About Tristan AislinTristan Aislin, Crunch:
Tristan Aislin
Traits
Languages
Gear Masterwork Cold Iron Rapier, small steel shield, shortbow, quiver and 20 arrows, chain shirt, studded leather armor, Masterwork Violin, extra strings & other care equipment (oil, polish, linens, etc). Leather hair ties. 1 set of fine clothing. 1 set of trail clothing. 2 weeks trail rations. water skin. Magical Gear Cloak of Resistance +1, Gloves Of Dexterity +2 (slot-switch, no getting a belt of +[whatevers] while wearing the gloves). Money: (as per loot sheet)
Versatile Performance (Sing): Use Perform(Sing) bonus for Bluff and Sense Motive checks. Well-Versed:[/b] At 2nd level, the bard becomes resistant to the bardic performance of others, and to sonic effects in general. The bard gains a +4 bonus on saving throws made against bardic performance, sonic, and language-dependent effects. Bardic Performance 8x/day: Countersong, Distraction, Fascinate, Satire Countersong (Su): At 1st level, a bard learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components.) Each round of the countersong he makes a Perform (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Perform skill check result for the save. Countersong does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Countersong relies on audible components. Distraction (Su): At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the Distraction, he makes a Perform (act, comedy, dance, or oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by an illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack may use the bard’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the Distraction is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the Distraction, but it must use the bard’s Perform check result for the save. Distraction does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components. Fascinate (Su): At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and capable of paying attention to him. The bard must also be able to see the creatures affected. The Distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents the ability from working. For every three levels a bard has attained beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with this ability. Satire (Su): A court bard can use performance to undermine the confidence of enemies who hear it, causing them to take a –1 penalty on attack and damage rolls (minimum 1) and a –1 penalty on saves against fear and charm effects as long as the bard continues performing. This penalty increases by –1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. Satire is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability that uses audible components. Mockery (Su): A court bard of 3rd level or higher can subtly ridicule and defame a specific individual. The bard selects one target who can hear his performance. That individual takes a –2 penalty on Charisma checks and Charisma-related skill checks as long as the bard continues performing. This penalty increases by –1 every four levels after 3rd. Mockery is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability that relies on audible components. Wide Audience: At 5th level, a court bard can choose to affect a 60-foot cone instead of a 30-foot radius with bardic performances that affect an area. In addition, for every five levels beyond 5th, the area of such powers is increased by 10 feet (radius) or 20 feet (cone). If the power instead affects multiple creatures, it affects one additional creature than normal for every five levels beyond 5th. This does not affect powers that affect only a single creature. Tristan's Story So Far:
Tristan doesn't come from much, but he wasn't born on the street. The son of shopkeepers, he received some formal education in his youth and was found to have a knack for language. At the age of eight, his gift for music was discovered, and the arc of his life was seemingly decided. His singing mentors feared that upon reaching manhood his changing voice would no longer be as sweet - but it only grew more beautiful, expanding his range and his appeal. Combined with his physical beauty and natural charm, Tristan found there were very few doors he couldn't open with the right words. By his mid teens he'd already made a name for himself as a performer. For several years he lived in a room at a pricey tavern where he performed thrice a week, and was often hired by nobles for private performances. He spent money as easily as he made it, and life was a happy, effortless blur of wine, lovers, and song. Eventually, jealousy complicated matters. A former partner of Tristan's, with whom he had often sung duets and put on joint performances, was driven by ambition to strike out on his own – but while an excellent musician himself, it was no secret that he was found to be the inferior of the two. The matter was made worse by competition over a lover – an excitingly mysterious and audacious young woman by the name of Audrey, whom was widely rumored to be a part of the city's criminal underground in some way. The rival enlisted the help of a pair of minor noble youths to spread slander and gossip about Tristan and ruin his reputation. When Tristan found out, it brought his carefree life to a screeching halt. He was often the subject of gossip and rumor, but never before had it been spiteful (and usually it had been deserved). This concerted campaign against him aroused a fighting spirit within him that he'd never known existed. He used his superior charms and immensely superior connections to turn the tables on his detractors. He exposed their schemes and destroyed their credibility, and as an added bit of revenge spread a few artful rumors of his own. For a month or so, opponents vanquished, his life returned to normal. Unable to match his skills at petty politics and constantly enraged by the gossip that held them in such mockery, both Tristan's rival and the two nobles marched into the inn one night to challenge him to duels. Outraged that they had brazenly interrupted his performance, Tristan accepted without a second thought - and furthermore, contemptuously offered to fight all three duels in a single day. Like any decent Rostlander socialite, Tristan owned a blade and was tolerably well acquainted with its use, having hired himself a private dueling master for some years - but he had never expected to have need of the skills. Still, his pride would not let him back down, and so he resolved to follow through. For the week leading up to the duels he practiced constantly. When the day came, his opponents drew straws for the order in which their duels would be fought, and the rules were laid: to first blood or capitulation. First he fought one of the nobles, a young man who had been training with a blade nearly his entire life - but had little aptitude for it. With experience and stamina he ground out a lengthy bout, but eventually Tristan was able to cut him upon the hand and so take a poor, but definite, victory. The second match was fought against the original instigator, the fellow singer. This man hated Tristan with a passion - but was useless with a blade. Tristan stabbed him in the shoulder on the second pass. The third and final duel was fought against the most formidable opponent. The second noble was Tristan's elder by three years. Tristan knew little of him, but everything he knew he hated. The man was cruel, rash, arrogant, and poorly spoken. Tristan could not bear the thought of losing to him, and so he summoned up every bit of strength he had left - but after two duels, he was tired, and it was all he could do to fend off his foe's attacks. Then he remembered that he had another weapon which he had thus far left unused - his words. He began to taunt the noble, mercilessly and creatively. He joked. He insulted. He improvised mocking lyrics and poems even as he dodged attacks. The crowd - which was considerable - roared with laughter. After one particularly biting limerick that commented on the noble's taste for farm beasts as bed partners, the young man charged recklessly. Tristan countered with a thrust, hoping to take his opponent in the shoulder - but the nobleman stumbled in his haste, and spitted his head upon Tristan's blade. The cleric they'd had on duty for the duels declared that the man was dead.
