wip Mëoita AKA Gatto Von Mëoita (Minor Lore)

[Steel Warrior]

Name: Gatto Von Mëoita Race: Grimalkin Birth Region: Neuvan Type: Magical Beast Subtype: Shapechanger Size: Large Gender: Male Age: 22 Alignment: Chaotic Good Gestalt 1: Warlock 6, Warshaper 3 Gestalt 2: 9 HD Office: Ship Steward Role: Scout, Ranged/Melee Support

Personality The years aboard ship, he has in all aspects a cat-like mentality as the Captain's cat. Mëoita IS a cat, a magical beast one at that. Playful and curious, he tends to be nosey when someone is doing something and it's his duty to find out what it is. The crew members have grown on him, and he enjoys playful gestures. Unfortunately for the crew, the things Mëoita likes aren't always what crew members like. He has a strong sense of guardianship over the ship and the crew, the few times there had been mishaps, the cat has helped aid the crew members from trouble, or they find the right tools, or the something lost is now found. Albeit, he's often the one who runs off with it. Still, Mëoita is quick to bond with people who show good character on board the ship.

Prequel

Mëoita is a devoted pet belonging to Captain Melara Zentaru. Having been raised since he was a kitten, Mëoita loves his master with his full devotion. Mëoita was only 6 months old and the runt of the litter. The beast keeper who raised exotic animals kept various species in small cages and pens. Thus they rarely paid much attention to the runt of a litter, as they were more for survival of the fittest and entertained various forms of animal fighting.

Still, Mëoita had some value, even though his siblings constantly forced him to endure his polymorph ability to toy with him in a cat and mouse kind of play, he never dared think of escaping. Batted around like some toy, even his own mother took little interest in his well being. For a sentient magical beast, this would be disheartening to Captain Melara.

The Captain was passing through Cape Nensa at the time, as she was investigating a potential threat that was hiding in Iverinan waters. Her stop was only to pick up a few supplies before departing dock. As she was passing through the market, she initially spotted unique exotic animals being sold and traded. Some were well kept, while others were skinny and stuck in cages much smaller than could offer proper confort.

It wasn't until Captain Melara had finished restocking supplies, that on her way back through the exotic animals, she noticed the runt in particular. At first she had little interest in adopting an animal, although a member her family once had a Tressym, perhaps that gave pause, as suddenly Mëoita shifted from a mouse back into his kitten form and not only that, he said "ouwwch".

Turning to the vendor, she spoke at length at the value of the beasts, and bartered him down to claim the runt. She was very persuasive, with her hand on her hilt. The vendor quickly agreed, it wasn't much of a loss, as if he didn't sell the runt, it could be killed by his siblings.

Thus began Mëoita's life aboard the Swift Vengeance.

Life on the Swift Vengeance

Captain Melara at first was a little indifferent with Mëoita, her good deed didn't go unpunished though. As a kitten, he often stayed in her quarters and if left unattended, she would return to a pile of shredded pages torn out of her books, as well as shredded curtains and claw marks on her favorite chair. Mëoita earned her ire early on, almost being strangled on more than one occasion.

Captain Melara thinks back and laughs and lets out a sigh as she often reflects back at her poor choices. Mëoita had matured, and she taught the kitten to speak elven, among a few other languages. Mëoita seemed to have a nack for eldritch magic, she often wondered if the kitten made a pact with some demon, and hoped his terrible "twos" would pass quickly.

One thing Captain Melara was adamant about was Mëoita must keep his identity as a magical beast secret, even among her crew. Even though she trusted some of them, there will always be new recruits and old ones who are here for the money, and that was the only loyalty they had. Mëoita understood and kept this secret for his master. As he grew out of that phase, she began allowing him liberties around the ship. It was his job to be the mouser and ensure that none of the food stores and supplies were ransacked by rodents and other things that might damage their supplies.

Mëoita had spent much of his time below decks, his natural darkvision aided in being observant in total darkness, he as well began to learn invocations that aided in being capable of noticing the most minute things. He often had his fun pouncing from the ceiling upon a hapless crew member who would stow away below decks, either to elude work, or tap into the spirits that are kept in the barrels. Most often that not, the crew member would let out a scream, spoiling his plans at shirking his duties.

Mëoita has made it his job to ensure the crew were doing their part. Above deck, when crew were scrubbing the galley, he would find spots that needed attention, then purposefully spill the water bucket on the spot in question. He would get the random curse for doing so, but in Mëoita's mind, he did his due diligence. Some of the crew became suspicious of his activities, but because he was the Captain's cat, they dared not complain.

