Sarthos's page

He had been near perfection once. The doors of Iroris realm stood open wide and release from the cycle of rebirth was at hand.
Yet he couldn't let go. Not because he wanted to return, but because he was not satisfied with himself. He might have mastered spirit, body and mind to inhuman degrees, but did he attain perfection? No.
How could he? He was still only a man after all, far removed from the ideal set by his god. And thus he returned.
Again and again and again.Countless times he returned.
Over time he started to grow frustrated, a deep frustration at his own insufficiency that even penetrated each fresh life. And while he couldn't give up on his quest, it started to hinder him more in each new life.
Now, most of his recent lives have been rather 'normal'. Good lives, that would still make most gods and probably even Irori proud, but far removed from the glory of his past. The last time he attained the rank of master now lies more than 400 years back and even the times he becomes a monk at all are growing scarcer.
This life, with its exceptionally good start, could be his last, best chance of enlightenment.
Will he overcome his limits or accept his imperfection? Or will he maybe come to another conclusion altogether?

Sarthos was born in Tar Kuata on the 12th of Pharast, 4682 AR and orphaned at the young age of 4. Luckily for him, one the monasteries oracles had identified him as the reincarnation of a master that lived there almost 1000 years ago and they thus decided to take him in and train him.
He doesn't remember much of his life before becoming an novice, but he does very well remember the long days of hard study and training that followed.
While he seemed overly talented and mastering new things often seemed more like remembering long forgotten knowledge, he also easily grew frustrated if something didn't go well and got easily distracted.
Where it not for the hard hand of his teachers, he often would have gladly thrown it all away.
But while even they were sometimes near despair at his impatience and sudden outbursts, in the end he managed to discipline himself. Mostly.
Yet in the end he still completely disappointed and enrage his mentors when he announced that he didn't plan to spend the rest of his live in silent contemplation, studying and teaching. Instead he wanted to leave the monastery and start wandering the world, for there was nothing left that he could learn here.
Yet, while they thought it a great loss to let a promising monk go and some even whispered that they wasted to much on him, ultimately Iroris teaching gave no reason to keep him and so he left 9 years ago.

Since then he's wandered here and there, from the wide plains of Katapesh, through the jungles of the Mwangi Expanse and swamps of the Sodden Land.
After almost a decade of zigzagging through most of Garund he recently decided to make his way northward to Avistan. Foolishly he decided to move through Rahadoum, the Kingdom of Man, believing that his path of self perfection would not raise their ire. Yet he underestimated the zeal of the Pure Legion.

While he rid himself of the small wooden hand, his only open symbol of worship, and thus got into the country without problem, waiting for a northbound ship in Aziz proved disastrous.
It all in the tavern he stayed in, when an overjoyed sailor wanted to buy a round for the whole house after winning a large sum gambling.
Being opposed to intoxication, Sarthos had to politely refuse, but doing so still roused the ire of the already quite tipsy donor.
Things then went as they often do: The sailor protested loudly, another drunkard thought he was the curses' intended target, felt bugged and mugged up.
Soon thereafter the whole tavern erupted in one big, drunken brawl while Sarthos just sat at the bar, shacking his head.
Well, at least until one patron got hit across his throat by a fractured bottle and started to bleed out under a table, unnoticed by the rest.
Feeling slightly responsible for the whole chaos, the monk felt compelled to help even though being clear about that it might hinder him later on. After unsuccessfully trying to manually stop the bleeding, he made sure that no one watched him. The he discretely and heavy-hearted called upon his magic to close the cut before returning to the bar and waiting for tempers to cool.

He never found out who had reported him, but that very night a whole squad of the Pure Legion stormed his room mid meditation, brutally apprehending him.
Then things went fast. He couldn't really deny to be religious and thus the stake was prepared only a few hours later.

As the flames started to lick up his body, his discipline started to fail and he would have screamed were it not for the suffocating smoke, smoke so thick he couldn't even see out of it anymore.
Then he lost consciousness.

