Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 suin_bahhar_02 Nov 09, 2010 4:55:30	In order to stat out these NPC's I created this thread seperate from the awesome NPC's thread to avoid cluttering and for ease of use. Lets get started! First I'd warn any reader of this thread that things in here can get rather spoilery so go grab Ghostwalker if you haven't read it already. A great read is guaranteed. So Eric, what level do you see Walker at? My guess is around mid to high (7th to 12th level in 3.5; I prefer to stat him in 3.5 as I have no full grasp of 4E rules at the moment). His stat arrangement would be Con>Dex>Str>Wis>Cha>Int and his fighting style entails high mobility, good hitting power, excellent defence and some stealth. In 3.5 this would mean the Springattack featsline, some good use of Powerattack (perhaps Favoured Powerattack or Sneak Attack), Combat Expertise and perhaps tumbling skilltricks that grant temporary concealment. I see him using ambidexterity/twoweapon fighting and unarmed strikes to confuse his opponent in his (awesome) first fight with Drex the Axe wielder. He's a obviously a two weapon fighting ranger, perhaps a few levels fighter and rogue, and several levels of the ghostwalker PrC from Sword and Fist (regrettably I dont have that book for reference of the PrCs prerequisites and powers).
#2 eriksdb Nov 10, 2010 9:31:52	Heh, make one off-hand comment and spawn a whole thread! :D I think the ghostwalker's power grows through the novel (as I think all novel characters do--by their very nature and the demands of the narrative, they are somewhat in flux), but I think a good snapshot would grab him at about 10th level or so, with levels in ranger and/or fighter, then levels in the prestige class. He definitely has the shadow walking ability that's in the PrC. You definitely would want Sword and Fist to do his writeup, however. I'll check my copy when I get a chance and give you some notes. Cheers
#3 eriksdb Nov 10, 2010 9:41:13	On another note, I used Sword and Fist, Complete Warrior, and the Silver Marches sourcebook pretty extensively when writing the novel. As I see it, my original conception cast Bars as a paladin, Derst as a fighter/rogue, Arya as a knight (from PHB2*) with one or two levels in knight-errant (Silver Marches sourcebook), and Meris as a ranger/scout (or ranger with levels in the scout PrC that's in Silver Marches). They are all 1-2 levels lower than the ghostwalker, except for Meris, who is equivalent. *PHB2 was not out at the time of my writing, but since it came out, I think knight fits as a class for Arya. Cheers
#4 suin_bahhar_02 Nov 14, 2010 10:55:45	Who is Walker? Hook: I am tears on the mountain, I am the chill in the night. I hunt with the spirits, and I walk with the dead ... as will you. - Soon. Walker                                                                                                                          CR 11 Show Walker                                                                                                                          CR 11   hp 89 (11 + 3d8 + 7d10 + 30; 11 HD) ________________________________________________________________________________   Male halfelf Ranger 4 / Fighter 2/ Ghostwalker 5   NE Medium augmented (deathless?) humanoid (halfelf)   Init +2; Senses lowlight vision; Listen +12, Spot +12   Languages Common, Elven ________________________________________________________________________________   AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17      (+4 armor, +3 shield, +2 Dex)   Immune magic sleep effects   Fort +13, Ref +7, Will +6 (+8 against enchantments)   Weakness Anonymity  ________________________________________________________________________________    Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)   Melee +2 mithral ghosttouch shatterspike +16/+11 (1d8+5) and +14 unarmed strike (1d3+3)   Ranged mwk daggers +14/+9 (1d4+3)   Base Atk +14; Grp +14   Atk Options  Painfull Reckoning (+5 to attack and damage rolls vs opponent who attacked him for more than half his HP); Resolute Aura (+5 to intimidate). Favored Enemy +2 humans, Two Weaponfighting Style    Combat Gear none Ranger Spells Known (CL 2 th):      1st (1/day)-pass without trace ______________________________________________________________________________    Abilities Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14 (starting stats 28 pt buy: Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14)   SQ feign death (5 minutes), etherealness 1/day, ghost sight, improved iron will   Feats Power Attack*, Iron Will, Thoughness*, Endurance*, Favoured Power Attack (human), Improved Unarmed Strike, Quick Draw  *Bonus Feats   Skills Hide +9, Intimidate +11 (+6 when name known) Jump +8, Knowledge (local) +5, Knowledge (nature) +5, Listen +12, Move Silently +16,  Sense Motive +3, Spot +12, Tumble +3   Possessions +2 mithral ghosttouch shatterspike, +2 buckler, cloak of resistance +2, bracers of armor +4, ring of regeneration, boots of striding (+2 con), 5 masterwork daggers, masterwork leather armor ______________________________________________________________________________    Anonymity (Ex): As long as Walker has Anonymity his class powers are active. He loses painfull reckoning, etherealness, improved iron will and resolute aura if Walkers real name is known to those who fight him.
