Sorry about Sigurd's sparse details. Thought I'd had more in his profile than that. Here's his background and hooks...
I'll go ahead and toss my name in. This is a character from a Kingmaker game that never really got of the ground.
EDIT: Didn't have as much written in his profile as I'd thought. So here's his deal...
background:
Sigurd's father was a warrior in the service of Sven Blood Eagle in the Land of the Linnorm Kings, but when an arrow nearly ended his life only two months after his wife conceived her first child, he decided that it was not a life suitable for raising a family. He'd heard of the River Kingdoms, a land of opportunity were all men were free to make of themselves what they could with their sword and their resolve. To him, it sounded like a place where he could lead a quieter life, living off the land while still giving his sword-arm the occasional workout. Unfortunately, the rampant banditry in the northern reaches of that land was much more severe than he'd suspected, and every year or two, he had to move his family further north until one day they had settled in Southern Rostland.
Sigurd had grown in the mean time, learning to read the land, work the field, and defend himself from his father. He had to be ready to move quickly, learning to be alert and adaptable, and after settling in Rostland, the family met a priest of the god Erastil. Sigurd had found an old wooden brooch in the shape of a bow among his father's things from his fighting days, a symbol he recognized on the priest's robes, and he began learning more of old Deadeye. Already a skilled hunter and no poor hand with a bow, he already possessed many of the practical skills Erastil demanded. He had trouble embracing the gentler aspects of the faith, though. He valued family and the community deeply, but life in the River Kingdoms had taught him that a pre-emptive defense was often necessary to protect what one holds dear. He learned from the priest, but followed a slightly different path to worship, showing his devotion to his community with his long patrols, his tireless hunts, and his unwavering vigilance.
It those years near the border of what were called the Stolen Lands, Sigurd often found himself troubled by strange dreams both wonderful and disturbing of fanciful mutable realms and strange capricious creatures. He'd heard many folk stories of wild faeries, and though he knew they were dangerous, he could not stifle an a youthful interest, which he did his best to channel into learning their mannerisms and weaknesses. One day, while on a hunt, he began to catch glimpses of some equine beast he couldn't quite identify. He found himself inexplicable drawn to it, and could not resist the chase. He became separated from the rest of his hunting party, chasing the apparition through copses of trees and foggy meadows that seemed to encompass an area far wider than the area around his village should have allowed. He never did find it, but when he thought he was close, he stepped into a clearing to find himself back home, among the smoldering remains of the town.
While he had been gone, a large group of bandits had raided the village, killing many, his family included. Awash in anger, grief, and a bit of guilt for his dalliance (though he tries reminds himself he could not have made a difference), Sigurd found the few survivors looking to him. With grim resolve, he found the bow of his mentor lying on the scorched earth, and, taking it up, led his kin north once more.
Now, with the call for settlers to take back the Greenbelt from banditry, Sigurd cannot help but answer. As it was his home for more than two decade, the phrase "Stolen Lands" has a very personal meaning to him.
hooks:
The bandits who killed Sigurd family were never identified. It's not a personal errand of his, but he certainly wouldn't mind learning who it was and bringing them to justice.
Sigurd often dwells on his strange hunt, wondering what he was chasing and where he chased it too.
Sigurd is very conservative and traditional in his values, but fairly pragmatic when it comes to solving problems. He's generally pretty gruff, but does have an interest in folk-wisdom of various cultures. As far as his function within the party, he'd be built as a switch-hitter slightly skewed towards archery, and would serve as a competent tracker trapfinder.
I'll go ahead and toss my name in. This is a character from a Kingmaker game that never really got of the ground who actually grew up in the northern parts of the Stolen Lands until the rampant banditry forced his family further and further back until they ended up settling in Southern Rostland. He's an inquisitor of Erastil (functions similarly to a ranger) who's dedicated to taking back his home and stamping out threats to rural civilization. More included in his backstory, and I'll work on those plot hooks.
"I'll try to move in from a different angle," Sigurd whispers as he slinks down the river. "Once I'm in position, I'll fire an arrow from hiding - that's sure to get their attention. Once they're eyes are on the trees, move in and hit them in back."
Dropping into a crouch, he begins to move along the riverbed, looking for a place away from the light of the bandits' campfire where he can ford the stream.
Sigurd tries to find a place to ford the stream, then will get sneak into a flanking position, so that while the rest of the party hits them from the front (or back), Sigurd can fire from the sides.
Sigurd will be going for an archer build, at least as far as feats go. At the very least, he'll be picking up rapid shot, and probably deadly aim. Assuming you have no house rolls against using it in tandem with Rapid Shot, Manyshot is also likely. Beyond that, I might take a few feats to improve his melee ability, making him a bit of a "switch hitter." He's definitely taking one or feats to make him better with a longbow (improved critical, possibly weapon focus), but is likely to be a bit more unfocused in melee, simply using the best 2-handed simple weapon he can lay his hands on.