The Twisted Sails

It was about five years ago to this day, the Captain had the need to recruit more crew, as a recent skirmish with another ship, The Twisted Sails, operated by the Captain Louie Zoza. It was one of the very few warships that still operated for the Iverinan's merchant fleet. They were known as the one of the flagships that maintain peace among the merchant fleet, settling disputes and often known for demanding tax upon ships that were not from the Iverinan Kingdom.

It just so happened the Swift Vengeance and the Twisted Sails would meet on the border of the kingdom's waters. The Iverianan ship had began to harass Andaron merchant ships and extorting them of all their goods and press ganged sailors as labor upon the Twisted Sails. This sent a red flag to Captain Melara, as she felt it broke the Laws of War. Yet, the Twisted Sails managed to cover it up, claiming the sailors joined willingly.

Captain Melara had requested the captain of an Andoan merchant ship, The Solid Deal, and sent aboard a few of her crew to work as crew members and see first hand, if the Twisted Sail was indeed of these war crimes. Keeping a safe distance from the merchant ship, they used messages to keep communication between the two. It took several months, but finally, the trap was sprung, and they had the proof that was needed.

The Swift Vengeance moved in under the fog of night, all lights were out and only the crew who were able to work without light managed the ship and silently came within a few meters before being detected. The battle was fairly quick, as the Twisted Sails never expected a warship to enter the Iverinan waters. Cannon fire went off before the crew of the Twisted Sails could respond, and from below decks, members of the Swift Vengeance that were planted among the merchant crew managed to set ablaze the black powder. The ship was crippled and Captain Zoza died that night, refusing to relinquish control.

The others who surrendered were taken as prisoners of war, and with minor repairs the Twisted Sail was delivered to the main Andaron fleet. Captain Melara was awarded with additional funds for her work, and made many upgrades to the ship. The crew who had played a hand at disabling the Twisted Sails from within were granted an additional take in the reward. Although there were few casualties, the loss was enough that Captain Melara would need to recruit.

The Assassination Attempt

Iserin, the current ruler of Iverina heard the news and was upset at the kingdom's losses, but because the Swift Vengeance had proof that Captain Zoza of the Twisted Sails had been extorting non Iverinan ships, he could not publicly retaliate. It was a major smear to his fleet and the kingdom's reputation.

One of his advisors, a former admiral of a the now decommissioned Unbreakable, became too costly to maintain and Captain Thane retired. He had wealth and began his own merchant convoy, although it ran only six ships, they were well known, and he had used the Twisted Sails to ensure he had the best routes and highest success rates in shipping goods.

With a few words from Thane, he was able to locate and persuade loyal former crew mates to venture into Andaron and gain the employ aboard the Swift Vengeance. He made sure that these men were well versed in the Andaroni tongue, and could pass as natives. They took the job and indeed managed to earn work on the Swift Vengeance.

During the application process, the seasoned applicants made easy their value aboard the ship. Keeping their secrets, they worked hard and did their jobs dutifully. They had spent about six months aboard ship, before they would attempt their plan. Managing to slip a powerful drug into the spirits that night, most of the crew were sleeping soundly, even the ones who should have been keeping post. Even the watch, in the crows nest feel victim, by an offering of a full wine skin.

If it wasn't for Mëoita, the ever observant kitten, Captain Melara would have been caught by surprise. That night, Mëoita informed her that the plan has taken effect. Garth, who drank only water that night, lay ready with Fandarel to surround the three recruits. Those two knew the true nature of Mëoita, so they fully trusted his words when he warned the Captain the impending assassination attempt.

As the three broke into the Captain's cabin, only a soft click, as they disarmed the lock. Captain Melara lay quietly in her bed feigning, while Mëoita was curled up at center of the carpeted floor. They moved in swiftly without making a noise, only then, when they closed the door behind them, Mëoita gave them the surprise of a lifetime.

Mëoita suddenly sprung into action, he had already entered practice becoming a warshaper, the sudden shift from a tiny kitten to a full sized black panther was the first thing to give away his nature, but then the claws and bite were even more fierce, Mëoita mauled one of them in an instant, leaving the other two in a panic. That is when Captain Melara also sprung into action and gutted the second spy.

