Razvan Umbra; Vampiric Fetchling Fighter

[Vedast]

 

Razvan Umbra
Vampiric Fetchling • Martial Disciple • Fighter 2
Medium • CN • Speed 25 • Darkvision

Primary Role: ranged combat & stealth Secondary Roles: melee combat; intimidation & thievery.

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Abilities
Strength 14 (+2) • Dexterity 18 (+4) • Constitution 14 (+2) • Intelligence 10 (+0) • Wisdom 12 (+1) • Charisma 12 (+1)

Boosts
• Ancestry: +DEX +STR
• Background: +DEX +CON
• Class: +DEX
• Free:+STR; +DEX; +CON; +CHA

• LVL 2: +WIS

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Adventuring & Combat
HP 32/32
Perception +7 • Expert+6 • Wis +1 • Item 0 • Senses: Darkvision (Ancestry Feature) Link
Speed 25'
Class DC 18 • Trained +4 • Base 10 • DEX +4 • Item 0

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Armor and Shields
AC 21/19 • Trained +4 • Base 10 • Dex +4 • If shield raised
Leather armor (+1)

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Saving Throws 
• Fortitude +8 • Expert +6 • Con +2 • Item 0
• Reflex +10 • Expert +6 • Dex +4 • Item 0
• Will +5 • Trained +4 • Wis +1 • Item 0

Disease and Poison Protection: You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to saving throws (or any other defense) against disease and poison.

Weapon Proficiencies
• Expert in simple weapons; unarmed attacks; martial weapons.

• Trained in advanced weapons

• Trained in Unarmored Defense and all armors

Weapon +0 • Untrained 0 • Str 0 • Item 0 • Damage 1d0 • Notes

Unarmed:

• Fist +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Dex +4 • Item 0 • Damage 1d4+2 B • Agile; Finesse; Nonlethal; Unarmed
• Fangs +8/+3/-2 • Expert +6 • Str +2 • Item 0 • Damage 1d6+2 P • Brawling; Grapple; Unarmed

Melee:

• Dagger +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Item 0 • Damage 1d4+2 P • Agile; Finesse; Thown (10'); Versatile S
• Light mace +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Damage 1d4+2 B • agile; finesse; shove
• Short sword +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Item 0 • Damage 1d6+2 P • Agile; Finesse; Versatile S

Ranged:

• Composite shortbow +10/+5/+0 • Expert +6 • 1d6+1 (1d6+3 w/in 60' PBS feat) • Deadly d10, propulsive (+ STR/2 damage), 60' range.
• 20 arrows (0.20; 2x L)

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Background: Martial Disciple (Acrobatics)

• Trained in Acrobatics and Warfare Lore
• Cat Fall skill feat (see below)

Skills
Acrobatics +8 • Trained +4 • Dex +4 • Item 0 (Martial Disciple Background Skill)
Arcana +0 • Untrained 0 • Int +0 • Item 0
Athletics +6 • Trained +4 • Str +2 • Item 0 • Armor -0 (Class Feat)
Crafting +0 • Untrained 0 • Int +0 • Item 0
Deception +5 • Trained +4 • Cha +1 • Item 0 (Shrouded Mein Ancestry Feat)
Diplomacy +1 • Untrained 0 • Cha +1 • Item 0
Intimidation +5 • Trained +4 • Cha +1 • Item 0 (Class Free Skill)
Lore: Warfare +4 • Trained +4 • Int +0 • Item 0 (Martial Disciple Background Skill)
Medicine +1 • Untrained 0 • Wis +1 • Item 0
Nature +1 • Untrained 0 • Wis +1 • Item 0
Occultism +0 • Unrained +0 • Int +0 • Item 0
Performance +1 • Untrained 0 • Cha +1 • Item 0
Religion +1 • Untrained 0 • Wis +1 • Item 0
Society +0 • Untrained 0 • Int +0 • Item 0
Stealth +8 • Trained +4 • Dex +4 • Item 0 • Armor -0 (Class Free Skill)
Survival +1 • Untrained 0 • Wis +1 • Item 0
Thievery +8 • Trained +4 • Dex +4 • Item 0 (Class Free Skill)

