HP 09/13 Nonlethal 0/13 | AC 19 T 19 FF 14 | CMB +5, CMD 24 | F: +5, R: +6, W: +4 (+2 vs enchantment; Immune to sleep)| Init: +4 | Perc: +13 | Flurry of Blows: +5/+5 (1d6+5) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: *NONE* | Special Abilities Stunning Fist (DC 14): 1/1 | Deflect Arrows: 1/1
"I do not think it likely that any villains would be sitting around here for days on end on the off chance that a small away team might arrive." Teacher grumbles, kneeling on what he presumes to be a main path. "I do not see signs of battle. As you suggested, they may have left more-or-less willingly for one reason or another. This would not be the first settlement to find some overlooked or invisible obstacle after setting down roots." The tall half-elf searches for fresh footprints to see if anyone has been here recently.
HP 09/13 Nonlethal 0/13 | AC 19 T 19 FF 14 | CMB +5, CMD 24 | F: +5, R: +6, W: +4 (+2 vs enchantment; Immune to sleep)| Init: +4 | Perc: +13 | Flurry of Blows: +5/+5 (1d6+5) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: *NONE* | Special Abilities Stunning Fist (DC 14): 1/1 | Deflect Arrows: 1/1
Teacher Corvoril also takes a look through the spyglass. It does not look hopeful, but there is not cause for despair yet. "A fire in the village may have forced them inland to seek trees or caves for shelter." He says, collapsing the spyglass and handing it back to the captain. "We shall see." Like many monks, Corvoril's attire does not vary much. His primary garment is a pair if simple, linen trousers. Linen is not damaged by water, nor does is shrink when wet, making it one of the more ideal fabrics for use at sea. His upper arms and forearms are protected by leather spaulders and vambraces, each vambrace having five shuriken slotted for ease of access. The only obvious weapon he carries is the seaxe at his waist - a large knife of ulfen make, prized for its utility at sea. He is, of course, barefoot.
Corvoril retrieves a few items from his supplies and makes up a small pack to bring with. He has more supplies than he normally would courtesy of the Company, but he did not want to bring all of it with him now, and he lowers it into the boat bound for shore. Unburdened by armor or heavy clothing, Corvoril jumps up on the railing of the ship and dives into the waves below, making hardly a splash. He lets weight and momentum carry him down into the cool, dark depths. The pressure feels comforting. The aquatic half-elf sinks head-first to the ocean floor before turning, kicking of the sandy bottom, and rapidly rising back to the surface. Bobbing about near the bow of the boat bound for shore, he shakes his head to throw his wet, black hair clear of his face, and asks "Are we ready to depart?"
HP 09/13 Nonlethal 0/13 | AC 19 T 19 FF 14 | CMB +5, CMD 24 | F: +5, R: +6, W: +4 (+2 vs enchantment; Immune to sleep)| Init: +4 | Perc: +13 | Flurry of Blows: +5/+5 (1d6+5) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: *NONE* | Special Abilities Stunning Fist (DC 14): 1/1 | Deflect Arrows: 1/1
Teacher Corvoril approaches the expedition leader and stands at something resembling attention. By the start of the expidition, Teacher was already a veteran sailor and fisherman. He is used to ship life. Unlike many of the passengers, he was not beset with seasickness at the start of the journey and he eagerly inserted himself into duty rotations. Despite being topless, his dark blue-gray skin shows no change in pigment from sun exposure and his shoulder-length hair is already white. Likewise, he already had calluses from scrubbing decks and working rigging, so no new calluses had been formed. He looks as he always does: calm, collected, confident.
Teacher Corvoril greets the others assembled with a curt nod.
HP 09/13 Nonlethal 0/13 | AC 19 T 19 FF 14 | CMB +5, CMD 24 | F: +5, R: +6, W: +4 (+2 vs enchantment; Immune to sleep)| Init: +4 | Perc: +13 | Flurry of Blows: +5/+5 (1d6+5) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: *NONE* | Special Abilities Stunning Fist (DC 14): 1/1 | Deflect Arrows: 1/1
TBH I'm content with whatever. Champion of Irori basically is "Monk/Paladin Gestalt: the Official Paizo Class" so I can really tack anything onto Corvoril and keep the original vision I had for him.
