Bodies lay broken and blood saturates the ground in time for the first snows of winter. The land, colored by darkening crimson, became known as the Blackmoor of Icewind Dale…

“We are not alone, there comesssssssomething of the Queen.” the Shadow whispered to him.

“Let is come, if it is of the Queen’s Realm, then we’ll severe the connection and send the tormented soul back to the ‘Fell, where it belongs.”

The Shadow flickered, dissapearing from his shoulder and reappearing hovering just in front of him. Davion didn’t flinch, the Shadow was always with him. It was a cold, twisted friend. A gift from the Raven Queen. An undeniable reminder of his slavery in the Shadowfell, and both a guide and tormentor.

“You’ve ussssssssed much energy today. Perhapsssssss the Queen callsssss for you…” the Shadow’s sibilant syllables sliced through Davions mind as they always did. Thunderous shouts and barely heard whispers that he could not deny. No matter the chaos of the battlefield around him, or the roaring of ice cold waterfalls, the words of the Shadows were always heard.

If only the others could see these curses.

Davion Kane is a warlord following the Shadow Captain paragon path for Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition. He’s the character that I am currently playing in a home brew world. Here I discuss his history and the concept of the character, feel free to use it as you see fit.

Davion was born somewhere, but he has no idea where. He assumes that he was born on the Shadowfell, but that isn’t the truth. Davion’s first memories are as a slave in Gloomwrought, a city in the Shadowfell. He worked for many years, growing immensely physically powerful furing the time. There was, however, an undeniable charisma to him. He was handsome, unreasonable so, and he was always able to talk his way out of being disfigured or more severe forms of punishment. Towards the end of his slavery his master sought to take him to the Raven Queen herself, but his master perished and Davion found himself once more on the Prime Material.

The truth of his birth is that it was accompanied by an omen, and a prophetic vision held by his Strom mother.

On the day of his birth, the Strom, a barbaric and violent race of humans in the northern realms, sought to push the fey creatures that they had warred for ages past from their lands. They slaughtered many, and Davions warrior mother gave birth near the front lines of battle. At his birthing, several Fey skulls that had been collected and cleaned, which formed a grim spire in the centre of the Strom camp, began to bleed from the eye sockets and their jaws clacked in a mockery of laughter.

As the pain of birth overcame her, Davion’s mother spoke a prophecy; “A Strom will ride with Fey and Thunder, Panther and Star – together they will seek evil, liberate freedom, and bring to an end the Blood which Flows. Seek the Chain, fear the Eye of the Raven!”

Make of it what you will, but it is an idea which I will develop over time.

“Time to get some gold!” bellowed Hursk, a dwarven cleric.

Attol, the human warrior, smiled – gold had been very scarce of late and he was tired of picking at silver pieces and counting every copper.

But alas, the only thing that glittered and shone in the dim lit caverns of the Bloodgouge clan was but a single, iron box. About ten feet in length and three feet wide and high. The box was intricately designed and etchs all over itse surface spelt magic – even to the human.

“Aghh…. This thing is ensorceled” Hursk bellowed once more after a quick prayer to his god, revealling a dim magic coming from within.

“hmmm”, he pondered, stroking his beard “The magic I see is coming from
within?”

Attol shook his head…. “I see no seems… no hinges even.. how are we to get within this thing, and where is all the bloody gold!”

“As for the gold I do not know. These orks were said to be the wealthiest and most powerful…”

“Perhaps we can lift it somehow. Like it is a cover to something else?” Attol suggested.

“Agreed, but give me one moment” Hursk called on the power of his god once more, and through his faith, he empowered Attols imense strength with that of twenty men!

Together they grabbed a side and on bended knee lifted with all their might, and true as Attol had said, the “cover” lifted and they pushed it aside.

Hursk bellowed a curse as the two of them looked within the now open casket.

There, lay pecefully on a bed of violet silk, a beautiful, naked, young human girl. Her soft red hair hanging loosly at over her shoulders and nestled between her milkwhite breasts a single black and white stone – the source of the magic.

Attol quietly closed his mouth… “What would orks be doing with this?”

Hursk shrugged, saying a soft prayer for the dead as he reached out for the stone and pulled at it, his eyes widening in horror as he realised this was the pomel of a dagger that had been thrust into the girls chest and he had pulled it out completely – and with out an ounce of blood spilling or staining its blade.

