Iron NPC Lightning Round entry
Constraints:
NPC Levels: 2, 6, 10, 14
NPC Race: Human
Ingredients:
- Urban Decay
- Crystal Blade
- "Snake People"
- Misread Prophecy
- Pipes of Pain
- Conflict of Interest
Okay, here goes - hope you enjoy
Anya Verallis grew up on the mean and dangerous streets of the crime-ridden docks district in the port city of Klyth. Her mother, a courtesan, died while giving birth, leaving Anya to be raised by her aunt Azlea. Azlea was also a courtesan employed at the Nymph's Rest, and Anya grew up in the brothel in relative safety and security. During her adolescence, she developed a strong rebellious streak and began sneaking out of the safety of the brothel at night to roam the streets in search of adventure. Night after night, immersed in the urban decay and corrupt nature of the district, her personality gradually became darker and darker as she began to realize the value of gold and the cheapness of human life. She would skulk around back alleys and observe petty thievery and other shady dealings, taking mental notes from seeing all-too-frequent break-ins and sword-fights. On the rare occasions where she was caught being somewhere where she shouldn't be by some two-bit thug, she found that by shear force of personality, be it through straight-faced bluffing, courteous diplomacy, or outright intimidation, she could get out of nearly any troublesome situation without conflict. She began to frequent the seediest taverns in the district, and wound up making the acquaintance of some of the docks' more influential thieves and sell-swords. Anya was taken under the wing of a mercenary and rogue named Aeryk Ironfist, and he offered to train her in the arts of stealth and swordplay in exchange for "a service to be named later." Anya had a feeling she knew what the mercenary meant. She resolved to leave the brothel and learn what Aeryk had to teach and then move on; and if he ever laid a hand upon her, she would render him immobile with poison, lacerate his unconscious body, and throw him into the sea to be devoured alive by the sharks.
Under the tutelage of Aeryk Ironfist, Anya's rudimentary skills blossomed. She was a very bright and athletic young girl, and learned how to use her remarkable agility to her advantage when sneaking or fighting. Aeryk taught her how to open locks, and disable traps, and introduced her to what would become her greatest passions: devising and setting traps, and making poison. After training with Aeryk for a year, Anya had become quite adept with the skills she had been taught, and the two gained much notoriety and respect within the docks' underworld circles. All the while she waited for the inevitable, for Aeryk to collect his "service" from her, but no unwanted advances ever came.
-- -- -- -- --
Anya Verallis, Female Human Rogue 1/Fighter 1: CR 2; Medium-size humanoid; HD 1d6 plus 1d10; hp 16; Init +7 (+3 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft.; AC 16 (flatfooted 13, touch 13); Atks: longsword +4 melee (1d8+1, 19-20/x2), or dagger +2 melee (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or dagger +4 ranged (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or masterwork light crossbow [w/ masterwork bolt] +6 ranged (1d8, 19-20/x2); SA sneak attack +1d6; AL NE; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +1; Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills and Feats: Bluff +7, Craft (poisonmaking) +6, Craft (trapmaking) +5, Diplomacy +6, Disable Device +4, Disguise +6, Gather Information +4, Hide +6, Intimidate +8, Listen +5, Move Silently +6, Open Lock +5, Search +5, Sense Motive +3, Spot +5, Tumble +6; Dodge, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Languages Spoken: Common, Elven, Goblin
Possessions: masterwork studded leather, masterwork longsword, masterwork light crossbow, 20 masterwork bolts, dagger, explorer's outfit, belt pouch, masterwork thieves' tools*, disguise kit*, caltrops, vial of antitoxin, vial of large scorpion venom (2), vial of acid, potion of cat's grace, 21 gp.
-- -- -- -- --
Halfway through their third year as the docks district's deadly duo, Aeryk told Anya it was finally time for her to make good on her part of the bargain. After all the time that they had spent together, it hit her at that moment that she had developed strong feelings for her mentor. Anya said she understood, and that she had secretly been waiting for this moment for some time now. She began to disrobe, and Aeryk stopped her.