Except like, necromancy magic or anti-paladin. Anything reasonable.
HP 09/13 Nonlethal 0/13 | AC 19 T 19 FF 14 | CMB +5, CMD 24 | F: +5, R: +6, W: +4 (+2 vs enchantment; Immune to sleep)| Init: +4 | Perc: +13 | Flurry of Blows: +5/+5 (1d6+5) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: *NONE* | Special Abilities Stunning Fist (DC 14): 1/1 | Deflect Arrows: 1/1
As a skill addict myself, it is hard not having a ton of skill points. I do wish Paizo had leaned a little harder into the "scholar" part of the "warrior scholar" thing monks have goin' on. The Champion of Irori gets 1/2 Bardic Knowledge, but that's a long, long ways down the road.
Since we've got the Beauty stat and Corvoril is only a mediocre 10, I can take a point out of Diplo and put one into Know Dungeon. Will have to change a trait to get it as a class skill, but it's not a big deal.
HP 09/13 Nonlethal 0/13 | AC 19 T 19 FF 14 | CMB +5, CMD 24 | F: +5, R: +6, W: +4 (+2 vs enchantment; Immune to sleep)| Init: +4 | Perc: +13 | Flurry of Blows: +5/+5 (1d6+5) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: *NONE* | Special Abilities Stunning Fist (DC 14): 1/1 | Deflect Arrows: 1/1
Thanks for choosing Teacher Corvoril! I put a lot of thought into how best to take advantage of the high ability scores. The Champion of Irori seemed like the most MAD class out there. Looking forward to playing with you all.
I'm off to bed, but here's a few thoughts as far as Corvoril's build goes.
With the Variant Variant Multiclassing, I was going to trade 1st and 3rd level feats for the Cavalier's Order and Challenge class features, both Extraordinary abilities. Whilst looking through Orders, the Order of the Star seemed the most appropriate for a follower of Irori. The Order of the Star advances Channel Energy at 1/2 the clerics normal rate, so I figure I can dip one level of cleric at level 2 to get some extra healing for the party. With the changes to the Heal Skill that should go pretty far.
Since the spellcasting from the single level of Cleric won't ever advance, I'll probably take the Ecclesitheurge archetype and the Strength domain. Not sure about subdomain yet. The archetype can prepare domain spells in normal spell slots so Corvoril could prepare 3x Enlarge Person from the Strength subdomain, which is a flashy spell even if it's not incredibly good.
I’ll definitely be swapping Creature Focus for Favored Enemy in my starting feats. FE is just better. Might look at picking up some barbarian stuff eventually too, especially if I were to end up the party tank (thinking of DR, maybe Rage as well)
I'd imagine many builds will change some since trading out a feat for an Ex ability from another class is better than VMC in many situations. VVMC. Variant Variant Multiclassing.
Update to house rules, specifically the Feats section.
Feats: Feats are gained as normal, but additional feats may be awarded by group/character play. Bonus feat awarded at 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th level. Class features from other classes can be taken as feats on a 1:1 basis. All abilities gained this way must be Extraordinary and you must have a high enough character level to qualify. Furthermore you cannot replicate abilities that grant bonus feats such as the fighter bonus feats.
So my monk/pala could pick up a Cavalier Order and Challenge, since they're both EX? Isn't that interesting.
Ku'Hania wrote:
How could you gain a bonus feat at level 1? You neN earned during plat but before leveling to 2?
I believe 1/5/10/15/20 are automatically gained at the appropriate level, and that there will be opportunities to gain additional bonus feats as the story goes on, but DM Skull may need to clarify.
Well I lost a big chunk of backstory to the Forum Monster even though I clearly remember copying the text so that wouldn't happen and I'm too tired to rewrite it, but enough of the backstory survives for a submission, so here's Teacher Corvoril, Champion of Irori.
Teacher Corvoril:
======Code of Conduct for Champions of Irori======
• I will strive for personal perfection in all things - body, mind, and spirit.
• It is my sacred duty to learn and explore, to teach and uplift, to correct ignorance and open closed minds.
• Anyone who wishes to better themselves is under my guard, and I will not allow learning to be suppressed.
• Every individual walks their own path to perfection. My role is to offer guidance, not direction.
