Archis of the Stiff Beards
Background
Archis of the Stiff Beards hails from western Tongra. Specifically, Archis was raised in the town of Bacrothen. He grew up respecting Lord Chavre and at the proper time enlisted in his military force. He served Lord Chavre dutifully, although it became quite clear that he was never going to become a weapons master. Not only was he smaller the average person in the military – but taller than most folk his kind as he is apt to point out quickly – but he simply didn’t have the knack for dealing a death blow. Archis’ sergeant told him he had too much mercy in him as he desired the opponent to surrender unconditionally rather than run him through. As a result, Archis found a new home in the military.
Archis was transferred to a color division and was used in the service of ceremoniously presenting his Lord. His musical talents and dexterous body flourishes fit in perfectly in a performance company. He proudly carried the colors of his Lord along with the rest of his company. When his terms of service had come due, Archis left the military service with some understanding of military prowess but with a greater understanding of music and how it can change a person’s attitude.
Upon returning to his family, Archis was met by a local band of vigilantes. Lord Chavre was dying and there was a dispute over who would rule his land. Of course the honor should have naturally fallen to his son, but he was still young of age. Three of Lord Chavre’s assistants stepped forward to proclaim themselves worthy of sitting in on the regency until the younger Lord Chavre would be of age to assume rule. Vigilante groups fractured the local scene, especially in the hometown of Lord Chavre: Bacrothen. The vigilante groups mustered support for the leader whom they desired to see take office. The group that approached Archis was made up of veterans of the military that had served under Lord Chavre loyally and were aware of the talents of his color guard. They had recruited many who had served in the color guard and Archis was no exception. Archis readily joined the group, seeking to remain loyal to those who supported the dying lord and the ultimate succession of his son.
Upon Lord Chavre’s death, tension escalated. No one regent was able to gain power and the various vigilante groups merely seemed to be able to only induce greater chaos onto the scene. After three years of political violence, Lord Chavre’s son had grown to within one year of ascending to rule. Rumors of assassination attempts began to increase. It became clear that none of the regents were willing to back down knowing that domination of Lord Chavre’s land was within their grasp. Archis and many of the other color guard had come to know the son of Lord Chavre and swore to protect the boy until he could rightly claim the power. Archis spent many days among the royal estate foiling attempts of assassination before they were able to even be enacted. Archis spent many nights among the taverns of Bacrothen using his musical and oratory skills to persuade the people to step down from violence and embrace the son of his beloved lord. As the boy grew closer and closer to the correct age, Archis’ words fell more and more to deaf ears. He gradually spent more time with his crossbow, which he called Arvorstar, than he did with his fiddle, which he even more affectionately called Pahphroh.
Tension rose to a summit, driving the younger Lord Chavre into hiding for the final two months. Archis and his associates spent fewer and few hours sleeping as the day of his ascendancy came closer. Finally the day they had all awaited for arrived. The boy turned twenty years of age and was rightfully the ruler. The day began with assault after assault on the royal estate as the other vigilante groups attempted to prevent the younger Lord Chavre from leaving the estate and traveling to the coronation ceremony to be held in the central courtyard in Bacrothen. Many of Archis’ loyal friends were slain in the defense of their lord on that day. Many who were slain were working as decoy squadrons meant to lead the enemies of the younger Lord Chavre away from the true caravan. The enemies of the younger Lord Chavre were unable to stop the plans of Archis and his group and the coronation ceremony was completed as planned. There was no denying the wake of violence that had been left behind in the tense political moments.
The new Lord Chavre employed those who had protected him as personal guards until the land settled down. Archis knew there would still be threats to his lord, but he also knew that with the support of the other rulers of Tongra who recognized the coronation ceremony that the threats would eventually lesson. Several years passed, and only then did Archis feel the safety of his lord was secure. Archis desired to return to his music and once and for all give up his sword. He asked to be dismissed from the service once more. His request was granted with a considerable sum of money in reward of his service.