"Anya, no, you misunderstand. That's not what I want. I have trained you to be an assassin. I need you to kill someone for me."
Anya was overcome by the sting of rejection, and then with embarrassment. She sat down on the bed and her mind wandered, starting to piece things together. She thought about how he had never tried to touch her, about how he often went out to a certain tavern where she "wouldn't be welcome." She started to feel a seed of resentment growing...
Here thoughts were interrupted by Aeryk's voice telling her to snap out of it.
Aeryk sat in a chair across from her and looked solemnley at her. "Take a look at this," he said, taking a scroll case from his belt. He unrolled the parchment, and showed it to Anya. It was very old, written in a foreign script with a translation underneath, and words were smudged and illegible in places.
"This is an ancient prophecy that has been in my family for hundreds of years. Four years ago, my father died, and the prophecy scroll was handed down to me. The scroll reads: '...pipes of pain, the last of your line will be slain... the slash of the serpent's tongue.' I fear that I am the last scion of the Ironfist family, for I have no brothers and will never have a son of my own. I have no plans to have my life cut short just yet, though, so I aim to cheat fate. This is where you come in. I have learned that a new criminal presence is growing in our not-so-fair city, and the word on the street is that their leader is some sort of snake man. I fear that this prophecy will come to pass, that when this new faction starts eliminating rivals, I will be killed by their serpent commander. I need you to eliminate him first."
-- -- -- -- --
Anya Verallis, Female Human Rogue 3/Fighter 2/Assassin 1: CR 6; Medium-size humanoid; HD 4d6 plus 2d10; hp 35; Init +8 (+4 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft.; AC 18 (flatfooted 14, touch 14); Atks: +1 longsword +7 melee (1d8+2, 19-20/x2), or masterwork dagger +6 melee (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or masterwork dagger +9 ranged (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or masterwork light crossbow [w/ masterwork bolt] +10 ranged (1d8, 19-20/x2); SA death attack, sneak attack +3d6; SQ evasion, poison use, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC); AL NE; SV Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +4; Str 12, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills and Feats: Bluff +9, Craft (poisonmaking) +8, Craft (trapmaking) +7, Diplomacy +9, Disable Device +4, Disguise +10, Gather Information +5, Hide +13, Intimidate +11, Jump +4, Listen +7, Move Silently +13, Open Lock +6, Search +5, Sense Motive +6, Spot +7, Tumble +9; Dodge, Expertise, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Mobility, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Languages Spoken: Common, Elven, Goblin
Death Attack (Ex): If Anya studies her victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of paralyzing or killing her victim (Anya's choice). While studying her victim, Anya can undertake other actions so long as her attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the assassin or recognize her as an enemy. If the victim of the death attack fails his Fortitude saving throw (DC 13) against the kill effect, he dies. If the save fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is paralyzed for 1d6+1 rounds. If the saving throw succeeds, the attack is treated as a normal sneak attack. Once Anya has observed her victim for 3 rounds, the death attack must be made within the next 3 rounds or the effect is lost.
Evasion (Ex): If exposed to any effect that normally allows a Reflex save for half damage, Anya takes no damage with a successful saving throw.
Poison Use (Ex): Anya is trained in the use of poison and never runs the risk of poisoning herself when applying poison to a blade.
Possessions: +1 studded leather, +1 longsword, masterwork light crossbow, 20 masterwork bolts, masterwork dagger, explorer's outfit, belt pouch, masterwork thieves' tools*, disguise kit*, caltrops, vial of antitoxin, vial of large scorpion venom (2), vial of acid, potion of cat's grace, potion of hiding, potion of love, potion of sneaking, 31 gp.
*The +2 circumstance bonus provided by these items have not been factored into the skill totals above.
-- -- -- -- --
Anya was grateful for the experience gained under Aeryk's guidance, and she felt that she owed him to see her duty through. However, the bitterness inside her at the thought of how she was rejected by him ate at her whenever they were together. She realized that she truly loved and respected the man, but she could never have him, and this began to slowly twist her already darkened soul. Anya swore to Aeryk that she would see the task through, but she would have to set off on her own to keep him out of danger. This was only partly true, as the main reason for their separation was that she could no longer bear to be around him.
