Caldera - Codex

[Naelwyn]

This thread shall contain accumulated lore indices for the Caldera game.

Please do not post in this thread at all unless directed to.

[Naelwyn]

Player Characters:

[kasiil]

Marcus Bracksel (Steam Sharpshooter)

Physical Description: Marcus, as the son of a prominent craftsman in the heart of Sarleon, had a well-off childhood, and it shows in his appearance. He stands roughly six feet tall and has a well-toned build, however not overly muscular (as noted by his 12 strength). His brown hair lies just past his shoulders and is dead straight, he has a nicely trimmed goatee (and accompanying moustache) whenever he has time to groom (meaning usually not while at sea, however typically as soon as he gets to port), and believes in bathing regularly whenever possible, as you never know when a potential client/buyer will be of high class. He wears a long black hooded cloak embroidered with the symbol of his father's craft (a golden longbow crossed with a silver crossbow) used to protect him from the many adverse conditions he faces while travelling, as well as to let people know of his heritage. Underneath the cloak, he wears typical travelling attire meaning a jacket, cloth shirt, sturdy boots and leather pants, all of high quality befitting his place in society. Additionally, he dons a robin-hood-esque hat, although it is brown, and archery gloves, which almost completely hide all of the minor scars he has from crafting with his father. To top it off, he wears a well-made suit of studded leather armour and a sturdy belt with many pouches containing various things attached. His longsword scabbard is attached to the left side of his belt, and his bow and quiver are worn on his back, over top of his cloak, sometimes partially obscuring the embroidered insignia. As his steam affinity manifests itself more and more as he grows, his cloak now sometimes billows even when there is no wind to speak as if there is an updraft under him [this is to explain the Float racial feat]. *Note for DM: Assume anything not explicitly describe (i.e shirt, pants, boots, etc) on him is of high quality for Sarleon/Travelling.*

Personality: As most people of the Steam affinity, he typically keeps to himself when possible, though will talk it up to buyers/clients to ensure a sale for his father. When travelling on ships, one would typically find him eating alone in common areas or spending time alone in his room, sometimes maintaining his equipment, sometimes going over sales logs, or whatever, though occasionally he will engage in conversation with other people if he manages to find them interesting enough which is seldom, or if he has to trade with them. He would be described by ladies as the "dark and mysterious" type, though that may be because he rarely replies to their offers of advancement unless they show some sort of unique and interesting skill (such as combat or crafting prowess) as well as physical beauty. While interacting with people he is typically to-the-point and acts logically, although occasionally, usually in times of stress, his lack of aged/life experience will get the better of him and he will act rashly/rudely, sometimes with accompanying consequences. He speaks in a low tone, usually montonic-esque, though when he is genuinely intrigued in something or in stress (i.e in combat/angry/worried/etc.) his voice becomes livelier. He is True Neutral, though more towards chaotic and good than lawful or evil. He will do anything to save his own hide and ensure the prosperity of his father's business, yet has no particular preference on how to go about that, sometimes is may involved lying/deceit, and sometimes it may involved helping others in times of need.

Background: Marcus, as stated before, is the son of a prominant craftsman, Thomas Bracksel, from the heart of Sarleon. Thomas specializes in crafting ranged projectile weapons (namely bows and crossbows) and Marcus has therefore had much practice in doing the same. Marcus' mother, Selina, is well known in the city for providing insight to many lords and ladies about local public policies and other various topics, although she is not a lady herself. Marcus was originally enrolled in studies, which is why he can both read and write Sarl, and has a good knowledge about the region, but when he could not cooperate with the other children and often was found alone in secluded areas of the school (or whatever it would be in this time period) he was asked by his father if he would rather continue the family trade, and Marcus agreed, therefore abruptly ending his studies by the age of nine. While working under his father, one task he had was testing the bows for their strength and accuracy, and this is where Marcus' true talent was found. As it turned out, he was one of the best shots in the land, able to hit targets that nobody thought was possible for someone with very little bow training. His father then had him trained by several masters of the bow who he crafted for, and Marcus quickly grew better and better as the years went on, all the while still working under his father. There was rarely a waking moment where he wasn't practicing with his bow under the most esteemed series of mentors, or working hard in his father’s shop perfecting the craft (particularly bow crafting as he had little interest in crossbows and the other equipment). He rarely went out into the city except when escorting his mother to meetings and to run errands for his father, though word of him spread around the town of the boy. When Marcus reached the age of fourteen, his father started to try to have him engaged to several girls, though all of the families called off the weddings after outrageous complaints from the girls that Marcus rarely communicated with them and would therefore be a terrible father. Thomas quit trying when Marcus reached around the age of sixteen, as he figured it was no good, and that eventually Marcus would probably find someone for himself. It was at this time that Thomas proposed his son follow the goods to the other parts of the world, as nobody in the city could teach him anything more about archery, and he basically kept to himself anyway. Marcus would do anything for his father, so he agreed. His father gave him money to buy equipment for his travels, and he now travels the world with his father’s goods, ensuring they meet their destination, and finding new buyers for the weapons along the way. His father also thought it would be a good idea for his son to take on this job so he could explore the world and take in the beauties of the lands as he never could, being tied down with a job and family. Marcus has embraced the exploration, thoroughly enjoying it, as the wonders of the world and different civilizations are intriguing to him, although rarely does one particular individual pique his interest. Through his years, Marcus has made very few friends, preferring the company of his mentors and father, though there is one other person he never has a problem conversing and spending time with. During his youth, Marcus participated in many archery competitions across Sarleon, garnering fame for his skills and his father's equipment, and it was through these that he met the only person that one would call his friend, a lad named Geofferey, who, although he was not as accurate in his shot as Marcus, had one of the hardest shots around, his arrows occasionally able to piece completely through competition targets. Marcus envied Geofferey's power with the bow, and therefore enjoyed talking archery technique with him on occasion. Now eighteen and having been travelling for just over two years, Marcus has seen much of the known and travelable world and is commonplace to the trade ships and their sailors leaving Sarleon to distribute goods to other lands. He acts as a proper guard and lookout, a valuable asset to any ship he travels on, so no captain really objects to his presence aboard their ship, especially since he keeps to himself and never causes any trouble. Occasionally he will linger in the other nations longer than the merchant ship is staying, and therefore will have to find another ship back to Sarleon, just this, again, is usually never an issue.

