Characters – Page 5 – Sword’s Edge Publishing

April 5, 2011April 5, 2011/ Fraser

Sword Noir: A Combat Example

The multiple opponent rules have been changed, and a new post with a combat example is presented here. The rules don’t change the numbers, they just remove the necessity to track the penalty through Ranks and rather apply a straight penalty.

James on Twitter asked for an example of combat, just to help him figure out how the system in Sword Noir works.

Sounds good to me. I’m going to use Tara the Mercenary, whose character creation is explained in the book and whose character sheet is included in the Appendices (and on this very website!). She’s going to first face Croydon from the adventure Farewell, Something Lovely (included in Sword Noir) and then four of his Urban Cohorts.

Here’s the statblocks for each. Quick explanation—Tara is a PC, meaning that the character is a “hero.” Croydon is a “regular,” and the Cohorts are “minions.” You can see the different builds, with the hero being the most extensive and the minion being the least.

Tara
Concept: Mercenary, Good (+2)
Background: ex-Monastic Order, Good
Faculty: Scrounging, Good [Cha]
Flaw: Papa needs a brand new bag, Basic (-2)
Phy: – ; Agl: Good; Wit: -; Cha: Good; Wil: –
Swordplay, Great (+4) [Agl]; Fancy Footwork, Good [Agl]

Croydon
Concept: Centurion +2
Faculty: Fight Dirty (Phy) +2
Phy 12; Agl 9; Wit7; Cha 7; Wil 9

Cohorts
Concept: Urban Cohorts +2
Phy: 12 Int: 7 Soc: 9

So, Tara faces off against Croydon. The weapons used are immaterial—the success level is what is important. First, we do an Initiative Test. Only players roll—you’ll note that Tara’s Traits (Phy, Agl, Wit, Cha, Wil) are all ranked, Croydon and the Cohorts have Target Numbers.

An Initiative Test always uses either the Agility or Wit Trait for heroes. Any Quality used in an Initiative Test cannot be used in the following combat. Tara feels pretty confident against Croydon, so she doesn’t need to save all her Qualities for combat, so she’s going to use Fancy Footwork—she dazzles with her quick movements to get the blade in first. As the GM, I know Croydon is worried, so he’s going to modify the Test with Centurion—his years of fighting have taught him all the tells of someone getting ready to throwdown, so as soon as he sees Tara intends to kick butt, he moves.

The player rolls 2d10 and gets 9. To this, the player adds 4 (Tara’s Agl and Fancy Footwork are Good). 13. Croydon has a 9 Agl and Centurion gives him a further 2, so that’s 11. Tara won initiative and is the attacker.

Well, when it comes to actual fighting, Tara has little to fear. She can use Agl as the Trait for a Combat Test, and could modify it with both her Qualities attached to Agl (Swordplay and Fancy Footwork), except that she already used Fancy Footwork for the Initiative Test, so she’s left with Swordplay. She can also use Concept of Mercenary, for a grand total of +8. Croydon’s Target Number would be 14 (his Phy is 12 and he applies Fight Dirty). The player rolls a 12, which modifies to 20, and beats Croydon’s TN of 14. She beats it by 6, providing a “Good” success. That inflicts 1 damage rating. Since Croydon is a regular, that’s it for him. He’s down.

But he was only stalling Tara until his squad of Urban Cohorts could arrive. There are four of them, and they mean to make Tara pay for gutting their centurion.

Initiative time: Tara is a bit worried. These guys don’t look particularly tough, but if they get the drop on her, she’s done. The player applies Fancy Footwork and Swordplay to the Initiative Test, knowing that being the attacker is not particularly dangerous, but being the defender against four is very much so. The Target Number for the Initiative Test is 12, the Cohorts’ Phy.

You see, because there are 4, Tara is penalized at -8 (-2 per opponent). The player rolls a 6. Modified with Agility (+2) Fancy Footwork (+2) and Swordplay (+4) that becomes 14. But with the -8, that’s back to a 6. Ouch. Yeah, she totally lost that.

The first thing Tara wants to do is try to seize the initiative. Tara makes another Initiative Test but against The Cohorts’ combat Target Number. Since the Cohorts can now use their Concept of Urban Cohorts, the Target number is 14. The player rolls a 10. In the end, she’s pretty much rolling unmodified, because her Trait and Qualities are countered by the multiple opponent penalty. That 10 isn’t enough. Fail!

Unfortunately, that means the Cohorts considers Tara “Undefended.” Tara’s player has to roll 4 unmodified Tests against the Target Number 15. The player rolls a 9, a 13, a 5 and a 16.

The first roll is not only a failure, it provides Cohort 1 with a “Good” success. Tara receives 1 damage rating, she incurs a cumulative -1 modifier on all physical actions, including combat for the length of the combat, and—for the next combat turn—she may not attempt to seize initiative. The damage rating inflicts a further -2 modifier to physical actions, so a total penalty of -3. That means the next roll is a 10—an Average success, so a further -1, for a total of -4. Not pretty. That makes the 5 a 1, which is a Great success for Cohort 3—another 2 damage ratings and a total modifier of -9. That makes the last roll a 7, a Good success for Cohort 4, inflicting another damage rating on Tara, which puts her down. She receives a Doom and may have died.

Multiple opponents, even a bunch of minions, can lead to a Doom with one or two bad rolls. The effects of failure in combat are cumulative. One of the precepts of Sword Noir is “Violence is deadly and fast.” The Tara character is pretty much totally devoted to combat—she could only have been improved for combat by making her Faculty something like Widowmaker or Sharpest Blade. That extra +2 might have helped her, but not by much, and she likely still would have been taken down by the four opponents.

That’s an example of how combat works in Sword Noir, and how it is—in fact—deadly and fast.

April 5, 2011April 5, 2011/ Fraser

Sword Noir: The Appendices

This does not refer to an appendectomy being done on Sword Noir. Nope, this is a collection of items found in its appendices.

Collected here are
– character tracker
– pre-made characters
– character sheet
– map of Everthorn

These are both for purchasers who want individual copies of these useful items, and for those wondering about buying Sword Noir—giving them an idea of what they will find therein.

March 24, 2010March 24, 2010/ Fraser

Mundus Novit: Alexander Scott, Drift Operative

You’ve been introduced to the Vault, one of the organizations that you might find in Mundus Novit, and one that has a pretty important role in Dark Horizons. Now let’s meet one of the characters, statted up using the Mundus Novit Modern System supplement.

Alexander Scott, Drift Operative
Alexander Scott began his career as part of the Canadian Forces. He completed basic training just after the Somalia Affair and the disbanding of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. The prestige of the Forces was at an all-time low. This did not deter Scott, who volunteered for any training and any mission. He got noticed. His career became the stuff of legends.

By 2000, Scott had become a part of Security Reconnaissance Group, an off-the-books black ops unit operating in a deniable fashion. Joint Task Force Two was the high profile, high speed, door kickers, while the SRG worked in the shadows, and did everything nice and quiet. By 2002, Scott was working in Pakistan, running operations against the Taliban and Al-Quaeda. He built up a number of contacts in the region, and became the go-to guy for troubleshooting.

That’s when Drift came calling. By 2006, Scott had been involved in seven different rescue/evacuation/kinetic exfiltration events, all successful. Two members of Operation Drift came to debrief him in Islamabad on the understanding that they wanted to learn from his missions. At the end of the five day debrief, Scott was offered a position with Drift. At first he declined, but when an eighth rescue went south due to lack of resources and poor inter-agency cooperation, Scott asked if the offer was still open.

It was.

Scott ran multiple operations in South and Central Asia. Most were successful, though certainly not all. It was during an exfiltration of a British asset from Uzbekistan that Scott ran into Rudi the Russian. Rudi was already famous as a fixer in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. Rudi proved a man of his word, if a little too mercenary for Scott to completely trust him.

In 2009, Scott officially left Drift. There is no record of the reason nor is there any indication of his whereabouts.

That is, until Lt. Rebecca Kim of the Advanced Tactics Action Company (C Company, 1st Battalion, NATO Response Command, Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, NATO) tracked him to Monrovia in Liberia.

Smart Hero 4/ Fast Hero 3/ Soldier 2/ Infiltrator 3/ Drift Training 3: CR 15; 41-year old Male; HD 4d6+4 plus 3d8+3 plus 2d10+2 plus 3d8+3 plus 3d8+3; hp 101; MAS 13; Init +6; Spd 30ft.; Def 28, touch 25, flatfooted 26; BAB +8/+3; Grap +8/+3; Atk +8/+3 melee (1d4, combat knife), or +11/+6 ranged (2d6+2, MP7), or +10/+5 ranged (2d6, LDA pistol); FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; AL Drift, NATO, Canadian Forces; SV Fort +8, Ref +12, Will +8; AP 7; Rep +4; Str 11, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 15.

