook her head. That was her assuming the worst in people. That line of thinking worked well if you had to fend for yourself. But maybe that was wrong. Sandpoint was a fairly small community and many people knew eachother. If that had been the case, someone near him or his family would have told him… right? But what would a priest say? ”It sounds like the feelings of love the two of you had for each other have waned. Perhaps it is time to go your separate ways? That way, you wouldn’t have to cheat. ” A master's guide to pointing out the obvious - by Mia Vespertine. Get yours now at just ten gold a piece! ”There is no shame in being honest. Many relationships do not work out, after all.” She added. "Love cannot work in a relationship if both sides are not happy." 'I think? It's not like I would know.' But the man on the other side of the curtain was silent, apparently pondering the workds. ”I see. Thank you, Mother.” He eventually said. And with that, he was gone. And so was she. She desperately needed some fresh air after hours of doing this. And it was time for her shift anyway. Outside, her partner was waiting. Clive's s*@&-eating grin faded when she exited the temple. ”Something wrong, Freckles?” ”The full version?” ”Try me.” ”I am. And trust me, indulging in your company requires the patience of a saint.” ”Problem solved, I say! Who better to advise is lowly commoners than a saint?” She gave him a playful punch, then sobered. ”I just... feel I'm not doing a good job being a priestess,” Mia admitted, staring over the town square from the Cathedral. ”I don't think I'm even remotely qualified to listen to people and give them advice on topics I barely know anything about myself. I just straight-up told a man to end his relationship, maybe even his marriage, based on a one-sided story with the barest amount of details. And he bought it. That sort of thing can drastically alter or ruin someone's life. I'm afraid people drastically overvalue my opinion as a priestess. That I apparently have a gift for channeling divine power doesn't mean I have the wisdom of a goddess.” The senior actual guardsman patted her on the shoulder. ”You know, and I mean this sincerely, that you're actually worrying about this stuff is progress.” ”That doesn't make it any better.” ”No, but then again, Elmar's girl hasn't exactly... been 'his girl' for a while. He's probably better off without her and whatever remained of the relationship was doomed anyway. If I had to bet, he was only here for the formality of consulting the clergy. And the gods, of course,” he added apologetically. ”Wait. Are you telling me that you were listening in?” He shrugged. ”I have eyes. Last one to leave before you. Doesn't take much to put two and two together.” She stared at him. ”Okay, I *might* have gone in to briefly check if my beloved partner was all right in there. Day's so hot, you might have just spontaneously evaporated in that booth. And I may or may not have overheard some things.” He shrugged. She snorted at the mental image. ”Honestly? I almost wish I did. People talk. A lot. And I *have* to listen. Half the things, I wish I could forget right away.” ”And I know just the thing for that! Drinks at the Rusty Dragon. Let's say the first one is on me.” The half-elf raised an eyebrow. ”Alcohol during the day? No, not just during the day, but during our shift? While I am here in penal servitude?” He flashed another grin. ”It's called ‘inspection duty’. And we best get it done now, before the festival starts in earnest. Better make sure there isn't a nest of dragons of wyverns down there while we can, no?” She couldn't help it – she laughed. ”Okay then. Lead the way, my oh so experienced one year senior.” Appearance:
Appearance, but with slightly more rounded, half-elven ears. As a Shelynite, even a novice one, Mia does her best to dress to her station, preferring bright red and blue colours that match her wavy hair and soft eyes. Blessed with a good fusion of human and elven heritage, she is attractive by most standards. When out and about town, she usually wears a layered leather armor over her clothes along with the coat of the town watch (partly to write off such time as counting towards her penal service, partly in case there is ever trouble with the Sczarni with their worries over if she might betray them to the law at some point). Her other most noteworthy pieces of equipment are her holy symbol to Shelyn and an unusual, many-ended spear that was a gift from her father. She also dons a light crossbow from her belt and hides a dagger in a wrist-sheathe from her arm, a memento of her days as a thief and lookout. Statistics:
Base statistics
Alternate race traits
Offense: (with PA/DA)
Trip/Dirty trick with spear:
Feats
Traits
Skills
Ranks: 4 perception, 4 heal, 4 planes, 4 spellcraft, 1 sense motive, 1 diplomacy, 1 religion, 1 local, history 4 (background), craft drawing 4 (background). Scores: Perception +12, heal +17, planes +10, spellcraft +10, sense motive +7, diplomacy +5, religion +6, local +7, history +10, craft drawing +10. Spellcasting Orison/at-will: Guidance, Light, Detect Magic, Create water.
