Mopsank quietly snarls at the upstart newcomer thinking he's entitled to one of those beautiful knives... but he knows better than to make a fuss. He grabs the other daggers, including the shiny silver one, and stows his old pair for now.
Combining Weapon Focus with a pair of masterwork daggers now means Mopsank takes effectively no penalty for TWF!
Mopsank is anything but eager to fight these monstrous foes. Luckily for him, he has an out. He dives underwater and makes a beeline for Quinn. Someone has to do it, after all.
Is "Pew-Pew" attempting to speak common among kobolds? I'm trying to figure out why a 9 int (slightly below average) character is speaking with the vocabulary of someone who's only just learned what talking is.
Hi! Sorry for disappearing for a few days, I was sick in bed. I'm back now, though, and it looks like it's time to level up! Personally, my vote for teamwork feat is Outflank, but that's just because it makes my job so much easier.
Mopsank, true to his word, seems to blend right into the water. It seems the black-scale is an absolute natural at this, just like his draconic patrons.
Mopsank spies an excellent opportunity to minimize the risk of physical harm, and decides to stay where he is to make sure the enemy doesn't take the wheel.
Readied action to attack any enemy that comes into melee range.
Mopsank immediately votes to wait, retaining the element of surprise. When given a choice of weapon, he greedily eyes the magic dagger, but if not for that, he'll keep his existing weapons.
Full Name
Kyralina Licina
Race
Human
Classes/Levels
Bard 1
Gender
Female
Size
Medium
Age
19
Alignment
N
Deity
Calistria
Location
Oppara
Strength
8
Dexterity
16
Constitution
10
Intelligence
14
Wisdom
10
Charisma
17
About Kyralina Licina
Kyralina Licina
Female human (Taldan) bard 1
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 11 (+1 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 8 (1d8)
Fort +0, Ref +5, Will +3
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +3 (1d4-2/19-20) or
. . rapier +3 (1d6-2/18-20) or
. . whip +3 (1d3-2 nonlethal)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (15 ft. with whip)
Special Attacks bardic performance 7 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 13], inspire courage +1)
Bard Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +4)
. . 1st (2/day)—charm person (DC 14), saving finale[APG] (DC 14)
. . 0 (at will)—dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound (DC 13), lullaby (DC 13)
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Statistics
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Str 7, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 17
Base Atk +0; CMB +3; CMD 11
Feats Agile Maneuvers, Deceitful, Skill Focus (Perform [act])
Traits savant, senatorial hopeful
Skills Bluff +9 (+11 to convince citizens you are a resident of the chosen city), Diplomacy +8 (+10 when making requests of citizens of the chosen city), Disguise +9 (+11 to convince citizens you are a resident of the chosen city), Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +3, Knowledge (engineering) +3, Knowledge (geography) +3, Knowledge (history) +7, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (nature) +3, Knowledge (nobility) +7, Knowledge (planes) +3, Knowledge (religion) +3, Perception +5, Perform (act) +12, Sense Motive +5, Stealth +7
Languages Common, Elven, Kelish
SQ bardic knowledge +1, finesse weapon attack attribute
Other Gear silken ceremonial armor[UC], dagger, rapier, whip, fashionable accessories, jewelry[UE], perfume kit[UI], signet ring, 22 gp
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Special Abilities
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Agile Maneuvers Use DEX instead of STR for CMB
Bardic Knowledge +1 (Ex) Add +1 to all knowledge skill checks.
Bardic Performance (standard action, 7 rounds/day) Your performances can create magical effects.
Finesse Weapon Attack Attribute Finesse weapons use Dexterity on attack rolls.
Appearance:
It is indeed rare the occasion that you will find Kyralina anything less than exquisitely dressed and impeccably groomed. Her brown hair is brushed until it shines and her makeup is minimal, enhancing her features rather than obscuring them. The bloodlines of her parents have mixed most fortuitously in her appearance, the aristocratic poise of her father mingling with the sensual allure passed down from her grandmother through the maternal line. Of medium height, Kyralina has a slight build that is in turns praised and mocked.
