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James Heard said:
Maas: "When a Master announces himself the wilderness, who bows?"

"The wood bows to the blade, and the wind stirs the leaves."

I would absolutely love (as a player and even in character) if Shin used lots of koans. If Maas has to talk, then philosophy, sword mastery, or arcane theory are the three things he doesn't mind talking about. The problem I see there is an OOC one - it's hard to converse entirely in koans. Shin'll almost have to talk semi-normally at least part of the time.

Maas' thoughts on the other PCs:

Shin: An odd child, but a strong mind. Riddles within secrets with wisdom beyond years.
Zal'Gat: More animal than man, relying on instinct rather than skill. Strong and tough but has no capacity to be a true Master.
Deren: He walks the two Paths, but for base purpose. Never will the two paths become one Way for a mercenary
Bariel: He seeks to learn and judges not. A stout fellow, even if his eyes are closed to the true Way.
Thorn: Another walker of the two Paths, but she lacks any discipline. She is too concerned with the world of flesh to master the world of spirit.
(Yes, I know Deren's not a mercenary by literal definition, but Maas sees him as doing nothing more than buying the skills to wage war)

The more I think about it and the more firmly Maas solidifies in my head, the more I think he should be LN rather than NG. With your permission, Autumn, I'll change his alignment officially.
 

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Zurai said:
The more I think about it and the more firmly Maas solidifies in my head, the more I think he should be LN rather than NG. With your permission, Autumn, I'll change his alignment officially.

Go for it, this had actually occurred to me as well when I considered what you'd so far said about him.


James Heard said:
Or maybe not, I'm trying to get a handle on mixing up my "koans are cool!" with "...but they're likely to tick people off eventually, and hamper normal communication" vibe.

There's definitely a balance there. But so long as you're aware of it, I'm not too worried. Just apply a little moderation. I certainly don't see a problem with expressing opinions like these ones in koans, in fact I think it's very neat. :)
 

[sblock=Zal'Gat]Zal'Gat
Half-Orc Totemist/Warblade
CG Medium Humanoid
Deity: None (animist)

Init +2 Senses Listen +4, Spot +4
Languages Common, Orc.
[d][/d]
AC 16 (+2 Dex, +4 armor), touch 12, flat-footed 14. 14 when in Punishing Stance, +2 vs. evil creatures.

hp 15 (1 HD)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +0
[d][/d]
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)

Melee Greataxe +5 (1d12+6/x3), +1d6 damage when in Punishing Stance
Melee Handaxe +5 (1d6+4/x3), +1d6 damage when in Punishing Stance
Ranged Throwing Axe +3 (1d6+4/x2), 10ft range increment.

Base Atk +1; Grp +5
[d][/d]
Abilities Str 18 Dex 14 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 8
Feats Multiattack, Power Attack
Skills Concentration +7 [4 ranks], Listen +4 [4 ranks], Martial Lore +2 [2 ranks], Spot +4 [4 ranks], Survival +2 [2 ranks]
Stances Punishing Stance (IH)
Manuevers Sudden Leap (TC), Moment of Perfect Mind (DM), Steely Strike (IH)
Default Soulmelds
Rageclaws (No penalties when at negative hp, can stay alive at up to -10 – 3*essentia invested hp)
Lammasu Mantle (+2 Deflection modifier to AC vs. Evil Creatures)
Default Allocations
Rageclaws (1/1)
Lammasu Mantle (0/1)
Possessions
Greataxe, Chain Shirt, Handaxe, Throwing Axe x3, Clothes, Traveling Gear
[d][/d][/sblock]

[sblock=Background]
Zal'Gat (no last name/title because he hasn't yet completed the trials of manhood) was abandoned as an infant by his mother, who bore him after being raped as a tribe of orcs swept through her village. Despite his unusual toughness, he surely would have perished had fortune not intervened. The squalling infant was found by another, different roving band of orcs. Initially taking him for an orc - so prominent was his heritage - they took him in and began raising him.

However, as he grew, despite his strength and toughness it slowly became clear that there was another race's blood flowing through his veins, and slowly he was accorded less and less respect, avoiding death only by his martial prowess and the fact that he was being trained by the tribe's shaman. On the night before his sixteenth birthday - the day when he would normally have attempted the trials of manhood to become a full member of the tribe - the shaman came to him. He explained that if Zal'Gat were to attempt the trials the following day he would surely be killed in the process. He then offered the young warrior a choice. He had spoken to the elders, and demanded the right to give Zal'Gat a different trial.

Zal'Gat was to go forth into the human lands and learn of their ways of battle, becoming a match for any soldier of Astres or minion of the Elemental courts, and only then would he return to the tribe. If he had such powerful knowledge to teach the tribe, the Elders would have little choice but to accord him the rights of a man. To this end, Zal'Gat began travelling into lands strange to him. He learned a few tidbits along the way, but his true tutelage did not begin until he met a student of Master Carthis, who - impressed with the young barbarian's skill - sent him to the province of Embria with a letter of introduction to Carthis himself.
[/sblock]

[sblock=description]
Age: 18
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 215 lbs
Hair: Blag
Eyes: Brown
Skin: Grey-green

Zal'Gat usually dresses lightly – apart from his chain shirt – considering the weather in Embria to be over-hot. When going into battle, he is usually adorned with furs and hides of various animals.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Abilities]
Half-Orc Abilities
+2 Str, -2 Int, -2 Cha
+1 racial bonus on to saves vs. fire
Darvision 60'

Battle Clarity (ex) As long as he is not flat-footed, Zal'Gat gains a +0 bonus to reflex saves.
Weapon aptitude (ex) Zal'Gat counts as a fighter of level (warblade level - 2 if warblade level >2) for purposes of qualifying for fighter feats; adjust weapon-specific feats with 1 hour training/feat.