Anya set out into the streets, truly alone for the first time. She made discreet inquiries for information about the new "snake man" and his faction, but was getting nowhere. She managed to make a decent living performing assassinations and plying her trade as a crafter of poisons and traps among the highly paranoid criminals of the district. Her skills in deception and disguise got her into noble houses and even the Keep of the High Lord for costume balls and other celebrations. Many an esteemed nobleman who crossed the wrong crimelord's path found himself the victim of a deadly slash of the assassin's longsword of a face-down at his table after a fatal flagon of poisoned ale. Anya was gaining quite a reputation, and since she was always in a mundane disguise or magically altering her appearance, her rivals and enemies couldn't find her.
Through all this she still searched for the mysterious serpent kingpin, but was still finding naught but dead ends. This snake man was apparently even craftier than she. One evening, after intimidating a thug in an alley with promises of torture that caused him to wet himself, but produced no useful information, Anya felt a presence invading her mind as she sat alone in a tavern. She slowly set her ale down and eyed the taproom patrons suspiciously, trying to find the source of the psionic intrusion.
Anya's gaze fell upon a woman across the room, sitting at a table with two brutish bodyguards. The woman was wearing a hooded cloak that shadowed her face, and was grinning in Anya's direction while sipping her blood-red wine. Anya grabbed her drink and walked over to the woman's table.
The bodyguards started to rise at Anya's approach, but the cloaked woman signaled for them to sit. At this distance Anya spotted the slight glaze to their eyes and surmised that they must be under some sort of enchantment. "Sit," said the woman, and she pulled back her hood enough to reveal her face. She appeared normal at first glance, but Anya noticed fine scales around the sides of her face, ears, and neck, and her eyes were yellow like a snake's. "I am Ssaraliss. I'm sorry to intrude into your thoughts, but I had to be certain that you were the one who has been making inquiries about my employer. You have been very persistent in your search, and at first we simply wished to know what business you have with us. Upon entering your mind and finding out that you are the venomous assassin known only as 'The Viper', I am pleased to say that I and the rest of my organization are great fans of your work. Come with me, there is someone I want you to meet."
Anya most likely would have gone anyway, but Ssaraliss' psionic suggestion didn't leave anything to chance.
-- -- -- -- --
Anya "The Viper" Verallis, Female Human Rogue 3/Fighter 5/Assassin 2: CR 10; Medium-size humanoid; HD 5d6 plus 5d10; hp 60; Init +8 (+4 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft.; AC 19 (flatfooted 15, touch 15); Atks: +1 longsword +11/+6 melee (1d8+4, 17-20/x2), or masterwork dagger +10/+5 melee (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or masterwork dagger +13 ranged (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or masterwork light crossbow [w/ masterwork bolt] +14 ranged (1d8, 19-20/x2); SA death attack, sneak attack +3d6; SQ +1 save vs. poison, evasion, poison use, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC, can't be flanked); AL NE; SV Fort +5, Ref +11, Will +5; Str 12, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills and Feats: Bluff +11, Craft (poisonmaking) +14, Craft (trapmaking) +14, Diplomacy +9, Disable Device +5, Disguise +10, Gather Information +5, Hide +24, Intimidate +11, Jump +10, Listen +7, Move Silently +24, Open Lock +6, Search +6, Sense Motive +6, Spot +7, Tumble +11; Dodge, Expertise, Improved Critical (longsword), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Mobility, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword).
Languages Spoken: Common, Elven, Goblin, Yuan-Ti.
Death Attack (Ex): If Anya studies her victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of paralyzing or killing her victim (Anya's choice). While studying her victim, Anya can undertake other actions so long as her attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the assassin or recognize her as an enemy. If the victim of the death attack fails his Fortitude saving throw (DC 15) against the kill effect, he dies. If the save fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is paralyzed for 1d6+2 rounds. If the saving throw succeeds, the attack is treated as a normal sneak attack. Once Anya has observed her victim for 3 rounds, the death attack must be made within the next 3 rounds or the effect is lost.
