About Raniero CavalcanteStatblock:
Raniero Cavalcante
Male Half Elf Ranger (Wild Stalker) 1 N Medium Humanoid (Half Elf) Init +3 Senses Perception +10 -------------------- Defense -------------------- AC: 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 HP: 13 Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +4 (+2 vs. Emotion and Fear effects, +2 vs. Enchantments) -------------------- Offense -------------------- Speed 30 ft. Melee . . Bastard sword +4 (1d10+4/19-20) or . . Dagger +4 (1d4+3/19-20) or . . Shortspear +4 (1d6+4/ x2) Ranged . . Shortbow+4 (1d6/x3, 60ft range) or . . Shortspear +4 (1d6+3/ x2, 20ft range) -------------------- Statistics -------------------- Str 16, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10 Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 17 Feats: Iron Will, Skill Focus (Stealth) Traits: Giant Slayer, Disillusioned, Beastkin (Wolves) Skills: *Climb +5, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +4, Knowledge (Geography) +4, Knowledge (Nature) +4, Perception +10, *Stealth +8, Survival +7 *ACP applies (-2) Languages: Common, Elven SQ: Strong Senses, Track, Wild Empathy Gear: Bastard Sword, Shortbow, 40 arrows, 3 Shortspears, Dagger, Chainshirt, Ranger’s Kit (backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, iron pot, mess kit, rope, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin.), Cloak 10pp, 18gp -------------------- Special Abilities -------------------- Giant Slayer You gain a +1 trait bonus on bluff, perception and sense motive and a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls against foes of the giant subtype. Disillusioned: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Will saving throws against emotion and fear effects. Beastkin: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Survival checks and can use speak with animals as a spell-like ability at will to communicate with the type of animal that raised you (wolves). Strong Senses : At 1st level, a wild stalker's life among the wild has sharpened his senses. He gains low-light vision and a +1 bonus on Perception checks. If he already has low-light vision, he gains a +2 bonus on Perception checks instead. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels after 1st (to a maximum of +6 at 20th level, or +7 if the character did not gain low-light vision from this ability). This ability replaces the ranger's first favored enemy ability. Track: (+1) Add half your level to survival checks to follow tracks. Wild Empathy: (+1) Influence animals as if using Diplomacy. -------------------- Racial Abilities -------------------- Low-light Vision Adaptability: Half-elves receive Skill Focus as a bonus feat at 1st level. Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race. Elven Immunities: Half-elves are immune to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects. Keen Senses: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception skill checks. Background:
Raniero Cavalvante was born shortly after his parents decided to retire from their life of adventuring. His father had suffered a grievous injury, and upon recovering realized that his days as a travelling sell sword must soon come to an end. He made the choice to return to his homeland of Varisia with his wife, an elven ranger from the woods of Kyonin, and together they purchased a small farm where they intended to live out the rest of their days together in peace. Three years after the birth of their son, disaster struck. A rampaging band of giants wandered south from the Storval Plateau, and upon discovering the peaceful farmstead in the middle of the night they razed it to the ground. Raniero’s parents fought back as best they could, however it had been too long since they had raised a sword to a foe such as these, and they were quickly overrun. Raniero’s mother wrapped her child in a soft blanket of lamb’s wool, and with a kiss handed the precious bundle to her faithful wolf, Dwin. She stood in defiance as the giants closed in on her home, buying enough time for the mighty wolf to carry its precious cargo off into the woods. The next nine years were hard on the boy. Dwin was a clever beast, and cared deeply for the boy but ultimately, he was still but a wolf. Raniero grew strong and swift, and became a consummate hunter in his own right. He was confused at the difference between his apparent father and himself, but found happiness in the thrill of the hunt. Time had begun to take its toll on the old wolf however, and he soon realised that he would not be able to care for the boy for much longer. Dwin took young Raniero back to the ruins of his old home, hoping to find someone who could step in and help the boy to find a home among his own people. A new home had been built a half-mile north of the old farmhouse, which had been razed to the ground but left alone out of respect to the owners who had given their life defending it. After some searching of the ruins, the boy found an old steel chest, charred and blackened by the flames. He pried it open, and to his amazement found strange objects unfamiliar to him. An old sword, heavy and worn from years of use, along with a small journal bound in faded green leather and a bag of coins. These items, strange and unusual though they seemed, felt precious to him and so it was that he decided to keep them. The owner of the new farmhouse, a half elven trader named Gallian, was a childhood friend and adventuring companion of Raniero’s father who had decided to rebuild the property to honour his fallen comrade.. When he discovered the boy sleeping amid the ash and charred wood, he saw an uncanny resemblance to his old friend. After a little coaxing, he managed to convince the feral child to come in to his home, and eat his first cooked meal as Dwin slipped away into the woods. Years passed, and Gallian taught the boy to read and write both of his parent’s tongues. The journal, which had belonged to Raniero’s mother, gave the child his names and a sense of belonging. However, as Raniero grew, his longing to return to the hunt took a new direction. Upon discovering what had happened to his parents, he became vengeful and longed to seek out the giants who took away his family. He taught himself to fight with his father’s blade, and eventually Gallian apprenticed him off to some travelling caravan guards for a year to hone his skills. Hearing of the recent giant activity around Sandpoint convinced Raniero to accompany Gallian to the Swallowtail festival as a guard.
