Stark Blackblood's page

Speed 40ft
Low-Light Vision
Adaptability
Elf Blood
Elven Immunities (immune to magic sleep effects, +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects)
Keen Senses
Multitalented (favoured classes: Barbarian & Sorcerer)
Fast Movement
Rage (5 rounds per day)

Skill Focus [Knowledge (planes)]
Intimidating Prowess
Simple Weapon Proficiency
Martial Weapon Proficiency
Armour Proficiency - Light
Armour Proficiency - Medium
Shield Proficiency

Climb +9 [+1 Rank +3 Class +5 Str]
Intimidate +11 [+1 Rank +3 Class +2 Cha +5 Str]
Knowledge (arcana) +1 [+1 Rank]
Knowledge (planes) +4 [+1 Rank +3 Skill Focus]
Perception +1 [+2 Racial -1 Wis]

Hellknight Ancestry [+2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks to influence Hellknights, and Intimidate checks to influence the enemies of the Hellknights] Chelish / social
Armour Expert [-1 armour check penalties] Combat
Magical Knack [+2 to Sorcerer caster levels as long as they don't exceed his Hit Dice] Magic

2gp
Explorer's outfit [10gp / free]
Scale mail armour [50gp]
Greatsword [50gp]
Dagger [2gp]
Signet Ring (poison pill ring) [5gp + 20gp = 25gp]
Silver unholy symbol of Asmodeus [25gp]
Belt pouch [1gp]
Smelling salts [25gp]

When Sir Thibault the Black, also known as the Son of the Dragon (due to his family being said to have descended from a fearsome black dragon), a paralictor in the Hellknight Order of the Pyre, disappeared whilst on assignment to track down and wipe out a cult of demon-worshippers thought to be located somewhere deep in the Whisper Woods, the worst was assumed. When the Hellknight stumbled from the woods over a year later, beaten, battered, and bloody, with nothing but the head of the elf-witch who'd ruled as high priestess of the cult in one hand, and a half-elven baby in the other, the news of his miraculous victory and escape soon spread throughout the land, making Sir Thibault something of a celebrity... for a time, at least... and confirming the righteousness of the rule of order and law over chaos.

However, behind closed doors, Sir Thibault had more troubling news to report. The child he'd carried from the woods was his, a bastard he'd been forced to sire upon the high priestess of the cult. He turned the babe over to the Hellknights, and turned his own attentions to the many reckonings, burning himself over open flames, he was to endure in an effort to purge his soul of the stain of the dark events he'd been forced to partake in...

The half-elf bastard was the source of much debate - many arguing to toss the child onto the pyres of his father's reckoning, that the taint on its soul - if, indeed, it even had such - was too great. Cooler, more calculating, heads prevailed, however, and the baby boy was turned over to the Order of the Gate to be studied and raised...

Growing to adulthood in Citadel Enferac, east of Pezzack, young Stark - as the boy was named - was raised in the harshest of conditions, expected to live the difficult, near monastic, life of the Hellknights who raised him, even though he knew, from a young age, he could never be one of them. Lessons of magic theory, demons, and devils were drummed into the lad, along with constant training in armour and weapons. In many ways a poor student, slower to learn than most of the Order's members, and prone to bouts of violence and anger, Stark was expected to administer his own punishments, etching symbols of penitence into his own flesh with a dagger, as the Hellknights of the Order of the Gate did for their reckonings. He collected many scars from such self-inflicted punishments over the years, but they seemed to do their job, as the boy slowly bagan to master the study of demons and devils, at least, as well as the ability to control his dark rage to his own advantage, instead if being controlled by it.

The years ticked by, the signifiers all agreeing that Stark held great magical potential, and furious power, which they'd managed to channel... but not to the extent required for a Hellknight proper. Once more meetings started to take place behind closed doors as to the young man's fate, and it was at one such meeting that someone proposed a potential use for the boy's obvious talents...

Raised by Hellknights, Stark has had the rule of law and the supremecy of Cheliax drummed into him his whole life... as well as the fact that he'll never measure up. Rather than rebel, or despair, young Stark has taken his life as a challenge. He truly believes the teachings of the Hellknights, and sees himself as living proof of the misdeeds of demons and those who consort with them. He's worked hard to control his inner rage, to focus it where it's needed the most, and now all he wants is a chance to prove himself - to the Hellknights, to Cheliax, and to his father (who he's never met since the day he was handed over as a babe in arms). He agrees with the common understanding that those inhumans like himself are inherently inferior, but sees that as just meaning he has to try all the harder.

Having lived an essentially cloistered and military life, Stark lacks the finer refinements of social graces, but he can unleash a brutish strength in battle and, when he wants to be, can be the very embodiment of terror. His natural dark charisma does him more favours than he realises, but then again, in many ways he's still naive to the ways of the world outside the Hellknight Orders.

A healthy 6ft tall and 160lbs, Stark appears slender, rather than bulky, due to his very wiry build. His muscles are painfully well defined, rather than massive, which can leave the unobservant surprised at the level of strength he can unleash when he wants to. His long black hair and dark eyes contrast with skin which is pale from staying too long out of the sunlight. His skin also sports numerous ritualistic self-inflicted scars - symbols of penitence born from his constant failings as he grew up - although none are overtly obvious when he's clothed normally.

The more sensitive sometimes pick up on the internal rage and power Stark's spent so long locking under control and, combined with his tendency to remain deferential and silent in the face of authority, he can come across as dark and brooding if he's not careful. It's not a cultivated image, and not one he particular favours, but life beyond the strictures of Hellknight existence is still new to him. 'Fun', for example, is a new and fascinating concept...

Stark's signet ring sports the arms of his father's family - a rampant black dragon on a field of silver - with the addition of a bend sinister denoting Stark's illegitimate status. The ring was a gift purportedly sent to him by an aunt, and Stark's unsure if it was meant as a joke, an insult, or to genuinely welcome him into the family. His unholy symbol of Asmodeus was a gift from one of the Order of the Gate signifiers he befriended growing up - the man who introduced him into Asmodeus's faith. Stark's clothes are generally dark, as is his scale mail armour. His greatsword is a hand-me-down from one of the senior Hellknights who trained him in swordplay - a good, solid, weapon which has seen plenty of use over the lifetimes of several owners, but hardly the pinacle of the swordsmith's art.