Skills: (modifiers in parentheses include armour penalty) Balance +6 (+4), Bluff +12, Computer Use +10, Craft (chemical) +4, Craft (electronic) +5, Craft (mechanical) +5, Craft (pharmaceutical) +5, Craft (structural) +4, Decipher Script +7, Demolitions +9, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +12, Disable Device +11, Escape Artist +8 (+6), Forgery +8, Gather Information +8, Hide +14 (+12), Intimidate +8, Investigate +5, Knowledge (behavioural sciences) +7, Knowledge (civics) +7, Knowledge (current events) +7, Knowledge (earth and life sciences) +4, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (popular culture) +6, Knowledge (streetwise) +10, Knowledge (tactics) +9, Knowledge (technology) +4, Listen +14, Move Silently +14 (+12), Navigate +14, Read/Write Language (Arabic, Dari, English, French, German), Research +5, Search +7, Sense Motive +10, Speak Language (Arabic, Dari, English, French, German, Pashtu), Spot +14, Survival +6.

Feats: Advanced Firearms Proficiency, Alertness, Armour Proficiency (light), Burst Fire, Deceptive, Double Tap, Improved Initiative, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Quick Reload, Simple Weapons Proficiency, Stealthy, Trustworthy

Talents (Smart Hero): Exploit Weakness, Linguist
Talents (Fast Hero): Evasion, Uncanny Dodge 1
Class Features (Soldier): Weapon Focus (MP7 personal defence weapon), Weapon Specialization (MP7 personal defence weapon)
Class Features (Infiltrator): Sweep, Improvised Implements
Talents (Drift Training): Do You Know Who I Am?, Combat Awareness
Occ: Adventurer (Bluff, Disable Device)
Possessions: H&K MP7 personal defence weapon (laser sight, removable suppressor); 6, 20-round MP7 magazines; Para-Ordnance LDA autoloader pistol in concealed carry holster; 2 LDA magazines; combat knife; binoculars, electro-optical; chem-lights (5); compass; day pack (appears as rucksack, contains MP7 and other equipment); flashlight; PLGR (precision, lightweight GPS receiver); maps, local; multi-purpose tool; night vision goggles (if working at night); tactical radio; undercover vest armour.

Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) (from Covert Forces Redux)
This is the military variant of the GPS receiver listed in the Modern System Document (variant of the world’s most popular role-playing game). The PLGR uses satellites to verify position to within 20 feet. It has a variety of data outputs, including longitude and latitude, and military coordinates. The PLGR has an in-built anti-countermeasures system and can link to the computers in other vehicles to allow targeting or exfiltration.

radio, tactical (from Covert Forces Redux)
This is a man-portable radio used for short-range communication between members of the same unit. In most situations, every member of a unit will have a tactical radio, which keeps all members connected. The effective range is up to 2 miles. Examples of tactical radios include the UK/PRC-349 and the SABER series of radios.

Heckler & Koch MP7 personal defence weapon (from Covert Forces Redux)
Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch GmbH, Germany
Calibre: 4.6 × 30mm
Barrel Length: 7.1”
Overall Length: 13.5” (stock extended, 21”)
Weight (loaded): 4.2 lbs. (with 20-round magazine)
Safety: Integrated into fire selector.
Sights: Detachable red dot sight included; back up – low profile iron sights
Magazine capacity: 20- or 40-round box magazine

This is a 4.6 x30mm personal defence weapon from Germany. It has a retractable butt stock and can fire in semi-automatic and full automatic fire modes. The MP7 is part of a new breed of sub-compact automatic weapons termed personal defence weapons. The MP7’s cartridge is a high-velocity round designed for use against armoured opponents. While the 4.6mm round performs against armour better than the 9mm used in most submachine guns, it lacks the punch and stopping power of that round. The MP-7 has a top-mounted Picatinny rail system, allowing attachments such as tactical lights or laser aiming modules. It is also designed to accept a suppressor.

With the stock retracted, this weapon grants a +1 circumstance bonus to Sleight of Hand checks made to conceal the weapon. If the 40-round box magazine is used, it incurs a -1 circumstance penalty to Sleight of Hand checks made to conceal the weapon. If the 40-round box magazine is used, and the stock is retracted, the weapon incurs no bonuses or penalties for Sleight of Hand checks made to conceal the weapon.

This weapon has +1 bonus to attack against opponents wearing armour or having natural armour.

Para-Ordnance LDA autoloader pistol
Manufacturer: Para-Ordnance, Canada
Calibre: .45 ACP
Barrel Length: 5”
Overall Length: 8.5”
Weight (loaded): 2.5 lbs.
Safety: Ambidextrous manual safety
Sights: Front, blade; rear, notch, adjustable for windage
Magazine capacity: 14-round box magazine

This .45 ACP autoloader pistol was designed around the M1911 model but with a higher capacity magazine and a double-action trigger pull. The Para-Ordnance began as a Canadian company providing conversion kits for standard M1911A1 pistols to allow for the higher capacity magazines. It branched out into firearms manufacture, and introduced the LDA (light double action) as the first double action M1911 model autoloader pistol.

Weapon	Damage	Critical	Damage Type	Range Increment	Rate of Fire	Magazine	Size	Weight	Purchase DC	Restrict.
MP7	2d6	20	Ballistic	30 ft.	S, A	20 box	Md	4 lb.	24	Res
LDA	2d6	20	Ballistic	30 ft.	S	14 box	Sm	3 lb.	17	Lic

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15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Modern System Reference Document Copyright 2002, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Charles Ryan, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R. Cordell, John Tynes, Andy Collins, and JD Wiker.

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Open Gaming Content

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February 25, 2010February 25, 2010/ Fraser

So . . . Noir?

Reason # 3 to buy the current issue of On Spec: it may lead to the wholesale adoption of Sword Noir as a genre . . . that or it goes into the dustbin of history, either way you have an issue of On Spec!

Yes, this article is going to be about Sword Noir. Don’t worry, Dark Horizons will be back soon. I have an itchin’ to talk sword noir in celebration of me being the featured author of the current issue of On Spec, Canada’s premier speculative fiction magazine. What, you didn’t realize that? Time to rush out and buy a copy, or perhaps order it on line? Go ahead, you do that. I can wait.

Peanut butter is good.

Wow, that’s a lot of snow.

Hmmm, do we have beer in the fridge? Maybe I should go—

Oh, you’re back. Cool. Let’s get started.

The concept of sword noir is—as you might suspect, or even know—a mashup of film noir and sword & sorcerery. I’ve already deduced what I consider to be the elements that I need to pull from each, but in case you forget, let’s go over them again.

To quote:

So what is sword noir as a genre? Characters morals are shifting at best and absent at worst. The atmosphere is dark and hope is frail or completely absent. Violence is deadly and fast. The characters are good at what they do, but they are specialists. Trust is the most valued of commodities–life is the cheapest. Grim leaders weave labyrinthine plots which entangle innocents. Magic exists and can be powerful, but it takes extreme dedication to learn, extorts a horrible price, and is slow to conjure.

How does one work this into your game?

Some of this is about the characters. As you might suspect, I’m about to tell you that you need to get player buy in.

You need to get player buy in.

The thing is, deciding to go sword noir means that there are constraints or at least expectations in regards to the characters. Consider the shining knight/paladin/holy warrior. You could certainly play such a character in a sword noir campaign, but the shining knight would need to be tarnished, the paladin would have strayed, the holy warrior would be questioning her faith. There are no paragons of good. There are no paragons of anything. Nothing is purely good or purely evil.

And that leads us to the villain. The characters cannot be purely good and the villain should not be purely evil. The villain should be, of course, a villain–but a sympathetic villain. By that I don’t mean one feels sympathy for the villain, but that one can understand the villain, why she does what she does. You would not do what the villain does, she goes too far, but you can understand why she does these things.

The characters may recognize how close they are to being the villain. One misstep, one ethical lapse, and the characters might find themselves on the same path. Killing that prisoner because he killed your best friend. Torturing that old merchant because the word on the street said he knew who kidnapped the boy. Turning a blind eye to the fishmonger pimping out young women because he occasionally feeds you information. None of these things would be unacceptable in a sword noir campaign. That’s not to say they are expected, and these steps could easily lead to others.

The thing is, while the characters are not lily white, they are usually better than others around them. Neither Sam Spade in the Maltese Falcon, nor Jeff Bailey/Markham in Out of the Past are bad guys, but that’s only in comparison to other characters in those films. They are very flawed, very cynical, and while they do some good acts, they are very self-interested.

No, that doesn’t sound like player characters at all!

Playing the bad guy is also fine. You could make the villain the local magistrate or king’s representative. In sword noir, though, the forces of law are about imposing order, not seeking justice. The city watch might be as bad as any gang, and are certainly as corrupt. The prince is not interested in the well-being of his vassals, he just wants everything to run smoothly so he can get more taxes.

