Alton Stoutsoul

Character Data

Alton Stoutsoul

Traits

Usually light-hearted and posessing good-natured pranksterism, but sarcasm (caused by his past) sometimes sneaks in.
Good hearted, but this can be hidden behind his sarcasm at times.
Very loyal to his trusted friends.
Does not hide his family name because he is proud of his family and their good accomplishments.
Feels it is his duty to protect good folk (especially from evil outsiders), but sometimes feels powerless to protect those he most cares about.
Sometimes gets playful during a duel (due to a bit of overconfidence).
Does not take insults to his skills well, especially from bad folk.
Enjoys good food and a good party with his friends.
Enjoys talking by the campfire before turning in (and sometimes tells stories).
Likes to play the flute and dance a bit while traveling.

Appearance

Strongheart Halfling, Age 25.
Height 3'2", Weight 34 pounds.
Blue eyes, red hair, tan skin.
Brown cowl, tan shirt, brown pants, brown shoes.

Character Information

Backstory

Alton grew up in the Luiren, which had been Strongheart Halfling lands since history had been recorded. His uncle, Warren Stoutsoul, was the Devout Voice of Yondalla and his family worked as government officials in the capital city of Beluir.

During his pre-adult years, Alton was close friends with Tiffen Stoutsoul (Warren's son), Jillian Rollinghill (the daughter of the leader's weaponmaster), and Allandra Goodharvest (daughter of the city mage). Alton found and learned the secret passages of Beluir Keep, and would lead his friends on secret trips through the passages for the thrill of adventure. Alton also hid from his friends and picked their pockets, but always with good nature and in fun.

During one of these secret trips near the friends' coming of age, a unknown traitor assisted infernal powers and opened a gate to Baator within Beluir Keep. Out flooded an army of lemures led by by a Barbazu lord, killing everyone in sight. Warren, the weaponsmaster, and the keep guards fought bravely and well, but eventually fell to the infernal onslaught.

The friends managed to escape from Beluir Keep with their lives by using the secret passages Alton knew so well. The group escaped the city (which was also overrun with lemures) to the nearby town of Brambletwine, where they received assistance from the local ranger (Welby Foebane), the local wizard (Anemone Gardlinda), and a company of paladins (led by Gregory Honorhill).

The friends learned from Gregory that several generations ago an ancestor of Warren Stoutsoul had defeated a powerful devil using an ancestral magic item, the Soulstriker (+4 keen small rapier of the planes, bane to evil outsiders). Soulstriker was secretly secured in a protected vault in the keep, and the devils must have been seeking the item along with their revenge against the Stoutsouls. Only Gregory and Warren himself knew of the blade's existence and its hidden location within the keep.

The friends and their new allies returned to the keep, and Alton led them through the secret passages into the inner chambers. Many pitched battles were fought against the devils as they forced their way to the protected vault. Between these battles, Welby (the local ranger) taught Alton how to track the evil outsiders, speak their language, and strike them more effectively.

After many encounters, the party reached the vault and retrieved Soulstriker but were ambushed immediately upon exiting. The paladin wielding the ancient blade fell in battle, so Alton grabbed Soulstriker and attacked the Barbazu leader in desperation. Alton managed to keep the devil lord occupied in battle, allowing Anemone (the wizard) the chance to destroy the abyssal gate and banish the devil.

The group then cleared the keep of the remaining lesser devils, and soon after reinforcements arrived to retake the city. Afterward, Alton discovered his whole neighborhood had been destroyed and his immediate family slaughtered by the evil outsiders.

Several years have passed since the horrible events that shaped Alton's passage into adult life. Tiffen and Allandra have married, and Tiffen leads Luiren as the new Devout Voice of Yondalla. Jillian serves as their weaponsmaster.

Alton is a trusted friend and adviser to the pair, and has recently begun serving as a scout and personal liaison (in non-religous matters) for Tiffen. He was training with Jillian and her peers when he is summoned to Beluir Keep without warning.