Languages: Common; Necril; Shadowtongue

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Abilities
Ability • Type 0 • Notes

Fetchling (Liminal) Features: Fetchling

• Shadowtongue Link
• Darkvision Link
• Liminal Heritage Link You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to locate undetected creatures within 60 feet when using the Seek action. Your flat check to target concealed creatures is DC 3 instead of DC 5, and your flat check to target undetected creatures is DC 9 instead of DC 11.

Vampire Features: Vampire Dedication

• Fangs Unarmed Attack
• Revulsion to garlic or holy symbol of a Good Deity
• Weakness to Sunlight slowed 1 =>
• Drink Blood Action
• Basic Undead Benefits (below)

Basic Undead Benefits : Link

• Necril: You know the Necril language.
• Undead Vision: You gain low-light vision, or you gain darkvision if your ancestry already has low-light vision.
• Negative Healing: You are damaged by positive damage and aren't healed by positive healing effects. You don't take negative damage and are healed by negative effects that heal undead.
• Negative Survival: Unlike normal undead, you aren't destroyed when reduced to 0 Hit Points. Instead, powerful negative energy attempts to keep you from being destroyed even in dire straits. You are knocked out and begin dying when reduced to 0 Hit Points. Because you're undead, many methods of bringing someone back from dying, such as stabilize, don't benefit you. When you would die, you're destroyed rather than dead, just like other undead.
• Immunity to Death Effects: You're immune to death effects. This keeps you from being automatically killed or from having your dying value automatically increase, but it doesn't make you immune to other parts of the spell or effect. For example, you can still take mental damage and become frightened by a phantasmal killer, you just don't instantly die from it.
• Disease and Poison Protection: You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to saving throws (or any other defense) against disease and poison.

 

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Feats

Ancestry Feats

• Shrouded Mien Link  => Lengthy Diversion

Skill Feats

• Lengthy Diversion (<= Shrouded Mien Ancestry feat) Link
• Cat Fall (background) Link
• Intimidating Glare (2nd level skill feat) Link

Class Feats

• Attack of Opportunity (Class Feature) Link
• Shield Block (Class Feature) Link
• Point-Blank Shot (1st) Link
• Double Slice (2nd) Link (changed from Assisting Shot to provide a sans shield melee option)

 

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Spells & Powers
Spell Attack Bonus +0 • Untrained +0 •
Spell DC  N/A
Focus Points  N/A
Spells/Day: 
 

 

    
 

 

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Inventory 
Money: 30.00 Starting
Bulk 0/0 • Enc 7 (5 + Str 2) • Max 12 (10 + Str 2)

Armor & Shield:

• Leather Armor (2.00; 1) +1/+4 (AC Bonus/ Dex Cap)

Weapons:

• Daggers x2 (0.40; L) agile; finesse; thrown 10'; versatile S (paid double for semi-matched pair; no game mechanical effect, just fluff)
• Light mace (0.40; 1) agile; finesse; shove
• Shortsword (0.90; L) agile; finesse; versatile S.
• Composite shortbow (14.0; 1) Deadly d10, propulsive 1d6P 60' range
• 20 arrows (0.20; 2x L) in quiver

Adventurer's Pack (0.70; 1 (bulk errata'd 2 => 1)):

Backpack (from Adventurer's Pack):

• Bedroll
• Flint & Steel
• Rope (50')
• Torch (x5)
• Chalk (x10)
• Sacks x5 (empty; 0.01; L)
• Folding shovel/short tool* (0.40; L) *might need to dig a resting place after all!
• Crowbar (0.50; L) *also for potential use in securing a resting place in addition to accessing other creaky places.

