Killian Maxwell, male human Ftr2: CR 2; ECL 2; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 2d10+4; hp 24; Init +2; Spd 20 ft; AC 17 (+5 chainmail, +2 Dex); Melee spiked chain +5 (2d4+2)
AL N
SV Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +0
Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 12.
Skills : Intimidate 5 (+6), Escape Artist 1 (+3), Open Lock 4 (+8), Climb 2 (+4), Jump 5 (+7), Ride 5 (+7), Swim 3 (+5)
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain), Expertise, Improved Trip, Weapon Focus (Spiked Chain).
Equipment: MW Spiked Chain, Chainmail, MW Mighty Composite Longbow +2, 40 arrows, Dagger x 2, Backpack w/ Quiver, Belt pouch x 2, Alchemist’s Fire x 2, 50’ Chain w/ Grappling Hook, Sunrod x 2, Tindertwig x 2, Pitons x 5, Small hammer, Masterwork Thieves’ Tools, Manacles, Steel mirror, Acid (flask), Oil (1 pint flask) x 2, and Flint & steel
Regional Equipment: 3 potions of CLW, 20 MW arrows
Languages: Common, Chondothan, Damaran, Dwarven
Background:
Killian was born to a large family, and has fought to eke out a place for himself ever since.
He grew up on a plot of land that his family toiled on just off the major road that connects SevenEcho and Tsurlagol (just north of the Sea of Fallen stars in the area of Faerun known as The Vast).
As the 5th born of 7, with 2 older brothers and 2 older sisters, and a younger brother and sister, Killian would frequently be alternately beaten up by or beat up on his brothers, depending on the age of the brother involved.
The rugged land provided a fertile learning ground for young Killian - he saw how work was sometimes rewarded, sometimes taken advantage of by raiding parties, sometimes bartered unfairly for, sometimes finagled into more than its worth.
Being able to see both sides of the situation was something that came naturally to him, not being too swayed by either extreme, settling in the comfortable, non-committed center.
Killian grew up among the others, doing his chores and such, while trying to distinguish himself from the 'pack', so to speak.
He knew he was destined for more than the life of a farmhand - he'd make it so.
His brothers dabbled in fighting - what Maxwell son didn't?
His oldest brother was the largest of the family, and favored a greatsword, like his dad.
His other brother preferred a longbow.
Killian usually had to make due with a shortsword or somesuch.
One day, after a raiding party of orcs and goblins attacked a neighbor's plot of land, he and a teenage friend wandered over to see if they could see anything interesting, when Killian found a strange large chain covered in spikes which looked quite nasty and dangerous.
One of the fleeing humanoids must have dropped it, and immediately Killian felt this was his weapon - a way to distinguish himself from his brothers, and cause people fear, or trepidation in dealing with young Killian.
Killian soon reached the age to leave the farm and strike out on his own, his older brother already gone and establishing himself (the oldest brother stayed to work the family business).
He chose to travel south and work in and around Tsurlagol, the 'Gateway to the Unapproachable East'.
He did menial labor, and gradually worked up to be a bouncer, and guard, and then mercenary, alternately protecting his employers then attacking others, depending who's coin he was serving at the time.
There was a dwarf in town, Rask Fleshbinder, who Killian eventually started hanging around with.
He liked the stories they told of wealth and treasure deep underground, and the thought of living away from people, surrounded by walls in a cave you customized to make your own appealed to him somehow.
The dwarf was a healer, and a fighter. He fought in the militia, and Killian stayed with the dwarven contingent for awhile.
He learned both Dwarven from them, and fanned his passion for chains by learning to use them in binding people, and escaping, and opening locks.
After a time of working in a city, Killian returned home and gave his father what he could of what he had saved up, before truly leaving his home and striking out on his own.
He travelled the 3 day's ride north, then east to the "jewel of Faerun" (as they liked to think), Procampur.
He set out exploring the large city, and learned its laws and ways from where he stayed in the Port District.
While he was not a native of the town, so he was not granted full citizenship (as marked by a magical green mark on every person's arm), he joined the Fraternity of Venturers and took work as a man-for-hire, for any venture that could utilize his growing skills.
He sees no problem with using his skills to be paid - it's the way of the world, and fretting about it isn't going to change anything.
Besides, he liked the way people's eyes went wide when they saw him pull out the Masterwork chain he 'acquired' one day while on a job.
After this 'acquisition', and Procampur's ever-present Diamond Legion always looking for another example to haul up to Way's End and punish publicly, Killian decided to travel west - make a trek to reach the Coast, learning and experiencing what the Heartlands have to offer along the way.
He booked passage on a ship travelling west, and eventually traversed the Inland Sea and set in at the monstrous trading city of Westgate. After settling in for a bit, and exploring the city, he decided to take employment with a caravan heading west as a caravan guard.
His smart fighting style, and rare expertise with the spiked chain was put to good use, and his services were valued by the caravan, who recommended him to another caravan which was continuing west. This transfer happened in Iriaebor. Killian thought the spired city's internal politics and squabbles were quite wasteful, and a level-headed man may be able to take advantage of the games-playing, but politics just wasn't his strong suit, so he continued west, thru Asbravn and Berdusk on his leisurely way to the coast.
Asbravn seemed much like home to Killian, with it's farmers and markets. He spent many months there, even adventuring in the catacombs of the city in the pursuit of a promised treasure that didn't end up materialising.
After a few years of travelling and living, Killian has neared the Sword Coast, pulling in to the relatively small town of Beregost after leaving the caravan once they hit the coastland trade routes.
He acquires lodging, and ponders his last jaunt west to Candle Keep and the Sea, and what he may do after he experiences that....
maybe go north, and make some money as a member of the Flaming Fist mercenary company of Baldur's Gate?
Perhaps.
He's looking for money, adventure, and a way to grow in skill while seeing if he can play on people's fears a bit to his advantage.
The road is open before Killian, like his life is...