Welcome to Hero Craftsmen #20, where you make a character and get it voted on according to all its facets by our judges; a challenge to see who can make the best character!
This time our chosen theme is Back to School. Your goal for this Hero Craftsman contest is to make a character associated in some way with a school. A wizard teaches at a prestigious arcane university; a bard may be a student at an elite bardic college; a fighter may be returning to the military school at which he gained his training; a cleric may be heading up a divine academy for training new clerics.
The required level for this competition is 8th level, with 27,000 gp to spend on magic items and equipment, though no more than 9000 gp can be spent on any one item.
The following section contains the specific rules of the competition, as well as the standards for how the characters will be scored, and general tips to consider when creating a submission.
Rules
Contest Rules
The following are rules for the Hero Craftsmen competition, and are subject to change at any time between competition periods.
Do note that the Code of Conduct is in effect for all aspects of this contest, and those who break it will be disqualified, and their post will be reported.
Character Creation Parameters
Effective Character Level (ECL): 8th
Ability Score Generation: 28 pt. buy (DMG p.169)
Character Wealth: 27000 gp
Max. Value of any single item: 9000 gp
1) All entries must be submitted with a complete stat block of any format or length, (so long as the stat block is complete, including content like equipment, skills, special abilities etc.) accompanied by a character background also of any format or length.
2) All entries must be submitted by the date and time given by the Coordinating Judge; any entries submitted late will not be judged but they are still allowed to be commented on by other users/judges, and may provide a valuable resource to other players out there. The time given for any competition is likely to be within 2-3 weeks; the exact times and dates will be stated by the Coordinating Judge during the contest's start.
3) After submitting an entry, a 30-minute grace period is allowed to edit your work, in the case of mechanical or formatting errors, typos, and the like. Editing your work after 30 minutes is considered breaking the rules. Hence, we urge you to revise your entry thoroughly prior to submitting it, to save hassle. Making use of the preview button in the post window will help you catch most errors before posting.
4) One Entry Per Contestant, and that creator must be the submitter (meaning that all work has to be original, and not stolen from someone else.) Also, do not post an entry if you do not want it to be officially judged.
5) At the start of each competition, the coordinating judge will state a single theme around which to base your entry. There are no restrictions based on the character theme itself; it is merely a suggested guideline, but following it in a creative and interesting way will give merit to your entry.
6) There are other restrictions, however. Material in the three core books is allowed. Any material found in the following books is also permitted: Expanded Psionics Handbook, Players Handbook II, Complete Adventurer, Complete Arcane, Complete Divine, Complete Warrior, Complete Mage, Complete Scoundrel, Complete Champion, Complete Psionic, Races of Destiny, Races of Stone, Races of the Wild, Races of the Dragon, Magic Item Compendium and Spell Compendium. The use of Psionics, Item Creation rules, Epic Characters, and anything else in the Official SRD is permitted. No other rules sources -- including any variant Unearthed Arcana rules available on non-official SRD sites -- are permitted for use in this round of the contest.
7) Additionally, the character must be created with the wealth parameters discussed above, with average hit points per hit die (eg-2.5hp for d4, 3.5hp for d6, 4.5hp for d8, 5.5hp for d10, 6.5hp for d12; Max hit points at 1st level), using the 28 point-buy system, as discussed in the DMG pg169.
For those who do not have access to the DMG, the following sample arrays of scores have been set up for your convenience:
18, 14, 12, 10, 8, 8
15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10
8) One special rule regarding Crafting: When crafting a magic item from your character, you may pay the 50% gp cost and ignore the XP cost. However, your character must still meet all prerequisites in spells, minimum level requirements, etc., or account for the cost of hiring a spell caster to cast the spells for you.
9) Judges reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not follow the above rules, as they see fit.
Contest Rules
The following are rules for the Hero Craftsmen competition, and are subject to change at any time between competition periods.
Do note that the Code of Conduct is in effect for all aspects of this contest, and those who break it will be disqualified, and their post will be reported.
Character Creation Parameters
Effective Character Level (ECL): 8th
Ability Score Generation: 28 pt. buy (DMG p.169)
Character Wealth: 27000 gp
Max. Value of any single item: 9000 gp
1) All entries must be submitted with a complete stat block of any format or length, (so long as the stat block is complete, including content like equipment, skills, special abilities etc.) accompanied by a character background also of any format or length.
2) All entries must be submitted by the date and time given by the Coordinating Judge; any entries submitted late will not be judged but they are still allowed to be commented on by other users/judges, and may provide a valuable resource to other players out there. The time given for any competition is likely to be within 2-3 weeks; the exact times and dates will be stated by the Coordinating Judge during the contest's start.
3) After submitting an entry, a 30-minute grace period is allowed to edit your work, in the case of mechanical or formatting errors, typos, and the like. Editing your work after 30 minutes is considered breaking the rules. Hence, we urge you to revise your entry thoroughly prior to submitting it, to save hassle. Making use of the preview button in the post window will help you catch most errors before posting.
4) One Entry Per Contestant, and that creator must be the submitter (meaning that all work has to be original, and not stolen from someone else.) Also, do not post an entry if you do not want it to be officially judged.
5) At the start of each competition, the coordinating judge will state a single theme around which to base your entry. There are no restrictions based on the character theme itself; it is merely a suggested guideline, but following it in a creative and interesting way will give merit to your entry.
6) There are other restrictions, however. Material in the three core books is allowed. Any material found in the following books is also permitted: Expanded Psionics Handbook, Players Handbook II, Complete Adventurer, Complete Arcane, Complete Divine, Complete Warrior, Complete Mage, Complete Scoundrel, Complete Champion, Complete Psionic, Races of Destiny, Races of Stone, Races of the Wild, Races of the Dragon, Magic Item Compendium and Spell Compendium. The use of Psionics, Item Creation rules, Epic Characters, and anything else in the Official SRD is permitted. No other rules sources -- including any variant Unearthed Arcana rules available on non-official SRD sites -- are permitted for use in this round of the contest.
7) Additionally, the character must be created with the wealth parameters discussed above, with average hit points per hit die (eg-2.5hp for d4, 3.5hp for d6, 4.5hp for d8, 5.5hp for d10, 6.5hp for d12; Max hit points at 1st level), using the 28 point-buy system, as discussed in the DMG pg169.
For those who do not have access to the DMG, the following sample arrays of scores have been set up for your convenience:
18, 14, 12, 10, 8, 8
15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10
8) One special rule regarding Crafting: When crafting a magic item from your character, you may pay the 50% gp cost and ignore the XP cost. However, your character must still meet all prerequisites in spells, minimum level requirements, etc., or account for the cost of hiring a spell caster to cast the spells for you.
9) Judges reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not follow the above rules, as they see fit.
1. Missinissar Hulv by Kolsus Hayl
2. [url=http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=17664057&postcount=20]Hilifírë
and the answers....[/center]
Q. Can alignment requirements for a class or PrC can be waived without penalty?
A:
Are you asking if you can make a NG paladin, for example? If so, the answer is no.
Are you asking if you can make a CG ex-monk? If so, the answer is yes.
If you're asking something else, could you please clarify?
And I will add that I have been known to count off on CG druids and the like. Now, as far as races with the "always evil" listings, I'm willing to be more flexible, but....
Q: Is there a reason that the PHBII isn't on the list?
A: It is there. And always has been. Please don't pay any attention to the discussion on this topic throughout the thread. :D
Q: If my character has levels in wizard or any other class that can learn more spells than he gains automatically with every new level, how do I go about adding more spells? Do I simply assume any attempts to scribe a spell into the spellbook succeed? And what would the spell cost?
A: You may assume that attempts to scribe the scroll succeeded...as long as you have ranks in spellcraft, that is. As for cost, then in addition to the standard 100gp per page for materials, you may either pay for a scroll of the spell, or use the 50gp per page listed in the PHB as the standard fee charged by a spellcaster for copying his/her spells...though the judges will expect some in-background discussion of this choice (whether an actual copying fee or talking about research you've done or whatever.)
Q: Can I include an intelligent magic item designed in by the rules in the DMG provided its cost is under 9000 gp. Note: This item is a family treasure rather then something they created so would I have to follow item creation rules? Is there anything else I haven't thought to ask here?
A: For your first question, yes, you certainly may create an intelligent items. We've had a number of them in the past, and are always glad to see them.
As for how they got the item: You are pretty much free to say that your character got the item however you wish. However, as far as spending gold goes, you can either pay full price and invent whatever story you want (your gold total represents your total wealth, not how much you have actually spent); or you can create items. The rules for that, as far as this competition goes at least, are above in point 8 of the "Rules" sblock.
And as for your third question...I agree with Jason. You forgot to ask where to send cookies and/or chocolates as bri--gifts to aid in judging. :D
Anyway, hope y'all enjoy this one and that we see lots of entries....even if that will make my life more difficult....
And just to be clear for everybody: "back to school" is just a name - you don't actually have to be going back to school. If your fighter, for example, is a graduate of a prestigious military academy, that's good enough.
...so they can sort out the tastier minds and best potential slaves...
Wait! I mean, "because they are qualified to determine which entries best meet the criteria."
:coolcthul
(And now, it's time for everyone's favorite game: What will interfere with the judges this time around? I'm going to go w/ the powerful forces of irony and call it at "school," but that's just my prediction.)
can alignment requirements for a class or PrC can be waived without penalty?
Are you asking if you can make a NG paladin, for example? If so, the answer is no.
Are you asking if you can make a CG ex-monk? If so, the answer is yes.
If you're asking something else, could you please clarify?
ORIGINS
The elven emperor knew quickly that she would not be kept long in his harem. This new, young acquisition was athletic, to be sure, but lacked the beauty and passion for the sensual arts he liked in his concubines. In the short while he kept the jet-black, catfolk female, the emperor glimpsed Missinissar's talent with language, puzzles, and acrobatics. After two weeks, and four encounters with the emperor, Missinissar was commissioned into the 'Hulvain,' the imperial intelligence and security corps. She was 16.
The empire she serves is great, and has stood for more than a thousand years. It has pushed out or made vassals of all neighboring civilizations, including gnolls, kobolds, humans and catfolk. All villages must allow imperial troops to draft a certain number of their young for imperial service every year and every year they are sorted and trained for their respective careers. The emperor maintains an all-catfolk harem, and it was there, after a few months training, that Missinissar was taken.
All senior officers of the Hulvain take the surname 'Hulv.' After only four years in service, Missinissar achieved this distinction. Covert espionage is her niche...Where is that gnoll trading company getting their shipments of magical arms? Who will this human nobleman employ to build his new fortifications? What elements within the imperial city are plotting regicide? Missinissar answered these questions and deftly pointed the enforcement branch toward the correct targets.
Every autumn, for the past four years, Missinissar has taken leave from her Hulvain post to act as head instructor of incoming catfolk inductees. Her youth in catfolk society and knowledge of imperial affairs allows her to train and assign newcomers with uncanny efficiency. Most of the young, as it was in her youth, are brought through the imperial harem before being sold off to lesser nobles. However, throughout their training in imperial conduct, Missinissar always keeps one feline eye open for the next master spy who might further ennoble her wild race.
ALLIES:
Emperor Belioc: In the infinite political wrangling that surrounds a great ruler, Missinissar has never lost the emperor's favor. Though she has only one or two meetings with him per year, he calls on her when he needs information sought with the utmost discretion. She is therefore rarely challenged within the imperial bureaucracy.
Myur & Nyur Floating Seed: Catfolk twin females trained by Missinissar three years ago. She initially connected to the twins because they hail from her tribe of origin, the "Floating Seed" clan. They turned out to be a discreet and deadly assassination team. If Missinissar has her way they will soon become senior Hulvain officers.
ENEMIES:
Howrek Runch: Gnoll Shaman, architect of a developing gnoll/kobold alliance aimed at gaining permanent independence from the elven empire. Missinissar has determined that the alliance is supported by a neighboring orc kingdom, though she has not yet located the orcish agents responsible.
STAT BLOCK
Height: 5'6" Weight: 140 lbs Gender: female Coloration: black Age: 26
Alignment: N Deity: Sharess Languages: common, feline, draconic, gnoll, elven, sylvan
Str 9
Con 14 (13, +1 lvl)
Dex 20 (14, +2 enh, +4 racial)
Int 20 (18, +2 enh)
Wis 8
Cha 10 (8, +2 racial)
AC: 22 (+5 armor, +5 dex, +1 def, +1 nat) Touch AC: 16 Flatfooted AC: 17 Fort: +4 Ref: +7 Will: +4
HP: 37 Init: +9 Move: 60ft. (base 40, +10 enh, +10 extreme leap) BA: +3 Grapple: +2
FEATS: Spell Focus (ench), Greater Spell Focus (ench), Improved Initiative
SKILL TRICKS: Extreme Leap
SKILLS: Search +14 (10 ranks, +4 abil), Disable Device +16 (10 ranks, +4 abil, +2 tools), Hide +15 (6 ranks, +4 abil, +5 comp), Move Silently +15 (9 ranks, +4 abil, +2 racial), Listen +10 (9 ranks, -1 abil, +2 racial), Spot +14 (10 ranks, -1 abil, +5 comp), Concentration +12 (10 ranks, +2 abil), Tumble + 17 (10 ranks, +5 abil, +2 syn), Jump +24 (10 ranks, -1 abil, +5 comp, +2 syn, +8 speed (extreme leap not included)), Climb +15 (9 ranks, -1 abil, +5 comp, +2 kit), Knowledge (local) +10 (5 ranks, +5 abil), Balance +7 (+5 abil, +2 syn)
CLASS FEATURES: Armored Mage (light armor), trapfinding, Cloaked Casting (+1 DC), Surprise Casting (bluff as move action), Advanced Learning x2 (Net of Shadows, Ray of Dizziness), Silent Spell
RACIAL FEATURES: +4 Dex, +2 Cha, +1 natural armor, +2 listen, +2 move silent, low-light vision, +1 lvl adjustment
SPELLCASTING: spells per day- 0 lvl (6), 1st lvl (8), 2nd lvl (7), 3rd lvl (5)
spell DC = 15 + spell lvl, +2 enchantment school, +1 vs. flat-footed
ranged touch attack +8, touch attack +2
MAGIC ITEMS: Gloves of Dex +2 (4,000), Headband of Intellect +2 (4,000), Boots of Striding and Springing (5,500), Eyes of the Eagle (2,500), Cloak of Elvenkind (2,500), Ring of Climbing (2,500), +1 mithral chain shirt (2,100), ring of protection +1 (2,000) ...total = 25,100
MUNDANE ITEMS: MW shortsword, spell component pouch, Silk Rope, climber's kit, MW thieves tools, 200 gp
POTIONS: darkvision (300), pass without trace (2x50=100), delay poison (300), cure light wounds (2x50=100), levitate (300), lesser restoration (2x300+600), potion belt ...total = 1700
TACTICS: When surprised (almost never), Missinissar will always flee, and not many will catch her. Using expeditious retreat, her land speed of 80 ft. allows her to outrun most anything, and she can Hide and Move Silently at half-speed faster than a normal human moves at full-speed. However, she almost always returns in seconds, minutes or days to take the encounter on her own terms. When on an actual mission, Missinissar is always under the effect of non-detection, disguise self and pass without trace. She has never killed a sentient being, instead relying on her abilities to evade and enchant to toy with her adversaries (a game of cat and mouse) and achieve her aims.
Also, yesterday, I was looking at PH2 and was annoyed that it wasn't allowed in this contest. Did I miss something?
Also, Cheeseman, please see the FAQ, as I have added to Zherog's answer there.
Also, yesterday, I was looking at PH2 and was annoyed that it wasn't allowed in this contest. Did I miss something?
I love PHB2. It might be my favorite 3e source book; it's certainly in my top 3.
However, we wanted to try to limit the number of books this time around. In recent contests, we've been leaning towards adding more and more books. The judges thought this was a good time to pull things back a little bit. We also thought it was a good time to go ahead and pop the Races of... series of books into play, because they haven't seen much action.
PHB2 was just a casualty of that sort of thinking.
While we're on the topic of "favorite source books," I'd probably put my top 3 at Lords of Madness, Heroes of Horror, and whichever "Complete" book matches the character I'm currently rolling up (usually Mage or Warrior).
I do like PHB2 a lot, and it sees a lot of use in our group.
My top three 3.5 books from WotC are: Tome of Battle, Expanded Psionics Handbook, and Magic Item Compendium. I play around with all of those a lot.
That said, you once again didn't include Races of Eberron, the Races Of... book that consistently gets left off the list. Hopefully we'll see Dragon Magic again at some point, so that I can actually enter a character concept I've had kicking around that just didn't fit the one time it was a legal book.
Beguiler is just a harmless little class...never hurt anybody.;)
It is the only element I've included from PHB II, so I'm hoping it's a point deduction and not a disqualification.
Quite an oversight on my part.
Beguiler is just a harmless little class...never hurt anybody.;)
It is the only element I've included from PHB II, so I'm hoping it's a point deduction and not a disqualification.
Well, the last time we had someone use something from an illegal source, twe just did a point deduction. I think it was an elven subrace that time....
Z, Jason, opinions?
Well, the last time we had someone use something from an illegal source, twe just did a point deduction. I think it was an elven subrace that time....
Z, Jason, opinions?
I've deleted the PMs from our planning, so I can't verify. But if PHB2 was supposed to be on the list I'm not terribly opposed to adding it back. Or, at least, that was true before Mercurius went and posted an entry at least.
As for how to handle it if we don't put it back on the list... that's the sort of thing that is up to each individual judge to determine.
The Wanted
“Hi! I’m Epik!”
Background
Little is known about Epik’s background before he emerged from obscurity. What is known is that this Halfling has grown up on the streets, under the wings of a thieves’ guild in the city of Maruska. Maruska’s streets are a tough learning place for any young man, with its thick guard cover and the ever present danger that a passing adventurer group decides to enforce the law somewhat stronger for a reward. Much of Epik’s life therefore must have revolved about survival, while picking up the essential skills for his thieving trade.
This existence of obscurity came to an end when Epik pulled off a job in one of the other thieves’ guild of the city; the Grey Ravens. He and a companion had snuck into the compound under an invisibility spell, evaded many dangerous traps and wards and made off with the majority of the guild master’s magic items, selling them the same night to an adventurer company passing through the city. This set off the greatest guild war Maruska has even known, involving all major thieves’ guilds, the city watch and the entire adventuring company. Epik made it out of the city and fled the country before anyone took notice. He had managed to secure a good portion of his gains from the job and decided it was time to look for clearer waters.
He travelled to the duchy of Barco in the kingdom of Harrisford. There he joined up with a mercenary group called the Kings of Stormfield, working mainly as a lowly squire. This helped Epik gain obscurity from his surroundings and work his knifes during the night to gain an extra profit. He continued his obscure practices and gained a sinister fame as a ruthless and clean killer under his alias ‘the Mask’. This time of his life ended when he was hired by the mercenary group’s captain to plan and execute an assassination on a powerful rival company’s captain. Epik agreed and carried out the assassination according to plan. The plan itself, however, called for the company’s second in command to carry out the assassination, Epik only setting up the plan for the ambush and watching it unfold. The blame of the assassination (after Epik already gotten his reward) was shifted to the Kings of Stormfield by the rival group. This lead to the well known ‘Massacre at the Fork’ in which the Kings of Stormfield battled its rivals, both companies achieving the other’s complete extermination. Epik had seen the storm coming and fled before he could be linked to the scandal.
After this, Epik took up adventuring, travelling with various groups for short periods of time. The most common reason for Epik to be thrown from a group was stealing or (planned) assassination of a group member. Before the second year was out, his reputation had become abysmal enough to make Epik an unwanted companion and Epik was robbed more than once of all his belongings and treasure by old, angry friends. This lead Epik to name himself the head of his own adventurer group (consisting only of himself) which he called Leet. The name itself is a variant of ‘loot’, something which he considers the most valuable thing in the world, and a joke to the word ‘leader’ as he is the leader of the group. He set out on a number of adventures by himself and often returned with great amounts of gold and magic items, quickly gaining a new reputation as an exceptionally capable adventurer.
This quickly lead to an influx of new applicants to Leet, many of which did not survive the first adventure they joined for some mysterious reason. This often lead to the spoils to be divided by a smaller group and increased gains for all that did survive. Leet kept attracting new applicants, despite the risks famously involved in working with Epik. Slowly, a core group formed of which all members shared a common sense of purpose and method. This is also currently the group Epik adventures with.
Recently Epik encountered yet another stroke of bad luck and was beaten out of his possessions by an alliance of jealous adventurer groups (his version). Picking up the pieces, he and his ‘friends’ have been busy on the road to recovering their priced possessions and taking ‘toll’ on those who have done them such injustice. In this, they have become the centre of a new war between adventurers also called the War of the ‘Players’ (the name of the brothel where most adventurers of the region Ascor spend their free time). This war has been ongoing since Springfest the previous year and has (according to the local law enforcement) costs the lives of at least two thousand humanoids, including innocents. In addition the war has caused over five million gold pieces in damages to property and revenue loss of millions of gold pieces. The war resulted as Leet used their resources to set a number of adventuring parties against one-another and let the promise of loot do the rest. As such they have been busy trying to find Leet to take them out of the picture.
Leet has sought refuge in the local monetary of the Patient God Aeus (LG), where they have been busy erasing their sins. The priesthood of Aeus has vowed never to disclose the names of those sinners seeking redemption and this has lead their presence in the monastery to pass relatively unnoticed. Leet is currently enjoying the peace of the monastery as a holiday, but nightly exploration by Epik has lead him to believe that there are great stores of treasure hidden beneath the castle, so their stay in the monastery is likely to be brief.
Leet
The group Leet works according to an unique structure found rarely in other groups: Survival of the strongest. The silent agreement between the group members is that the only loot they are allowed to carry is the loot they can keep their hands on. As all group members are approximately as strong as the other, this has lead to a stand-off and a semi-honest loot division.
Epik has impressed upon the others that solid teamwork is needed to survive the encounters they face and when faced with a common thread, they will act surprisingly well as a team. This includes risking their lives for another member of the group, or sharing sparse resources. Each member is aware that only as a group they can survive and thrive.
Members joining the group are not allowed a full share during the first adventure, and are generally cheated out of their share before returning to the Player. A second adventure usually leads to the applicant’s demise after the group decides that the extra group member cuts too deep in their resources.
Leet consists of the following members:
Blaze (CE, Gnome Evoker 8) – Blaze is a short, chubby Gnome with a fiery temper. He has a love for burning big buildings and incinerating opponents. He has no hair, a large flat nose and deep brown eyes. Blaze was one of the first permanent members of Leet, after he managed to withstand a nightly assassination attempt by Epik and blast Epik into submission. Epik later achieved his revenge and due to this, Blaze is missing his two outer fingers on his right hand. Blaze usually only dresses in a cloak, broadly rimmed hat and red-yellow striped pants.
Strike (CE, Human Fighter 9) – Strike is a brute, simplistic warrior that takes what he wants, when he wants it. He became a part of Epik’s group after he tried to kill Blaze and nearly succeeded. Epik has tricked him into believing he achieved success in a dangerous and difficult test for his god Maydie. In his time with the group, he has learned to swap his two-handed axe for an one-handed one and fight with a shield, protected by Charles, the druid. All group members have a similar hold over Strike’s thoughts and have found it hard to use his simple mind against any of the others.
Charles (NE, Elf Druid 8) – Charles believes that nature will balance itself, but that it will only balance itself correctly by culling the weak. In his time with Leet, Charles has come to consider ‘weak’ anything that he can kill with the aid of Leet. As such, he is the least restrained when it comes to the merciless slaughter of any creature he encounters. He joined Leet after he heard of their success and their method of dealing with the spoils of their adventures, ‘survival of the strongest’ appealing to him. Charles is a tall elf with a copper skin. His hair is long and braided and he is usually clad in leather or hide armour.