If you are going to fight the power, it’s likely someone is going to bring up the prototypical outlaw hero. Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood and Robin of Sherwood wouldn’t fit into sword noir, but make their band of merry men more like a real criminal gang, and you might have something. There’s nothing wrong with them taking care of the locals with the money they steal, but they’d likely keep the lion’s share for themselves. And they certainly wouldn’t like anyone speaking ill of them. A local who gets out of line would be as bad off with Robin’s men as with the sheriff’s.

Whether “good” or “bad”—in context—the characters would be talented. This fits with most RPGs, as the characters are expected to be special. They are not average joes. These are not uber-competent characters, though. They are not super-heroes. They are usually good at something in particular, though that something might be killing. Specialization is also a hallmark of a lot of RPGs, so that works out fine.

One problem with noir in regards to gaming is the adventuring party, the PC group. Usually, the characters of noir are loners. Given that, it’s still not exactly beyond the pale for the characters to form some kind of association. Trust is important in sword noir, and that may be one of the things that make the characters special: loyalty. Perhaps this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

That’s a lot of stuff to think about, right? However, making characters for a sword noir campaign isn’t the most difficult part.

So, what is?

We’ll talk later.

November 24, 2009November 24, 2009/ Fraser

The Lorestaves: The NPCs at Causens’ Corner

Causens’ Corner in the Temples
The NPCs listed in this section are tertiary characters at best. They should be used in a narrative capacity. They are mouthpieces for the GM, and should not be coming into conflict with the PCs. They may prove to be available as some level of resource for the PCs, but other than that, their impact on the story will likely be minimal. These are not extraordinary individuals.

Alassorn of Karnhorn, the local cooper
37 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 11; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +1; Atk +1 melee (1d6, club), or +3 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2; AL CN; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 13.

Skills: Sleight of Hand +7, Craft (woodworking) +10, Disable Device +4, Forgery +7, Hide +7, Knowledge (local) +7, Listen +3, Move Silently +6, Profession (cooper) +4, Search +3, Spot +3.

Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (Craft [woodworking]).

Possessions: Artisan’s outfit, club, dagger, pouch with 30 princes (sp).

Background: Alassorn is something of a success story. A career criminal, a turn at the oars of one of the Duke’s galleys killed Alassorn’s anti-social tendencies. Finally released after he had served his time, Alassorn apprenticed with the only craftsman who would accept him—Hesrick, the cooper at Causens’ Corner. Hesrick, unlike Alassorn, knew nothing of the criminal elements in the Temples and work only for legitimate businesses. While he survived, one could not call him successful. Alassorn, meanwhile, was willing to help out his old criminal cronies by supplying things like weighted barrels to easily dispose of a body in the bay, or false-bottomed barrels in which to smuggle goods. With the money made through his illicit dealings, Alassorn did something completely out of character—he acted honestly and in good faith. He purchased the cooperage from Hesrick for a price everyone had to agree was more than fair. Hesrick went to live with his eldest son who had a fairly prosperous farm outside the city and Alassorn was free to contract with whomever he pleased.

What He Knows: While Alassorn isn’t in the thick of the underworld, he hears plenty of stories and he has a good idea of who killed whom, especially since he may have supplied the means to hide the body. He also thinks he knows more than he does, crediting himself with deductive capabilities far beyond his actual capacity.

What He Will Tell: For enough coin, Alassorn will tell anything. It doesn’t matter if it is true or not. Of course, Alassorn is aware that occasionally stupid decisions can come back to haunt one, so he never sells false information to anyone connected with the underworld in the Temples. Outsiders, however, are fair game.

Tactics: It’s been quite some time since Alassorn has needed to protect himself, but he still remembers how to fight. He’ll try to escape from any fight, though, before he’ll willingly engage in one. If forced, he’ll fight defensively while trying to get a feel for his opponent. If he has a few rounds in which his opponent has not landed an attack, Alassorn will actually attempt to fight as regular, until he gets hit, at which point he’ll return to fighting defensively. If he has a chance to escape a fight, even one in which he’s doing well, he’ll take it.

Cessforn the Elder, the father of the local carpenter
72 year old Male Human Expert 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d6; hp 11; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10; BAB +2; Atk +0 melee (1d6-2, walking stick), or +2 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +6; AL CN; Str 6, Dex 11, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 13, Cha 10.

Skills: Craft (carpentry) +11, Craft (woodworking) +7, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +3, Heal +7, Knowledge (local) +6, Listen +7, Move Silently +3, Search +5, Spot +4.

Feats: Dodge, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Craft [carpentry]).

Possessions: Artisan’s outfit, pouch with 15 dublings (cp) and 5 princes (sp), walking stick (can be used as club).

Background: Cessforn lived his entire life in the Temples. Born to a carpenter, he apprenticed as a carpenter and brought his son up to be a carpenter. When he looks back on his life, he has many regrets, mostly not having left the Temples for someplace safer. Still, could he have started over? Could he have afforded to leave an established practice? Luckily, his son is responsible enough to see to his father’s needs. Should Cessforn the Younger pass away, the Elder will soon find himself in a very dire situation.

What He Knows: Not a criminal himself, he has grown up around criminals. He knows much about the underworld, who is important and who is dangerous, but nothing that every other denizen of the Temples doesn’t also know.

What He Will Tell: He doesn’t really have anything to tell and he is too frightened of repercussions to tell what he does know.

Tactics: Cessforn, if attacked, will defend himself. He doesn’t expect to last much longer in this world, and given the chance to go out fighting, he’ll take it. He won’t go looking for a fight, but if presented with one, he’ll start swinging his walking stick. He doesn’t have much of strategy.

Cessforn the Younger, the local carpenter
51 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 9; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1 Atk +0 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff), or +2 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +3; AL LN; Str 8, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 13, Wis 11, Cha 10.

Skills: Craft (Carpentry) +9, Diplomacy +5, Disable Device +4, Gather Information +2, Hide +2, Knowledge (local) +5, Listen +5, Move Silently +3, Spot +7, Tumble +6.

Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (carpentry).

Possessions: Artisan’s outfit, pouch with 15 princes (sp) and 5 wrens (gp), quarterstaff.

Background: Like his father, Cessforn the Younger grew up in the Temples. It’s all he knows. He apprenticed under his father and actually has some skill in carpentry. He could likely move out of the Temples, but he has a wife and children and not much actual coinage, rather his wealth is in his business. Finding another place where he could live with his father close by for as little as the Temples would be difficult, if not impossible. As such, Cessforn works throughout Bowden, earning a fair amount of money, but lives and has his shop in the Temples.

What He Knows: Cessforn keeps out of trouble, he stays away from criminals and he forgets any rumours he hears on the streets. He knows how quickly fate can turn on a man in the Temples.

What He Will Tell: He will tell nothing, and he will insist that he knows nothing. Knowledge is far too dangerous in the Temples.

Tactics: Cessforn isn’t a fighter, but if his family is threatened, he’s more than willing to use the stout staff he always carries with him. He knows the Temples, which means he knows violence.

Not much of a fighter, Cessforn will fight defensively. He’ll try to give his family a chance to escape. That done, he’ll attempt to escape himself. If he is in his own neighbourhood, he’ll try to get those people who know him involved, at least to find help. Cessforn has plenty of friends—for a man of the Temples, he’s honest—so there might actually be people willing to help.

Fishmonger Gereslack, a pimp
38 year old Male Human Rogue 3: CR 3; Size M; HD 3d6+6; hp 22; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14; BAB +2; Atk +3 melee (1d6+1, shortsword), or +4 ranged (1d4, dagger); SV Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +3; AL CE; Str 12, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 13.

Skills: Bluff +8, Disable Device +5, Gather Information +6, Hide +8, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (Local) +7, Listen +5, Move Silently +7, Open Lock +6, Search +5, Sense Motive +8, Spot +8.

Feats: Combat Expertise, Dodge, Persuasive.

Class Feature (Rogue): Evasion.

Possessions: Dagger, leather armour, pouch with 25 princes (sp) and 5 wrens (gp), shortsword, traveler’s outfit.

Background: It’s not as though a person grows up dreaming of becoming a pimp. Still, Gereslack had few options. He might have become a thug, he could have become a loanshark, but the fact is, he prefers trading in flesh. He pretends it isn’t a crime, that no one is hurt, forgetting that he took women and girls in desperate situations and forced them to sell themselves. He is not a romantic, though he will often say that he is. Along with pimping, Gereslack sometimes involves himself in people smuggling, moving young women and boys to use as slaves elsewhere.

Gereslack always carries his weapons with him and he wears his armour, but under his clothing. He always wears a heavy, large cloak in the hopes of hiding armour and weapons.

What He Knows: Gereslack is not highly placed in the underworld, but he does have connections. He knows enough to help an outsider navigate the underworld of the Temples. He also knows enough not to cross the wrong person or insult anyone who could exact retribution.

