Roman Tsarko's page

Maybe once, in his youth, Roman intented making an honest living. But it didn’t last long.
He started as a highwayman and brigand, in the woods, when someone still was brave enough to go through them. When the forest became deadly, Roman moved to Barbaranaka and became enforcer for local criminals. Never one to refuse an unfair advantage over the opponent, he was among the firsts in his gang to use guns to get the upper hand. Barbaranaka was a place hard enough to live in, and if Roman could make it just a bit less hard for himself at the expenses of others, he was ok with it.

And then he met Iulia. He bought a hat from her.
She was short and butch, with red hair and green eyes, and she was a great leather worker, and great at kicking in the groin those who bothered her. More important, she was never afraid of him: every time his temper mounted up, she defused him with a sarcastic remark or a well-placed elbow to the ribcage - that made him smirk and calm down.
After a long courtship, and a lot of groin kicks increasingly less convinced, he finally got her to give him a chance. His life changed: he became a better person, stopped bullying others, got a regular job – for a few years, Barbaranaka almost seemed like a good place to live in.

Then came the Seekers, and everything sucked again. He woke to her screams of terror, a terror he never thought she was able to experience. He armed himself and got out, but her screams got lost in the night, and he was unable to fight at her side.

This time she wasn’t there to calm his rage. He sold almost everything he had, got in debt with everyone in the city to get his hands on alchemical explosives, magic items, powerful weapons. What he couldn’t buy, he stole. He broke Old Milos’ nose when he found out he couldn’t afford that protective amulet.

After two days, armed to the teeth, he stormed the Black Prison of Zeltos.

It went about as well as one could imagine.

Now, with his sword stuck in a monster’s ribcage, his gun all out of powder, several broken bones and a Seeker’s arm wrapped around his neck, he was seeing the fatal blow to his head coming in slow-motion – just in time for a last grin.

He had seen Iulia. She was still alive, and not yet broken. Before the abominations came, he had slipped in her cell a bunch of useful magical items. She had hope.
The giant blade fell, splitting his skull in half, and Roman died with a grin on his broken face.

Roman Tsarko
Male middle-aged Human Fighter (cad) 2/Gunslinger (pistolero)* 1
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Initiative +3; Senses: Perception +8
*favored class (+1 skill point)

==== Defense ====
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 dex, +4 armor)
HP 28 (3d10+6)
Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +3
Special defenses: gunslinger’s dodge

==== Offense ====
Speed 30 feet
Melee mwk longsword +6 (1d8+2, 19/20x2)
Ranged mwk pistol +7 (1d8, x4)
Special attacks up close and deadly 1d6

==== Statistics ====
Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 16, Car 12
BA +3; CMB +5*; CMD 18*
* +3 disarm, +1 dirty trick, +1 steal

Feats: Gunsmithing, Rapid reload (pistol), Point-blank shot, Combat Expertise, Deadly aim, Improved disarm
Skills: Bluff +6, Climb +6*, Craft [alchemy] +6, Intimidate +7, Perception +8, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of hand +7*, Stealth +8*, Survival +8
* -1 armor check penalty

Languages: Common, Dwarven, Regional dialect
Traits: Killer, Armor expert
SQ: Human racial traits, Grit (3/3), Deeds (quick clear, up close and deadly, gunslinger’s dodge), Dirty Maneuvers

==== Gear ====:
Clothes and armor:

• chain shirt (100 gp)
  
• explorer’s outfit (10 gp)
  
• fine leather hat (5 gp)

Weapons:

• masterwork longsword
  
• dagger
  
• masterwork pistol
  
• bandolier containing
  
• 32 doses of gunpowder
  
• 32 bullets, 3 cold iron bullets, 3 silver bullets, 1 pitted bullet
  
• 4 flare alchemical cartridges
  
• 5 paper alchemical cartridges
  

Miscellaneous equipment

• gunslinger’s kit (backpack containing: bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, gunsmith’s kit, iron pot, mess kit, powder horn, rope, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), waterskin)
  
• harmonica
  
• potion of cure light wounds
  
• Iron pellet grenade
  
• Flask of acid

Clear aether: 521

Before combat Roman drinks potions only if useful to the specific situation, like Resist Fire vs a Red Dragon; or if he has a lot of time to prepare for a fight vs a recognizably dangerous threat; he always has a loaded gun in his holster. Roman likes to sneak up on people for a close shot with his gun in the surprise round.

During combat on the first round Roman moves to 20 ft and fires his pistol. He targets heavily armored targets first. If it is a surprise attack he will use 1 Grit Point for his Up Close and Deadly deed - otherwise he'll use it only against very powerful targets. He also makes frequent use of his Deadly Aim feat.
Then he puts the pistol back in the holster and unsheathes the sword (if he can spare an action, he’ll reload the gun before putting it back). He uses his longsword with two hands.
After the first round of melee combat he uses his Combat Expertise feat: if he’s been already wounded defensively, otherwise offensively. He maneuvers to flank if he can, but won’t risk AoO if he’s already been wounded.
If an enemy seems about to die, he’ll try to finish him off with his gun to regain a Grit Point.

Morale if reduced to 8 or less hit points Roman will disengage from melee – even if this means leaving other front-line fighters alone – and supports from distance with the pistol, after spending an action to get good cover if the terrain allows it; if he doesn't get cover, he'll make careful use of his Gunslinger's dodge deed.

GoalsFreeing Iulia. That’s the only thing that matters. He’ll gladly accept any mission they offer him if in change he can get help storming Zeltos, either powerful items or companions to his side.