My dear brother Cray. Always has he been strong and large enough to make ruffians think twice before crossing him. My recent research has paid dividends. During the battle in the underground temple I used the power of the arcane to increase his size. He loomed over the fiends summoned by the devilish little imp-ress. None could escape his arms or his blade. Now I will focus my studies on increasing his strength. Not only will he have size, but also the strength to pound our enemies to dust. Cray will become more formidable, unbeatable in battle. The first steps towards immortality.
My brother has always been my champion. If I can keep him free of harm he keeps me safe from the brutal risks of combat. It buys us time against fate. I must do research to protect myself as well. The imp-ress we slew violated my mind. For a few precious moments I was not in control of myself and fled. This was intolerable. I must find a way to shield myself from such attacks. My mind is my weapon and to lose control over it is to fail my brother and my companions.
Garridan and his god Cayden are useful allies. I welcome their help in achieving common goals. But at the same time no god will dictate our tasks or our fate. I hope Garridan comes to understand this. I believe he will. Cayden seems amenable to the concept of mortal freedom. I believe this Lamashtu means to enslave us. To turn us into monsters and unsurp our free will. We must not let her have it.
Speaking of free will, what is not Aras but the embodiment of it? I fear however that he may push the inhabitants of this town too far. His attempts at extortion could sour them on us. I too, like Aras, have nothing but the survival of my brother and myself, and then my companions in mind. Ultimately the survival of this town means little to me. However you attract the dog more with juicy steak than beating it into submission with a stick. When it comes time to put the dagger in the dogs heart, do want it growling, backed into a corner ready to defend itself? Or is it not easier to have the dog wagging it's tail and nuzzling your neck unsuspecting? You are wise in the ways of the alleys of Magnimar, but don't let them become you my friend Aras.
Showing posts with label Skender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skender. Show all posts
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Meditations
Skender hurled his blade across the room and it buried into the plaster of the far wall. In the time it took him to blink his eyes, the dagger returned to his fingers. He flicked his wrist again to send it across the room where it struck several inches from the last mark. Not good enough, not precise enough.
Here they were in Sandpoint. What now? The man that ruined his family was dead. Yet Skender and Craylin's parents were still living in the slums in Magnimar as fallen from their wealth and influence as they had ever been. The only thing that changed was now Skender and Cray were in exile. Skender had plotted this scheme for so long that he never considered what he would do if they achieved it.
Then there was the blood. The blood covered Skender's hands and he saw it no matter how many times he washed them. The dead master studied his craft all his life and what good did it do him? With a flash of steel the master's mortality spilled red through his robes and across the floor. And on Skender's hands as well. Will not the blood ever wash off?
He did not possess even a fraction of the master's skill or knowledge and Skender could die ever easier. No, to protect his adopted brother and fully restore their parents there had to be another way.
What of these other companions, his accomplices? At one point Aras had seemed like a threat to everything Skender planned, however to the contrary he had become vital to achieving the goal. A dangerous and ruthless man, much like Skender himself. Very useful. They shared a nagging worry that someone in Magnimar would take the effort to come after them.
Garradin was a man of faith. Cayden who Garradin worshiped was not as bad as gods go. He seemed to treasure a zest for life and drinking. Nothing at all disagreeable to Skender. He welcomed Garradin and Cayden as allies, for as Skender disliked the gods in general, he called none of them an enemy more than Pharasma. One day she would come for the lives of himself or his allies, and he was determined not to let her have them. Skender was not a praying man, but Cayden willing, Garradin's prayers may be enough to help save them.
The gods were divine and Skender knew of only one way to be free of their influence; knowledge. What could he find in this speck of a town advance his studies?
A heavy knock on the door signaled good Craylin's return. Skender steepled his fingers, "Mighty brother, give me some news..."
Here they were in Sandpoint. What now? The man that ruined his family was dead. Yet Skender and Craylin's parents were still living in the slums in Magnimar as fallen from their wealth and influence as they had ever been. The only thing that changed was now Skender and Cray were in exile. Skender had plotted this scheme for so long that he never considered what he would do if they achieved it.
Then there was the blood. The blood covered Skender's hands and he saw it no matter how many times he washed them. The dead master studied his craft all his life and what good did it do him? With a flash of steel the master's mortality spilled red through his robes and across the floor. And on Skender's hands as well. Will not the blood ever wash off?
