Sajan

Perspicacious Gao's page

67 posts. Alias of Evgeni Genadiev.


Full Name

Perspicacious Gao Zhi

Race

Human

Classes/Levels

Unchained Monk 1 (Perfect Scholar)/Sorcerer (Empyreal) 1

Gender

Male

Age

31

Alignment

LG

Deity

Irori

Location

Changdo

Languages

Tian

Occupation

Gardener, Entertainer, Athlete

Strength 18
Dexterity 14
Constitution 14
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 17
Charisma 8

About Perspicacious Gao

Stat Block:

Perspicacious Gao Zhi
Male Human Monk/Sorcerer 1
LG Medium Humanoid
Init +2; Senses Perception +3
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DEFENSE
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AC 16(20), touch 16, flat-footed 13(17) (dex +4, Wis +3, +1 Dodge, (mage armour))
hp 13 (1d10+3)
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +5
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OFFENSE
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Speed: 30 ft
Melee:
Unarmed Strike +6/+6 (1d6+5)
Space: 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
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STATISTICS
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Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 8
BAB +1, CMB +5, CMD 20
Feats: Weapon Focus(Unarmed Strike), Stunning Fist, Eschew Materials, Dodge
Traits:
Quain Martial Artist
Athletic Champion
Skills: 4/level

Acrobatics: +6 (1 rank, 2 Dex, 3 class)
Diplomacy +4 (1 rank, -1 Cha, 3 class, 1 trait)
Sense Motive +7 (1 rank, 3 Wis, 3 class)
Heal +4/6 (1 rank, 3 Wis, +2 circumstance)
-----Background skills-------
Perform(Comedy) +5 (1 rank, 3 class, -1 Cha, +2 mwk Equipment)
Knowledge(nobility) +6 (1 rank, 3 class, 1 trait)
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RACE AND CLASS FEATURES
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Dual Talented - +2 Str, +2 Wis

Bloodline Abilities
Heavenly Fire (Sp): 6/day, 1d4+1 damage/healing
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Spells
Lvl 1 (4/day)
Vanish
Mage Armour

Lvl 0 (-/day)
Light
Mage Hand
Detect Magic
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EQUIPMENT
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25 Wushu Darts - 5gp
Healer's Kit - 25gp
Masterwork Perform(Comedy) kit - 50 gp

Backstory:

The crowd had gathered on the streets of Outer Changdo, the small area behind the stores cleared for plays. People from all corners of Tian-Xia gather for the Exultation Festival and the small, plainly dressed acrobat was one of them. Sure, entertaining crowds was unlikely to lead to immense knowledge, but what would life be if not for joy, he pondered.

The bolsterous, mustachioed man shouted. "And next, one who has mastered the arts of Quain, a display of ancient magic and physical prowess! He will fill your hearts with joy and your heads with wisdom!"

Gao walked onto the stage, bowing courteously as he withdrew several colourful batons, all covered in minute caligraphies and ending in a silken string. Standing on one leg and extending the other in the air, Gao began juggling with impressive ability, as the batons blend into a flurry of the Five colours. Occasionally he tossed one further away, then ran to catch it in the last moment. As he finished his routine, he began snatching the batons out of the air one by one, only to see the last one fall into the muddy, grassy patch behind him, leading the public to a disappointed murmur.

Gao grinned as he reached towards the ground to grab the last baton, which much to everyone's surprise floated in the air out of the monk's grasp.

"That is very impolite of it.", Gao said to the audience, distraught look on his face. Leaping in the air to catch it, the baton floated even higher, shaking as if to laugh at the man. He hurled the other two in the air to hit the first one, which rapidly darted to the side to avoid them, as Gao rushed to catch them, much to the public's enjoyment. "When actions fail, words must be a man's weapon.", he said in a calm, teacherly tone, sheathing the remaining batons to his side. "Honourable baton,", he said out loud, bowing deeply at the flying stick, "Would you please return to me? You put yourself in dependence of my skill, and my imperfections failed you. I apologise." Floating downwards, the baton stopped for a moment in front of Gao, gently bonking him on the head, then hovering back into the expecting acrobat's hand.

As the crowds laugh and rush forward with coins towards Gao's box, the short man raised his hand. "Respect those who feed you, and feed those who respect you.", he said, nodding deeply once more as the showkeeper showed in the next entertainer. "Hoigu - the firebreater...", the voice continued booming as Gao disappeared into the streets.


-------Archived-------

Origins:

So who is Perspicacious Gao? As far as I know, it's me!, chuckles the man, before lifting his cup of wine and taking a measured sip. As it is said, even the greatest avalanche was once but a snowflake, and I have no such greatness.

I was born three or so decades ago in Dtang Ma, a small kingdom in the Dragon Empires. Dtang Ma is a wonderful place of powerful magic, wise sages and hard working people. Great turtle soup, too., he chuckles, rubbing his stomach. It is by far the most sorcerous of all places there, with people's blood coming down from the power of nature, the capriciousness of the fae, or the mystery of the stars. Usually, that is. My power comes from the very heavens and those who inhabit them. And my training, too! As Master Pa Lin said, the gods bless, but don't ask them to herd your aurochs for you!, he chuckles once more.