The girl screamed…

Many guests had gathered this night to honor her father’s birthday, and the man was none other than the bodyguard of Count Tristan Marlow, a rather eccentric, middle aged man, with some family ties to the Rumlesteins…

She never took notice, just watched. DulGa, the man, was physically power, with toned muscles like a jungle cat. The chain shot out, slicing a large block of wood in two with a thunderous smash, startling everyone.

She was amazed…

That night she stole through the mansion as she had done since she could walk. Shifting down corridor and passage, stairs and floor until she came to the guest wing. It didn’t take her long, for Saer’yyn knew of all the secrets the place had to offer.

Quietly she opened the oaken door to Dulga’s room. It creaked just a bit, moon light from the open window touched her pale skin and white silk sleep shirt.

He was asleep. His master room just a door away. Softly she crept into the room, the chain hanging on the chest just below the window, shone like a silvery serpent in the light of the full moon.

She took it in both hands, marveling at the thought of twirling it about in battle. The surprise of her enemies as she reached out to them with one end when they thought she could not. She smiled to herself, lost in the dream.

The smile suddenly turned to fear as a cold steel blade rested on her neck, cutting ever so slightly as Dulga’s strong arm came about her waist, his body hot against hers…

She gasped out, “Please spare me. It is Saer’yyn…”

Dulgas breath was hot on her neck, his arm gripping her tightly. She gasped out again, clenching her hands around the chain, a needle sharp spike cutting the soft skin on her hand.

He held her there for a moment, holding her tightly. Then just as she had began to relax for a moment, his empty hand grasped her breasts causing her to let out a loud moan that seemed to echo through the corridors.

No one seemed to hear it though as only silence returned as answer. The knife slipped down, and he began to cut a button off of her silk sleep shirt. One by one, the ivory buttons fell to the floor.

Saer’yyn was breathing quickly now, a girl of fourteen, she had never been with a man, and she knew, whether she wanted it or not, Dulga was to be her first.

Fear was soon overtaken by pain which again was replaced by lust and pleasure as Dulga shagged her, slowly at first, and then faster and harder, she gripped the chain with both hands, her knuckles white and drops of blood ran down from the razor edged spikes…

He never spoke, never made a sound. When it was all done, he pulled up his pants and took her by the hand, half naked, to a small courtyard behind the guest wing.

There for the next couple of hours, under the glow of the full moon, he began to teach her the art of dancing with the chain.

This unsigned agreement between them last for just over the week. Every night, while the estate slept, she would sneak to his room, he would shag her and then they would spend an hour or two dancing with the chain.

It was at the end of this week, that her fathers friend Tristan, and Dulga prepared to leave. Their chariot was ready and cleaned well by the stable hand. Saer’rynn did not want him to leave.

That night, before going to Dulga, she snuck into the blacksmiths workshop, and using some of his tools was able to sabotage the chariot.

Later, she paid Dulga’s fee and danced with him once more.

The morning was bright and busy, everyone prepared to leave, and she watched with a silent smile on her face as Dulga investigated the chariot. Her sabotage plans worked as he looked underneath and then pushed a wheel, which promptly snapped off the axel.

“By the gods!” her father explained. “Do not worry Tristan my boy, we will have an axel made in due course!”

Everyone quickly went about their business, and Saer’yyn knew she had at least a few more days with Dulga…

For the next several days, she trained with Dulga and continued to sabbotage the blacksmith’s work on the axel.

Soon, two weeks after they were meant to leave, Tristan spoke up:
“I fear this has gone on too long”

Her father nodded. “Agreed. I think it would be best that you ride back. You can take my best horses.”

“I will send my servants to town in hopes they can acquire an axel. Your blacksmith must be getting old!”

Saer’yyn felt pain at that thought. Her actions have hurt another….

She suddenly stood up, “it was me!”

she began to weep. Her father was abit surprised at the out burst “Hush child. What are you talking about?!”

“I am sorry… I broke the chariot. It was me who weakened the iron for the axel. Please do not black the smith…”

Tristan went red in the face as his anger began to boil over… so did her father “What? why in the hells would you do that?”

Dulga shook his head but it was too late. “I wanted him to stay… Dulga to stay…. I love him!” she was even surprised by her own words.

Tristan burst out laughing “Dulga?? He may be strong and perhaps even handsome. But child he is mute and a uniche!”

She cried out” I dont care that he is mute, and he is no uniche! “

“what?” tristan and her father shouted in unison…

“We have made love every night -” her words were cut off as her fathers hand struck her face.