Other allies:
Hannibal (CE, Wizard 5) – Hannibal is Epik’s banker. Epik quickly realised that keeping his possessions on him would get him robbed out of everything he owned. Hannibal is a member of the Crimson college, a vile guild of Bloodmages. The Crimson college officially condones and protects Epik’s interests and use the resources granted by Epik to fund their own interests. It does mean that Epik has no access to these funds on a regular basis, but he is able to withdraw sufficient money to re-equip himself after being robbed. He is a powerfully build man with short-trimmed hair and a small beard.
Olivia (CG, Female adult copper dragon) – Olivia is Epik’s security key. Epik once managed to steal ten of Olivia’s eggs and hide them outside the red dragon’s knowledge. Using the eggs as a leverage, he has been able to secure her aid when he ends up in prison. For each time Olivia breaks him out of a prison, he will ‘reward’ her with the return of one of her eggs. Currently Olivia is still missing seven eggs, though Epik is quite sure that if he ever runs out, she will kill him before he knows what’s happening.
Enemies (personal only):
In time, Epik has made more enemies than friends. Especially in the kingdom of Harrisford and around the brothel Player, few people do not want him dead. As such, the list below only includes the most personal, driven enemies that could truly threaten Epik.
Guildmaster Joe (CE Human Rogue 12) – Joe was the Guildmaster of the Grey Ravens that Epik robbed. He survived the conflict in Maruska, but his guild was destroyed after the war. Having pried Epik’s name from his one-time associate, he has been following Epik’s trail for the last years. He is a small, lithe human man armed with various weapons, including a musket and three pistols.
Sergeant Honest (LN Human fighter/ranger of Aeus 4/9) – Honest was the master-at-arms of the Kings of Stormfield during Epik’s adventures with the mercenaries. Honouring his name, Honest has vowed never to lie or cheat, taking up the path of a ranger after he crawled away from the Massacre of the Fork. As a result of this battle, Honest misses his left eye, three fingers on his left hand (including his thumb) and two fingers on his right hand. He also misses the lower part of his left leg and part of his hair and face is permanently scorched. He is usually armed with a longbow, his preferred weapon. One year ago, he met up with Joe. Though the two share little in common, that what they do share - a desire to kill Epik – has made them temporary allies.
‘John’ Naomi Olivia Orderly Beatrice (CN Gnome Sorcerer 10) – Ex-wife of Blaze has been in a personal conflict with Epik since Epik assisted Blaze in his divorce from Naomi. This conflict has turned especially sour as Epik achieved the divorce by ‘proving’ to the divorce court that Naomi was not a woman. To prove this, he tricked Naomi in putting on a Belt of Gender Change (‘this belt will remove the vile enchantment you have used to trick this man into marrying you’). For some reason, spells have proven ineffective in removing the belt and Naomi has been forced to live as ‘John’ for the better part of three years. Naomi has been unsuccessful in discovering Leet’s current location. In her woman form, she is a pretty lithe Gnome woman with pigtails, but in her male form her face looks like it is covered in custard and her hair is greyed as if aged.
Warrants:
This section will list all major warrants currently out for Epik. This will exclude any warrants worth less than one thousand gold. Note that not all convictions are based on actual actions of Epik, but as a side-result of his actions.
The City-state of Maruska, 5000 gold, The city-state of Maruska has issued a major reward for the death of this criminal. This criminal has been convicted of: three counts of murder, fifteen counts of manslaughter, 20 counts of attempted murder, five counts of arson, three counts of thievery, one count of ****, thirty four counts of assault, one count of kidnapping and three hundred and ninety six counts of slander. The criminal known as Epik has been sentence to hang until death. Wanted: Dead
The Kingdom of Harrisford, 4500 gold, The Kingdom of Harrisford will reward the sum of four thousand five hundred gold pieces to any man able to bring to justice the criminal known as Epik. This criminal is wanted for association in the murder of Captain Jason Bull and the planning of Massacre of the Fork. In addition, this criminal is wanted for three counts of slander against His Majesty the King. Wanted: Dead or alive
The Sovereign Principality of Ascor, 10.000 gold, The Sovereign Principality of Ascor has issued the reward of ten thousand gold pieces to any able to bring before the council the body of the criminal Epik. The body must be able to communicate, either via undeath or ‘Speak with the Dead’ spell. This criminal is wanted for the instigation of the War of the Players, resisting arrest, two counts of murder and fifteen counts of slander against ladies of noble standing. Wanted: Undead of dead
Little is known about Epik’s background before he emerged from obscurity. What is known is that this Halfling has grown up on the streets, under the wings of a thieves’ guild in the city of Maruska. Maruska’s streets are a tough learning place for any young man, with its thick guard cover and the ever present danger that a passing adventurer group decides to enforce the law somewhat stronger for a reward. Much of Epik’s life therefore must have revolved about survival, while picking up the essential skills for his thieving trade.
This existence of obscurity came to an end when Epik pulled off a job in one of the other thieves’ guild of the city; the Grey Ravens. He and a companion had snuck into the compound under an invisibility spell, evaded many dangerous traps and wards and made off with the majority of the guild master’s magic items, selling them the same night to an adventurer company passing through the city. This set off the greatest guild war Maruska has even known, involving all major thieves’ guilds, the city watch and the entire adventuring company. Epik made it out of the city and fled the country before anyone took notice. He had managed to secure a good portion of his gains from the job and decided it was time to look for clearer waters.
He travelled to the duchy of Barco in the kingdom of Harrisford. There he joined up with a mercenary group called the Kings of Stormfield, working mainly as a lowly squire. This helped Epik gain obscurity from his surroundings and work his knifes during the night to gain an extra profit. He continued his obscure practices and gained a sinister fame as a ruthless and clean killer under his alias ‘the Mask’. This time of his life ended when he was hired by the mercenary group’s captain to plan and execute an assassination on a powerful rival company’s captain. Epik agreed and carried out the assassination according to plan. The plan itself, however, called for the company’s second in command to carry out the assassination, Epik only setting up the plan for the ambush and watching it unfold. The blame of the assassination (after Epik already gotten his reward) was shifted to the Kings of Stormfield by the rival group. This lead to the well known ‘Massacre at the Fork’ in which the Kings of Stormfield battled its rivals, both companies achieving the other’s complete extermination. Epik had seen the storm coming and fled before he could be linked to the scandal.
After this, Epik took up adventuring, travelling with various groups for short periods of time. The most common reason for Epik to be thrown from a group was stealing or (planned) assassination of a group member. Before the second year was out, his reputation had become abysmal enough to make Epik an unwanted companion and Epik was robbed more than once of all his belongings and treasure by old, angry friends. This lead Epik to name himself the head of his own adventurer group (consisting only of himself) which he called Leet. The name itself is a variant of ‘loot’, something which he considers the most valuable thing in the world, and a joke to the word ‘leader’ as he is the leader of the group. He set out on a number of adventures by himself and often returned with great amounts of gold and magic items, quickly gaining a new reputation as an exceptionally capable adventurer.
This quickly lead to an influx of new applicants to Leet, many of which did not survive the first adventure they joined for some mysterious reason. This often lead to the spoils to be divided by a smaller group and increased gains for all that did survive. Leet kept attracting new applicants, despite the risks famously involved in working with Epik. Slowly, a core group formed of which all members shared a common sense of purpose and method. This is also currently the group Epik adventures with.
Recently Epik encountered yet another stroke of bad luck and was beaten out of his possessions by an alliance of jealous adventurer groups (his version). Picking up the pieces, he and his ‘friends’ have been busy on the road to recovering their priced possessions and taking ‘toll’ on those who have done them such injustice. In this, they have become the centre of a new war between adventurers also called the War of the ‘Players’ (the name of the brothel where most adventurers of the region Ascor spend their free time). This war has been ongoing since Springfest the previous year and has (according to the local law enforcement) costs the lives of at least two thousand humanoids, including innocents. In addition the war has caused over five million gold pieces in damages to property and revenue loss of millions of gold pieces. The war resulted as Leet used their resources to set a number of adventuring parties against one-another and let the promise of loot do the rest. As such they have been busy trying to find Leet to take them out of the picture.
Leet has sought refuge in the local monetary of the Patient God Aeus (LG), where they have been busy erasing their sins. The priesthood of Aeus has vowed never to disclose the names of those sinners seeking redemption and this has lead their presence in the monastery to pass relatively unnoticed. Leet is currently enjoying the peace of the monastery as a holiday, but nightly exploration by Epik has lead him to believe that there are great stores of treasure hidden beneath the castle, so their stay in the monastery is likely to be brief.
Leet
The group Leet works according to an unique structure found rarely in other groups: Survival of the strongest. The silent agreement between the group members is that the only loot they are allowed to carry is the loot they can keep their hands on. As all group members are approximately as strong as the other, this has lead to a stand-off and a semi-honest loot division.
Epik has impressed upon the others that solid teamwork is needed to survive the encounters they face and when faced with a common thread, they will act surprisingly well as a team. This includes risking their lives for another member of the group, or sharing sparse resources. Each member is aware that only as a group they can survive and thrive.
Members joining the group are not allowed a full share during the first adventure, and are generally cheated out of their share before returning to the Player. A second adventure usually leads to the applicant’s demise after the group decides that the extra group member cuts too deep in their resources.
Leet consists of the following members:
Blaze (CE, Gnome Evoker 8) – Blaze is a short, chubby Gnome with a fiery temper. He has a love for burning big buildings and incinerating opponents. He has no hair, a large flat nose and deep brown eyes. Blaze was one of the first permanent members of Leet, after he managed to withstand a nightly assassination attempt by Epik and blast Epik into submission. Epik later achieved his revenge and due to this, Blaze is missing his two outer fingers on his right hand. Blaze usually only dresses in a cloak, broadly rimmed hat and red-yellow striped pants.
Strike (CE, Human Fighter 9) – Strike is a brute, simplistic warrior that takes what he wants, when he wants it. He became a part of Epik’s group after he tried to kill Blaze and nearly succeeded. Epik has tricked him into believing he achieved success in a dangerous and difficult test for his god Maydie. In his time with the group, he has learned to swap his two-handed axe for an one-handed one and fight with a shield, protected by Charles, the druid. All group members have a similar hold over Strike’s thoughts and have found it hard to use his simple mind against any of the others.
Charles (NE, Elf Druid 8) – Charles believes that nature will balance itself, but that it will only balance itself correctly by culling the weak. In his time with Leet, Charles has come to consider ‘weak’ anything that he can kill with the aid of Leet. As such, he is the least restrained when it comes to the merciless slaughter of any creature he encounters. He joined Leet after he heard of their success and their method of dealing with the spoils of their adventures, ‘survival of the strongest’ appealing to him. Charles is a tall elf with a copper skin. His hair is long and braided and he is usually clad in leather or hide armour.
Other allies:
Hannibal (CE, Wizard 5) – Hannibal is Epik’s banker. Epik quickly realised that keeping his possessions on him would get him robbed out of everything he owned. Hannibal is a member of the Crimson college, a vile guild of Bloodmages. The Crimson college officially condones and protects Epik’s interests and use the resources granted by Epik to fund their own interests. It does mean that Epik has no access to these funds on a regular basis, but he is able to withdraw sufficient money to re-equip himself after being robbed. He is a powerfully build man with short-trimmed hair and a small beard.
Olivia (CG, Female adult copper dragon) – Olivia is Epik’s security key. Epik once managed to steal ten of Olivia’s eggs and hide them outside the red dragon’s knowledge. Using the eggs as a leverage, he has been able to secure her aid when he ends up in prison. For each time Olivia breaks him out of a prison, he will ‘reward’ her with the return of one of her eggs. Currently Olivia is still missing seven eggs, though Epik is quite sure that if he ever runs out, she will kill him before he knows what’s happening.
Enemies (personal only):
In time, Epik has made more enemies than friends. Especially in the kingdom of Harrisford and around the brothel Player, few people do not want him dead. As such, the list below only includes the most personal, driven enemies that could truly threaten Epik.
Guildmaster Joe (CE Human Rogue 12) – Joe was the Guildmaster of the Grey Ravens that Epik robbed. He survived the conflict in Maruska, but his guild was destroyed after the war. Having pried Epik’s name from his one-time associate, he has been following Epik’s trail for the last years. He is a small, lithe human man armed with various weapons, including a musket and three pistols.
Sergeant Honest (LN Human fighter/ranger of Aeus 4/9) – Honest was the master-at-arms of the Kings of Stormfield during Epik’s adventures with the mercenaries. Honouring his name, Honest has vowed never to lie or cheat, taking up the path of a ranger after he crawled away from the Massacre of the Fork. As a result of this battle, Honest misses his left eye, three fingers on his left hand (including his thumb) and two fingers on his right hand. He also misses the lower part of his left leg and part of his hair and face is permanently scorched. He is usually armed with a longbow, his preferred weapon. One year ago, he met up with Joe. Though the two share little in common, that what they do share - a desire to kill Epik – has made them temporary allies.
‘John’ Naomi Olivia Orderly Beatrice (CN Gnome Sorcerer 10) – Ex-wife of Blaze has been in a personal conflict with Epik since Epik assisted Blaze in his divorce from Naomi. This conflict has turned especially sour as Epik achieved the divorce by ‘proving’ to the divorce court that Naomi was not a woman. To prove this, he tricked Naomi in putting on a Belt of Gender Change (‘this belt will remove the vile enchantment you have used to trick this man into marrying you’). For some reason, spells have proven ineffective in removing the belt and Naomi has been forced to live as ‘John’ for the better part of three years. Naomi has been unsuccessful in discovering Leet’s current location. In her woman form, she is a pretty lithe Gnome woman with pigtails, but in her male form her face looks like it is covered in custard and her hair is greyed as if aged.
Warrants:
This section will list all major warrants currently out for Epik. This will exclude any warrants worth less than one thousand gold. Note that not all convictions are based on actual actions of Epik, but as a side-result of his actions.
The City-state of Maruska, 5000 gold, The city-state of Maruska has issued a major reward for the death of this criminal. This criminal has been convicted of: three counts of murder, fifteen counts of manslaughter, 20 counts of attempted murder, five counts of arson, three counts of thievery, one count of ****, thirty four counts of assault, one count of kidnapping and three hundred and ninety six counts of slander. The criminal known as Epik has been sentence to hang until death. Wanted: Dead
The Kingdom of Harrisford, 4500 gold, The Kingdom of Harrisford will reward the sum of four thousand five hundred gold pieces to any man able to bring to justice the criminal known as Epik. This criminal is wanted for association in the murder of Captain Jason Bull and the planning of Massacre of the Fork. In addition, this criminal is wanted for three counts of slander against His Majesty the King. Wanted: Dead or alive
The Sovereign Principality of Ascor, 10.000 gold, The Sovereign Principality of Ascor has issued the reward of ten thousand gold pieces to any able to bring before the council the body of the criminal Epik. The body must be able to communicate, either via undeath or ‘Speak with the Dead’ spell. This criminal is wanted for the instigation of the War of the Players, resisting arrest, two counts of murder and fifteen counts of slander against ladies of noble standing. Wanted: Undead of dead
Actually, quick question. Is information from UA in the SRD allowed? I looked, but wasn't sure. Sorry if this was already covered in the Rules post. I wanted to use some alternate class features from UA, if possible.
Actually, quick question. Is information from UA in the SRD allowed? I looked, but wasn't sure. Sorry if this was already covered in the Rules post. I wanted to use some alternate class features from UA, if possible.
Actually, no, it is not. That is called out in the Rules post, but I don't mind putting it up again
.And I'll second Zherog's welcome back, and say welcome to anyone else who's new or recently back or even just around at all...ok, now I'm babbling...
Actually, no, it is not. That is called out in the Rules post, but I don't mind putting it up again
And I'll second Zherog's welcome back, and say welcome to anyone else who's new or recently back or even just around at all...ok, now I'm babbling...
Ah, thanks then, jennibert. I saw that, but wanted to make sure before I included it in my character.
And thanks for the welcome, I'm glad to be back, even though I was only here for one contest.
I have another quick rules clarification, though, if you guys don't mind. When taking prestige classes, how do you calculate BAB? I am turning up errors with how I think it should turn out, and how it is turning out. Don't you proceed through the BAB of the class as if you were taking the class, so if you are taking 3 levels in Wizard, to give you a +1, then 4 levels of something else that also have a Bad BAB, which would give a +2, would you get a +3? Or do you just proceed through the list as if you didn't multiclass, because they are all classes with the same BAB?
Ah, thanks then, jennibert. I saw that, but wanted to make sure before I included it in my character.
And thanks for the welcome, I'm glad to be back, even though I was only here for one contest.
I have another quick rules clarification, though, if you guys don't mind. When taking prestige classes, how do you calculate BAB? I am turning up errors with how I think it should turn out, and how it is turning out. Don't you proceed through the BAB of the class as if you were taking the class, so if you are taking 3 levels in Wizard, to give you a +1, then 4 levels of something else that also have a Bad BAB, which would give a +2, would you get a +3? Or do you just proceed through the list as if you didn't multiclass, because they are all classes with the same BAB?
Your first guess is correct. You add up the BAB (and saves) of each class. So, for example, if you have 13 levels of wizard, that would give you a BAB of +6. If you then take a level of archmage, your BAB is still +6. When you take a 2nd level of archmage, your BAB would increase to +7.
That help?
Your first guess is correct. You add up the BAB (and saves) of each class. So, for example, if you have 13 levels of wizard, that would give you a BAB of +6. If you then take a level of archmage, your BAB is still +6. When you take a 2nd level of archmage, your BAB would increase to +7.
That help?
Yes, that actually answered my question perfectly. Thanks, Zherog, for that speedy reply! I've never played a character over level 4, so this sort of issue has never come up...>> All of the games I am in tend to die off pretty fast. (I'm cursed! NOOOoooooo...)
So... you wish to know how merciful I shall be as a judge?
The case of the PHB2 is quite frustrating to me. On one hand, if there were no entries posted already, I would be perfectly fine w/ adding it to the list. However, the precedent from previous competitions is, once an entry is posted, no more books will be added.
...BUT... the first entry uses the PHB2...
Ok, so the cruel task-master in me is inclined to say, "Not my fault. Shouldn't have used a book that wasn't on the allowed list."
Still, the purpose of this competition is to help people improve their skills at Hero creation, not to mercilessly brow-beat people for the tiniest infractions. And since I'm the last judge to weigh in on this issue... (*grrr... why does it have to be me?*)
I say allow the PHB2 to be considered legal source material for this competition.
This goes against my Lawful alignment... I'd better receive double the normal bribes this time around...
Flavor
A troop of eight elven soldiers marched silently through the forest, as elves are wont to do.
“So, explain to me again why we're out here? It sounded stupid the first few times, but I'm an optimist,” asked one soldier.
“Because we have been stationed in the city for our whole careers, we need to learn the traditional elven arts of woodcraft,” chorused the rest in a supremely bored tone of voice.
“When are we going to meet this guide of ours who's supposed to be here? I mean, it's not as if we have all day for this. We have to make camp and hunt for food and all that,” whined the first elf. “Why can't this oh-so-amazing 'woodland warrior' come to us, instead of us coming to him?”
“Supposedly this is a good learning experience; he can watch us from hiding and see what we're doing wrong.”
“...you're joking, right? Some human is going to be able to sneak around without us noticing? Please. I may be a city-slicker, but I'd like to think I can at least out-sneak a hu—”
Without warning, a stone whizzed out of the surrounding bushes, striking the speaker in the chest and knocking him over. Another elf, confused, walked over and picked up the rock. It was engraved with some writing in Common: Lesson one: Be more quiet. The elves looked at each other, nodded, and quickly spread out into the woods, searching for their attacker. Two elves, searching for a creature hiding behind a tree, found a message scratched into some bark: Lesson two: Think in three dimensions. One elf looked up to see another stone falling to meet his head; the other looked down to see a snare cinch tight around his ankles and draw him behind the tree.
The fourth elf discovered a message scrawled on a boulder with mud— Lesson four: Choose your coloring wisely.—before a shadow moved from behind the boulder and dropped him. The fifth elf bent over a message scratched in the dirt (Lesson five: Be aware of your surroundings.) and took a blunt object to the back of his head for the trouble. Elf number six succumbed to a rope hidden in some vines, next to a message written with vines, Lesson seven: All is not what it seems, and the eighth and final elf fell into a hole whose bottom had “Lesson eight: Don't trust your environment” carved into it.
When the first elf finally caught his breath, his calls to his squad mates went unanswered and he heard no sounds at all. He walked stealthily over to the next clearing to find his seven companions unconscious and gathered together in a clearing. Slightly discomfited, he wandered around and found the messages that had tricked his comrades. As he came upon the last, he saw a human wearing a forest-green cloak and ragged brown clothing underneath. He's one lucky bastard, he thought; he couldn't have taken us in a real fight.
Moving up to the strange human, the elf drew his sword with a rasp of steel. “Hands in the air where I can see them,” he said. “Who are—” No sooner had he taken a breath than the human had spun around and knocked his weapon out of his hands, then pummeled him several times in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Furious, the elf snarled, “Just who do you think you are?” The human simply smirked. “You liked my lessons?” he asked, ignoring the question. The elf laughed. “Oh, they were very nice, I suppose. You just forgot lesson three. Apparently the lesser races just can't grasp the advanced concept known as 'counting'.”
Ignoring the elf's chuckles, the human reached behind him for a large club. “No, actually, I didn't,” he drawled, as he swung the club at the elf; the elf had just enough time to register the phrase “Lesson three: Don't expect nature to be ordered, neat, or predictable” scratched into the club before it thudded into his temple. When he regained consciousness a few minutes later to find the human still standing over him, he asked “Who are you?” in a small voice, without a hint of arrogance.
“Dulram Cosain, your teacher and guide for the next few weeks.” The elf stared, then chuckled, all modesty gone. “You? No, I can't see that happening. You don't look at all like—” The human cut him off. “Perhaps I didn't give you enough time to read this.” He held up the club again, gesturing pointedly to the word “predictable.” Then he released the club and, before it started to fall, whipped out two heretofore-concealed kukris from behind his back and stabbed them into the tree behind the elf, each an inch to the side of his head and barely missing the tips of his ears. As the elf stared in horror, the kukris burst into life, flowing ice on one blade and crackling lightning on the other. The elf's eyes were drawn to the scruffy human's chest, where a shining silver holy symbol of Obad Hai gleamed, a token of faith far too expensive for a mere forest hermit to have acquired. His eyes met the human's, and in them the human saw acceptance and resignation.
The human smiled in satisfaction and withdrew the kukris. “Say hello to Hail and Lightning, my only two constant companions out here aside from the animals whose home I share. You and they are going to become close friends over the next few weeks—though you had better hope not too close. Now, let's retrieve your fellow students. Something tells me this is going to be a long few weeks.”
Description
In a large yet remote forest near the largest elven city on the continent, a solitary figure who goes by the name of Dulram Cosain spends his time communing with nature and protecting it from unnatural predators. He is often tapped to train new recruits in armies of all races in the ways of the forest (most often elves, due to their proximity), which he does with significant relish: revealing nature's peace and beauty to the uninitiated is a favorite pastime of his, and he always enjoys getting to knock a few heads together in the process.