What He Will Tell: He knows that telling the wrong person the wrong thing could lead to his death, so he is very careful about what he says and to whom. However, if there is gold in the equation, Gereslack will likely take a few risks.

Tactics: Gereslack doesn’t like physical confrontations. He will try to talk his way out of any fight, either by bluffing or intimidating. Once the conflict has been avoided, he’ll pay someone to kill or otherwise remove the threat of the individual with whom he was in conflict with. If forced into a fight, Gereslack likes to feint. He’ll take whatever advantage is available and fight as dirty as necessary to win. If things look particularly bad, he’ll try to flee, or at least fight defensively if retreat is not possible.

Jileforis, a landlord
47 year old Male Human Expert 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d6; hp 14; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14; Attack +2 melee, or +6 ranged; SV Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +6; AL CE; Str 11, Dex 18, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 16.

Skills: Bluff +10, Diplomacy +10, Gather Information +8, Hide +6, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (local) +8, Listen +6, Profession (landlord) +7, Spot +3.

Feats: Iron Will, Martial Weapon Proficiency (longsword), Persuasive.

Possessions: Courtier’s outfit, daggers (3), longsword (masterwork).

Background: Jileforis came to the Temples as a child. His father was a failed businessman who had lost almost everything, including the family lodgings. As a young man, Jileforis left home with the intent to make money. He remembered the life he had previously led. Jileforis became the practical partner of three, the two other offered money and connections. Jileforis brought the ides and insured their implementation. Soon, Jileforis no longer needed his partners and so he took what he could and left. They soon faded into the Temples, while Jileforis rose to the top. Along with properties, Jileforis owns boats, warehouses, and a trading company. He continues to visit his tenements in the Temples, always bringing some hired muscle.

Jileforis does not carry coins with him because he does not pay for anything with his own hand. If payment is required, one of his toughs will deliver the payment. Jileforis always travels with at least 4 toughs. One of the toughs will have Jileforis’ purse, which will include 35 wrens (gp) and 10 braces (pp). Jileforis always carries his longsword, and is not averse to using it, though only when doing so presents no danger to him.

What He Knows: Jileforis makes it his business to know everything. He knows who are the criminals and the decent citizens. He knows those craftsmen he wouldn’t allow to work for free and those he would pay double. He knows who can get what and how much it will cost. If something needs done, Jileforis knows how to get it done.

What He Will Tell: He tells nothing unless he can profit, substantially, for it. A few coins is meaningless. Once a secret is out, its value is gone. If he knows of a smuggler who can bring him in a certain product, then sells that information, something could happen to the smuggler or the price could increase because the smuggler now has more customers. Jileforis always considers the long-term.

Tactics: Jileforis has thugs to do his fighting. He didn’t rise to his position so he could dirty his hands in fisticuffs. He’ll have his toughs level the opposition, or at least screen his retreat. If absolutely forced into combat, Jileforis will fight defensively, all the time attempting to intimidate his opponents, or buy them off. Any opponent that stops his attacks based on threats or promises will have a price on his head the second Jileforis is out of danger.

Wesent Tailor, the local tailor
36 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 7; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +1; Atk -1 melee (1d6-2, quarterstaff), or +3 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +5; AL LN; Str 7, Dex 15, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 5.

Skills: Appraise +7, Craft (clothing) +10, Diplomacy +2, Forgery +7, Hide +4, Knowledge (local) +6, Listen +4, Move Silently +5, Profession (tailor) +7, Search +4, Spot +3.

Feats: Dodge, Skill Focus (Craft [clothing]).

Possessions: Artisan’s clothing, pouch with 10 dublings (cp) and 10 princes (sp), quarterstaff.

Background: Wesent Tailor’s parents were indentured to a rich family who lived on an estate just outside of Bowden. Wesent escaped at a very young age and has not seen his family again. He arrived in Bowdern destitute and afraid. He spent some time running with a gang of young thieves but never felt as though he belonged. He had come to know many people in the Temples, and had only found one man he thought he could trust. He became an apprentice to a small, insignificant tailor who only succeeded in keeping their two bellies full. When his master grew ill, Wesent took over the business. What little money they had stashed away, Wesent spent on a funeral for his old master. Now, Wesent does what he can. He is not particularly good, but he makes a living. He cannot see a time when he will have enough wealth to marry and start a family, but he has no other skills on which to fall back.

What He Knows: Wesent spent much of his youth on the streets of the Temples, and he has maintained contact with a few of his old friends. He knows as much as most people in the Temples know, though he has access to other information through his friends.

What He Will Tell: He won’t tell anything unless the profit from doing so was enough to get him out of Bowden and set up elsewhere. Nothing he knows is worth that kind of money.

Tactics: There’s very little that Wesent will fight for, save his small shop. He’d just as soon receive a beating as fight back, hoping that by not fighting back, the enjoyment the bullies or thieves take from beating will be minimal, and that will persuade them to move on. If his life or shop is threatened, he’ll take up his quarterstaff and hope to drive off the attackers with a show of strength. Since that won’t be forthcoming, he better hope they are worse fighters than he.

________________________________

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.

10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

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12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.

13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

d20 System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, and Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY: As per section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Product Identity: SEP; all names, all locations.

DESIGNATION OF OPEN CONTENT: As per section 1(d) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Open Content: NPC statblock excluding background.

November 17, 2009November 17, 2009/ Fraser

The Lorestaves: The NPCs at the Squandering Snail, Part 2

The Non-Player Characters at the Sign of the Squandering Snail, Part Two

Flourette, a barmaid at the gambling den at the Squandered Snail
23 year old Female Human Commoner 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d4-2; hp 4; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Atk +0 melee (1d4-1, dagger), or +2 ranged (1d4-1, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort -1, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 9, Dex 12, Con 8, Int 11, Wis 12, Cha 16.

Skills: Balance +5, Climb +1, Escape Artist +3, Hide +2, Listen +3, Move Silently +3, Profession (barmaid) +3, Spot +3.

Feats: Agile, Improved Initiative, Simple Weapon Proficiency (dagger).

Possessions: apron, dagger, simple clothing

Background: Flourette is a child of the streets. Her father was an itinerant labourer who barely kept his family fed. Her mother was a seamstress who turned to intermittent prostitution when Flourette’s father disappeared. She has never learned if he simply left his family or if he met some deadly fate.

While Flourette had promised herself as a young woman that she would never sell her body, the Temples often forces people to ignore their own codes. She had strayed from her self-imposed path more than once, each time disappearing deeper into the underbelly of the Temples. She took on the name Flourette when she reached Causen’s Corner and the Snail. Flourette was her mother’s name. Her own real name is Adalei.

Goal: Flourette plans to make enough money to leave Bowden. She wants to travel to some small town, find work there and maybe marry a farmer.

Motivation: She is sick of the city, sick of the Temples and sick of the woman she has become. Flourette wants desperately to leave her past behind her.

What She Knows: Flourette has learned much about life in the Temples. She knows all the major players in the Temples and has become an expert on Causens’ Corner. She has stopped listening to gossip, but can’t help but hear it.

What Will She Tell: She will not tell anything. She can see no good of sharing the information she has, even for coin. If she was offered wealth enough to disappear and start anew somewhere far from Bowden, she would offer everything she knows.

Tactics: Flourette will flee or talk her way out of a fight. If she thinks her life or her tattered honour is at risk, she will fight as best she can, though always defensively.

Cornille, a barmaid at the gambling den at the Squandered Snail (background based on the Lorestaves adventure)
20 year old Female Half-elf Bard 2: CR 2; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 9; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Atk +2 melee (club, 1d6+1), +2 melee (dagger, 1d4+1), or +2 ranged (dagger, 1d4+1); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CG; SV Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +5; Str 12, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 12.

Skills: Diplomacy +3, Gather Information +3, Hide +1, Knowledge (Arcana) +5, Knowledge (Geography) +6, Knowledge (History) +6, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) +4, Listen +2, Move Silently +1, Perform (Comedy) +6, Perform (Keyboard Instruments) +5, Perform (Oratory) +5, Perform (Sing) +6, Search +2, Speak Language (Auran, Common, Elven), Spot +2.

Bard Spells Known (Level 0, 3; Level 1, 1) Level 0: Lullaby, Mage Hand, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument; Level 1: Expeditious Retreat, Identify.

Feats: Scribe Scroll

Features (Bard): bardic music, bardic knowledge, countersong, fascinate, inspire courage +1

Possessions: Apron (with club hidden under apron), common clothing, 4 daggers (left sleeve, lower back, each boot).

Background: The barmaid Cornille is actually the young bard Carylle of Temelburh. The only daughter of a famed poet, Carylle took it upon herself to follow in her father’s footsteps. Karlis of Temelburh had studied at the university in Bowden, and so Carylle traveled there to study also. She did so against the wishes of both her parents, who had planned a profitable marriage for their daughter. Never one to allow another’s vision to supplant her own, Carylle ignored the wishes of her family.