Beltpouch #1

• Purse (1.37 gp: g/s/c = -/13/7)
• mirror (1.00; -)
• signal whistle (0.08; -)
• tindertwigs (x10; 0.20; -)

Beltpouch #2

• writing kit (1.00; L)

Bandolier (0.10; -) carry up to x8 L items

• Smokestick-Lesser (3.00; L)
• Caltrops (0.30; L)
• Thieves Tools (3.00; L)

Total Expended: (28.63)

Funds Remaining: 1.37 (see purse above)

Total Carried: 12L = 1.2 bulk; + 4 bulk items = 5.2 bulk. Encumbrance: 7

Status: Unencumbered

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Appearance

As a Kayal (Fetchling) in life:

Height: 6'1" (186 cm)

Weight: 151# (68.5 kg)

Eyes: pupilless, a blue grey color that is brightest in the center and darkens gradually towards the edges.

Hair: silver-grey

Complexion: pale grey

Shadow: had the peculiar trait of being cast towards the source of light.

As a Vampiric (undead) Fetchling:

Height & Weight: unchanged

Eyes: color and shading unchanged, but now have a sort of seething incandescent quality as lighter, brighter spots continually rise to the surface and dim.

Fangs (brawling, grapple). Nails hard and sharp, but with no game mechanical feature.

Hair: color unchanged, but now has a sense of weak luminescence about it.

Complexion: pale marble-like white. Lips have a shade similar to eyes except after blood feeding, when a more purple luster is observed.

Shadow: as a vampire, none; nor does Razvan cast a reflection in a mirror.

 

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Personality

As a living Fetchling, Razvan was exploitative and secretive. Very much one who enjoyed the perks of power, but preferred to avoid its responsibilities. He used his skills in deception along with trained martial abilities to advantage, but seldom openly or to public display save for his skill with a bow. This being said, he was neither sycophantic nor cowardly: he projected the assurance of the refined and amoral courtier. His native shadowy abilities blended well with dedicated practice in the deceitful arts, allowing Razvan to oversee and overhear much that was of use to him.

His moral sense might be described as shadowy or lacking substance: as in atrophied. Dispassionate himself, he learned how to use or deflect the passions of others to his benefit, best seen as he masterfully used manipulation to rise within the ranks at the court of the infamous sadist (in a land devoted to the sadistic deity Zon-Kuthon) Lady Sanguina Lavabo, located within the fortified city of Ridwan in southwestern Nidal. A public image of the dashing accomplished marksman made him a favorite of the Lady's pleasure; his ability covertly to discover the secrets of others made him feared.

Aware of his patroness' ultimate ambition regarding retention of temporal power through undead transformation (in particular, the necromantic arts involved in the lich ritual) and communing with the dead, Razvan made it a point to learn as much as possible regarding occult sects, though the specifics of recondite theory were of little interest; it was the satisfaction and power to be gained by manipulation of the cultists that appealed to him: and, to this end, infiltrated himself into the cult known as the Whispering Way whose senior leaders were always keen to attract members with skill sets oriented less towards the hermetic and mystical. And so matters progressed until ... his plans and schemes with the Way lead to his death at the end of a sword held by the hand of a skilled and righteous knight.

His experience in the limbo of the Boneyard; his postponed judgement and a seeming chance to avoid the perdition of eternal enslavement in the realm of the Midnight Lord; and a new incarnation wrapped in the curse of undeath as a vampire offers the potential to bring about many changes ... but will they? Shall Razvan discover in himself a new ambition through seeking redemption, perhaps by thwarting the malevolent perversions of the still active Lady Lavabo or the machinations of the Whispering Way or emergent and yet unimagined Twists of Fate; ... or, will he rather become ever more refined and perfected as a pursuer of personal evil?

[N.B. the latter is just for the sake of narrative drama, not indicative of IC playstyle.]