“You wench!’ and you he span about on his old friend, “you bring your servant here and he rapes my daughter! I shall have his head for this”

“What? ” tristan yelled and Dulga stood before him, the chain in his hand, hanging loosly ready to strike.

Saer’yyn ran to her room weeping as the yelling continued and the last words she heard was: “This means WAR!”

Saer’yyn was locked in her room while the estate spurred into action at the orders of her madened father. Prepare for war!

War… war… war… echoed around her like a thousand insane ghosts accusing her, blaming her….

For three days Saer’yyn cried. Food was brought in, but she hardly ate. And then, on the fourth day she changed her destiny.

The news was that they were to march the next day, on the first day of winter. People were talking in the halls that Rumplstein was mad. That all would be lost. But still, they gathered the forces. Two hundred and fifty men foot soldiers. Thirty Cavalry. Twenty archers. Lead by his trusted captain of twenty years.

That night she snuck out of her room once more, and hurried to the blacksmith’s workshop that had been used to craft weapons for half the week. Now it was silent thought, and she worked quickly crafting a crude chain by welding daggers and shards of iron to it and several places.

In the morning, she set forth on her own horse, guised as one of the cavalry, the chain neatly folded in a sack at her side.

A dark skinned man wrapped in a thick purple hooded robe embroidered with gold design looks at you with a mixture of fury and wrath. His heavily ringed fingers draws a wickedly cut bastard sword and his eyes begin to glow with furious power!

Character Idea

No-one truly knows where Torion comes from. If you ask him, he responds with vague mentions of Waterdeep and Skullport, and those pressing the matter only ever find sinister threats and physical violence. Torion only knows that he woke up, fully grown and skilled in the trade of a psychic warrior and lurk deep within the musky halls and dank caverns of Skullport ten years ago. He is also aware that, while he appears human, he isn’t. He has spent little time on research of his origins, however, only linking vague memories of farm life and a family to a time he would rather forget.

Soon he found joy in pain, delivered via a wicked bastard sword to those that his master pointed out. Torion is almost bestial in his enjoyment of sadism, and must often fight the urge to cackle maniacally when dealing out viscious blows. There is one thing that Torion is, however, and that is loyal to Sinval, his master. Sinval gave Torion a home, and direction – but mostly, an oppertunity to practice his craft and to inflict pain on those that agrieved his master.

Torion (CR 10)

Elan Male Psychic Warrior 5 / Lurk 5

NE Medium Aberration

Init +3; Senses vision type, Listen +11, Spot +3

Languages Common, Elven, Dwarf, Giant

AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+3 Dexterity, +6 Armour)

Hp 61 (10HD); Elan Resilience; DR 0/-

Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +5; Elan Resistance; Non-detection

Speed 20ft (4 squares) wearing breastplate

Melee +1 shock bastard sword +8 / +3 (1d10+4 plus 1d6 electrical, 19-20); heal 1hp each time deals damage to a living creature up to 10hp per day.

Ranged masterwork +2 mighty composite long bow +10 / +5 (1d8+2 / x3)

Space 5ft; Reach 5ft

Base Atk +6; Grp +7

Atk Options Additional Sneak Attack, Unfocusing Strike, Solid Strike, Stunning Attack, Ignore Concealment, Mental Assault, Psionic Sneak Attack +1d6, Psionic Weapon, Ranged Lurk Augment (30ft)

Special Actions Lurk Augments 11/day

Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds (2), imprinted stone of conceal thoughts, imprinted stone of defensive precognition (augmented to +3 armour class), 20 cold iron arrows, dorje of biofeedback (augmented to 2d12, 5 charges left)

Powers Manifested

Power Points (ML 5): 25

2 – animal affinity ^A, body adjustment ^A, cloud mind, concealing amorpha

1 – biofeedback ^A, chameleon, force screen ^A, conceal thoughts, sensory gloom ^A, defensive precognition ^A

A: Augmentable

Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 8

SQ Naturally Psychic, Elan Repletion

Feats Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword) ^B, Psicrystal Containment^BP, Psicrystal Affinity ^BP, Simple Weapon, Martial Weapon, All Armour, All Shields, Psionic Body ^P, Psionic Weapon ^P, Extra Lurk Augment ^P, Ranged Lurk Augment ^P, Alertness ^B

B: Bonus Feats, P: Psionic Feat

Skills Autohypnosis +9, Bluff +7 (+10 if psi-crystal within 1 mile), Disguise +7, Concentration +9, Escape Artist +8[1], Hide +8¹, Knowledge (Psionics) +11, Listen +11, Move Silently +8¹, Ride +11, Search +11, Use Psionic Device +7

Advancement by character class; Favoured Class Lurk

Possessions glamoured +1 breastplate, least crystal of life drinking, restful armour crystal, hat of disguise, gems and rings to the value of 2,000gp, dorje of sending (this special item allows Torion to communicate with Sinval), masterwork disguise kit, amulet of non-detection.