Both Fandarel and Garth followed through, seeing that the situation was already under control. Leaving the remaining spy alive, they were able to reveal the former Admiral Zoza's plot. Another blow was made against the Iverinan kingdom, and the spy was now a prisoner of war. They publicly paraded the spy among the crew, and turned him over to the Andaron fleet.

It was then Mëoita felt a sense of pride and his desire to become something more among the crew was only strengthened by his part in protecting his captain.

 

Edited March 12 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[Steel Warrior]

Stats
Str: 12, Dex: 16, Con: 13, Int: 16, Wis: 14, Cha: 7
Racial: +6 Str, +4 Con, -2 Int, +2 Wis, +2 Cha
Warshaper: +4 Str, +4 Con
Level Increase 4th/8th: +2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Con, +2 Int, +2 Wis, +2 Cha
Base: Str: 24, Dex: 18, Con: 23, Int: 16, Wis: 18, Cha: 11


Point Cost (19/19 Points)

Ability Scores: +10 (2pts)
Racial LA +3 (6pts)
Spell Level: (Least, Lesser) (4pts)
Extraordinary Skill Group (Dex) (1pt)
Extraordinary Skill Group (Str) (1 Pt)
Bonus Feats (5pts)

Grimalkin (Large HD Advancement)

Prized pets and dedicated guard animals, the shapeshifting grimalkins are found among many civilized societies. Most of these unusual creatures are domesticated, so it is rare to see one in the wild. The mutable nature of the grimalkin allows it to take on a wide variety of animal forms, though its preferred form is its natural one—that of an oversized, blue - gray housecat. When it is feeling playful, a grimalkin performs for its master by changing into amusing or beguiling forms. It adopts a more threatening form when defending itself from an attack.
A grimalkin bonds with one master and remains his or her loyal companion for life. Its personality is extremely malleable, and over time the grimalkin takes on a disposition similar to that of its owner.

Grimalkins speak Common. They are chatty creatures that never know when to keep quiet.
• +6 Strength, +4 Constitution, -2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma.
• Type: Magical Beast with the shapechanger subtype
• Size: Large size. -1 penalty to Armor Class, -1 penalty on attack rolls, -4 penalty on Hide checks, +4 bonus on grapple checks, lifting and carrying
limits double those of Medium characters.
• Hit Dice: 9d10
• Grimalkins base land speed is 40 feet.
• Darkvision 60'
• Natural Armor +3
• Natural Attacks: Claws 1d6, Bite 1d8
• Empathy (Ex): A grimalkin can detect the surface emotions of any creature within 50 feet that it can see. It can sense basic needs, drives, and emotions, but not thoughts. A successful Will save (DC 18) allows a target to avoid being sensed in this way by that grimalkin for 24 hours thereafter.
• Alternate Form (Su): A grimalkin can assume any animal or vermin form of Medium size or smaller as a free action. This ability functions as a polymorph spell cast on itself at a caster level of 9th, except that the creature does not regain hit points for changing form and can only assume the form of an animal or vermin. The creature can remain in its animal or vermin form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form.
• Skills: A grimalkin has a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks and a +2 racial bonus on Climb and Jump checks.
• Automatic Languages: Common.
• Advancement: 5-8 HD (Medium-size); 9-12 HD (Large)
• LA +3

 

Edited March 12 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[Steel Warrior]

Gestalt 1: Warlock 6, Warshaper 3
Gestalt 2: 9 HD

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Invocations Known
1st	+1	+2	+2	+2	Eldritch blast 1d6, invocation (least)	1
					Magical Beast RHD 1
2nd	+2	+3	+3	+3	Detect Magic	2
					Magical Beast RHD 2
3rd	+3	+3	+3	+3	Damage Reduction 1/cold iron, Eldritch blast 2d6	2
					Magical Beast RHD 3
4th	+4	+4	+4	+4	Deceive Item	3
					Magical Beast RHD 4
5th	+5	+4	+4	+4	Eldritch Blast 3d6	3
					Magical Beast RHD 5
6th	+6	+5	+4	+5	New Invocation (Least or lesser)	4
					Magical Beast RHD 6
7th	+7	+5	+5	+5	Morphic immunities, morphic weapons
					Magical Beast RHD 7
8th	+8	+6	+6	+5	Morphic body
					Magical Beast RHD 8
9th	+9	+6	+6	+6	Morphic reach
					Magical Beast RHD 9, Size Large

Edited March 10 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[Steel Warrior]