2nd level 3+1/day: Sacred Weapon x 1, Aid* x 1, lesser restoration x 1, communal protection from evil x1. *=Domain slot. Domain abilities (Luck and Good): Bit of Luck (Sp) (6x/day): You can touch a willing creature as a standard action, giving it a bit of luck. For the next round, any time the target rolls a d20, he may roll twice and take the more favorable result. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. Touch of Good (Sp): You can touch a creature as a standard action, granting a sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws equal to half your cleric level (minimum 1) for 1 round. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. Good Fortune (Ex): At 6th level, as an immediate action, you can reroll any one d20 roll you have just made before the results of the roll are revealed. You must take the result of the reroll, even if it’s worse than the original roll. You can use this ability once per day at 6th level, and one additional time per day for every six cleric levels beyond 6th. Holy Lance (Su): At 8th level, you can give a weapon you touch the holy special weapon quality for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 your cleric level. You can use this ability once per day at 8th level, and an additional time per day for every four levels beyond 8th. Equipment:
Consumables: Scroll of protection from evil with 5 charges: 125 g. Scroll of bless with 5 charges: 125 g, 1 x potion of touch of the sea in potion sponge (55 gp), 1 x scroll of remove fear (25), 1 x scroll of obscuring mist (25), Scroll of divine favor with 5 charges (125 g) = 505 g. = 5875 g total. Other gear/mundane/backup weapons: Coldiron dagger (2 gp, dagger (1 gp) in spring-loaded wrist sheath), masterwork backpack, light crossbow (35 g), 2 x spring-loaded wrist sheathe (10 gp), 20 x coldiron bolt (2 g), cleric’s kit with 5 day rations, waterskin and bedroll (16 gp), 2 x spare wooden holy symbol of Shelyn (2 g ), 2 x alchemist’s fire (40 g), 1 x vial of acid (10 g), chalk x 10 (1 s), 8.9 g spare. Tactics, build explanation and future development:
Mia was built to have a large variety of ways in which she can support the party. Part of the reason I love clerics is that they’re very versatile and enable this very well. Right of the bat, she has the luck domain and can an ally the Bit of Luck ability to roll all d20’s twice for a round, five times per day. This costs her her standard action but it can be good on the party melee damage dealer or to help someone make important saving throws or such. It’s one of the best support abilities in the game imho. She also has Touch of Good from the good domain, which adds half her cleric level to an ally's rolls for a turn. While bit of luck tends to be better until the high levels, it is still a very good party buff with a lot of uses and on high levels Touch of Good is also just amazing. Her main method of attack when healing isn’t needed and cleric domain powers should be preserved is using her Elven Branched Spear to use combat maneuvers such as trips or dirty tricks from reach distance. Especially since her Elven Branched Spear uses dex to attack and has an innate +2 bonus to attacks of opportunity. On the healing front she has the fairly standard four channel energy’s per day to aoe heal the party, can 4 x per day use the healer's hands feat to heal someone for either 13 or 17 hp and all her spells can be spontaneously converted to cure light or cure moderate wounds spells. I can optionally also purchase a wand of cure light wounds as part of the starting equipment if the party believes this is needed. On mid levels, she intends to pick up the Healer’s hands/Incredible healer combo to have a non-spell pool of healing. On higher levels, probably around level 7 or 9, she will probably take a level in Bard to gain inspire courage. Shelynites have a feat that allows cleric and bard levels to be added together for purposes of how often it can be used and its effect, which can be boosted with certain items and (on gm approval) feats to rival that of a full bard. She also gets Good Hope as a 4th level spell as a cleric of Shelyn, so she will eventually have both main bard buffs in addition to her cleric domain and healing abilities. She should eventually be one of the most versatile and valuable support characters one can have in pathfinder 1e. Macros:
[dice=perception]1d20+12[/dice] [dice=Initiative]1d20+5[/dice] [dice= Trip (branched spear)]1d20+9[/dice]
[dice=attack (branched spear) w PA]1d20+6[/dice]
[dice=attack (branched spear), AoO]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Fortsave]1d20+6[/dice]
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