introducing gavyn dundrake
i'm so excited i might wet the floor! i think my character concept winds up complementing one of this motley assortment's greatest needs. no, not clerical healing. at least not yet. sorry. a face man. a suave would-be aristocrat who also happens to be a cheat, a liar and down-on-his-luck.
think captain james macleane of "plunkett and macleane" fame [a movie given the thumbs up by the guys at privateer press as representing the style and atmosphere of the IK, albeit without the magic and steampunk, and the character who has inspired my bard]. so, without further ado, my bard [3.5 style but without the minstrely part]:
Gavyn Dundrake [male human Cantor 1]
Abilities: Str 12 [+1], Dex 14 [+2], Con 12 [+1], Int 12 [+1], Wis 10 [+0], Cha 18 [+4]
Essentials: XP: [1st level character]; AL: CG; Move: 30 ft; 5 ft 10 in, 165#, long dark hair tied back into a pony tail, pale complexion, sharp features, aquiline nose, dark eyes, 22 years old
Languages: Cygnaran, Caspian
Skills: Appraise [+4+1], Bluff [+4+4], Decipher script [+2+1], Diplomacy [+4+4+2], Gather information [+4+4], Knowledge [nobility and royalty] [+4+1], Knowledge [religion] [+0+1+2], Perform [oratory] [+4+4], Perform [dance] [+2+4], Sleight of hand [+4+2–2*]; *armor check
Racial traits: Bonus skills and feat; Wisdom +2, Charisma +2, Dexterity –2; Sense motive as class skill; +2 Diplomacy and Knowledge [religion] checks
Class features: Simple weapon proficiency [plus longsword, rapier, shortbow, short sword, sap, whip]; Light armor and shield proficiencies; Bardic knowledge [+2]; Bardic music [once/day; countersong, fascinate, inspire courage +1]
Feats: Far shot, Point blank shot
Equipment: courtier’s outfit, greatcoat [5#], chain shirt [25#], buckler [5#], longsword [4#], bandoleer of 6 daggers [6#], belt pouch [0#] [flint & steel, purse [0 gp crowns, 3 sp shields, 4 cp farthings], backpack [13#] [bedroll [5#], candles [6], sack, trail rations [4 days] [4#], waterskin [4#]]
Carrying: 45# [58# with backpack] [md 44-86 [–3/30/x3], hv 87-130 [+1/–6/20/x3]; lift 260; drag 650]
Combat statistics: Init: +2; Hit points: 7; AC: 17 or 18 [touch 12, flatfooted 15] [+5 armor, +1 shield, +2 dexterity]
Melee: longsword [+1 [+0 BAB, +1 str]/1d8+1/19-20 x2/s]
dagger [+1 [+0 BAB, +1 str]/1d4+1/19-20 x2/p or s]
Ranged: dagger [+2 [+0 BAB, +2 dex]/1d4+1/19-20 x2/20 ft/p or s]
+1 attack and damage with thrown dagger within 30 ft
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +2
Spells [DC 14 + spell level]; Spells/day: 2; Spells known: 0—cure minor wounds, detect magic, message, virtue
Gavyn is the son of a well-to-do clergyman from Caspia, though he has turned out a bitter disappointment to his family. Though educated with the best tutors that money could buy, he turned to drinking, gambling, whoring and other un-clergical pastimes at an early age. He was disowned and fled Caspia in disgrace, an outcast from the minor aristocracy he once called his own station.
He traveled for a short time until his money ran out and has since found himself at his wit's end in Corvis. His one remaining suit of fine clothes is beginning to show wear and age, noticeably not the current fashion. He is practically penniless and certainly without direction.
He is a skilled dancer, but his true gift is his voice. Not the typical sweet tenor of the minstrel-bard's song but rather a captivating, mesmerizing speaking voice that can freeze a rival speechless or make a beautiful maiden swoon.