She proved a capable student, however the rigorous scholarship left her bored. She found the academic atmosphere stultifying. Independent as always, she decided to visit the places of legend about which she studied rather than simply hear some old man talk about them. Carylle found much to whet her appetite for knowledge in her travels, and her love of ancient history led to her discovery of a forgotten treatise on the Elder Gods, those that existed before the One God—the Elder Gods that were not supposed to exist at all.

Her curiosity led her to dig deeper, and that has brought her to the Temples, an area left untouched by the religion of the One God.

Goal: She hopes to find clues to the fate of the Elder Gods. She always wishes to learn about history and about the world around her.

Motivation: She does not seek power, nor does she wish to defy the One God. Carylle simply wants to learn all that she can. Secrets are valuable because they are knowledge, not because they are secret.

What He Knows: Regarding the Temples, Carylle knows little. She has not been here long. She knew the Temples through the rumours and legends bandied about Bowden. She has learned little of that is true, but she has gathered little information to replace them.

What Will He Tell: She will happily discuss history and her journeys if someone realizes she is more than a simple barmaid. As a barmaid, she will tell nothing, hiding her ignorance behind a feigned fear of revealing a secret.

Tactics: Carylle do as much as possible to avoid conflict. She doesn’t want to get herself in a position in which she needs to use her magic to save her life. If forced into a fight, she’ll fight defensively, always looking for a way out, and using her guise as Cornille to get the guards at the Snail to intervene on her behalf. If she has to, she will use her magic.

Chardine, a barmaid at the tavern at the Squandered Snail
41 year old Female Human Commoner 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d4+9; hp 18; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13; BAB +1; Attack +1 melee (1d6, club), or +4 ranged (1d6, club); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 8.

Skills: Listen +3, Profession (barmaid) +7, Spot +5.

Feats: Run, Simple Weapon Proficiency (club), Skill Focus (Profession [barmaid]).

Possessions: Apron, artisan’s outfit, club.

Background: As a young girl, Chardine lived in one of the small farming villages surrounding Bowden. She had seen the city, going there for fairs, festivals, and the occasional market day. When she became old enough to marry, she feared that she would live the rest of her life in the same, small village with its small people. On a whim, she followed a group of players to Bowden. The players took her in and she became their maid. She cooked and cleaned for them. Sometimes she would bed one of them. When they moved on, she stayed in Bowden, finding she could make a few coins working in the taverns and inns. Sometimes those coins would be made in her bedchamber. Smart enough to realize she had no future, she returned to her village, only to find she was unwanted. Her family did not want a daughter debauched by the city, nor did any suitor.

With nothing left in her home, she returned to Bowden and the only life she knew. As time passed, leaving its mark, her prospects lessened. She has finally found herself in the Temples and fears how further she may plunge.

Goal: Chardine believes she no longer has a chance to have a child, but she still wants a family. She is, in fact, desperate for that. She sees Dunchad as her last hope for a husband, as she is told almost every day that she is old and unattractive.

Motivation: As time takes more from her, Chardine is looking back on her life and wondering why it was so hollow. She accomplished nothing. She has nothing. She fears in the future she will have less. She sees no escape for her save though marriage. With a partner in life, she feels she could better withstand fate’s cruel humour. Even were her partner taken from her, a widow is usually offered some respect, and the Church will offer some charity.

What She Knows: As with most of the staff at the Snail, Chardine hears many rumours of many nefarious plans and actions. She has seen the dark underbelly of the foulest part of Bowden, and she fears it. The things she knows gives her nightmares.

What Will She Tell: Believing her future is already in peril, Chardine will tell nothing unless the reward is such that she could escape the Temples. As she knows nothing of that value, it is unlikely Chardine will tell anything.

Tactics: Chardine is not a fighter. She will attempt to flee any combat. Only in the direst of dangers will Chardine fight, and then she won’t be fighting very effectively. In any case, Chardine will throw herself on an opponent’s mercy where there is mercy to be found.

Tathan, kitchen worker at the tavern
71 year-old Female Human Commoner 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d4; hp 4; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Atk +0 melee (1d4-1, knife), or +2 ranged (1d4, knife); SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +3; AL NE; Str 8, Dex 12, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 14.

Skills: Appraise +4, Craft (cooking) +11, Listen +13, Profession +8, Spot +10.

Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (Craft [cooking]), Skill Focus (Listen), Weapon Proficiency (knife).

Possessions: Apron, artisan’s outfit, knife.

Background: Tathan is actually Murnac’s mother, though no one knows this. She grew up in the Temples and expects to die there. She is not proud of her son, having hoped he would have amounted to more than his father, who died in a knife fight with a pimp, but she can only blame herself. Tathan raised Murnac as best she could, but considering she spent much of her time drinking or flat on her back ‘at work,’ her best wasn’t much good. Murnac was essentially orphaned at a young age. Now that he has taken her in, Tathan tastes bitterness every day. She cannot say that she loves her son—she honestly doesn’t know him. She can say that his kindness, taking her in and giving her shelter, reminds her every day of her failings as a mother.

Goal: Tathan has no goal save to help and protect her son. Her life means absolutely nothing, and she would honestly thank someone for running her through with three feet of steel. She works as some small thank you to her son. She does not know the man, but she feels the responsibility toward him as an adult that she never evidenced as a mother.

Motivation: Guilt motivates Tathan, and bitterness that she proved no better than her drunken husband, Murnac’s father. She does not know how to expunge the sense of failure that pervades her life. She hopes she can do so by proving useful in her twilight years.

What She Knows: Tathan knows everything that goes on in the Snail. The only secret is Cornille’s true identity. Other than that, she knows who wants to bed whom, and who would eagerly join a revolt against her son. She passes on her knowledge to him as best she can. They share dinner once a week, but they only talk business.

What Will She Tell: There is no way to make Tathan tell anything, unless one can provide an honest threat to her son. If one had Murnac tied up with a knife to his throat, Tathan would tell all she could. That is the only chink in her armour. Otherwise, do your worst.

Tactics: Tathan isn’t going to fight. At most, she’s going to try to flee, yelling in the hopes of alerting others or her son. She honestly isn’t afraid of death.

Toughs, the guards and other toughs hired by Murnac
Male Human Warrior 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d8; hp 12; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14; BAB +2; Attack +3 melee (1d6+1, club), or +3 melee (1d6+1, short sword) or +4 ranged (1d4, dagger); SV Fort +3, Ref +2, Will -2; AL LE; Str 13, Dex 15, Con 11, Int 9, Wis 7, Cha 10.

Skills: Climb +1, Hide +4, Listen +1, Move Silently +3, Spot +1.

Feats: Blind-Fight, Power Attack.

Possessions: club, dagger, leather armour, short sword

Staff, miscellaneous staff
Human Expert 1: CR 1; Size M; HD 1d6+1; hp 10; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13; BAB +0; Attack -1 melee (1d6-1, club) or +3 ranged (1d4-1, dagger); SV Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +3; AL CN; Str 9, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 13.

Skills: Diplomacy +3, Forgery +5, Hide +5, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (history) +2, Listen +1, Move Silently +3, Profession (gambler) +3, Sleight of Hand +7, Search +5, Spot +5, Tumble +5

Feats: Skill Focus (Knowledge [local]), Toughness.

Possessions: club, dagger

________________________________

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.

10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY: As per section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Product Identity: SEP; all names, all locations.

DESIGNATION OF OPEN CONTENT: As per section 1(d) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Open Content: NPC statblock excluding background.

November 11, 2009November 11, 2009/ Fraser

The Lorestaves: The NPCs at the Squandering Snail, Part 1

The Non-Player Characters at the Sign of the Squandering Snail, Part One

Murnac, owner of The Squandering Snail gambling house
54 year old Male Human Rogue 3: CR 3; Size M; HD 3d6+3; hp 16; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +2; Atk +3 melee (1d6+1, shortsword), or +3 ranged (1d4+1, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL NE; SA Sneak Attack +2d6; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +2; Str 13, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 9.

Skills: Concentration +3, Diplomacy +1, Disable Device +6, Escape Artist +7, Hide +1, Intimidate +5, Jump +7, Knowledge (local) +2, Listen +8, Move Silently +6, Search +2, Sense Motive +9, Sleight of Hand +7, Spot +3.

Feat: Alertness, Negotiator, Track.

Class Feature: Evasion, Trapfinding.

Possessions: dagger, fine clothing, heavy cloak, purse with 25 gp and 12 sp, short sword, shoulder belt with scabbard.

Background: Murnac is known around the Temples as the Shepherd. Not because of the care with which he treats his clients, rather because of the multitude of ways he can fleece them. The Snail is not the most crooked gambling house in the city of Bowden, but it certainly is not the most reputable. Much like his establishment, Murnac is not the most dangerous man in the Temples, but one should never turn one’s back on him else one finds oneself with a dagger planted in said back.

