Sir Valeri Lavrenti
Male Human (Taldan) Cavalier (Standard Bearer/Strategist) 3/Arcane Duelist 1
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception -1
DEFENSE:
AC 26, touch 12, flat-footed 21, (+10 armor, +1 Dex, +1 deflect, +4 shield)
HP 59 (3d10+18+1d8+5)
Fort +7; Ref +4; Will +4
OFFENSE:
OFFENSE: Speed 20 ft.
Melee masterwork cold iron longsword +6 (1d8+2/19-20)
Ranged -
Special Attacks banner +2/+1, bardic performance, challenge (1/day)
STATISTICS:
Str 14, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 14
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 16
Feats Arcane Strike, Antagonize, Distracting Charge, Shield Focus, Toughness
Traits Expert Duelist, Tactician
Skills Diplomacy +9, Handle Animal +6, Intimdate +9, Knowledge (arcana/local/nobility/planes)+6, Linguistics +6, Perform (oratory) +7, Profession (Soldier) +4, Ride -1, Spellcraft +6
Languages Common (Taldane), Elven, Draconic, Kelish
SQ order of the lion, tactician (1/day, 6 rounds)
Gear
Sir Valeri is an aging gentleman of Taldan descent. His combed back hair, formerly dark brown, is now nearly all gray. He also sports a neatly trimmed goatee, indicative of his status in Taldan society. Veteran of many battles, the old knight has his share of scars. The most prominent runs straight through his left eye, having left it permanently damaged. His military background is also reflected in his posture, and his movements, which are still sharp and decisive despite his advanced age. Despite his dignified appearance, there is a twinkle in his eye that suggests that he is more than just any old soldier. In a strict contrast to his aristocratic bearing, his attire and equipment, while meticulously clean and well-maintained, are clearly too cheap for a man of his station. Sir Valeri proudly bears the coat of arms of his family (vert, a lion displayed rampant argent) on his shield and tabard.
Having outgrown the restlessness and recklessness of his youth, Sir Valeri is generally calm and patient, carefully weighing any situation before acting. Yet he is experienced enough to know that no plan survives contact with the enemy, and is capable of improvising if things go sour. Despite carefully mantaining the appearances expected of a knight of Taldor, he has learned long ago that honor does not always win the day. While at heart he is a man of integrity, his duty is to his country and his sovereign, and sometimes requires him to forego his own sense of honor and compassion. Despite his age, he is open-minded and more than willing to try new things, and implement unorthodox strategies when needed. It is this malleability that has allowed him to survive, both on the field of battle and in treacherous courts of Taldor. Aside from his loyalty to the Empire, he is obsessed with his legacy, and seeks to return his family name into its former glory.
In his youth, Sir Valeri had an encounter with the horrors of the Dark Tapestry. This brief experience was enough to deeply scar the nobleman, who has since done his best to fight knowledge of such terrible forces. This private crusade mostly consists of buying books of forbidden lore, and ensuring that they do not fall in the wrong hands. Whenever he actually comes to contact with a cult, or a lone sage studying the unknown, he is merciless in putting them down.
BACKGROUND:
House Lavrenti had humble origins, rising to nobility from the ranks of the unbearded, Taldor's unpriviliged underclass. Sir Vitali Lavrenti was knighted for his valor on the field of battle during the early years of the Grand Campaign, the 524-year war with Qadira that lead to the loss of Cheliax and many other western provinces. Sir Vitali fell to a scimitar of a Keleshite dervish, but his sons and daughters carried on his mantle, settling in the southern city of Zimar. Even after the war, many honourable (and not so honourable) knights have risen from their ranks to hold Qadira at bay. The last few decades have been marked with misfortune for the knightly house, which has faced many hardships.
Most recently the decision of Avrelio Lavrenti, a merchant, to invest a considerable part of his family's fortune in an ill-conceived trade expedition through the River Kingdoms to Brevoy. The expedition was a failure, as the caravan was harassed all the way by bandits and monsters, leaving the trader stranded in Brevoy. He managed to recover, but never returned to Taldor, in fear of facing his enraged cousins. The family never quite recovered economically. Their prestige dwindled, as did their numbers, as they were unable to secure favorable marriages due to their decreased status.
Sir Valeri, like many others of his family, served in the Taldan Horse, patrolling the southern border against raids and border skirmishes. He served well, and was granted his own command at a young age. He possessed a keen tactical mind, and excelled at his task. Yet for all the decades of service, Sir Valeri and the House Lavrenti gained very little. There were no wars where glory could be won on the field of battle. Nearing the end of his 35th year of service, Sir Valeri decided to retire, to make sure that his famlily's legacy would not die out with him.
After a few years of trying to appeal to various lords for support, and desperately trying to secure favorable marriages for his three children (Illaria, Avrian and Sevastian), Sir Valeri was propositioned by some younger nobles. They spoke excitedly of their exploits with the famed Pathfinder Society. Despite his distate for what he first considered to be inappropriate activity for the young lords and ladies, he was intrigued by their stories of the newly established Sovereign Court. Sir Valeri was familiar with Lady Gloria Morilla's attempts to muster forces for to support Mendev, and was thoroughly impressed with her efforts to raise Taldor to its former glory. While he was troubled by the fact that the faction had distanced itself from the country he had sworn to serve, he saw in this a way to better the cause of both Taldor and House Lavrenti.