As far as skills, he's just going to continue to put ranks into the ones he's already got. He'll be good at stealth, perception (social and otherwise), and moving around in the wilds.
I haven't given much thought to his spell selection yet. I know I'll pick up the relevant "cure" spell for the 1st or 2nd spell of any given spell level. Beyond that, I think I'd like to see if I can work out a solid mixture of spells that improve my own damage, and that directly hinder enemies. Of course, I always throw a few utility spells into the mix! Overall, though, his selection of spells will likely be unusually offensive for a divine caster.
Ah, and he'll probably be sticking with the inquisitor class for his entire career.
Hopping out from his cover, Sigurd knocks an arrow and draws his bowstring to his cheek.
"Remember the wind, lad," comes his quiet admonishment as he looks down the shaft. "And don't rush the shot..." After taking in a deep breath, he exhales sharply as he releases the string, the arrow sailing through the air with a low whistle.
"Hmph, I suppose your right," Sigurd agrees with a heavy sigh. "Onward then, before we loose the trail." Gathering the rest of his gear, Sigurd goes back to picking his way along the bandits' path.
"Yes, it seems there is nothing we can do for them right now." Sigurd kneels in the grass for a moment, then draws two arrows from his quiver. Whispering a brief prayer to Erastil, he drives them into the ground. "This will have to suffice. And now? Where do we go from here? I know we came to find the bandits' camp, but it seems there are forces out here that we are ill-equipped to deal with. Perhaps those who frequent these forests will know how to safely traverse them. We've still got two of them back at the Post, maybe we should ask them?"
"Feel that shiver run up your spine, Pavel. Whatever we're dealing with isn't in a helping mood today." He grumbles to himself as he shoulders his bow. "Bah, faeries. Fickle little beasts..."
"I'll not rest easy unless we at least make an attempt," Sigurd says as he begins donning his armor. "I'm not one to let such malice pass for lack of understanding - we can at least try to find them."
Sigurd leaps to his feat, whipping the dagger from his belt and dropping into a crouch as his eyes dart around the camp.
"Aye," he says with a grim nod. "I can feel it. Not right, whatever it is." He continues to look around as he speaks, refusing to lower his guard. "Do you know what did... this, Jonas? Did it take Celeste and Elanor? Is it still here?"
Sigurd pauses, running his finger along his bowstring as he considers Simon's proposal.
"That's a good plan," he admits at last. "It won't be easy for them, but redemption is not an easy thing. Very well then, we offer them a chance to surrender, and then to repent. Those that agree can work towards their atonement. Those that refuse, well... I won't force a man into service. If he chooses death, I will oblige him."
"I'm not advocating wholesale slaughter here, but I've lived in the Greenbelt before, and justice here isn't justice in the city. Say we take down their leader and we're left with 5 more bandits on our hands? Then what? Would you feel comfortable locking them up in a trading post where they outnumber the guards almost two to one? Hardly a good place for holding men, and hardly enough men to to keep a close watch on them. Remember the kind of people we're dealing with. Sometimes, a man falls on rough times and resorts to banditry, but more often than not, it blackens his heart as thoroughly as any other villain's."
Sigurd turns his back, staring into the wilds as he continues.
"Don't mistake me. When it's an option, I'll always opt for offering penance, but there are times when that's just not viable without putting innocent folks at risk. I'd risk my own life for such a goal, maybe the lives of the guards - it's part of their duty, after all. But I'm not going to put a whole clan of bandits in arm's reach of Oleg and Svetlana. There are times, Simon, when justice has to be hard."
"I wouldn't worry too much about light. Remember that if they've got a camp, they've got fires. We can stay in darkness and spot them just fine. Also, here's a little trick I've picked up..." Sigurd picks up a fist-sized rock and waves a hand over it, imbuing it with a soft golden glow. "Toss one of these nearby, and they're sure to investigate. As soon as they're within the light, stick an arrow in their gob."
"Better that we waste a few hours than end up dead. It should suffice for tonight, at least, and we can work something out later. And Simon, I think that sounds like a fine plan - working out a deal with Oleg. After all, it seems his trading post will serve as something of a hub for us in the days to come, and we don't want to bankrupt our own base of operations. Now," he says, growing grim, "We'll be coming up on the bandit camp tomorrow, most likely. How do we want to handle it? I'd suggest waiting until dark, seeing if we can't pick off a few stragglers without the notice of the rest of the camp. I'd normally favor sparing those that can be spared, but we must keep our situation in mind - two already held at the outpost... I doubt we have room for anymore, so I'd suggest granting them all a swift, clean death."
"Ho, yes!" Sigurd calls as he beckons the party over. "They left a more obvious trail than a rampaging linnorm! Shouldn't be too hard to find their camp if this is the care they take when they travel from it." He hops to his feet, spear in hand, and begins trotting into the wilderness, bidding the rest of the party to follow.
