Scotley's 4e Swashbuckler

Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4

"Signaling how, Ali? What message is being sent us, and what would you have us to do?" asks Manous.

[sblock=Manous's sheet]
Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4, 25 pt. build

Str 16 +3
Dex 13 +1
Con 13 +1
Int 08 -2
Wis 14 +2
Cha 19 +4

Speed: 5

HP=46-37=9+11=20+11+11=42
Healing Surges per day: 12 (-5 used today)
Healing Surge Value: 11

Defenses
AC 23
Fort 16
Ref 16 [10+1/2L+1dex bonus+2shield bonus+1Paladin bonus]
Will 17

Feats:
Alertness [Manous does not grant CA when surprised, and he receives +2 Perception]
Action Surge [Human bonus feat, +3 to attacks when Manous spends an AP]
Devoted Paladin [+1 healing surge, add cha bonus (+4) to lay on hands]
Virtuous Recovery [Gain resist all when spend a healing surge]

Skills
Perception [+2(half level)+1(wis)+5(trained)+2(feat)=+10]
Diplomacy [+2(half level)+4(cha)+5(trained)=+11]
Acrobatics [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Athletics [+2(half level)+3(str)+0(untrained)=+5]
Bluff [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]
Endurance [+2(half level)+1(con)+0(untrained)=+3]
Heal [+2(half level)+2(wis)+0(untrained)=+4]
Stealth [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Streetwise [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]

Paladin Class Features:
Channel Divinity: Divine Mettle - Encounter [add M's Cha bonus (+4) to an ally's Saving Throw]
Channel Divinity: Divine Strength - Encounter [add M's Str bonus (+3) as extra dam on next att. this turn]
Divine Challenge - At-Will [mark 1 target w/in burst 5]
Lay on Hands - At-Will special - use # of times equal to Wis mod. = 2 [spend healing surge, for ally to heal ally's own surge value hp]

At-Will Powers:
Bolstering Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+ cha mod and I gain +2 temp hp
Enfeebling Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+cha mod and if target is marked it takes -2 to att untl ENT
Ardent Strike [Cha vs. AC] [A target hit w/ this power is subject to Manous's Divine Sanction untl ENT,
which means that the target takes 3+4 radiant damage in each round that it makes an attack that
does not include Manous as a target.]

Encounter Powers:

*Heroic Effort [Human Racial Power]
Personal - No Action
Trigger - Manous misses an attack or fails a saving throw
Effect - Manous gains a +4 racial bonus to the attack or saving throw

Shielding Smite [cha vs. AC] [dam = 2[W]+cha mod and one ally w/in 5 gains +2AC untl ENT]
Righteous Smite [cha vs. AC, hit: 2[W]+cha mod plus Manous and all allies w/in 5 squares gain 9 temp hp]

Daily Power:
*Radiant Delirium [3d8+4 + dazed untl ENT and -2 AC save ends][Miss-half dam+target dazed untl ENT]

Utility Power:
Bless Weapon [minor action: until the end of the encounter,
the weapon blessed gains +1 on attack rolls, inflicts +1d6 radiant damage,
and crits on 18-20]

Equipment/Magic
+1 Black Iron Plate Armor [L4] (+9 AC) [50gp+840gp] Property-Resist 5 fire/Resist 5 necrotic
Heavy Shield (+2 AC) [10gp]
+1 Frost War Hammer [L3] (1d10+1 dam., crit +1d6 dam, +2 att, versatile) Power: at-will, free action
change all dam inflicted by this weapon to cold dam. Power: daily, free action inflict an
extra +1d8 cold dam. and target is slowed until the end of my next turn.
Longsword (1d8 dam., +3 att., versatile) [15gp]
Longbow (1d10 dam., +2 att., range 20/40)[30gp]
Arrows [1gp] [29 arrows remaining]
+1 Holy Symbol of Battle [1,000gp] [L5] +1 att/dam., crit +1d8, Power (free) +1d10 damage when hit
Standard Aventurer's Kit [15gp]
Journeybread [50gp]


[sblock=Background
Manous is a "Barbarian Indian" type who was born in the recently discovered "America," but was
brought back to "France" as a very small boy (about 12/13?) by a sea captain as an oddity to be
widely displayed and poked and prodded by various folks. Then said waif was seen by a Duchess
and her heart went out to the poor lad, so she adopted him and had him trained/schooled by the
best Masters in the land, and given very much religious instruction in the 'accepted' faith.
Ultimately, young Manous became a Paladin, but he still looks very unusual, having been
copiously tattooed by his people and subjected to the body modifications of his tribe. I'm thinking
Manous's entire body is tattooed with geometric patterns and star charts, his earlobes have been
greatly pierced with objects of ever-increasing size during his early childhood, so he has great
flapping "rings" of flesh hanging from his ears. Manous Artouche also has a row of "earrings"
around his navel (navel rings?) (but he keeps that covered most of the time), and he also has a
"bone in his nose." (Not a real bone, but a ring of brass much like a bull.)