Naturally Psionic (Ex) being a creature of psychic power, Torion has 2 bonus power points.

Elan Resistance (Su) Torion can spend 1 power point as an immediate action to gain a +4racial bonus to his saving throw until the beginning of his next turn.

Elan Resilience (Su) Torion can spend 1 power point as an immediate action to reduce the damage he is about to take by 2hp. He is only limited by the number of power points he has remaining.

Elan Repletion (Su) If Torion spends a power point, he does not need to eat or drink for 24 hours.

Lurk Augment (Ex) As a swift action Torion can augment his next attack. He can select either Additional Sneak Attack, Unfocusing Strike, Solid Strike, Stunning Attack, Ignore Concealment or Mental Assault when using his Lurk Augment. The power lasts for 1 round or until his next attack. If the attack misses, the Lurk Augment is wasted. Cannot spend more power points on an Augment than his Lurk level (5).

Additional Sneak Attack (Ex) deal an extra 1d6 sneak attack. For every two power points spent it deals an extra 1d6 damage sneak attack. Must be a sneak attack.

Unfocusing Strike (Ex) force a Will save DC 13 or lose psionic focus. For every two power points spent increase the DC by +1.

Solid Strike (Ex) deal an extra 2 points of damage. Increase damage by +1 per power point spent.

Stunning Attack (Ex) force a Fortitude save DC 13 or be stunned for 1 round. For every two power points spent increase the DC by +1.

Ignore Concealment (Ex) Ignore concealment on next attack.

Mental Assault (Ex) deal 2 points of either Intelligence or Wisdom damage. For every two power points spent, increase the damage by +1.

Orion (Psi-Crystal) (CR-)

Psi-Crystal Male Liar Personality

NE Diminutive Construct

Init +2; Senses 40ft telepathic sense, Listen +8, Spot +4

Languages Dwarf, telepathic speech

AC 20, touch 16, flat-footed 18 (+4 size, +2 Dexterity*, +4 natural armour)

Hp 30 (10 HD); Hardness 8

Immune Construct Traits

Fort +5, Ref +5 (+7*), Will +5; Improved Evasion

Speed 30ft (6 squares), Climb 20ft, fly 50ft*

Melee

Base Atk +0; Grp -17

Atk Options Deliver touch powers

Abilities Str 1*, Dex 15*, Con -, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10

SQ Personality (Liar), self-propulsion, share powers, sighted, telepathic link

Feats Alertness

Skills Climb +14*, Listen +10, Move Silently +10, Search +8, Spot +6

* With self-propulsion ability enabled.

Self-Propulsion (Su) As a standard action, Torion can will Orion to grow spidery legs that grant a move speed of 30ft and a climb speed of 20ft. The legs fade after 1 day or sooner at Torion’s request.

Share Powers (Su) If Torion so desires, and Orion is within 5ft, any power manifested by Torion also affects Orion. Can also manifest powers with a target of “You” onto the psi-crystal. The psi-crystal must still be a valid target however.

Telepathic Link (Su) Torion and Orion share a 1 mile telepathic link.

Deliver Touch Powers (Su) Torion can designate Orion as the toucher for touch spells.

Telepathic Speech (Ex) if the psi-crystal is within 1 mile of the owner, it can communicate with any creature that has a language within 30ft of the psi-crystal.

Flight (Su) As a standard action, Torion can will Orion to gain a fly speed 50ft (poor). After 1 day the psi-crystal drifts to the ground or sooner at Torion’s request.

Personality (Ex) Orion is a liar, and grants Torion a +3 onto Bluff checks. Orion lies to Torion all the time, but Torion is always aware of when Orion is lying.

Strategies and Tactics

Torion seldom enters into combat without force screen, animal affinity and concealing amorpha manifested. He seeks to increase his armour class as well as improve his chance of avoiding damage altogether. He doesn’t spare power points or augments as he is aware that each combat may well be his last. Torion will seldom face an opponent head on, preferring instead to attack them from a distance using his bow and his ranged lurk augments.

Creature Lore

Ecology

Torion originates from Waterdeep.

