About Xarmas MisinirithBackground: Spoiler:
Growing up, Xarmas found she was skilled at shapeshifting. However it wasn't into other people, but rather she excelled at turning parts of her body into those of animals. It wasn't always a literal transformation either, sometimes it was more of a metaphysical "aspect" of a creature. This unique ability served her well, and she eventually expanded upon it to become a full-fledged druid. The druids who taught her could care less about her family name, and told her it was not who she was, but rather what she was that mattered. What she was was a decent person, who cared for animals. She has learned to embrace her bizarre gift, and use it for the betterment of the peoples of Golarion. However, the largest factor in her becoming who is today is the birthmark on her shoulder. It helped her family rise to prominence, it set her down the path of the druid she still walks today, and it once saved her from a vicious assault.
She was born in Cheliax, the daughter of a wealthy merchant family, trying to make a name for themselves as minor nobility. Soon after birth, her parents noticed her birthmark on her shoulder; in the exact shape of Abadar's Key. Her father was desperate to climb the social ladder, and he felt this was a terrific way to expound upon his family's greatness. It worked, after a fashion. She was raised well. She wanted for little, though her father, Merchant Lord Misinirith was constantly busy and away for business. Upon reaching her 14th birthday, she was given full-time instruction from a druid living nearby. Her instructor, Anaya Blacktree, had recongnized Xarmas' potential, and convinced her parents to further her education. She lied through her teeth about the merits of a druidic lifestyle, but it worked. And Xarmas was more than willing. In truth, the druids knew of Xarmas' tattoo, and hoped that having a Chosen of Abadar sympathetic to their beliefs could make a terrific difference. On her 16th birthday, Xarmas set out to make a name for herself, promising her family she would return by her 20th birthday to learn the family business. She has no intention of ever returning to the wicked place of her birth; she has a strong wanderlust coupled with a determination to discover her destiny that is unrivaled in someone of Xarmas's age. A few months after she'd left home, she had come across a small roadside tavern. It was called the Traveler's Rest, and for Xarmas, it was just that. The inn was rather slow, and had plenty of room. She spent the night there, tossing and turning in her bed. She couldn't sleep, and didn't know why. Eventually, sometime after midnight, she got up and went to the common room. The fire had died down, but she built it back up. She found it odd no one was sleeping next to the fire; as was the custom in so many inns she been through. Still, the owners did] mention that they were light on customers. She sat there for over an hour, just watching the fire, reflecting on her journey. She'd gotten past the point of dozing, and had fallen back asleep. She was awoken by the sensation of being picked up. She had been picked up from behind, and was slammed down face-first onto a table. Bent over the table, arms held behind her, clothes being ripped off...she knew what was coming. As the man tore her shirt, his hand brushed against the birthmark on her shoulder. The room erupted in the sound of thunder. Lightning had shot forth from her birthmark, shocking the man. The sound of thunder had mixed with the sound of a gavel striking down. She'd heard the sound in the courtrooms of Cheliax before. She quickly dressed, and was promptly joined by the innkeepers. The man was apprehended, and hauled away. She sequestered herself in her room that night. She knew her birthmark had saved her somehow, but...how could a birthmark protect her? She prayed to Abadar that night. Not for the first time, but for the first time with real sincerity. She dedicated herself to his worship. This event had only further proven she had some sort of destiny, and it lay with Abadar. These days, she is what you would call a True Believer. The more she thought back on her assault, the more she realized Abadar's blessing explained a lot in her life. The God of Merchants made sure she was born into a Merchant family, and that she had learned the basics of running a business. The God of Wealth had blessed her family so she didn't need to stay and work with them. The God of Law had shown her the value of an orderly society, and the need to punish wicked lawbreakers. The God of Cities had her raised in a metropolis, and shown the beauty of nature as well, to further appreciate the city and all it had to offer. Abadar has a lot in store for Xarmas, of that much she is sure. How she came to Sandpoint: Spoiler:
Xarmas, after setting out to make her mark in the world, was drawn to Varisia. She loved the people, the culture, and felt that it would be a great place for an outsider to really make a home. She had been traveling through the country for weeks, when she had casually mentioned her birthmark. Upon this revelation, she was taken straight to Sandpoint, to the cathedral. She had wanted a few days of rest and relaxation. However, she has gotten little of either. She has been awoken every night to the sound of the goblins rummaging through Junker's Edge. The first night she awoke confused, but each night since has been an entertaining show, as the foolish little humanoids bicker over junk and nonsense. Partially due to the goblin's nightly show, and the welcoming nature of the citizenry, Xarmas is quite smitten with Sandpoint. She has been in the cathedral for almost a year now, and has befriended others who have been gathered up as well. All seem to share the same type of birthmark; a birthmark that is in the shape of a holy symbol of one of Sandpoint's Gods. She has been told she has a tremendous destiny, though no one seems completely sure what it is. She realizes that soon enough she will find out what her fate shall be, if she only stays in Sandpoint long enough to discover it. Personality and Appearance: Spoiler:
While her upbringing wasn't as bad as that of many Chelaxians, Xarmas is still brusk and occasionally standoffish. She really just wants to be accepted, and if befriended by someone, will defend them to the death. She is actually quite beautiful, but her personality can be a bit offputting. Many a man has approached her only to be told off before he can open his mouth. At her core, she is a decent person, and cares for the betterment of the world. You would think she is torn between her devotion to nature and to Abadar, but the truth is, she doesn't find them mutually exclusive. She understands civilization has it's place, as do so many places in the wild. She believes she was chosen by Abadar for this balance; not to pick a side, but rather defend both. The fact that Abadar chose someone who would defend nature in equal measure as civilization is a cause of great concern for Xarmas. What could be so great as to threaten civilization AND nature?
