Sir Arthur C. Doyle's page

Base Half-Elf (10 RP)
Type
Humanoid (elf, human) 0 rp
Size
Medium 0 rp
Base Speed
Normal 0 rp
Ability Score Modifiers
Human heritage 0 rp
Languages
Linguist 1 rp
Racial Traits
Defense Racial Traits
Elven immunities 2 rp
Feat and Skill Racial Traits
Skill bonus (Perception) 2 rp
Static bonus feat (Skill Focus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Aldori Dueling Sword)(Ancestral Arms) 2 rp
Senses Racial Traits
Low-light vision 1 rp
Other Racial Traits
Multitalented 2 rp
Modified:
Ability Score: Flexible (+2 Int, +2 Dex) (+2 RP)
Remove Multitalented, add Quick Reactions. (-2+2 RP)
Remove Skill bonus (perception) (-2 RP)
Add:
Focused Study (4 RP) (+1 skill rank/level)
Fast (1 RP) (+10 base speed)

1st: Cure Light Wounds, Enlarge Person, Longarm, Endure Elements, Shield, True Skill, True Strike, Reduce Person

Arthur Conan Doyle was born to a moderately wealthy family of minor nobility, grandson of a local alchemist, in Riverstead, a small city in the northwestern corner of Brevoy, on the edge of the Lake of Mists and Veils and the border of Numeria. While his birth was one of scandal (his teenage mother was impregnated through a tryst with a passing elven ranger), his impressive physical and mental prowess quickly set him apart from his peers. When he turned 15, he was given a meaningless noble title that he always sought to try and fulfill. At 16, he set off in a hurry late at night from his home. While he won't say exactly why he left (dodging the question by mumbling something about, "Needing to find my place in the world," it is known that shortly after his departure, a few Technic League enforcers showed up in his town, asking for him.

As Sir Doyle made his way south (towards New Stetven, his endgoal), he studied his stolen technological items, disassembling and piecing together the super-science. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that this, this super-advanced, highly logical, piece of nomagical technology, was the ultimate power. With that, he forswore his dabbling in the study of magic (having been apprenticed to a wizard for a few months before fleeing Riverstead), instead focusing on the only science he knew- alchemy. He honed his mind even further, but when he arrived in New Stetven, despite his extensive educated expertise, prodigious physical prowess, and astounding alchemical abilities, (and a decently-sized bribe of Numerian artifacts) he was turned down. Determined to join the ranks of the esteemed swordsmen, he dedicated the next five years of his life honing his skills with the Dueling Sword, and spent his free time learning everything he could- languages, court procedures, philosophy, wilderness survival, and more besides. Beyond that, Arthur continued dabbling in science as well, managing to create potions tailored for his personal anatomy that boosted him in pseudomagical ways. Despite several offers for magical training, he has turned them all down, instead preferring "A sharp sword, and a sharper mind" as his preferred weapon. Despite endless petitions to allow him to join the Swordlords, the half elf was constantly turned down (he suspects due to the circumstances of his birth). Regardless, he heard of an expedition to venture into the stolen lands, and finally saw a chance- if he couldn't get the Swordpact to recognize his skill, he'd prove them all wrong by establishing his own sword discipline based off of his personal fighting style- waiting for the opportune moment and using his extensive knowledge of weak points in his opponents to finish a fight in but a single blow. He presented his sword in service to the Brevoyan nobility for the purposes of venturing into the stolen lands, and was delighted to hear of his selection. He gathered up his gear and set off into the unknown.

While this isn't the best depiction, it's the best I could find. Arthur has long, carefully tended black hair, deep, forest-green eyes, pale skin, and a tall, lanky figure. He carries an Aldori sword and wears armor that's both embellished enough to look formal, tough enough to withstand combat, and light enough to not overly restrict mobility. He has a couple of glowing knickknacks, but they don't give off much light and are one of the few times Arthur is willing to admit to his alchemy being at least borderline magical.

Arthur isn't arrogant, but he is self-assured. Confident in himself and his abilities, but also well aware of his limitations, he carefully measures any and all conflicts before engaging to ensure he isn't stretching himself too far. While he personally doesn't use magic, preferring to rely on his own understanding and skills over strange phenomena that can come and go, he has no issues with spellcasters or magic items. He loves to laugh, and greatly enjoys his personal, regular, practice sessions of honing his swordplay and mind.

This is just to explain some of my more 'what' choices, especially regarding the Race modifications.
So, starting with the elephant (or half-elf) in the room, what is up with the changes to Half-Elf? Virtually nothing is the same. However, it all makes logical sense.
Well, to start Ancestral Arms is a standard Half-Elf feat substitution. Nothing to see here. I figured my skills would be insane enough as it were without needing a free skill focus. Besides, while I could have gone with any number of feats accordingly, I wanted proficiency with the Aldori sword for thematic reasons- it was cool and fit into the story and concept of Arthur quite well. The fact it ties into the campaign and surrounding area just made it better.
Changing the ability scores likewise felt natural. + Dex and + Int are inherited from Arthur's elven father, but his Con is balanced out by his human mother (in general, it feels like humans are a +Con race. They're just described as so hardy and tenacious it makes sense) to make him a 'best of both worlds' half-elf.
Multitalented OOC was just a waste. I'm not planning on multiclassing outside of gestalt, and IC, while it does make some sense (as a master of all), it made more sense to have him be fast- with his 'mind over matter' approach to the world, it only makes sense that his mind can aid his quick reactions to together cause his response time to go through the roof- 'fast body, faster mind,' as he would say. Alternatively, the Improved Initiative might have simply been an extra, and Multitalented is simply expanded upon into Focused Study.
Removing the skill bonus to perception, which I was somewhat sad about, was needed to afford +Dex, +Int. In-world, there's not much of an explanation for it. However, it's not too far of a stretch to say that, as an alchemist, bookworm, and melee combatant, he never needed to train his eyesight in the same way that most elves (and some half-elves) do- through endless archery practice, striking down foes before they can even see you. Instead, he just charges ahead and takes them down by hand. Speaking of which….
Fast. OOC, I had one extra RP that needed to be spent on something, and because I have an image of Arthur eventually switching into medium armor, I wanted to retain a 30 foot movement speed regardless. However, in-multiverse, the extra speed is a combination of efficient foot placement and tactical jumps from his mind calculating the optimal pathway and a sort of long-lingering alchemy effect, that enhances his speed (think of it as an Expeditious Retreat gone 'wrong') at the cost of his eyesight (another possible explanation to his lack of +2 perception.
Finally, we come to Focused Study. I'll be honest here- I chose it for much the same reason I chose to go with Lore Warden as opposed to Aldori Defender- I wanted to get the ludicrously large amount of 16 skill ranks/level. In-world, it's like I mentioned earlier- Arthur is far from 'not multitalented.' Rather, Focused Study represents that he's far better at it than most half-elves. He simply is better at picking up skills than others. While some might adapt to multiple career paths, Arthur just learns all of their skill sets and more. He is the master skill-user.