Evasion (Ex): If exposed to any effect that normally allows a Reflex save for half damage, Anya takes no damage with a successful saving throw.
Poison Use (Ex): Anya is trained in the use of poison and never runs the risk of poisoning herself when applying poison to a blade.
Possessions: +1 studded leather, +1 longsword, masterwork light crossbow, 20 masterwork bolts, masterwork dagger, +1 ring of protection, ring of sustenance, boots of elven kind, cloak of elvenkind, explorer's outfit, belt pouch, masterwork thieves' tools*, disguise kit*, caltrops, vial of antitoxin, vial of deathblade poison, vial of purple worm poison, vial of acid, potion of alter self, potion of bull's strength, potion of cat's grace, potion of cure light wounds, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of love, 50 gp.
*The +2 circumstance bonus provided by these items have not been factored into the skill totals above.
Spells Prepared (2; base DC = 13 + spell level, arcane spell failure chance 15%): 1st -- change self, spider climb.
Spellbook: 1st -- change self, detect poison, obscuring mist, spider climb.
-- -- -- -- --
In the years that followed, Anya kept in touch periodically with Aeryk Ironfist by letter, telling him that she had finally found and infiltrated the snake-man's organization. She stated that he was in no immediate danger, and she was working for them as a mole, gaining their trust and waiting until the time was right to strike at their leader.
In truth, Anya had willingly joined the the Sepent Cabal and was their chief assassin and consort to their leader, a yuan-ti pureblood named Kerressk. The Serpent Cabal was an upstart guild of thieves, informants, fences, smugglers, and assassins that was growing in power and influence in Klyth's underworld. They laired deep in the city sewers, in a long-unused section that once housed a secret temple to the God of Suffering, and from here Kerressk, with the help of his lieutenat psion Ssaraliss and his chief assassin, worked on plots and schemes to further their power and influence. Anya eliminated several crime bosses after they refused to swear their allegiance to the ruthless Kerressk. She often worked with Ssaraliss, the yuan-ti psion invading a target's mind and gauging their vulnerabilities, allowing the deadly assassin to strike all the more efficiently. Anya grew rich from her allegience with the yuan-ti and their Cabal, and she used a large portion of her wealth to have a magical sword created for her that was fit for her station. Through magical means, an gigantic emerald was created and carved for her into a fine longsword with a razor-sharp edge. With her new blade, she delivered impossibly wicked cuts that effortlessly sliced her opponents to ribbons.
Kerressk walked in on Anya as she matched swords with a hobgoblin slave in the training area. He smiled his sinister fanged smile as she cut through the mighty warrior down with ridiculous ease. "That is a fine sword, my sweet. It needs a name."
"I agree. It will have its name as soon as a fitting one comes to me," Anya replied, as she wiped the gore from the blade and returned it to its sheath. "Have someone clean this mess up, will you?"
"Of course," Kerressk replied. "Anya, I didn't come down here to just watch you dispatch the cattle. I have a job for you. There is an petty thug who is becoming too big for his breeches and is speaking in open defiance of the Cabal. I want this man silenced - permanently. His name is Aeryk Ironfist."
It was all Anya could do to avoid letting her face show the emotions she was feeling.
"Of course, my lord," Anya said calmly.
"See Ssaraliss about the datails. And do it tonight, please?" And with that, Kerressk left the room.
* * *
That night Anya crept through the shadows of the city streets as silent as death, though her mind was reeling with conflicting thoughts and emotions. She had loved this man and he had taken her in and taught her everything she knew, but he had also rejected her and caused her serious mental anguish. She could no longer stand the sight of him for that; but could she kill him? Her thoughts raced and she felt like vomitting. Before she realized, she had come to the alley behind the Sea Wolf, the tavern where Aeryk was frequently found in the company of drunken sailors. Her anger and resentment rose again at the thought of this, and she made her way to the front of the tavern and across the street. Her keen eyes peered into the window of the taproom from her shadowy hiding place. She saw him.