She has a slender, feminine frame that belies her physical might. She always assumed it was part of Abadar's blessing. She looks like a dancer or gymnast, but is in truth much stronger than most bodybuilders. She bathes regularly, and has much better hygiene than your "classic" druid.
Character Sheet: Spoiler:
Hit Points: 10 Armor Class: 18
Saving Throws:
Base Attack Bonus: +1 Melee Attack: +5 Combat Maneuver Bonus: +5 Combat Maneuver Defense: 17 Feats:
Skills:
Traits:
Spells Prepared:
Spells Per Day:
Class Abilities:
Hero Points: 2 Equipment:
Breakdown of Outfit Contents:
Carried Currency
GP Expenditures:
Advancement Notes: Spoiler:
I plan on taking a few metamagic feats with Power Attack and Natural Spell, Planar Wild Shape, and Planar Focus for flavor as well. Chosen Domain/Powers Spoiler:
Xarmas' Base Speed Increases by 10 Feet. Agile Feet: As a free action, Xarmas can gain increased mobility for 1 round. For the next round, she ignores all difficult terrain and do not take any penalties for moving through it. She can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Wisdom modifier. Writing Sample: Spoiler:
Dawn in Sandpoint was a beautiful sight. The rosy hues of the morning sun against the clouds often gave Xarmas pause. She always loved nature, but something about the sky in Sandpoint was especially beautiful. She couldn't help but like it here, and what with the Swallowtail Festival, things were shaping up nicely. All Sandpoint was in a buzz for tomorrow's Festival. Xarmas stretched, yawning. She got dressed in the pre-morning light. She was always up early. These days things were moving at a faster pace than that which she'd become accustomed. It was a welcome change however. As she dressed, she washed her face, neck, and hands in a large bowl of cold water kept next to the bed. After readying herself for the day, she made her way downstairs. She sat at a table with a few gents in town for the Festival. They were excited, and making plans for this Festival. Their names were Feorge and Nutica, but she referred to them as One and Two. One was a tall blonde human man, and Two was an auburn-haired halfling woman. They were apparently traveling merchants. One had been patiently listened to Two ramble excitedly about some theater troop that had set up shop in town for the Festival. It was obvious to Xarmas that One wasn't really paying attention; what wasn't apparent to Xarmas was whether or not One and Two were a couple. She'd been trying for the last few days to figure out the nature of their relationship. It'd become sort of a game with herself. She butt in, trying to play with Two a little. "Just like when you two were on the beach near Absalom, right?" Two was visibly surprised. She had been so busy talking she didn't see Xarmas sit down. "XARMAS! How are you today! And yes, " she continued, turning back toward her companion, "it was just like in Absalom! Thank you for your astute observation!" As Two went back to her mindless chatter, Xarmas couldn't help but smile. Xarmas' mind drifted, thinking of her plans for the day. Since it was the last day before the Festival started, she had a lot to get done. She had to stop off at the cathedral for her morning studies, pick up a present at Vinder's for the cathedral's dedication ceremony, and to "accidently" bump into Cyrdak, in hopes of catching him off guard. He was so funny when he was flustered. The debate between One and Two had gotten a little more animated, pulling her back to the present. "...and you've been that way lately. I'm sorry hun, that's just how it is." One was finishing up explaining how he was feeling a bit under the weather, and her energy was...straining. Xarmas quietly slipped away, sneaking away from the feuding pair. She thought about wandering over toward the theater troupe. She was sure to find Cyrdak over there, making a fuss. Instead, her feet carried her over to Vinder's General Store. She wandered the shelves, looking for something that would stand out. Something that would be exotic, something quality, or something.... There it was. Vinder was unpacking a box that stood out from the rest of his shipment. Whenever Vinder got a shipment, you could be sure it wasn't foodstuffs. It was something that couldn't be found in town. This box was made of a different wood, something that wouldn't be as appealing to any non-druid. The box was a rich, deep brown color, definitely not the oak and pine used to make most of the crates. She moved to the counter, eyes fixed on the box. "Excuse me, Mister Vinder? What...what have you there?" Ven Vinder looked up at Xarmas. She couldn't help but notice his excitement as he opened the box. "What I have here, is a collection of spices I had imported all the way from Casmaron!" He was grinning like a child. Xarmas' eyes lit up. 'What a find!' She thought to herself. This was going to be an exciting day after all. |