Yet no hard, cold death awaited him, instead he feel into deep dreams.
Hazy dreams of lifes come before, dreams of success and failure.But no matter how great or small, all led to a deep feeling of frustration, growing with each iteration and soon becoming almost to much to bear. The last thing, the only thing he clearly remembers are three word, spoken softly, yet still threatening, like an annoyed parent establishing an ultimate choice "Accept or Overcome.".

Next thing he remembers is waking up on a dune slightly outside Duwwor, dreams fading fast. The outer signs of the fire had somehow been reduced to small, mildly painful scars and patches of pinkish skin, though he soon found the mental images of his own burning flesh far harder to shake and he was ever since filled with a feeling of dread when near open fire.

Not sure what exactly to make of his strange rescue, he at first played with the thought about taking up his original plan and trying to get northward, this time embarking in Merab instead. But when he entered Duwwor proper, he the received terrible news that he was not the only one to suffer fire recently, that his martyrdom was even dwarfed by the events in the east.
Xotani the Firebleeder had returned and all but glassed Katapesh during a single night, sending ten thousands to seek refuge in Osirion. Just having suffered the terror of burning alive himself he could not help but care and immediately decided to return to his homeland, trying to help where he can. Even though it might not be the most advantageous thing for his enlightenment, what worth is it to become perfect if around you the world get near its end?

Sarthos looks like a osirion monk as there are thousand others. A Garundi man in his early thirties, black hair and beard shaved bald and clad in simple robes, he is all but unassuming. Or at least he would be where it not for the small scars and patches of rosy pink flesh that line most of his body, the top of his head being the only notable exception. They, together with a deep, seemingly uncharacteristic weariness in his brown eyes and measured movements make him seem far older than he is.

Sarthos is a kind and humble man, possessing strong discipline and will, yet being sometimes carried away by his desire to help.
Believing that everyone should find his or her own way, he tries to only give council when asked and refrains from scolding people for doing what in his eyes are essentially chaotic, useless things.
On the other hand he is sometimes prone to sudden outbursts of frustration if things do not work out. While those are generally focused at himself, his inner tension can also make him cutty towards other peoples shortcomings.
In general, he is not someone that's good talking to people, especially since his newish scars can be somewhat off-putting. Yet he doesn't really care, for the ultimate goal is enlightenment, not being well liked or proselytization. He is quite good at listening though, believing that one can learn from everyone, no matter how insignificant.

Ever since his close encounter with a fiery death, he is also ridden by a offsetting aversion against open flames, even starting to slightly shake if they come to near.

While he abstain from alcohol and all kind of drugs, he is surprisingly fond of good food. Missing the simple but delicious cloister cuisine more than he would admit, he is always happy to try local food.

Drawback: [urr=http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/drawbacks/burned]Burned[/url]
Pretty self explanatory. If you for some reason don't want us to use that one, as its pretty harsh in case there are a lot of fire users, I could change to "doubt".

Story Feat: Apothesis
I have to admit, that I found it kinda hard to find one that fits. this one is pretty useless in a mythic game (the pre-completion benefit does almost nothing and him actually going ending up near perfection is far from sure) but it is the best fit.
If you think this goal to far-fetched, "arisen" would also kinda work for him.

The mythic trait on the other hand went in pretty nicely. I guess you planned it this way, but giving an +2 Will bonus to a wisdom-based character with strong will-saves seems slightly overkill at low levels.^^

I plan to dual path with trickster.

Sarthos is pretty much just a Champion of the Enlightened-fluffed battle cleric.
I changed to this, because I indeed wasn't sure how well Champion of the Enlightened would go with the corruption mechanic. This way going down the deep end is at least an option.
Also my test mythic CotE builds got "slightly" out of hand on the damage side, this should give a lot more utility while still being somewhat useful in meele (once he goes Mythic at least).
For now he is mostly support, casting spells and doubling someones meele damage with Inquisitor’s Direction.

