About Tsaong ChoAn unexceptional-looking example of the human steppe riders from the Hongal region of Tian Xia, he stands about 5' 3" and seems more wiry than powerful. Beady dark eyes peer from a weather-worn face, partially covered by a mustache and goatee in the same dark hair as the long braided pony tail riding down his back. The faded green shirt fits loosely over his frame, giving a peak at his nearly hairless chest. The bright yellow sash around his waist accentuates how much thinner his frame is than you expect. The ballooning maroon corduroy pants are tucked into simple brown leather boots, with a slight upturn pointed toe. It is almost surprising when you realize the chain he has draped over his shoulders is a weapon and not simply ornamentation. You quickly think of him as either boisterous and enthusiastic, or loud and annoying. His interactions seem driven mostly by emotion. Cho is focused on feeling the moment he is in to the best of his ability, avoiding regrets of his yesterdays and worries about his tomorrows. Background:
"What do you mean this is not my horse? Falcon's Breath brought me to this town and this inn only yesterday!" The apparent anger made the shorter, leaner man more menacing than the stable hand deserved.
"I only know what I'm told. Shara said you lost him throwing bones early this morning?" The young man pointed back towards the inn proper, keeping his arm low and close to his body. The Mongol stood glaring at the young man. "Bones? Maybe? No! I could not have thrown away my manhood so easily!" "We'll see about that" was as close to apologizing to the stable hand as he was going to get, as he headed back into the inn . . .. ---------- "Not even a saddle. How can I be a man on foot?" It didn't take long for Cho to realize that before he could return to the steppes, he would need to enter into someone's service until he could afford a horse, because cities such as Ordu-Aganhei worked too well at preventing the kind of theft that would have quickly solved his dilemma. They were far too familiar with the ways of the steppe riders for him to be given the opportunity, honestly. Household guards, the army, the constabulary, and every other obvious option were all opportunities for him to vanish into obscurity, unable to free himself of the obligation of service and return to living his life. Then he stumbled upon a Lantern Lodge of the Society. "So, you send people into dangerous places to find things discarded by someone else?" his voice as filled with confusion as his face. "If they didn't want these things, why do you?" "It isn't that they were discarded so much . . .." the bookish attendant starts to explain as a roll of lilting laughter interrupts him. "Bascially, yes," she answers, with a twinkle in her eye. "You have the look of a man willing to face a little danger. Why does the reason matter to you?" The challenge is issued with a small smile by a Tien woman in riding leathers. "Bah. Life is danger," as he throws his left hand out to the side. "The reason for doing things always matters. Giving food to the hungry because they are hungry is a good purpose." Gesturing with his right palm up and open. "Giving food to the hungry so that you can be seen giving to the hungry is not." Gesturing with his left hand this time. "Collecting things because they serve a purpose could be good." He shows his right palm again, but turns it up as if dropping something from it. "Collecting them simply because you do not have them is not." He shows his left hand, and closes it. "I am Tsaong Cho. I ride wi . . .." His voice trails off. "I rode with the Juyin horde before I lost Falcon's Breath." "My condolences on your loss," the way she delivers the line, it seems she believes he is mourning a death. He doesn't correct her, but he looks down and away. "I am Ling Yayao. I have family with the Juyin horde." They move into a common room to continue the conversation. Some discussion establishes a distant familial connection. The polite effort puts it at something on the order of cousins six times removed. The conversation starts to falter after that, with Cho's guilt over allowing the mis-perception to stand choking his efforts. "I should tell you that I lost Falcon's Breath to dice. I have emasculated myself. I can not return without proving myself better than that." She nods, experience helping her not react more openly. "The Pathfinder Society provides the opportunity you seek, but the required training would slow you in