 

Fighting Styles

• Ranged: foremost, a ranged combatant using (currently) a composite shortbow in conjunction with the Point Blank Shot feat.
• General melee: shortsword + light mace dual wielded in conjunction with Double Slice feat. Mechanically to take advantage of any physical damage vulnerability, but also for narrative flavor as the two weapons allow for S or P, and B damage.
• Stealth melee: dual wielding daggers for either close combat or where the potential for a thrown weapon attack exists.

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History/Background (Razvan's Boneyard Judgement)

 

PLACE: A courtroom of the Boneyard; Halls of Judgement

Dramatis Personae

Yidj: Psychopomp (Yamaraj) Judge of Court in the Boneyard

Oria: a Phistophilus (Contract) Devil Petitioner for Zon-Kuthon

Ueadth: psychopomp (Viduus)  Advocate for the Boneyard

Razvan Umbra: a soul: slain Kayal (Fetchling) bowman and rapscallion

Ekul Ghossalm: a still-living necromancer

 

Y: "We hear now the case for disposition of the soul of one Razvan Umbra, Kayal, courtier and bowman.  Bring forth the Subject who will remain silent until or unless questioned. Let the Advocate for the Divine Zon-Kuthon present the case for judgement and disposition."

O: Presenting an elaborate scroll, the contract devil began “The facts in evidence will support our claim for final and eternal disposition of this soul.  This one was born to the Kayal in the Plane of Shadow, but by craft entered the Material Plane via the Gate at Ridwan in Nidal. As the Court knows, Nidal as a nation owes its allegiance to my patron, the Midnight Lord.  Ever an opportunist, Subject quickly sought to use his martial and underhanded skills to occasion a rise to power and influence via service with the Lady Sanguina Lavabo.  We remind the Court that this lady seeks to avoid the eventual judgement of the Boneyard through blood drenched necromantic rites in hopes of an eventual apotheosis as a lich. Of course, we make no moral judgement … we simply observe that Subject aligned his fortune and actions with the admittedly (and maybe admirably) sadistic, blood-bathing, ambitious Lady Lavabo.  And, finally, it was on a mission of service with the Whispering Way; a Cult whose aspirations you of the Boneyard have long opposed; a group Lady Lavabo wished to coerce to her own elevation; that Subject met his material demise.  Thus, we hold that the Realm of the Midnight Lord has pre-emptive claim on the disposition of this soul.  Though, perhaps,” the diabolic Petitioner added hopefully, “perhaps the Plane of Caina might do as well?” This latter was the realm of Mephistopheles in Hell: and no devil missed an opportunity to cast a soul into the Pit.

Y: "Has the Advocate for the Boneyard anything to say to the Petitioners case? Are there no other claimants of this soul?"

U: "Yes, esteemed Yidj.  In fact, this Subject is related to a few other cases.  You might recall that ah, classified briefing from some time back.  The project involving the reanimation and geas?"

Y: "Oh, yes, that.  I cannot say, Ueadth, that I am sanguine about the methods involved.  Seems contrary to our principles."

U: "Indeed, your Honor.  I think it was presented to our Ruling Lady as one of those 'ends justifying the means' exceptions." 

O:  "What is this!?" the contract devil Petitioner interjected angrily.  "Secret schemes to rob the Midnight Lord of a subject clearly His?"

Y: "The Midnight Lord rules over the souls the Boneyard delegates to Him," the Judge retorted with indignation.  "But not the souls still in the Boneyard’s care." He paused, perhaps for some dramatic effect. "So be it then as the Divine Pharasma guides. The judgement of this Court is that the soul of Razvan Umbra shall be released, for good or ill, to the Workings and Geas of Ekul Ghossalm on behalf of the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye.  And may you, plighted soul," he added, looking sternly at the confused and sullen Fetchling, "make fair use of this quirk of Fate."

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Darkness.  Absolute.  Not the Shadow Realm.  Not home. Utter Darkness.  The silver cord grasped.  The cold clutch of the grave. Hunger ... the Blood Need.

R: No! Not my body … not this.  Why? What is happening? You!