Murnac is a product of the Temples. He grew up in the streets, working as pickpocket and later as an enforcer. He gained the money for the Snail by loan-sharking. Well, he didn’t actually buy the establishment, which had been a public house, rather the owner of the establishment disappeared after defaulting on a loan owed to Murnac. His loan-sharking is now confined to patrons of the Snail, though he still maintains ties with the underworld of Bowden.

Goal: Murnac’s only goal is to take care of Murnac and make Murnac rich. Nothing else matters.

Motivation: Murnac intends never to know poverty or want again. He does not care who he needs to hurt nor who needs to starve so he can eat.

What He Knows: Murnac knows all about the underworld in the Temples. He knows who is important, who is dangerous and who is a blowhard. Murnac doesn’t know much about the actual politics of the city, though he will bluff his way through any conversation concerning such, and not very well.

What Will He Tell: He will tell nothing of importance unless he is well paid for his information. Even when coins enter into the equation, he is no fool—some information in the Temples is worth a person’s life. If he feels he can profit without risk, he’ll sell knowledge, but he is careful. He knows what can happen to a careless person in the jungle of the Temples.

Tactics: Murnac is a rogue, and that means he’ll go for the sneak attack. He’ll move to flank opponents as well. First off, though, he’s going to call in his “boys,” the doormen and guards at the Snail. He’ll let them deal with trouble. Murnac’s ‘respectable’ now, so that means he shouldn’t have to get his hands dirty.

Dunchad of Helst, the barkeep at the tavern at the Squandered Snail
42 year old Male Human, Commoner 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d4-3; hp 5; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Grap +2; Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, club), or +2 ranged (1d6+1, club); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0; Str 13, Dex 13, Con 8, Int 11, Wis 9, Cha 9.

Skills: Craft (brewing) +4, Craft (carpentry) +5, Diplomacy +1, Hide +1, Listen -1, Move Silently +1, Profession (barkeep) +6, Ride +6, Sense Motive +1, Speak Language (Common), Spot -1

Feats: Simple Weapon Proficiency (club), Negotiator, Skill Focus (Profession [barkeep]).

Possessions: apron, club, simple clothing.

Background: The village of Helst is only two days ride north from Bowden. Dunchad is the son of a carpenter, and had apprenticed with his father. Throughout his life, he heard stories of Bowden and the wealth one might find there. In truth, Dunchad is a lazy sort, and so thinking he could either remain in his home village and struggle to make a life for himself and possibly a family, or move to Bowden and find wealth and happiness without that same struggle, the choice was obvious.

While he at first found work as a carpenter, he was not particularly good. He soon learned that to make a living in Bowden he would also have to struggle. He looked for other ways to attain wealth. He started to gamble. Bad move. While he was a mediocre carpenter, he was a horrible gambler. Less than a year after moving to Bowden, Dunchad found himself without a job and soon he would be without a home. In order to pay off some of his debts to Murnac, the owner of The Squandered Snail, Dunchad did some carpentry work at the gambling house. Murnac figured the work was okay, and having a carpenter on hand might not be a bad idea. Given the choice of sleeping out of doors or working at the gambling house he frequented, Dunchad chose the latter.

That was more than twenty years ago. Dunchad continues to work at the Snail. He has since learned to be a brewer, though his skills as a brewer have not yet reached the mediocrity of his carpentry. Still, he does his job, skims only a little of the profits, and shags only Chardine, the oldest and least desirable of the barmaids. He doesn’t anger Murnac and tries to keep peace with the rest of the staff.

He sorely wishes he had stayed an apprentice in Helst.

Goal: At this point in his life, Dunchad is becoming desperate for a family. He has always desired wealth, now he only desires the means to keep a roof over his head and food on his table. He has no more grand designs. He has no more fanciful plans.

Motivation: Dunchad came to the city of Bowden believing he was smart and talented. Bowden soon changed his mind. Dunchad now believes he has been cursed. He fears old age, knowing that once he is no longer able to work, he will no longer have a home. He has seen the beggars and forsaken on the streets, and he fears the same will happen to him.

It’s not enough fear, though, to make him propose to Chardine, perhaps the one woman in his life who might actually consider becoming his wife.

What He Knows: Dunchad listens, so he knows most of the same rumours everyone else in the Temples knows. He tries hard not to listen to the planning and conniving that happens in the Snail. He figures that, for the most part, ignorance may not be bliss, but it’s not going to get your throat cut . . . usually.

What Will He Tell: Since he has nothing secretive to tell, he won’t be telling it. He usually doesn’t pass on rumours either, unless they are particularly amusing rumours regarding figures of authority in the government.

Tactics: Dunchad stays out of fights. He isn’t paid to police the establishment, merely serve drinks. If forced, he always keeps a few clubs close at hand. His favorite sits below the counter near the beer kegs. This one has an iron-shod head and has a +1 modifier to damage. He will try to flee a fight, but when forced, fights defensively.

Bressal, a gamesman at the gaming den at the Squandered Snail
26 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M (6 ft., 4 in. tall); HD 2d6-6; hp 4; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +1; Atk -2 melee (1d4-2, dagger), or +3 ranged (1d4-2, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL NE; SV Fort -3, Ref +2, Will +4; Str 5, Dex 15, Con 5, Int 9, Wis 13, Cha 11.

Skills: Bluff +2, Diplomacy +4, Escape Artist +5, Gather Information +4, Intimidate +2, Knowledge (local) +1, Profession (gambler) +5, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +8, Use Rope +4.

Feats: Deft Hands, Negotiator.

Possessions: dagger, simple clothing.

Background: Bressel grew up the second son of a shipwright in the dockyards of Bowden. He proved to have little skill or talent for his father’s profession, though he did make an admirable attempt at learning. Bressel’s father was not appreciative of his efforts. He never appreciated how hard Bressel tried, he only cared that Bressel couldn’t succeed.

Bressel became bitter and angry. His relations with his family, all his family, soured. As a young man, the Temples swallowed him. A quick lad, and one with one ear always open, Bressel made his way, surviving but never prospering. He wasn’t tough enough to run with the gangs, and he wasn’t smart enough to think up his own plots and schemes, so he needed coattails on which to hang.

Learning how to gamble, and how to run a gambling table—cards, dice, anything—Bressel ingratiated himself to Murnac. Murnac found a place for him—not a place where Bressel can make a little side profit, rather a place where Murnac or one of his “boys” always can watch him.

Goal: Bressal is all about Bressal. He doesn’t have big dreams, just wants to make himself a boss of somewhere nice like the Snail.

Motivation: Bressal figures Murnac’s got a nice deal, nice place. Bressal is watching Murnac, trying to figure out his secret. He knows Murnac is that much smarter than the normal ‘mule’ on the street, so he’s got to have a secret.

What He Knows: Bressal knows plenty about what’s going on behind the scenes and in the shadows of the Temples. He’s always listening, and he remembers most of what he hears.

What Will He Tell: He’s not about to just share out information. Like everything else in the Temples, information is a commodity. It has a price. There’ll be a negotiation before there’s any exchange.

Tactics: Bressal prefers the safety of fleeing a fight, especially if there’s any chance at all that he might lose. If he’s got numbers on his side, he’ll try for the backstab. He’ll do anything to keep himself alive.

Faelan, a gamesman at the gambling den at the Squandered Snail
31 year old Male Human Expert 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d6+3; hp 19; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +2; Atk +2 melee (1d6, club), +2 melee (1d4, dagger), or +4 ranged (1d4, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +5; Str 11, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 13.

Skills: Bluff +3, Diplomacy +8, Escape Artist +4, Gather Information +6, Intimidate +7, Listen +6, Profession (gambler) +6, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +7, Spot +5, Tumble +4.

Feats: Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator, Persuasive.

Possessions: club, dagger

Background: Faelan’s family was once one of the lesser burghers, a family of merchants and artisans. Faelan’s father, inept at everything save drunkenness and whoring, lost what little fortune the family had before loansharks took his heart. Faelan actually saw that happen. The loansharks took little Faelan as part of the payment.

Rather than a horrible fate, Faelan found he actually enjoyed the work to which he was put. He found himself working as a runner at an underground gambling den in the dockyards. It was rough, but few of even the most dangerous denizens in the dockyards would attack a kid for no reason. Faelan was smart, and picked up the tricks quickly. He survived his indenture and actually left the custody of the loansharks with skills.

Faelan has worked at many of the gambling dens in the dockyards and the Temples. He ended up at the Snail mostly due to an infatuation with Flourette, which is working itself out. He will likely move on soon. His skills are in demand.

Goal: Faelan is not a person who sets out goals. His conscious goal is to conquer Flourette romantically. His unconscious goal is to test his mettle against fate. Since surviving his indenture, Faelan has the belief that he is playing a game against fate or destiny.

Motivation: Faelan likes to win. Although he’s not known for his adherence to the law, he is a man with his own sense of honour, and keeping that intact takes precedence over winning. In his game against fate, he is uncertain of the rules, but that’s okay—he’ll learn them as he goes along.

