About Ophelia HaleDatasheet
DEFENCE AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+3 armour, +2 Dex)
OFFENCE Speed 30 ft. Reach 5 ft. (15 ft. with whip)
Special Attacks Arcane Strike, Bardic performance (10 rounds);
Spells (CL 3rd; concentration +5)
STATISTICS Str 16, Dex 14, Con -, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 14
Worn gear:
In pockets and purses:
Integrated gear:
In backpack:
In waterproof bags
Polonius Shop:
Fame 6
Used things:
1 first level spell (silent image) Tireless logic 3 rounds of Bardic Performance Receipt:
Clothes 5gp+1gp+1gp Armour 175gp gauntlet 2gp Tools 100+55gp instrument 100gp books 110gp containers 1gp+2gp+6 misc gear 10gp +8gp+.1gp+3gp+.5gp+1.5gp+1+40 ioun stone 200gp rope 10gp weapons 5gp+15gp+2+5+3gp Scrolls 100gp 962.1spent
+2000gp (level 3/reboot)
1995+962.1 gp spent
+645,73 (Jack's hoard)
553,63gp remaining Background:
Beaten out of copper and steel There was once a clockmaker in Korvosa of great skill. His name was Polonius and he had an unending passion for his art. He worked day and night in his shop in the Midlands cranking out one beautiful creation after another. There was one whoever that he held in highest regard, his greatest achievement. Ophelia was her name, and this is her story. Polonius was a driven man, but also practical. He preferred to work on intricate and elaborate designs, but most of the commissions he got was for simple work. Unsatisfying, but well paying. Soon he realised what his solution must be: an apprentice. Someone whom he could teach his craft and in turn could take care of the easier work – leaving him fiddling with the masterpieces. He scoured the city far and wide in search for someone to work for him. In his dismay he could not find anyone that he was satisfied with. The skilled applicants were often far to arogant and impatient, unwilling to learn. The humble were unskilled and lacked talent. The worst was both. An old friend heard of his plight, Ewyn Silverblade of the Theumanexus Collage. He taught Polonius how to imbue his creations with magic and shoved him the principles of how constructs are made. After many weeks of labour Polonius made a large complex clockwork according to designs Ewyn found in the Collage. He also made a shell for it – a life sized doll beaten out of copper plates and reinforced with steel ribbons. Her face was a mask of hardened porcelain with eyes of teal glass. Intricate designs and filigree covered much of the body – befitting a work of Polonius. The brought the clockwork and the shell to the Collage and Ewyn and a circle of mages began their ritual. When the ritual was complete Polonius stepped forth to complete the last step. He produced a copper winding key and wound the creation to life. He had spent a sizeable part on his wealth on this project – but when he met her glas eyes he knew he had the apprentice he wanted. Her eyes reflected curiosity and, most importantly, intelligence and a fierce thirst for knowledge. Life?