#5 eriksdb Nov 14, 2010 12:14:43	Very nice! It's debatable whether the ghostwalker is a human or half-elf, being the son of a half-elf and a human, but I like the way he's turned out here (particularly with the low-light vision, which is significant to how he operates). Note also that his sword has the ghost touch property as well, which is very helpful for those moments where he goes in and hacks away at a bunch of foes while ethereal. Note that that's one of the main mechanical departures in the book, where Walker turns ghost-like (insubstantial) and still affects flesh-and-blood enemies. The Ghostwalker PrC alone doesn't give you that ability, but it made great narrative sense and a pretty cool scene. If you wanted to simulate this in your game, you'd have to add that ability as a DM add-on. (This is, incidentally, one of the places where I find monster design more enjoyable in 4e as opposed to 3.5, as monsters don't have to follow all the same rules as PCs in 4e, so one can be more creative with abilities.) Cheers
#6 suin_bahhar_02 Nov 14, 2010 17:35:08	Thanks alot. I agree that officially he wouldn't be a full half-elf, but the book was pretty clear to me he derived at least some perks from his elven blood (he seemed very observant, was tall and lanky). He favored his halfelven mothers side even whitout him being aware of it thoughout most of the book. I must say I was already getting a lump in my throat again upon rereading his final chapters... Really powerful, emotional stuff you wrote. Its one of the reasons I had to buckle and give Walker the Neutral Evil alignment... Do you agree on he was too caught up in his own vengeance and the manipulations of his ghostly patron Gylther'yel that he acted evil? Adding the ghost touch property will nicely solve the problem of his ethereal attacks being able to effect the living. For his level (especially at the end of the story when he's CR 16) he should have a little more magic items anyway. Meris -gods, I hate that bastard guts!- is up next.
#7 eriksdb Nov 14, 2010 18:20:14	If I were statting him, I'd probably go with N. I think I saw the ghostwalker more as True Neutral--he was an unstoppable force of nature, but when he mowed down people who weren't his real enemies, he did evidence some remorse about it. Examine the scene early on in chapter 1 where he kills the guard. He didn't want to kill the man, but he didn't hesitate either. I think a truly evil person wouldn't have given it a second thought. He doesn't lie, he doesn't cheat (though he doesn't fight fair either), and he's never petty. He just has a mission to do, and woe to anyone who gets in his way . . . but he does honestly try to help those he cares about. I think an evil person would ultimately sacrifice people (even those he cared about) to get his way. Also, note that in Sword and Fist, a member of the ghostwalker class has to be one of the five extremes: LG, CG, N, LE, CE. When I make notes about my characters, I often give them three alignment aspects, to denote tendencies. If someone is Lawful/Neutral Good, that means they are usually perfectly happy with the law but are more interested in good than the law, whereas Lawful Neutral/Good represents someone who believes both in goodness and in law but errs on the side of law when it comes to it. Going by my original conception, Walker = L/TN, Dharan Greyt = NE, Gylther'yel = C/NE, Meris = CE, Arya = L/NG, Bars = LG, Derst = C/NG. Alignment is one of those things that I like to keep gray in my novels, because the characters' struggle always has a moral aspect to it. Whether the ghostwalker ultimately chose good or evil or somewhere in between is up to the reader. Cheers
#8 gomeztoo Nov 15, 2010 4:50:39	I think an evil person would ultimately sacrifice people (even those he cared about) to get his way. I don't think that applies to all evil persons. Some will, but I think a fair amount would still be able to make a choice that would benefit his or her loved ones. In fact, you may argue some do evil because of their loved ones - to earn love or protect them, but in an amoral way. That doesn't mean they won't hurt their loved ones - that is often inevitable in most of these tales, generally when the loved one discovers their activities - just that they do not plan to. Gomez