Dulram isn't your usual forest mystic, however; where many forest defenders act passively and prevent incursions to their respective territories, Dulram prefers to take the fight to the enemies, whoever they may be. He ventures outside of his home quite frequently, joining with whatever roving band of mercenaries, hunters, or adventurers is nearby as long as his and their goals coincide. This is the major reason he accepts commissions to train green recruits, actually—as a condition for his approval of their training, trainees must spend a few weeks to a few months living as he does, living off the wild and defending his home, freeing him to seek out and destroy evildoers and destroyers of nature of all sorts.
Friends and Foes
In general, any military officials who have contracted with him and any adventurers passing through Dulram treats as cherished friends, and any who dare trespass on his domain can be sure to feel his anger personally. There are a few specific friends and foes he has, however:
General Morinnealta Caraiarmtha: This experienced elven sorceress is Dulram's usual go-between when arranging recuits to cover his absence while he goes on his crusades, and has been his friend for many years. A veteran of many battles, Rinn (as she is known to her close friends) was good friends with Dulram's parents when they lived in the city; the prejudice they faced in the elven city, combined with Dulram's obvious interest in the few gardens in the city, led her to take Dulram on trips to the nearby forest, which kindled his love for nature that he has nurtured ever since. (Game statistics: CG Wood Elf Sorcerer 3/Druid 3/Arcane Heirophant 8)
Marrai Sharpchisel: A dwarf with a massive chip on his shoulder, Marrai also grew up as one of the few non-elves in an elven city. Unlike Dulram, however, he never found a mentor or an outlet for his frustration, so he turned to other means of getting back at the elves—namely, dark magic. Having discovered a religion that suits him, Marrai now poses as a cleric of Obad-Hai while he carries out the will of his true patron, Hextor. He has no quarrel with the land outside the city or its inhabitants in general, but he is jealous of Dulram in particular due to the attention he received and the happiness he has found...and Hextor has ordered him to occupy Dulram's time with schemes that draw adventurers like moths to a flame, since Hextor's plots are easier to accomplish with one fewer meddler in the way. (Game statistics: LE Dwarf Cleric of Hextor 6/Ordained Champion of Hextor 3)
“So, explain to me again why we're out here? It sounded stupid the first few times, but I'm an optimist,” asked one soldier.
“Because we have been stationed in the city for our whole careers, we need to learn the traditional elven arts of woodcraft,” chorused the rest in a supremely bored tone of voice.
“When are we going to meet this guide of ours who's supposed to be here? I mean, it's not as if we have all day for this. We have to make camp and hunt for food and all that,” whined the first elf. “Why can't this oh-so-amazing 'woodland warrior' come to us, instead of us coming to him?”
“Supposedly this is a good learning experience; he can watch us from hiding and see what we're doing wrong.”
“...you're joking, right? Some human is going to be able to sneak around without us noticing? Please. I may be a city-slicker, but I'd like to think I can at least out-sneak a hu—”
Without warning, a stone whizzed out of the surrounding bushes, striking the speaker in the chest and knocking him over. Another elf, confused, walked over and picked up the rock. It was engraved with some writing in Common: Lesson one: Be more quiet. The elves looked at each other, nodded, and quickly spread out into the woods, searching for their attacker. Two elves, searching for a creature hiding behind a tree, found a message scratched into some bark: Lesson two: Think in three dimensions. One elf looked up to see another stone falling to meet his head; the other looked down to see a snare cinch tight around his ankles and draw him behind the tree.
The fourth elf discovered a message scrawled on a boulder with mud— Lesson four: Choose your coloring wisely.—before a shadow moved from behind the boulder and dropped him. The fifth elf bent over a message scratched in the dirt (Lesson five: Be aware of your surroundings.) and took a blunt object to the back of his head for the trouble. Elf number six succumbed to a rope hidden in some vines, next to a message written with vines, Lesson seven: All is not what it seems, and the eighth and final elf fell into a hole whose bottom had “Lesson eight: Don't trust your environment” carved into it.
When the first elf finally caught his breath, his calls to his squad mates went unanswered and he heard no sounds at all. He walked stealthily over to the next clearing to find his seven companions unconscious and gathered together in a clearing. Slightly discomfited, he wandered around and found the messages that had tricked his comrades. As he came upon the last, he saw a human wearing a forest-green cloak and ragged brown clothing underneath. He's one lucky bastard, he thought; he couldn't have taken us in a real fight.
Moving up to the strange human, the elf drew his sword with a rasp of steel. “Hands in the air where I can see them,” he said. “Who are—” No sooner had he taken a breath than the human had spun around and knocked his weapon out of his hands, then pummeled him several times in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Furious, the elf snarled, “Just who do you think you are?” The human simply smirked. “You liked my lessons?” he asked, ignoring the question. The elf laughed. “Oh, they were very nice, I suppose. You just forgot lesson three. Apparently the lesser races just can't grasp the advanced concept known as 'counting'.”
Ignoring the elf's chuckles, the human reached behind him for a large club. “No, actually, I didn't,” he drawled, as he swung the club at the elf; the elf had just enough time to register the phrase “Lesson three: Don't expect nature to be ordered, neat, or predictable” scratched into the club before it thudded into his temple. When he regained consciousness a few minutes later to find the human still standing over him, he asked “Who are you?” in a small voice, without a hint of arrogance.
“Dulram Cosain, your teacher and guide for the next few weeks.” The elf stared, then chuckled, all modesty gone. “You? No, I can't see that happening. You don't look at all like—” The human cut him off. “Perhaps I didn't give you enough time to read this.” He held up the club again, gesturing pointedly to the word “predictable.” Then he released the club and, before it started to fall, whipped out two heretofore-concealed kukris from behind his back and stabbed them into the tree behind the elf, each an inch to the side of his head and barely missing the tips of his ears. As the elf stared in horror, the kukris burst into life, flowing ice on one blade and crackling lightning on the other. The elf's eyes were drawn to the scruffy human's chest, where a shining silver holy symbol of Obad Hai gleamed, a token of faith far too expensive for a mere forest hermit to have acquired. His eyes met the human's, and in them the human saw acceptance and resignation.
The human smiled in satisfaction and withdrew the kukris. “Say hello to Hail and Lightning, my only two constant companions out here aside from the animals whose home I share. You and they are going to become close friends over the next few weeks—though you had better hope not too close. Now, let's retrieve your fellow students. Something tells me this is going to be a long few weeks.”
Description
In a large yet remote forest near the largest elven city on the continent, a solitary figure who goes by the name of Dulram Cosain spends his time communing with nature and protecting it from unnatural predators. He is often tapped to train new recruits in armies of all races in the ways of the forest (most often elves, due to their proximity), which he does with significant relish: revealing nature's peace and beauty to the uninitiated is a favorite pastime of his, and he always enjoys getting to knock a few heads together in the process.
Dulram isn't your usual forest mystic, however; where many forest defenders act passively and prevent incursions to their respective territories, Dulram prefers to take the fight to the enemies, whoever they may be. He ventures outside of his home quite frequently, joining with whatever roving band of mercenaries, hunters, or adventurers is nearby as long as his and their goals coincide. This is the major reason he accepts commissions to train green recruits, actually—as a condition for his approval of their training, trainees must spend a few weeks to a few months living as he does, living off the wild and defending his home, freeing him to seek out and destroy evildoers and destroyers of nature of all sorts.
Friends and Foes
In general, any military officials who have contracted with him and any adventurers passing through Dulram treats as cherished friends, and any who dare trespass on his domain can be sure to feel his anger personally. There are a few specific friends and foes he has, however:
General Morinnealta Caraiarmtha: This experienced elven sorceress is Dulram's usual go-between when arranging recuits to cover his absence while he goes on his crusades, and has been his friend for many years. A veteran of many battles, Rinn (as she is known to her close friends) was good friends with Dulram's parents when they lived in the city; the prejudice they faced in the elven city, combined with Dulram's obvious interest in the few gardens in the city, led her to take Dulram on trips to the nearby forest, which kindled his love for nature that he has nurtured ever since. (Game statistics: CG Wood Elf Sorcerer 3/Druid 3/Arcane Heirophant 8)
Marrai Sharpchisel: A dwarf with a massive chip on his shoulder, Marrai also grew up as one of the few non-elves in an elven city. Unlike Dulram, however, he never found a mentor or an outlet for his frustration, so he turned to other means of getting back at the elves—namely, dark magic. Having discovered a religion that suits him, Marrai now poses as a cleric of Obad-Hai while he carries out the will of his true patron, Hextor. He has no quarrel with the land outside the city or its inhabitants in general, but he is jealous of Dulram in particular due to the attention he received and the happiness he has found...and Hextor has ordered him to occupy Dulram's time with schemes that draw adventurers like moths to a flame, since Hextor's plots are easier to accomplish with one fewer meddler in the way. (Game statistics: LE Dwarf Cleric of Hextor 6/Ordained Champion of Hextor 3)
This goes against my Lawful alignment... I'd better receive double the normal bribes this time around...
I can't promise anything, but my sister has been on a cooking spree lately, and she's been sending me cookies. Snickerdoodle cookies, by chance. I don't suppose you judges would be interested in a few of them--in a non-outcome-affecting way only, of course--would you?
I say allow the PHB2 to be considered legal source material for this competition.
That makes it unanimous, than. PHB2 is allowed, and jenni - being the sweatheart that she is ;) - will edit it into the first post at her next opportunity.
...And they would just as "non-outcome effecting" as all the previous "gifts" from other HC contests.
Snickerdoodle cookies would be awesome...
...And they would just as "non-outcome effecting" as all the previous "gifts" from other HC contests.
so... the USPS will steal them again?
so... the USPS will steal them again?
Seriously? How many packages can they lose in the mail?
Oh... and CheeseMan... you might want to update your HC advertisement.
If my character has levels in wizard or any other class that can learn more spells than he gains automatically with every new level, how do I go about adding more spells? Do I simply assume any attempts to scribe a spell into the spellbook succeed? And what would the spell cost? The same as buying a scroll of the spell? Or spell level x 50gp, as suggested in the Players Handbook on page 179?
The character I'm working on is coming along nicely, but now that I'm spending his money I've got a question.
Great!
If my character has levels in wizard or any other class that can learn more spells than he gains automatically with every new level, how do I go about adding more spells? Do I simply assume any attempts to scribe a spell into the spellbook succeed?
Generally, yes. However, I suspect at least a couple of us would question your ability to succeed if you didn't have ranks in Spellcraft. ;)
And what would the spell cost? The same as buying a scroll of the spell? Or spell level x 50gp, as suggested in the Players Handbook on page 179?
Either method is OK. Note, however, that if you go with the spell level x 50gp method, we'll probably expect to hear about your mentor or wizard friend or library membership or whatever other source as part of your background. Basically spell level x 50 is cheaper - but you need to "earn" that discount in your background.
Also, regardless of which method you choose for gaining access to the spell, don't forget the cost of scribing the spell into your spellbook.
I always use (and recommend) a formula of 150gp/spell level when adding spells. You can be creative about this, and say that the 50gp/spell level represents "research costs," or something similar, or you can keep the typical "copying from somebody else's spell book."
As Z said, you will want to give us some details about where you found these extra spells (an old friend, you really like researching 'explosive' spells, you lost a bet, etc... whatever you feel like doing).
Just be sure to remember, if you use scrolls, be sure to remember, the cost of the scroll does not cover the 100gp/page cost of copying spells.
Yeah, I was just kidding.
Now the only thing left is to write down the background story. And translate it to english. Shouldn't take more than a couple of days.:D
Glad to see lots of interest this time!
Oh, and Jason, I thought it was FedEx that was losing the cookies....and for the record, contestants, this judge also likes snickerdoodles a great deal, but prefers chocolate in any form. Just in case any of you were wondering.
The Traveling Minstrel
Level 8 Human Bard
Background
When Ianryth was born, he was cast away by his family. They had neither the money nor time to take care of him. He spent his life growing up in the university that his foster parents ran, The University of the Great Arts.
As a child he would accompany his mother, Lea, on her trips around the country. During this time his love of the world and exploration flourished. One day, as they were returning home, he said to her, "When I grow up, I'm gonna see everything there is to see."
Once he reached the age of 11 he was allowed to attend a few courses at The University. Many of the classes he took involved music, Ianryth would play the mandolin. He later named his mandolin Kremsin. He also took a basic acting class which he found utterly boring. However, this time was put to good use. He would daydream regularly until he finally knew what he was going to do with his life.
At the age of 14 he bid his parents farewell. He set out to explore the world, practice his talents, and enlighten people with his songs. His wanderings have taken him half way around the world. Ianryth has heard many a tale that has inspired him to write a song, such as; Mrs. Nelly in the Lair, The Priest Who Said Nay, I Just Want My Mandolin Back, and many more. His musical talent has grown and with that his name. Now days he can hardly make it 5 miles without a friendly "Hello" or "How are you?"
When he was 25 years of age he made the decision to return home to his family and take a position as a professor at The University. His return was celebrated with 3 days of feasting and singing provided by the university. During the final hours of the final night Ianryth himself stood on the table, and with Kremsin began to sing of his journeys. He sang of the lost city of Linealous, of the besieged city of Calwin, he sang of the priestess he fell in love with but was forbidden to see, but last of all he sang of his return to The University. He began a new part of his life that day.
Currently he works as a professor at The University of the Great Arts. He puts on shows combining his magic tricks with his story telling and music. Once a year he will put on a grand show for the whole town, he will send sparks shooting into the air, make whistles sound behind people, and all the while playing Kremsin and telling one of his many stories. He lives a happy life, only taking what he needs and saving up his extra money to pass down to his children when the time comes. He knows that there will come a time when he isn’t content with his life, but as for now he will enjoy every drop of happiness that life passes his way.
Personality and Appearance
Ianryth is a handsome person. He has dark brown hair with a full beard growing. He keeps his beard trimmed and presentable though. Ianryth is also a very intelligent human being, when describing something he uses multiple words, for example... What a wonderfully, miraculous, divine day it is. He impresses people on a regular basis and is an all around likable guy. His traveling has made him an ambassador of a sort; he gets along or at least knows how to handle almost any kind of person.
Ianryth's Favorite Sayings
The only person who can change you is you.
We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.
Life's more amusing than I thought.
Statistics
Ianryth Tranom
Bard 8
Physical: 6’ 1” 180 lbs.
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Deity: Boccob
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling
Str: 8, -1
Con: 8, -1
Dex: 10, +0
Int: 18, +4 (14 + 2 lvl + 2 item)
Wis: 12, +1
Cha: 20, +5 (18 + 2 item)
AC: 12 (+2 item) Touch: 12 Flat-Footed: 12
HP: 20
Fort: +1 ( 2 - 1 ability) Reflex: 6 Will: 7 (6 + 1 ability)
Initiative: +4 (0 + 4 feat)
Move: 45 ft. (30 + 10 item + 10 feat)
BAB: +6/+1
Feats
Human- Negotiator
Lvl 1- Improved Initiative
Lvl 3- Dash (CWar)
Lvl 6- Extra Music (CAdv)
Class Features: Bardic Music 12/day, Bardic Knowledge
Bardic Music Known: Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +2, Inspire Competence, Suggestion
Spellcasting: Spells/ day ~ 0 lvl (3), 1 lvl (3), 2 lvl (3), 3 lvl (1)
Spell DC: 10 + 5 (ability) + spell lvl
Skills:
Appraise +9 (5 ranks + 4 ability)
Balance +5 (5 ranks)
Bluff +15 (10 ranks + 5 ability)
Diplomacy +17 (10 ranks + 5 ability + 2 synergy)
Disguise +7 (5 ability + 2 synergy)
Gather Information +17 (10 ranks + 5 ability + 2 synergy)
Knowledge ~ History +14 (10 ranks + 4 ability)
Knowledge ~ Local +14 (10 ranks + 4 ability)
Knowledge ~ Arcana +10 (6 ranks + 4 ability)
Knowledge ~ Religion +9 (5 ranks + 4 ability)
Listen +11 (10 ranks + 1 ability)
Perform ~ String Instruments +17 (10 ranks + 5 ability + 2 item)
Perform ~ Oratory +15 (10 ranks + 5 ability)
Profession ~ Professor +11 (10 ranks + 1 ability)
Sense Motive +11 (10 ranks + 1 ability)
Slight of Hand +2 (+ 2 synergy)
Spellcraft +6 (4 ability + 2 synergy)
Possessions: Ring of Protection +2 (8,000), Ring of Feather Fall (2,000), Headband of Intellect +2 (4,000), Cloak of Charisma +2 (4,000), Boots of Striding and Springing (5,500), Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds x5 (1,500), +1 Rapier (2,020), MW Dagger (302), Kremlin - MW Instrument (100), Heavy Horse (200), Riding Saddle (10), Mule (8), Backpack (2), Explorer’s Outfit (10), Scholar’s Outfit (5), Savings (1343)
Total-29,000
Oh, and Jason, I thought it was FedEx that was losing the cookies....and for the record, contestants, this judge also likes snickerdoodles a great deal, but prefers chocolate in any form. Just in case any of you were wondering.
I just do puppy eyes
I am immune to puppy dog eyes.
Question: Can I include an intelligent magic item designed in by the rules in the DMG provided its cost is under 9000 gp.
Yes, you may. I believe somebody has done an intelligent item in the past. They certainly have the ability to add a nice touch of flavor to a character.
Note: This item is a family treasure rather then something they created so would I have to follow item creation rules?
You never have to follow any of the rules. Just note, though, that the judges will follow the rules when figuring out your score. ;)
Is there anything else I haven't thought to ask here?
Probably. And the answer to that question is 42.
How you acquired the item has no bearing on the price (for purposes of character gear).
However, when it comes to character gear, you only have two price options: regular & self-crafted/discounted.
If you personally crafted the item (note: the how's of crafted can be toyed w/... "captured magic essence in rubies, which were then trasmuted to..."), then you get the discounted cost. However, if the item comes from any other source (including family inheritance), then it has the normal cost for purposes of purchasing character gear. One final point: If you use the discounted magic item rules, then you must have all the appropriate feats and meet all the appropriate prerequisites.
Oh, and you did forget a very important question: where to send the "gift packages" of snickerdoodle cookies.
Oh, and you did forget a very important question: where to send the "gift packages" of snickerdoodle cookies.
That's because I already know, Kentucky, just like your profile says.
All the Best,
Nani?
Kentucky is a very large place. Anyone could receive the gift package. And while jennibert probably wouldn't object to two gift packages...
You'll just need to give the Longitude/latitude corrdinates so I can aim the sonic catapult to send you your snicker doodles. If you have anyone you dislike I can shoot them stuff too.
Like that's gonna happen..... :D
You'll just need to give the Longitude/latitude corrdinates so I can aim the sonic catapult to send you your snicker doodles. If you have anyone you dislike I can shoot them stuff too.
Hmm... delivery by Sonic Cannon, you say? Well, it can't be any less accurate than the various mail delivery systems in this country. Coordinates should arrive soon.
Oh, and jennibert... I was thinking the exact same thing!!!
Should we use the flat numbers displayed by class, or the fractional addition? I'd feel guilty having a character with a +9 base save (to something) at 8th level.
Fractional saves and BAB are an optional rule from Unearthed Arcana, and we aren't using any material from that book in this contest.
Just for an example: A wizard 2/rogue 2 would have a BAB of +2, Fort of +0, Ref of +3 and Will of +3.
Assume a character owns at least one outfit of normal clothes. Pick any one of the following clothing outfits: artisan’s outfit, entertainer’s outfit, explorer’s outfit, monk’s outfit, peasant’s outfit, scholar’s outfit, or traveler’s outfit.
The same text can be found in the "Equipment" chapter of the PHB. Nobles clothes do not appear on that list, so you must account for the cost on your character sheet.
Background
This story begins in proud Issur, home of artists, merchant princes, and great wealth. Of course Issur has its secrets. Some which are better not uncovered, particularly by young apprentices or orphan girls, even very talented ones.
Emilee never knew who her parents were. She was found on the steps of the Issurian Home for Foundlings and Orphans wrapped in a fine, iridescent colored cloak. Emilee was given her name because it was next on a list of girls’ names. She was given the name D’Vicci because it was the next on a list surnames.
Emilee was a quite girl. She would play with the other kids when asked. She would do what was asked of her in class. Somehow, she always had a kind word. People seemed to like her. She probably got fewer beatings from the Matrons. She always had a smile. When asked questions, her answers tended to be rather insightful. She seemed to put things together easily and make connections no one else would think of.
Only time she got into trouble was when someone was being picked on. Emilee could never abide bullies and would deal with them tenaciously and then just as easily lie to the teachers to keep the bully out of official trouble (the teachers and matrons could also be bullies). Still, In general she tended to keep to herself and a few friends, do what they asked of her and not complain.
Still, Emilee’s real passion and where she showed talent was drawing and painting. From a young age, Emilee had an eye for detail. She could draw. But it was her use of colors which dazzled and impressed. Emilee could do many interesting things with colors. At age 9, the matrons sent for Master Painters of the guild to examine her work. That same day, Emilee became an apprentice at the Issur Academy of Art. The only thing she was given was the cloak that she was found in.
Emilee spent the next six years at the Academy. She soaked up all they had to teach about details. She made friends and a few enemies among the faculty and students. As always, her eye for detail and color made her a natural. She was given clothing suitable for presentation before wealthy patrons. All in all, life was good.
There was only one thing wrong. She disliked almost all of the patrons; mostly aristocrats who cared only for pictures that glorified themselves or their families. Many treated their servants as not just social inferiors but lesser beings. Many made her skin crawl. When she slept Emilee heard the whispers in her dreams. Sometimes, she would have nightmares about them.
Quietly, she would share her doubts another student or a teacher. Sometimes, someone would whisper that they felt the same. She stopped asking when Darrent Vonar, her favorite teacher told her never to speak of it after hinting that there was indeed something wrong with most of the Noble Houses of Issur. From him, Emilee learned to keep a bored expression, to smile when needed.
The marriage of Catriane Va’Ewan to Heron Va’Torn was supposed to be the social event of the season, uniting two of the richest families in holy matrimony. Also, Emilee, a soon to be graduate of the academy was chosen bride. It was a coup for the young artist, potentially a life changing experience that could lead to a lifetime of patronage with the powerful Va’Ewan house. It was life changing, though not as expected.
Emilee had a number of sittings with young Catriane. Emilee found her no more grating then the typical aristocrat. The only servants seemed bit more nervous around her then usual and Catriane herself seemed rather cold. But again, nothing seemed too out of the ordinary. During her final sitting with Catriane a secret was revealed and Emilee learned something very important about herself.
Catriane’s mood seemed darker on that day. She had been dressed, and poked and prodded. She had a sour look on her face when she was ushered in to the sitting with Emilee. Emilee smiled and pretended nothing was wrong. Normally, if she did so, her subject would calm and settle down as Emilee soothed her. It was going that way. It would have gone fine but for a servant, her nerves stretched from a day of abuse, brought her mistress some wine, and spilled it.
Catriane’s eyes glowed red as she stood and turned on the servant, beating her severely, kicking her when she fell to the floor. The young bride to be shouted obscenities, screamed, and smiled almost delighting in her pain she was causing.
Emilee still did not like bullies. Looking back, there had been hints, the way people were stunned by her use of color, her eye for detail, the way she made connections. She always knew she was different.
A beam of color came out of her hand, knocking back the young aristocrat; bouncing her against the wall and knocking her out. As she lay there, Emilee could see the cloven hooves that had been hidden by Catriane’s expertly tailored dress. Emilee could do a lot more with color then painting. She made sure Catriane and the servant were alive, Then she fled.
It would be several years before Emilee heard the word tiefling.