Emotion is the assassin's deadliest enemy, and she knew if she allowed it to cloud her judgement, Kerressk would not hesitate to have her found and killed. She was confused and unsure, and unsheathed her new sword as if looking to it for advice. Tears staining her face, she stared into the emerald blade.
All of a sudden the tumblers in her mind locked into place and everything came clear to her, just as if she had picked the lock on a vault of knowledge. "Pipes of pain..." she thought to herself, reflecting on the lair of the Serpent Cabal, the former temple of suffering hidden in the sewers. She thought in momentary horror of the nickname she had gained, "The Viper." She realized that it was not Kerressk that Aeryk had to fear, but it was her all along. Aeryk had tried to cheat fate, but Anya knew now that destiny always won. Anya wiped away her final tears looked down at her blade again. "If that is the way it must be, then you are the Serpent's Tongue."
Anya steeled her resolve, watched, and waited for her mark to leave the tavern.
-- -- -- -- --
Anya Verallis, Female Human Rogue 3/Fighter 6/Assassin 5: CR 14; Medium-size humanoid; HD 8d6 plus 6d10; hp 79; Init +8 (+4 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft.; AC 22 (flatfooted 18, touch 15); Atks: +2 longsword +15/+10/+5 melee (1d8+5, 15-20/x2), or masterwork dagger +13/+8/+3 melee (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or masterwork dagger +16 ranged (1d4+1, 19-20/x2), or masterwork light crossbow [w/ +1 bolt] +17 ranged (1d8+1, 19-20/x2); SA death attack, sneak attack +5d6; SQ +2 save vs. poison, evasion, poison use, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC, can't be flanked); AL NE; SV Fort +7, Ref +13, Will +7; Str 12, Dex 19, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills and Feats: Bluff +11, Craft (poisonmaking) +14, Craft (trapmaking) +14, Diplomacy +9, Disable Device +5, Disguise +10, Gather Information +5, Hide +24, Intimidate +11, Jump +10, Listen +7, Move Silently +24, Open Lock +6, Search +6, Sense Motive +6, Spot +12, Tumble +11; Dodge, Expertise, Improved Critical (longsword), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Whirlwind Attack.
Languages Spoken: Common, Elven, Goblin, Yuan-Ti.
Death Attack (Ex): If Anya studies her victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of paralyzing or killing her victim (Anya's choice). While studying her victim, Anya can undertake other actions so long as her attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the assassin or recognize her as an enemy. If the victim of the death attack fails his Fortitude saving throw (DC 18) against the kill effect, he dies. If the save fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is paralyzed for 1d6+5 rounds. If the saving throw succeeds, the attack is treated as a normal sneak attack. Once Anya has observed her victim for 3 rounds, the death attack must be made within the next 3 rounds or the effect is lost.
Evasion (Ex): If exposed to any effect that normally allows a Reflex save for half damage, Anya takes no damage with a successful saving throw.
Poison Use (Ex): Anya is trained in the use of poison and never runs the risk of poisoning herself when applying poison to a blade.
Possessions: +3 mithril shirt, +2 keen emerald longsword, masterwork light crossbow, +1 bolts (50), masterwork dagger, +1 ring of protection, ring of sustenance, boots of elvenkind, cloak of elvenkind, eyes of the eagle, explorer's outfit, belt pouch, masterwork thieves' tools*, disguise kit*, caltrops, vial of antitoxin, vial of deathblade poison, vial of purple worm poison, vial of large scorpion venom, vial of acid, potion of alter self, potion of bull's strength, potion of cat's grace, potion of cure light wounds, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of glibness, potion of love, 165 gp.
*The +2 circumstance bonus provided by these items have not been factored into the skill totals above.
Spells Prepared (2/2/1; base DC = 13 + spell level, arcane spell failure chance 15%): 1st -- change self, spider climb; 2nd -- alter self, undetectable alignment; 3rd -- invisibility.
Spellbook: 1st -- change self, detect poison, obscuring mist, spider climb; 2nd -- alter self, darkness, pass without trace, undetectable alignment; 3rd -- invisibility, nondetection.
M US Eastern Time. Y'all have 24 hours. Good luck!
