Varian Crestfallen's page

In the small town of Barkshire lives a young man, son of a blacksmith and a blacksmith himself. His name is Varian, from the Crestfallen family... and this is his story.
Varian's father, Gerard, arrived at Barkshire almost thirty years ago. He found there Martha, Varian's mother, who was the second daughter of the local horsekeeper.
Gerard worked as Barkshire's blacksmith, and so he taught Varian how to work the metal and treat the steel. Under his tutelage Varian grew strong and right, and when he was 12 years old Gerard told him this:
You see, long time ago there was an order of knights dedicated to protect a sacred place from those who would like to sack it, Gilead. Varian's family had always been one of the three ruling families there, the protectors of the Third Key. But one generation ago strife came and calamity striken: a betrayal from inside that allowed thiefs to enter the city and steal an old artifact. Varian's grandfather was framed and his family exiled. Gilead fell soon after, a third of his troops scattered after the exile.
Gerard explained that his father, Geralt, never did such a thing... but to protect his family they parted ways and since then he was never to be seen again.
After hearing of the Crestfallen's story, Varian tried to learn more of the knights and orders. He also started to train with a rudimentary greatsword and mail he forged. And with his father's aid he learned proper fighting and most important, honorable ways.
But not everything could be fun and training, and when Varian's was 17 years old strife struck his family again. A rich man, clad in purple and yellow, appeared in their shop. He wanted to talk with Gerard and so Varian left them be... but when he came back he found his father in the ground, bleeding to death. Little could he do but hear his father's words: "All my life I said to myself that I would one day restore our family's honour, Varian... and everyday I denied it, for you and your mother ned me. Maybe you can fulfill that dream... but beware of those as the man who killed me, the Baron Von Zarton... their grudge against our family is old and they are honourless villains... farewell son, you are a good boy and you will grow to be a better man than your father was. Tell, tell your mother that I'm sorry... and... that I... I love her..."
That day the child Varian died, but the man Varian was born. After his father's burial he locked himself inside the blacksmith workshop and worked for days. When he exited he was wearing a suit of armor and helmet with the Crestfallen shield engraved, a greatsword hung from his side and the fire of determination in his eyes.

Character Goals
•Short term: Finding his grandfather's regalia: his greatsword, his knight armor and his crested helmet.
•Long Term: Restoring his lineage's honour and gain recognition as the grandson of a Knight: either being knighted or gaining noble status, but any of them earned through courageous and chivalric deeds.

Character Secrets
Known: He is affraid of drowning, having never learned to swim and used to wear some kind of armor. River's may have a pass for him if they aren't too big, but lakes and such terrify him... both because of drowning danger and hidden creatures inside them.
Unknown: He had an affair -his only one- with the Innkeeper daughter. Unbeknownst to him, she is pregnant. Sadly -and cliché enough- he won't know until he comes back to his town... Anyway he is in love with her, and will try to marry her when he has the recognition he seeks.
Bonus Unknown: -For the DM to decide, jyst don't tell me!- His grandfather was guilty indeed, and is now an undead knight in need of some killing.

Important People[b]
•Gerard Crestfallen, his father: Simply a squire when the family fell out of grace, Gerard escaped with his mother and ended in Barkshire where he used his training to become the blacksmith's apprentice and in time the blacksmith. He has taught Varian how to be a good blacksmith, a competent fighter and most important of all how to be a knight and a good man.
•Laura Freshbeer, his girl: The daughter of the innkeeper, Laura and Varian have always been friends and when they grew into their teens the spark of love bloomed. Last solstice they both got a little bit more drunk than the should and got more in touch than they had... and she's now pregnant, but weeks away from discovering it.
•Baron Von Zarton: Old member of Gilead's knight order, he tracked Varian's father for years and killed him.

[B]Key Memories
First: The weight of the hammer before smashing the anvil. The sparks that explode after hitting it. The pride of the finished craft.
Second: The rushing feeling when dashing to help another child against bullies. The pain of the blows protecting him. The smile of the child that made him forget the pain.
Third: The look of pride in his father's eyes when he talked Varian of their lineage.

Personality & Appearance
Varian is, first and foremost, a good hearted boy. He tries to talk things out and always avoids unnecesary conflicts, but won't doubt jumping into the fight if the cause if just or there are people to help.
He is honest and courageous, if a bit hot-headed at times and believes in trusting his gut.
Standing 6'4" tall, Varian is a big man with a strong back and chiseled muscles forged in the anvil and the training yard. Despite his size and body he is surprisingly agile, with quick reflexes and deft hands.
His most notable detail sin't his body, though, but his smile. He is always smiling, partially to show confidence and partially because he knows a smile can open people's hearts.
And he has a beard and mustache, because facial hair rocks and is pretty knightly.

Climb +8 (4 STR +3 Class +1 Rank)
Diplomacy +6 (1 CHA +3 Class +1 Rank +1 Trait)
Handle Animal +5 (1 CHA +3 Class +1 Rank)
Ride +6 (2 DEX +3 Class +1 Rank)

Background SKills:
Craft(Weapons) +5 (1 INT +3 Class +1 Rank)
Craft(Armors and Shields) +5 (1 INT +3 Class +1 Rank)
Knowledge(History) +5 (1 INT +3 Class +1 Rank)

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Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on saving throws against fear effects.

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Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks, and Diplomacy becomes a class skill for you.

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You can choose to take a –1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to damage is halved (–50%) if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon.

When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4 points thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the bonus to damage increases by +2.

You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn. The bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks or effects that do not deal hit point damage.

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Choose one type of weapon. You can also choose unarmed strike or grapple (or ray, if you are a spellcaster) as your weapon for the purposes of this feat.

Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected weapon, base attack bonus +1.

Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.

Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon.

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Your training and reflexes allow you to react swiftly to avoid an opponents' attacks.

Prerequisite: Dex 13.

Benefit: You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.

"FIGHTER'S KIT"
Price 9 gp; Weight 9 lb
This kit includes a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, an iron pot, a mess kit, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin.

"VARIAN'S GREATSWORD"
Price 25 gp; Weight 8 lb
A two handed sword with the Crestfallen's symbol engraved in the guard. Made of fine steel, it can be a powerful killing tool in the hands of someone trained. In Varian's hands it becomes a tool of justice.

"VARIAN'S BREASTPLATE"
Price: 100 gp ; Weight: 30 lb.
Forged by Varian, this simple armor looks practical, but has intincrate engraving that read fragments of the chivalric code and inspirational phrases like "That perfection doesn't wxist dowsn't mind we shoulsn't strive to achieve it".

"EXPLORER'S OUTFIT"(WORN)
Price - gp; Weight 8 lbs.
This set of clothes is for someone who never knows what to expect. It includes sturdy boots, leather breeches , a belt, a shirt (with a jacket), gloves, and a cloak. The clothes have plenty of pockets (especially the cloak).

"FINNEAN'S CURVED KNIFE"
Finely made by an experienced smith.