Why I am here? I wasn't the best of the students, to be honest. Sorcerers usually tell magic how to behave, and wizards write down how it does. I simply asked the heavens, why? And usually, they'd answer - why not?, he smiles widely, showing a wide array of shining teeth. I had many questions, and being the fool that I am, I had to ask them often. Did I came here to ask questions with the blessing of the Master, or did the Master send me here so that she'd not have to answer me any more, I don't know! As Pragmatic Shaohao wrote, 'Ask not how the ox cart fell in the lake, but help the driver instead.' It was a long journey. Cold one, too., he grins, taking another sip of his wine. I came to here in a caravan. The people here are fascinating, and there's so much knowledge kept and lost. I help the Curious Goblin, and do jobs around town now. The questioning mouth fills the soul, but it must stop asking so it could fill the belly., teaches Voracious Zhen Lu. I am also looking forward to your festival. The end of hard work must be celebrated, and there is no harder or better work than restoring what once was., he nods thoughtfully, finishing his cup of wine. Another, perhaps, my listener? Wine is that which greases the wheels of conversation.

Description:

Gao is a man of average height and build for Tian, standing at no more than five and a half feet tall, and tending more on the wiry, rather than bulky side. His skin is a shade darker than what most would expect from a Tian. His head is completely shaved, save for a small bun of black hair at the back of the head.

His inquisitive brown eyes are usually staring left and right, narrowed in enjoyment of the world or in laughter. His mouth, filled with perfectly white teeth, is either curled in a small smile, or busy spouting out a word of ancient wisdom. Or a word of recent wisdom, as he might say.

He's usually dressed in a flowing blue linen tunic with trousers, loose fitting, with a wider cloth belt around his midsection. Bearing no arms or armour, his small satchel usually holds a book and a caligraphy kit. His feet are clad in very worn sandals during the summer, and a pair of just as worn leather shoes in the colder times.

His hands, unusually bruised and calloused, are often around a broom, shovel, hoe or a garden implement, as he rarely is left standing in a place for long without doing something. Occasionally, they grip a cup of wine, but never to the point of outwards drunkenness. "One can love wine, but he should not marry it. Better to leave it as a mistress.", he occasionally spouts.


Backstory:

"So how much is the guy paying us?", asked one of the masked men, thick Varisian accent seeping through his whispered words. "'Cause, it's just books. I wouldn't pay a dinted copper."

The trio stood outside The Curious Goblin. Clad in dark clothes, wearing hoods over their faces, one was busy kneeling next to the door lock with a set of lockpicks. "It's why I'm not selling them to you, Joban. The Szcarni think that those are very valuable tomes, and should set us up for at least a couple of months. Wouldn't have to come to this backwater any time soon.", the third one replied, keeping an eye on the gate, and the intricate painting of a goblin reading a book. "Funny, isn't it. It's not like goblins can read.", he shared, turning around to look away from the empty street. The lock clicked, and a gold-filled smile from the woman kneeling next to the door.

Making out of the door, carrying a hefty bag on each shoulder, the three left the gate, closing it carefully behind them. "Street's clean. Let's go straight for the caravan.", one suggested, turning around to look straight into an unfamiliar Tian face, smiling widely.

"Scholastic Li Xian once said, the burden of knowledge is the heaviest of all.", the man said in a calm, musical Tian voice, ushering a hand forward. "I would be deeply grateful to take this burden off your shoulders."

The broad-shouldered Varisian leapt back, before grinning and drawing a knife. "Say you keep walking, and you keep living. How's that for wisdom, pal?", he grunted, undoubtedly from the mental strain of the threat. The two others followed his lead, drawing their own daggers and turning towards the newcomer. "You didn't come all this way to die, did you, Min-man?", the woman chipped in.

The man smiled. Wearing a simple white shirt and trousers, the moon shone off his head as he shook it. "Partially correct, dishonourable thief. I didn't come here to die, but I am not of the Min. I am Gao, of the Dtang. When you give the books to me, I can tell you more of Tian Xia." His hopeful smile remained on his face, as he put his empty hands together.

"F@$$ this guy, just kill him before he calls the guard!", hissigly whispered the Varisian, taking a vicious stab towards the man's torso, only to have the dagger repulsed back by in a flash of bright light.

Gao sighed. "As the Glorious General said in times unknown, knowing is half the battle.", the Tian man said in a regretful voice. Dropping into a fighting stance in mere moments, he leapt into the air, leather sandals smashing into the surprised Varisian's face, sending the thug lying in the ditch. The other two leapt to their feet, the woman moving behind, sinking her blade into his back. Gao coughed. The only one more foolish than the fool is the man who thinks he knows it all. Scoffing, Gao turned around in a fluid motion, landing his heel in her shin with a horrid crack, followed by a swift punch in the nose. The last man took a step back, holding his knife in a defensive manner. "Look, pal. It's obvious you're good, but you're wounded. Don't kill yourself over some books. Bastard doesn't even need them."

The Tian man smiled. "I appreciate your reluctance for bloodshed. I'll mention it to the sheriff. Time heals all wounds, they say, but time also waits for no one.", he smiled, as a radiant flash from his hand shone on his back. Taking a step forward, he leapt for the dagger, one hand grasping the man's wrist, another blocking the swing, as the knife flew in the gutter. "Would you help me carry those two to the sheriff? Carrying one is easier than carrying three."