So Manous looks like a total freak, except when he is shrouded in his Paladin's armor, at which
time he is indistinguishable from any other knight of the realm, but he is always unswervingly
loyal to his benefactor the Duchess, and he is as faithful to his new religion as anyone in
"France." Now, the Duchess is on the outs with the mainstream of nobility in "France" because
she resisted the amorous intentions of the Prince, and he ruined her socially once he got over
the rejection. She may have even been exiled to "Scotland" or wherever, but Manous Artouche
was undergoing his tutelage at that time and had to stay behind in "France" with the Duchess's
cousin, Grand Duke Siegfried von Koln, who was (as it happens) the boy's Paladin Instructor. Now
Siegfried, once Manous was fully trained and set out on the proper path of Paladinhood, fell
victim to temptations of the flesh possibly brought about by arcane mind control, and he wound
up as an Anti-Paladin. [Built-in future BBEG!] His fall from Paladinhood finished off the Duchess's
family's fall from grace and they are all wanted/hunted/shot on sight, and their vast holdings
have mostly been confiscated by the throne. Manous Artouche does, arguably, still
have a valid, legal claim to at least a portion of the Duchess's family holdings, since he was
legally adopted by the Duchess before her downfall.
[/sblock]

[/sblock]

Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4



[sblock=Manous's sheet]
Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4, 25 pt. build

Str 16 +3
Dex 13 +1
Con 13 +1
Int 08 -2
Wis 14 +2
Cha 19 +4

Speed: 5

HP=46-37=9+11=20+11+11=42
Healing Surges per day: 12 (-5 used today)
Healing Surge Value: 11

Defenses
AC 23
Fort 16
Ref 16 [10+1/2L+1dex bonus+2shield bonus+1Paladin bonus]
Will 17

Feats:
Alertness [Manous does not grant CA when surprised, and he receives +2 Perception]
Action Surge [Human bonus feat, +3 to attacks when Manous spends an AP]
Devoted Paladin [+1 healing surge, add cha bonus (+4) to lay on hands]
Virtuous Recovery [Gain resist all when spend a healing surge]

Skills
Perception [+2(half level)+1(wis)+5(trained)+2(feat)=+10]
Diplomacy [+2(half level)+4(cha)+5(trained)=+11]
Acrobatics [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Athletics [+2(half level)+3(str)+0(untrained)=+5]
Bluff [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]
Endurance [+2(half level)+1(con)+0(untrained)=+3]
Heal [+2(half level)+2(wis)+0(untrained)=+4]
Stealth [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Streetwise [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]

Paladin Class Features:
Channel Divinity: Divine Mettle - Encounter [add M's Cha bonus (+4) to an ally's Saving Throw]
Channel Divinity: Divine Strength - Encounter [add M's Str bonus (+3) as extra dam on next att. this turn]
Divine Challenge - At-Will [mark 1 target w/in burst 5]
Lay on Hands - At-Will special - use # of times equal to Wis mod. = 2 [spend healing surge, for ally to heal ally's own surge value hp]

At-Will Powers:
Bolstering Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+ cha mod and I gain +2 temp hp
Enfeebling Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+cha mod and if target is marked it takes -2 to att untl ENT
Ardent Strike [Cha vs. AC] [A target hit w/ this power is subject to Manous's Divine Sanction untl ENT,
which means that the target takes 3+4 radiant damage in each round that it makes an attack that
does not include Manous as a target.]