your quest." She taps her hand on the back of the chair she's fallen into. "I have heard of another opportunity where you could prove yourself. Where you could not only make a name worthy of song, but also do the right things for the right reasons, helping those around you. It would be important that you not lose your way, however." The discussion continued, and she sold him on joining the colonization efforts sponsored by Andor. Not because it was a quick way back to Juyin, but because it matters if it goes right, and they could use his help. --------------- There is more than one way to rescue a man, and more than one kind of problem that a man could need rescuing from. Yayao took sidetrips where she maintained her reputation as a Pathfinder savior, but she chose to dedicate some time to helping a young man build himself up in order that he could help build others up who will certainly need the assistance. She coached him as he traveled to Andor to apply, even finding resources to help him learn Ancient Azlanti. When they arrived in Almas, where Cho could apply for the expedition, Yayao pulled him aside. "You are ready for this. During this journey you have grown into an even more capable man and, unless you let pride stop you, you will be able to contribute at nearly any task the colonists might need. Go, be the Cho of songs to come. A man beyond what his brothers of the steppes would imagine. But first, I need a kiss." She tapped her cheek as she turned and presented it to him. The young Cho hesitated before leaning forward and giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you seems insulting. You have done more getting me here than I deserve. I will work to be the man you describe." He stood there watching as she turned and rode away, wondering if she wanted him to try to stop her, or if he could even try. -------------- At the end of the interviews, the combination of a strong back, ability to work with animals, ability to live off the land, having studied Ancient Azlanti and being a competent warrior made Cho a solid pick to help round out a colony. He was picked more to help everyone else than to fulfill a specific important role, though there was some hope that he would be able to domesticate the local livestock. "They can think what they will. This is my chance to prove I am a better man than they believe." ------------ After they had been on the Peregrine for a week, Cho found a Wayfinder in his pack. He had never seen it before, and had no idea how it could have gotten into his bag while at sea, but it was wrapped in a scarf he had seen Yayao wear during their travels and his training. "How could she have done that? WHY would she do that? I'll have to keep it close in case she comes back for it." He failed to notice the broad smile spreading across his face at the thought of her finding him again.
Combat:
Init +3 (3 Dex)
Speed 30' (20' with pack) BAB+1; Melee+3; Ranged/Finesse+4; CMB+3 (+4 Finesse Weapon Used For Maneuver [disarm, sunder, trip]) Spiked Chain +4 for 2D4+3 @ x2 (P, Disarm, Trip)
+2 to Disarm CMB from Disarm Weapon Quality AC 17, T13, FF14, CMD16 (4 Armor, 2 Str, 3 Dex, 1 BAB) HP 12 (10+[2 Con X1]) Fort +4 (+2 Con)
1 Ride check per Round to replace mount's AC for that attack. Know Your Enemy: Move action to study foe. DC10+HD target to find advantage. Provides +1 while in Stance selected.
Skills:
4 (base) +2 (Int) +1 (Skilled) +1 (Favored Class) = 8 per level
Bonus Skill Att Rank Class Other +4 Handle Animal 0 1 3 +6 Know (Dungeon) 2 1 3 +6 Know (Local) 2 1 3 +6 Know (Nature) 2 1 3 +6 Perception 1 1 3+1 (Trait) +12 Ride 3 1 3 2 (Legacy) +5 (Competence) -2 (AC Penalty) (additional -1 with backpack) +5 Survival 1 1 3(+1 get along)(+2 get along, deal with severe weather, keep from getting lost, avoid natural hazards, predict weather) +6 Swim 2 1 3 1 (Trait) -1 (AC Penalty reduced by additional Trait) (additional -1 with backpack) Gear:
300 GP to start
25... Spiked Chain 10# 60... Leather Lamellar 25# 75... Longbow 3# .8... 60 Arrows 12# 50... MW Survival Kit 5# (+2 circumstance to get along, deal with severe weather, keep from getting lost, avoid natural hazards, predict weather) .5... Gear Maintenance Kit 2# .9... Ranger's Kit 26# ([removed backpack], bedroll, belt pouch, flint & steel, iron pot, mess kit, rope, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), waterskin) 50... MW Backpack (replacement) 4# (2 more than standard BP) (+1 Str for encumbrance calculation) Free. Explorer's Outfit 8# priceless Ling Yayao's wayfinder 1# 18 GP left to spend, 96# of gear (Medium Encumbrance), 60.5# after dropping pack (Light Encumbrance) MW Backpack holds (most of) Ranger's Kit, MW Survival Kit, Gear Maintenance Kit, 30 Arrows - most gear inside, some secured to outside of pack