Quick words and a straight face got Emilee out of the Va’Ewan House before the “accident” was discovered. A chance encounter Master Vonar warned her not to return to the school. A bag of gold, payment he had collected from another patron, gave Emilee the means to flee. Emilee never saw him again and never returned to Issur. She has never forgotten him either.
Since then she has traveled far. In secret, she learned how to control her colors and with the help of several teachers she learned that she could channel her inner magic for other things. She also learned that she was had a name; sorceress. She kept going, traveling into the lands of the Atron Forest elves and making friends, learning the language. She saw war. She spent time with Capricorn, a young copper dragon in the great desert and Emilee’s paintings adorn his cave. She was almost sacrificed in a Druidic Yule ritual and instead, Rory, her would be sacrificer became her lover and closest friend.
Generally, her flexible mind has allowed her to adjust, and adapt to many different circumstances. Always, she see’s beauty even in cruelty and bloodshed. That is blessing and curse of the artist’s eye.
Seeing beauty is her gift and in a way she feels blessed for what has happened to her. She is not so quiet or shy anymore. But she still notices details. She still hates bullies. It seems to be something in her blood, like her magic seems to be.
She compares this to the life she would have led; one not lived so fully or having seen half as much. She pictures what would have happened if she had stayed in Issur, and slowly become a servant and a minion.
Still now, assassins from Issur cross her path. Sometimes, she would like to go back. In spite of the beauty, there is much cruelty in Issur. For now she knows she can’t do anything about it. Still, it is no way to live, for anyone.
All of this is recorded in her sketchpads. Emilee still can do wonderful things with color, even things that do not involve magic.
Appearance:
Emilee is a pretty woman, but not a great beauty. She does have a friendly smile. Her accent seems a little odd when she speaks. Her green eyes seem to have an odd glow when caught in the light. Her hair is dark and delicate and down to her waist. She tends to dress in a way that blends in, whether that is Issurian Court Dress, Desert Robes, or Sheer Elven Mithral. Currently she wears the long skirts and plaids of a Macarn clanswoman. She usually has a sketchbook in her hand. A raven is perched on her shoulder. Quite often, an iridescent colored cloak hangs on her shoulders. She usually wears her mithral shirt under her outer wear.
People and Other Beings in Her Life in Her Own Words:
Issur Academy of Art: I remember the time spent there with fondness. I remember the competition and the hard work. I remember cool mornings as we warmed ourselves with our breath and the looks from the masters and the laughs. You made me much of what I am and for that I am grateful. That I am not what it was supposed to make me I am also glad.
Master Vonar, I will never forget what you did for me and for that I am forever grateful. If we meet again may it be in with wine in our hands and joy in our hearts.
Catriane Va’Ewan and House Va’Ewan: I have seen your world and I want no part of it. That you cannot help but be what you are, I understand. For that, you have my pity. That you choose to hurt and punish those around you, you have my contempt. That I am half a world away and you still send assassins after me I truly don’t comprehend.
Someday, you will cause great harm and when that day comes, who will have pity for you and yours?
Elves of Atron Forest: You took me in when I was wounded and dying. You treated me like a friend, taught me what I was, and taught me how I could defend myself. I wear the shirt you gave me still. Most of all you showed me there were other ways to be and that was the most important thing of all.
Capricorn (Young Copper Dragon): Cappy! I miss you very much. That was wonderful, playing maiden and monster with the Paladin. At least he was good sport, and pointing him to Banat Blue worked out well. Hope the cave art’s holding up. I loved taking dives off your snout at that spring.
The pigments are working out wonderfully!
Rory Macarn of the Clan Macarn(8th level NG Druid, formerly N): We come from so different worlds, yet you’re the only one I’ve met who sees so much. I love how your hair hangs down, the sun on your muscles, your smile by candlelight. You hold me and I feel safe. Considering how we met that should seem odd, yet it doesn’t. We did a great magic when we defied your clan that Yule night.
With you, I want to blend into your world, forsaking all that came before. If it were only possible.
Stats
Note: Numbered items note items in flavor section at the end of the description.
Name: Emilee D’Vicci
Class:Sorceress 8
Physical: 5’4” 130 lbs
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Deities: Fharlangn for the roads, Bocob for her magic, Ehlonna and Obad hai for her lover’s sake, Corellon most of all as patron of her art.
Languages: Common, Draconic, Elven, Celestial (1)
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Race: Human
Str: 8, -1
Con: 12, +1
Dex: 12, +1
Int: 14, +2
Wis: 12, +1
Cha: 20, +5 (16 + 2 levels, +2 cloak)
AC: 16 (+5 Armor +1 Dex) Touch: 11 Flat-Footed: 15
HP: 30
Fort: +3 (+2 class, +1 Ability) Reflex:+3 (+2 Class +1 Ability) Will: +7 (+6 class +1 ability)
Initiative: +1 (+ 1 Dex)
Move: 30
BAB: +4
Feats:
Human- Able Learner (RoD)
Level 1- Combat Expertise
Level 3- Battle Caster (C. Arcane)
Level 6- Improved Feint
Class Features:
Spellcasting: Spells/ day ~ 0 level/6, 1st level/7, 2nd level /7, 3rd level/ 6, 4th level/ 4
Spells known:
Level 0-8: Daze, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Light, Caltrops (sc), Detect Magic, Read Magic, Ghost Sound
Level 1-5: Grease, Color Spray, Distract (sc) (2), Expeditious Retreat-swift (sc), Insightful feint (sc)
Level 2-3: Glitterdust, Hypnotic pattern, Rainbow Beam (sc)
Level 3-2: Protection from Energy, Rainbow Blast (sc)
Level 4-1: Solid Fog (3)
sc=detailed in spell compendium
Spell DC:10 + 5 (ability) + spell level
Metamagic Specialist: Optional class ability pg 61, PH2 in exchange for familiar(4).
Skills:
Bluff +16 (11 ranks + 5 ability)
Craft: Painting +14 (11 Ranks+1 Ability +2 Masterwork tools)
Concentration +12 (11 ranks +1 ability)
Diplomacy +14 (5 ranks + 5 ability + 4 synergy)
Spot +6 (5 ranks +1 ability)
Listen +5 (4 Ranks +1 ability)
Sense Motive +6 (5 ranks +1 ability)
Knowledge: Arcana +5 (3 ranks +2 Ability)
Possessions: Cloak of Charisma +2 (4,000)(5), Handy Haversack (2000), Marvelous Pigments (4000), Mithral Shirt+1 (2,100, Wand of Magic Missiles 7th level (5250), Wand of Mirror Image (4500), Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds x6 (1,800), Potion of Eagles Splendor x3(900) Potion of Invisibility (300) Spell Component Pouch (5), Artisans Tools: Masterwork (55) Spellbooks x2-Used as sketch pads (30) Mirror, small steel(10), flint and steel (1), bedroll(1sp), 2 Waterskins (2) 4 days trail rations (2) 50 ft silk rope (10) Traveler’s Outfit (1) Artisans Outfit (1) Dagger x2 (4) 2,362 gp, 9 sp
Total-27,000
Flavor:
1) Emilee has never encountered celestial or celestial being. However, it is the language she dreams in.
2) When Emilee casts distract, the target experiences Emilee’s normal senses and fine attention to detail.
3) Solid fog designates no color for the fog. With DM’s permission Emilee’s personal casting of this spell has many pretty colors.
4) Saved for 9th, 12th, 15th, and 18th level feats and because I think I could bribe a generous and kind DM with snicker doodles to house rule me more feats, and because I’m too lazy to write out a familiar.
5) Cloak she was found in and was wearing the day she fled Issur. Possible clue to her origins.
Emilee in Game
Emilee works good in an urban game where she has returned home to end all threats to her new life or to avenge Rory.
In a standard game, she can be building a new life, Rory can be replaced with another PC or NPC. Alternately, revenge against new threat always works as a motive.
Of course you can just have her moving, looking for new things to paint, people to see and assaisins to flee.
Heh. Got the edit in with three minutes to spare. ;) Nice to see you entering again, Nani.
Good to be back.
Take care,
Nani?
Also, for anyone who is still intending to submit an entry: I will be out of town Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday. So if your entry does not appear in the list post until Sunday night or sometime on Monday, that'll be why. (This is also why you have until Monday to submit entries.)
Fluff
Description
Shuffling, hunched over his walking stick, the professor barely reaches 5 feet high despite being 5'5". His salt and pepper beard is mostly salt now, and touches his belly, which probably brings him up to 180 pounds. His long cyan robe is remarkably well maintained, despite his habit of troding upon the hem and his formal wizard's hat (a rather embarrassingly wide-brimmed cone) does nothing for his image. His shoes would have been in fashion thirty years ago as they curl up and back at the toes. Young wizards all over would recognize this man as the embodiment of every preconception and stereotype they wish to avoid, with their trousers and cool shoes and edgy hair and the like.
His face, though weatherworn, is pleasant. His mithral rimmed glasses are inobtrusive on his twice broken nose. Thick expressive lips huff and puff as he endeavors to move about. Were his eyes not sparkling with untold stories he could be mistaken for an absolute frump. But they are sparkling within the bright green irises of experience tinged with the weight of disappointment. To look past his face would require the moving of his sizable beard, but would reveal a series of scars and burns, the mere mention of which risks launching him into the detailed story of their acquisition.
The staff is quite beautifully worked, curling up and around to an eventual dragon's claw clutching a polished darkwood orb. A well used and well maintained satchel has been slung over his shoulder and a bedroll is tied beneath it. Proudly hung on the strap of the satchel is a dagger, highly stylized and adorned with an eagle's head pommel and an eagle's claw guard wrought in silver. Clutched to his breast with his free hand is a thick book, upon which is engraved "Abdicare Imprudentia Amplexari Sophia", the motto of the Academica Medicamentum Praeclarus, and shimmering image of an open book pierced by a lightning bolt.
Poking up from his pocket is a nose upon which are attached a multitude of whiskers. Im progression with time and caution appears a mouth of sharp teeth, beady eyes, large, floppy ears, shock-straight fur, and long, slightly signed tail. The rat noses about, catching the air and looking up at the storm with what must be, based on rat body language, despair.
Now look up. Very high up. Above the silly hat. Above those trees and the buildings too. Past the birds, there. Yes, yes that! The storm cloud! The big bruised thunderhead in the sky. That's his.
History
The Disappointed Professor Cadmus Doon has only been a professor for thirty years. Pittance amongst those in any arcane academy, let alone the Academica Medicamentum Praeclarus. Cadmus Doon at quite nearly sixty was a newcomer to the facility. More than a few students had begun their tutalege long before he had arrived. In the bureaucracy of the Academica he was a Praeceptor Minimum (Minor Professor), which ranked him slightly below the most senior students, but above the rest. He taught a great number of topics, beneficial to many young wizards who were very eager to learn. Indeed, despite his status as a Praeceptor Minimum he was well liked amongst the entire student body and many of the other Praeceptor Minimums as well. It had almost nothing to do with his classes, or at least what he was supposed to teach, but rather his life prior to acceptance in the Academica.
The words of the class titles were irrelevant, what was taught inside was "Life Outisde The Academica AND The Different Types of Trouble You Can Get In Out There If You Really Try." Cadmus would speak hour upon hour about his former life: Cadmus Doon, adventurer extraordinaire! Indeed, the only class Cadmus took seriously was "Storm's for Self-Defense". He is specially gifted for the manipulation of storms and took great pride in his frightful mastery of them, especially his personal storm cloud. If you ask him, as I did, this is what he'd say.
"Haa ha ha h ahh. My storm cloud! Yes, that's quite a story. I was very young, very very young..."
Catherine Doon, large with child, works away in a small section of the wheat field. The other women are moving much faster and she knows that they'll work their way towards her when they finish their own swathes. The day is cool and clouds provide shelter from the sun. Catherine runs her fingers through her rippling brown hair and leans back, one hand on her back the other on the womb, to stretch and feels a kick. "Ahhh, you'd like to be out wouldn't you", she chides, "you're certainly welcome to be out any time, I've harvesting to do." Pain flares in her as her legs and feet (and the ground beneath both) becomes suddenly soaked. "Oh GODS I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it!" A gaggle of field women hear her plight and race over to her as she lowers herself to the ground. "Gods damn you Mortimor Doon for putting this thing in me!" she yells at no one in particular "Aaoooh! He's bigger than you Maggy and I swear it!" The baby is all on pace to be delivered as Maggy the Midwife, who was also in the fields, delivers her on the spot.
"Water!" Maggy calls, "Someone run and get me some water!" Two of the youngest women (not yet married and now horrified of the prospect) dash off to the town for a bucket and a well. A light, ululating cry emerges from somewhere below Catherine, who is still cursing her husbands name. When Maggy again asks for water. The baby, Cadmus Doon, looks at the clouds and it begins to sprinkle rain.
"...and it's followed me since! My cloud, my storm, my friend to call on in times of need. Doesn't make me popular at picnics I grant you, but any other time it's well-greeted."
Cadmus's other adventures, such as those along the rocky crags of the goblin caves (of Rocky Crag), through many bars and brothels of Hampsted (and the damp street outside), in the Golmung Militia (and quickly out again), ascending the Necromancer's Tower (and descending with loot), infiltrating the Temple of Vecna (and exfiltrating again), are favorites; as are the tales of his old cohorts like Bjorn Holjvilssen the Warrior-Poet (mostly poet), Penitent Dorn the Dwarven Priest (who prayed non-stop), 'Unpronouncable' Selissisia the 'Unpronouncable' (who loved archaic elven dialects), and many, many more. In the past thirty years they have been told and retold to noisome students seeking to both escape the twin doldrums of schoolwork and school. Any wizard who has attended the Academica and learned someone other than spellcrafting or history has likely learned it from Cadmus and his classes.
So it was then that, with a heavy heart, Cadmus bid them all farewell. For you see, he was not happy there. True enough amongst the various students and fellow Praeceptor Minimums he had found friends, but had been stifled. His personal progress and growth was slow. There was much about magic to learn indeed, but his was not a patient soul, not the kind of soul that sits in draft libraries and reads. His soul is the kind of soul that heroes (and fools alike) possess, which conjures magic from his heart full of reckless bravado. He was sadly, not meant for books. With a goodbye party, which featured magical cake, Cadmus left the Academica on sabatical. Officially he is "searching for currently untapped resources of allies, trade, and students for the Academica"; a job he intends to do. At least, in between slinging lightning bolts at goblins and pillaging ancient tombs. Would only that he were young again.
Allies and Enemies
-Any arcane spellcaster in any place could have attended or taught at the Academica and been fond of the story-telling Cadmus Doon.
-Cadmus adventuered with a few bands before settling down in the Academica including Bjorn, Dorn, and Selissisia, and could likely call on them in a time of need.
-Some people from his old adventures may still think fondly of him such as: the village below Rocky Crag, certain bars and brothels in Hampsted, or the Golmung militia among them.
-Any academic institution can inspire jealousy. There could be some student he ignored or professor he outshined who has never forgiven him.
-Some of his old adventures earned him enemies. The goblins of Rocky Crag, certain husbands in Hampsted, a small temple of Vecna, or a certain surviving Necromancer among them.
Description
Shuffling, hunched over his walking stick, the professor barely reaches 5 feet high despite being 5'5". His salt and pepper beard is mostly salt now, and touches his belly, which probably brings him up to 180 pounds. His long cyan robe is remarkably well maintained, despite his habit of troding upon the hem and his formal wizard's hat (a rather embarrassingly wide-brimmed cone) does nothing for his image. His shoes would have been in fashion thirty years ago as they curl up and back at the toes. Young wizards all over would recognize this man as the embodiment of every preconception and stereotype they wish to avoid, with their trousers and cool shoes and edgy hair and the like.
His face, though weatherworn, is pleasant. His mithral rimmed glasses are inobtrusive on his twice broken nose. Thick expressive lips huff and puff as he endeavors to move about. Were his eyes not sparkling with untold stories he could be mistaken for an absolute frump. But they are sparkling within the bright green irises of experience tinged with the weight of disappointment. To look past his face would require the moving of his sizable beard, but would reveal a series of scars and burns, the mere mention of which risks launching him into the detailed story of their acquisition.
The staff is quite beautifully worked, curling up and around to an eventual dragon's claw clutching a polished darkwood orb. A well used and well maintained satchel has been slung over his shoulder and a bedroll is tied beneath it. Proudly hung on the strap of the satchel is a dagger, highly stylized and adorned with an eagle's head pommel and an eagle's claw guard wrought in silver. Clutched to his breast with his free hand is a thick book, upon which is engraved "Abdicare Imprudentia Amplexari Sophia", the motto of the Academica Medicamentum Praeclarus, and shimmering image of an open book pierced by a lightning bolt.
Poking up from his pocket is a nose upon which are attached a multitude of whiskers. Im progression with time and caution appears a mouth of sharp teeth, beady eyes, large, floppy ears, shock-straight fur, and long, slightly signed tail. The rat noses about, catching the air and looking up at the storm with what must be, based on rat body language, despair.
Now look up. Very high up. Above the silly hat. Above those trees and the buildings too. Past the birds, there. Yes, yes that! The storm cloud! The big bruised thunderhead in the sky. That's his.
History
The Disappointed Professor Cadmus Doon has only been a professor for thirty years. Pittance amongst those in any arcane academy, let alone the Academica Medicamentum Praeclarus. Cadmus Doon at quite nearly sixty was a newcomer to the facility. More than a few students had begun their tutalege long before he had arrived. In the bureaucracy of the Academica he was a Praeceptor Minimum (Minor Professor), which ranked him slightly below the most senior students, but above the rest. He taught a great number of topics, beneficial to many young wizards who were very eager to learn. Indeed, despite his status as a Praeceptor Minimum he was well liked amongst the entire student body and many of the other Praeceptor Minimums as well. It had almost nothing to do with his classes, or at least what he was supposed to teach, but rather his life prior to acceptance in the Academica.
The words of the class titles were irrelevant, what was taught inside was "Life Outisde The Academica AND The Different Types of Trouble You Can Get In Out There If You Really Try." Cadmus would speak hour upon hour about his former life: Cadmus Doon, adventurer extraordinaire! Indeed, the only class Cadmus took seriously was "Storm's for Self-Defense". He is specially gifted for the manipulation of storms and took great pride in his frightful mastery of them, especially his personal storm cloud. If you ask him, as I did, this is what he'd say.
"Haa ha ha h ahh. My storm cloud! Yes, that's quite a story. I was very young, very very young..."
Catherine Doon, large with child, works away in a small section of the wheat field. The other women are moving much faster and she knows that they'll work their way towards her when they finish their own swathes. The day is cool and clouds provide shelter from the sun. Catherine runs her fingers through her rippling brown hair and leans back, one hand on her back the other on the womb, to stretch and feels a kick. "Ahhh, you'd like to be out wouldn't you", she chides, "you're certainly welcome to be out any time, I've harvesting to do." Pain flares in her as her legs and feet (and the ground beneath both) becomes suddenly soaked. "Oh GODS I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it!" A gaggle of field women hear her plight and race over to her as she lowers herself to the ground. "Gods damn you Mortimor Doon for putting this thing in me!" she yells at no one in particular "Aaoooh! He's bigger than you Maggy and I swear it!" The baby is all on pace to be delivered as Maggy the Midwife, who was also in the fields, delivers her on the spot.
"Water!" Maggy calls, "Someone run and get me some water!" Two of the youngest women (not yet married and now horrified of the prospect) dash off to the town for a bucket and a well. A light, ululating cry emerges from somewhere below Catherine, who is still cursing her husbands name. When Maggy again asks for water. The baby, Cadmus Doon, looks at the clouds and it begins to sprinkle rain.
"...and it's followed me since! My cloud, my storm, my friend to call on in times of need. Doesn't make me popular at picnics I grant you, but any other time it's well-greeted."
Cadmus's other adventures, such as those along the rocky crags of the goblin caves (of Rocky Crag), through many bars and brothels of Hampsted (and the damp street outside), in the Golmung Militia (and quickly out again), ascending the Necromancer's Tower (and descending with loot), infiltrating the Temple of Vecna (and exfiltrating again), are favorites; as are the tales of his old cohorts like Bjorn Holjvilssen the Warrior-Poet (mostly poet), Penitent Dorn the Dwarven Priest (who prayed non-stop), 'Unpronouncable' Selissisia the 'Unpronouncable' (who loved archaic elven dialects), and many, many more. In the past thirty years they have been told and retold to noisome students seeking to both escape the twin doldrums of schoolwork and school. Any wizard who has attended the Academica and learned someone other than spellcrafting or history has likely learned it from Cadmus and his classes.
So it was then that, with a heavy heart, Cadmus bid them all farewell. For you see, he was not happy there. True enough amongst the various students and fellow Praeceptor Minimums he had found friends, but had been stifled. His personal progress and growth was slow. There was much about magic to learn indeed, but his was not a patient soul, not the kind of soul that sits in draft libraries and reads. His soul is the kind of soul that heroes (and fools alike) possess, which conjures magic from his heart full of reckless bravado. He was sadly, not meant for books. With a goodbye party, which featured magical cake, Cadmus left the Academica on sabatical. Officially he is "searching for currently untapped resources of allies, trade, and students for the Academica"; a job he intends to do. At least, in between slinging lightning bolts at goblins and pillaging ancient tombs. Would only that he were young again.
Allies and Enemies
-Any arcane spellcaster in any place could have attended or taught at the Academica and been fond of the story-telling Cadmus Doon.
-Cadmus adventuered with a few bands before settling down in the Academica including Bjorn, Dorn, and Selissisia, and could likely call on them in a time of need.
-Some people from his old adventures may still think fondly of him such as: the village below Rocky Crag, certain bars and brothels in Hampsted, or the Golmung militia among them.
-Any academic institution can inspire jealousy. There could be some student he ignored or professor he outshined who has never forgiven him.
-Some of his old adventures earned him enemies. The goblins of Rocky Crag, certain husbands in Hampsted, a small temple of Vecna, or a certain surviving Necromancer among them.
Doing spells for an "Ultimate Magus" is unbelievably bothersome.
impressed and entertained by the vagabond.
Best of Luck!
Entry Complete.
Doing spells for an "Ultimate Magus" is unbelievably bothersome.
I find doing spells for just about any caster is a pain. I tend to avoid playing them for that reason, actually - I'm lazy and can't be bothered to worry about spells prepared every morning. ;)
I find doing spells for just about any caster is a pain. I tend to avoid playing them for that reason, actually - I'm lazy and can't be bothered to worry about spells prepared every morning. ;)
That's why you're a bard, you know, you can just cast out of your rear, as long as you can make it musical, it works.;)
All the Best,
Nani?
I find doing spells for just about any caster is a pain. I tend to avoid playing them for that reason, actually - I'm lazy and can't be bothered to worry about spells prepared every morning. ;)
I think the thing that took the longest with Ladurie last time was selecting spells and buying additional spells for her spell book. The rest of it was pretty darn easy.
That's probably why I like playing non-spellbook classes. I much prefer the sorcerer, psion, or psywar for casting classes, though I'm much happier playing a martial adept or non-caster.
It's also why I like warlocks, but Binders kinda bug me...
Going to Google and searching for convert time zone, the World Clock Converter is the first hit. It seems like a decent enough converter if you can't remember the number of hours different you are from GMT/UTC.
And this is why I most often play a rogue. :D
Dragonfire Adept baby, all the way.
And this is why I most often play a rogue. :D
The only character I've ever played for a long period of time (I am most commonly the DM in my groups) was a swashbuckler 3/scout 1/fighter 2/Dervish x who dual wielded Kusari-gamas and made mince meat of anything weak against precision based damage. She was awesome.
Yeah... I like multiclassing... a whole lot.