I'm not sure yet if I'll take 1 or 2 more monk level (probably not), but mechanically he'll pretty much almost full (meele) cleric.

A full sheet can be found here.

Sarthos

Favored Class: Cleric
Favored Class Bonus: +1 HP

Age 31
Height 5.87 ft
Weight 158 lbs

male LG Human Separatist Cleric 1/Master of Many Styles Monk 1, Level 2, Init +2, HP 21/21, Speed 40
AC 16, Touch 16, Flat-footed 14, Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +10, Base Attack Bonus 0
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d6+3 (+1 dragon style), x2)
Sling +2 (1d4+2, x2)
(+2 Dex, +4 Misc)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 7
Condition None

BAB +0, CMB +2, CMD 16
Feats Channel Smite, Guided Hand, Dragon Style, Apotheosis (Story Feat),
Skills (10 - 6[Base]+2[Int]+2[Human]) Acrobatics[2] +7, Knowledge(History)[1] +5, Knowledge(Religion)[1] +5, Perception[2] +9, Sense Motive[2] +9, Spellcraft[1] +5, Stealth[1] +6
Languages Common(Osirian), Ancient Osiriani
SQ Channel Energy(x1) 1d6, Inquisitor’s Direction x7, Agile Feet x5, Stunning First x1 (DC 15)
Traits Heavy Hitter, Magical Knack, Rahadoumi Exile
Drawback Burned

--------------------------------

Heavy Hitter:Sarthos was trained in Martial Art from a young age.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on damage rolls made with unarmed attacks.

Magical Knack:Not only was Sarthos raised in one of the most mythical monasteries of Golarion, his former lives give him a further guidance.
Benefit: Pick a class when you gain this trait—your caster level in that class gains a +2 trait bonus as long as this bonus doesn't raise your caster level above your current Hit Dice.

Rahadoumi Exile: A heretic. A blasphemer. Thats what the Pure Legion of Rahadoum would call Sarthos, having prosecuted and nearly executed him for his beliefs. But, as chance would have it, he escaped. To this day he still does not understand how. The only explaination was that some higher being had to have helped him. He never met this supposed rescuer, retaining a half remembered dream as the only sign. But his dedication has only been empowered by this feeling. Fleeing Rahadoum as a refugee, he eventually came to Osirion, hoping to help the survivors of Xotani's rampage where you can.
Benefit: +2 to Will Saves
Burned: Ever since he was burned alive, he can't shake a feeling of unease, even panic when near open fire.

Effect: You take a –1 penalty on saving throws against fire effects.
In addition, whenever you are adjacent to open flames or are on fire, you take a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks until you spend an entire round away from fire. These penalties are not cumulative. (An instantaneous fire effect adjacent to you or affecting you causes this penalty to apply until 1 round after it is gone.)

Channel Smite: Before you make a melee attack roll, you can choose to spend one use of your channel energy ability as a swift action. If you channel positive energy and you hit an undead creature, that creature takes an amount of additional damage equal to the damage dealt by your channel positive energy ability. If you channel negative energy and you hit a living creature, that creature takes an amount of additional damage equal to the damage dealt by your channel negative energy ability. Your target can make a Will save, as normal, to halve this additional damage. If your attack misses, the channel energy ability is still expended with no effect.

Guided Hand:Benefit: With your deity’s favored weapon, you can use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Strength or Dexterity modifier on attack rolls.

Dragon Style:Benefit: While using this style, you gain a +2 bonus on saving throws against sleep effects, paralysis effects, and stunning effects. You ignore difficult terrain when you charge, run, or withdraw. You can also charge through squares that contain allies. Further, you can add 1-1/2 times your Strength bonus on the damage roll for your first unarmed strike on a given round.