Encounter Powers:

*Heroic Effort [Human Racial Power]
Personal - No Action
Trigger - Manous misses an attack or fails a saving throw
Effect - Manous gains a +4 racial bonus to the attack or saving throw

Shielding Smite [cha vs. AC] [dam = 2[W]+cha mod and one ally w/in 5 gains +2AC untl ENT]
Righteous Smite [cha vs. AC, hit: 2[W]+cha mod plus Manous and all allies w/in 5 squares gain 9 temp hp]

Daily Power:
*Radiant Delirium [3d8+4 + dazed untl ENT and -2 AC save ends][Miss-half dam+target dazed untl ENT]

Utility Power:
Bless Weapon [minor action: until the end of the encounter,
the weapon blessed gains +1 on attack rolls, inflicts +1d6 radiant damage,
and crits on 18-20]

Equipment/Magic
+1 Black Iron Plate Armor [L4] (+9 AC) [50gp+840gp] Property-Resist 5 fire/Resist 5 necrotic
Heavy Shield (+2 AC) [10gp]
+1 Frost War Hammer [L3] (1d10+1 dam., crit +1d6 dam, +2 att, versatile) Power: at-will, free action
change all dam inflicted by this weapon to cold dam. Power: daily, free action inflict an
extra +1d8 cold dam. and target is slowed until the end of my next turn.
Longsword (1d8 dam., +3 att., versatile) [15gp]
Longbow (1d10 dam., +2 att., range 20/40)[30gp]
Arrows [1gp] [29 arrows remaining]
+1 Holy Symbol of Battle [1,000gp] [L5] +1 att/dam., crit +1d8, Power (free) +1d10 damage when hit
Standard Aventurer's Kit [15gp]
Journeybread [50gp]


[sblock=Background
Manous is a "Barbarian Indian" type who was born in the recently discovered "America," but was
brought back to "France" as a very small boy (about 12/13?) by a sea captain as an oddity to be
widely displayed and poked and prodded by various folks. Then said waif was seen by a Duchess
and her heart went out to the poor lad, so she adopted him and had him trained/schooled by the
best Masters in the land, and given very much religious instruction in the 'accepted' faith.
Ultimately, young Manous became a Paladin, but he still looks very unusual, having been
copiously tattooed by his people and subjected to the body modifications of his tribe. I'm thinking
Manous's entire body is tattooed with geometric patterns and star charts, his earlobes have been
greatly pierced with objects of ever-increasing size during his early childhood, so he has great
flapping "rings" of flesh hanging from his ears. Manous Artouche also has a row of "earrings"
around his navel (navel rings?) (but he keeps that covered most of the time), and he also has a
"bone in his nose." (Not a real bone, but a ring of brass much like a bull.)


So Manous looks like a total freak, except when he is shrouded in his Paladin's armor, at which
time he is indistinguishable from any other knight of the realm, but he is always unswervingly
loyal to his benefactor the Duchess, and he is as faithful to his new religion as anyone in
"France." Now, the Duchess is on the outs with the mainstream of nobility in "France" because
she resisted the amorous intentions of the Prince, and he ruined her socially once he got over
the rejection. She may have even been exiled to "Scotland" or wherever, but Manous Artouche
was undergoing his tutelage at that time and had to stay behind in "France" with the Duchess's
cousin, Grand Duke Siegfried von Koln, who was (as it happens) the boy's Paladin Instructor. Now
Siegfried, once Manous was fully trained and set out on the proper path of Paladinhood, fell
victim to temptations of the flesh possibly brought about by arcane mind control, and he wound
up as an Anti-Paladin. [Built-in future BBEG!] His fall from Paladinhood finished off the Duchess's
family's fall from grace and they are all wanted/hunted/shot on sight, and their vast holdings
have mostly been confiscated by the throne. Manous Artouche does, arguably, still
have a valid, legal claim to at least a portion of the Duchess's family holdings, since he was
legally adopted by the Duchess before her downfall.
[/sblock]

[/sblock]

Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4



[sblock=Manous's sheet]
Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4, 25 pt. build

Str 16 +3
Dex 13 +1
Con 13 +1
Int 08 -2
Wis 14 +2
Cha 19 +4

Speed: 5

HP=46-37=9+11=20+11+11=42
Healing Surges per day: 12 (-5 used today)
Healing Surge Value: 11

Defenses
AC 23
Fort 16
Ref 16 [10+1/2L+1dex bonus+2shield bonus+1Paladin bonus]
Will 17

Feats:
Alertness [Manous does not grant CA when surprised, and he receives +2 Perception]
Action Surge [Human bonus feat, +3 to attacks when Manous spends an AP]
Devoted Paladin [+1 healing surge, add cha bonus (+4) to lay on hands]
Virtuous Recovery [Gain resist all when spend a healing surge]

