Nico Maletesta
Male human fighter 1
LG, Medium, Human, Humanoid Ancestry Human (Versatile)
Background Hellknight Historian
Perception +6
Languages Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven
Skills Architecture Lore +5, Athletics +6, Crafting +5, Intimidation +3, Nature +4, Society +5, Stealth +4, Survival +4
Str 16 (+3), Dex 12 (+1), Con 14 (+2), Int 14 (+2), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 10 (+0)
Other Items breastplate, steel shield, crossbow, dagger, longsword, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, belt pouch, bolts (10), chalks (10), flint and steel, rations (1 week), rope (foot)s (50), sheath, sheath, soap, torch, waterskin, purse (5 sp; 2 cp)
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AC 18 (20 with shield raised); Fort +7; Ref +6; Will +4
HP 20 Hero Points 1
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Speed 25 feet
Melee [1] dagger +8 (versatile S, thrown 10 ft., agile, finesse), Damage 1d4+3 piercing/slashing
Melee [1] longsword +8 (versatile P), Damage 1d8+3 piercing/slashing
Melee [1] shield bash +8 (attached to shield), Damage 1d4+3 bludgeoning
Ranged [1] crossbow +6 (range increment 120 feet, reload 1), Damage 1d8 piercing
Ranged [1] dagger +6 (versatile S, thrown 10 ft., agile, finesse), Damage 1d4+3 piercing/slashing
Feats Courtly Graces, Fast Recovery, Natural Ambition, Power Attack, Shield Block, Sudden Charge
Other Abilities attack of opportunity, cheliax, shield block
The Making of a Knight
The Maletesta family had a reputation for producing Hellknights in nearly all orders. Based on the triumphs of the Maletesta scions in the knighthoods alone, the family rose to some prominence in Egorian, settling comfortably on Hellhound Hill. Knighthood was a duty the Maletesta family happily performed with each generation- at least one of the family would enter an Order.
Nicodemai had the good fortune to be born in between his two siblings. Edriestra, twelve years Nico's senior, swore her pledge to the Order of the Wall while her younger brother was still struggling with walking upright. Nico's younger brother, Pandolfo, proved brilliant and had the burgeoning skill in magic that guaranteed his place in nearly any magical school in the Inner Sea. These polar opposites meant the Maletesta family had fulfilled their duty to the knighthoods and had the promise of greatness ushered in by their youngest scion, allowing the spoiled, elitist, wealthy middle child to find his own path.
As his later teen years approached, Nico was less and less welcome in high society. Oh, he made with the niceties, but it was difficult to hide his elitist bullying and boorishness. The boy was handsome and athletic, but a braggart and could be downright cruel if not for the constant company of his younger, and more vulnerable brother. So, when Pandolfo elected to study in the Acadame, Nicodemai was sent along to Korvosa with him, apprenticed to the Order of the Nail.
Surprisingly, Korvosa proved to be the remedy for Nico's lack of insight. Unlike Egorian, Korvosa had grown to be a cosmopolitan city where his chelaxian elitism was proven flawed daily. The city had overcome massive turmoil in recent years, and even the Nail knights were in a period of rebuilding. They taught the boy much about the Orders and used his keen mind for structure to teach him about construction, architecture, and warfare applications while also tending to his sword arm. Nico, for his part, took to the training like a sponge, but wanted more. He'd been a product of his upbringing, and should strive to do more than just continue the path he'd forged in his youth. It was too easy to fall back on his false bravado and the ignorance of a spoiled youth. Instead, he turned down the chance to become an armiger of the Nail. Instead, he would seek out the Pike. But Nico would have to prove himself before the monster hunting Hellknights would consider him. So he bade his brother farewell and left Korvosa to forge a new path.