• Well, that's exactly what he also asked himself, once he had the time to think on the long, long voyage.
  I deliberately didn't state it in case you would like to enter some surprise there (he hasn't opened it after all), but I would have envisioned it along those lines:

  Dear Master De-Ming,
  I hope your mission goes well and the path to enlightenment became more clear. Around our parts everything goes is well and mostly unchanged, though it both saddens and delights me to inform you that old Master Shin finally passed over into Iro-Shus Realm. Her wisdom and compassion will be sorely missed.

  The bearer of this message is a promising young novice, but, as of the beginning of his journey, still far to hotblooded and outward focused, even somewhat arrogant, to continue on his path.
  I sincerely hope those months on the frozen planes of the north give him a chance to temper and find meaning in himself.
  In case that you require his service or believe you can guide him further, feel free to ask him to stay for a while. Otherwise let him return to Goka to continue his studies.

  Best Regards,
  Master Lu Pong-Chi
  

  So, yeah, not purely a task only to humble him, but also nothing more important than a courtesy letter. Nothing even a novice would have been required for, just sending it with some caravan would have probably been enough.

• 
  I have to admit that I'm far from an expert on Martial Art, but stylistic I would go with something along the lines of Taekwondo.
  So combining hand and foot techniques for more or less direct assault of the enemy.
  While the hands are usually held in a defensive position near the body to deflect incoming blows and to counter if the enemy opens himself, kicks are the main offense, used to get around the increased reach of weapon-users and keep up his mobility.
  Jumping kicks, especially against larger enemies, are common, flying kicks (aka moving while jumping) not.
  Other parts of the body or grappling are usually not utilized.

• 
  He himself still has a hard time even seeing himself as arrogant, for in his eyes he is just good (and subconsciously loves to be reassured of it by others). But the long journey did its intended part and gave him some first doubts. Thus at least self-awareness about his arrogance (as a bad thing) is likely to come soon, if he actually manages to overcome it is to be seen (kinda depends on the influence of the group/how (long) the adventure goes).
  His teachers at home did already see it as his greatest failing.
  

Strength Version
Dex Version
I originally planned to go with a Dexterity based build, but then it dawned upon me, that the chances for a severe nerf to/removal of „Mythic Weapon Finesse“ in the final Mythic Rules might be quite likely. I thus also created an alternative strength based version.
The combat style between both is not really any different: Punch enemies until they fall down dead.
For the first few level the Dexterity version is slightly low on damage and the Strength based is low on AC. But the difference should get smaller on higher level (after getting bigger on level 2...).
Which one to take would mainly depend on how the Mythic Rules finally look and if either style gets any support in them. Also on the group composition.

Also, starting with 3 monk levels and taking paladin at 4 and 5 does sadly not not really work out for the strength version, since there are not really any feats to take on 1 (0 BAB, the Style feat I want can't be taken at one, he will get Toughness/Dodge from class and Improved Initiative is notoriously unreliable in PbP). Thus that version for now is a Paladin 1 with Quarterstaff before becoming a „true“ monk at level 2.
Once again the only way not to make monk suck seem to be not being a monk......

Wang Shou-Pu is a novice-monk from a big Iro-Shu monastery in Goka. He joined the monastery at a young age and soon showed great martial skill and discipline, yet also showed himself to be prideful and lacking patience with mistakes.
He was recently tasked to deliver a letter to their orders emissary with the Mendevian Crusade and arrived only days This depends kinda on where the AP starts after Kenabres was overrun and the recipient of his mission went missing. Unable to deliver he decided to do what seemed „right“ to him and join the crusades effort to contain the catastrophe, hoping to also finds signs of the emissary's fate.