Motivation/Goals: Marcus' long term goal is to be known as the best archer the world has ever seen, though this is not known to anybody except himself. This means he must travel across all of the lands, ensuring nobody there is better than he is, and if they are, learn from them until his skill exceeds theirs. All the while, his short term goals are always to ensure his father’s business continues to prosper, meaning protecting the goods and finding new buyers. Marcus will keep adventuring until something forces him to stop, as he will probably never be satisfied with his own ability to allow him quit practicing. If he had one wish, it would probably be that he could be the best archer the land has ever seen, though future events may change that, one never knows.

Updated as of Sept 10

Level: 2
Experience: 2000

Stats:
STR: 12 (+1); DEX: 18 (+4); CON: 12 (+1); INT: 14 (+2); WIS: 12 (+1); CHA: 10 (+0)
HP: 18
AC: 17 (10 + 3 Armor + 4 Dex)
Touch/Flat: 14/13
Saves: FORT: +4 (3 + 1 Con); REF: +4 (0 + 4 Dex); WILL: +1 (0 + 1 Wis)
Initiative: +4
Move Speed: 30ft/x4
BAB: +2
Melee: +3 (2 + 1 Str)
Ranged: +6 (2 + 4 Dex)
Grapple: +3 (2 + 1 Str)

BONUS PROFICIENCIES: Bolas, Elven Double Bow,

Attacks:
Composite Long Bow: +6, 1d8+1, x3
Longsword: +3, 1d8+1, 19-20/x2

Skills:
Balance: +9 (5 Ranks + 4 Dex)
Craft - Bowmaking: +8 (5 Ranks + 2 Int +1 Trait)
Diplomacy: +6 (5 Ranks + 1 Trait)
Jump: +7 (1 Str + 6 Feat)
Listen: +8 (5 Ranks + 1 Wis + 2 Class)
Knowledge - Geography: +3 (1 Rank + 2 Int)
Knowledge - History: +3 (1 Rank + 2 Int)
Knowledge - Local - Sarleon: +5 (3 Rank + 2 Int)
Spot: +8 (5 Ranks + 1 Wis + 2 Class)
Swim: +7 (1 Str + 6 Feat)
Use Rope: +9 (5 Ranks + 4 Dex)

Languages:
Spoken: Sarl, Trader's Cant
Written: Sarl

Feats/Flaws:
Level 1: Far Shot (Affinity), Float (Base), Privileged Access (Human), Point Blank Shot (Class)
Level 2: Precise Shot (Class)

Traits:
Polite: +1 Diplomacy, -2 Intimidate
Specialized (Craft - Bowmaking): +1 to Craft - Bowmaking, -2 all other crafting

Equipment:
Masterwork Studded Leather Armour (175g) - 20lbs
Masterwork Composite Longbow [+1 Str] (167g) - Personally Crafted - 3lbs
Masterwork Longsword (315g) - 4lbs
Masterwork Dagger (302g) - 1lb
Arrows x20 (1g) - 3lbs
Belt Pouches x4 (4g) - 2lbs
- Pouch 1: Flint and Steel (1g) - 0lbs
- Pouch 2: Vial of Black Ink (1oz) x2 (16g) - 0lbs
- Pouch 3: Lock (superior) and Key (150g) - 1lbs
- Pouch 4: Trail Rations x2 (1g) - 2lbs
Grappling Hook (1g) - 4lbs (looped on back of belt)
Chest (2g) - 25lbs (not stored on person, usually stored on traveling ship or in his room on land, usually locked with the lock from pouch 3)
- Masterwork Artisan's Tools (55g) - 5lbs
- Courtier's Outfit + Jewelry(50g worth) (80g) - 6lbs
- Coin Pouch (in Chest) (1g) - 1 lb:
- 10 Rose Quartz (50g) - 0.2lbs
- 50 Smoky Quartz (50g) - 1lbs
- 20 Shar Gold Coin (20g) - 0.4 lbs
- 40 Shar Silver Coin (2g) - 1.6 lbs
- 47 Myrice Gold Bills, 100 Myrice Silver Bills (57g) - ~0.3lbs
- 10 Bacon (30g) - 10 lbs
- Arrows x40 (2g) - 6 lbs
Coin Pouch (1g):
- 18g in assorted Shar coinage