Skills
Perception [+2(half level)+1(wis)+5(trained)+2(feat)=+10]
Diplomacy [+2(half level)+4(cha)+5(trained)=+11]
Acrobatics [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Athletics [+2(half level)+3(str)+0(untrained)=+5]
Bluff [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]
Endurance [+2(half level)+1(con)+0(untrained)=+3]
Heal [+2(half level)+2(wis)+0(untrained)=+4]
Stealth [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Streetwise [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]

Paladin Class Features:
Channel Divinity: Divine Mettle - Encounter [add M's Cha bonus (+4) to an ally's Saving Throw]
Channel Divinity: Divine Strength - Encounter [add M's Str bonus (+3) as extra dam on next att. this turn]
Divine Challenge - At-Will [mark 1 target w/in burst 5]
Lay on Hands - At-Will special - use # of times equal to Wis mod. = 2 [spend healing surge, for ally to heal ally's own surge value hp]

At-Will Powers:
Bolstering Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+ cha mod and I gain +2 temp hp
Enfeebling Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+cha mod and if target is marked it takes -2 to att untl ENT
Ardent Strike [Cha vs. AC] [A target hit w/ this power is subject to Manous's Divine Sanction untl ENT,
which means that the target takes 3+4 radiant damage in each round that it makes an attack that
does not include Manous as a target.]

Encounter Powers:

*Heroic Effort [Human Racial Power]
Personal - No Action
Trigger - Manous misses an attack or fails a saving throw
Effect - Manous gains a +4 racial bonus to the attack or saving throw

Shielding Smite [cha vs. AC] [dam = 2[W]+cha mod and one ally w/in 5 gains +2AC untl ENT]
Righteous Smite [cha vs. AC, hit: 2[W]+cha mod plus Manous and all allies w/in 5 squares gain 9 temp hp]

Daily Power:
*Radiant Delirium [3d8+4 + dazed untl ENT and -2 AC save ends][Miss-half dam+target dazed untl ENT]

Utility Power:
Bless Weapon [minor action: until the end of the encounter,
the weapon blessed gains +1 on attack rolls, inflicts +1d6 radiant damage,
and crits on 18-20]

Equipment/Magic
+1 Black Iron Plate Armor [L4] (+9 AC) [50gp+840gp] Property-Resist 5 fire/Resist 5 necrotic
Heavy Shield (+2 AC) [10gp]
+1 Frost War Hammer [L3] (1d10+1 dam., crit +1d6 dam, +2 att, versatile) Power: at-will, free action
change all dam inflicted by this weapon to cold dam. Power: daily, free action inflict an
extra +1d8 cold dam. and target is slowed until the end of my next turn.
Longsword (1d8 dam., +3 att., versatile) [15gp]
Longbow (1d10 dam., +2 att., range 20/40)[30gp]
Arrows [1gp] [29 arrows remaining]
+1 Holy Symbol of Battle [1,000gp] [L5] +1 att/dam., crit +1d8, Power (free) +1d10 damage when hit
Standard Aventurer's Kit [15gp]
Journeybread [50gp]


[sblock=Background
Manous is a "Barbarian Indian" type who was born in the recently discovered "America," but was
brought back to "France" as a very small boy (about 12/13?) by a sea captain as an oddity to be
widely displayed and poked and prodded by various folks. Then said waif was seen by a Duchess
and her heart went out to the poor lad, so she adopted him and had him trained/schooled by the
best Masters in the land, and given very much religious instruction in the 'accepted' faith.
Ultimately, young Manous became a Paladin, but he still looks very unusual, having been
copiously tattooed by his people and subjected to the body modifications of his tribe. I'm thinking
Manous's entire body is tattooed with geometric patterns and star charts, his earlobes have been
greatly pierced with objects of ever-increasing size during his early childhood, so he has great
flapping "rings" of flesh hanging from his ears. Manous Artouche also has a row of "earrings"
around his navel (navel rings?) (but he keeps that covered most of the time), and he also has a
"bone in his nose." (Not a real bone, but a ring of brass much like a bull.)


