Rhaskos the Lesser's page

Rhaskos the Lesser
Male Human (Taldan) Cavalier (Beast Rider) 1
NG Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +1
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15 (+5 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 11 (1d10+1)
Fort +3 (+5 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather, +2 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +2, Will +2
Resist cockatrice's skills
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee Heavy Shield Bash +5 (1d4+4/x2) and
. . Dagger +5 (1d4+4/19-20/x2) and
. . Gladius +5 (1d6+4/19-20/x2) and
. . Greatsword +5 (2d6+6/19-20/x2) and
. . Lance +5 (1d8+6/x3) or
Ranged Javelin +3 (1d6+4/x2)
Special Attacks cockatrice's challenge +1 (1/day)
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Statistics
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Str 18, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Intimidating Prowess, Paired Opportunists, Power Attack -1/+2
Traits Bastard, Veteran of Battle
Skills Acrobatics -2 (-6 jump), Climb +0, Escape Artist -2, Fly -2, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +8, Perform (act) +4, Profession (gladiator) +5, Ride +2, Sense Motive +5, Stealth -2, Swim +0 Modifiers +4 ride while riding your bonded mount., bastard
Languages Common
SQ animal companion link, orders (order of the cockatrice), tactician (paired opportunists) 3 rds (1/day)
Combat Gear Alchemist's fire; Other Gear Scale mail, Heavy steel shield, Dagger, Gladius, Greatsword, Lance, Javelin x5, Cold weather outfit, Furs, Riding kit, Pathfinder's kit, 3 GP
Pathfinder's Kit: Backpack, Bedroll, Belt pouch, Clay mug, 2 Fish hooks, Flint+Steel, Sewing Needle, Signal Whistle, 50ft String, 50ft Thread, Waterskin, 1 Week of rations, Whetstone
Riding kit: Bit and Bridle, Saddle, Saddle Bags, 2 days feed
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Special Abilities
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+4 Ride while riding your bonded mount. (Ex) Cancel your armor check penalty of -4 while riding your mount.
Animal Companion Link (Ex) You have a link with your Animal Companion.
Bastard -1 CHA skills vs. Brevic Nobility, +1 Will save.
Cockatrice's Challenge +1 (1/day) (Ex) +1 to damage target, -2 AC vs. others when used, +1 damage when you are the only one threatening the target.
Cockatrice's Skills +0 (Ex) +0 to DC vs. demoralization.
Cold weather outfit +5 Fort save vs. Cold Weather.
Furs +2 Fort vs. Cold Weather (does not stack with Survival skill's bonuses)
Paired Opportunists +4 to hit for AoOs if you and an ally with this feat both threaten the target.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Tactician (Paired Opportunists) 3 rds (1/day) (Ex) Grant the use of your Tactical feats to your allies within 30'.
Veteran of Battle +1 Initiative, draw a weapon as a free action during the surprise round.

Virtus
Horse
N Large Animal
Init +1; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 16 (+3 armor, +1 Dex, -1 size, +4 natural)
hp 20 (+4)
Fort +5 (+4 vs. hot or cold environments and to resist damage from suffocation), Ref +4, Will +1
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Offense
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Speed 50 ft.
Melee Bite (Horse) +3 (1d4+3/x2) and
. . Hooves x2 (Horse) +3 x2 (1d6+3/x2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 16 (20 vs. Trip)
Feats Endurance, Power Attack -1/+2
Tricks Attack [Trick], Attack [Trick], Attack Any Target [Trick], Combat Riding [Trick], Come [Trick], Defend [Trick], Down [Trick], Guard [Trick], Heel [Trick]
Skills Acrobatics +4 (+12 jump), Climb +2, Escape Artist +0, Fly -2, Perception +5, Ride +0, Stealth -4, Swim +3 (+7 to resist nonlethal damage from exhaustion)
Languages
SQ attack any target [trick], combat riding [trick]
Other Gear Wooden armor, You have no money!
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Special Abilities
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Attack Any Target [Trick] The animal will attack any creature on command.
Combat Riding [Trick] The animal has been trained to bear a rider into combat.
Endurance +4 to a variety of skill checks. Sleep in L/M armor with no fatigue.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.

Rhaskos the Lesser was born in the City State of Tymon to his father, Rhaskos the Greater, a blooded warrior of the arena and a Eliza Surtova a noblewoman and diplomatic envoy from the nation of Brevoy Campaign Trait: Bastard
Like most children born in the City of Tymon, Rhaskos saw his first kill at an early age. At six years old, young Rhaskos watched his father Rhaskos the Greater, slay his 76th man in the Arena of Aroden. He heard the roars of the crowd and the screams for blood and the chanting of his father’s name. It was at that moment, which Rhaskos swore that one day he too would stand on the sand of the arena and listen as his name was chanted and valor was piled upon him.

