Sir Gallen's page

Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 18

HP: 39, AC: 23, Touch: 12, FF: 21, Fort: +10, Ref: +8, Will: +9, CMD: 18, Unholy Resilience, Bravery +1

CMB+5
Morningstar +6 To Hit, 1d8+2 Bludgeoning and Piercing, 20/x2
Masterwork Scimitar +7 To Hit, 1d6+2 Slashing, 18-20x2
Touch of Corruption +6 Touch, 1d6. 5/5 Day

Adventuring Skills: 2+2+1+1
Bluff 11=4+4+3, Diplomacy 11=4+4+3, Disguise 8=1+4+3, Intimidate 8=1+4+3, Knowledge Religion 5=1+1+3, Perception 11=4+0+3+1+3, Sense Motive 7=4+0+3, Spellcraft 5=1+1+3, Stealth 0=4+1+3-8
Background Skills: 2
Craft, Handle Animal 8=1+4+3, Knowledge: Nobility 9=3+1+3+2 Profession, Lore Conspiracy Theories 5=1+1+3, Linguistics 4=3+1

Languages: Common, Infernal, Celestial, Goblin, Giant

Traits: High Treason (Campaign), Seeker (Social)
Alternate Racials: Focused Study*
Feats: Noble Scion (Scion of War), Skill Focus* (Perception)
Free Feats: Combat Expertise, Power Attack, Deadly Aim,
Villain Points: 1/1
Class Features: Tyrants Code, Aura of Evil, Detect Good, Smite Good 0/1:Day
Spells:
1st Level Slots x2 -Magic Weapon, Shadow Trap

Blackerly's Mwk Longsword, Sir Balin's Full Plate, Simple Clothes, Ancient Hellknight Banner, Heavy Wooden Shield, Morningstar, Banded Mail, Masterwork Scimitar, Fighter's Kit, Pilum (3-1), Small Tent, Travellers Outfit, Cold Weather Gear, Cold Iron Dagger, Alchemical Silver Light Mace, Iron Circlet, Holy Symbol of Asmodeus, 14gp 5sp, Hemp Rope 100ft, Mapmakers Kit, Cold Weather Gear

Squire Timeon of Balentyne
Male human aristocrat 1
LN Medium humanoid
Init +2; Senses Perception -2
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19 (+7 armor, +1 Dex, Shield +2)
hp 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee: Scimitar: +2, 1d6+2, 18-20/x2
Spear: +2, 1d6+2, 20/x2
Ranged: Shortbow +2, 1d6, 20/x3
STATISTICS
Str 15, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Animal Affinity, Weapon Focus (heavy blades)
Skills Craft (armor) +4, Craft (weapons) +4, Handle Animal +7, Knowledge (nobility) +4, Ride +7
Languages Common
Combat Gear: Banded Mail, Heavy Steel Shield, Scimitar, Spear Shortbow, Antipaladin's Kit.
Other Gear: Chain shirt

“You’re him.” The voice was coarse but the man couldn’t contain his surprise. Gallen drew himself up from leaning against the cell wall though his muscles ached and made a wry smile, “Who would that be my new friend?”
“You tried to kill the young Princess and-” before the man could continue Gallen let out a snort through his lungs cried out in pain, if not for the darkness there surely his new cell mate would have seen him wince. Gallen licked his lips in a vain attempt to moisten their cracked surface “I didn’t try to kill anyone, not yet anyway. I wouldn’t kill her anyway, that would be wrong.” He wagged a filth covered finger for emphasis.” The man peered across the dim, small space between them, waiting a moment before speaking “But the guards they said you were going to try and kill young Princess.”

Gallen held up a hand “I think you’ve been quite misinformed about me, my good- apologies I neglected to ask your name, what is it?” The newcomer hesitated, his mother always told him names had power and mages could twist them to their advantage but seeing as where they both were it would make little difference for much longer. “I’m called Gregor.”

Gallen ran a grimy hand through his hair “Well Gregor, I’m just trying to write a great wrong. I’d rather not bring the boy into it but I needed the edge to perform my duty. My associates weren’t going to harm the boy, I just required a lock of his hair. A small thing indeed but I had hoped in the coming years to put it to good use, leverage to gather more- useful objects. It’s a long term plan, I admit it would have taken a few decades, I might have had to pass it down to my own children… if I had a bit more time to have a few that is. They call it a conspiracy, they claim I set up a cult to incite treason. It’s all lies, of course, they won’t listen to me long enough to realise that, they either just hit me or call me mad and stop listening.”

Gregor inched a little further away, no small task in the enclosed space. “Nothing to be afraid of Gregor, if I didn’t have you I’d have no company. No I am an uncomfortable reminder of truths they wish buried with me. Firstly I didn’t set up the cults, I just looked for them and tried to give them some hope, some direction. Now the one I had the most influence over had my departed associates in it, Mephistopheles and his followers are a lot more cunning and discrete than our countrymen give them credit for. I wasn’t trying to start any treasonous activity, but in fact trying to put an end to treasonous activities. I can see by your confused look my good man I’ve lost you. Time for a little history lesson.”

“As you know doubt know House Barca once ruled, but they became decadent and corrupt. You know this I know, I’ll get to the point. The Victor arose and he did some much needed cleaning house, they had become weak and the new order was better for a time. Then came the Learned of course, the Eldest but had no true interest and was derelict in his duties. No denying it we must see these things warts and all. But the next parts going to contain a few truths for you, Gregor so listen well, Hallen, the Mad-” Gallen lets out a whistle and a laugh “who was succeeded by Marcus the Zealous, son of the Learned. Stop and think about that for a second. Marcus did not succeed his father, who as the stories claim was killed by Hallen. This sounds very odd. No five months after the King dies his son claims the throne after his uncle has an accident. Doesn’t it strike you as odd that the line of succession has become so messy here and that there’s been a lot of accidents in the family? One mad son, these things happen. But righteous Paladins sworn to uphold the law help him on his way and find a speedy end to his reign… there’s something missing. I’m going to tell you one of the biggest secrets of the state.”