• My word is my bond.
• Anyone who surrenders or is captured has my full protection.
• I always hold myself to the highest standard possible - my own vision of perfection.
• I shall exercise temperance and restraint.
A champion of Irori embraces law and goodness as other paladins do, conducting himself with honor and protecting the innocent; he loses all class features if he ever willingly commits an evil act. A champion of Irori must avoid entanglements that would distract him from the pursuit of perfection and may not incur debts nor give loans to others—though he is encouraged to give freely to those in need. He likewise turns away potential followers of any sort and may not recruit (and must discharge from service, if already acquired) any cohort, follower, animal companion, familiar, special mount, or similar creature.
======Description====== Pic for inspiration. Age: 32 | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 200 lbs. | Hair: Shoulder blade length, unstyled white hair | Eyes: Silver-white
Teacher Corvoril is a shoreborn: a half-elf with a human mother and an aquatic elf father. He is six and a half feet tall and well-muscled. His hands carry calluses from countless hours of hauling nets, splicing line, climbing masts, and repairing sails. He reflects his aquatic ancestry more than his human side. Dark slate blue skin hides his kind in the ocean depths but is offset sharply by his shoulder-length white hair. His hands and feet are webbed and three slits on either side of his neck betray his gills, allowing him to function just as well on land as in water. His eyes are silver white, giving him a haunting, unnerving gaze.
He wears dark brown linen trousers and prefers to go barefoot. His arms and shoulders a protected by simplistic leather vambraces, rerebraces, and pauldrons, protecting the pugilists’ hands and arms from the blades of opponents or the teeth of predatory fish. Elsewise he is topless. Each vambrace has ten shuriken slotted into them for ease of access and a large seax hangs from a leather belt for ready use in an emergency. Occasionally he carries a monk’s spade, a polearm that is as much tool as weapon.
Teacher Corvoril carries himself with confidence. His superior elven senses allow him to focus on the environment and people around him without seeming to. Despite his intimidating size, he does not push his way through crowds, preferring to flow around obstacles like water, imitating his elven ancestors in their unnatural grace.
======Personality======
Law and order shape all things, even if some cannot see it. The bard believes he is unbound and through his perceived freedom comes his power, but that is not the truth: the bards magic comes from the even tempo and mathematical precision of their instruments. The sorcerer believes their magic comes only from their blood, but their latent arcane abilities speak to the discipline and perseverance of their ancestors. Law is order. Order is discipline. Discipline is strength.
Teacher Corvoril seeks perfection. Not in the obsessive, unproductive way of the perfectionist. In their simplest form, Irori’s tenets could be summarized thusly: be better tomorrow than you are today. Read from a new book. Practice a new technique. Speak to a stranger. Contrary to the nature implied by his aquatic elven ancestry, Corvoril enjoys the structure of monastic life. A life without drama and distractions, but by no means a life without enjoyment or a sense of reward. Growing up in Absolom, the City at the Center of the World, Corvoril was surrounded by people from all walks of life and all nations. He is open minded, not allowing prejudices to steal opportunities to learn or experience new things. He is generous. Not with his possessions for he has none, but with his time and knowledge. He is humble and levelheaded. A highly skilled martial artist, he is not one to boast or rush to violence.
======History======
Corvoril is the result of a one-time union between Willow Neenan and an unnamed aquatic elf. Willow, a marine in the Andoran navy, did not want to abandon her military career to raise a child, so she left her son in the care of the Iroran monastery in Absalom. She left him, but not because she did not love him, nor did she ever renounce her child as her own. She stopped by to see the boy when she could, but as time went on and she rose in the ranks, she had fewer and fewer opportunities. Children taken in by the monastery are not raised as Irorans. The path of the cleric or the monk is not the path for everyone, but Corvoril took to monastic life well and at thirteen, he became a novice monk at the Iroran temple in Absalom. He never proved to be the most intellectual of students, preferring subjects like philosophy, martial arts, and diplomacy over history and geography.