During the winter, the east coast of the US is 5 hours behind GMT. So that would mean the contest officially closed to entries at 6:59pm on the east coast.
Going to Google and searching for convert time zone, the World Clock Converter is the first hit. It seems like a decent enough converter if you can't remember the number of hours different you are from GMT/UTC.
Good to know. I always forget exactly when I'm supposed to end these things;) Thanks, Z!
<--- Jason for the last week.Silly Ice Storm. Well guys, sorry I've been absent for a while. I just now reattached myself to the modern world. My presence may be sparse in the next week or so (I've got a LOT of work from my online classes to catch up on). Anyways, it's good to have hot showers again.
Oh... and I'm assuming that I haven't received any Snickerdoodle "Gift Packages" b/c of the Ice Storm...
Whoa! You were swallowed by a gelatinous cube?
Whoa! You were swallowed by a gelatinous cube?
Man, the luck of you judges is terrible.
Hey, JoH, we had a pretty severe ice storm last week, but we're thawing out of it in time for more snow tonight! Yay! Fortunately, we didn't lose power.
Hmm... 6:59 pm tonight, eh? I've got only about three hours to write up the back story for my other entry, then...
Oh, and Jason, good job getting out of the gelatinous cube, and I agree with Mercurius, you judges seem to just attract bad luck once you agree to the judging role. Good luck not getting eaten again.
But I will be posting as soon as he is done - and I would like comments too.
But it will be a day or so before I can introduce Gerber - the jack-of-all-trades-and-master-of-none. He's got 4 base classes and 3 levels of Chameleon. He may not be very good at any one thing - but he can do at least a little of everything! :D
smiley has also served as the "frozen" smiley since the Urban Heroes competition... and yes, I have that much useless knowledge about the history of the HC competitions (or at least, that much useless knowledge about what I've posted).I've just got to say this on the subject of judge-luck: this is the 2nd time in a row that the judges curse I have encountered came in the form of a major natural disaster in my area.
I'm not sure how many more of these my hometown can take...
Jason, glad to see you came out of the cold all right. Our part of Kentucky at least had fewer power outages--we got more snow than ice, thankfully. But, as Mercurius said above, we're expecting more tonight and tomorrow! Yay!
Me? I ain't much into book learning. School? Yeah, I went to school... School of hard knocks...graduated to the school of life. No, never been to any reunion. Don't plan on ever having one - not unless you're going raid all them 5 star accomodations? Didn't think so...
Stats
Michael "Spider" Johan
Male human Rogue 5/Barbarian 3
CG medium humanoid
Initiative +2 (+2 Dex), Senses: Listen +12, Spot +1
Languages: Common
Age 25, Height 6’ 1”, Weight 165 lb
Deity: None
AC 22 (+5 armor, +3 shield, +2 dex, +1 nat armor, +1 deflection) Touch 14, Flatfooted 22
HP 55 (6 +4d6 + 3d12 + 16 Con)
Fort +7 (+3 Barb, + 1 Rogue, +2 Con, +1 cloak)
Ref +8 (+10 vs traps) (+1 Barb, + 4 Rogue, +2 Dex, +1 cloak (+2 trapsense))
Will +4 (+1 Barb, +1 Rogue, +1 Wis, +1 cloak)
Speed 40’
Melee: +2 warhammer, +10/+5, Dam 1d8+4, x3
Shield bash, +8/+3, Dam 1d6+2, x2
Knuckle spikes (as spiked gauntlet) single +8/+3, Dam 1d4+2, x2 TWF +6/+6/+1, 1d4+2/1d4+1/1d4+2, x2
Ranged: Spine shot (from shield), +9/+4, Dam 1d10, 19-20 x2, Range 120ft (max 3/day)
BAB +6/+1 (+3 Rogue, +3 Barb) Grapple +12, Sneak attack +3d6
Base Abilities
Str 15
Dex 15
Con 13
Int 8
Wis 12
Cha 11
Current Abilities (modifier)
Str 15 (+2)
Dex 15 (+2)
Con 15 (+2) (+2 level)
Int 8 (-1)
Wis 12 (+1)
Cha 11 (+0)
Special Abilities
Evasion
Fast movement
Illiteracy
Improved uncanny dodge
Rage 1/day
Sneak attack +3d6
Trapfinding
Trapsense +2
Uncanny dodge
Feats:
Improved Grapple
Improved Shield Bash
Improved Unarmed Strike
Two Weapon fighting
Skills:
Appraise +7 (-1 Int, 8 ranks)
Balance +12 (+2 Dex, 8 ranks, +2 synergy)
Climb +12 (+2 Str, 8 ranks, +2 circ (kit))
Gather Information +2 (+2 synergy)
Jump +15 (+2 Dex, 11 ranks, +2 synergy)
Knowledge (local) +7 (-1 Int, 8 ranks)
Listen + 12 (+1 Wis, 11 ranks)
Ride +5 (+2 Dex, 3 ranks)
Sleight of Hand +10 (+2 Dex, 8 ranks)
Spot +1 (+1 Wis)
Tumble +12 (+2 Dex, 8 ranks, +2 synergy)
Use Rope +4 (+2 Dex, +2 synergy)
Possessions (all prices in gp):
+2 Studded leather (4175)
Spined Shield (5580)
2 sets knuckle spikes (as spiked gauntlets) (10)
+2 Warhammer (8312)
Heward's handy Haversack (2000)
Amulet Nat Armor +1 (1800)
Cloak of Resistance +1 (1000)
Ring of Protection +1 (2000)
1 Silversheen (250)
1 Elixir of hiding (250)
2 potions CLW (100)
1 potion spiderclimb (300)
100' silk rope (20)
Grappling hook (1)
2 sacks (0.2)
Bedroll (0.1)
Bullseye Lantern (12)
6 pints oil (0.6)
Travellers outfit (uniform) (free at creation)
Artisans outfit (1)
Thieves tools (30)
Belt pouch (1)
Waterskin (1)
8 days rations (4)
Winter blanket (0.5)
Climbers kit (80)
10 tindertwigs (10)
Everburning torch (110)
3 bags caltrops (3)
3 fishhooks (0.3)
8 spare pitons (0,8)
Spare hammer (0.5)
4 vials antitoxin (200)
2 flasks holy water (100)
5 smokesticks (100)
4 thunderstones (120)
2 tanglefoot bags (100)
10 assorted gems (20gp each) (200)
Cash: 127gp
TOTAL OWNED: 27,000gp
Level breakdown
Level 1-5 Rogue 1-5
Maxed class skills (8 points/level, x4 for 1st): Appraise, Balance, Climb, Jump, Knowledge (local), Listen, Sleight of Hand, Tumble
Level 1 feat: Imp Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple (human bonus)
Level 3 feat: Two Weapon Fighting
Level 4 ability: Con +1
Level 6-8 - Rogue 5/Barbarian 1-3
Skills: 1 point each (4 available) to Climb, Jump, Listen, Ride
Level 6 feat: Improved Shield Bash
Level 8 ability: Con +1
Michael "Spider" Johan
Male human Rogue 5/Barbarian 3
CG medium humanoid
Initiative +2 (+2 Dex), Senses: Listen +12, Spot +1
Languages: Common
Age 25, Height 6’ 1”, Weight 165 lb
Deity: None
AC 22 (+5 armor, +3 shield, +2 dex, +1 nat armor, +1 deflection) Touch 14, Flatfooted 22
HP 55 (6 +4d6 + 3d12 + 16 Con)
Fort +7 (+3 Barb, + 1 Rogue, +2 Con, +1 cloak)
Ref +8 (+10 vs traps) (+1 Barb, + 4 Rogue, +2 Dex, +1 cloak (+2 trapsense))
Will +4 (+1 Barb, +1 Rogue, +1 Wis, +1 cloak)
Speed 40’
Melee: +2 warhammer, +10/+5, Dam 1d8+4, x3
Shield bash, +8/+3, Dam 1d6+2, x2
Knuckle spikes (as spiked gauntlet) single +8/+3, Dam 1d4+2, x2 TWF +6/+6/+1, 1d4+2/1d4+1/1d4+2, x2
Ranged: Spine shot (from shield), +9/+4, Dam 1d10, 19-20 x2, Range 120ft (max 3/day)
BAB +6/+1 (+3 Rogue, +3 Barb) Grapple +12, Sneak attack +3d6
Base Abilities
Str 15
Dex 15
Con 13
Int 8
Wis 12
Cha 11
Current Abilities (modifier)
Str 15 (+2)
Dex 15 (+2)
Con 15 (+2) (+2 level)
Int 8 (-1)
Wis 12 (+1)
Cha 11 (+0)
Special Abilities
Evasion
Fast movement
Illiteracy
Improved uncanny dodge
Rage 1/day
Sneak attack +3d6
Trapfinding
Trapsense +2
Uncanny dodge
Feats:
Improved Grapple
Improved Shield Bash
Improved Unarmed Strike
Two Weapon fighting
Skills:
Appraise +7 (-1 Int, 8 ranks)
Balance +12 (+2 Dex, 8 ranks, +2 synergy)
Climb +12 (+2 Str, 8 ranks, +2 circ (kit))
Gather Information +2 (+2 synergy)
Jump +15 (+2 Dex, 11 ranks, +2 synergy)
Knowledge (local) +7 (-1 Int, 8 ranks)
Listen + 12 (+1 Wis, 11 ranks)
Ride +5 (+2 Dex, 3 ranks)
Sleight of Hand +10 (+2 Dex, 8 ranks)
Spot +1 (+1 Wis)
Tumble +12 (+2 Dex, 8 ranks, +2 synergy)
Use Rope +4 (+2 Dex, +2 synergy)
Possessions (all prices in gp):
+2 Studded leather (4175)
Spined Shield (5580)
2 sets knuckle spikes (as spiked gauntlets) (10)
+2 Warhammer (8312)
Heward's handy Haversack (2000)
Amulet Nat Armor +1 (1800)
Cloak of Resistance +1 (1000)
Ring of Protection +1 (2000)
1 Silversheen (250)
1 Elixir of hiding (250)
2 potions CLW (100)
1 potion spiderclimb (300)
100' silk rope (20)
Grappling hook (1)
2 sacks (0.2)
Bedroll (0.1)
Bullseye Lantern (12)
6 pints oil (0.6)
Travellers outfit (uniform) (free at creation)
Artisans outfit (1)
Thieves tools (30)
Belt pouch (1)
Waterskin (1)
8 days rations (4)
Winter blanket (0.5)
Climbers kit (80)
10 tindertwigs (10)
Everburning torch (110)
3 bags caltrops (3)
3 fishhooks (0.3)
8 spare pitons (0,8)
Spare hammer (0.5)
4 vials antitoxin (200)
2 flasks holy water (100)
5 smokesticks (100)
4 thunderstones (120)
2 tanglefoot bags (100)
10 assorted gems (20gp each) (200)
Cash: 127gp
TOTAL OWNED: 27,000gp
Level breakdown
Level 1-5 Rogue 1-5
Maxed class skills (8 points/level, x4 for 1st): Appraise, Balance, Climb, Jump, Knowledge (local), Listen, Sleight of Hand, Tumble
Level 1 feat: Imp Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple (human bonus)
Level 3 feat: Two Weapon Fighting
Level 4 ability: Con +1
Level 6-8 - Rogue 5/Barbarian 1-3
Skills: 1 point each (4 available) to Climb, Jump, Listen, Ride
Level 6 feat: Improved Shield Bash
Level 8 ability: Con +1
Halden Kessler
"All men have their demons. Would you like to see mine?"
Crunch
Show
Height: 6'6" Weight: 185 lbs Gender: Male Age: 28
Alignment: LG Deity: The Soverign Host Languages: Common, Celestial, Infernal, Abyssal, Terran, Ignan, Aquan, Auran, Dwarf, Draconic
Lawful Good Human Wizard (Conjurer) 3/Master Specialist 4/Malconvoker 1
Strength: 8 (-1) = 8 base (0 points)
Dexterity: 14 (16 gloves (+3)) = 14 base (6 points)
Constitution: 12 (+1) = 12 base (4 points)
Intelligence: 16 (18 with level bonuses) (+4) = 16 base (10 points)
Wisdom: 10 (+0) = 10 (2 points)
Charisma: 14 (+2) = 14 (6 points)
Fortitude: + 5 = + 1 Wizard + 1 Master Specialist + 0 Malconvoker + 1 Constitution + 2 Resistance
Reflex: + 6 = + 1 Wizard + 1 Master Specialist + 0 Malconvoker + 2 Dexterity + 2 Resistance
Will: + 11 = + 3 Wizard + 4 Master Specialist + 2 Malconvoker + 0 Wisdom + 2 Resistance
BAB/Grapple: + 3/+ 2
Initiative: + 2 = + 2 Dexterity
Armor Class: 15 = 10 + 3 (Dex) + 2 (Bracers of Armor)
Touch AC: 13 Flat Footed AC: 12
Hit Dice: 4 + 2d4 (Wizard) + 4d4 (Master Specialist) + 1d4 (Malconvoker) + 16 (Con) = 36 hp
Speed: 30' = 30' base
Melee: +2 (+3 BAB -1 Str)
Ranged: +6 (+3 BAB +3 Dex)
Special Abilities
* Bonus feat (Human)
* Bonus skill points (Human)
* Scribe Scroll (Wizard level 1)
* Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Any (except secret languages). (Human)
* Favored Class: Any (Human)
* Summon familiar (Halden comes from a military environment, and knows the damage a fallen familiar can do to him. For this reason, he has not summoned one yet, although he might if one is needed)
* Scribe Scroll (Wizard level 1)
* Skill Focus (Spellcraft) (Master Specialist)
* Expanded Spellbook (Master Specalist)
* Greater Spell Focus (Conjuration)
* Minor School Esoterica (Master Specialist)
* Deceptive Summons (Malconvoker)
* Unrestricted Conjuration (Malconvoker)
Proficiencies
Club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff proficiency
Skills {Class Skill max ranks 11, cross class 5.5}
Appraise: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Balance: + 3 = 0 ranks + 3 DEX
Bluff: + 8 = 6 ranks + 2 CHA
Climb: – 1 = 0 ranks - 1 STR
Concentration: + 12 = 11 ranks + 1 CON
Craft (any): + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Decipher Script: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Diplomacy: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA
Disable Device: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Disguise: + 3 (+5) = 1 ranks + 2 CHA (+ 2 Synergy to Act in Character)
Escape Artist: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Forgery: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Gather Information: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA
Heal: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Hide: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Intimidate: + 4 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA + 2 Synergy (Bluff)
Jump: - 1 = 0 ranks - 1 STR
Knowledge (Arcana): + 15 = 11 ranks + 4 INT
Knowledge (The Planes): + 15 = 11 ranks + 4 INT
Listen: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Move Silently: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Open Lock: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Ride: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Search: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Sense Motive: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Sleight of Hand: + 4 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX + 2 Synergy (Bluff)
Speak Language: 5 rank (level 1 [Ignan, Aquan], level 3 [Dwarf], level 5 [Draconic], level 7 [Elven])
Spot: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Survival: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Swim: - 1 = 0 ranks - 1 STR
Tumble: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Use Magic Device: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA
Use Rope: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Skills Spent
All skill points spent were spent on class skills, except for the points spent in Bluff for the first 7 levels, as well as all points spent in Speak Language.
Languages
Starting Languages: Common, Celestial, Infernal, Terran
Level 1: Ignan, Aquan (bought at level 1, by putting maximum points in Speak Language)
Level 3: Dwarf (bought with Speak Language points, spent on level 2 and 3)
Level 5: Draconic (bought with Speak Language points, spent on level 4 and 5)
Level 7: Auran (bought with Speak Language points, spent on level 6 and 7)
Level 8: Elven (bought with the second point put in Intellegence, allowing a bonus language)
Feats
Human
Spell Focus (Conjuration)
Wizard
Scribe Scroll
1st Level
Augment Summoning
3rd Level
Rapid Spell
6th Level
Metamagic School Focus
Wizard Spells (CL 7)
Level | Known / Per Day+High Int
0 | All except Enchantment and Evocation / 4
1 | 8 / 4+1
2 | 4 / 3+1
3 | 4 / 2+1
4 | 2 / 1+1
Spell Book
Cantrips (DC14)
-All except Enchantment and Evocation
1st Level (DC15)
-Animate Rope
-Benign Transposition
-Grease
-Lesser Orb of Cold
-Lesser Orb of Fire
-Mage Armor
-Obscuring Mist
-Summon Monster I
2nd Level (DC16)
-Glitterdust
-Snake's Swiftness
-Summon Monster II
-Web
3rd Level (DC17)
-Haste
-Mass Mage Armor
-Mass Snake's Swiftness
-Summon Monster III
4th Level (DC18)
-Orb of Cold
-Summon Monster IV
Equipment
Worn
* Spell Component Pouch (5 gp) (PHB 130)
* Spellbook, Wizard's (15 gp) (PHB 130)
* Signet ring (5 gp) (symbol is that of House Deneith, but slightly altered to make it a more personal rune) (PHB 127)
* Quarterstaff (free) (PHB 120)
* Cloak of Resistance +2 (4000 gp) (DMG 253)
* Bracers of Armor +2 (4000 gp) (DMG 250)
* Gloves of Dexterity +2 (4000 gp) (DMG 257)
* Heward's Handy Haversack (2000 gp) (DMG 259)
* Pearl of Power, 3rd level (9000 gp) (DMG 263)
* Chronocharm of the Grand Master (500 gp) (MIC 86)
* Chronocharm of the Horizon Walker (500 gp) (MIC 86)
* Chronocharm of the Uncaring Archmage (500 gp) (MIC 86)
* Healing Belt (750 gp) (MIC 110)
* Explorer's Outfit (free) (PHB 131) (usually worn)
Haversack
* Bedroll (1 sp) (PHB 126)
* Case, Map or Scroll (2 x 1 gp = 4 gp) (PHB 126)
* Paper, sheet (4 sp x 2 = 8sp) (PHB 126)
* Blanket, winter (5 sp) (PHB 126)
* Chalk, 1 piece (1 cp)
* Crowbar (2 gp) (PHB 126)
* Flint and Steel (1 gp) (PHB 126)
* Mirror, small steel (10 gp) (PHB 127)
* Torch (1 cp x 3 = 3 cp) (PHB 127)
* Ink, 1 oz. vial (8 gp) (PHB 126)
* Inkpen (1 sp) (PHB 126)
* Daylight Pellet, 4 (150 gp x 4 = 600 gp) (MIC 156)
* Everlasting Rations + Everful Mug (550 gp for both) (MIC 160)
* Traveler's Outfit (1 gp) (For when the Explorer's Outfit is otherwise indisposed) (PHB 131)
* Scholar's Outfit (5 gp) (For occasions when one may be needed) (PHB 131)
Remaining Gold: 173 gp, 4 sp, 6 cp
Height: 6'6" Weight: 185 lbs Gender: Male Age: 28
Alignment: LG Deity: The Soverign Host Languages: Common, Celestial, Infernal, Abyssal, Terran, Ignan, Aquan, Auran, Dwarf, Draconic
Lawful Good Human Wizard (Conjurer) 3/Master Specialist 4/Malconvoker 1
Strength: 8 (-1) = 8 base (0 points)
Dexterity: 14 (16 gloves (+3)) = 14 base (6 points)
Constitution: 12 (+1) = 12 base (4 points)
Intelligence: 16 (18 with level bonuses) (+4) = 16 base (10 points)
Wisdom: 10 (+0) = 10 (2 points)
Charisma: 14 (+2) = 14 (6 points)
Fortitude: + 5 = + 1 Wizard + 1 Master Specialist + 0 Malconvoker + 1 Constitution + 2 Resistance
Reflex: + 6 = + 1 Wizard + 1 Master Specialist + 0 Malconvoker + 2 Dexterity + 2 Resistance
Will: + 11 = + 3 Wizard + 4 Master Specialist + 2 Malconvoker + 0 Wisdom + 2 Resistance
BAB/Grapple: + 3/+ 2
Initiative: + 2 = + 2 Dexterity
Armor Class: 15 = 10 + 3 (Dex) + 2 (Bracers of Armor)
Touch AC: 13 Flat Footed AC: 12
Hit Dice: 4 + 2d4 (Wizard) + 4d4 (Master Specialist) + 1d4 (Malconvoker) + 16 (Con) = 36 hp
Speed: 30' = 30' base
Melee: +2 (+3 BAB -1 Str)
Ranged: +6 (+3 BAB +3 Dex)
Special Abilities
* Bonus feat (Human)
* Bonus skill points (Human)
* Scribe Scroll (Wizard level 1)
* Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Any (except secret languages). (Human)
* Favored Class: Any (Human)
* Summon familiar (Halden comes from a military environment, and knows the damage a fallen familiar can do to him. For this reason, he has not summoned one yet, although he might if one is needed)
* Scribe Scroll (Wizard level 1)
* Skill Focus (Spellcraft) (Master Specialist)
* Expanded Spellbook (Master Specalist)
* Greater Spell Focus (Conjuration)
* Minor School Esoterica (Master Specialist)
* Deceptive Summons (Malconvoker)
* Unrestricted Conjuration (Malconvoker)
Proficiencies
Club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff proficiency
Skills {Class Skill max ranks 11, cross class 5.5}
Appraise: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Balance: + 3 = 0 ranks + 3 DEX
Bluff: + 8 = 6 ranks + 2 CHA
Climb: – 1 = 0 ranks - 1 STR
Concentration: + 12 = 11 ranks + 1 CON
Craft (any): + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Decipher Script: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Diplomacy: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA
Disable Device: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Disguise: + 3 (+5) = 1 ranks + 2 CHA (+ 2 Synergy to Act in Character)
Escape Artist: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Forgery: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Gather Information: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA
Heal: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Hide: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Intimidate: + 4 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA + 2 Synergy (Bluff)
Jump: - 1 = 0 ranks - 1 STR
Knowledge (Arcana): + 15 = 11 ranks + 4 INT
Knowledge (The Planes): + 15 = 11 ranks + 4 INT
Listen: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Move Silently: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Open Lock: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Ride: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Search: + 4 = 0 ranks + 4 INT
Sense Motive: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Sleight of Hand: + 4 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX + 2 Synergy (Bluff)
Speak Language: 5 rank (level 1 [Ignan, Aquan], level 3 [Dwarf], level 5 [Draconic], level 7 [Elven])
Spot: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Survival: + 0 = 0 ranks + 0 WIS
Swim: - 1 = 0 ranks - 1 STR
Tumble: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Use Magic Device: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 CHA
Use Rope: + 2 = 0 ranks + 2 DEX
Skills Spent
All skill points spent were spent on class skills, except for the points spent in Bluff for the first 7 levels, as well as all points spent in Speak Language.