So Manous looks like a total freak, except when he is shrouded in his Paladin's armor, at which
time he is indistinguishable from any other knight of the realm, but he is always unswervingly
loyal to his benefactor the Duchess, and he is as faithful to his new religion as anyone in
"France." Now, the Duchess is on the outs with the mainstream of nobility in "France" because
she resisted the amorous intentions of the Prince, and he ruined her socially once he got over
the rejection. She may have even been exiled to "Scotland" or wherever, but Manous Artouche
was undergoing his tutelage at that time and had to stay behind in "France" with the Duchess's
cousin, Grand Duke Siegfried von Koln, who was (as it happens) the boy's Paladin Instructor. Now
Siegfried, once Manous was fully trained and set out on the proper path of Paladinhood, fell
victim to temptations of the flesh possibly brought about by arcane mind control, and he wound
up as an Anti-Paladin. [Built-in future BBEG!] His fall from Paladinhood finished off the Duchess's
family's fall from grace and they are all wanted/hunted/shot on sight, and their vast holdings
have mostly been confiscated by the throne. Manous Artouche does, arguably, still
have a valid, legal claim to at least a portion of the Duchess's family holdings, since he was
legally adopted by the Duchess before her downfall.
[/sblock]

[/sblock]

Leif said:

"Signaling how, Ali? What message is being sent us, and what would you have us to do?" asks Manous.

Click to expand...

"We are being waved over. Let's go this way." Ali moves his horse off towards the figure.

Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4

"We're right behind you, Ali, but be wary of ambush, everyone," suggests Manous, as he follows his comrade, his morning star ready for action.

[sblock=Manous's sheet]
Manous Artouche, Human (Protecting) Paladin 4, 25 pt. build

Str 16 +3
Dex 13 +1
Con 13 +1
Int 08 -2
Wis 14 +2
Cha 19 +4

Speed: 5

HP=46-37=9+11=20+11+11=42
Healing Surges per day: 12 (-5 used today)
Healing Surge Value: 11

Defenses
AC 23
Fort 16
Ref 16 [10+1/2L+1dex bonus+2shield bonus+1Paladin bonus]
Will 17

Feats:
Alertness [Manous does not grant CA when surprised, and he receives +2 Perception]
Action Surge [Human bonus feat, +3 to attacks when Manous spends an AP]
Devoted Paladin [+1 healing surge, add cha bonus (+4) to lay on hands]
Virtuous Recovery [Gain resist all when spend a healing surge]

Skills
Perception [+2(half level)+1(wis)+5(trained)+2(feat)=+10]
Diplomacy [+2(half level)+4(cha)+5(trained)=+11]
Acrobatics [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Athletics [+2(half level)+3(str)+0(untrained)=+5]
Bluff [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]
Endurance [+2(half level)+1(con)+0(untrained)=+3]
Heal [+2(half level)+2(wis)+0(untrained)=+4]
Stealth [+2(half level)+1(dex)+0(untrained)=+3]
Streetwise [+2(half level)+4(cha)+0(untrained)=+6]

Paladin Class Features:
Channel Divinity: Divine Mettle - Encounter [add M's Cha bonus (+4) to an ally's Saving Throw]
Channel Divinity: Divine Strength - Encounter [add M's Str bonus (+3) as extra dam on next att. this turn]
Divine Challenge - At-Will [mark 1 target w/in burst 5]
Lay on Hands - At-Will special - use # of times equal to Wis mod. = 2 [spend healing surge, for ally to heal ally's own surge value hp]

At-Will Powers:
Bolstering Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+ cha mod and I gain +2 temp hp
Enfeebling Strike [Cha vs. AC] 1[W]+cha mod and if target is marked it takes -2 to att untl ENT
Ardent Strike [Cha vs. AC] [A target hit w/ this power is subject to Manous's Divine Sanction untl ENT,
which means that the target takes 3+4 radiant damage in each round that it makes an attack that
does not include Manous as a target.]

Encounter Powers:

*Heroic Effort [Human Racial Power]
Personal - No Action
Trigger - Manous misses an attack or fails a saving throw
Effect - Manous gains a +4 racial bonus to the attack or saving throw

Shielding Smite [cha vs. AC] [dam = 2[W]+cha mod and one ally w/in 5 gains +2AC untl ENT]
Righteous Smite [cha vs. AC, hit: 2[W]+cha mod plus Manous and all allies w/in 5 squares gain 9 temp hp]

Daily Power:
*Radiant Delirium [3d8+4 + dazed untl ENT and -2 AC save ends][Miss-half dam+target dazed untl ENT]

Utility Power:
Bless Weapon [minor action: until the end of the encounter,
the weapon blessed gains +1 on attack rolls, inflicts +1d6 radiant damage,
and crits on 18-20]

