On the road: Introduction

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The inn door opens and a man enters. He appears to have been recently caught in the rain, regardless of whether it has recently been raining in the area. As his long-suffering mother used to say "if there is a mess, he'll find a way to be stuck in the middle of it". All too often this extends beyond purely material messes and into the social sphere.

Paying no attention to the curious looks coming from other patrons he makes his way to the fire and carefully unslings two bulging satchels from his shoulders, setting them at precisely the optimal distance to dry off. Propping an ornately carved and lacquered staff at similar distance he hangs his wide-brimmed hat and travelling cloak upon it, revealing short dark hair and quality studded leather armour beneath. A quiver of throwing darts is set nearby.

Only the most observant might have noticed that the staff actually seems to consist of multiple sections, and might suspect that deadly blades can be unsheathed from either end if the wielder feels under threat. The observant and the superstitious may have noticed that the staff is crafted not just as a weapon but as a focus for channelling arcane power. There is clearly much more to this stranger than meets the eye - although what meets the eye is certainly enough to be worth a second look.

Proceeding to the bar a quick negotiation and a passing of coin leaves a very happy looking innkeeper and Markos (as he is known on the road) returns carrying chunks of bread, meat and cheese and a tankard of something steaming and spicy. Now he relaxes and looks around the others present with a cheerful smile - his eyes deep blue pools of trust.


~~~



~~~
Maril Kosirri - Arcana Unearthed Mage Blade (1) / Magister (1)
(Unbound - no truename)
Human Male; Height: 5'6"; Weight: 168lb; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Dark brown;

Ability Scores:
STR 12 (+1)
DEX 16 (+3)
CON 12 (+1)
INT 18 (+4) (glorious skill points)
WIS 7 (-2) (trusting, innocent, impulsive ...)[up at 8th level]
CHA 17 (+3) (spellcasting stat)[up at 4th level]

[Note; Stats were generated with 4d6-drop-the-lowest. This is a pretty amazing set (a +10 character) which makes pulling off the multi-class much easier but also leaves a clear area of weakness to work with]

Initiative: +3
Hit Points: 15; Disabled at: -1; Dying at: -2; Dead at: -13;
Hero points: 1

Saves:
REF +3
FORT +1
WILL +0

Class abilities:
Athame: bonded weapon has +1 enhancement bonus, spell cast when holding bonded weapon do not have somatic components (do not incur spell failure chance from armour)
Magister's Staff: required to be in hand to cast spells without penalty

Feats:
Ambidexterity (Talent)
Exotic Weapon Proficiency - Heavy (General)
Two Weapon Fighting (General)

[Note: It was the need to take two general feats at first level rather than a general and a ceremonial which defined this character as being unbound. I looked at swapping in the feat he'll get at 3rd level but it's also a general feat - and in fact the only Ceremonial feats I have in mind for him he can get as class bonus feats anyway. Although as a multiclass those are some time away ...]

[Note: The athame must be a bladed weapon, Magisters must have their staff, and multiclass spellcasters must abide by the limitations of all their classes. So the sword staff is the only way to go to make this multiclass effective

Magisters do get proficiency in the sword staff at 5th level - which would be close to 10th for this character - at which point the exotic weapon proficiency feat will become redundant. Usefully there is a ceremony you can undergo at 10th level which allows you to replace an old feat with a new one.]


Spellcasting (based on Charisma):
Caster Level: 2
0 level spells: Ready 8 / Cast per day 6
1st level spells: Ready 4 / Cast per day 2

[Note: in AU all casters draw from the same spell list but spellcasting ability is still tied to different ability scores depending on class. Multiclass casters select one ability for all their spellcasting when they first multiclass - in this case Mage Blades use CHA and Magisters use INT - I have elected to go with CHA. INT would have been slightly mechanically better but didn't suit the character as much.]


Skills with Ranks (total modifier):
Alchemy +5
Climb +5
Concentration +6
Craft: Woodcarver +5
Decipher Script +5
Intimidate +5
Jump +5
Knowledge: Ceremony +5
Knowledge: Engineering +5
Knowledge: History +5
Knowledge: Magic +6
Knowledge: Runes +5
Knowledge: Science +5
Search +5
Spellcraft +6
Swim +5 (-3 with gear)

Languages:
Common
Giant
Draconic
Faen
Verric

Armour:
AC: 16; Flatfooted/Touch 13
Masterwork studded leather

Weapons:
Masterwork Sword-staff
Single strike +2 to hit +2 to damage
Double strike +2/+2 to hit +2/+1 to damage
- Sheathed (as quarterstaff) 1d6 damage
- Unsheathed 1d8 damage

Throwing Darts 1d4 damage
+3 to hit +1 to damage
(usually carries a quiver of 5)