Languages
Starting Languages: Common, Celestial, Infernal, Terran
Level 1: Ignan, Aquan (bought at level 1, by putting maximum points in Speak Language)
Level 3: Dwarf (bought with Speak Language points, spent on level 2 and 3)
Level 5: Draconic (bought with Speak Language points, spent on level 4 and 5)
Level 7: Auran (bought with Speak Language points, spent on level 6 and 7)
Level 8: Elven (bought with the second point put in Intellegence, allowing a bonus language)
Feats
Human
Spell Focus (Conjuration)
Wizard
Scribe Scroll
1st Level
Augment Summoning
3rd Level
Rapid Spell
6th Level
Metamagic School Focus
Wizard Spells (CL 7)
Level | Known / Per Day+High Int
0 | All except Enchantment and Evocation / 4
1 | 8 / 4+1
2 | 4 / 3+1
3 | 4 / 2+1
4 | 2 / 1+1
Spell Book
Cantrips (DC14)
-All except Enchantment and Evocation
1st Level (DC15)
-Animate Rope
-Benign Transposition
-Grease
-Lesser Orb of Cold
-Lesser Orb of Fire
-Mage Armor
-Obscuring Mist
-Summon Monster I
2nd Level (DC16)
-Glitterdust
-Snake's Swiftness
-Summon Monster II
-Web
3rd Level (DC17)
-Haste
-Mass Mage Armor
-Mass Snake's Swiftness
-Summon Monster III
4th Level (DC18)
-Orb of Cold
-Summon Monster IV
Equipment
Worn
* Spell Component Pouch (5 gp) (PHB 130)
* Spellbook, Wizard's (15 gp) (PHB 130)
* Signet ring (5 gp) (symbol is that of House Deneith, but slightly altered to make it a more personal rune) (PHB 127)
* Quarterstaff (free) (PHB 120)
* Cloak of Resistance +2 (4000 gp) (DMG 253)
* Bracers of Armor +2 (4000 gp) (DMG 250)
* Gloves of Dexterity +2 (4000 gp) (DMG 257)
* Heward's Handy Haversack (2000 gp) (DMG 259)
* Pearl of Power, 3rd level (9000 gp) (DMG 263)
* Chronocharm of the Grand Master (500 gp) (MIC 86)
* Chronocharm of the Horizon Walker (500 gp) (MIC 86)
* Chronocharm of the Uncaring Archmage (500 gp) (MIC 86)
* Healing Belt (750 gp) (MIC 110)
* Explorer's Outfit (free) (PHB 131) (usually worn)
Haversack
* Bedroll (1 sp) (PHB 126)
* Case, Map or Scroll (2 x 1 gp = 4 gp) (PHB 126)
* Paper, sheet (4 sp x 2 = 8sp) (PHB 126)
* Blanket, winter (5 sp) (PHB 126)
* Chalk, 1 piece (1 cp)
* Crowbar (2 gp) (PHB 126)
* Flint and Steel (1 gp) (PHB 126)
* Mirror, small steel (10 gp) (PHB 127)
* Torch (1 cp x 3 = 3 cp) (PHB 127)
* Ink, 1 oz. vial (8 gp) (PHB 126)
* Inkpen (1 sp) (PHB 126)
* Daylight Pellet, 4 (150 gp x 4 = 600 gp) (MIC 156)
* Everlasting Rations + Everful Mug (550 gp for both) (MIC 160)
* Traveler's Outfit (1 gp) (For when the Explorer's Outfit is otherwise indisposed) (PHB 131)
* Scholar's Outfit (5 gp) (For occasions when one may be needed) (PHB 131)
Remaining Gold: 173 gp, 4 sp, 6 cp
NG Illumian Swashbuckler3/Wizard5
Fluff
Background:
Hopthek spent his childhood in the quiet fortress-monastery of the Phoenix cabal. As a quill cabal, it’s members are working on the sheer endless task of completing the cabal’s already impressive library. As usual among illumians he was educated in many tasks ranging from humble household chores and the sadly necessary weapon training to theoretical and practical thaumatology. In time he was assigned to the collections directorate and spent about equal times translating texts to or from Illumian and patroling the monastery’s walls fighting off all to common monster attacks. But after a while Hopthek began to feel the wanderlust that is so common among the young and when a position became available in the outreach directorate Hopthek volunteered. Finally he was able to see the lands and towns he had only read about before. He was assigned to a variety of tasks. Translating rare books in exchange for the right to create a copy for their own library being the most common. He returned home often, continuing his studies. In exchange for his excellent work he was allowed to copy spells from his superior’s spellbooks. Hopthek’s greatest achievement so far though was being invited to an expedition into an ancient elven ruin, that proved to be extremely profitable in treasures and magic items in addition to the rare lorebooks they found. Currently Hopthek has returned to the monastery, where he intends to find a way to better combine his martial and magic training.
Description:
Hopthek is slightly smaller than the average Illumian. He has pale skin and wears his almost shoulder long blonde hair open. When he douses the faintly glowing sigils floating around his head he is indistinguishable from a human. While at home in his cabal’s fortress-moastery he wears simple gray robes. When he travels in the name of his cabal he looks quite different though. His clothing is fancy and his wide-brimmed hat has a long white feather attached. Add to this jewels, rings and magic items and Hopthek looks like a well-off courtier. Not the best choice for traveling, but he keeps his clothes clean and in good repair with the help of magic. Hopthek usually wears his mithral shirt between his undergarnment and his shirt, so it’s not immediately obvious that he is well protected. His signet ring shows a phoenix, holding a scroll in hir right claw and a rapier in his left.
Abraxas:
Abraxas is Hopthek’s Raven Familiar. When Hopthek was on duty in the Cabal’s Kitchen he used to feed Abraxas with leftovers. Thus a band of friendship developed between them and when Hopthek became a wizard he turned his raven friend into a familiar and named him Abraxas. Hopthek taught Abraxas to speak Common and the raven’s incredible intelligence (for a bird) and his ability to fly make him a great scout and messenger. A drawback is the raven’s fondness for crude jokes and shiny things, getting himself and Hopthep into trouble time and time again.
Hopthek spent his childhood in the quiet fortress-monastery of the Phoenix cabal. As a quill cabal, it’s members are working on the sheer endless task of completing the cabal’s already impressive library. As usual among illumians he was educated in many tasks ranging from humble household chores and the sadly necessary weapon training to theoretical and practical thaumatology. In time he was assigned to the collections directorate and spent about equal times translating texts to or from Illumian and patroling the monastery’s walls fighting off all to common monster attacks. But after a while Hopthek began to feel the wanderlust that is so common among the young and when a position became available in the outreach directorate Hopthek volunteered. Finally he was able to see the lands and towns he had only read about before. He was assigned to a variety of tasks. Translating rare books in exchange for the right to create a copy for their own library being the most common. He returned home often, continuing his studies. In exchange for his excellent work he was allowed to copy spells from his superior’s spellbooks. Hopthek’s greatest achievement so far though was being invited to an expedition into an ancient elven ruin, that proved to be extremely profitable in treasures and magic items in addition to the rare lorebooks they found. Currently Hopthek has returned to the monastery, where he intends to find a way to better combine his martial and magic training.
Description:
Hopthek is slightly smaller than the average Illumian. He has pale skin and wears his almost shoulder long blonde hair open. When he douses the faintly glowing sigils floating around his head he is indistinguishable from a human. While at home in his cabal’s fortress-moastery he wears simple gray robes. When he travels in the name of his cabal he looks quite different though. His clothing is fancy and his wide-brimmed hat has a long white feather attached. Add to this jewels, rings and magic items and Hopthek looks like a well-off courtier. Not the best choice for traveling, but he keeps his clothes clean and in good repair with the help of magic. Hopthek usually wears his mithral shirt between his undergarnment and his shirt, so it’s not immediately obvious that he is well protected. His signet ring shows a phoenix, holding a scroll in hir right claw and a rapier in his left.
Abraxas:
Abraxas is Hopthek’s Raven Familiar. When Hopthek was on duty in the Cabal’s Kitchen he used to feed Abraxas with leftovers. Thus a band of friendship developed between them and when Hopthek became a wizard he turned his raven friend into a familiar and named him Abraxas. Hopthek taught Abraxas to speak Common and the raven’s incredible intelligence (for a bird) and his ability to fly make him a great scout and messenger. A drawback is the raven’s fondness for crude jokes and shiny things, getting himself and Hopthep into trouble time and time again.
And now on to the hard part....the judging!
Edit: Good lord--Three entries at the wire! Wow!
Lai Johansson
fluff
Born in the 3rd year of the Monkey, 32nd Cycle, 4th High Cycle, under the sign of Hao Zefang the Leopard, and losing his mother during childbirth, Lai spent his earlier years in the care of his father, Wu Johansson. Wu, being a prominent scholar and diviner of the Alish Imperial Court, sent his son away to the Vanderhuet Royal Academy at the age of 8.
Though very intelligent, Lai took little interest in studying augury and oracle as his father had, nor did his scholastic performance excel in the histories or rites. He did, however, show great interest and aptitude for philosophy and politics, and showed promise to someday become a provincial administrator, but as an intellectual, he often had radical views. Though he kept such views from his instructors, several of his peers had similar opinions, and as an 8th year student he secretly became involved in the Toyashi Rebellion, and began learning the rogue’s trade outside of his regular schooling.
Though the Toyashi Rebellion was swiftly quelled, Lai continued his clandestine extra-curricular activities for several years. Simultaneously, he continued his studies of philosophy and politics and became further and further convinced that something needed to be done about the state of his land.
Finally, in his 13th year at Vanderhuet, the fates granted Lai a great blessing when he stumbled in on insurgent meeting in the Academy’s archive building one night. He quickly assessed the five people there, determining these were who he needed. Those five people; Ars Graaf, Mai Wagner, Du Bachaus, Ou Kertzen, and Lai Blau, would form with Lai Johansson the core of the Leopard Rebellion.
Weeks later, the Leopards made their first move, dramatically unveiling themselves to the world by assassinating Wun Gast of the Heavenly Seat in the middle of the city’s market. Under the guise of Xiao Bao, Lai Johansson declared in front of hundreds the end of the Neistbach reign while standing over Gast’s corpse.
Since that time the Leopards have succeeded in killing 2 more members of the Seat and gained thousands of supporters. All the while, noone suspects Lai to be anything more than a model student of Neistbachian Politics…
Personality: Lai is a firm believer in self-determined purpose, and his all-consuming goal is a better Alish.
Battle Tactics: Lai tends to get close by hiding or using a disguise, then sneak-attacks when his opponent is flat-footed. The following round he uses his Flick of the Wrist feat to gain another sneak attack with his dagger. He also is a decent marksmen, and uses a crossbow if need be.
Terms:
Alish Empire: Spanning roughly one-eighth the world’s landmass, the Alish Empire dates back roughly nine millennia in some form or another. In 4th Wolf, 29th C, 4th HC (120 years ago), the 1500-year Van Graaf dynasty’s final ruler died without an heir, and the Neistbach line, distant cousins of the Van Graafs, succeeded the throne. Though initially ruling with great success, the more recent Neistbach Emperors have been greatly inept. During the rule of the previous emperor Yao, the Heavenly Seat effectively seized control, using Yao as a puppet ruler. To their dismay, his nephew, the current emperor Han II, while just as incompetent, is strong willed and refuses to be controlled.
Toyashi Rebellion: A year-long, small-scale rebellion against the Neistbach Emperor, localized in the Imperial City. Unsuccessful.
The Heavenly Seat: The highest authority under the emperor, the Heavenly Seat consists of six officials. The current Seat is incredibly corrupt and includes Han II’s wife. Once publicly referred to by Xiao Bao as ‘You who fell from your Seat’.
The Leopard Rebellion: A currently small, but highly skilled and organized group of rebels. Named after Lai’s alias Xiao Bao and birth sign.
People:
Wu Johansson: Imperial Diviner, Wu knew well beforehand his wife would die in childbirth. He also divined his son becoming a prominent rebel, well before Lai was even born, but he has told noone this.
Xiao Bao: ‘Little Leopard’, Lai’s rebellious alter ego. The public face and leader of the Leopard Rebellion, as well as it’s primary assassin and saboteur.
Han Niestbach II: Current Emperor, not a bad person, but a horrible ruler. Known colloquially as the “Red Gorilla” Emperor. Within the first five years of his reign, all domestic policy had fallen a shambles, only to be further exacerbated by the corrupt meddlings of the Heavenly Seat.
Ars Graaf: Unknown to all, even himself, Ars is a direct descendant of the thought-extinct Van Graaf line. Lacks confidence, somewhat of a nihilist, he only joined the leopards because Mai talked him into it. 8th level Cleric.
Ou Kertzen: Brilliantly handles the logistics of the Leopards.
Lai Blau: Military leader of the Leopards, also a Vanderhuet student. Left school upon forming the Leopards. 8th level Monk.
Mai Wagner: Ars’ fiancé and the one who talked him into joining the Leopards. 8th level Sorcerer.
Du Bachaus: Leopards’ strongman. 6th level Fighter/2nd level Reaping Mauler
Born in the 3rd year of the Monkey, 32nd Cycle, 4th High Cycle, under the sign of Hao Zefang the Leopard, and losing his mother during childbirth, Lai spent his earlier years in the care of his father, Wu Johansson. Wu, being a prominent scholar and diviner of the Alish Imperial Court, sent his son away to the Vanderhuet Royal Academy at the age of 8.
Though very intelligent, Lai took little interest in studying augury and oracle as his father had, nor did his scholastic performance excel in the histories or rites. He did, however, show great interest and aptitude for philosophy and politics, and showed promise to someday become a provincial administrator, but as an intellectual, he often had radical views. Though he kept such views from his instructors, several of his peers had similar opinions, and as an 8th year student he secretly became involved in the Toyashi Rebellion, and began learning the rogue’s trade outside of his regular schooling.
Though the Toyashi Rebellion was swiftly quelled, Lai continued his clandestine extra-curricular activities for several years. Simultaneously, he continued his studies of philosophy and politics and became further and further convinced that something needed to be done about the state of his land.
Finally, in his 13th year at Vanderhuet, the fates granted Lai a great blessing when he stumbled in on insurgent meeting in the Academy’s archive building one night. He quickly assessed the five people there, determining these were who he needed. Those five people; Ars Graaf, Mai Wagner, Du Bachaus, Ou Kertzen, and Lai Blau, would form with Lai Johansson the core of the Leopard Rebellion.
Weeks later, the Leopards made their first move, dramatically unveiling themselves to the world by assassinating Wun Gast of the Heavenly Seat in the middle of the city’s market. Under the guise of Xiao Bao, Lai Johansson declared in front of hundreds the end of the Neistbach reign while standing over Gast’s corpse.
Since that time the Leopards have succeeded in killing 2 more members of the Seat and gained thousands of supporters. All the while, noone suspects Lai to be anything more than a model student of Neistbachian Politics…
Personality: Lai is a firm believer in self-determined purpose, and his all-consuming goal is a better Alish.
Battle Tactics: Lai tends to get close by hiding or using a disguise, then sneak-attacks when his opponent is flat-footed. The following round he uses his Flick of the Wrist feat to gain another sneak attack with his dagger. He also is a decent marksmen, and uses a crossbow if need be.
Terms:
Alish Empire: Spanning roughly one-eighth the world’s landmass, the Alish Empire dates back roughly nine millennia in some form or another. In 4th Wolf, 29th C, 4th HC (120 years ago), the 1500-year Van Graaf dynasty’s final ruler died without an heir, and the Neistbach line, distant cousins of the Van Graafs, succeeded the throne. Though initially ruling with great success, the more recent Neistbach Emperors have been greatly inept. During the rule of the previous emperor Yao, the Heavenly Seat effectively seized control, using Yao as a puppet ruler. To their dismay, his nephew, the current emperor Han II, while just as incompetent, is strong willed and refuses to be controlled.
Toyashi Rebellion: A year-long, small-scale rebellion against the Neistbach Emperor, localized in the Imperial City. Unsuccessful.
The Heavenly Seat: The highest authority under the emperor, the Heavenly Seat consists of six officials. The current Seat is incredibly corrupt and includes Han II’s wife. Once publicly referred to by Xiao Bao as ‘You who fell from your Seat’.
The Leopard Rebellion: A currently small, but highly skilled and organized group of rebels. Named after Lai’s alias Xiao Bao and birth sign.
People:
Wu Johansson: Imperial Diviner, Wu knew well beforehand his wife would die in childbirth. He also divined his son becoming a prominent rebel, well before Lai was even born, but he has told noone this.
Xiao Bao: ‘Little Leopard’, Lai’s rebellious alter ego. The public face and leader of the Leopard Rebellion, as well as it’s primary assassin and saboteur.
Han Niestbach II: Current Emperor, not a bad person, but a horrible ruler. Known colloquially as the “Red Gorilla” Emperor. Within the first five years of his reign, all domestic policy had fallen a shambles, only to be further exacerbated by the corrupt meddlings of the Heavenly Seat.
Ars Graaf: Unknown to all, even himself, Ars is a direct descendant of the thought-extinct Van Graaf line. Lacks confidence, somewhat of a nihilist, he only joined the leopards because Mai talked him into it. 8th level Cleric.
Ou Kertzen: Brilliantly handles the logistics of the Leopards.
Lai Blau: Military leader of the Leopards, also a Vanderhuet student. Left school upon forming the Leopards. 8th level Monk.
Mai Wagner: Ars’ fiancé and the one who talked him into joining the Leopards. 8th level Sorcerer.
Du Bachaus: Leopards’ strongman. 6th level Fighter/2nd level Reaping Mauler
I waited until the 30 minutes were almost up, but I posted the info in my contest post. I hope that isn't against the rules, but I didn't see anything that said it was, and I can't imagine why it would be, to be honest.
That's fine. Your entry was posted on time, and your edit was within the allotted time.
Edit: Good lord--Three entries at the wire! Wow!
Oh yes, it was close. Much to close. Again.
I'm beginning to think I'm cursed when it comes to Hero Crafsmen contests. Last time I entered a character I didn't know how long it would take so I was running out of time and was forced to enter the character almost without background.
This time I thought I'd have the entire weekend to write everything down at my leasure with plenty time left over for proofreading and formating. But of course someting came up and I didn't manage to type in a single letter. :raincloud
So I'd like to apologize in advance for another background story that could have been much better.
That's fine. Your entry was posted on time, and your edit was within the allotted time.
*whew* That's good, then. I looked at the time, I got the edit in JUST in time. I'm hoping that any future entries I submit are more on time.
Can't wait for judging! No rush, but I am actually really proud of my character, although I had to rush to get him done in time. This is the most serious character I have ever made(as well as the one with the most backstory), so I am hoping for a good score.
That's fine. Your entry was posted on time, and your edit was within the allotted time.
i did that once, one of my proudest moments
also, i didnt look at mercurius' entry until i had already completed mine, any similarity is entirely coincidental
It's alright. It looks like you and I only share some stats, but not much character. My other concept, which I may still post, has something in common with another entry, too...
All the Best,
Kerney
Bumping just because this gives me a chance to ask when the comments are coming and how the judgeing is going. When this hits the bottom of the firstpage then answer.;)
All the Best,
Kerney
DON'T ask about judging. It's bad luck, I tell you, bad luck!!
Bumping just because this gives me a chance to ask when the comments are coming and how the judgeing is going. When this hits the bottom of the firstpage then answer.;)
All the Best,
Kerney
I knew I forgot something!
If you want an accurate analysis of my current status in judging... I technically haven't started at all. The recent ice storm in Kentucky set me back in my online graduate work. At current progress, I should be caught up w/ that tonight. I'll probably pull out the D&D books and start judging tomorrow night, after I get done bowling w/ my nephew.
ETA to completion: August 2058 (I'm foolishly optimistic, I know...)
All the best,
Nani?
Of course....his last post was Saturday...and it's now Monday.....but I always work best under pressure! I got the best grades on the papers I wrote in a single night....
You could just award me the gold now. I mean, it'd be a lot easier on us than the wait. It's pretty obvious I'm going to win isn't it. At least, obvious to those whose stomaches are digesting an undisclosed recipie of cookie. (he says in a very whatevah accent) "Kem'aehn." (trans: Come on")
This why D+D is a FANTASY roleplaying game. And let's face it, you may be a medalist, but it will not be gold.
All the Best,
Nani?
And let's face it, you may be a medalist, but it will not be gold.
Of course not. How could he get gold when I'm obviously going to get it? :D
Of course not. How could he get gold when I'm obviously going to get it? :D
Like I said, it's a FANTASY roleplaying game. And yea, there are some good entries.
All the best,
Nani?
What cookies?
This is starting to make me angry...
Cookies?
What cookies?
This is starting to make me angry...
If your angry, just go shopping.
If your angry, just go shopping.
Red Ink
Red Ink.
:D
Red Ink
Judging update:
I'm making progress, but this weekend was more hectic than anticipated. I hope to submit scores by Wednesday, but Friday or Saturday is probably a better estimation. Sorry guys.
I haven't learned how to cast Magic Circle Against Reality yet.
It wasn't a proper sentence. As such, your corrected material actually created a sentence fragment.
One could argue that it was an imperative--the last time I saw your comments on a contest, I believe you were yelling "Red Ink!" at people in such a fashion. ;) One could also argue that I'm just trying to irritate you while we wait for scores, but that would take more bravery than I have.
I haven't learned how to cast Magic Circle Against Reality yet.
Unfortunately, Reality is a [Calling] effect, not a [Summoning] effect, so any trouble it brings you wouldn't be affected by the circle anyway. I'll be sure to send over a forbiddance scroll with the next load of snickerdoodles, k?
Dis is nut howe u rite guud engrish
I should be done very soon, though, so the end is in sight! Fear not, fair contestants! We shall give you your greatly desired scores.
I got a good chunk done today and expect to be done in the next couple of days. Of course, I also expected to be done last week.
I think we need a new rule that says Jason and I can no longer judge the same contest. It's bad juju or something...
Sadly, all of my files are on my other computer, so it may be a while before I can post comments... but I may do so in the near future to kill some time until scores are posted.
I think this will be the last contest I actually judge for a while. Of course, I've said that before...
I moving into the (rougher) second half of the semester for my graduate classes, so I'll probably refrain from judging the next time around. I imagine it will be May or June before I put on the judges hat again.
I made progress this weekend, and was on track to finish by Monday night... my son was sick, but we were coping with it. Then my daughter also got sick. And most free time went bye-bye. Then *I* got sick, and spent the better part of Sunday through Tuesday in bed.
I'm back at work today, though I probably should still be home. I'm now behind on everything -- my day job, my writing and editing, preparing for the campaign I DM, and - of course - this. I'm trying to juggle everything, so hopefully I can get wrapped up and get my scores to Jenni in the very near future.
I think for the foreseeable future, this will be the last contest I actually judge, though I'll coordinate as needed. I've found that there's just too much going on in my world between two jobs and two kids, and one little monkey wrench throws my whole schedule off-kilter.
I'm beginning to wonder... when did the curse on judges set in? HC#3 wasn't even close to this rough on the judges...
So, to tide us over until Z gets his scores in and we get the awards, would it be possible for a judge or two to post comments?
Damn -- ratted out by the boyfriend!
No, no. He's not the boyfriend. He's the husband now. The other guy is the boyf----I mean, la la la, I love my husband so much!
I probably should post comments, but I probably won't have time until Xavier gets knocked out of the NCAA tournament. So hopefully not for a while....we could use the sales..... :D
Interesting. This is the first hero craftsmen i've seen. When is the next one?
Eternity plus 2 weeks. The two weeks is the general time between competitions and eternity the time it will take the judges to be done.
*You should probably prepare for houses that become sentient, animate, and attack you... sort of like a gazeebo, or something*
Before we delve into the individual character comments, I'm gonna take a brief moment to explain the format for those who have never had their entries reviewed by me. I break my comments down into three sections: math, background, and other.
Math Anything having to do with your character's stats is here. That might be a math related item, such as your AC or saves being wrong; or it might be a comment about equipment choices; or it might be me mentioning a problem with your languages; or it might be a rant about something I dislike. The point, though, is that it isn't all math stuff directly. Instead, it's details about your character sheet.
Background I'll talk about your fluff here. It might be a question about something that wasn't clear; or a comment about not having much to go on. General rule of thumb: I view your background as two things. First, it's a guide for you about your character's past. Second, it's a guide for your DM to allow him/her to tailor future encounters so that you're more directly invested in the outcome. In that regard, there's some basic things I expect to see -- plot hooks, personality, allies, adversaries, family.