He did not possess even a fraction of the master's skill or knowledge and Skender could die ever easier. No, to protect his adopted brother and fully restore their parents there had to be another way.
What of these other companions, his accomplices? At one point Aras had seemed like a threat to everything Skender planned, however to the contrary he had become vital to achieving the goal. A dangerous and ruthless man, much like Skender himself. Very useful. They shared a nagging worry that someone in Magnimar would take the effort to come after them.
Garradin was a man of faith. Cayden who Garradin worshiped was not as bad as gods go. He seemed to treasure a zest for life and drinking. Nothing at all disagreeable to Skender. He welcomed Garradin and Cayden as allies, for as Skender disliked the gods in general, he called none of them an enemy more than Pharasma. One day she would come for the lives of himself or his allies, and he was determined not to let her have them. Skender was not a praying man, but Cayden willing, Garradin's prayers may be enough to help save them.
The gods were divine and Skender knew of only one way to be free of their influence; knowledge. What could he find in this speck of a town advance his studies?
A heavy knock on the door signaled good Craylin's return. Skender steepled his fingers, "Mighty brother, give me some news..."
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Skender Character Sheet
Skender
Male Human (Varisian) Wizard 7
LE Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +6; Senses Perception +1
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Defense
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AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 40 (7d6+7)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +7
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Offense
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Speed 0 ft.
Melee Dagger +3 (1d4/19-20/x2) and
Masterwork Dagger +4 (1d4/19-20/x2)
Ranged Light crossbow +5 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 7):
4 (2/day) Black Tentacles, Mage's Faithful Hound
3 (3/day) Slow (DC 17), Haste, Swipe
2 (4/day) Glitterdust (DC 16), See Invisibility, Mirror Image, Web (DC 16)
1 (5/day) Color Spray (DC 15), Mage Armor, Ray of Enfeeblement (DC
15), Grease (DC 15), Obscuring Mist
0 (at will) Light, Prestidigitation (DC 14), Detect Magic, Spark (DC 14)
--------------------
Statistics
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Str 10
Dex 14
Con 13
Int 19
Wis 12
Cha 10
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 15
Feats: Combat Casting, Craft Wondrous Item, Dodge, Greater Spell
Penetration, Improved Initiative, Scribe Scroll, Spell Penetration
Traits: Ease of Faith, Killer, Rich Parents
Skills
Appraise +11,
Diplomacy +11,
Fly +6,
Knowledge (arcana) +14,
Knowledge (history) +14,
Knowledge (local) +11,
Knowledge (nature) +9,
Knowledge (planes) +12,
Knowledge (religion) +11,
Linguistics +13,
Spellcraft +14,
Swim +2
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Goblin,
Orc, Shoanti, Thassilonian, Tien, Varisian
SQ arcane bonds (object [masterwork dagger] [1/day]), hand of the
apprentice (7/day), specialized schools (universalist)
Combat Gear Scroll of Comprehend Languages, Scroll of Keen Edge,
Scroll of Lightning Bolt, Scroll of Minor Image, Scroll of See
Invisibility, Scroll of Whispering Wind, Wand of magic missile; Other
Gear Crossbow bolts (10), Dagger, Light crossbow, Masterwork Dagger,
Cloak of resistance +1, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Everburning torch,
Rope, Scroll case (empty), Spell component pouch, Trail rations (5),
Waterproof bag (empty), Waterskin, 40 PP, 6871 GP, 14 SP
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Special Abilities
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Arcane Bond (Masterwork Dagger) (1/day) (Sp) Use object to cast any
spell in your spellbook 1/day. Without it, Concentration required to
cast spells (DC20 + spell level).
Combat Casting +4 to Concentration checks to cast while on the defensive.
Hand of the Apprentice (7/day) (Su) Throw the melee weapon you are
holding 7/day.
Killer Add weapon's critical modifier to its critical bonus damage.
Scroll of Comprehend Languages Add this item to create a scroll with
spells on it.
Scroll of Keen Edge Add this item to create a scroll with spells on it.
Scroll of Lightning Bolt Add this item to create a scroll with spells on it.
Scroll of Minor Image Add this item to create a scroll with spells on it.
Scroll of See Invisibility Add this item to create a scroll with spells on it.
Scroll of Whispering Wind Add this item to create a scroll with spells on it.
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