Encumbrance:
Light - no changes
Feats/Traits:
*Feats*
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain) Mounted Combat Weapon Finesse *Traits*
Gestalt:
Student of War and Fighter
300 GP max starting wealth HD D10 4 Skill Ranks per level (Plus bonuses) Climb, Craft, Disable Device, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Knowledge (All), Linguistics, Perception, Profession, Ride, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, Survival, Swim +1/+2/+0/+0/Bonus Feat/Know Your Enemy - Feat +2/+3/+0/+0/Bonus Feat/Bravery/Additional Skill +3/+3/+1/+1/Armor Training/Combat Feat - Feat +4/+4/+1/+1/Bonus Feat/Mind Over Metal - Attribute +5/+4/+1/+1/Weapon Training/Know Your Enemy/Additional Skill - Feat +6/+5/+2/+2/Bonus Feat/Bravery/Combat Feat +7/+5/+2/+2/Armor Training/Anticipate - Feat +8/+6/+2/+2/Bonus Feat/Additional Skill - Attribute +9/+6/+3/+3/Weapon Training/Combat Feat - Feat 10/+7/+3/+3/Bonus Feat/Bravery/Know Your Enemy/Telling Blow +11/+7/+3/+3/Armor Training/Additional Skill - Feat +12/+8/+4/+4/Bonus Feat/Anticipate/Combat Feat - Attribute +13/+8/+4/+4/Weapon Training/Nemesis - Feat +14/+9/+4/+4/Bonus Feat/Bravery/Additional Skill +15/+9/+5/+5/Armor Training/Combat Feat/Know Your Enemy - Feat +16/+10/+5/+5/Bonus Feat/Deadly Blow - Attribute +17/+10/+5/+5/Weapon Training/Additional Skill/Anticiapte - Feat +18/+11/+6/+6/Bonus Feat/Bravery/Combat Feat +19/+11/+6/+6/Armor Mastery/Protective Aura - Feat +20/+12/+6/+6/Bonus Feat/Weapon Mastery/Unstoppable - Attribute Stances:
Defensive Stance: The bonus applies to Armor Class and on saving throws against the target’s attacks. At 6th level, the student of war is treated as having the Mobility feat when provoking attacks of opportunity from the studied foe. If she already has Mobility, the bonus she gains to her AC in this case increases to +6.
Martial Stance: The bonus applies on attack and damage rolls against the target. At 4th level, the student of war is treated as having the Critical Focus feat for the purpose of attacks against the studied foe. If she already has Critical Focus, the bonus she gains when confirming her critical hits in this case is +6 instead. Tactical Stance: The bonus applies on combat maneuver checks and to CMD when initiating or defending against bull rush, disarm, grapple, overrun, and trip combat maneuvers. At 8th level, the student of war no longer provokes attacks of opportunity from a studied foe when attempting to bull rush, disarm, grapple, overrun, or trip that target; this does not affect attacks of opportunity made by any creature other than the studied foe. A student of war can change her stance as a move action. The bonus lasts for 1 minute per class level or until the character uses this ability on another target. The bonus increases to +2 at 4th level and +3 at 7th level. At 7th level, the student can use this ability as a swift action rather than a move action.
Advancement Thoughts:
Added Class Skills will be reactionary to campaign, I start with no concious prejudices.
2 Combat Reflexes/Bravery +1/New Class Skill 3 Combat Expertise/Ride-By Attack/Armor Training I 4 +1 Dex/Weapon Focus (Spiked Chain)/Mind Over Metal (useless) 5 Improved Trip/Weapon Training I (Flails)/Know Your Enemy +2/New Class Skill 6 Indominatble Mount/Greater Trip/Bravery +2 7 Improved Disarm/Armor Training II/Anticipate 1xday 8 +1 Dex/Greater Weapon Focus (Spiked Chain)/New Class Skill 9 Trick Riding/Greater Disarm/Weapon Training II (Bows) 10 [Weapon Spec (Spiked Chain)?]/Bravery +3/Know Your Enemy +3/Telling Blow 11 Spirited Charge/Armor Training III/New Class Skill 12 +1 Dex/Improved Reposition/Quick Reposition/Anticipate 2xday 13 Penetrating Strike/Weapon Training III (?)/Nemesis 14 Mounted Skirmisher/Bravery +4/New Class Skill 15 Greater Reposition/Pin Down/Armor Training IV/Know Your Enemy +4 16 +1 Dex/Greater Penetrating Strike/Deadly Blow 17 [Greater Weapon Spec (Spiked Chain)?]/Weapon Training IV (?)/Anticiapte 3xday/New Class Skill 18 [Improved Init?][Quick Draw?]/Bravery +5 19 [Feat]/Armor Mastery/Protective Aura 20 +1 Dex/[Feat]/Weapon Mastery (Spiked Chain)/Unstoppable Attributes:
S 15 (15 @7) +2
D16 (14 @5) +3 C14 (14 @5) +2 I14 (14 @5) +2 W13 (13 @3) +1 H10 (!0 @0) +0 |
