Sev.'s page

If a rogue can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from her attack, she can strike a vital spot for extra damage.
The rogue's attack deals extra damage anytime her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks her target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 every two rogue levels thereafter. Should the rogue score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet.

With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (like a sap, whip, or an unarmed strike), a rogue can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. She cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –4 penalty.

The rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment.

A rogue adds 1/2 her level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). A rogue can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps.

Sev, as he calls himself, was born of a proud halfling bloodline. One carefully established and maintained over generations. The perfect house slaves, born to be obedient, weak and easily cowed. The progenitors of his pedigree were freed halfling slaves who turned on their people to make money in the very trade they'd freed themselves from. The first born of every generation were free halflings, and inherited the family trade, leaving their siblings to be purchased at the slave auctions for handsome sums.

Each child was numbered, to avoid any attachments and raised on a strict regimen of household etiquette. They were taught to be quiet, deferential, and loyal to a fault. Sev, as he was called for the three sevens that he'd been branded with, was as dutiful as all the rest, and when finally purchased by the prestigious Drovenge family, he remained so, despite their cold harsh nature. Unflinching he watched the abuse of his fellow halflings, mostly by the younger family members who he was thankfully not in service to. He smiled through the worst of the servitude, and not once did he question that the remainder of his life would be spent in service to the Drovenge family..

Had it not been for another slave, an older halfling man named Jemet, he may still be shackled by servitude. Instead, the older man took Sev under his wing and taught him what he knew of subterfuge. Before long Sev was training in archery, lock picking, and even learning to read! He took a great interest in the history of the world, though he understood very little of it, he found himself happily reading any historical text he could wrap his small hands around.

The two would meet whenever Sev was sent out to Miratanza to handle some of the shopping for his masters. Jemet seemed to always be available and Sev envied the other halflings freedom.
The training Jemet provided showed Sev that there was a world outside slavery, and he began to pay more attention to the strange happenings at home instead of dutifully turning the other cheek.

Master Vissindio's son had been clamoring for an heir, unhappy with his first born daughter, but his wife had been struggling with her second pregnancy. The gossip among the servants spread like wildfire, despite the fact that anyone heard discussing it was punished harshly.

Then, one day after a short meeting with Jemet, Sev returned home to find almost all of Sidonai's retainers missing. A handful of his friends and even his brother 782 were never heard from again. No one knew what had happened, or where everyone had gone, and many of the staff were fearful that they might disappear next.

Sev, determined to discover the truth, began using his new found talents. He started to learn the patterns of the household guard, and the rest of the slaves so he could sneak into offices or bedrooms when no one would notice. Unfortunately none of his espionage uncovered the whereabouts of his friends, or what happened to Sidonai's wife.

What it did offer him, though, was an opening to escape. He hadn't noticed it at first, he'd been to busy focusing on discovering the truth of the newest Drovenge family secret, but as his investigation turned fruitless he realized there was a small window of opportunity for him to make it out of Vaneo Drovenge unseen.

He prepared for a week. Sneaking scrapes back to his living quarters, a few ragged sets of clothes no one used anymore, and even a couple coins that had been left out on bed stands or desks. He then hid outside in the dead of night, waiting for the gap in security that offered his freedom. He barely remembers the mad dash into the darkness, the frenzied escape with no plan or idea of what to do when he finally escaped, but he made it unscathed and has lived on the streets of Westcrown ever since.

Old Jemet provided some resources to keep Sev on his feet, but Sev learned quickly how to pick pockets and locks. He never stole more than he needed, just enough to keep himself fed and sheltered while he tried to discover the truth. Occasionally, when he was by himself, he would lift his sleeve and inspect the brand he'd gotten shortly after Vissindio had purchased him. Those memories, sound of the vase shattering and the stinging pain of his punishment, would come to mind every time, and Sev would remind himself to add the brands true meaning to the list of things he wished to uncover.

Sev is a cautious and awkward halfling. Having spent his life in service to a family of humans, he struggles to find his own voice now that he has something resembling freedom. When people make requests of him he sometimes sees them as demands he must comply to.

When he does speak, it's in halting phrases. He's a little twitchy, always looking over his shoulder wondering if he'd going to get caught by his old master or the household guard. He keeps his eyes to the ground and mutters or whispers. His hands always fall to his bow or mace at his sides. His blonde hair is unkempt and his clothes are dirty and ragged. His green eyes are wide but mistrusting.