Background:
Her family's history has a bit of a scandal in the recent past. Her paternal grandfather, Lord Licinus, was old nobility and quite wealthy in both land and coin. Widowed and childless, he was smitten in his old age with a beautiful courtesan of Calistria and married the woman despite the opposition of his relatives. Some say that he was afraid that his line would die with him, although surely he had plenty of choices among the daughters of the other nobles or even from the unlanded gentry. His new wife did bear him a daughter, thus assuring the continuation of his bloodline (although some whisper that said bloodline was never in danger of being extinguished, what with Lord Licinus's multitude of cousins and second cousins).
Despite the fact that the new Lady Licina seemed intent on dispersing the prejudice against her - and indeed the way she spoke and carried herself was little different from most trueborn ladies - there was still some gossip regarding the legitimacy of her daughter. Lord Licinus could do little about the rumours, but he was keenly aware that the rest of his family was likely to dispute the inheritance and things would get rather ugly. In an effort to prevent that, he arranged a marriage between his closest cousin and his daughter, in an effort to anchor her claim to at least part of his fortune, if not his title. This marriage alliance and the liberal sprinkling of bequests for his other cousins smoothed out most of their objections and secured the futures of his daughter and her children.
Now, old Lord Licinus has been dead for almost a score years and his cousin bears that title now. Three of his daughters have grown into beautiful young women, while the fourth has just made her entry into the society. So far, the young ladies' lives have been a string of parties, teas, soirées and formal dinners as they learn to navigate the turbulent waters of family politics and the infinitely intricate web of relationships that are the life and blood of the nobility. It is past due that marriages were negotiated for all of them, yet their father is strangely reluctant to do so, much to their mother's exasperation.
Personality, motivation and goals:
As the young, beautiful daughter of a noble family in good standing, "disadvantaged" would probably not be most people's first choice of terms when describing Kyralina's situation. Regardless, that is precisely how things appear to her. As the oldest of four sisters, she is expected to marry - and marry well. However, while her siblings are eager to find themselves good matches with men rich in both title and wealth, Kyralina is not content with second-hand status and power. She is the eldest child of her father, why shouldn't she inherit the title and wealth of the family, rather than having to chase men thrice her age?
Some search power through wealth; but what good is wealth alone without influence and legitimacy? There are certain things that gold cannot buy. And what good is knowledge and possession of the most ancient and arcane secrets, if one lacks the power and the means to act upon it? To Kyralina's mind, the qualities of leadership and influence are the most precious. An influential, charismatic person can persuade the rich merchant to part with his gold or the wizened scholar to part with his secrets - all for a higher cause, real or imagined. Thus, she has set out to become influential. Very influential. She dreams of a vast web of connections, all strings at her fingertips. A myriad subtleties, schemes within schemes, indiscernible patterns criss-crossing all layers of society - and in their midst none else but Kyralina Licina.
Since her début one year ago she has already made some progress and the budding socialite is well on her way to become a notable feature at balls and receptions hosted by the nobility. Kyralina's grandmother has passed on to her not just some of her legendary beauty, but also her talent for human interaction. She can read others like a book and can play them like a fiddle. Not that a fiddle is an appropriate instrument for a young lady of her breeding. Let's say a harp. Yes, a harp is better. Despite her mother's efforts to overshadow her, Kyralina positively sparkles in almost any social situation. She is well schooled in manners, history, politics and arts, and an avid collector of gossip. Witty conversation partner and attentive listener, almost everyone who meets her is enchanted with her. Subtle adjustments in the little roles she plays and Lady Heliotrope will be praising her for her modesty, young Lord Verdant will be besotted with her sensuous mystery and Dowager Thyse will be impressed with her maturity and level head.
Of course, she only makes these efforts with her equals (although her mother's opinion is that they are her "betters" and Kyralina's private conviction is that they are her "lessers"). The servants and anyone whose interest is not worth pursuing is equally unworthy of Kyralina's pleasant side. She is a spoiled, sheltered, entitled little princess with an overinflated sense of self-value who wants nothing more than to be adulated by all.
Character development (for the GM):
While Kyralina starts out as very self-centered and rather callous, I expect that future encounters and going far out of her comfort zone will bring out a measure of empathy and humility in her to make her a more nuanced and multi-layered character. The current primogeniture law vexes her immensely, and in time she might see parallels between the unfairness she experiences due to her gender and similar unfairness extended to others due to their race, social class or other factors. If you are familiar with The Good Place, she's basically Eleanor, and the Exaltation Gala her near-death experience that sets her on a different, less selfish path. :)
Also, while the character is self-serving and individualistic, the player really enjoys collaboration and cooperation. :)
Mechanically, I would like to go for the Lion Blade prestige class via Deadly Courtesan with a dip into plain Bard. I would like to tailor her abilities for social situations as much as possible, and for disabling targets in combat rather than damage/lethality.