Equipment/Magic
+1 Black Iron Plate Armor [L4] (+9 AC) [50gp+840gp] Property-Resist 5 fire/Resist 5 necrotic
Heavy Shield (+2 AC) [10gp]
+1 Frost War Hammer [L3] (1d10+1 dam., crit +1d6 dam, +2 att, versatile) Power: at-will, free action
change all dam inflicted by this weapon to cold dam. Power: daily, free action inflict an
extra +1d8 cold dam. and target is slowed until the end of my next turn.
Longsword (1d8 dam., +3 att., versatile) [15gp]
Longbow (1d10 dam., +2 att., range 20/40)[30gp]
Arrows [1gp] [29 arrows remaining]
+1 Holy Symbol of Battle [1,000gp] [L5] +1 att/dam., crit +1d8, Power (free) +1d10 damage when hit
Standard Aventurer's Kit [15gp]
Journeybread [50gp]


[sblock=Background
Manous is a "Barbarian Indian" type who was born in the recently discovered "America," but was
brought back to "France" as a very small boy (about 12/13?) by a sea captain as an oddity to be
widely displayed and poked and prodded by various folks. Then said waif was seen by a Duchess
and her heart went out to the poor lad, so she adopted him and had him trained/schooled by the
best Masters in the land, and given very much religious instruction in the 'accepted' faith.
Ultimately, young Manous became a Paladin, but he still looks very unusual, having been
copiously tattooed by his people and subjected to the body modifications of his tribe. I'm thinking
Manous's entire body is tattooed with geometric patterns and star charts, his earlobes have been
greatly pierced with objects of ever-increasing size during his early childhood, so he has great
flapping "rings" of flesh hanging from his ears. Manous Artouche also has a row of "earrings"
around his navel (navel rings?) (but he keeps that covered most of the time), and he also has a
"bone in his nose." (Not a real bone, but a ring of brass much like a bull.)


So Manous looks like a total freak, except when he is shrouded in his Paladin's armor, at which
time he is indistinguishable from any other knight of the realm, but he is always unswervingly
loyal to his benefactor the Duchess, and he is as faithful to his new religion as anyone in
"France." Now, the Duchess is on the outs with the mainstream of nobility in "France" because
she resisted the amorous intentions of the Prince, and he ruined her socially once he got over
the rejection. She may have even been exiled to "Scotland" or wherever, but Manous Artouche
was undergoing his tutelage at that time and had to stay behind in "France" with the Duchess's
cousin, Grand Duke Siegfried von Koln, who was (as it happens) the boy's Paladin Instructor. Now
Siegfried, once Manous was fully trained and set out on the proper path of Paladinhood, fell
victim to temptations of the flesh possibly brought about by arcane mind control, and he wound
up as an Anti-Paladin. [Built-in future BBEG!] His fall from Paladinhood finished off the Duchess's
family's fall from grace and they are all wanted/hunted/shot on sight, and their vast holdings
have mostly been confiscated by the throne. Manous Artouche does, arguably, still
have a valid, legal claim to at least a portion of the Duchess's family holdings, since he was
legally adopted by the Duchess before her downfall.
[/sblock]

[/sblock]

"How'd they know where we'd be to be here to signal us?" Tabitha asks darkly. "Feels strange. I s'pose if they were of the Church though, they'd just attack. Obviously things have gone pretty bad."

She sighs and nods. "Lead on. I'll try and slip out of sight and take them from behind if things go from bad to worse."

Lucien follows.

As you approach the man you see that it is Henry, your host of the evening past. He trusty smooth bore rests comfortably in the crook of his arm carefully turned away from you. An old hound sits obediently at his side watching you, but too well trained to bark. "Out for an early morning hunt are you? Me and old Larue here were going to try and bag a rabbit or two when the sun comes up myself. Maybe you think snipe is in season? Or maybe someone else is hunting eh?" he asks with a wry smile. "Interesting ground hereabouts you know. Lots of old tunnels and caves. Why I'll bet you could go five or ten miles under ground here if you were to know where an entrance is. Such as the one in that draw over there, down toward the end behind the cedar thicket. Only old locals know about these ways. Of course those tunnels do attract their share of bears and worse beasts. One would have to be ready for trouble. I wouldn't be surprised if smugglers or other folk keen to avoid being seen on the surface used them on occasion. Especially when they want to avoid someone mounted on a horrible flying lizard." He gives a low click of the tongue which causes the dog to rise. "Come on Larue all these horses and riders have likely spooked any rabbits around here, we best try on over the next hill. Good day Constables and good...Hunting."