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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Guilt Puppy" data-source="post: 627225" data-attributes="member: 6521">Name: Vopha-ketat Mehir-dati Valdunai (Translated, this means "Traveling Warrior of the Generation of Flies, of the Valduni people." "Vopha'at," meaning "Traveler," is a proper abbreviation of the name for address."Vopha" is generally acceptable, although it is informal and in some cases impolite.He has a name in Valduni Sign as well, but there is no vocal equivalent. Further, he has a verbal name, but that is kept for only the most trusted of people.He is called "Kehat," or "coyote," by those who knew him in his youth.)Race: Human, of the Valduni people. Sandwiched between great kingdoms, the arid desert-plains of the Valdun have remained undisturbed. The land is not greatly desirable, but more importantly, it is defended by one of the most storied, mysterious, and determined folk in the known world.The Valduni are a nomadic folk, wandering their plains, raising goats, hunting wildlife, and gathering natural food. Farming is a known practice among them, but rarely a fruitful one.To an outsider they appear to have no government, but in truth they are ruled powerfully by a set of codes, ethics, and traditions, developed over thousands of years, and adhered to faithfully within the culture. Traditions: The Valduni observe a wide array of nuanced traditions. Most evident to foreigners is their level of privacy: Voice, face, and name are considered prized possessions, and never revealed casually.Voice is the least-kept-secret, as a member of the Valduni will often speak freely with anyone they are well-acquainted with. The face is much more guarded, and revealed only to the closest of family and friends. A Valduni's name, however, will only be known to their parents and their spouse, or someone who has become equally close to them.Most communication takes place through Valduni sign, a system more intricate than their spoken language. The two languages do not overlap: There is no one-to-one corrolation between sign and syllable, and they are no more similar than any two languages across the globe. Spoken communication in a foreign language is considered less personal than speaking in Valduni, and the voice is more likely to be heard in this form.The Ketat: Among the traditions of the Valduni, one of the most important is Ketshana, a warrior-discipline which is treated as a way of life. A Valduni warrior, or "ketat," will be regarded with great respect within the society, and in turn take a great burden upon themselves. The ketat are among the most skilled, disciplined, well-rounded warriors of the world, and have become subject of much myth and embellishment in outside cultures. What is true is that they are practiced and precise: That no army has ever won a battle against the Valduni is testament to their ability.Part of their success may stem from their unorthodox fighting style. The Ketshana dictates that armor is dishonorable, a sign of fear and of weakness. A ketat may carry a sling to protect him- or herself from enemies which are out of reach, but the shortbows used in hunting never make their way to the battlefield: The refusal to confront an opponent face to face is again seen as cowardly, and disrespectful.Valduni weaponry has grown in harmony with the ketshana: The Valduni shortsword, or "ketta," is prized for its light weight and fluid motion. The quarterstaff is a prized weapon as well, for its ability to defend as much as attack. The most esteemed weapon of the ketat, however, is the Valketta -- a double-bladed quarterstaff balanced and honed to be used with unmatched grace and speed. It is said that a master ketat with nothing but his Valketta can outmatch even the fiercest army of foot-soldiers.The Vopha-ketat: Every generation -- every sixteen years -- one young student of the Ketshana is selected through open competition, testing their potential, discipline, and well-roundedness. That young ketat is sent out from the Valdun, to spend his or her prime years in foreign lands, to wander and subvert any threats to the Valduni people or their way of life. While their duties may seem indefinite to outsiders, this is seen as a great and noble sacrifice.The selection process is complex, favoring diverse skills over any one success. The system is known by all, and there are no judges: Once a youth demonstrates their fitness, it goes unquestioned, and all take for granted that they have earned their burden.Vopha-ketat Mehir-dati Valdunai: He began life the son of goat-herders, learned to hunt rabbit, dig for roots, and live off the land. His common name was Mishkehat -- "He Who Steps as the Coyote." When his instincts as a hunter were recognized, he was welcomed to the path of the Ketshana, progressing little more rapidly than his peers. He was not outstanding, but as the time of the Traveler approached he worked hard to hone his skills and round his abilities. In the end the honor, and the burden, were his.Adventures: Although a fresh-faced youth, the reputation of the Valduni preceded him, and he was regarded with fear and apprehension by many. Others were quick to appeal to him for assistance -- as he traveled the lands, he met with many challenges for which he was less than prepared.Now barely a man, his skills are more practiced, and he is more fit to protect the principles of the Valduni.Character sheet:VophaHuman Monk 6Age: 21Height: 5'10"Weight: 138 lbsHair: BlackEyes: BrownSkin: Dark tanHP: 6d8+12, 44 hpSpeed: 50Init:  +4AC:    18 (+4 Dex, +2 Wis, +1 Monk, +1 Armor)Alignment: LNAbilities:[code][color=white]Str 14    +2Dex 16/18 +3/+4 (Gloves of Dex +2)Con 14    +2Int 13    +1Wis 14    +2Cha 8     -1[/color][/code]Fort +7Refl +9Will +7BAB: +4UBAB: +4/+1Melee: +6Ranged: +8Weapons:[code][color=white]+1/+1 Valketta: +9/+6, or +7/+7/+4, Damage: 1d6+4, or 1d6+3 19-20/x2 (S)Unarmed Strike: +5/+2, or +3/+3/+0, Damage: 1d8+2           x2       (B)Dagger: +5, Damage: 1d6+2 19-20/x2 (P)Sling:  +8, Damage: 1d4   x2       (B)[/color][/code]Equipment:[code][color=white]+1/+1 Valketta         4700gp   8lbDagger                    2gp   1lbSling                     -     -10 bullets                1sp   5lbMonk's outfit             5gp   2lbBelt pouch                1gp   3lbGloves of Dexterity +2 4000gp   -Bracers of Armor +1    1000gp   1lbRing of Sustenance     2500gp   -75 pp, 40 gp, 19 sp    7919sp   3lb-----                 -------  ----Total:                13000gp  23lb[/color][/code]Carrying capacity: 43 light, 86 medium, 130 heavy.Skills: (54 skill points)[code][color=white]Balance        +6  (2 ranks)Climb          +3  (2 ranks)Escape Artist  +6  (2 ranks)Heal           +6  (4 ranks)Hide           +13 (9 ranks)Listen         +5  (3 ranks)Move Silently  +13 (9 ranks)Spot           +5  (6 cc-ranks)Tumble         +13 (9 ranks)Wild. Lore     +5  (6 cc-ranks)Language (Common)  (2 ranks)[/color][/code]Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Valketta), Track, Expertise, Weapon Finesse (Valketta)Special abilities: Unarmed Strike, Stunning Attack (6/day, DC 15), Evasion, Deflect Arrows, Still Mind, Slow Fall (30ft), Purity of Body, Improved TripLanguages spoken: Valduni, Valduni Sign, Common</blockquote>

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