He now had already traveled for quite some time, but it wasn't the glorious adventure he'd hoped for. Six month in a slowly slouching caravan gave him a lot time to meditate, to think. After all, there was not much else besides freezing winds and endless snow up here, no grim battles against grizzly monster, no chance to do much good. The one time they came about staved wolf pack, the guards had driven them off before he even got out his wagon.
He started to suspect this all was some kind of twisted punishment, a careful laid out trap by his masters, maybe a test he failed?
It all sounded so great. When he heard that they search for volunteers to make the dangerous but prestigious journey to the west, to deliver a sealed envelope to their orders emissary in the crusader city of Kenabres, he did not reflect for long. Spotting a chance of glory and cutting his noviceship short, he didn't get suspicious when he was the only one who came forth or that they were ok to send a lone novice.
Now, in reflection, he couldn't help but think to have seen a flicker of disappointment, of sadness in his masters' eyes when he asked to go...
Maybe it's this damned place, the endless emptiness. It chills the soul. Surely, such a honored task could be nothing less than what it seemed? Still....

„I'm an initiate of Iro-Shu, here better known as Irori and came here to deliver this envelope to my brother.“ He waves the envelope in the recruiters face. “And now that I made this long journey I find the crusade in disarray and but no sign him. In the name of our order I thus offer myself to help contain this incursion. Our service and martial powess is the least we can give those in immediate need to save them from damnation and nudge them to enlightenment.„ The stressed soldier rolls his eyes “Please just sign here and clear the line, yes? There are more volunteers behind you.“

Shou-Po is a young, bald Tian man of serene and humble demeanor, who still somehow manages to put himself into the spotlight more often than not. His bodily fitness and the precision of his every movement are the only things that tell a perceptive observer of his martial prowess.

He usually wears simple robes and still carries a bamboo walking stick (quarterstaff) from home.
The following only incase of the strength build:For now joining the new crusade had the unintended side effect that they gave him some old equipment, which he, new in this country and not wanting to be rude or upsetting someone, didn't dare to reject. Thus he currently wears an old and unwieldy chain shirt over his robes, restricting his movements more than he would like. Once he has become a bit more accustomed with the local culture he plans to get rid of it as fast as possible.

No inherited/important item (well, besides the envelope, but that hardly counts), thus only average wealth.

As a monk and follower of Iro-Shu his main goal in life is to find enlightenment and spreading it to others by example rather than by preaching. Currently, his main forms of worship are his rigorous self-training and daily prayer-meditations.
Always having lacked patience and understanding for most his orders other daily rituals he was happy not to have to attend them on his journey.

He also follows this code of conduct:
A champion of the Irori embraces law and goodness as other paladins do, conducting himself with honor and protecting the innocent; he loses all class features if he ever willingly commits an evil act.
A champion of the Irori must avoid entanglements that would distract him from the pursuit of perfection, and may not incur debts nor give loans to others—though he is encouraged to give freely to those in need. He likewise turns away potential followers of any sort, and may not recruit (and must discharge from service, if already acquired) any cohort, follower, animal companion, familiar, special mount, or similar creature.

He searchs enlightenment and to better the world. Kinda.
A casual observer might think him highly humble, but in truth he is just disciplined and follows his orders code.
Yes, he does good and does it well, but he fails in being content with just that. While never admitting to it, he craves recognition and it's almost more important for him that he does the good, than that it is done. As such he is, in his own way, quite arrogant, has a hard time doubting himself or accepting that he failed and is prone to patronizing.

Determinator
Never my fault While he would not actively blame others, he sadly often tells this to himself, hindering his enlightenment.
Asskicking equals Authority The same. He would never enact his envisioned authority to tyrannize others, but he still believes his skills show that he is nearer to enlightenment that all his brothers who just life a simple live.
Glory Seeker
Secret TestProbably failed one by volunteering
Warrior Monk obviously
Bare Fisted Monk well, the strength version from level 2....
Charles Atlas Superpower Training, training, training from a young age on. He's on a good way here.
Enlightenment Superpower His training should also let him approach those, but so far his character flaws are holding him back. Hard.
The Leader He would like to be it, but it would probably lead to quick disaster.

Drawback: Pride
Wisdom in the Flesh (Acrobatics) (only in strength)
Heavy Hitter
Open Hand and Mind
Channel Divinity