After what seemed like an eternity Polonius finally awoke. He sensed the joy and relief emanating from Ophelia and realized the true implications of her creation. She was made to learn, not a simple unthinking tool. But a mind what could learn was also capable to feel, to house a soul. When he met her glass eyes for a second time since her creation he saw affection – and realized that he had been blessed with what he knew not was missing: family. Polonius taught Ophelia to read and write so she had something to do during the long hours of the night. Soon she had read every book in the house cover to cover and instead Polonius struck a deal with the Collage with the help of Ewyn. Ophelia would be allowed to access their library in exchange for helping their scholars with their research. Thus Ophelia would spend the day working in either the Collage library or with Polonius in the workshop and the nights studying. One, two and three years passed and they were happy. Then came the turnaround. After fetching her from the library where she spent the night reading he stopped at the entrance of their house, instead of continuing inside. "There is something I must take care of" he said in a grave tone. "I should be back in a few hours time" then he said the word that would be etched on her memory for a long time to come "Should I fail to return, do not follow me, do not search for me." He looked in her eyes to make sure his words sank in. After a few moments he added in a lighter tone and handed her the keys to the workshop. "I'm sure it will be fine - why don't you start working and I'll join you as soon as I'm done" The Longest Day
With her last strength she dragged herself into his workshop. There, on his workbench was the key. The key which he used to wind her up – the key that gave her life each morning. She lifted the ornate copper key and looked at it. The ornate metal represented the bond between herself and Polonius. He would use it each morning at the break of dawn before they started their work. To use it herself would be to betray his trust, to call him out for neglect. But she could wait no longer for time was, quite literally, ticking. She twisted her arms backwards and started to search for the keys socket. After a few moments she found it – there right between her shoulder-blades. It fitted perfectly in the slot as always and she started to turn it. She struggled with the unfamiliar motions – motions that would be far to familiar soon enough. This, she realized, will be my fate – a clockwork winding itself – depraved of meaning and attachments. Twisting the last wish
If she could she would both smile and cry. The chattering customer had just given her a way out, a way to search for what she lost. Instead she ushered all the customers out and closed down the shop. She had waited long enough. She packed the most essential of her books and tools and set out in the city. Korvosa has no shortage of missing people. But most are drunkards getting lost or mugger victims dumped in the waters. The one Ophelia looked for was those who fit neither description – she focused on ones similar to him. Scholars, craftsmen and artisans. People whom made deals and pacts for the purpose of knowledge and skills. Frequently she found them inside the library, having lost all track of time. Other times they were in the Shingles stuck in unfavourable deals with the imps. Her linguistic talents and breath of knowledge helped her out on more then one occasion, finding chinks in the devils contracts and knowing where the latest deranged scholar might find the thesis he was looking for. The select few were not found at all – lost in the sprawling city, just like him. Contacts:
Ewyn is an old friend of Polo. He is good natured but enjoys elaborate schemes and pranks. While he respects Polo's work he feels that some fresh air could do him good. Ophelia was his idea – and seeing the change she brought gives him a hint of smugness. His role in her creation lets him take the place of an uncle to Ophelia. For her first 'birthday' he bought her a tiny gilded cage of gold with an ioun stone inside, with the explanation ”Now I can finally say that I know a girl with a heart of gold”. Since Polo's disappearance he have been an important source of support and stability.
On weekdays he works in the Theumanexus Collage teaching the principles of transmutation and arcane history. Polonious newer got to pay off all the debts from Ophelias creation and as such Ewyn was charged with collecting the last 500gp from Ophelia. Lafnyr is an imp acquaintance of Ophelia. Whenever something is up in the Shingles he is the devil to speak to. While not particularly influential he know to keep his ears and eyes open and is willing to share his knowledge – for a fair price ofcourse. Trevor is a scholar at the Theumanexus Collage. In sharp contrast to the other mages of the Collage he dislikes the written word and prefer a lively tune. He taught Ophelia to play the violin and to dance. If one would need a drinking pal he is the man. Once, after much drunken persuasion, he convinced Ophelia to try a large sip of beer. Polo had to spend the rest of the following day cleaning and drying every cog and gear from her nose and down. Description:
Ophelia is 5'5” tall and, despite her average size, weights almost 300 lbs. A quick glance at her features explains why – she is made out of copper and steel instead of flesh and blood. Her joints and muscles are balls and gears and her tendons are taunt wires. At the centre of her being there is a large and complex clockwork that gives energy to her movements. Right between her shoulderblades there is a socket for a winding key. Most of her skin is ornate plates of copper while her face is an intricate porcelain mask. The magic animating her lets her twist and flex the rigid parts a little more then they should - allowing her to form faint expressions in her otherwise unmovable face. She has a habit of having the prestidigitation spell up to let her blush and to enhance the subtle movements.
All together she appears more like a work of art then something that should move, talk and think. As a precaution - and to afford some anonymity on the streets Opheila prefers to dress in high collars and long sleeves. |