Gallen leans forward conspiratorially “Marcus the Zealous was not the son of the Learned. I mean if he had been he would have succeeded his father, according to the history books a mad man with a flaming sword killed his brother and they chose him to be the King over the man’s son and heir? Hallen claimed Mithra guided him, a man everyone admits was somewhat imbalanced. Then his successor who was previously overlooked comes forward becomes known as the Zealous, bans worship of Asmodeus and exalts Mithra. The Church of Asmodeus was the cause of Hallen’s poor mental health. The Church of Asmodeus who at that time was not particularly populous or powerful? Or did this young man who claimed to be the son of Martius need a scapegoat that was at the time neither powerful or populous enough to be a big problem.” Gallen drew closer to Gregor who had nowhere to hide from him and his uncomfortable truths now “Or did a powerful group throw their lot behind a man they believed they could manipulate and control, a man who needed help not meddling and when they found him growing more unstable they either created an heir from scratch in a son who was previously overlooked for succession or if there was a child in the first place they used their influence to push a mentally infirm man into a position that made his condition worse? What’s the common thread, Mithra and his paladins, the power behind the throne. A good purge can root out anyone who raises an objection, you just need an excuse like a small church possessing your King with a demon, something I am sure over the course of five months one of the Paladins of Mithra who so valiantly guarded him to his doom would have noticed.”

“My father told me of those times, he was young but he remembered quite a bit, painful memories but he was sure to instill the essence of the emotion into me before he died. How his father a kind but troubled man was pushed beyond reason by them. His mother barely got him out of the capital after Halen met with an accident. Now you’re doubting me, I wasn’t there but he told me the tales and my grandmother, old as she was backed him up and filled in the details to me he was too young to remember. She wasn’t too close to the ruling side of things but King Hallen took her to bed and married her, he performed the ceremony himself. Sadly there is no paperwork and granny did admit she was not the only wife Halen took in secret in this fashion but none of the others got out of the capital before the purge. I could have just put the tales down to the ramblings of those who had seen too much in their time but even the facts made public make no sense. It is my duty to remove the insidious treasonous cancer that festers in the throneroom of this country. I have no crown, or scepter, no treasury or armies to back my claim but I have the truth and unlike those who stand and claim to be my betters I can go to my grave knowing even if I have not succeeded I gave it my all. I am not Gallen Baran of the Heartland, I am Gallen of House Darius, true heir and rightful ruler of Talingarde.” Seeing the fear in Gregor’s eyes Gallen made a placating gesture.

“Apologies, my nerves are frayed and I am weary. I have watched men and women die I called friend, I would not lie and call them good but they had conviction, surely that counts for something. I will not be shackled by the illusions of the followers of Mithra that have clouded the minds of my ancestors, I have clarity, even if you put no stock in my heritage and we did just meet in unfortunate circumstance so I will forgive you for that, consider the history you have been indoctrinated in, see the lies Gregor, question the inconsistencies and ask yourself, what if I am right?”

Some of these NPCs have names if you want to work them in but some can be reworked to have a link with existing NPCs. The Paladin from the last one could be an interesting opponent, a fight to the death they'd both rather hadn't come to pass... if only the other one had changed their ways kind of thing.
Lesser Crimes than Treason.
Gallen has previousy worked with a variety of infernal cults. As a Diabolist he can find common ground with them. He helped a group of Knights sword to Furcas the Infernal Duke. They had recently been bested by some Knights of an order sworn to Mithra. Gallen who was not involved in any previous altercations agreed to find out when the Knights would leave next. The Knights of Furcas set up an ambush. A year later when the the Furcas followers were captured Gallen’s involvement was revealed and his first footnote in history was established.

Gallen helped a secret church of Asmodeus disgrace Thomas Lagrenne, an Inquisitor of Mithra, who was getting too close to uncovering them. Gallen was performing some minor tasks, the most significant of these was assisting in planting evidence in the Inquisitor’s lodgings. However when Gallen was to be paid the Dolorus the Cleric leading the cult tried to double cross him. In this case things went badly and Gallen killed Dolorus and had to flee town to avoid the wrath of the other members of the cult.

During Gallen’s attempt to steal some of the Princess’ hair he was involved in various crimes both directly. They murdered some watch who came across them at an inopportune time. Extorted a servant of the royal court after having an agent steal some licentious letters that had been exchanged by him and a noblewoman.

When their plot was uncovered Gallen found their base of operations, the hidden church of Mephistopheles in the basement of a library Gallen alongside the cult members present were unable to escape. The lightning raid of soldiers almost immediately overwhelmed them but before being subdued Gallen killed a Knight helping lead them. [I am thinking that this knight could be a relative or protege or mentor of an NPC further down the line, a good flexible plot hook to link in.] The Knight’s Squire, who was due to be knighted any day now, testified against Gallen.

A Case of Heroism.
There was one testimony that led to some murmurs during Gallen’s trial. Two years back while journeying along the east coast he was passing by a small fishing village that was under attack by a group of sea raiders. Gallen helped Sir Chelstov, a Paladin of Erastil, repel them. Gallen took the reward money as was his due from the village elder but without both of them the village would have fallen. There was a kind of camaraderie between the Ulfen Paladin and Gallen but Gallen’s aura had been noted, Chelstov warned him that is he did not choose a different path when next they met they might well be fighting against each other.