What He Knows: Faelan has been working on the periphery of society for many years. He’s learned to keep his ears open even when his eyes are elsewhere. He’s perfected leading a gaming table while listening to each and every conversation at the table, reacting to none of them. As such, if there’s information that has passed through the Snail, Faelan likely knows it.

What Will He Tell: He’ll tell you how much he wants for his information. It might be coin, it might be a favour, it might simply be a cup of well-watered wine—one never really knows with Faelan. He’ll give information, but he’ll also expect to profit from it.

Tactics: Faelan has learned to talk his way out of fights. He really hates to resort to violence as it makes him feel somewhat stupid. He believes he should be able to talk his way out of anything. If he is forced to resort to violence, he’s not particularly interested in killing someone, unless they are trying to kill him. Rather, Faelan will do his best to drop his opponent as fast as possible. Faelan isn’t bloodthirsty, so as long as he doesn’t fear for his life, he won’t kill another individual.

________________________________

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.

10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY: As per section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Product Identity: SEP; all names, all locations.

DESIGNATION OF OPEN CONTENT: As per section 1(d) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Open Content: NPC statblock excluding background.

November 9, 2009November 9, 2009/ Fraser

Swords and A Squandering Snail: Cade of Galaras

Cade of Galaras poet, performer, and sometimes swordsman
Rogue 1/Unfettered 2: CR 3; Medium-sized Half-Elf; HD 1d6 plus 2d8; hp 19; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 16, Touch 13, Flat-Footed 14; BAB +2; Atk +3 melee (1d8+1, longsword) or +3 melee (1d8+1, longspear) or +4 ranged (1d4, dagger); AL CG; SV Fort +0, Ref +7, Will +0; AP 6; Str 12, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 16.

Skills: Bluff +5, Craft (writing) +6, Diplomacy +7, Disguise +6, Gather Information +8, Knowledge [nobility and royalty] +3, Perform [string] +5, Perform [wind] +5, Perform [act] +6, Perform [oratory] +8, Sense Motive +2, Sleight of Hand +7, Tumble +7, Use Magic Device +5.

Feats: Creative, Improved Initiative, Sway the Crowd.

Features (Rogue): Sneak Attack, +1d6; Trapfinding.

Features (Unfettered): Simple and Martial Weapons; Light Armour; Shields; Armour Class Bonus, +1; Parry.

Possessions – Carried (40.5#): leather armour; light, wooden shield (left arm); longsword (belt); longspear (back); daggers X2 (boots); belt pouch (belt); thieves tools (pouch); waterskin (belt); explorer’s outfit.

Possessions – On Mule (81.5#): bit and bridle (mule); pack saddle (mule); backpack (pack); bedroll (pack); crowbar (pack); flint & steel (pack); grappling hook (pack); lantern, hooded (pack); oil, 5 pints (pack); ink, 1 oz vial (pack); inkpen (pack); 10 pcs parchment (pack); 50′ hemp rope (pack); sack, empty (pack); sewing needle (pack); thread (pack); 5 torches (pack); whetstone (pack); flute (pack); fiddle (pack); 5 days trail rations (pack); tent (pack); entertainer’s outfit (pack); traveller’s outfit (pack).

Money: 11 gp, 3 sp, 8 cp

Background: Cade was the third son and fifth child of Corvin, Viscount of Galaras, a small, agricultural fief. Viscount Corvis had no love for the common man and worked his serfs relentlessly. Cade could not understand the sense of superiority and entitlement his father exhibited. Cadefs two older brothers, Corvis and Torvin, followed their fatherfs example. All three were brawny, brutish men while Cade appreciated literature and music.

At the age of sixteen, Cade slipped away from home. He wanted to join a troupe of musicians and actors that passed through Calaras. Taking the name Teleris of Galaras, Cade became an apprentice to Galrid of Hehrville. The troupe was a temporary grouping, but Cade joined Galrid at the end of the season. Over the years, Cade \ as Teleris \ continued to learn from and travel with Galrid, making connections throughout the Divided Duchies. Cade learnt that Galrid had no love for the One True Church and the Holy Knights. Cade couldnft blame him, having seen the corruption of the Church himself. He did not, however, share Galridfs disdain, which bordered on hatred.

After one performance, in which Galrid had lambasted the local Church officials with a lampoon and jokes subtly ridiculing their corruption, the Holy Knights came and took Galrid. Cade had been enjoying the favours of an appreciative young farm girl. When he learnt of his friend and mentorfs arrest, he went to inquire with the local authorities regarding the charge. There was none. They had no record of Galridfs arrest. The Church offered no explanation, but did not deny arresting Galrid.

Cade never saw Galrid again.

From that moment on, Cade began to work in earnest against the Church. He offered aid and protection when he could. He wrote comedies focusing on the abuses of the Church, and always stayed one step ahead of the Holy Knights, using names such as Galeris of the Valley (as opposed to the Mount) and Casrid of the Feather (referring to his goosefeather pen). His last satire he wrote under the name Galrid of Hehrville, and only barely escaped the Churchfs attempt to arrest him.

His actions earned him the friendship of a sorcerer in hiding, Eam of Tomerlan. Eam had the temerity to denounce religion and refused to recognize the moral authority of the Church. He found himself the target of the Holy Knights, who charged Eam had joined in league with the 12 Demons. Through Eam, Cade has come to know Sabrine–Eam’s cousin–and Drustan–his most trusted friend.

Craft (writing) (Int)
This skill allows a character to create articles, broadsheets, fiction, drama, speeches, tracts, and similar works of writing. You can practice your trade and make a decent living, earning about half your check result in gold pieces per week of dedicated work. You know how to use the tools of your trade, how to perform the craft’s daily tasks, how to supervise untrained helpers, and how to handle common problems. (Untrained laborers and assistants earn an average of 1 silver piece per day.)

The basic function of the Craft skill, however, is to allow you to make an item of the appropriate type.

When creating a work of writing, the player simply makes a Craft (writing) check, the result of which determines the quality of the work. The quality of the work can offer an equipment modifier to further skill checks in which the work is involved. For example, if the Craft (writing) skill is used to write a drama, and the effort achieved is Professional, a character using the Perform (act) skill to present the drama would gain an equipment modifier of +1.

Skill Check Result	Effort Achieved	Equipment Modifer
9 or lower	Untalented amateur	-1
10–19	Talented amateur	0
20–24	Professional	+1
25–30	Expert	+2
31 or higher	Master	+3

Creating a work of writing requires at least 1 hour, but usually takes a day, a week, or more, depending on the scope of the project. The cost of creating a work of visual is simply the cost of raw materials and is usually no more than 10 gp.

Special: A character with the Creative feat gets a +2 bonus on all Craft (writing) checks.

CREATIVE (from the Modern System Reference Document)
Benefit: Pick two of the following skills: Craft (visual art), Craft (writing), Perform (act), Perform (dance), Perform (keyboards), Perform (percussion instruments), Perform (sing), Perform (stand-up), Perform (string instruments), and Perform (wind instruments). The character gets a +2 bonus on all checks with those two skills.

Special: A character can select this feat as many as five times. Each time, the character selects two new skills from the choices given above.

SWAY THE CROWD
Your performance is so inspiring that the crowd feels a connection to you, and they are emotionally affected by the performance. Some are filled with adulation and respect for you, and all who have witnessed the performance are moved.

Prerequisite: Cha 13, Perform 5 ranks, Diplomacy 5 ranks.

Benefit: A character completing a performance can make a Diplomacy skill check to influence the attitudes of each NPC who has watched or heard, depending on the type of performance.

________________________________

This ends SEP’s presentation of the unpublished fiction for Lorestaves. If you are interested in more characters, watch for the NPCs from At the Sign of the Squandering Snail.

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.

10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY: As per section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Product Identity: SEP; all names, all locations.

DESIGNATION OF OPEN CONTENT: As per section 1(d) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Open Content: NPC statblock excluding background.

November 2, 2009November 2, 2009/ Fraser

Swords and A Squandering Snail: Drustan of Teyrs

Drustan of Teyrs, warrior and outlaw
22 year old Male Half-Orc Ranger2/Rogue 1: CR 3; Size M; HD 2d8+2 + 1d6+1; hp 19; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17 (16 without shield); BAB +2; Atk +7 (+3 two weapon fighting) melee (1d8+4, spear), or +6 (+2 two weapon fighting) melee (1d6+4, dirk), or +6 (+2 two weapon fighting) melee (1d4+4, shield), +5 ranged (1d6, dirk); SV Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +1; AL NG; Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 10.

Skills: Disguise +4, Heal +5, Hide +8, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (geography) +4, Knowledge (nature) +4, Listen +5, Move Silently +8, Spot +6, Survival +7.

Feats: Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Broad-bladed short spear)

Features (Racial): darkvision, orc blood.

