Ton, Dwarf Rogue
Here's Ton, my dwarven tunnel fighter. I am assuming 31 points (since I won't qualify for the human bonus). I'll post Ton's background and possessions in a day or so.
Ton Arok, Male Dwarf Rogue 1: HD 1d6+3; hp 9; Init +2; Spd 20 ft; AC 12; Atk +1 melee (1d8+1, crit x3, heavy mace) or +2 ranged (1d6, crit x3, shortbow); SA Sneak attack +1d6; SQ Dwarf abilities; AL NG; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +1; Str 13, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 10.
Skills and Feats: Appraise 1/+3, Craft (traps) 3/+5, Decipher Script 1/+3, Disable Device 4/+6, Hide 4/+6, Intuit Direction 1/+2, Listen 4/+5, Move Silently 4/+6, Open Lock 4/+6, Pick Pocket 1/+3, Read Lips 1/+3, Search 4/+6, Spot 4/+5, Tumble 4/+6; Expertise.
Dwarf abilities: Darkvision 60, Stonecunning, +2 saves vs. poison/spells/spell-like effects, +1 to hit vs. goblinoids and orcs, +4 dodge vs. giants, +2 Appraise to stone and metal, +2 Craft on stone and metal.
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Undercommon.
Possessions (carried): Studded leather, Heavy mace (belt, right side), Backpack (back), Composite shortbow (strapped to backpack), Quiver with 20 arrows (belt, left side), Sap (beltpouch)
Possessions (backpack): Acid, Antitoxin, Bedroll, Bell, Caltrops, Chalk, Crowbar, Flint and steel, Hammer and 4 pitons, Rations for 4 days, Silk rope, Waterskin, 45 gp.
Background: Ton knows little of Thelis, the Free Kingdoms, or the Island of Three Rings, for his home lies over the ocean. Most people have heard of the elves that protect the Cradle, watching the sea and the air from their coastal cities. Few people know that forces from below the earth also threaten the birthplace of all life: goblins and dragons and other foul beasts from the depths. But the Cradle has defenders within the earth as well as above: dwarven clans that face death with a grim resolve.
The Arok family belongs to one such clan, and Ton Arok grew up learning the ways of tunnel fighting, traps, and combat against subterranean foes. His brothers and sisters (Arok women learned to fight alongside the men of the tribe) were stronger warriors, but Ton thrived by using his keen senses and quick reflexes. His instincts for ambushes and his knack for improvising traps was a great support to his more militant companions. Ton thought more of his clan’s honor and survival than he did of any personal glory.
Ton’s closest companions in his youth and earlier adulthood were his elder sister, Fyste, and her husband, Woru. The two married young, and were soulmates in the truest sense of the word. They were gracious hosts of many family gatherings, but were just as comfortable fighting side-by-side in the tunnels against grimlock raiders. Fyste was an apprentic of the Rock Wardens, who turned the power of the earth itself against the enemies of the dwarves. Woru was studying to become a Defender, one of the most honored professions in the clan. Ton knew his own path would look very different from theirs, but he dreamed of the day when the three of them would venture into the Underdark together, retaking ground that was lost at one time or another in the history of his people.
Ton’s discovered another dream when he first joined a trading mission to the surface. Many of his companions felt out of place without stone walls around them and rock ceilings above, but Ton discovered there was place in his heart for the world above as well as the world below. He also met Kellia, a young female elf whose skills paralleled his own. The two shared stories and words while their elders traded goods and information. On his return to the Arok hometunnels, Ton devoted himself to studying the Elf language.
Despite the constant danger from unknown foes, the dwarves of the Arok clan were content with their fate, until the plague came. Fyste, who was several months pregnant at the time, suffered a miscarriage. Before long the clan discovered that all the dwarven women had become barren. The clan elders knew that they must find a way to restore the women, or the tribe itself would face extinction within a single generation. Some of the elders thought the sickness was the result of curse cast by a lich that the clan had recently destroyed. Others believed that drow saboteurs had poisoned the clan’s water supply. But after communing with their deities, the clerics of the tribe stated the improbable: the illness was somehow related to a silver key, which would be found in an old chest in the back room of an abandoned dwarven manor. The only way to end the curse was for a single son of the tribe to carry the key across the sea to the land of Thelis. The dwarves cast lots to determine who would carry the key, and Ton was chosen.
Despite feeling woefully unprepared for a journey of this magnitude, Ton accepted the decision of the elders with grace. He gathered his gear and departed for the surface. Upon reaching the elven city of Imoli, he learned that the elves were facing a similar crisis: their elders were aging at a greatly accelerated rate. The elves, who relied on their near immortality to maintain culture and tradition, had also received word from the divine. A single daughter of the city must carry a silver key to Thelis. Ton decided the gods must be crazy when Kellia was chosen.
The two friends crossed the sea in the swift boats of the Waveskimmers, and arrived in the coastal town of Hyrad. Neither Ton nor Kellia knew what more would be required of them in this strange human land, but they quickly found aid in the form of Daphinius Thymehill, a kind-hearted halfling merchant who found “work” for individuals with Kellia and Ton’s talents. Ton is still shocked by the difference between Thelis and his hometunnels, but he is doing his best to learn quickly.
Recently, Daphinius offered Ton a substantial sum of money to undertake a mission outside Hyrad. Although Ton hated leaving Kellia, they both agreed that it would be good to learn more about the surrounding country. They have agreed to meet again in one year’s time, at the latest.
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