Ser Constantine Rook's page

Short Version
Concept: Flamboyant spear-wielding magic/melee character. Feels sense of duty to his deceased brother who loved the country. Constantine abandoned the nation to travel the Inner Sea and feels ashamed he was not around to help his sick brother.

Good Standing Relations: With a powerful father in politics and many siblings, Constantine has plenty of family to rely upon. He also has his old leader at Stavian's Hold, Nicholos Mouzalon to rely upon.

Sour Relations: With seven illegitimate children from seven different women, Constantine has plenty of enemies among the nobles. Additionally, Arkis Nowen, formerly of the Summer Crows, holds an intense grudge against Constantine for taking control of the company. Unknown to Constantine, he also caused the death of the only son of Togrul an-nasir, a famous Qadiran general. Togrul knows Constantine's name and may have even had a hand in Theodoro's death.

Description
Standing at 5' 11”, Constantine has tanned skin from a lifetime on the frontier. Like all self-respecting Taldan nobles, he has a well-groomed and oiled goatee of black hair. His hair is cut short in a military style, taking after his eldest brother. Constantine does not wear his armor frequently unless expecting combat—much preferring to dress in flowing silk tunics of white with golden yellow, orange and scarlet hues. More formal occasions have him wearing more blue and gold to match Taldor's flag or whatever colours are in fashion at that time. He prefers black, knee-high boots to the soft slippers in the current fashion.

Personality
Constantine is known for his stanch wit and for being a constant flirt. Rumors in the court say he has more than one child although he has yet to marry and shows no signs of settling down. He is a haphazard devotee of Shelyn, finding beauty in many things and enjoying painting in his spare hours.

Background
Constantine spent his youth learning both arcane and martial skills from private tutors—only the best for the Rook family. With a strong tradition with military affairs, it was expected he turn those skills into something useful. He had several older siblings and it would be very unlikely he inherited his father's estate.

Along with his younger brother, Theodoro, Constantine joined the Taldan Phalanx and volunteered to fight at Stavian's Hold to keep watch over the border. Theodoro and Constantine were only two years apart and practically inseparable. Being from a well-off royal family (even if the last emperor of their lineage was over a hundred years ago), he was granted both Knighthood and a commanding position. His brother chose to fight alongside him rather than lead his own command. The two Rook brothers soon became famous for their camaraderie and charisma—being entirely willing to spend time with the peasants they commanded. They also made an impact on the local political scene for Constantine had a love for the flamboyant. He sought invitations to decadent parties and dressed in the newest fashions—dragging a reluctant Theodoro with him. His much calmer brother would often drag a drunk Constantine home or spend his nights trying to repair harm caused by his brother's affairs with other noble's wives and daughters. Constantine carried his brother along to excitement while Theodoro provided a more realistic foundation for the two.

Constantine defended Taldor from Qadiran raids and led many himself. He rapidly grew in rank and through both coin and sheer charisma encouraged bards to write songs about his exploits. His rank and file began to call him the Painted Knight for his elaborate choices in color and his flamboyant combat style. The noble saw combat as simply another art form he could dedicate to Shelyn.

Eventually, however, he grew bored of the monotony on the borderlands. He had grown up with stories of far away places and exotic mercenaries from his father. He had a desire to do the same and so he left—joining up with the Summer Crows. He simultaneously left his younger brother bereft of Constantine's colorful presence. There was gossip that he left after a particularly heated affair went sour. The Summer Crows were a small band of less than two-hundred that fought around the Inner Sea. Constantine had become fast friends with the commander during a fierce raid before the group had moved to new pastures. When they returned, the Painted Knight joined his erstwhile companion to the south—guarding caravans in Thuvia and fighting pirates off the coast of Rahadoum. With a thought towards advancement, Constantine wrenched control of the company from its second-in-command when the commander fell in battle against harpies. He gleefully took them all over the Inner Sea even going so far north as the Worldwound to battle demons.

