Nostrum's page

Nostrum
Male Human (Korvosan Native) Bard 1
LG Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +5
Str 18, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 18
Base Atk +0; CMB +4; CMD 16

AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +2 Armor)
hp 12 (1d8)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +5
Languages: Varisian, Common, Abyssal

Speed 30 ft.
Melee Great Axe (1d12+6, x3)
Ranged Shortbow (1d6 /x3)(Ammunition:40)

Intimidating Prowess
Martial Weapon Proficiency (Greataxe)

Ease Of Faith: +1 on diplomacy, and Diplomacy is always a class skill.
Unhappy Childhood (Religious): +2 Concentration

MAJOR SKILLS
Acrobatics +5
Bluff +8
Climb +7
Diplomacy +10
Intimidate +13
Knowledge (local) +7
Knowledge (religion) +7
Perception +6
Perform (sing) +8
Sense Motive +6

MINOR SKILLS
Appraise +2
Disguise +4
Escape Artist +1
Fly +1
Heal +1
Ride+1
Stealth +1
Survival +1
Swim +3

Bardic Performance (8 rounds per day): Countersong, Distraction, Fascinate, Inspire Courage.

two 1st level spells per day

Detect Magic (0th)
Light (0th)
Lullaby (0th)
Mage Hands (0th)
Delusional Pride (1st)
Grease(1st)

two 1st level spells per day

Clerical Channeling (7/day)
Rebuke Dead (4/day)
Touch of Glory (4/day)

Spells:
0th:Create Water, Read Magic, Spark
1st: Shield of Faith (Domain Spell), Bless, Protection From Evil

Cleric’s Vestements
Paladin’s Kit (Backpack, Bedroll, Beltpouch, Cheap Holy Text, Flint and Steel, Iron Pot, A Mess kit, Rope, Soap, Torches (10), Trail Rations (5), Water Skin, Holy Symbol)
Studded Leather Armor
Musical Instrument (Wardrum)
Money (57gp)

Part I: Of Untold Horrors
Nostrum was born and raised in Korvosa, although ‘raised’ is largely a misnomer. His parents were both long standing members of wealth and class in Korvosa, his mother the daughter of a merchant family and his father a confidant and commanding politician. However, their public good standing masked a darker truth: both parents were ardent worshippers of Rovagug, the diabolical deity of Wrath, Destruction and Disaster. They used the wealth and power they were born into to bring suffering on the weak and poor of the city, and this hatred for weakness was most apparent in their home.

As a young child, Nostrum showed little aptitude for destruction, and indeed seem to express joy in creation. In particular, he showed a great talent for singing, which his parents attempted to beat out of him. Nostrum was often locked in the basement of the house for days, scalded with hot irons and things far worse and best left unsaid. All this was done to draw out Nostrum’s darkside (or just for his parents own enjoyment) and the physical damage wrought untold damage to his psyche. Finally, at the age of 7 his parents were convinced that Nostrum was never likely to be of benefit to them. They promptly sold him to the highest bidder: Gaedren Lamm, for a price of 14 silver pieces.

(NOTE: The majority of the first seven years of Nostrums’ life have become fragmented memories. This is largely due to the trauma his parents inflicted, in conjunction with Gaedren’s later actions. For this reason, he does not remember his own parent’s names.)

Part II: Lamms To The Slaughter
Life under Gaedren did not show a marked improvement. As a young and weak child still in trauma, Nostrum was initially trained as a pickpocket (for which he showed little talent). Eventually, Gaedren realized Nostrum’s talent for performance - both as an actor and a singer – and trained him to work as an entertainer in both seedy pubs and brothels. Whilst Nostrum could now express himself in something he loved, he was brought into contact with more and more vicious and sadistic people, and he did not get by unscathed.