You don't have to explicitly list them -- for example, you don't need to write a paragraph about your character's personality. But I should be able to get an idea of what to expect based on what you have. And so on.
Other This is the catch-all. If it isn't directly crunch or fluff related, it's here. I might mention how much I like a class or race you used; I might tell you that I really liked your presentation. Whatever. If it's not in the first two categories, it's here. Not every character has an "other" section for comments.
On to the characters!
Missinissar Hulv by Kolsus Hayl
Math
Well, your speed is really only 50 ft., unless you're telling me that you always jump at least 10 ft. during every movement.
Elven is not listed as a catfolk bonus language, and therefore is unavailable to you as one of your 4 languages from a high Int.
Given the order of your stats, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you also play 4e? ;)
I think you should have 41 hp. You get 6 at first level, 3.5 each of your other 6 levels, and a total of 14 from your Con. 6+21+14=41.
I'm obsessive-compulsive. As such, I need to point out that skills should be listed in alphabetical order.
All of these are off by one. You have a Dex and Int mod of +5 not +4.
Kudos for remembering the bonus to Jump from a high speed. A lot of people (including professional game designers) forget about that bonus/penalty.
Overall, I'm computing that you should have a total of 100 skill points, but you only spent 98. So you'd need to spend another 2 somewhere. No wait, scratch that. You have a skill trick. It's all good.
You're missing a few situational synergies, such a a +2 to Survival to follow tracks.
You're also missing Gather Information, which should have a total skill of +2 (0 ranks, +0 Cha, +2 synergy). Rule of thumb: include every skill you have that has a modifier other than your ability mod.
It's a nitpick, but I'd prefer to see this listed under your feats, with a "B" next to it to indicate it's a bonus feat.
I understand that attacking with a weapon isn't your thing. But if you're going to own it, I'd like to see the attack and damage values for it on your character sheet.
Jason is going to point out that you aren't wearing clothing. I'm sure that thought excites a lot of catfolk fanbois. ;)
I'm going to point out that you don't have a backpack, or similar, for carrying your gear.
In addition, you don't have food, or a waterskin.
Also, you're carrying a total of 34.5 pounds (not counting the weight, if any, of the potions or potion belt). That puts you into your medium load. This means that your max Dex to AC should be +3, and you suffer a -3 armor check penalty. In addition, your base speed is reduced by 10 ft. A handy haversack would be a great item for you to pick up; I'd go so far as to say you should probably ditch something like the ring of climbing in order to make it possible to afford one.
Background
I would've liked to see more. I don't need jennibert length novels, but knowing a bit more about your character would be nice. For example, instead of listing out allies you could incorporate that information right into your background.
Your enemy doesn't really wow me. It seems to lack that "oomph" that a major plot line should possess. As a DM, I could certainly work with it and build something, but I'm lazy. ;) There's a fine line between good information and too much information. If you give too much, you tie the DM's hands. I think you have a bit more room to explore.
One of the premises of characters designed in this contest is that you'll be a member of a group going forward. While this is a completely reasonable tactic, how would this play out in a group? Would she run away and leave her party members to fend for themselves? Would her tactics change?
Given her level, I find this difficult to believe. Certainly, a challenge can be overcome without killing. But unless the game is entirely a political affair, I would have to think somewhere along the line, combat ensued. *shrug*
*
Overall, while you mentioned that she teaches every fall, I really didn't feel like you actually hit the theme. I could take out your sentence about teaching, and nothing about your character actually changes.
Other
I knew where to find both catfolk and beguiler, but generally speaking it's in your interest to cite any non-core rules source.
I like the beguiler class, though I haven't had an opportunity to play one yet.
This character seems like it would play great in a political intrigue, urban game. She could certainly do well enough in a dungeon environment, but you'd have to evolve her tactics and overall mindsight. But character growth is a good thing.
Math
Move: 60ft. (base 40, +10 enh, +10 extreme leap)
Well, your speed is really only 50 ft., unless you're telling me that you always jump at least 10 ft. during every movement.
Languages: common, feline, draconic, gnoll, elven, sylvan
Elven is not listed as a catfolk bonus language, and therefore is unavailable to you as one of your 4 languages from a high Int.
Str 9
Con 14 (13, +1 lvl)
Dex 20 (14, +2 enh, +4 racial)
Int 20 (18, +2 enh)
Wis 8
Cha 10 (8, +2 racial)
Given the order of your stats, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you also play 4e? ;)
HP: 37
I think you should have 41 hp. You get 6 at first level, 3.5 each of your other 6 levels, and a total of 14 from your Con. 6+21+14=41.
SKILLS:
I'm obsessive-compulsive. As such, I need to point out that skills should be listed in alphabetical order.
Search +14 (10 ranks, +4 abil), Disable Device +16 (10 ranks, +4 abil, +2 tools), Hide +15 (6 ranks, +4 abil, +5 comp), Move Silently +15 (9 ranks, +4 abil, +2 racial)
All of these are off by one. You have a Dex and Int mod of +5 not +4.
Jump +24 (10 ranks, -1 abil, +5 comp, +2 syn, +8 speed (extreme leap not included))
Kudos for remembering the bonus to Jump from a high speed. A lot of people (including professional game designers) forget about that bonus/penalty.
Overall, I'm computing that you should have a total of 100 skill points, but you only spent 98. So you'd need to spend another 2 somewhere. No wait, scratch that. You have a skill trick. It's all good.
You're missing a few situational synergies, such a a +2 to Survival to follow tracks.
You're also missing Gather Information, which should have a total skill of +2 (0 ranks, +0 Cha, +2 synergy). Rule of thumb: include every skill you have that has a modifier other than your ability mod.
Silent Spell
It's a nitpick, but I'd prefer to see this listed under your feats, with a "B" next to it to indicate it's a bonus feat.
MW shortsword
I understand that attacking with a weapon isn't your thing. But if you're going to own it, I'd like to see the attack and damage values for it on your character sheet.
Jason is going to point out that you aren't wearing clothing. I'm sure that thought excites a lot of catfolk fanbois. ;)
I'm going to point out that you don't have a backpack, or similar, for carrying your gear.
In addition, you don't have food, or a waterskin.
Also, you're carrying a total of 34.5 pounds (not counting the weight, if any, of the potions or potion belt). That puts you into your medium load. This means that your max Dex to AC should be +3, and you suffer a -3 armor check penalty. In addition, your base speed is reduced by 10 ft. A handy haversack would be a great item for you to pick up; I'd go so far as to say you should probably ditch something like the ring of climbing in order to make it possible to afford one.
Background
I would've liked to see more. I don't need jennibert length novels, but knowing a bit more about your character would be nice. For example, instead of listing out allies you could incorporate that information right into your background.
Your enemy doesn't really wow me. It seems to lack that "oomph" that a major plot line should possess. As a DM, I could certainly work with it and build something, but I'm lazy. ;) There's a fine line between good information and too much information. If you give too much, you tie the DM's hands. I think you have a bit more room to explore.
When surprised (almost never), Missinissar will always flee...
One of the premises of characters designed in this contest is that you'll be a member of a group going forward. While this is a completely reasonable tactic, how would this play out in a group? Would she run away and leave her party members to fend for themselves? Would her tactics change?
She has never killed a sentient being
Given her level, I find this difficult to believe. Certainly, a challenge can be overcome without killing. But unless the game is entirely a political affair, I would have to think somewhere along the line, combat ensued. *shrug*
*
Overall, while you mentioned that she teaches every fall, I really didn't feel like you actually hit the theme. I could take out your sentence about teaching, and nothing about your character actually changes.
Other
I knew where to find both catfolk and beguiler, but generally speaking it's in your interest to cite any non-core rules source.
I like the beguiler class, though I haven't had an opportunity to play one yet.
This character seems like it would play great in a political intrigue, urban game. She could certainly do well enough in a dungeon environment, but you'd have to evolve her tactics and overall mindsight. But character growth is a good thing.
Cadmus Doon, the Disappointed Professor by Johnathan_Vagabond
Math
So it looks like you went and reduced your Wisdom by 2 and gave yourself 2 points, because A) you have a Wis of 6; and B) I calculate you spending 30 points. That's entirely reasonable to do, however it's not actually permitted by the rules.
Assuming you're wearing your amulet, your Con mod is +0 not -1. That would raise your total to +5.
Your BAB should be +3. You get +0 from 1 level of sorcerer, +2 from 5 levels of wizard, and +1 from 1 level of UM. 0 + 2 + 1 = 3.
Your grapple should be +1. Your Str mod is -2, not -1. And your incorrect BAB accounts for the other point of difference.
I'm not sure where you're getting uncanny dodge from...
Were I presented this character, I would be extremely concerned about your survivability in my game. 21 hp at level 8 is pretty poor, and on top of that you have a really Fort save, a really bad Reflex save, and a super-low AC.
Hmmm... interesting you got your BAB and Str correct here, but had both wrong up on your BAB/Grapple line.
It would actually be very helpful to know at what level you hit each age increment, since that affects your number of skill points per level. Based on your chart at the end, it appears that before you even took your first class level you were already middle aged. (note: I check the numbers before I read the fluff. So this comment could become moot once I get there.)
While you do have a synergy to this from Bluff, this is one case where you shouldn't bother listing it, since you can only use the skill trained.
Overall, you seem to be using your ability mods without taking into account your equipment, such as the amulet of health or the cloak of charisma. You should be including those in your stats when you figure your bonus, so a lot of your skills are off by one point.
I appreciate seeing these listed separate.
You should have 3 bonus languages due to your listed Int score (17) at first level.
Oddly, your ability score doesn't grant bonus cantrips. A 21 Charisma grants 2 bonus first level spells and 1 bonus second level spell (which doesn't do you any good).
Also, your base spells per day for being (effectively) a third level sorcerer are 6 zero, 5 first. So you're also short one first level spell. (third level because you have one level in the class and UM grants you two more.)
I'd like to see a "typical" spells prepared list.
Just to make sure it's clear... these wouldn't stack with your equipment. They'd override the bonus instead, because the equipment and spell both grant the same type.
I have you spending 26,873.83 gold. It's entirely possible, of course, that I did something wrong. And I'm too gosh darn lazy to double check. As always, not spending enough is significantly better than spending too much.
Also, you don't have a spell component pouch.
Background
Your backstory was enjoyable, especially your sense of humor throughout.
There were a few typos and few pieces of grammar and such that I'd touch up were I editing, but nothing serious enough to interrupt the flow of the story.
You nicely incorporated some past challenges into your tale, giving a sense of some of the stuff your character has done to earn his levels.
I also like a lot of your allies (and enemies) were open for the DM to do as he needs.
Other
You didn't cite sources; fortunately, I knew where to find ultimate magus and the metamagic feats you selected.
Math
Base Stat Modifiers.
Old Age, 2 levels
Str: 10 - 3 = 7
Dex: 10 -3 + 1(4th lvl) = 8
Con: 11 - 3 = 8
Int: 17 + 2 = 19
Wis: 6 + 2 = 8
Cha: 16 + 2 + 1 (8th) = 19
So it looks like you went and reduced your Wisdom by 2 and gave yourself 2 points, because A) you have a Wis of 6; and B) I calculate you spending 30 points. That's entirely reasonable to do, however it's not actually permitted by the rules.
Fort: +4 (+1 Base -1 Con +2 Rat +2 Vest)
Assuming you're wearing your amulet, your Con mod is +0 not -1. That would raise your total to +5.
BAB/Grapple: +4/+3
Your BAB should be +3. You get +0 from 1 level of sorcerer, +2 from 5 levels of wizard, and +1 from 1 level of UM. 0 + 2 + 1 = 3.
Your grapple should be +1. Your Str mod is -2, not -1. And your incorrect BAB accounts for the other point of difference.
Armor Class: 11 = 10 -1 (Dex) +2 (Bracers)
Touch AC: 9 Flat Footed AC: 11 (Uncanny Dodge)
I'm not sure where you're getting uncanny dodge from...
Hp: 13 (21 with Amulet)
Were I presented this character, I would be extremely concerned about your survivability in my game. 21 hp at level 8 is pretty poor, and on top of that you have a really Fort save, a really bad Reflex save, and a super-low AC.
Melee: +1 (+3 BAB -2 Str)
Hmmm... interesting you got your BAB and Str correct here, but had both wrong up on your BAB/Grapple line.
Skills (with ranks or constant synergies)
It would actually be very helpful to know at what level you hit each age increment, since that affects your number of skill points per level. Based on your chart at the end, it appears that before you even took your first class level you were already middle aged. (note: I check the numbers before I read the fluff. So this comment could become moot once I get there.)
Sleight of Hand: +1 = 0 - 1 + 2
While you do have a synergy to this from Bluff, this is one case where you shouldn't bother listing it, since you can only use the skill trained.
Bluff: +11 = 5 + 4 + 2
Concentration: +10 = 11 - 1
>>snip<<
Overall, you seem to be using your ability mods without taking into account your equipment, such as the amulet of health or the cloak of charisma. You should be including those in your stats when you figure your bonus, so a lot of your skills are off by one point.
Situational Synergies
I appreciate seeing these listed separate.
Languages
Common
You should have 3 bonus languages due to your listed Int score (17) at first level.
Sorceror Spells (CL 8)
Level|Known/Per Day+High Cha
0|5/6+2
1|4/4+1
Oddly, your ability score doesn't grant bonus cantrips. A 21 Charisma grants 2 bonus first level spells and 1 bonus second level spell (which doesn't do you any good).
Also, your base spells per day for being (effectively) a third level sorcerer are 6 zero, 5 first. So you're also short one first level spell. (third level because you have one level in the class and UM grants you two more.)
Wizard Spells (CL 7)
Level|Known/Per Day+High Int
0|All/4
1|9/3+2
2|4/3+1
3|4/2+1
I'd like to see a "typical" spells prepared list.
>Bear's Endurance 150g
>Eagle's Splendor 75g
>Fox's Cunning 75g
Just to make sure it's clear... these wouldn't stack with your equipment. They'd override the bonus instead, because the equipment and spell both grant the same type.
I have you spending 26,873.83 gold. It's entirely possible, of course, that I did something wrong. And I'm too gosh darn lazy to double check. As always, not spending enough is significantly better than spending too much.
Also, you don't have a spell component pouch.
Background
Your backstory was enjoyable, especially your sense of humor throughout.
There were a few typos and few pieces of grammar and such that I'd touch up were I editing, but nothing serious enough to interrupt the flow of the story.
You nicely incorporated some past challenges into your tale, giving a sense of some of the stuff your character has done to earn his levels.
I also like a lot of your allies (and enemies) were open for the DM to do as he needs.
Other
You didn't cite sources; fortunately, I knew where to find ultimate magus and the metamagic feats you selected.
Responses
I...don't believe it. I haven't screwed up a build that badly since I started playing with 3e! Guess statting someone out at 6am after doing homework will have that effect. ;)
Interesting. According to a quick google, a 16 is 10 points, a 10 is 2 points, and a 14 is 6 points, giving...
:whatsthis
...someone who used the 4e point buy since he doesn't have the DMG and only has the SRD, which might explain the point discrepancy.
Yeah...as you can probably tell from the skill ranks being mixed up as well, I came up with the flavor; decided on classes and calculated everything out; submitted it; and then went "HolycrapIforgotskillsandfeats!!!!" and did a lightning-edit. Apologies on the massive amounts of fail there on my part.
Thanks.
Oops. The armor was added after the AC calculations; I wouldn't have added the armor if I'd thought to double-check that.
Yeah; since you get max HP at first level, when I was adding everything up I thought I put those 12 in the 39.
Forgot the extra human skill points; he was originally going to be an elf.
Gah! Synergy bonuses get me every time!
Hey!
Just because he lives in a forest doesn't mean he smells!
Yeah, I...was listing the cost to create, not the market price. I always have a crafter in the party, so I guess I've begun doing that by reflex.
...because once I again I threw it in at the last minute. *Sigh*
Primal Living. Right. I just get one for most of my characters. I think I should actually, y'know, read the PrCs I'm using before entering another contest...
Thank you!
I...don't believe it. I haven't screwed up a build that badly since I started playing with 3e! Guess statting someone out at 6am after doing homework will have that effect. ;)
I had to go hunting to find this, since you didn't cite your sources. ;)
I count 32 points, not 28.
Interesting. According to a quick google, a 16 is 10 points, a 10 is 2 points, and a 14 is 6 points, giving...
:whatsthis
...someone who used the 4e point buy since he doesn't have the DMG and only has the SRD, which might explain the point discrepancy.
You have Great Fortitude, but failed to include it in your total here.
I understand you took [Power Attack] because it's a pre-req for your prestige class. However, be aware that you won't be able to use the feat with your kukris.
Yeah...as you can probably tell from the skill ranks being mixed up as well, I came up with the flavor; decided on classes and calculated everything out; submitted it; and then went "HolycrapIforgotskillsandfeats!!!!" and did a lightning-edit. Apologies on the massive amounts of fail there on my part.
I like the names of your weapons - both individually and as a pair. Nice flavor.
Thanks.
Because you have on armor, you can't apply your Con mod.
Oops. The armor was added after the AC calculations; I wouldn't have added the armor if I'd thought to double-check that.
Your Hit Dice should be 2d12 + 2d8 + 3d10 + 1d10 + 39. Assuming your barbarian level was first, your hit points would be 88 (12 + 6.5 + 9 [4.5 x 2] + 22 [5.5 x 4] + 39)
Yeah; since you get max HP at first level, when I was adding everything up I thought I put those 12 in the 39.
Knowing how you purchased these would be really helpful. A lot of it appears to be cross-class ranks. For example, the only way to get 11 ranks in Survival would be if you purchased a rank using cross-class points from your fighter level.
That said, I'm really having a hard time backing into your skills. Assuming your first level was in barbarian, you should have 20 skill points at first level (4 from class, 1 from being human, x4 for being first level). At most, it appears you spent 16 skill points (4 in Handle Animal, 4 in Survival, 2 cross-class in Hide, 2 cross-class in Move Silently).
Forgot the extra human skill points; he was originally going to be an elf.
Handle Animal would give you a +2 Synergy on Ride, which you should list. Survival would give you a +2 synergy on Knowledge (nature), which you should also list. Finally, I'm of the opinion that Listen and Spot should always be listed, even when you have no ranks in them.
Gah! Synergy bonuses get me every time!
You forgot to list scent. ;)
Hey!
Just because he lives in a forest doesn't mean he smells!Each of these cost 8,308gp. When you have a +1 enhancement bonus and a +1 ability, you price it as though it were a +2 weapon. This is going to throw you way over your allowed wealth.
Yeah, I...was listing the cost to create, not the market price. I always have a crafter in the party, so I guess I've begun doing that by reflex.
You didn't include this in your AC...
...because once I again I threw it in at the last minute. *Sigh*
Interesting way around the primal living ability...
Primal Living. Right.
I just get one for most of my characters. I think I should actually, y'know, read the PrCs I'm using before entering another contest...Background
Your background story was very entertaining to read. Kudos.
I think you've hit the theme in a surprisingly effect manner! Kudos again, this time for thinking outside the proverbial box.
Thank you!
Math
A pox on math! A pox on all the little symbols and rules about taking some away or putting in some more at various intervals an intersections!
First, the individual category awards....
For best in thematic creativity, the nominees are...
Dulram Cosain and Emilee d'Vicci.
And the winner is....
Dulram Cosain by Eldritch_Lord!
Dulram Cosain by Eldritch_Lord!
[sblock=Hilifírë
Ouch! XP penalty...
Meh. We established in the End of the World contest that favored classes and XP penalties were dumb and it was okay to ignore them, so I did. *Shrug*
Indeed. I did away with XP penalties in my game, though I do require players to "justify" (even just a little bit) anything I consider an odd combo. And to be clear, I didn't reduce your score because of the multiclass. Just pointing out that by RAW (the goal of the contest), you'd suffer one.
All of your saves should be one point higher. It looks like you forgot to add in your resistance bonus.
That's what I get for adding items to my inventory and forgetting to go back an retally everything.You should have a +5 bonus from armor, not +4. So your base and flat-footed ACs should both be one point higher.
And again with the buying gear and forgetting to account for it after already filling out stats.
I had a hunch you did some last minute tweaking and forgot to update everything. There were a lot more "little things" wrong on your math than usual.
I'm going to start an argument here, I think. I'm not entirely convinced that Practiced Spellcaster actually improves the damage from your eldritch blast. Practiced Spellcaster improves your caster level by up to 4, but as best as I can tell, the damage from eldritch blast isn't actually tied to your caster level; it's tied to your character level. In addition, eldritch blast isn't a spell or invocation; it's a spell-like ability.
Aside from my personal feelings about it, the FAQ has this to say:
The FAQ actually goes further than I would; I certainly would interpret everything combined to say that Practiced Spellcaster would affect a warlock's invocations. The FAQ, however, seems to indicate that it has no effect whatsoever.
Hmm... Wow. I think I'll call that "FAQBAR'd." I haven't looked at the FAQ in a while, but my understanding, based on how Warlocks interact with PrCs that advance spellcasting, was that the Eldritch Blast was based on caster level, and therefore anything that advanced caster level should advance the Eldritch Blast. It's how I'd have ruled it in my games (don't think it's ever come up, though). Good to know, though I disagree with WotC's Ruling on it.
I'm now away from my books, but the FAQ specifically mentions that page 18 of Complete Arcane lays out an exception to the rule so warlocks can qualify for "spellcasting" prestige classes. I'd need to reread that wording.
That said... The FAQ is a funny thing. It's certainly not RAW. It's probably a pretty good glimpse into RAI. As I said in my comments, I don't agree completely with the FAQ ruling either - I think Practiced Spellcaster would affect a warlock's invocations, based on how I read it. I do, though, agree with the FAQ that Practiced Spellcaster wouldn't affect EB. I actually didn't even know this FAQ ruling existed until after I started commenting on your character - I decided to look for gits and shiggles.
And a few general comments on your equipment. You lack any method (backpack, bag of holding, etc) to carry your items. In addition, your total weight is a bit over 110 pounds - though I sincerely doubt you always carry all 10 courtier outfits (just as one example). As you likely know by now, I'm generally pretty loose about weight carried, especially in my home games. However, in your case I'd very much like to know what you're carrying with you, because it could certainly have an impact on how things go for you, as far as your various disguises and such. (note: I didn't reduce any points for having a medium load, because I think it's pretty clear you don't carry everything all the time.)
Also, I have you only spending 25,015 gold. I'm not sure if I'm missing something somewhere, or if you're really missing almost 2k gold worth of equipment.
Hmm... That's weird. Well, much of his equipment isn't carried, and I figured the sheer amount of clothes would make that obvious. Having a backpack on all day just wouldn't make sense based on his cover, but I suppose I should have bought him a chest or something. Not sure how I managed to miscalculate his gold, though. I'm sure I could have done something with that 2k.
It was clear you weren't carrying it all day - as I said, I doubt you're carrying around 10 courtier outfits all day, every day.
Another silver! 
Congrats to all!
Math
As in 'Fiddled with character (again) at last moment and forgot to use calculator' I expect.
From a min/max perspective, I'm curious why you'd by your Cha up to an 11. You could buy a 10, have the same bonus, and spend that point on your Con, which would increase the bonus there.
This is probably because I tend to approach characters from a roleplay perspective - I think of the personality and then fit stats round it. As a result, my min-maxing isn't brilliant, although I can if I remember to.
By multiclassing, you actually lose this.
True, but I'd rather list all the class abilities than get dinged for forgetting one.
You forgot your bonus skill point for being a human.
I know it's there, but I spent it on cancelling out the -1 skill point from his low int, rather than on another skill.