Martials arts are one of the steps on the long path to perfection. Most Irorans would never find themselves in a fight for their life, but martial arts improve body, mind, and spirit for any, from the humble tulip farmer to the wizened duelist. As he could breathe underwater, Corvoril was trained in the Way of the Crushing Tsunami. Water was not a good medium in which to exchange weak and rapid blows, hoping to wear one’s opponent down with a shower of attacks. Practitioners of the Way of the Crushing Tsunami were taught to deliver deliberate and powerful attacks, pooling their strikes into strong, punishing blows that would crush through an opponent’s defenses. His strength gave him the power needed to perform the taxing combat style, his constitution giving him the fortitude he needed to stand on the ocean floor in the face of the oceanic currents.
The Iroran monastery in Absalom, like all monasteries, did work to provide for the poor and enrich their community. The monastery owned several fishing ships, and on one of those ships – the Serenity - Corvoril found a place. Ship life was inherently like monastic life. Order and discipline are of utmost importance at sea. If a sailor shirks his duties, if maintenance protocols are ignored, if high emotions are allowed to run rampant, the ship could sink. On the Serenity Corvoril could be in touch with his aquatic heritage and maintain his monastic lifestyle, all while presenting the occasional opportunity for a daring aquatic rescue.
After a decade on the Serenity, Corvoril felt called in another direction. The Irorans had a sect of elite warriors who embodied the tenets of justice, enlightenment, discipline, and truth – Moreso than Irori’s other clerics: the Champions of Irori. Their numbers were not many. Irori’s core teachings were equally applicable to all, from righteous kings to craven cutthroats, but the Champions of Irori sought to strike down evil just as much as chaos, and in doing so they would uplift society. Champions needed not just strength of body and mind, but charm as well, something – admittedly – many monks lack. While he was never the most intellectual student, Corvoril had the physical strength, the mental fortitude, the force of personality and, most importantly, a good heart, making him a strong candidate for the small group of paladin-monks.
Irori does not direct his followers with a closed fist. Everyone is encouraged to find their own path to enlightenment and perfection for there is no path wide enough to accept all who would walk it. When the discovery of the once lost continent of Azlant was announced, Corvoril felt an attraction to these strange new lands. Azlant represented an opportunity to Corvoril. An opportunity to pursue perfection. What lost knowledge lay hidden in the remnants of Golarion’s oldest civilization? It was more than just an opportunity to learn. Many of the adventurous, the courageous, the curious, and those who simply felt out of place in civilization were making their own ways to the new lands to build new lives for themselves and their loved ones. But not all who rush to new lands have adventure and knowledge seeking in their hearts. Some only wish to exploit those who travel unprepared to lands not protected by the rule of law. The Champions of Irori were sworn to uphold not only the tenets of law, but of goodness as well. Corvoril would help protect the denizens of the blossoming new settlement and build good will with the people, paving the way for the Irorans to build monasteries, which double as schools.
============
Teacher Corvoril stepped onto the gently swaying deck of the Peregrine and closed his eyes. He had been training with the Champions of Irori for the better part of a decade and had few opportunities to sail in that time, but a sailor never forgets the comforting arms of the ocean rocking them to sleep. What was an unfamiliar sensation was the weight of his heavy pack on his shoulders. Mundane as it was, Corvoril had never owned any more property than he could carry in one had. It was just as well that the Bountiful Venture Company was supplying basic equipment for the hopeful settlers of Azlant, as Corvoril also had no coin. His hemp and leather backpack bulged with camping equipment, surveying and writing tools, cooking kit and rations, flint and tinder, blanket and tent. A bedroll, lantern, and folding shovel were strapped to the outside. His surveying supplies were adequate but not comprehensive. He was Teacher, not Seeker, after all. The shoreborn inhales the salty sea air, taking a moment to enjoy the warm kiss of the sun on his dark blue skin and the familiar play of the ocean breeze in his silver-white hair. A shudder passes through the deck of the ship as ocean swell pushes the vessel against the docks, and Teacher Corvoril opens his eyes. He can't help but smile.