E: Yes. Me. As you once served the Blood Mistress and followed the Whispering Way, so now, you will endure the blood thirst.  But through your pain and suffering, you might merit redemption. 

R: No! I must fight this horror, this abomination. Release me! Non serviam!

E: Shall you be Zon-Kuthon’s for eternity?  Is that your wish then, to serve at - or as - His pleasure?  Consider well, but quickly. No, I didn’t think so.  Few who embrace evil in life relish its rewards in the hereafter.  Surrender, then, to this geas; surrender to this vampiric form into which I cast and bind you – which you warrant as a condign purgation by reason of your past service to the Lady Lavabo and her undead aspirations and sadistic cruelties – and through this temporal and material punishment, escape the clutches of the Midnight Lord. Your abilities and skills shall remain as they were in life.  You will choose again how to use them.

R: I shall n ... Yes.  Yes.

E: Yes, indeed. The beginnings of WISdom. (c.f. 2nd level ability boost)

 

 

Edited August 21, 2023 by Vedast
Switch smoke stick for thieves tools (see edit history)

[Vedast]

 

Razvan Umbra Vampiric Fetchling Fighter (2) 

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HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (leather) | Speed: 25' | Darkvision

Perception (E): +7 ▪ Initiative: +7 | Fort (E): +8 | Ref (E): +10| Will (T): +5 

| SkillsTrained:
Acrobatics (+8); Athletics (+6); Deception (+5); Intimidation (+5); Lore/warfare (+4); Stealth (+8); Thievery (+8)

Untrained:
Acrana (+0); Crafting (+0); Diplomacy (+1); Medicine (+1); Nature (+1); Occultism (+0); Performance (+1); Religion (+1); Society (+0); Survival (+1) | AttributesSTR +2
DEX +4
CON +2
INT +0
WIS +1
CHA +1 | AttacksUnarmed:

Fist +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Dex +4 • Item 0 • Damage 1d4+2 B • Agile; Finesse; Nonlethal; Unarmed
Fangs +8/+3/-2 • Expert +6 • Str +2 • Item 0 • Damage 1d6+2 P • Brawling; Grapple; Unarmed

Melee:

Dagger +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Item 0 • Damage 1d4+2 P • Agile; Finesse; Thown (10'); Versatile S
Light mace +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Damage 1d4+2 B • agile; finesse; shove
Short sword +10/+6/+2 • Expert +6 • Item 0 • Damage 1d6+2 P • Agile; Finesse; Versatile S

Ranged:

Composite shortbow +10/+5/+0 • Expert +6 • 1d6+1 (1d6+3 w/in 60' PBS feat) • Deadly d10, propulsive (+ STR/2 damage), 60' range. |

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Content/Speaking/Thinking

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Text goes here

 

 

ACTIONS

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

 

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OOC

 

 

 

Edited August 4, 2023 by Vedast (see edit history)

[Vedast]

Should be ready for a mechanical review. I took the liberty of putting some dialogue to Ekul Ghossalm in the aftermath of Razvan's judgement to establish the element of redemption. If GM finds any of that not in keeping with the game premise or that NPC, please advise and I shall modify the dialogue accordingly.

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On 21JUL character class was switched from sorcerer (shadow bloodline) to fighter (ranged build). Undead dedication stayed as vampire. The personality & background were modified to fit the class change, but generally stayed within the same overall scheme and mood, including the "trial." Essentially, I tried to change as little as possible for the character other than the details needed to be consistent with the change from a casting to a martial class. Equipment was likewise updated along with encumbrance.

Edited July 21, 2023 by Vedast (see edit history)

[hoverfrog]

Love the character picture.

I like the background. It is well written and the redemption angle is really good.

[Vedast]

36 minutes ago, hoverfrog said:

Love the character picture.

I like the background. It is well written and the redemption angle is really good.

@hoverfrog Just wanted to acknowledge this and say 'thank you.' Yes, those folks do/commission some excellent artwork. I was fortunate to have found that resource in general and this quite fitting image for Razvan, in particular.