Features (Rogue): Sneak Attack, +1d6; Trapfinding.

Features (Ranger): Light Armor; Shields; Simple and Martial Weapons; Track; Two Weapon Fighting; Wild Empathy.

Possessions – Carried (38): Broad-bladed short spear, long dirk, bladed light shield, studded leather armor, belt pouch (belt); thieves tools (pouch); waterskin (belt); explorer’s outfit.

(on light warhorse, Tersig, carrying 49# with rider, 300#): bit and bridle; military saddle; saddlebags.

(on mule, Arstrik, carrying 145.5#): bit and bridle, pack saddle, bedroll, fishhook, 10 ft fishing line, grappling hook, 50 ft hemp rope, 5 torches, 5 days trail rations, 10 days feed.

Background: The tribes of Herkko in the Mid-Scar Range have long captured slaves during their raids. Kaemar, Spear Captain to Hengist the Ironeye, found himself attracted to a female slave and took her as a concubine. Drusta of Teyrs did not completely oppose the union. She found Kaemar’s strength and sense of honor attractive, if not his physiognomy. From their union came Drustan of Teyrs, named in honor of his mother. Kaemar offered Drusta her freedom in consideration of giving him a son. She stayed to raise her boy.

The Orcs of Herkko still worshipped the Old Gods, making them heretics in the eyes of the Church. The usual crusades against heretics did nothing to dissuade the tribes from their worship. The Church called on the talents of the Holy Knights in their battle against the heretic tribes. The Holy Knights succeeded where all others had failed. They not only conquered the tribes, they exterminated them. Village by village, family by family, the Holy Knights burned away the heresy and offered the mercy of swift death to all others. Even the slaves of the tribes who had accepted the Orcs’ religion were fed to the fires of purity.

Drustan fought along with the others of his tribe. Unlike them, he learned from his mistakes. He learned to fight without honor and to give no quarter. He became merciless in his battles, but in the end, though he did not lose a battle, he soon found himself alone, abandoned by the others of his tribe who could not accept the loss of their traditions, even at the cost of their lives. He lost everyone ― his mother and father to the Holy Knights, his people to his determination to survive and triumph.

The war continued, but Drustan fought alone against the Church. He became secretive, striking from the darkness. He amassed allies. He found himself protecting those who questioned the Church. Rarely were those burned as heretics truly against the Church, merely some of its practices. Drustan did his best, but he failed more often than he succeeded.

His actions earned him the friendship of a sorcerer in hiding, Eam of Tomerlan. Eam had the temerity to denounce religion and refused to recognize the moral authority of the Church. He found himself the target of the Holy Knights, who charged Eam had joined in league with the 12 Demons. Drustan aided Eam in his quest to find his cousin. When they finally did, Drustan found another trusted comrade at arms.

New Martial Weapons	Cost (gp)	Dmg (S)	Dmg (M)	Critical	Range Increment	Weight	Type
Light Melee Weapons
Dirk, long	10	1d4	1d6	x2	5 ft.	2 lb.	Piercing
Bladed shield, light wooden	19	1d3	1d4	x2	―	11 lb.	Slashing
One-Handed Melee Weapons
Broad-bladed short spear	15 gp	1d6	1d8	19–20/x2	―	5 lb.	Slashing

Table: Armor and Shields
						― Speed ―
Armor	Cost (gp)	Armor/Shield Bonus	Maximum Dex Bonus	Armor Check Penalty	Arcane Spell Failure Chance	(30 ft.)	(20 ft.)	Weight
Shields
Bladed	19	+1	―	-1	5%	―	―	11 lb.
shield, light wooden

________________________________

Watch SEP for more d20 characters from Swords and A Squandering Snail. Coming November 9, the character sheet and history for Cade of Galaras.

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.

10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY: As per section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Product Identity: SEP; all names, all locations.

DESIGNATION OF OPEN CONTENT: As per section 1(d) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Open Content: NPC statblock excluding background.

October 26, 2009October 26, 2009/ Fraser

Swords and A Squandering Snail: Eam of Tomerlan

Eam of Tomerlan
23 year old Male Human Fighter 1/Sorcerer 2: CR 3; Size M (5 ft., 7 in. tall); HD 1d10+2 plus 2d4+4; hp 19; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15; BAB +2; Atk +3 melee (1d8+1d6+3, Frost), or +4 ranged (1d6, crossbow); SV Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +3; AL CG; Str 11, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 16.

Skills: Bluff +4, Concentration +7, Climb +2, Intimidate +7, Listen +2, Ride +6, Spot +2, Swim +2.

Feats: Alertness, Armor Proficiency (all), Dodge, Martial Weapon Proficiency (all), Shield Proficiency (all), Simple Weapon Proficiency (all), Spell Trick (Burning Hands – Intimidation), Weapon Focus (longsword).

Possessions: (on person, 26#, light load) bracers of armor +2, Frost (+3 defending frost longsword), light crossbow, 20 bolts, backpack, traveler’s outfit, whetstone, flint and steel, waterskin, 2 days trail rations, sewing needle.

(on light warhorse, Alberick, carrying 49# with rider, 250#): bit and bridle; military saddle; saddlebags.

(on mule, Terseus, carrying 145.5#): bit and bridle, pack saddle, bedroll, fishhook, 10 ft fishing line, grappling hook, 50 ft hemp rope, ink, ink pen, 10 sheets parchment, scroll case, 5 torches, 5 days trail rations, 10 days feed.

Sorcerer Spells: Per Day: 6/4; Known (5/2)
0th — dancing lights, detect magic, flare, light, read magic.
1st — burning hands, magic missile.

Background: Eam was born the son of a noble-born mercenary and a camp follower. Originally named Jadaretam—the Little Bastard—by his father, his mother left him at a convent with the name Tam-Erlan. In the convent, Tam-Erlan lived for the next five years with the sisters hoping to sculpt him as a scholar rather than a soldier. Eam remembers little from those days but a hazy recollection of satisfaction.

The next time a mercenary company passed by the convent at Fursthier, they did not stop to deposit bastards, rather they stopped to pillage and raze. Somehow, Tam escaped physically unharmed. He wandered the countryside until he came across a widow working her fields with her two adult sons, neither of which had the wits of a grown man. Teodira, the widow, took in the child, who remained silent. Perhaps she saw a spark of intelligence in his eyes, something absent from her own offspring.

The widow named the child Eam (Ee-uhm), after her own dear, departed spouse. She believed the name the name Tam-Erlan — which she thought Tomerlan — was Eam’s byname (his place of birth).

At the age of ten, Eam lost his family again. Soldiers passed through the area, part of VeBrance’s interminable wars. When they left, Teodira and her two natural sons lay dead. The farm had been burnt to the ground and the produce all stolen.

Little Eam had been left for dead. In a sense, he was.

The next company of soldiers that passed by found a young, staff-wielding defender of a deserted farm, protecting three graves. The captain of the company, Alder of Telt, admired the young lad, lean and hungry but unwilling to back down from a hundred armed and armoured men. Alder offered the boy a deal. The boy would become Alder’s servant for five years, and Alder would have his chaplain perform proper burial rites for the child’s family. Eam accepted.

Eam even lost this family when the mercenary company was caught in the middle of a civil war. Alder had been assassinated by the company’s patron. Holed up in the fortified town of Sherasvale, the company found itself caught in the middle of three warring armies. Without Alder, the company started to disintegrate. Eam found a way out, alone. The company meant nothing to him without Alder and the chaplain who had buried Teodira.

A few coins in his pouch, a few belongings on a mule he purchased at the first village he passed through, and Eam had his whole future ahead of him. Teodira had told him he had a cousin, a young women near to his own age whom the nuns had spoken of. Eam set out to find her.

During his hunt for his cousin, Eam became an enemy of the Church. Irreligious, Eam spoke out against the Church and its corruption. Anyone who questioned the Church became a heretic. Innocents burned, and because he protected these innocents, Eam was accused of heresy as well. Worse, he could call forth magic, considered a mark of union with demons.

When his path crossed with Drustan of Teyrs, the two understood they pursued the same cause, fought for the same purpose. It was with Drustan’s help that Eam finally found his cousin. When Sabrine agreed to join the fight against the Church, the three set out to find a way to topple the monolithic organization.

New Feat

SPELL TRICK
You have learned a way to use your magic to aid you in the use of your skills.
Benefit: The character can select a specific spell which he can cast and add a bonus to a skill check equal to the sum of spell’s level and the modifier for the character’s primary spell-casting ability (Intelligence for wizards, Wisdom for clerics and druids, and Charisma for sorcerers). The feat is only used for a single skill.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new spell and a new skill.
Prerequisite: Primary spell-casting ability (Int/Wis/Cha) 13

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Watch SEP for more d20 characters from Swords and A Squandering Snail. Coming November 2, the character sheet and history for Drustan of Teyrs.