Throughout his formative years Nostrum tried several times to escape, but was repeatedly captured and tortured. As he reached his teenage years, Nostrum finally outgrew his youthful weakness and rapidly started to exceed Gaedren’s ability to discipline. As a counter measure, Gaedren took to force-feeding Nostrum a cocktail of alcohol, poppy and Shiver, which simultaneously dulled the mind, weakened muscle and caused great hallucinations. Although they were small doses, the repetitive intake of the concoction over multiple years caused further damage to Nostrum’s memories.

Part III: Rebirth
Nostrum’s life of misery continued until a fateful day in his 13th year of life. Whilst on his way ‘home’ from another performance – mind still doped on Shiver – Nostrum tripped over a pamphlet on the ground. It was a brightly coloured tract for the “Brethren of the Benevolent Unmaker”, welcoming any and all to a meeting that evening. For reasons unknown, the symbol on the tract resonated with Nostrum and despite his cloudy mind he knew he had to attend the meeting. By luck, fate or divine intervention, he managed to wander to the meeting place without getting distracted or lost. Once there, he heard the joyous news of a deity that loved all of creation, and wanted to “bring an end to all in pain, suffering and sadness.” Nostrum was hooked. Over the next few months, he managed to sneak away to multiple meetings to learn more about this wonderful deity.

Eventually, Gaedren caught Nostrum in the act of sneaking out with his holy symbol. Enraged that Nostrum would continue to disobey him after all the drugs invested in him, Gaedren set up him. He managed to wrestle the holy symbol away and broke it underfoot. Whilst still under the effects of the drugs, this action set Nostrum’s soul aflame: He struck out at Gaedren, landing a sharp blow to his head. Gaedren crumpled, and Nostrum fled into the night. He managed to make it to the Brethren, where he was taken in and cared for until the present day.

Part III: The Good Faith
For the past ten years, Nostrum has devoted himself to the holy texts of the Brethren. He devoutly worships and follows their deity: Rovagug, “He Who Hugs the Fallen”. His prowess at both singing Rovagug’s praise and clearly explaining his edicts has made Nostrum a stand out follower. Due to this, the Brethren have decided that it is time: Nostrum should go out on a pilgrimage into the world, to share the word of Rovagug.

As was mentioned before, Nostrum is a member of the “Brethren of the Benevolent Unmaker”, a weird splinter sect that worships ‘Rovagug’. The sect relies on 3 holy texts:
- ‘Cycle Of The Beast’, an actual text describing the true horror of Rovagug. This is considered the word of Rovagug.
- ‘The Embracing Purge’: The main text of the Brethren. This text is an analysis of ‘Cycle of the Beast’ that treats almost every verse as an in depth metaphor of Rovagug’s love and care for creation. Destruction is considered a blessing and part of the passage from this world into the loving embrace of Rovagug in the life beyond. The text was written by Brother Philoxasis, who died at the age of 31 when he attempted to saw his own head off to escape the chicken that lived in his attic.
- ‘The Path to Destruction’: A further departure from reality, this text outlines the rules and tenets of living a life according to Rovagug.

Holy Symbol : This is the holy symbol of the Brethren, and the symbol that Nostrum found whilst enslaved by Gaedren.

Examples of Scripture:
[13]“As the Unmaker proclaims, “I shall wipe away all, from origin to eternity”. Therefore, the devout shall wipe away all and shalt not tolerate filth: [14]cleanliness is next to Rovagugliness!” - The Path To Destruction, Chapter 3, Verse 13-14

List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.
Short-term goal: Nostrum’s short-term goal is to find Gaedren. He is thankful for the part Gaedren had in bringing him to a true knowledge of the faith of Rovagug, and wishes to share the rapture of true faith and repentance for his past actions. Nostrum will only be satisfied when Gaedren comes to know Rovagug, regardless of whether it’s enlightenment through words or enlightenment through an axeblade…
Long-term goal: Nostrum’s long-term goal is to spread the life-sustaining faith of the “Brethren” as far and wide as possible. He wishes to lead by example, and show how faith in Rovagug can bring about a better world.

