Gadjo
Male Human Bard 4
AL: CN HT: 5'6" WT: 130 hair: dark brown eyes: dark hazel
age: 19
STR: 12 (+1)
DEX: 16 (+3) (raised once)
CON: 10 (+0)
INT: 14 (+2)
WIS: 8 (-1)
CHA: 18 (+4)
HP: 18 (6+3+4+5)
AC: 16 (10+3+3) touch: 13 flat-footed: 13
Init: +3
Fortitude: +1 (+1 base, +0 con)
Reflex: +7 (+4 base, +3 dex)
Will: +3 (+4 base, -1 wis)
BAB: +3
Weapons:
MW short sword +7 (1d6+1, 19-20/x2)
MW comp. short bow (+1 str bonus) +7 (1d6+1, 70' inc, 20/x3)
dagger +6/+6 (1d4, 10' inc, 19-20/x2)
Grapple: +4 (3+1)
Armor:
masterwork studded leather (+3, +5 max dex, 0 armor check, spell failure n/a)
Languages:
Common, Tribal (see background), Draconic
Feats:
Weapon Finesse, Eschew Materials, Still Spell
Abilities:
Bardic knowledge: +8 (4+2+2)
Bardic music 4/day: countersong, fascinate (2 at once), inspire courage (+1), inspire competence
Skills:
Perform(sing): 7/+11 (7+4)
Concentration: 7/+7 (7+0)
Bluff: 7/+11 (7+4)
Sleight of Hand: 7/+12 (7+3+2)
Use Magic Device: 7/+11 (7+4)
Knowledge(history): 5/+7 (5+2)
Tumble: 5/+10 (5+3+2)
Jump: 5/+8 (5+1+2)
Balance: 5/+10 (5+3+2)
Appraise: 3/+5 (3+2)
Disguise: 1/+5 (+7 in character) (1+4+2)
Perform(percussion): 1/+5 (1+4)
Spellcraft: 1/+3 (1+2)
Handle Animal(cc): 1/+5 (1+4)
Spells:
0th (4/day, 6 known): Message, Read Magic, Know Direction, Detect Magic, Light, Ghost Sound
1st (3/day, 3 known): Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Summon Monster I, Cure Light Wounds
2nd (1/day, 2 known): Summon Monster II, Enthrall
Equipment:
masterwork short sword, sheathed at belt (308 gp, 2 lb)
masterwork composite short bow (+1 str bonus), slung across back (450 gp, 2 lb)
masterwork studded leather, worn (175 gp, 20 lb)
traveler's outfit, worn (free)
dagger, worn in boot (2 gp, 1 lb)
dagger, hidden in sleeve (DC 21 to find) (2 gp, 1 lb)
dagger, hidden on leg (DC 21 to find) (2 gp, 1 lb)
20 arrows, quivered at belt (1 gp, 3 lb)
5 gp 9 sp, carried on person (1/3 lb)
light warhorse Putzina (150 gp)
bit and bridle, worn (2 gp, 1 lb)
riding saddle, worn (30 gp, 30 lb)
saddlebags, worn (4 gp, 8 lb)
masterwork tambourine, muffled and stored in saddlebags (100 gp, 3 lb)
bedroll, stored in saddlebags (1 sp, 5 lb)
heavy blanket, stored in saddlebags (5 sp, 3 lb)
waterskin, stored in saddlebags (1 gp, 4 lb)
3 days trail rations, stored in saddlebags (15 sp, 3 lb)
flint and steel, stored in saddlebags (1 gp)
60 arrows, stored in saddlebags (3 gp, 9 lb)
25 gp, hidden in saddlebags (1/2 lb)
total wealth: 5,400 gp
total expenditure, including bankroll: 1,265 gp
DM fiat money: 4,135 gp
light load: 43 lb medium: 86 lb heavy: 130 lb
currently carrying: 30 1/3 lb
130 lb over head, 260 lb off ground, 650 lb push/drag
Putzina's light load: 230 lb medium: 460 lb heavy: 690 lb
currently carrying: 68 1/2 lb
when ridden: 226 5/6 lb
Background:
Gadjo was born Tsinoro, son of Balo, member of a tribe of nomadic horse traders who wander the plains near Willow Grove. He lived the first eighteen years of his life among his people, learning their ways, speaking their language, singing their songs, and buying, selling, catching and rearing horses, and might have lived his life in blissful normalcy except for one thing -- Tsinoro hates horses, and always has. Despite his above-average understanding of them, he considers them smelly, stupid beasts, and had less than no inclination to spend the remainder of his days around them. As his nineteenth birthday approached, this attitude became evident, leading to many loud and violent fights with Balo and the other members of his tribe, who derided him as a weakling, clumsy in the saddle and unskilled as a trainer, who merely sought to avoid doing a job he was inept at. As this was all essentially true, it inflamed Tsinoro's aggravation all the more, but Balo was adamant that he follow in the family trade, even while mocking him for his failures. (The death of Tsinoro's mother Valentina in childbirth and Balo's lack of other children or another wife may have been responsible for this intolerant attitude on his part.) When Tsinoro's humiliation finally reached the breaking point, he stole his father's sword, bow, armor and horse and fled the plains and his tribe. As is sometimes done in Low'verok, he changed his name to Gadjo -- "outsider" in his native tongue.
It has been four months since his flight from the plains, and Gadjo is increasingly beginning to realize the precariousness of his situation. Trained for no work, his only "useful" skill is his musical talent, a pursuit since childhood (his masterwork tambourine is his only possession not stolen from his father, but rather given him by Balo as a coming-of-age gift). Although he has become accustomed to singing the songs of his people for money, he still inwardly shrinks from it, both out of respect for his people's traditions and out of fear that he will be recognized. His relationship with Putzina, who, although she is his father's horse (his *father's* *horse*), is still his only link to a life he felt safe living, is interesting at best. For her part, Putzina likes Gadjo well enough, but isn't going to jump off any cliffs for him.
There is another reason Gadjo fears the songs of his fathers -- only now that he has left his people has he begun to learn their power. The pounding drumbeats and insistent cadences are constantly thrumming at the back of his mind, reminding him of the bloodline he will always bear. Only after leaving home did the chants of his ancestors begin to create magical effects, and he has not yet come to terms with this ability, nor the frightening feeling of losing control that results from using it. Every time he wakes up from feverish dreams with a song in his head, or finds he has begun singing to himself without noticing or meaning to, he remembers the stories of his tribe, and wonders whether he will ever find a new home.
Gadjo is a short, swarthy young man with tight dark features but a surprisingly lost look in his hazel eyes. He is spare with his words and actions, which results in them having greater impact than they otherwise might. He wears earth-brown clothes and a heavy brown cloak, usually keeping it closed to conceal his weapons and armor. His hair is mildly unkempt and his shaving slightly raggedy. He has an excellent baritone voice with a better upper register than lower. Puztina is a dark brown horse with a white mane and tail (i.e., sorrel) and a white blaze on her left eye. She has an uncomplaining disposition but displays a tendency to push her riders by going faster than expected. She likes to run all out. (Balo rode her bareback. Gadjo never learned.)
Like the average young adult, Gadjo is looking for acceptance and for a purpose to fulfill. As a wandering runaway with no friends, these needs are especially acute. He is also somewhat concerned about his dwindling supply of cash -- he has enough to survive for a while, but any emergency would cause him serious distress. He has sung for his supper on occasion, but feels too conflicted about it to do it much more, and he shies away from a job working with animals. He is likely to wander just about anywhere looking for a place far away from the plains.
--p