Constantine was away from Taldor for almost five years when he received a letter from his father requesting he come home. His youngest brother, Theodoro, had died in a border fight with another noble house. Disbanding the company except for a few friends, Constantine fled back to Taldor. His thoughts turned to revenge against House Phakell but were interrupted by gossip and rumors of a war with Qadira. Theodoro, unlike Constantine, had joined the military out of a strong sense of duty toward his home nation—a reason why the younger had not followed the elder in joining mercenaries to see the world. Feeling ashamed, as if he had betrayed his brother by leaving, Constantine vowed to do whatever he could to make sure Taldor stood staunch against all threats in memory of his brother including reviving the Summer Crows as the Blackspear Company to supplement the poorly funded Taldan military.

Family
Constantine has fathered seven children although he only knows of four. Before leaving the country he was tempted to legitimize them to help provide better lives. He did leave a substantial fortune with their parents—but has yet to legitimize any of them. Constantine also has two older brothers, Marcus and Gabriel. His father is pleased to have his third son return home and, while originally loathing the concept, enjoys stories of his son's adventures.

Sir Constantine Rook “The Painted Knight”
NG Human (Taldane) Male
Harbinger 3/Wizard 3/Bladecaster 6||Noble Scion 10
Init +12; Perception +21 ;

DEFENSE
AC 31, touch 21, flat-footed 22 (+6armor, +7Dex, +1 Luck, +2 Natural, +2 Deflect, +2 shield, +1 insight)
hp 117 (3d6+3d8+6d10+15)
Fort+15, Ref/b]+15, [b]Will+15

OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee +3 Glaive-Guisarme +20/+14 1d10+21
OR
2x Masterwork Cold Iron Dagger +18/+12 1d4+15
Ranged Composite Longbow +16 1d8, 110 range, x3
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Spells Prepared [see spoiler]

STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 25, Con 12, Int 22, Wis 10 , Cha 14
Base Atk +9; CMB +10; CMD 27
Feats Weapon Finesse (Human), Combat Casting (1), Combat Reflexes (3), Improved Counterspell (5), Deadly Agility (7), Piercing Thunder Style (9), Power Attack (11), Leadership (Noble Scion), Scribe Scroll (Wizard), Persuasive (Noble Scion), Improved Initiative (Noble Scion), Extra Traits (Noble Scion)
Skills Acrobatics +22, Craft (Painting) +12, Diplomacy +21, Fly +11, Knowledge (Arcana) +18, Knowledge (Geography) +10, Knowledge (History) +18, Knowledge (Local) +15, Knowledge (Martial Lore) +14, Knowledge (Nobility) +24, Knowledge (Planes) +21, Knowledge (Religion) +18, Linguistics +12, Perception +16, Profession (Soldier) +7, Sense Motive +16, Spellcraft +21, Stealth +16
Languages Common, Taldane, Draconic, Auran, Qadiran, Abyssal, Infernal, Celestial, Giant, Sylvan, Chelaxian
Traits Unorthodox Method(Piercing Thunder), Natural Born Leader
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ill Tidings Increase base movement speed by 10'
Accursed Will: Add ½ intelligence modifier as an insight bonus on attack rolls.
Dark Claim As a swift action, claim an enemy target you can see within 30' for 1 round. Claimed creatures that withdraw provoke attacks of opportunity. You may have a number of claimed creatures equal to your intelligence modifier. You automatically know the location of creatures you have claimed. Any opponent the harbinger cannot see has total concealment against him and the harbinger is still denied her dexterity bonus to AC against attacks from claimed creatures he cannot see.
Dark Focus Gain a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls when initiating strikes and counters with Piercing Thunder. Also gain a +1 competence bonus on the save DC's of Piercing Thunder.

Grim News Move your speed as a swift action 1/encounter.

Martial Caster (Light) You may cast wizard spells in light armor with no arcane spell failure chance.