Appearance:
The half elf standing before you carries himself with the air of an untamed animal. His hair is a wild mane of unruly black hair, falling past his shoulders in a mess of matted knots. His piercing amber eyes look you up and down, seeming to take in every minute detail of your dress and bearing. He sniffs, and a low growl resounds from his throat as you approach. He wears a woven tunic loosely over the top of a burnished shirt of chainmail, leather slacks and dusty black boots. A thick grey woollen cloak adorns his shoulders, and a heavy steel blade is sheathed across his back in a worn scabbard.
Nero stands just over 6 feet tall. His body is lean and well-muscled, yet he moves with grace and poise. Years of living on wild meats and what little berries and fruits he could scavenge caused him to grow strong, and a childhood spent stalking creatures through the woods has given him a natural penchant for moving in silence.
Personality:
Raniero learnt most of his social cues from his adoptive father, a wolf named Dwin, and as such finds some social situations awkward and uncomfortable. Although he has spent the better part of his adult life among civilisation, he often reverts to communicating as he did among the wild. Sniffing, growling and snarling are traits he is yet to relinquish, and as such he can seem to be an intimidating man when he first meets another potential “alpha”. He is conscious of his awkward mannerisms however, and tries to appear normal whenever he notices the discomfort of others.
Nero possesses great willpower, in part due to his stubborn nature and harsh upbringing. He refuses to give in, and will always try to resolve a situation rather than give up. Nero has an interest in the study of giants. By no means a scholar, he is more concerned with speaking to those who have survived encounters with these mighty foes. He has spent many a night curled up by the fireplace listening to salty old warriors recount their tales of battles with giantkin during his travels with Ravak. Nero possesses a burning desire to test himself in battle against the kin of those who took his parents lives. Nero loves trying new food. Smells and tastes are experiences he relishes, and since returning to civilisation he has enjoyed the varied types of cuisine that Varisia has to offer. He has a fondness for chocolate, and loves to drink milk.
Miscellaneous Information:
Important people:
Gallian, Half Elven adopted father, friend of Nero’s parents. Ravak, Shoanti caravan guard and adventuring companion of Nero’s parents. Ravak took Nero on as an apprentice and taught him to fight. Dwin (Unknown), Nero’s adoptive “father” and animal companion to his late mother Leandro Cavalcante (Deceased), Nero’s biological father Avalyndriel Taurvantian (Deceased), Nero’s biological mother Important Possessions:
Journal: This belonged to Nero’s mother. Although reading elven is difficult for him, Nero enjoys sifting through the pages and reliving the adventures his parents experienced. Wolf tooth pendant: One of Dwin’s canine teeth fell out and Nero kept it for years. As he grew older, he fashioned the tooth into a necklace which he wears always. Short Story:
A young half elf stood in the middle of the open field, bare chested in the sun. Sweat dripped down his brow as he panted for breath. He had been out in the field since dawn, practicing his self-taught skills at swordplay on the dummy which his adoptive father, Gallian, had built for this specific purpose. The boy drew another deep breath into his lungs, exhaling with a roar as he charged the inanimate target once more. ‘I can’t work with him, Gallian,’ said the massive Shoanti warrior as he watched the display from the cool shade of an apple tree. Ravak knew what to look for in a fighter, and had trained dozens of fine warriors since retiring from his previous life of adventure. ‘He has too many bad habits. Watch his feet, he rushes in with no balance and swings far too heavily. One slip, one misplaced stroke and he leaves himself wide open to a counter blow,’ the warrior mused as he observed the child. Gallian smiled wryly as he listened to his old friend ramble on about the boy’s misgivings. ‘He is only a boy, my friend. I’d say no older than fifteen summers, and he’s only ever fought a dummy that won’t fight back. I promise you he’s a fast learner, spar with him and see me proved right. He is so much like his father, just give him a chance,’. Ravak sighed deeply. ‘Fine, I’ll give him a chance for his father’s sake; just don’t be upset when I prove my point. Fetch me two practice staves,’ he muttered as he began to remove his travelling cloak and tunic. Nero turned to face the two figures as they approached, squinting in the sunlight. The larger one was unfamiliar to him, but the familiar smells of coffee and bitter tobacco coming from the smaller betrayed the approach of his foster father, Gallian. Nero had accepted the hospitality of the half elf years ago, but he had never recognized the old man as his new alpha. He clutched the heavy sword tightly in hand, and stood tall with his chest out. He growled as they drew nearer, ‘Who do you bring, Gallian?’ he asked in broken and guttural elven. ‘This is Ravak, a man who can teach you much. You must fight him, Tirithon,’ Gallian replied slowly, using the boy’s elven name to accentuate the seriousness of the situation. Nero cocked his head slightly, assessing the massive Shoanti. Ravak was enormous, easily the biggest man that Nero had ever seen. His arms were as thick as small tree trunks, and his barrel chest was almost four feet wide. Scars adorned his body, along with intricate tattoos and his face was stern and emotionless. ‘Do I kill him?’ Nero asked, this time in the common tongue, as he locked eyes with the enormous man. Ravak’s face broke into a smile, and he laughed at the question. ‘If you can, boy. Be my guest,’ Ravak bellowed, throwing one of the practice staves to the young half elf. It began. As soon as Nero caught the heavy staff, Ravak moved. The massive warrior cleared the distance between the two with ease, bringing his weapon to bear in a swift overhead chop. Nero was caught off guard, and the staff connected with a sickening thud just above his temple. Stars clouded his vision, and for a moment he wanted nothing more than to fall backwards and sleep in the soft grass. ‘Defend yourself!’ Ravak roared as he reversed the momentum of his weapon and swung widely, aiming at Nero’s knee. The young half elf instinctively rolled backwards, dodging the blow by an inch and landing softly on his feet. He snarled, angry at himself for allowing such a bigger opponent to take him by surprise, and made his move. He charged recklessly, gripping his staff in two hands and swinging it will all the force he could muster. Ravak twisted his own weapon, catching the attack just before it could connect with his abdomen. With a shove, he sent the young half elf flying backwards. Nero landed on his feet, with just enough time to see Ravak charge forward once more. Ravak moved with purpose, raising his staff deliberately to repeat his previous attack. This time, Nero was ready. Deftly stepping aside at the last moment, the half elf thrust his staff between the larger man’s legs. Ravak stumbled, maintaining his footing but leaving himself open. Nero gripped his staff, thrusting again this time into the small of the Shoanti’s back. Ravak grunted, tripping forward as he tried to turn around to defend himself. Age had slowed him however, and as he managed to turn to face his younger foe he was struck. The first attack came quickly, mimicking his own downward chop, and struck him across the nose. Blood spurted from Ravak’s face, and tears began to well in his eyes as he felt the staff strike him with lightning speed. The next blow caught him fair in the stomach, and the third took his knee. Nero was relentless, a bestial fury seeming to drive his every move. Ravak grunted as he swung blindly to fend off the onslaught. He was no stranger to pain, and it was but a moment before he was back on his feet. Confidence became Nero’s undoing. He moved in to strike once more, disregarding his own safety in an effort to put down the wounded old warrior. He swung wildly, but Ravak threw down his staff and managed to close the distance between them to smother the blow. He gripped the young half elf in a mighty bear hug, and drove his forehead down into Nero’s face. Again, and again he battered the boy with his forehead, but Nero refused to give into the darkness which danced around his vision. Finally, Ravak relinquished his hold on the boy. Nero stood for a moment, snarling in defiance before the darkness took his legs from him. He collapsed into exhaustion. A few days later, Nero and Ravak set off. The old warrior, clearly impressed by the boy’s tenacity, had agreed to take him on as an apprentice. Gallian saw them off, watching them disappear across the horizon as he toked thoughtfully on his old pipe.
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