As the son of a blooded warrior life was good for young Rhaskos. His father was nearing his 100th victory in the arena and it was rumored that he would soon be challenging Ullorth Ungin for the title of Champion. At the age of fourteen Eliza was recalled to Brevoy. Though his father and Eliza had never married they loved each other, but Rhaskos knew his place was to remain in Tymon. Six months later Rhaskos began his training at the Valknar Gladiatorial College. He learned horsemanship, the blade and fighting as a team. For four years Rhaskos studied, practiced and trained. And then it all fell apart. Cavalier 1

Rhaskos had just turned eighteen and his father had Rhaskos the Greater had beaten his 100th opponent earning the right to face Ullorth Ungin for the title of Champion and claim leadership of Tymon. Sadly it was not meant to be. Under the hot sun Rhaskos the Greater faced down Ungin Half-man. The priest of Gorum had said a blessing upon the sands and the fight began. As each blow fell upon Rhaskos’s father, the young gladiator watched with shock. Each thrust; each parry seemed to fall with hesitation and sluggishness. This was not the fighter that young Rhaskos knew. Bewildered, the son watched as his father was struck; once, twice and then a third time. Rhaskos the Greater fell to his knees, hearts blood wetting the sands. As silence filled the Arena of Aroden Ullorth raised his Gladius in victory, before driving it down with a killing blow.

Shocked and dismayed and the death of his father Rhaskos the Lesser feel into a melancholy. This was not what was supposed to have happened. His father was to have become the Champion, with glory and riches heaped upon him not dead on the sands of the arena. The next day the debtors came. As was law, having challenged the reigning Champion of Tymon and lost all property was forfeit. Rhaskos watched as his house and what few belonging he had of his fathers were stripped from him. Only that what he had earned for himself he was left with. Knowing not what to do Rhaskos did the only thing he could think of. He gathered his meager belongings and his mount Virtus and left Tymon.

For the next three months Rhaskos slowly made his way to Brevoy. His father was dead, what few friends he had continued to train at Valknar College and Tymon was filled memories he would rather forget. At least in Brevoy he knew his mother had allies and he had a chance to make a new start. As he made his way towards Brevoy, Rhaskos found something that he had never expected; the need for vengeance. Each night along the roads and streams of the River Kingdoms Rhaskos would pray to Gorum that he might one day return and upon the sands face the man that killed his father. Religious Trait (Gorum): Veteran of Battle

Once Rhaskos reached Brevoy he spent several weeks locating his Mother. Much to his dismay he learned from her that the Noble House of Surtova would not recognize his birthright. While his mother may have been a noble, his father was a gladiator from another city-state. To have been declared as part of the Surtova line would bring nothing but shame upon the noble house. However, Eliza was if nothing else a loving mother, who still had powerful contacts from her time as a diplomat. Eliza knew that Brevoy would soon be sending explores to map the Stolen Lands, and with a few well-placed words was able to ensure that her son would have an opportunity to join one of the expeditions. Having done all that she could, Eliza gave her son her blessing, and a promise that if he did well during the expedition she would do what she could to have him recognized as a legitimate heir of her line. It was with that, that Rhaskos once again set off into the wilderness, towards a small trading outpost know as Oleg’s.

When I build a character, the first thing I do is look at where the character is coming from, how he would play a role in a group and how I would like to see him develop as the campaign goes on. First off a little about me. I am in eight PbP's right now, and I maintain a good posting amount in each of them. Since I got into PbP's about 8 months ago I have gotten hooked. I like the deeper character development that you can achieve, that often seems to fail at larger tabletop games. I have 1,300 posts and I'm consistent. I tell you this because players and DM's can occasionally disappear, and it can be disheartening to the group. I have never ditched a group, and I have no intentions of starting now.

Onto my character. Mechanically, Rhaskos is a Cavalier with the Beast Rider Archetype. He is built to take advantage of the Performance Combat rules from Ultimate Combat. While most Cavaliers tend to fight from horseback Rhaskos will mostly fight on the ground, with his Beast assisting him in combat. The good thing about this build is that the Performance Combat stuff won't come up until later. I did this for two reasons, one its more effective as you get into higher levels and two, as a new GM to PbP I don't want to overwhelm you with a bunch of extra stuff right off. He can us either sword and shield, or two handed weapons as necessary for combats.

Roleplay wise Rhaskos has several desires/hooks built into his character.
-He is a Bastard of House Surtova
-Father died during a bid for rulership via the Law of Succession in Tymon
-He trained at the Valknar Gladiatorial College and Gladiators of Tymon are often hired out to other nations of the River Kingdoms for the right price.
-Rhaskos wants power, but for a very specific reason. Being recognized as a heir of House Surtova, earning the title of bloodied and any other honors or titles that he can obtain are all part of his desire to one day return to Tymon and unseat Ullorth Ungin "the Half-man". (While I know the campaign won't move in this direction, I thought that it would still be quite interesting to see how it might play out as a new "nation" develops.

Anyhow, thanks for considering my character. I know I barely squeezed in on the cut-off, but trust me, I had been kicking around ideas for this character ever since I asked you about the Dwarf Oracle of Stone!