Levels

Level	Class	HD	BAB	Saves	Skills	Special
1	Rog1	d6	+0=+0	+0/+2/+0	Tumble +4 Hide +4 Spot +4 Listen +4 Jump +4 Move Silently +4 Bluff +4 Search +3 Disable Device +1 Open Lock +1 Climb +1 Balance +1 Perform +3 Decipher Script +1 Innuendo +1 Intuit Direction +1 Pick Pocket +1 Read Lips +1 Use Magical Devce +1	Lvl1: Dodge Strong: Improved Initiative Rog1: Sneak attack +1d6
2	Rgr1	d10	+0 +1=+1	+0/+2/+0 +2/+0/+0	Animal Empathy +1 Handle Animal +1 Knowledge(nature) +1 Move Silently +1 Hide +1 Jump +1 Search +1	Rgr1: Ambidexterity (light) Rgr1: Two-Weapon Fighting (light) Rgr1: Track Rgr1: Favored Enemy (evil outsiders)
3	Rog2	d6	+1 +1=+2	+0/+3/+0 +2/+0/+0	Tumble +2 Bluff +2 Hide +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Move Silently +1 Search +1 Disable Device +1	Lvl3: Weapon Finese(rapier) Rog2: Evasion
4	Rog3	d6	+2 +1=+3	+1/+3/+1 +2/+0/+0	Tumble +1 Bluff +1 Hide +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Move Silently +1 Search +1 Disable Device +1 Open Lock +1 Climb +1	Stat4: Dex +1 Rog3: Uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC), sneak attack +2d6
5	Rog4	d6	+3 +1=+4	+1/+4/+1 +2/+0/+0	Tumble +1 Bluff +1 Hide +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Move Silently +1 Search +1 Disable Device +1 Open Lock +1 Balance +1
6	Rog5	d6	+3 +1=+4	+1/+4/+1 +2/+0/+0	Tumble +1 Bluff +1 Hide +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Move Silently +1 Search +1 Disable Device +1 Open Lock +1 Climb +1	Lvl6: Mobility Rog5: Sneak attack +3d6
7	Rog6	d6	+4 +1=+5	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0	Tumble +1 Bluff +1 Hide +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Move Silently +1 Search +1 Disable Device +2 Open Lock +2	Rog6: Uncanny dodge (can't be flanked)
8	Rog7	d6	+5 +1=+6/+1	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0	Use Magic Device +9 Tumble +1 Disable Device +1	Stat8: Con +1 (+8 HP) Rog7: Sneak attack +4d6
9	Duel1	d10	+5 +1 +1=+7/+2	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +0/+2/+0	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Escape Artist +1	Lvl9: Quicker Than The Eye Duel1: Canny Defense
10	Duel2	d10	+5 +1 +2=+8/+3	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +0/+3/+0	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Sense Motive +1	Duel2: Precise Strike +1d6
11	Duel3	d10	+5 +1 +3=+9/+4	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +1/+3/+1	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Escape Artist +1	Duel3: Enhanced Mobility
12	Duel4	d10	+5 +1 +4=+10/+5	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +1/+4/+1	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Sense Motive +1	Stat12: Dex +1 Lvl12: Combat Reflexes (or Improved Critical?) Duel4: Grace
13	Duel5	d10	+5 +1 +5=+11/+6/+1	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +1/+4/+1	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Escape Artist +1	Duel5: Acrobatic Attack
14	Duel6	d10	+5 +1 +6=+12/+7/+2	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +2/+5/+2	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Innuendo +1	Duel6: Precise Strike +2d6
15	Duel7	d10	+5 +1 +7=+13/+8/+3	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +2/+5/+2	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Innuendo +1	Lvl15: Expertise Duel7: Elaborate Parry
16	Duel8	d10	+5 +1 +8=+14/+9/+4	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +2/+6/+2	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Innuendo +1	Stat16: Dex +1 Duel8: Improved Reaction
17	Duel9	d10	+5 +1 +9=+15/+10/+5	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +3/+6/+3	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Innuendo +1	Duel9: Deflect Arrows
18	Duel10	d10	+5 +1 +10=+16/+11/+6/+1	+2/+5/+2 +2/+0/+0 +3/+7/+3	Tumble +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Balance +1 Bluff +1 Innuendo +1	Lvl 18: Expert Tactician Duel10: Precise Strike +3d6
19	? Rog8	d6	+6 +1 +10=+17/+12/+7/+2	+2/+6/+2 +2/+0/+0 +3/+7/+3	Tumble +1 Bluff +1 Hide +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Move Silently +1 Search +1 Disable Device +1 Open Lock +1 Climb +1
20	? Rog9	d6	+6 +1 +10=+17/+12/+7/+2	+3/+6/+3 +2/+0/+0 +3/+7/+3	Tumble +1 Bluff +1 Hide +1 Spot +1 Listen +1 Jump +1 Move Silently +1 Search +1 Disable Device +1 Open Lock +1 Climb +1	Stat20: Dex +1 Rog9: Sneak attack +5d6

Notes

Classes

Rog: Rogue
Rgr: Ranger
Duel: Duelist

Skill Points

Rog: 8 + 3/4 = 11 per level
Rgr: 4 + 3/4 = 7 per level
Duel: 4 + 3/4 = 7 per level