Stance of Arcane Steel (Su) As a swift action, forgo the use of any stance to assume the stance of arcane steel. You gain the ability to burn arcane energy. As a free action, sacrifice uncast spells to grant yourself one of the following bonuses for two rounds.
Eldritch Smite +1d6 damage per level of the spell If the weapon or the spell possesses an elemental type, this bonus damage may use that type—otherwise it is force damage.
Defensive Field Gain a bonus to AC equal to the spell's level.
Grace of the Arcane Gain an insight bonus on Fortitude and Reflex equal to spell level.
Energy Shield Resist 5 acid, cold, electricity, fire or sonic equal to spell level.

Arcane Steel (Su) Whenever you cast an arcane spell, gain temporary hit points equal to twice the spell's level. These stack with those gained from further casting of spells and last until end of the encounter.

Arcane Recovery (Su) Expend a spell to recover a maneuver as a free action. The prepared spell must be of a level equal to or greater than the level of the maneuver to be recovered. After using this, also gain a +2 circumstance bonus on caster level for the next arcane spell you cast within one minute of using this. Multiple uses do not stack.

Battlecaster's Strike When initiating a martial strike, as a swift action, you may cast an arcane spell with a range of touch and a level less than or equal to the strike initiated against the same target as the strike. If the bladecaster would provoke for casting the spell, he may attempt to cast defensively as normal. He may use this a number of times per day equal to 1 + Int modifier.

Arcane Ruin A foe damaged by his martial strikes takes a -2 penalty to ac and saves against the bladecaster's arcane spells on subsequent rounds for the rest of the encounter, or until the bladecaster recovers his maneuvers.

Affluent At each level, gain a stipend of 750 multipled by class level. (41, 250 gp, to be spent on Estate and Mercenary company)

Greater Leadership Gain leadership as a bonus feat. Your cohort is the same level as yourself.

Aristocratic Erudition Gain a bonus equal to ½ class level on Diplomacy, Knowledge (Local) and Knowledge(nobility) checks. Reduce Diplomacy and Knowledge (local) DC's by eqaul amount for gathering publicly known information about yourself.

Prestigious Influence Virtual pool of 250 Gp on services and non-material goods such as lodgings, lifestyle, hiring simple hirelings, gaining invitations to events, spreading rumors, purchasing spellcasting)

Regional Expertise Improved Initiative, Extra Traits (Magical Knack, Battlefield caster), Persuasive (+2 Intimidate, Diplomacy)

Dilettante Studies Dilettante Warrior (+2 attack/damage), Dilettante Scoundrel (+2d6 sneak attack)

Servitor Gain an NPC servitor of your level. It comes equipped with NPC class and gear 1 level lower than its actual level. Sir Constantine's servitor is his oldest daughter, Lucia Rook. *Details under Leadership*

Peerless Patrician Once per round, roll twice on any Bluff, diplomacy, intimidate, knowledge(nobility) or sense motive checks and take the better result. Once per day, you can assume the roll results in a 20.

Arcane School Divination (Foresight)
Opposition Necromancy, Abjuration
Forewarned You can always act in a surprise round. Gain a +1 bonus on initiative checks.
Prescience As a free action at the beginning of your turn, roll a d20. You may use the result of this roll at any point before your next turn. You can use this 3 + Intelligence modifier times.

Arcane Bond Meki, the wood thrush
Description Meki is a small wood thrush usually perched on Constantine's left shoulder. He speaks infrequently and only knows a handful of human words—mostly asking for food.
Meki provides a +3 bonus on diplomacy and speaks Common.

Racial Qualities
+2 Dexterity
Bonus Feat (Weapon Finesse)
Skilled (+1 skill point per level)

Special
Noble Scion 10 Gestalt
+1 skill point per level

Skill Ranks
This represents the number of ranks in a skill, not its total bonus as seen on the simple sheet above.
Acrobatics 12
Craft (Painting) 4
Diplomacy 12
Fly 3
Knowledge(Arcana) 8
Knowledge (History) 5
Knowledge(Geography) 1
Knowledge (Nobility) 11
Knowledge (Martial Lore) 5
Linguistics 3
Perception 12
Profession (Soldier) 5
Sense Motive 12
Spellcraft 8
Stealth 6

Favored Class Benefits
Harbinger: +3 hit points

Traits
Unorthodox Method: Change out one discipline for another (Piercing Thunder for Primal Fury)
Natural Born Leader: Followers, cohorts and summons gain a +1 morale bonus on Will saves vs mind affecting. Also, +1 trait bonus to leadership score.