Numbers:
Teacher Corvoril
Male half-elf (Shoreborn) unchained monk 1
LG Medium humanoid (elf, human)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +13
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Defense
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AC 19, touch 19, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex, +1 dodge, +4 Wis)
hp 13 (1d10+3)
Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments
Immune sleep
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.; 30 ft. swim
Melee seax +6 (1d4+5) or
. . monk's spade +7/+7 (1d6+7) or
. . unarmed strike +7/+7 (1d6+5)
Ranged shuriken +6/+6 (1d2+5)
Special Attacks flurry of blows (unchained), stunning fist (1/day, DC 14)
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Statistics
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Str 20, Dex 18, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 18, Cha 16
Base Atk +1; CMB +6 (+8 grapple); CMD 25 (27 vs. grapple)
Feats Aquatic Combatant, Combat Expertise, Deadly Aim, Dodge, Power Attack, Pummeling Style, Skill Focus (Perception), Stunning Fist, Unarmed Combatant, Weapon Focus
Traits cosmopolitan, open palm of irori, set mind, student of history
Skills Acrobatics +9, Climb +9, Diplomacy +7, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (religion) +6, Perception +13, Profession (sailor) +9, Sense Motive + 4, Survival +9, Swim +9; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception
Languages Aquan, Common, Elven
Combat Gear seax, monk's spade, shuriken (20)
Adventuring Gear backpack, bedroll, blanket, canteen (2), elven trail rations (7), flint and steel, grappling hook, hammer, hooded lantern, mess kit, piton (4), silk rope (50 ft.), small tent, tindertwig (4), torch (2), cooking kit, grooming kit, scriviner's kit, chronicler's kit, 1 gp
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Special Abilities
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Adaptability Half-elves gain Skill Focus (Perception) at level 1.
Amphibious Breath air and water.
Aquatic Combatant +2 bonus on Swim checks; avoid normal penalties on melee attack rolls underwater.
Combat Expertise +/-1 (EitR) Bonus to AC in exchange for an equal penalty to attack.
Cosmopolitan (Social Trait) + 1 to Linguistics; Linguistics as class skill.
Deadly Aim -1/+2 (EitR) Trade a penalty to ranged attacks for a bonus to ranged damage.
Dodge +1 dodge bonus to AC.
Elf Blood Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Fey Thoughts Bluff and UMD as class skills.
Flurry of Blows (Unchained) (Ex) As full-rd action, gain extra attacks with unarmed strike/monk weapons.
Keen Senses Half-elves receive a +2 race bonus to Perception
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Open Palm of Irori (Race/Human Trait) You gain a +1 trait bonus on Acrobatics and Knowledge (religion) checks. If you have a ki pool, once per day as a swift action, you may channel your ki during an unarmed strike, gaining a +2 trait bonus on one damage roll. This additional damage is precision damage.
Power Attack -1/+2 (EitR) You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Pummeling Style Total damage from all unarmed attacks before applying DR.
Set Mind (Campaign Trait) Once per day when you fail a saving throw against a charm or compulsion effect that would cause you to act differently than you normally would, you can immediately reroll that saving throw as a free action. You must take the second result, even if it’s worse.
Student of History (Faith Trait) You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (history) checks, and Knowledge (history) is a class skill for you.
Stunning Fist (1/day, DC 14) You can stun an opponent with an unarmed attack.
Swim Speed Swim speed of 30 feet and gain the +8 racial bonus on Swim checks that a swim speed normally grants.
Unarmed Combatant (EitR) Always considered armed, no attack of opportunity on grapple attempts.
Weapon Focus (Monk Weapons) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using weapons from the selected group.
Background (Seaman)The seaman might not have been born on the sea, but he’s lived almost his entire life upon it. The seaman is essential for crewing merchant vessels and naval ships. Some seamen are former outlaws, pressed into service for their crimes.
Alignment: Any
Skills: Choose 2 of the following skills as class skills. If a skill you select is already a class skill, you receive a +1 competence bonus on checks using that skill.
Acrobatics, Climb, Knowledge (geography), Profession (sailor), Survival, Swim
Bonus Feat: Choose either Dodge or Martial Weapons Proficiency
Race Stuff (Shoreborn half-elf) TYPE
Humanoid (elf, human) 0 rp
IMO, if you have really high ability score generation you should play a build that needs a lot of high ability scores to function well. I made up a rogue for another game that would be perfect for this AP and I'd love to submit her here to get a chance to play her, but her build works with a 20 point-buy, which is why I'm submitting a Champion of Irori instead.
Skald and melee Oracle are both difficult to pull off with a 20-point buy, though Bloodragers also enjoy high ability points.