Possible Feats

Taken

Lvl1: Improved Initiative (PHB)
Strong1: Dodge (PHB)
Rgr1: Ambidexterity (light) (PHB)
Rgr1: Two-Weapon Fighting (light) (PHB)
Rgr1: Track (PHB)
Lvl3: Weapon Finese (rapier) (PHB)
Lvl6: Mobility (PHB)
Lvl9: Quicker than the Eye (S&S)
Lvl12: Combat Reflexes (or Improved Critical?) (PHB)
Lvl15: Expertise (PHB)
Lvl18: Expert Tactician (S&S)

Higher possibilities

Dodge, Mobility -> Spring Attack (PHB)
Improved Critical (BAB +8) -> Power Critical (BAB +12) (S&F)
Quick Draw (PHB)

Flick of the Wrist (S&S)

Weapon Focus (rapier)
Weapon Focus (longbow)
Point Blank Shot

Precise Shot
Rapid Shot

Expertise

Chink in the Armor (S&S)

Off-Hand Parry (S&F)
Twin Sword Style (FRCS)
Superior Expertise (OA)

Lower possibilities

Expertise -> Improved Disarm
Spring Attack, Expertise

Whirlwind Attack

Defensive Strike (OA)
Shield Expert
Born Duelist (OA)
Dirty Fighting (S&F)

Future Equipment

Potions of Faith Healing
Potions of Invisibility
Silvered weapons
Wolfsbane
Gloves of dexterity +2 (4000gp)
Amulet of natural armor +1 (2000gp)
Ring of protection +1 (2000gp)
Cloak of Elvenkind or Cloak of the Bat
Boots of Elvenkind, Boots of Striding and Sprinting, or Boots of Speed
? of Intelligence +2 (4000gp)
Further enchantment of small rapier
Further enchantment of buckler
Further enchantment of tiny rapier
Further enchantment of shortbow
Blinding special abilty on buckler shield or Everbright on weapon?
Seeking enchantment on shortbow (like Luiren Shortbow)
Further enchantment of existing items
Keen, extra damage (frost, flaming, shock, thundering), defending, speed, dancing rapiers or shortbow
Items to increase Will and/or Fort saves?
Ring of Jumping?
Bracers of armor +2 (4000gp) [after Duelist1]
Wands of Disappear, Shield, Haste [after more ranks in Use Magicial Device]
Gloves of the Balanced Hands [Two-Weapon and Ambi, or Improved Two-Weapon] (18,000gp)

Alton Tactics

Sneak attacks (see Rogue Tips)

Flanking to get sneak attacks

Flank normally
Tumble past an opponent to flank
Coordinate with a teamate to flank
Summon monsters to flank.

Deny Dex bonus to AC to get sneak attacks

Use flat-footed at the beginning of combat
Use Bluff [and Quicker Than The Eye]
Stunned, cowering, off balance, climbing, surprised, flat-footed, and pinned characters
Whenever an enemy is grappling (and you are not)
Whenever an enemy is running
If you are invisible
If you are blinking
[Use Expert Tactician to gain an extra partial action (such as a sneak attack) when an opponent is denied Dex bonus to AC]

Dodge an opponent to get +1 AC.
Increase AC at the expense of Atk.

Fight defensively for +3 AC/-4 Atk
Total Defense (only move and defend) for +6 AC
>= Duel7: Use Expertise +1 AC/-1 Atk to get +7 to +10 AC from Elaborate Parry

Avoid AoAs from movement

Tumble to avoid AoA from movement
>= Lvl6: Use Mobility for +4 AC against AoA from movement.
>=Duel3: Use Enhanced Mobility for a total of +8 against AoA from movement.

< Duel2: Attack with both rapiers when opponent has low AC. Otherwise gain AC from buckler shield.
>= Duel5: Jump 5ft towards opponents to get Acrobatic Attack bonus (+2 Atk/+2 Damage)
>= Duel9: Deflect Arrows

Misc

Level of Wizard or Sorcerer for Mage Armor and Shield?
Useful spells:

Detect Magic
Prestidigitation
Light
Mage Hand
Read Magic
Ghost Sound
Dancing Lights
Detect Poison
Mending

Mage Armor
Shield
Expeditious Retreat
Change Self
Spider Climb
Jump
Identify
Magic Missile
Grease
Feather Fall
Message
Obscuring Mist
Comprehend Languages
True Strike
Animate Rope

Jason M. Spangler,
jasons@wumple.com