Wild Empathy Zal'Gat may make diplomacy checks with a +0 modifier to influence animals.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Equipment]Equipment and Encumbrance
20gp Greataxe, 12 lbs
100gp chain shirt, 25 lbs
6gp Hand Axe, 3 lbs
24gp Throwing Axes, 6lbs
Free Traveler's Outfit, 8 lbs
2 gp Backpack, 2 lbs
0.1 gp Bedroll, 5 lbs
.02 gp Whetstone, 1 lbs
1 gp Waterskin, 4 lbs
1 gp Flint & Steel, -
2.5 gp Rations x5, 5 lbs

Carrying Capacity
Light Load: 100 lbs Medium Load: 200 lbs Heavy Load: 300 lbs
[/sblock]

[sblock=Default Tactics]
Almost always use punishing stance, against a single powerful foe use Steely Strike and Power Attack to try to drop him quickly. Against a group lead by a more powerful creature, do as above, but activate Sudden Leap to get away afterwards, and drop Punishing Stance.
[/sblock]


Maas: He believes he knows the only path to truth, and that is his weakness. He will yet be mastered by that which he refuses to understand.
Thorn: Had she been born in another body, she would have made a fine member of the tribe.
Shin: Clearly one touched by the spirits. To be accorded respect, but never trusted. There may be something deeper hidden behind his madness.
Deren: A strong man, but one to watch. Whatever beliefs he may profess, his father's soldiers still kill my people when they can.
Bariel: His faith makes him strong, but also stiff. He will learn in time that there are greater truths than his.
 
Last edited:


Nac Mac Feegle said:
Deren's likely to be a bit opinionated about the others. He definitely has an agenda, and can have problems with those who he thinks have reasons to be opposed to it, or who he thinks should be full-on supporting it but seem wrapped up in their studies.

I don't think you meant to leave this in when you copied the template I used for Deren... :)
 


Here's what I have so far for Thorn.

Finalizing inventory and attitudes. Might be slow over holidays.

[sblock=Thorn]Name: Thorn
Race: Tiefling
Class/Level: Gestalt Beguiler 1 / Swordsage 1
Gender: Female
Exp:

Desc: Pending

Strength (STR) 8
Dexterity (DEX) 18
Constitution (CON) 12
Intelligence (INT) 16
Wisdom (WIS) 14
Charisma (CHA) 12

Alignment: Chaotic
AC: 14 (10 + 4 dex)
Buffed AC: 18 (+4 armor)
Hit Points: 9/9
Movement: 30

Init: +5
Base Attack Bonus: +0
Melee Attack: -1
Ranged Attack: +4
Fort: +1
Reflex: +6
Will: +4

Race Abilities
+2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Cha
Native Outsider
60' darkvision
5 fire, cold, lightning resistance
+2 Bluff, +2 Hide

Class Abilities:
Armored Mage (Light)
Trapfinding

Quick to Act +1
Discipline Focus (shadow hand): Weapon Focus

Skills: 36
Bluff +7 (4 ranks + 1 cha + 2 race)
Concentration +5 (4 ranks + 1 Con)
Hide +10 (4 ranks + 4 dex + 2 race)
Martial Lore +7 (4 ranks + 3 int)
Move Silently +8 (4 ranks + 4 dex)
Spot +6 (4 ranks + 2 wis)
Listen +6 (4 ranks + 2 wis)
Sense Motive +6 (4 ranks + 2 wis)
Tumble +8 (4 ranks + 4 dex)

Feats
Shadow Trickster

Spells (Beguiler) - Base DC 13
Slots
0 - 5/5, 1 - 4/4

0 - Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Message, Open/Close, Read Magic
1 - Charm Person, Color Spray, Comprehend Languages, Detect Secret Doors, Disguise Self,Expeditious Retreat, Hypnotism, Mage Armor, Obscuring Mist, Rouse, Silent Image, Sleep,Undetectable Alignment, Whelm, Ventriloquism


Manuevers
Known
Setting Sun
Counter Charge
Mighty Throw

Shadow Hand
Shadow Blade Technique
Clinging Shadow Strike

Diamond Mind
Sapphire Nightmare Blade
Moment of Perfect Mind

Readied
-
-
-
-

Stances
- Island of Blades

Money -

Weapons -


Armour -
None

Gear -
None


Magic -
None


Background:
Pending[/sblock]
 



Hey, Maas is LN now. I gotta get in character! :p

@drothgery: On that note, I should also point out that Maas isn't even slightly self-centered. He is not important, only the Way. The general direction of Deren's attitude towards him is fine, but there really is no mistaking that Maas really doesn't think about himself at all. He pushes himself past his limits regularly, only eats when reminded to or when he can't concentrate because of lack of food, hardly talks in any capacity and never about himself, etc. I fully expect everyone to have a fairly negative opinion of him (one of the reasons I kept his Charisma at a penalty), just want to be sure you have the right negative opinion ;)
 

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