Feats Breakdown Total: 35 (9 Base, 15 Bonus 3CP, 10 Feat Chain (Tax), 1 Stormwrack)
1st: Dodge, Mobility (Tax)
2nd: Weapon Focus: Claws, Skill Focus: Hide (BCP), Skill Focus: MS (BCP), Stealthy (BCP)
3rd: Improved Natural Attack (Claws), Improved Natural Attack (Bite, BCP), Skill Knowledge (BCP), Skill Focus: Spot (BCP)
4th: Weapon Focus: Bite, Spring Attack (Tax)
5th: Alertness, Weapon Spec (Claws, Tax), Weapon Spec (Bite, Tax)
6th: Point Blank Shot (BCP), Precise Shot (Tax), Improved Precise Shot (Tax), Aquatic Shot (B, Stormwrack), Exotic Weapon Prof (Aquatic Crossbow, BCP), Rapid Shot (BCP), Manyshot (Tax)
7th: Crossbow Sniper, Weapon Focus (Aquatic Crossbow, BCP), Weapon Specialization (Aquatic Crossbow, Tax), Far Shot (BCP), Rapid Reload (BCP),
8th: Extra Invocation, Extra Invocation (BCP), Extra Invocation (BCP), Extra Invocation (BCP)
9th: Ranged Weapon Mastery, Greater Weapon Focus (Aquatic Crossbow, Tax), GWF (Claws, Tax), GWF (Bite, Tax)

 

Warlock Invocations: 7 (3 base, 4 feats, least), 1 (1 base, Lesser)
Least: All-Seeing Eyes, Call of the Beast, Darkness, Devil's Sight, Leaps and Bounds, See the Unseen, Spiderwalk
Lesser: Humanoid Shape

Edited March 12 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[Steel Warrior]

Calculations

HP: 144 (90 9d10, 54 Con bonus)
AC Bonus: 27 (10 Base, 8 Defense Bonus, 4 Dexterity, -1 Large Size, Natural Armor +3, Dodge +3)

Claw Damage: 3d6+10 (Size Large, Imp Natural Attack feat, Warshaper 1)(WF, WS, GWF feats)
Bite Damage: 2d6+6 (Size Large, Imp Natural Attack feat, Warshaper 1)(WF, WS, GWF feats)
Aquatic Crossbow: 1d8+6, Range 80'/80'(underwater) (Aquatic Shot, Far Shot, WF, WS, GWF, Range Weapon Mastery feats)
Eldritch Blast: 3d6 Range 60'

Skill Knowledge: (Balance, Swim, Tumble)
Balance: 17 (5 ranks, +6 invocation, +5 Dexterity, +2 Tumble)
Climb: 21 (12 ranks, +7 Strength, +2 racial)
Hide: 28 (12 ranks, +4 Stealthy, +7 skill focus, +4 Dexterity, -4 Large, +5 Cloak)
Jump: 22 (5 ranks, +6 invocation, +2 racial, +2 tumble, +7 Strength)
Move Silently: 36 (12 ranks, +4 Stealthy, +7 skill focus, +4 Dexterity, +4 Racial, +5 Cloak)
Spot: 33 (11 ranks, +6 invocation, +4 Alertness, +7 Skill Focus, +4 Wisdom)
Swim: 19 (12 ranks, +7 Strength)
Tumble: 25 (12 ranks, +6 Invocation, +5 Dexterity, +2 Jump)

Edited March 12 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[Steel Warrior]

Wealth: 36,000 gp
Amulet of Mighty Fists +1 + Mage Hand 7,800 Gp
Hat of Disguise 1,800 Gp
Mantle of the Predator 8,000 Gp
Wilding Clasp 4,000 gp
+1 Aquatic Crossbow 2,550 Gp
Belt of Hidden Pouches 5,000 Gp
Handy Haversack 2,000 Gp
10 painted dull grey ioun stones 250g + 250g (painted to look like floating critters) Gp
100 Gp in random knick knacks, cat toys.
Magic Catnip Scented Bedroll 650 Gp
Ring of Sustenance 2,500 Gp
Ring of Prestigitation 1,000 Gp
35,900 Gp
 

Edited March 19 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[Steel Warrior]