Detailed feat descriptions
Combat Casting: +4 bonus on concentration checks to cast a spell defensively or while grappled.
Improved Counterspell When counterspelling, you may use a spell of the same school that is one or more spell levels higher than the target spell.
Weapon Finesse Use Dex to hit with light weapons.
Mithral Current Style: While in this style, you may use spears and polearms with weapon finesse.
Deadly Agility

Caster Level 11
Concentration +16
Miscellaneous +4 Concentration checks (Combat Casting), +1 concentration checks (Battlefield Caster), +1 AC vs attacks provoked or readied against spellcasting, +2 Caster level [Wizard] (Magical Knack)

Spells per Day/Prepared
0:15 | 4 | Mage Hand, Message, Arcane Mark, Prestidigitation
1:16 | 6 | [Open], Vanish, Shocking Grasp x4, {Discern Next of Kin}
2:17 | 4 | [Open], Glitterdust, Invisibility, Mirror Image, {Detect Thoughts}
3:18 | 4 | [Open], Suggestion, Heroism, Fly, {Clairaudience/Clairvoyance}
4:19 | 3 | [Open], Calcific Touch, Dimension Door, {Scrying}

Spellbook
0: All
1: Charm Person, Protection from Evil, Endure Elements, Touch of the Sea, Shield, Mount, Obscuring Mist, Vanish, Discern next of kin, Detect Secret Doors, Comprehend Languages, Shocking Grasp, Silent Image
2: Detect Thoughts, See Invisibility, Locate Object, Eagle's Splendor, Frigid Touch, Gust of Wind, Mirror Image
3: Arcane Sight, Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Darkvision, Dispel Magic, Fly, Heroism, Suggestion, Tongues
4: Arcane Eye, Calcific Touch, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Remove Curse, Scrying, Summon Monster IV,

Initiator Level: 10
Disciplines: Cursed Razor, Piercing Thunder, Shattered Mirror, Veiled Moon
Special: Discipline Focus (+1 competence attack rolls with Piercing Thunder strikes, +1 DC Piercing Thunder strikes)
Maneuvers Readied: (7)
Strikes: Meteor Spiral Thrust, Iron Lancet Charge, Fading Strike, Fetch's Wrath
Boosts: Reflected Blade Style
Counters: Brace for Impact, Altered Penumbra

Manuevers Known:
1: (2) Bronze Lancet Charge (Strike; no Attack of opportunity, +1d6 damage), Ghost-Hunting Blow (Boost; Weapon gains ghost touch for 1 round)
2: (2) Brace for Impact (Counter (immediate), make acrobatics vs enemy charge attack. Succes: attack is negated and foe takes damage as if struck by melee attack. If weapon has Brace, double the damage), Fading Strike (Strike; teleport your movement speed before or after an attack)
3: (2) Altered Penumbra (Counter; Make Stealth vs enemy Perception after their attack roll. On success, teleport 10' and leave minor image to be hit in your place), Reflected Blade Style (Boost; Next strike you initiate affect another creature within 35', use same attack roll)
4: (2) Fetch's Wrath (Strike; Teleport 190' before or after an attack with +4d6 damage), Iron Lancet Charge (Strike; Charge attack +6d6 damage, does not provoke attacks, foe makes Ref 20 or prone)
5: (1) Meteor Spiral Thrust (Strike; deal +8d6 damage, ignore DR, Fort 21 or daze for 1d3 rounds)

Stances: {3}
1: Doppleganger Dance (Step-up as stance), Phalanx Lancer (Use discipline weapons 1-handed with shield, +1d6 damage)
4 Formless Dance (Blur + See invisibility)