#9 eriksdb Nov 15, 2010 9:21:24	A valid point, GT, and an argument I myself have made in the past. :D That's part of why I framed it in ad infinitem terms--ultimately, I think an evil person's main interest is himself or herself, and everyone else is secondary. That, to me, is the root of evil as presented in the game rules. Being genuinely interested in another equal to yourself (i.e. believing that you are equally as valuable as another) is more a mark of *neutrality,* I think, whereas placing another above yourself in the grand scheme of things is more of a *good* thing. Of course, the alignment system is too hard-and-fast for the real scope of morality as it exists in fiction (let alone in RL), so it engenders these sorts of discussions. Cheers
#10 suin_bahhar_02 Nov 17, 2010 11:05:13	The one known as the Wayfarer to the Black Blood Cultists in the Quervarr forest is a spy, a murderer and a forester of no small skill. His father Dharan Greyts' bloody past has set him up for a lifetime of blood, sweat and tears in the name of proving himself the best of the best. Who is the Wayfarer? Hook: Tell me how you know me, and I will tell you why I do not fear you. Meris Wayfarer                                                                              CR 11 Show Meris Wayfarer                                                                                                                          CR 11   hp 69 (9 + 10d8 + 10; 11 HD) ________________________________________________________________________________   Male Human Ranger 5 / Scout 4 / Wild Scout 2   CE Medium humanoid (human)   Init +3; Senses Listen +14, Spot +14   Languages Common, Elven, Calimshan ________________________________________________________________________________    AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (uncanny dodge)      (+4 armor, +2 shield +2 Dex)   Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +2 ________________________________________________________________________________    Speed 40 ft. (8 squares); fast march (x 1,5 up to 2 partymembers)   Melee +2 longsword +16/+11 (1d8+5/19-20) and +2 mithral battleaxe +16 (1d6+3/x3)   Ranged +1 crossbow +15 (1d8+1), mwk daggers +14/+9 (1d4+3)   Base Atk +15; Grp +15   Atk Options  High Sword Low Axe (free trip attack if both sword and axe hit), Trapfinding, Skirmish (+1d6 +1 AC), Favored Enemy +4 humans, +2 elves; Two Weaponfighting Style; Nimble Charge    Combat Gear potion of cure serious wounds, bead of antimagic field (CL 2), 10 bolts Ranger Spells Known (CL 2 th):      1st (1/day)-longstrider ______________________________________________________________________________    Abilities Str 17, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 12 (starting stats 30 pt buy: Str 15, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 12)   SQ home turf, improved track, nondetection, trackless step, uncanny dodge   Feats Combat Expertise*, Improved Trip, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Focus (handaxe) Endurance*, Track*, Forester*, High Sword Low Axe    *Bonus Feats   Skills Balance +6, Climb +15, Jump +17, Hide +17, Handle Animal +6, Knowledge (geography) +9, Knowledge (nature) +7, Listen +14, Move Silently +16, Spot +14, Search +7, Survival +13 (+15 finding tracks), Tumble +12   Possessions +2 longsword, +2 mithral handaxe, reinforced armguard (buckler +1), white leather armor +2, bead of anti-magic field (CL 2), +1 crossbow with boltcase [10 bolts], 2 masterwork daggers ______________________________________________________________________________
#11 eriksdb Nov 17, 2010 11:11:22	Good job with Meris! A couple thoughts: 1) Glad the high sword/low axe feat came through clearly. He definitely has that. Though I believe in the book he uses a longsword and handaxe, rather than a battleaxe and shortsword. 2) Meris's Charisma should maybe be higher than 10. One of the disturbing things about him was that he's charming in his own way. 3) The low defenses still give me pause, but I guess that's just 3.5 for ya. Consider dropping one of the weapon focuses for Two Weapon Defense. Cheers
#12 suin_bahhar_02 Nov 17, 2010 11:18:33	Yeah, I'll give him a buckler (I usually translate that to reinforced bracers for some cool factor) to up his defence somewhat. He needs both the weapon focus feats for high sword low axe. I chose the battleaxe because in your Wayfarer sidestory he mentions his axe training from Drex (who's a great axer) and marvels at the curve of his elven made axe. He also ends up stealing the shortsword of his bastard brother Tetlan, no?