"The trail shouldn't be overly difficult to follow, especially given the scarcity of human traffic 'round here. I'm afraid if you want me to be thorough, though, we'll have to leave our own steeds behind. Can't very well follow their trail from horseback. Besides, if they lead us into the woods, I'd prefer the mobility my own feet afford me." Sigurd accepts the compass from Jonas and steps outside the outpost, where he squats down and carefully surveys the terrain.
OOC:
Sigurd will attempt to pick up the bandits' trail.
"That would be helpful," Sigurd agrees. "No telling what kind of ill-gotten spoils we may come across out there, and this might be a good place to keep them until we can decide what's to be done with them. I think we could stick around another day, though, to make sure the guards arrive. Poor nascent lordlings we'd be if we left you to stew here. Especially with two unjudged bandits laying around."
Sigurd steps back over to the bandits and kneels before him. "You've been helpful, but the fact remains that you have lead a life of banditry. You might not find yourself dancing on a rope, but neither can we simply turn you back out onto the road. Tell me - what was your life before you became a brigand?"
Lydran looks to Jonas once he turns from the bandits, whispering. "I'd learn more about these men before we resort to punishments too harsh. Might be that hard times have driven them to this life. Now don't get me wrong, it was their own choice to resort to banditry, and we can't just let that rest, but sometimes a man just needs to be reminded of where he comes from. Maybe we make them face up to what they've done? Apologize to those they've wronged, in actions as well as words - make them serve a community." He looks back to the bandits for a moment before growing somber once more and turning back to Jonas. "If you'd like to see them branded, though, I happen to have a trick for just that purpose. It'll fade in time, but it will remind themselves and others what they've done."
Hearing the interrogation beginning, Sigurd moves over to Celeste, a stony scowl on his face. He's not about to start torturing these men - or allow anyone else to, but they don't need to know that, and he's not above giving them a good wallop or two. Squatting down before the bandits, he looks one of them in the eyes with an iron glower. "To the south west, you say?" His arm shoots out as he grabs one of them men by the hair and tugs sharply, bringing the thug's face to his own. "Casmaron is southwest of here. You'll need to be more specific." He gives a light shove, pushing the man back onto his rump. "And numbers. How many are we dealing with, and what kind of fortifications do they have?"
Sigurd slides down the later and retrieves his spear, his eye the composite bow Pavel has picked out. Picking it up and testing its pull, he gives a low whistle. "Does anyone mind?" he asks, as he replaces his old bow. Assuming he hears no opposition, he begins piling the bodies in the center of the yard. "We should at least offer them some basic rites," he whispers. "Not worthy of a pyre, but at least a few words and a blessing for their souls..."
Wanting to make sure they take at least one bandit alive, Sigurd readies his spear, flipping it around before tossing it towards Pavel's target, hoping to strike him with the blunt end of the shaft.
ooc:
Sigurd throws his spear at Pavel's target, attempting to deal nonlethal damage.
"Oh no you don't!" Sigurd mutters as he see the bandits closing in around Celeste. He raises his bow and mutters a short prayer. "Erastil, steady my hand and sharpen my eye that my arrows might pierce the hearts of the wicked." As he speaks the words, pale green light erupts from his eyes and he looses and arrows at one of the bandits that's just entered the courtyard.
ooc:
Sorry I'm not being more specific. When I try to look at the map, I just get taken to a page with blank text boxes.
In any case, Sigurd invokes a Judgment of Justice (swift action), granting him a +1 bonus to attack rolls for the encounter, and fires his longbow at one of the bandits that's just entered from outside.
Yeah, I wanted to apologize fire acting a bit early. Maybe I didn't read that post quite closely enough - I missed the part about two bandits still being outside.
Sigurd stands atop the wall, taking his bow in hand.
"You'll get nothing from him today, cur!" he shouts to the leader as he knocks an arrow. "You've been a plague on these verdant lands for far, far too long, and today, your deeds have finally caught up with you. You have invoked the ire of the Swordlords, and the sentence for unrepentant banditry is death." His eyes narrow dangerously as he takes aim. "The casual tone of your extortion offers little penitence, so why don't you just lie down for me and I'll place this arrow in your back? Because I swear, if you make this difficult, then the tortures you endure in Hell will seem a mercy compared to coming moments."
ooc:
Sigurd attempts to make an intimidate check to demoralize the bandit leader.
That one I can see. Sigurd will be on top of the wall at 1P, provided he can crouch low enough to avoid a casual observer. Otherwise he'll hide behind the storage pen at I14.
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 I can't seem to access the link, probably due to the Great Firewall, but based on the last map you showed us, Sigurd will climb up the wall and lay low on the eastern side of the gate.
