The Seven Brothers

[NiTessine]

Here, I shall post my versions of the main characters of the book Seven Brothers. Now, I know not many of you have heard of it, even though it is required reading for all schoolkids here in Finland, and written by our national writer, Aleksis Kivi. You should be able to find a translation somewhere. It is good.
These characters have the highest levels in NPC classes I've ever seen. They deserve them. They killed 40 bulls and a bear, on one occasion.

Comments and critiques are welcome, as I always seek to expand my understanding of the rules. And I really, really, REALLY suck at maths.

So, here is the eldest brother, Juhani. I'll post the rest as soon as I finish them, probably over the next week.

Juhani
Male human Com10/War7; CR 9; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 10d4+7d8+34; 1d12+27+6; hp 90; Init +1 (Dex); Spd 30 ft; AC 12 (+1 Dex, +1 Dodge); Atks +17/+12/+7 melee (1d6+3/crit x2, quarterstaff); Ranged musket +18 (1d12/x3) AL N; SV Fort +12, Ref +7, Will +5; Str 16, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats: Craft (brewing) +3, Handle Animal +5 Listen +6, Profession (farmer) +7, Profession (butcher) +3, Ride +5, Spot +6; Dodge, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Run, Toughness x2, Track
Equipment: quarterstaff, backpack, knife, the ABC-book, hand axe, musket, 20 bullets

Description: Juhani, the eldest of the brothers, is heavy-built and grown strong working the fields. His neck is thick, and his hair dark brown. By his nature, he is a leader, but is not suited for the task. He is loud-mouthed, short-tempered, and often acts without thinking the consequences. In menial work, and in a fight, he is equalled only by his brothers Tuomas and Lauri.

 

[psychognome]

Neat! This is the sort of thing that the Rogue's Gallery needs! Now, if someone could convert the characters of Kalevala...

 

[NiTessine]

Neat! This is the sort of thing that the Rogue's Gallery needs! Now, if someone could convert the characters of Kalevala...

Not before the Epic-Level Handbook comes out... Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, Louhi, and Antero Vipunen are all epic.

Väinämöinen, CG male human Bard20/Ftr7/Loremaster10
Ilmarinen, LN male human Exp20/Ftr5/Wiz10 (for item creation)
Louhi, NE female human Bard10/Druid10/Shapeshifter10
Antero Vipunen, N male human Bard20/Loremaster10

Of course, it was a long time since I studied the book, and I've never read it in its entirety. When the ELH comes out, I think I might read it and stat these puppies up.

 

[NiTessine]

Tuomas
Male human Com8/War7; CR 8; Medium-Size Humanoid (Human) HD 8d4+7d8+45; 89 hp; Init +1 (Dodge); Spd 30 ft; AC 10; Melee quarterstaff +18/+13/+8 (1d6+4/x2); Ranged musket +13 (1d12/x3); AL N; SV Fort +12, Ref +4, Will +6; Str 18, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats: Handle Animal +6, Intimidate+5, Listen +5, Profession (farmer) +9, Ride +6, Spot +5, Swim +6; Dodge, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Run, Track, Weapon Focus (quarterstaff)
Equipment: quarterstaff, musket, 20 bullets, backpack, knife, the ABC-book

Description: Tuomas, the twin brother of Aapo, has broad shoulders and chest like a barrel. His beard and hair are blond, and his eyes brown. He is quiet and dour, and always ready for a fight, a sport in which his ferocity is fearsome. Tuomas' great strength was best evidenced when he smashed a bull's spine in two with his rowan staff.

 

[psychognome]

Väinämöinen, CG male human Bard20/Ftr7/Loremaster10
Ilmarinen, LN male human Exp20/Ftr5/Wiz10 (for item creation)
Louhi, NE female human Bard10/Druid10/Shapeshifter10
Antero Vipunen, N male human Bard20/Loremaster10

Having read the book, I can say that your approximations come very close to the characters in the book. You could use the epic level rules in the FRCS, but as those rules are very limited the characters won't be made to their full potential...
On Tuomas: a nice conversion. I see you're going in age order, so we'll be seeing Aapo next.
It would also be nice to have comments on the characters from people who haven't actually read the book. Just tell what you think of the characters! Or read the book, I dunno...

 

[drnuncheon]

Good English translations?

My China kick seems to be tapering off...maybe I need to refresh myself with another country's classics. Since my only exposure to Finnish mythology is through 1st Edition Deities and Demigods and the truly awful movie The Day the Earth Froze (MST3K version)...can anyone recommend a good translation of Seven Brothers or the Kalevala into English?

J

 

[NiTessine]

Re: Good English translations?

My China kick seems to be tapering off...maybe I need to refresh myself with another country's classics. Since my only exposure to Finnish mythology is through 1st Edition Deities and Demigods and the truly awful movie The Day the Earth Froze (MST3K version)...can anyone recommend a good translation of Seven Brothers or the Kalevala into English?

J

Hmm... I think I am not qualified to answer this, as I believe in reading books on their original languages. However, psychognome is probably more well-informed. So, psychognome, your stage.

I'll be posting Aapo sometime this evening, I think.

 

[psychognome]

Re: Good English translations?

My China kick seems to be tapering off...maybe I need to refresh myself with another country's classics. Since my only exposure to Finnish mythology is through 1st Edition Deities and Demigods and the truly awful movie The Day the Earth Froze (MST3K version)...can anyone recommend a good translation of Seven Brothers or the Kalevala into English?

J

The translation I've read of the Seven Brothers is very good, and I can easily say this, having read both the original and quickly browsed over the translation. I'll try to find out more about the translation, 'cause I happen to have a copy of it at my school. You'll just have to wait for a bit...

 

[drnuncheon]

Re: Re: Good English translations?

Hmm... I think I am not qualified to answer this, as I believe in reading books on their original languages.

If I wanted to do that I'd spend all my time learning languages! Spanish for Don Quixote...Latin for the Aeneid...French for Les Miserables, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Dumas...Chinese for Three Kingdoms, Water Margin and Journey to the West...Greek for the Iliad and Odyssey...Russian...Polish...Japanese...now Finnish for the Kalevala and Seven Brothers...

Maybe if I became immortal...



J
...got that lich ritual around here somewhere...

 

[Crothian]

Having read the book, I can say that your approximations come very close to the characters in the book. You could use the epic level rules in the FRCS, but as those rules are very limited the characters won't be made to their full potential...
On Tuomas: a nice conversion. I see you're going in age order, so we'll be seeing Aapo next.
It would also be nice to have comments on the characters from people who haven't actually read the book. Just tell what you think of the characters! Or read the book, I dunno...

How are the write ups of these guys in Dieties and Demigods?