#13 eriksdb Nov 17, 2010 11:30:47	D'oh! You're right about the WF feats. :D Ah, to clarify: The axe he has in the short story is a handaxe (as a battle axe would be too big for a young boy to use) and stealing the shortsword is just the thematic birth of his sword/axe style. Later, in the novel, he carries the same axe as an adult, but he supplements it with a longsword. Also, there's at least one scene in the novel where he throws his axe (at the ghostwalker), so it can't be a battleaxe. Cheers
#14 suin_bahhar_02 Nov 17, 2010 11:39:07	Ah, consider the focus feats changed. I gave him slightly more powerful starting stats to give him some extra charisma. I agree upon reading his chapters where he leads his rangers he does have a commanding presence to a degree. I also came to understand and respect him a little more after reading Wayfarer. Its his dad that deserves my ire more. I'll try my hand at statting him, but I think Arya should come first
#15 eriksdb Dec 06, 2010 10:20:28	^bump Hey Suin, what happened with this effort? Holidays? :D Cheers
#16 suin_bahhar_02 Dec 06, 2010 15:06:41	Aye, but been visiting family and friends for a meriad of reasons, including the Dutch winter tradition of Saint Nicolas (which demands giving selfmade gifts and poetry... great fun). My last character, the second son of Lord Herakul Strohm, baron-scion Zekiël Strohm the Third, died unfortunately a week ago (a near TPK against a werewolf lord)! So I had to spend my characterbuilding time towards creating myself a new character. Turned out splendid... Leyt Damariz is a angry mercenary rogue-ranger wielding a redeemed demonscythe hailing from a chaka from the Golden Waters on a quest of atonement. Don't anger him! I'll try and make Arya tonight. Hope to be back in a few ^^
#17 suin_bahhar_02 Dec 06, 2010 16:09:33	Introducing Arya "the Nightingale of Everlund" Venkyr Hook: Forth the Nightingale! Show Arya "the Nightingale" Venkyr                                                                                                                          CR 9   hp 71 (13 + 5d12+5 + 2d10+2 + 1d8+1; 9 HD) ________________________________________________________________________________   Female Half-elf Knight 6 / Paladin 2 / Kingt Errant of Silverymoon 1   LG Medium humanoid (half-elf)   Init +1; Senses lowlight vision; Listen +3, Spot +7   Languages Common, Elven ________________________________________________________________________________    AC 23, touch 11, flat-footed 22      (+7 armor, +4 shield +1 Dex, +1 natural)   Fort +13, Ref +7, Will +11 (+13 vs enchantments) ________________________________________________________________________________     Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)   Melee +2 longsword +14/+9 (1d8+5/19-20) or masterwork lance +14 (1d8+4/x3)   Ranged +1 crossbow +11 (1d8+1/19-20), mwk daggers +11 (1d4+3/19-20)   Base Atk +9; Grp +12   Atk Options  Sworn enemy (+2 damage vs People of the Black Blood); Spirited charge (triple damage on charge with lance); 6/day Knights challenge: Fighting challange (1/encounter: 8 rounds +1 morale bonus on att/dam vs challanged foe with int 5 or more) or Test of Mettle (foe compelled to fight Arya; dc 16); Smite Evil 1/day one attack vs evil foe at +3 att and dam   Combat Gear 2 potions of cure serious wounds, 10 bolts ______________________________________________________________________________     Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16 (starting stats 30 pt buy: Str 15, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 15)   SQ badge of office, sworn enemy (+2 bluff, listen, spot, sense motive, survival and on weapon damage vs black blood cultists), lay on hands (6hp), fighting challenge +1, medium armor mastery, bulwark of defence, shield ally, vigilant defender, shield block +1, aura of good, divine grace, detect evil   Feats Spirited Charge*, Mounted Combat, Weapon Focus (heavy lance), Ride By Attack, Survivor  *Bonus Feats   Skills Diplomacy +6, Intimidate +4, Gather Information +5, Jump +2, Handle Animal +6,  Knowledge (nobility & royalty) +6, Ride +12, Spot +7, Survival +5,   Possessions badge of honor (slotless item of resistance +1), +2 longsword, +2 breastplate, +2 metal shield, amulet of natural armor +1, +1 crossbow with boltcase [10 bolts], 2 masterwork lances, 2 masterwork daggers; barded heavy warhorse
#18 suin_bahhar_02 Dec 07, 2010 10:24:02	For Greyt is was wondering about his level. He used scrying wich only a 7th level bard can do. But it seemed he used it with great ease indicating it was the use of greater scrying that only 16th level bards have acces to. His mansion was filled with permanent illusions (without smell though) poiting towards the use of permanent image, also a 6th level bard spell. With his succesful adventuring carreer behind him it seems 16th level is not that far fetched.