Gatto Von Mëoita

Gatto Von Mëoita HP: 144/144 Saves: Fort 12, Ref 10, Will 10 AC: 27, 24(touch), 23 (flat-footed), Init: +4
Speed: 40'|Climb 30'|Swim 30' Skills: Bal 17, Climb 21, Hide 28, Jump 22, MS 36, Spot 32, Tumble 24, Swim: 19
Active Invocations: All-Seeing EyesYou gain a supernaturally precise vision of the world around you. You gain the benefits of comprehend languages, albeit for written words only. Additionally, you gain a +6 bonus on Search and Spot checks. All-seeing eyes lasts for 24 hours., Call of the BeastYou gain a rapport with the beasts of the world. You gain the wild empathy ability as a druid of your warlock level and can communicate with animals as if under the effect of speak with animals. This invocation lasts for 24 hours., Devil's SightYou gain the visual acuity of a devil for 24 hours. You can see normally in darkness and magical darkness out to 30 feet., Leaps and BoundsYou invoke this ability to gain amazing agility. You gain a +6 bonus on Balance, Jump, and Tumble checks for 24 hours., See the UnseenWhen you use this invocation, you can activate great powers of vision, allowing you to see invisible creatures and objects (as see invisibility). You also gain darkvision out to 60 feet for a period of 24 hours., SpiderwalkYou can grant yourself the ability to spider climb (as the spell) with a duration of 24 hours. While this invocation is in effect, you are unaffected by webs (either mundane or magical).

---

Gatto, "words here"

 

 

Edited March 13 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[TheBard101]

Haven't seen much movement from you dood. Have you gotten any response from the DM yet?

 

Do you have a back up in case it's a no?

 

Do you want to mix back stories so I can get you to write one for me?

[Steel Warrior]

46 minutes ago, TheBard101 said:

Haven't seen much movement from you dood. Have you gotten any response from the DM yet?

 

Do you have a back up in case it's a no?

 

Do you want to mix back stories so I can get you to write one for me?

Edited Saturday at 09:34 AM by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

 

lol I added the approved Humanoid Shape invocation.

I have just been tired and I was still waiting on pieces of info from dalamb.
My story is I have been the Captain's pet and I decided I actually wanted to be part of the crew, so I have to get hired on just like everyone else.
The Captain has had me since I was a cub/kitten. I just don't know where she bought/collected my character. I have been there longer than most of the crew "20+ years" so they think I am just some really old cat lol. Like a Maine Coon.


The last thing I need to confirm is that now I have advanced my RHD to Size: Large. Does my Alternate Form (Su) accommodate into allowing me to shape into large animals or vermin. It makes sense from a "size category" perspective. You can't shape into something bigger than you are, but why not the same size.

There's no restriction for me to shape into tiny, diminutive or fine. But being large allows me to be a mount for the Captain/PC's.

If not, I will change up my progression from Warlock 6/Warshaper 3 || Magical Beast 9 to Warlock 9 || Magical Beast 5, Warshaper 4

Although it still might be worth staying large for the extra size stat increase and warshaper's reach and size larger damage.

My character also wants to be proficient in the aquatic crossbow and take the crossbow sniper feat and other ranged feats.

Edited March 4 by Steel Warrior (see edit history)

[TheBard101]

ah. So you're waiting for the sniper crossbow questions too?

[Steel Warrior]

21 minutes ago, TheBard101 said:

ah. So you're waiting for the sniper crossbow questions too?

no, it's approved. I am waiting on background fluff and the large polymorph ability mostly.

[TheFred]

I don't think it would be all that unreasonable to give you Large animals (even if by RAW it's not allowed)... otherwise going Large doesn't really seem worth it. You do get big stat bumps but they're lost when you Polymorph anyway (the Grimalkin does function as Polymorph, right? I forget which is which). I don't think it would increase your reach as you're cat-shaped, not human-shaped (Large quadrupeds still only have 5ft reach usually). The second option therefore seems the stronger by far.

[TheBard101]

I was going to say the same thing about reach. But I thought that he means large as in a large humanoid version of catfolk.

[Steel Warrior]

7 minutes ago, TheBard101 said:

I was going to say the same thing about reach. But I thought that he means large as in a large humanoid version of catfolk.

Yeah, I wasn't planning on being a large humanoid with the invocation. Although I do get reach anyways with Warshaper.

[TheFred]

Yeah Warshaper is pretty great here. With the 3.5 update, the Grimalkin, whilst cool (one of my favourite races honestly), really gets very limited shapeshifting options. You can do like the Legendary animals from MM2 if I recall, and you can switch between flying/swimming/pouncing/grappling animals rapidly, but it's a far cry from Polymorph's usually versatility (some might say brokenness, even), and it's hard to juggle all the options anyway. Warshaper's one of the few ways to up the effectiveness of the shapeshifting specifically.