In the end, it was not this violent episode which undid Tristan - but rather his own amorousness. At twenty-two years of age he was more successful than ever, playing and singing for wealthy merchants and minor noble families for miles around. And one of those nobles turned out to have two very fetching daughters.
On the final day of his month-long stay at the estate, Tristan's host, a powerful nobleman, discovered him in bed with the wife - and upon further questioning of the household staff, also discovered the dalliances with his daughters. And one of his kitchen maids. Not all of Tristan's words and allies could save him from consequences this time - though they did manage to save him from the headsman's axe. Instead, the magistrate ordered most of his possessions seized, and then offered him a choice of exiles – to Brevoy, to see how well a Rostlander bard would do in the arrogant courts of the northerners, or a chance to wipe clean his transgressions by serving Rostland on a mission to the Stolen Lands. Success might see his exile rescinded. The judge's tone made it clear what she thought of Tristan – an upjumped wastrel who survived on looks and words, lacking any true mettle or worth. For the first time Tristan wondered if there was merit to the opinion. The next morning saw Tristan depart the city with a charter in hand. He was officially an agent of the Swordlords, bidden to bring peace and prosperity to the Greenbelt. He had bid his tearful and fearful parents a farewell the night before. Despite their worry, Tristan felt excitement grow in him as he departed the city gates. This would be an adventure worth singing about. Description/Personality/Morality etc:
Appearance/Clothing/Accessories: Tristan is just a touch above average height and has a lean build. He has light brown hair he keeps to a length just past his neck, sharp facial features and deep blue eyes. He has a thin scar on his right temple and ear which is largely concealed by his hair, a remnant of an accident during fencing practice some years ago. In his youth he used to enjoy gaudy clothes but has lost much of his taste for tasteless ostentation, preferring clothing in simple styles but high-quality make and materials. He prefers muted colors embellished by one or two items of bold brightness. That being said, he knows how to dress for an audience. He enjoys jewelry, but most of his was seized as reparations for his transgressions. He was allowed to keep a necklace adorned with the butterfly symbol of Desna. Personality/Quirks: Tristan is a good-natured, outgoing, unrepentant hedonist with a passion for song and wordplay that exceeds all else (even his other passions, which are many). He is of a generous bent and freely shares his wealth (well, the wealth he used to have) with friends and has also been known to donate to the poor from time to time. His major weaknesses are a tendency to live in the moment and pursue his desires while only rarely considering the consequences (a tendency that is directly responsible for his presence in the Stolen Lands). His pride and a streak of vanity (especially where his musical skills are concerned) have also been issues, as has his tendency to poke fun at people whom he thinks are 'taking themselves too seriously.' Recently Tristan has taken to trying his hand at songwriting, wondering if he has what it takes to be a great composer. He'll often mumble couplets under his breath as he considers rhyming schemes. Morality: Tristan is generally good-willed to all, and ready to treat others with friendship and respect under the assumption that they will approach him in the same way. While not having a great deal of experience with responsibility to anyone but himself, on the rare occasions when he makes promises or gives his word, he takes keeping it very seriously. He is generous with his money and resources, especially when he encounters real poverty and need. The one thing he can be selfish with is his time, as when the desire to sing, play, or compose comes over him he can think of little else. While not violent by nature and preferring other means to solve his problems, he is decently handy with a sword and bow and does not shy away from a fight – though he has no experience with killing outside of the accident in his youth. Kingdom Building Role:
Tristan would work best as a Councilor, helping to keep loyalty and goodwill widespread within the lands he's responsible for. He would also make a good Diplomat, especially as he matures and is more equipped to deal with adversarial relationships. His own preference is Councilor, as he likes to live and work amongst people who like and admire him. Tristan could be press-ganged into the role of Ruler (or may find himself grow that way, who knows) and would do his best with it. |