#19 eriksdb Dec 07, 2010 10:31:31	Level 16 would be feasible, though keep in mind he employs a high-level wizard (Talthaliel) who can do his spellwork for him. Also, a whole adventuring career can have netted him any number of scrolls and magic devices. To fit the Fighters theme, when I originally wrote the novel I was envisioning Greyt as a bard/swashbuckler multiclass. But just straight bard would fit as well. Cheers
#20 suin_bahhar_02 Dec 08, 2010 8:55:43	Who's that dashing Lord Singer of Quaerrvarr? Hook: We have so much to discuss, you and I. Dharan Greyt                                                                      CR 15 Show Dharan Greyt                                                                                                                          CR 15   hp 74 (7 + 8d6 + 6d10 + 14; 15 HD) ________________________________________________________________________________    Male human Bard 9 / Swashbuckler 6   NE Medium humanoid (human)   Init +7; Senses Listen +18, Spot +0   Languages Common, Elven, Dwarven, Orc, Halfling, Goblin ________________________________________________________________________________    AC 24, touch 17, flat-footed 17      (+4 armor, +3 shield, +4 Dex, +3 deflection)  Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +8  ________________________________________________________________________________   Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)   Melee +2 goldcoated rapier of puncturing +17/+12/+7 (1d6+4/18-20)   Ranged +2 dagger +17 (1d4+4)   Base Atk +12 Grp +12   Atk Options Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Insightful strike +2 (included in attack stats)    Combat Gear none Bard Spells Known (CL 9 th):      3rd (3/day) dc 18 - glibness, scrying, charm monster (dc 19)      2nd (4/day) dc 17 - fox cunning, detect thoughts, whispering wind, suggestion (dc 18)      1st (5/day) dc 16 - charm person, comprehend languages, undetectable alignment, silent image      0th (3/day) dc 15 - ghost sound, know direction, summon instrument, prestidigitation, read magic, light ______________________________________________________________________________    Abilities Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 11, Cha 20 (starting stats 28 pt buy: Str 11, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 15; venerable age)   SQ Bardic music, bardic knowledge, countersong, fascinate, inspire courage +2, inspire competence, inspire greatness, suggestion, grace +1, insightful strike, dodge bonus +1   Feats Weapon finesse*, Spellfocus (Enchantment), Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack  *Bonus Feats   Skills Appraise +3, Bluff +23, Escape Artist +20, Diplomacy +23, Jump +1, Knowledge (local; silvermarches) +4, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Listen +18, Perform (string instruments) +25, Sense Motive +18, Spellcraft +7, Tumble +16, Swim +1, Use Rope +4   Possessions usually worn: +2 goldcoated rapier of puncturing, +2 buckler, cloak of charisma +2, leather armor +3, ring of protection +3, gloves of dexterity +4, +2 dagger, masterwork yarting not worn: Armor of the Unending Hunt, +3 full plate, 2 scrolls of haste, 4 potions of cure serious wounds, scroll of domination, scroll of teleportation, 3 scrolls of mirage, 2 scrolls of permanency, scroll of minor wish, attuned 2 by 4 mirror (for scrying), mansion; coins, gems and art objects worth over 200.000 gp, provisions including exotic food and drinks such as elverquisst, roasted basilisk, spices from Calimshan and beyond ______________________________________________________________________________