Encounter

Torion is usually encountered under disguise, and his two underlings, Verdo the Whip and Ashante the Lure. While Torion uses Ashante from time to time for physical desires, he has no emotional connection to her, and enjoys spending time with Verdo, with whom he has a history and friendship. In a battle, Torion would rather rescue Verdo then Ashante.

The Many Faces of Torion

Torion never appears as himself unless forced to. Passingly proficient with disguise, the use of his hat of disguise and his glamoured armour, Torion often appears as other people, usually non-descript, and always a little sinister. The following personalities are known Torion disguises:

1.)    Turdor the Maimed; appearing as an elderly human male, Tudor the Maimed is known to be a recruiter of adventurers for various forms of skulduggery and treasure gathering, usually from long forgotten tombs. Turdor is bent over with age, but has a sense of wealth about him, and a studious expression. He wears gold rimmed glasses and is referred to as the maimed as he appears to be missing his left hand. Spot DC 29.

2.)    Tannis the Ranger; a ruddy man of thirty odd summers, Tannis the ranger is amiable and helpful. Tannis is usually used as an information gathering tool when Torion is travelling long distances. Spot DC 31.

3.)    Tack, the half-orc bard; as one would imagine, a half-orc bard is not a pleasant one. Torion uses Tack in order to monitor those he spies on, as well as to sow discord amongst allies and foes alike. Tack will often provide contradictory evidence or provide false leads in order to make the enemies of Sinval struggle. Spot DC 27.

Jebb.

The only real diffrence about me was that I had everything. Literally everything. Anything I wanted I was given. And this was all for a reason.

I had play things, I had the finest clothes, I had the grandest books and best tutors. I learnt much of the world in such a short time. But I was raised for only one purpose.

I was to be the saviour of our town… of our world.

I was to be given to the guardian upon my 16th birthday. As my mother was and my mothers mother. I came from a long line of chosen and I accepted my destiny and my fate.

Years went by quickly, and everything was blissful and peaceful in the town. Upon reaching my thriteenth year, when the town’s healer announced I was ready for a child, I began to attract many sutors. Before I was fourteen, I would choose one, and in that year or the next at the very latest, I would have a daughter of my own. A daughter to carry on the line of Chosen, the saviours of our world.

None of the boys seemed to draw my attention however, and none of their gifts mattered seen I had everything anyway. I was soon fourteen and the elders grew restless. ‘If you do not choose a sutor in two seasons, we will choose for you’ I could not argue. This was law.

So again, I studied the boys and men in town. And one day, on the eve of winters night, a stranget came through town. He was wounded and tired after what he called a ‘long journey’ His horse was almost dead, with great claw marks down its sides, and true enough, it died not a day later.

The elders were even more stressed now. This stranger posed more difficulties for them, but he caught my attention and my desire. And it was he I chose – I had read the laws, over and over again, and new them by heart. No where did it say that the tutor had to come from our town… I won my case, and seven months into my fourteenth year, I went to his bed and made love for the first time in my life. The first, and last as it would normally be.

Three days left, the man I only knew as ‘Taral’, left our town and ventured back out into the world, saying there was work still to be done. He swore he would return, but I knew I would not see him again.

I was fifteen and half years old when I gave birth to a prety little thing. A girl with bright blue eyes and fine red hair. I was almost sad to think I would not see her grow. Sad to know she would be given to the Guardian as well. She was soon taken from me, and raised by another so that a bond would not be formed. ‘It is best for you and the babe, ‘ one elder said. I knew this true, and I knew it to be law.

Again I was pampered, six months to go, and all will be sealed and the pact would be honored, our world would it be safe.

The day came quickly, but yet I felt I had lived longer than my 16 years. I was taken in great ceremony to a cliff on the mountains edge, and chained to the floor there.

The enterage left and I waited.

I was told it would be swift. No pain. I was told everything will be fine and I will see my mother again…

I was told all these things. But nothing prepared me for him.

Under the setting sun, the sky red and glowing. Suddenly everything went as black as night as the guardian flew above me, landing some fifty feet away.

A great beast, its scales shimering red in failing light. Clouds of smoke escaping its nostrils as it approached. Suddenly it leapt into the sky and pounced down upon me – I closed my eyes,

I swear I heard a whimper of some kind. Opening my eyes I looked at its face, a mark … a taint of fear washing over it. Its eyes grew wide and it fled. Fled away from me as if I had caused its fear… It was terrified…

anyone is free to use the characters in their games and post comments on what happens to them….

cheers
C