More detailed equipment list
Currency 5, 178 GP
Downtime Currencies: Influence: 148; Goods: ; Magic: ;Labor:
Combat Items
Weapons: +3 Glaive-Guisarme (18,000)
Or +1 Short sword
2x Masterwork Cold Iron daggers in spring-loaded sheaths
Shield: +1 Mithral Buckler
Armor +3 Darkleaf Studded Leather 12750)
Headband Headband of Vast Intelligence +6 (know: Dungeoneering, Know Religion, Knowledge: History) (18000)
Head: Diadem of Inspiring Rule (+3 on Leadership Score)
Eyes: Eyes of the Eagle (2500, +5 competence to perception)
Shoulders: Cloak of Resistance +5 (12,500)
Gloves: Gloves or Reconnaissance (10 rounds per day, see through solid material of 15' thick) (2500)
Feet: Sandals of Quick Reaction (Take move and standard in surprise round, 2000)
Chest: Unfettered Shirt (5,000 1/day gain Freedom of Movement for 10 minutes)
Wrist: Sleeves of Many Garments
Belt: Belt of Incredible Dexterity +4 (8000)
Neck Amulet of Natural armor +2 (4000)
Ring: Ring of Protection +2 (8000)
Ring: Ring of Eloquence (+2 competence bluff, diplomacy, intimidate, perform (oratory), Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome. -10% spell failure when deafened, 3500)
Ioun Stone: Cracked Pale Green Prism (2000, +1 to saves), Cracked Dusty Rose Prism (250, +1 initiative), Dusty Rose Prism (2,500, +1 insight to ac), Pink & Green Sphere (4000, +2 enhancement to constitution), Incandescent Blue Sphere (4000, +2 enhancement to Wisdom)

Other:
Pearl of Power (1st level) (500)
Pearl of Power (2nd level) (2000)
Handy Haversack (1000)
Jingasa of the Fortunate Soldier (+1 luck AC, 1/day make a critical hit or sneak attack a normal hit) (2500)
All-Seeing Eye (2,250)

Scrolls
Tongues (175)
Comprehend Languages x2 (50)
Obscuring Mist x2 (25)
Hide from Undead (12.5)
Protection from Evil x4 (100)
See Invisibility (75)
Mirror Image (75)
Touch of the Sea (12.5)
Endure Elements x2 (25)
Silent Image x4 (50)
Water Breathing (175)
Shield x2 (25)
Mount (12.5)
Unseen Servant x2 (25)
Detect Secret Doors (12.5)
Animate Rope x2 (25)
Arcane Lock (75)
Seducer's Eyes x2 (175)
Blur (75)
Invisibility x2 (175)
Greensight (75)
Knock (75)
Levitate (75)
Fly (175)
Heroism (175)
Detect Thoughts x2 (175)
Arcane Sight (175)

Alchemical Items

Leadership Score 19
Modifiers:
:::Charisma +2
:::Level +12
:::Has a familiar -2
:::Natural Born Leader +2
:::Has a stronghold +2
:::Diadem of Inspiring Rule +3

Followers:
1st: 40
2nd: 4
3rd: 2
4th: 1
5th: 1
Notable NPCs
Servitor: Lucia Rook, Aristocrat 6/Adept 6
---Manager of Domus Cantet Paid 2gp per day [Paid from Prestigious influence]
Cohort:

Cantus Manor Located near the most fashionable districts, COnstantine's prime residence is a large mansion in Oppara. The mansion is surrounded by defensive walls and has had a scrying room and sauna added on.
Mansion, -2 Bedrooms, -secret room +sauna, +magical repository, +scrying room, +defensive wall, +lackeys
Cost: 6,420 GP
Blackspear Company Holdings Located near Castle Rook in Garrowglade, Constantine's attempts at recouping his mercenary unit are going well. However, with less than a hundred soldiers, he has a need for both gold and reputation--two things heh opes to garner within the political circles of Oppara. Many of the soldiers were with him at the Summer Crows and chose to follow him when he announced a new mercenary group forming. Garrison x2, -3Offices Cost: 11,280Gp

Border Patrol
As part of his payment for land, Constantine has agreed to build and maintain several watchtowers on the road between Oppara and his father's lands.