Archis knew that if he desired to flee the violent memories of the past few years he had to leave Bacrothen and the territory of Lord Chavre. Archis did just that. He heard of a small village much closer to the Tongra-Quehalost Mountains that seemed to suit him well. Archis knew that the people who lived closer to Quehalost were constantly in need of support and encouragement. This was the sort of thing that Archis could provide. Using the money he had received, Archis moved to Reignsburg and established an inn. Before too long the
Cachinnating Roadhouse was famous for Archis’ potatoes and his tricks.
Archis plied his military trade to a new type of career now. His cooking was famous, and there needed not be anything more said about that. Some accused Archis of applying magic to the food to improve the taste, but Archis denied it fervently. What he didn’t deny, however, was that he had found an ability to employ magic in other area of the inn. Although Pahphroh hung proudly on the wall of the inn and was played quite frequently by the owner, Archis was also fond of wandering among the tables of patrons and asking if they would enjoy a song. Many of those who replied in the affirmative would hear a simple clap and Archis would magically have an instrument in his hands. A curious onlooker would notice that at these times Pahphroh still hung on the wall.
Archis was noted for using magic in other ways as well. He was not below securing his inn at nights with an alarm spell that when triggered woke nearly a quarter of the town. He often walked down the streets during the morning hours and used his magic to catch the attention of people that he thought would enjoy the atmosphere of his inn. He never directly commanded them to come, but he figured that a simple suggestion would plant an appropriate seed that would grow into the right desire. Archis was often seeing using his special boots to allow him to rise into the air high enough to collect the tips off of the table. Last but not least at all, anyone that had escalated an argument to the point of coming to blows quickly found themselves facing an angry gnome who threatened to use magic. If the person refused to back down, they were often affected by what Archis called his curse of the unfortunate blink. The offender would stay solid until the moment they desired to strike out and their body would suddenly disappear. Once their attempt at an attack was finished, they would simply blink back into Archis’ inn until they were ready to strike again. Although it was frustrating for the inflicted, it was rather amusing for others to watch!
To this day, Archis maintains the inn and the number of patrons who come continues to grow. Archis would not trade his past in any way as he derives much satisfaction knowing that the younger Lord Chavre was still alive and in charge of his lands. But he had found his home here in Reignsburg. He fed people, entertained people, and knew full well that he made those who carried vast burdens have an easier time bearing their burdens for a short time at least.
[Sblock=Physical Stats and Class Basis]
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[B]STR:[/B] 08 Class: Bard 12
[B]DEX:[/B] 14 Race: Gnome
[B]CON:[/B] 14
[B]INT:[/B] 14
[B]WIS:[/B] 12
[B]CHA:[/B] 19
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[Sblock=Favorite Fighting Tactics]
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[B]Favorite Weapon: [/B] Crossbow
[B]Other Weapons Available:[/B] Shortsword, Rapier
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[Sblock=Magic Aptitude]
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[B]Favorite Spells:[/B] Summon Instrument
Charm Person
Enthrall
Improved Alarm
Baleful Blink
[B]Other Spells:[/B] Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Open/Close, Read Magic
Disguise Self, Obscure Object, Silent Image,
Eagle's Splendor, Mirror Image, Shatter
Charm Monster, Dispel Magic, Major Image
Mirror Image (Greater), Shadow Conjuration
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[Sblock=Skills]
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[B]Preferred Skills:[/B] Bluff
Diplomacy
Disguise
Gather Information
Hide
Performance in Dance
Performance in Oratory
Performance in Stringed Music
Sensing Motivation
[B]Useable but not Preferred Skills:[/B] Escape Artist
Intimidate
Knowledge of Geography
Knowledge of the local culture
Knowledge of nobility and Royalty
Tumbling and Gymnastics
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[Sblock=Notable Equipment]
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[U]Item Name:[/U] [U]Function[/U]
Arvorstar +3 Shocking Light Crossbow
Pahphroh Masterwork Fiddle
Cloak of Charisma Makes Archis look pretty (+4)
Ring of Protection Keeps Archis alive in bar fights (+2)
Ring of Featherfalling Allows Archis to jump off tall buildings!
Boots of Levitation Assures Archis that he can reach the counters
Short Sword and Rapier For when it gets ugly (+2/+1, respectively)
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