"Alright, sounds like we've at least got a solid foundation in order. Hammer out the details - I'll see what I can learn about the nearby terrain. I should be back before nightfall. Doubt I'll find anything this late in the day, but you never do know, do you?" With those words, Sigurd sets down his back and unshoulders his bow, testing the string carefully before giving a nod of approval. Satisfied, he walks back through the gates with brisk strides and begins to scout out the area near the trading post. Almost as an afterthought, he turns to Pavel. "You may join me if you wish, Pavel, but we ought to get going before night falls."
ooc:
Sigurd will scout the area closest to Oleg's, focusing on what lies south of the trading post, but he won't venture more than a mile from the party. He's just looking for any signs of humanoid movement and if he finds any, he'll try to ascertain what kind of numbers they're dealing with. If he spots any humanoids, he'll leave them be if they number fewer than three, but he might stalk or even confront a group of two or fewer. Once he's finished, he'll return to the trading post to report his findings.
Sigurd nods as he reads the charter. "Well then, good to have you along? I'm Sigurd Mjornson, hunter, tracker, and when need be priest." He absently fiddles with the bow-shaped pin on his cloak as he speaks. "We were just discussing how best to prepare for a group of bandits that's expecting to arrive with tomorrow's sun. Any suggestion?" He steps to one side and extends a hand to the map that Jonas has scribbled for them.
Sigurd steps forward, and though he does his best not to appear hostile, his hand does not move far from his knife. "Good evening, Celeste, and welcome. I trust you've been given a similar charter?"
"Oh, don't worry about the tracking, lad. I'm not suggesting we hunt them down in an all out assault, just get an idea for the lay of the land. Though I wouldn't be above picking off a few stragglers..."
"Actually, wouldn't a giant have an easier time simply holding one of these curs? Maybe we could just grab one of them and force him into submission? Or..." Sigurd turns back to Svetlana. "Might you have any fishing nets in your stock?"
"An illusion might not be a bad idea. We're agreed then, that one of us will wait in the yard while the rest of us hide? I can wait atop the wall over the gate. I'll have a good field of fire from up there, and if any of them start to flee... Well, we've got acres of open plains all around, and I've not yet met the man who can outrun an arrow. Think we should take one alive for questioning?"
Sigurd begins looking alertly around the outpost, formulating a battle plan. "Surprise would be good," he agrees. "Gives a chance to take them all down before they can respond - or escape. I think most of us should hide in that stable over there. If they're as cowardly as most bandits, they may just turn tail and flee if they see us all out here waiting. It needs to like like 'business as usual' for them. Just Oleg and Svetlana out in the yard..."
He frowns as he looks back at Svetlana. "And I suppose one of us could stay out here as well, playing the roll of a weary traveler. Maybe they'll even get excited at the prospect of one more target." Sigurd pauses for a moment before he looks towards the gate, then moves back to Svetlana. "Begging your pardon, good lady, but I was wondering how the gates to this outpost are closed? I'd rather not have any of these dogs fleeing to return to their master's heel."
"That's frontier life, lad," Sigurd jibes as he turns to Svetlana, a stony scowl crossing over his face. "We'll help," he promises with grim determination. "Old Deadeye isn't one to suffer such predations, and neither am I. Let's just hope that these guardsmen haven't fallen prey to the scoundrels... For now, tell us everything you can about these brigands. They first approached you three months ago, you say?"
"Guardsmen?" Sigurd asks blinking. "I'm afraid not, good lady. We are here at the behest of the Swordlord, sent to explore and reclaim the Stolen Lands. However..." he unsheathes a broad dagger and carefully tests the edge with his thumb. "Tell us more about these guards, and the bandit problem they were meant to deal with. We may be able to help."
Sigurd raises a bushy brow as a sits down at the table. "Just how strong is the bandit presence here in the Greenbelt? Not that we won't deal with them, but I hadn't expected them to be waiting to greet us on our first morning."
Sigurd offers the woman a curt nod, but then looks to the rest of his group as he steps back, hoping someone else will step forward and make introductions.
"You'll find few luxuries out here, Jonas," Sigurd grunts, "But you'll learn to appreciate the rustic charm in time. As for the defenses, I think that's why we're here, isn't it?"
Sigurd Mjornson, a large Ulfen man, stops for a moment in the road an inhales deeply, releasing a deep sigh of contentment as the wild air of the Greenbelt fills his nostrils. Plucking an unruly strand of dirty-blond hair from his face, he looks eagerly towards the trading post.
"Back home at last," he whispers as he shoulders his longbow. Looking back to the party, his face spreads into a wide grin. "Fresh air, rolling green terrain, roughing it on the fringes of civilization. This is the life, eh? Come, lets go greet our new hosts!"
Wishlists and Lists
Wishlists allow you to track products you'd like to buy, or—if you make a wishlist public—to have others buy for you.