Level progression: Bard 2, Deadly Courtesan 3+, Lion Blade when there's a good moment in the AP for it.
RP Sample:
Kyralina was seated at her elaborately carved and gilded vanity, idly sorting through her hairpins, when the door behind her silently opened. She looked up and suppressed a small shiver. Despite her silks and jewellery, her mother was incredibly stealthy when she so desired. Only chance had it that Kyralina was in front of the triple mirrors and thus witnessed the intrusion. Despite that, Lady Licinna seemed entirely unperturbed as she smiles at her daughter's reflection.
"Ah, there you are. Be a dear and help your sisters get ready, the guests will be here soon. We must show well, you know that your father hopes that Lord Tadden will become one of our business partners." Her mother looks rather like an older sister to Kyralina; she is still stunningly beautiful and unashamed to show it. "Oh, and do wear the new gown from your father's sister."
A frown. "Must I, Mother?" She puts the slightest emphasis on the last word and is rewarded with a glint of displeasure in the woman's gaze, quickly masked. "It is so... simple. It makes me look boring. And you know that white has never been my colour!" A different glint in her mother's eyes dashes a bucket of cold water over her rising temper. Of course. That was the intention all along. Kyralina turns a pointed look towards her mother's dress, an extravagant confection of silk and brocade in shimmering blues, greens and purples. "The peacock amongst the geese."
House Licinus:
The Licinii are an old family of winemakers situated in north-eastern Taldor. Distance from the capital has made it difficult for them to improve their position in society, and their financial situation hasn't been helped by their propensity for lavish parties and expensive purchases. Although their wine business is going very well, the family has been struggling for the past three generations to be relevant outside the borders of their province. While the current Lord Licinus is a cautious traditionalist, his wife is a ruthless opportunist. As Lord Licinus has no direct male heirs, his wealth and title would currently pass to his younger brother, something that Lady Licina is very keen on preventing.
For the past 5 years, the Licinii have been maintaining a town house in Oppara, seeking the best education for their daughters as well as proximity to both the major noble houses and the imperial court.
Kyralina's sisters: Theodota, Destasia, Passara.
Kyralina's parents: Parthenius and Xanthippe.
Martella's notes (for the GM):
Dear Kathann brought someone to my attention today, the eldest of the Licinii daughters, who has just completed her first semester at the Kitharodian. Her skills would make her a good candidate for one of the shadow schools, but Kathann has reservations about her character, so she passed the girl to me for evaluation.
It was a simple matter to acquire Kyralina's private journal (written in code, so points for that, but one that was easy enough to break), and well... I confess that I am a little intrigued. Her ambition is none other than my own job, although she doesn't actually write "spymaster". She dreams of connections, wielding influence, manipulating others for her own ends - it does sound a little bad when I put it like that, but I know that I do what I do for the right reasons.
She has the potential to get quite far in this line of work, too, but for two crucial lessons she has yet to learn. One of them is that you cannot be the power in the shadow and wish to be in the spotlight at the same time. She has that typical insecurity of youth who grew up without loving parents, and who now ascribe their worth to the approval of others. It will be a painful lesson to learn, but not impossible I think. The second one might be far trickier - she needs to have loyalty to something other than herself. The girl is exceptionally self-centered, and given her upbringing that is no surprise - what with the savage competition in the family and all. This might be a bit of a tough nut to crack, but I do relish challenges.
I shall reach out tomorrow to test the waters.
Bot Me:
In combat: Kyralina prefers to de-escalate rather than entering a physical confrontation. If that is not possible, she prefers to let others do the fighting while cheering them on from the sidelines. If she absolutely must get involved, she will try to disable the target with her whip rather than use lethal force. If lethal force cannot be avoided, she uses her rapier.
Out of combat: she will try to discern weaknesses, then use those to influence the target. 9 cases out of 10 she wants to make people like her, so she will use Diplomacy rather than Intimidate.