My Goals:
- I really want to explore the concept of a Lawfully Good “Heart Of Gold” hero who has a totally warped understanding of his own belief system. I’d like his character to develop from the first level Bard into either a Paladin or a Cleric. Unfortunately, he can’t technically be a Cleric of Rovagug as the alignments are totally opposite, but with GM permission, I’d like him to have divine powers manifest due to his sheer strength of faith. If not, I’ll just push down the Paladin route.
- My other main goal is to play with the concept of both Nostrum’s repressed memories and the real Rovagug’s impact on his mind. This could come about with him being excessively brutal in persecuting Evil actions, or in how he utilises Intimidation.
- I really want to make Nostrum a fun character for other players and NPCs to interact with. To this mean, I want to make sure that the songs he sings, the chants that he cries and the scripture that he quotes are both inspiring for his companions, but at the same time REALLY REALLY creepy.

Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.

(1) Trained to sing the praises of Rovagug, Nostrum will take any opportunity to bring music. His songs range from roaring praise of Rovagug’s might to soul-shattering dirges that hint at the ache Nostrum has been through.
(2) Due to the brutality of his childhood, the shiver and his time with the brethren, Nostrum sees the world in terms of absolute black and white. He will not tolerate acts that are absolutely ‘Evil’. However, Nostrum has a great understanding of good in the long run, and so will tolerate acts by ‘non-believers’ that he disagrees with in the short run if Nostrum thinks he can use it as a means to bring about greater good, or as a means to evangelize to others.
(3) Nostrum believes that real followers of Rovagug are “heretics”, and will persecute them with brutality that is disproportionate to their actions. This is actually his subconscious fighting against the suffering he received from his parents. This subconscious may shine through in other ways.
(4) As all the ‘Brethren’ are as gullible as Nostrum, and due to sheer fortune are all males, Nostrum was raised with no real understanding of romance or of women. He will likely treat males and females exactly the same, but will totally misunderstand the concept of romantic interest (let alone the concept of sex).

Describe at least three people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
(Ally) Brother Jael : The member of the “Brethren” who first welcomed Nostrum and later gave him sanctuary after his escape. An elderly man with a kind face and a receding hairline, Jael has spent his whole life as a humble fisherman. He used to have a wife and children, however they all perished in an house fire. Jael later discovered the fire was started by the lackey of a druglord trying to burn down the house of a rival distributor, but lighting the wrong house. In persuing this druglord for revenge, Jael was mugged and received a severe headwound. To help with his recovery, Jael took to reading and soon found the texts of Rovagug in an antique store. The more he read of them, the more he was convinced of their validity. Vowing forgiveness of those who wrong him, Jael took to teaching others of Rovagug’s holy ways.
(Ally) Brother Heshuphet: Nostrum’s closest friend. Osirion born, Heshuphet is a relatively new member of the ‘Brethren’. When he first arrived in Korvosa, Heshuphet developed a strong addiction to shiver. He would have likely died of overdose if Jael + Nostrum hadn’t saved him. Very intelligent, but ultimately quite unwise, Heshuphet is mostly sceptical about the validity of the Brethren’s teachings. However, he cannot deny the many stories that he has been told of Rovagug saving and as such continues to try to understand the religion of his friends.
( Neutral) Parents: As was mentioned, Nostrum cannot remember his childhood and as such only remembers his parents as fragmented flashes of childhood. He connects them with the concept of both opulent pleasure and bone-shaking terror, both phantasms of hope and horror. He cannot remember their names or faces, but if he encountered them he is sure he would know who they are.
(Enemy)Cheena: A fellow Lamm who grew up with Nostrum, Cheena was sly and self-interested pet of Gaedren. She frequently informed Gaedren of Nostrum’s escape attempts to gain favour for herself. Although Nostrum has vowed to foremost seek peoples’ salvation, for Cheena he might just make an exception…