This costs 2000, not 1800. That puts you over your allowed cash by 200. However, you could drop some gems and reduce your available cash to cover the difference. So while going over is bad, you at least have the liquidity to cover the problem.
Given that you can't use Open Locks or Disable Device, these are sort of useless. And, given your background, I'd think you'd actually have one of them, probably Open Locks.
That's what you can go and spend your bonus human skill point on! ;)
Fiddling, fiddling. I should learn to leave things alone....
Comments
Math
First, I want to say I really appreciated this. It made figuring out your languages much easier.
Thanks, I'm glad it helped. The extra work was worth it, then.
That said... you don't get bonus languages when your Intelligence increases. It's based entirely upon your Int score at first level.
*doh* I thought I didn't do that, but I suppose I forgot it as I finished.
Init should be +3.
Whoops, missed that.
You only have a +1 Con mod. Your hp should be 29. (6 + (2.5 x 7) + 8) = 6 + 17.5 + 8.
Wow, that's sort of something you would think I would catch, but I guess not.
You listed this twice. :P
Another 'doh' moment.
I'm very much in favor of listing some key skills - such as Listen, Search and Spot - whether or not you have ranks. And I absolutely advocate listing skills you can use that have bonuses other than your ability mod, such as you have Intimidate. But... I think listing every skill (except Profession and Spellcraft, oddly) is a bit of overkill. ;)
Hmm, how did I miss Spellcraft? I copied the skill list from another entrant, actually, so >> <<. Still weird I missed Spellcraft, though. Could have sworn I got that.
These skills can only be used trained, so there's really no sense at all listing them - even Sleight of Hand, which would get a synergy bonus.
Noted. I'll make sure I note that next time.
Your ranks in Bluff grant you a synergy to this skill.
I seem to miss a lot of these sort of things. I should pay more attention.
Thank you for this. It helps when trying to verify numbers.
I'm glad I helped.
You seem to have spent 20 ranks at first level, 5 ranks from levels 2 through 7, and 6 ranks at level 8. First, kudos for getting your Int bonus correct; lots of folks seem to miss that. However... it appears you forgot to include your bonus skill point for being a human.
Thanks again. I'm glad I got that right, I always get skills wrong. I still missed the human points, though, so it looks like my bad luck with skills is still strong, lol.
Finally, you don't have any ranks in Spellcraft, which means you don't qualify for Master Specialist. However... since you have unspent skill points (thanks to forgetting your human bonus points), it would appear you're covered. Also, don't forget that you have Skill Focus (Spellcraft) as a bonus feat from master specialist.
Hmm. I really should have paid more attention to skills. I'll make sure to next time.
As a DM, I like seeing a "typical spells prepared" type list. I understand that some sitations call for you to prepare different stuff, but it's good to have a general idea what your "bread and butter" spells are.
Now, that's odd. I remember typing up a typical spells list, but I guess I forgot to put it in my post. I'll make sure to remember it for the next contest.
Also, you forgot your bonus spells from high Int. You should have one more spell of each level (except 0).
I seem to always miss those small numbers. I'll have to make sure I pay more attention next time.
Don't forget that any saves for your conjuration spells are at +2 because of Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus.
Noted.
I'm not sure how one wears a spellbook. :P
I meant to put items there that Halden carries around with him all the time. I see the rather odd grammar issue, though.
Also, you get one for free as part of your class.
So you suddenly have an extra 15 gold to your name.
Another thing I should have remembered. I don't play spellcasters much, let alone Wizards.
Neat items. I don't recall reading those before. The last one seems especially useful to your character!
[color=Blue]Yeah, I'm glad I found those. I don't use Magic Item Compendium much, so I don't know many of the things there. I found those though, and knew I found something that would come in handy.
Pssst. 2x1=2, not 4. I won't tell your math teacher if you don't. ;)
...wow. That's a rather big thing to mess up. :embarrass
I've ranted about this before, so I'll keep it short. I hate the name of the everful mug - it's so misleading. It's really a "3 times per day full mug," but I guess that isn't as catchy.
Yeah, I did think that name was odd. Well, a player could still change it, though. If I ever have a character with an Everful Mug, I'm naming it what you suggested.
I may have missed something, but I figure your total cash spent to be 26,614. Not spending enough is much better than spending too much, though.
Yeah, I like having money left over. It helps for when new needs arise.
You don't have attack values anywhere on your character sheet. I know the odds are slim you'd use your quarterstaff to beat the crap outta something, but you probably should include the total. Also, you probably want a ranged weapon such as a light crossbow. A big problem for wizards is running out of spells, and while you often suck at it, at least you can do something with a crossbow until your group stops to rest.
Now, I know I remember typing that. Maybe it got cut off when I copied and pasted it into the post. Oh well, I guess.
Background
I like him already! :D
lol, I'm glad.
You have enemies, even if you don't realize it yet. ;)
Yeah, he went through most of his recent memory just sitting around in taverns, so he doesn't have any real enemies at the moment.
Also... Kyuss, as in the Age of Worms adventure path? If so, nice tie in!
Yeah, the same Kyuss. I am running that adventure path right now for my group, so when I needed a villain, I knew who to use lol.
Nice Eberron-flavored story!
Thanks, I'm an Eberron fan lol.
What are Hal's goals? Other than getting laid, I mean. ;) Giving your DM something along those lines helps drive the story, and can be as good a plot hook as anything else.
I had to rush to get the entry done, so I didn't get to elaborate on his backstory as much as I wanted. Sad, too. I really liked this character.
Overall, you hit the theme. But it feels... weak. I mean, your "went to an arcane college" isn't much different from thousands of other wizards. I would've liked to see something different, some sort of twist, to make it a little different. *shrug*
One of the things I had to cut for time was my stressing that the 'back to school' requirement wasn't his going to an arcane college, but that he was slowly reclaiming his arcane mastery from alcohol and laziness, and in effect relearning all of the things he once knew. That seemed a lot more interesting to me, but I had to cut it for time.*shrugs in agreement*
Other
You didn't cite sources, which sent me scurrying to look up where malconvoker is printed.
Argh, I should have caught that. Sorry for the hassle. I'll remember last time, I hope.
Math
First, I want to say I really appreciated this. It made figuring out your languages much easier.
Thanks, I'm glad it helped. The extra work was worth it, then.
That said... you don't get bonus languages when your Intelligence increases. It's based entirely upon your Int score at first level.
*doh* I thought I didn't do that, but I suppose I forgot it as I finished.
Init should be +3.
Whoops, missed that.
You only have a +1 Con mod. Your hp should be 29. (6 + (2.5 x 7) + 8) = 6 + 17.5 + 8.
Wow, that's sort of something you would think I would catch, but I guess not.
You listed this twice. :P
Another 'doh' moment.
I'm very much in favor of listing some key skills - such as Listen, Search and Spot - whether or not you have ranks. And I absolutely advocate listing skills you can use that have bonuses other than your ability mod, such as you have Intimidate. But... I think listing every skill (except Profession and Spellcraft, oddly) is a bit of overkill. ;)
Hmm, how did I miss Spellcraft? I copied the skill list from another entrant, actually, so >> <<. Still weird I missed Spellcraft, though. Could have sworn I got that.
These skills can only be used trained, so there's really no sense at all listing them - even Sleight of Hand, which would get a synergy bonus.
Noted. I'll make sure I note that next time.
Your ranks in Bluff grant you a synergy to this skill.
I seem to miss a lot of these sort of things. I should pay more attention.
Thank you for this. It helps when trying to verify numbers.
I'm glad I helped.
You seem to have spent 20 ranks at first level, 5 ranks from levels 2 through 7, and 6 ranks at level 8. First, kudos for getting your Int bonus correct; lots of folks seem to miss that. However... it appears you forgot to include your bonus skill point for being a human.
Thanks again. I'm glad I got that right, I always get skills wrong. I still missed the human points, though, so it looks like my bad luck with skills is still strong, lol.
Finally, you don't have any ranks in Spellcraft, which means you don't qualify for Master Specialist. However... since you have unspent skill points (thanks to forgetting your human bonus points), it would appear you're covered. Also, don't forget that you have Skill Focus (Spellcraft) as a bonus feat from master specialist.
Hmm. I really should have paid more attention to skills. I'll make sure to next time.
As a DM, I like seeing a "typical spells prepared" type list. I understand that some sitations call for you to prepare different stuff, but it's good to have a general idea what your "bread and butter" spells are.
Now, that's odd. I remember typing up a typical spells list, but I guess I forgot to put it in my post. I'll make sure to remember it for the next contest.
Also, you forgot your bonus spells from high Int. You should have one more spell of each level (except 0).
I seem to always miss those small numbers. I'll have to make sure I pay more attention next time.
Don't forget that any saves for your conjuration spells are at +2 because of Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus.
Noted.
I'm not sure how one wears a spellbook. :P
I meant to put items there that Halden carries around with him all the time. I see the rather odd grammar issue, though.
Also, you get one for free as part of your class.
So you suddenly have an extra 15 gold to your name.
Another thing I should have remembered. I don't play spellcasters much, let alone Wizards.
Neat items. I don't recall reading those before. The last one seems especially useful to your character!
[color=Blue]Yeah, I'm glad I found those. I don't use Magic Item Compendium much, so I don't know many of the things there. I found those though, and knew I found something that would come in handy.
Pssst. 2x1=2, not 4. I won't tell your math teacher if you don't. ;)
...wow. That's a rather big thing to mess up. :embarrass
I've ranted about this before, so I'll keep it short. I hate the name of the everful mug - it's so misleading. It's really a "3 times per day full mug," but I guess that isn't as catchy.
Yeah, I did think that name was odd. Well, a player could still change it, though. If I ever have a character with an Everful Mug, I'm naming it what you suggested.
I may have missed something, but I figure your total cash spent to be 26,614. Not spending enough is much better than spending too much, though.
Yeah, I like having money left over. It helps for when new needs arise.
You don't have attack values anywhere on your character sheet. I know the odds are slim you'd use your quarterstaff to beat the crap outta something, but you probably should include the total. Also, you probably want a ranged weapon such as a light crossbow. A big problem for wizards is running out of spells, and while you often suck at it, at least you can do something with a crossbow until your group stops to rest.
Now, I know I remember typing that. Maybe it got cut off when I copied and pasted it into the post. Oh well, I guess.
Background
I like him already! :D
lol, I'm glad.
You have enemies, even if you don't realize it yet. ;)
Yeah, he went through most of his recent memory just sitting around in taverns, so he doesn't have any real enemies at the moment.
Also... Kyuss, as in the Age of Worms adventure path? If so, nice tie in!
Yeah, the same Kyuss. I am running that adventure path right now for my group, so when I needed a villain, I knew who to use lol.
Nice Eberron-flavored story!
Thanks, I'm an Eberron fan lol.
What are Hal's goals? Other than getting laid, I mean. ;) Giving your DM something along those lines helps drive the story, and can be as good a plot hook as anything else.
I had to rush to get the entry done, so I didn't get to elaborate on his backstory as much as I wanted. Sad, too. I really liked this character.
Overall, you hit the theme. But it feels... weak. I mean, your "went to an arcane college" isn't much different from thousands of other wizards. I would've liked to see something different, some sort of twist, to make it a little different. *shrug*
One of the things I had to cut for time was my stressing that the 'back to school' requirement wasn't his going to an arcane college, but that he was slowly reclaiming his arcane mastery from alcohol and laziness, and in effect relearning all of the things he once knew. That seemed a lot more interesting to me, but I had to cut it for time.*shrugs in agreement*
Other
You didn't cite sources, which sent me scurrying to look up where malconvoker is printed.
Argh, I should have caught that. Sorry for the hassle. I'll remember last time, I hope.
Yep. Definitely like the character I played. ;)
Bad boy! :D
Tnx for comments, I'll try to remember.
I'm gonna have to think about that title
.All the Best,
Nani?
Ok... so now that I've finally gotten back out to school, and I have access to all this again, here comes the comments.
First & foremost, in regards to anything math related, consider my comments to be labeled "see Z's comments." He caught everything I did, and more, so I can't really add much there. I may note a few particularly pertinent Math comments if I felt they were particularly important, but in general, I'm going to skip over the Math comments.
As for the other various categories:
Thematic Creativity
-Alright, I'm going to make several people mad with this comment, but several people lost points here. Since this was a "Back to School" competition, I really wanted to see a "school." What do I mean by this? Your character had to be associated with some sort of formal, educational institution. I was open to various types of institutions (war, magic, etc...) and several types of characters (teachers, students, staff, etc...), but if you weren't part of a FORMAL institution, you lost points.
Teaching someone something didn't cut it.
Mentor/student didn't cut it.
A school is an institution, and I needed to see an institution in your entry.
Background
-General commentary from every other competition applies here. See specific character comments for details.
Clarity
-Ok... I either made a tremendous number of copy/paste errors, or a LOT of people forgot to Cite Sources. Remember, if it isn't Core 3, I want a citation.
And now, on to specific commentary:
Cadmus Doon
Thematic Creativity
•Popular Professor definitely hits the “theme” of School-Tied characters, and I enjoyed the eccentric touch you added to this entry. Very nice.
•Ultimately, you wrote your character out of the school, and out of the theme, which caused you to lose points in this category. Yes, school-based characters can still go out and adventure, but ‘…he was not happy there… he had been stifled.”
Background
•Bravo, sir! Bravo!
•“Unpronouncable” – You got a good laugh out of that one, just so you know.
•Your background is very well written, has a LOT of voice, and has a plethora of excellent details.
•I like the fact that you created an Old character as part of your entry.
Rules Use/Mechanics
•Rules Use #1: So… did Cadmus acquire his first character level after he was officially elderly? Your skill points use your Intelligence modifier, which is based off your Old Age status… however, your story reads as if he was a caster and an adventurer long before his gray hair set in. As such, your skill point total is too high, as far as your story is concerned.
•Rules Use #2: I’m not sure I’m a fan of your Homebrew Hailstones spell, and the reason is this: it has the [cold] descriptor. This might seem minor, but Magic Missile uses the [force] descriptor, which never inflicts extra damage vs. creatures of a certain subtype, whereas the [cold] descriptor does. I have a problem granting an “auto-hit” feature to a spell type that can deal extra damage vs. certain types of creatures. Overall, it’s a minor issue, but this spell didn’t sit well with me.
•I find it curious that you have a base Intelligence of 17, but you only have one language (common). You are entitled to a few more, and I think that would be acceptable for this character… so long as one of those languages wasn’t Elven.
Clarity
•Red Ink (tutelage, not tutalege)
•Citation Issues: You cited your sources on some of your items, but not on your feats or for the Ultimate Magus class. Remember, if it’s non-core, I want you to cite your sources.
•You really needed to tell me when Cadmus advanced in age (at least relative to his levels). As it stands, your story can not possibly match your skill points, but it is impossible to tell you what your correct total ‘should’ be.
•Otherwise, your entry was neat, and easy to follow.
•Popular Professor definitely hits the “theme” of School-Tied characters, and I enjoyed the eccentric touch you added to this entry. Very nice.
•Ultimately, you wrote your character out of the school, and out of the theme, which caused you to lose points in this category. Yes, school-based characters can still go out and adventure, but ‘…he was not happy there… he had been stifled.”
Background
•Bravo, sir! Bravo!
•“Unpronouncable” – You got a good laugh out of that one, just so you know.
•Your background is very well written, has a LOT of voice, and has a plethora of excellent details.
•I like the fact that you created an Old character as part of your entry.
Rules Use/Mechanics
•Rules Use #1: So… did Cadmus acquire his first character level after he was officially elderly? Your skill points use your Intelligence modifier, which is based off your Old Age status… however, your story reads as if he was a caster and an adventurer long before his gray hair set in. As such, your skill point total is too high, as far as your story is concerned.
•Rules Use #2: I’m not sure I’m a fan of your Homebrew Hailstones spell, and the reason is this: it has the [cold] descriptor. This might seem minor, but Magic Missile uses the [force] descriptor, which never inflicts extra damage vs. creatures of a certain subtype, whereas the [cold] descriptor does. I have a problem granting an “auto-hit” feature to a spell type that can deal extra damage vs. certain types of creatures. Overall, it’s a minor issue, but this spell didn’t sit well with me.
•I find it curious that you have a base Intelligence of 17, but you only have one language (common). You are entitled to a few more, and I think that would be acceptable for this character… so long as one of those languages wasn’t Elven.
Clarity
•Red Ink (tutelage, not tutalege)
•Citation Issues: You cited your sources on some of your items, but not on your feats or for the Ultimate Magus class. Remember, if it’s non-core, I want you to cite your sources.
•You really needed to tell me when Cadmus advanced in age (at least relative to his levels). As it stands, your story can not possibly match your skill points, but it is impossible to tell you what your correct total ‘should’ be.
•Otherwise, your entry was neat, and easy to follow.
I'm gonna have to think about that title
Your Hero Craftsman title is taken care of. Now we're just waiting on them to do your Hero Artisan title.
Lots of Apostrophes
hilarious.....
I should probably post my own comments. I will try to get to them when I'm off Friday. I will say though, that I'm going to copy Jason and reference people to Zherog for the math parts. I don't think I caught anything he missed....though it's been long enough since I finished my scores that I don't remember for sure.
EpikThematic Creativity
•The only ‘school’ associated w/ this character is the bloodmage guild that also serves as Epik’s banking center.
•While Leet may have founded his own organization, that organization doesn’t serve any educational role…
•Ultimately, this character missed the theme.
Background
•Epik is an interesting character, but I have two major problems w/ his background.
•1) “Over the Top” – Plausible character background… maybe, but not for a level 8 character. Your background would be more appropriate for 12+ ECL adventuring party.
•2) Epik doesn’t “play well w/ others,” which could be a problem in certain gaming groups. Even if he was played in an evil campaign, I’m worried that this character would be disruptive to the campaign. I would be very hesitant to allow this character into a game.
•Overall, your background isn’t terrible, but these two issues are major issues in my mind.
commentsPoints taken on the numbers, but I think you missed that this character is a WoW parody (I've tried to make it obvious). It's not a character I'd recommend playing even if you are a good player. He would not survive.
ShowHuh. I play WoW a lot, and didn't really catch the parody. Even briefly looking at it now, I'm not really seeing it. *shrug*
Mercurius, sitting behind me, comments that parodies never seem to work. His Yugi-Oh parody a few competitions ago went right over everyone's head as well.
Some answers...
1. With such a high speed already, I would just assume that when she used her full speed (a likely rare occurence), she would use all available skills to maximize it.
2. She is catfolk. I'm not saying she moves like Tigger, but the fact that she moves so fast in one move action tells me that her strides could easily exceed ten feet.
3. From "Races of the Wild," where catfolk are detailed...
"Catfolk move in quick bursts of speed, rather than a steady gait...members of other races find this style of movement almost impossible to emulate."
Halden Kessler
Thematic Creativity
•You went to school… a long time ago, and it seems pretty unrelated to your current state of affairs.
Yeah, I was going to include a detail, and I think I mentioned this before in the thread, that his going to school wasn't supposed to be the requirement, but his regaining his power from his damaged mind was going to be the 'education' requirement. That's why I didn't go into his school much; it wasn't going to be the focus.
•Overall, this character is only distantly attached to the theme of this competition.
I wish I would have had more time to write, because then I wouldn't have forgotten such details. I can't really blame anyone but myself, though, because I had the time to do it.
Background
•I like the rise to power, lose power, & slowly regain what you’ve lost story style, and you’ve created a solid example in this entry. Well done.
Thanks! I really liked this character, too.
•However, I’m inclined to disagree that a demon-summoner from an army that commanded legions of undead wouldn’t have any major enemies. If you’re escaping your demons, that means something is chasing you.
Yeah, I suppose that that's a good point. My thinking was that he was good at his job, and commanded a unit, but he didn't make any real enemies, besides the members of the countries he was fighting against. I see your point, though. I should have had some major enemy.
•Your background is usable, but needs a little work & a solid antagonist to be complete.
Yeah, I see your point. I could have done a lot more with the antagonist. Looking back on it, I don't see why I didn't.
•Did you seriously try to convince me that a “summoner” wouldn’t want to call a familiar?
Well, my idea was that a familiar isn't really helpful, especially in war, because if it gets taken out it could do a lot of damage to the caster. It didn't really seem to be his style to have some small animal following him around.
Clarity
•Minor Red Ink
•Citation Issues: You cited your sources half the time, but you forgot to do it for the Master Specialist & Malconvoker PrCs.
Gah, I need to be more careful about that.
•You really needed some “commonly summoned” monsters pre-stated.
If I ever make a summoner again, I will be sure to. That's another thing that I should have remembered.
•General Rule: On skills, if your only modifier is your ability modifier, then you don’t need to list it. Only bother to list skills w/ ranks, synergy bonuses, or particular circumstances. Some judges prefer that you ALWAYS list Spot & Listen, but I’m indifferent on that account. I only want to see the skills w/ multiple numbers affecting the ultimate modifier.
Yeah, I thought it was a little much, but I decided to keep it just to have it all there. Next time, though, I will trim that out.
•Overall, your stat-block was neat, and easy to follow.
Thanks! I'm glad that was easy to read, because I usually have trouble there. At least I know I can use the same format in the future.
•You went to school… a long time ago, and it seems pretty unrelated to your current state of affairs.
Yeah, I was going to include a detail, and I think I mentioned this before in the thread, that his going to school wasn't supposed to be the requirement, but his regaining his power from his damaged mind was going to be the 'education' requirement. That's why I didn't go into his school much; it wasn't going to be the focus.
•Overall, this character is only distantly attached to the theme of this competition.
I wish I would have had more time to write, because then I wouldn't have forgotten such details. I can't really blame anyone but myself, though, because I had the time to do it.
Background
•I like the rise to power, lose power, & slowly regain what you’ve lost story style, and you’ve created a solid example in this entry. Well done.
Thanks! I really liked this character, too.
•However, I’m inclined to disagree that a demon-summoner from an army that commanded legions of undead wouldn’t have any major enemies. If you’re escaping your demons, that means something is chasing you.
Yeah, I suppose that that's a good point. My thinking was that he was good at his job, and commanded a unit, but he didn't make any real enemies, besides the members of the countries he was fighting against. I see your point, though. I should have had some major enemy.
•Your background is usable, but needs a little work & a solid antagonist to be complete.
Yeah, I see your point. I could have done a lot more with the antagonist. Looking back on it, I don't see why I didn't.
•Did you seriously try to convince me that a “summoner” wouldn’t want to call a familiar?
Well, my idea was that a familiar isn't really helpful, especially in war, because if it gets taken out it could do a lot of damage to the caster. It didn't really seem to be his style to have some small animal following him around.
Clarity
•Minor Red Ink
•Citation Issues: You cited your sources half the time, but you forgot to do it for the Master Specialist & Malconvoker PrCs.
Gah, I need to be more careful about that.
•You really needed some “commonly summoned” monsters pre-stated.
If I ever make a summoner again, I will be sure to. That's another thing that I should have remembered.
•General Rule: On skills, if your only modifier is your ability modifier, then you don’t need to list it. Only bother to list skills w/ ranks, synergy bonuses, or particular circumstances. Some judges prefer that you ALWAYS list Spot & Listen, but I’m indifferent on that account. I only want to see the skills w/ multiple numbers affecting the ultimate modifier.
Yeah, I thought it was a little much, but I decided to keep it just to have it all there. Next time, though, I will trim that out.
•Overall, your stat-block was neat, and easy to follow.
Thanks! I'm glad that was easy to read, because I usually have trouble there. At least I know I can use the same format in the future.
As an addendum to my comments on your familiar though: if a small animal isn't your style, don't forget the Improved Familiar feat.