Kelberen

MATTHEW GEORGE

Kelberen’s earliest memories are oflying in bed while his father told him stories:tales ofmighty heroes,terrible monsters,forgotten gods,and ancient evils that stalked the darkness only to be defeated by the forces oflight.His favorites were always the stories featuring his namesake,the Lord Kelberen Liathes,a knight from the empire ofSennes. As Kelberen would fall asleep,his father would remind him that “heroes are made by their actions,not born in their blood.”

Although his family’s status had dwindled over the centuries to an empty title and a few merchant holdings,they remembered proudly their days ofpast glory.In fact,everyone seemed to be more proud ofan empire that had collapsed under its own weight 1700 years ago than the living, breathing world they experienced every day.Kelberen wanted more than anything to give his family something to be proud ofbesides the deeds ofthe distant past,but he never expected to have the chance to do so.His parents knew more about his dreams than he imagined,however.

As the youngest offive children and the second son, Kelberen traditionally would enter either the priesthood or the military.But his parents had him tutored in the magical arts (secretly,so as not to induce talk among the neighbors).Much arcane lore proved to be beyond his grasp,but he took well to the fusion ofmagic and a warrior’s skills. When he had mastered the arts ofa mage blade and reached the age ofadulthood,his parents gifted him with a sword and released him into the wider world.Kelberen swore he would bring honor to the family name—and write home frequently.

Kelberen’s adventures are something ofa byword in the region.Many know ofthe aid he gave to the village of Seldron during the Great Flood.The time he won a riddle duel with a concussed chorrim inspired more than a few ballads.But his time as a wandering hero couldn’t last forever,and it was a chance encounter with a caravan in a storm that ended his adventuring career.Kelberen learned that the caravan master followed a mysterious cult that kidnapped children.With the assistance ofDesdimne (dess-DIM-ni),a young woman he released from the caravan,he sought out the temple ofthis cult and sent word to the authorities ofits location.To stop a ritual that would cost its kidnapped subject his life,Kelberen had to enter combat with the cultists.He was able to hold them offuntil reinforcements arrived,but at a high cost:his athame was shattered,his left hand maimed,and he was severely injured.

Kelberen remained unconscious for more than a month. When he awoke,he found himselfin the household ofa giantish noble,whose grand-nephew would have been sacrificed without Kelberen’s aid.The noble had brought Kelberen to his estate to recover.Desdimne,a keeper of songs and a healer,had watched over him during his coma and continued to do so during his convalescence.During the fourth month ofhis recovery,she agreed to marry him. When he had returned to full health,Kelberen was offered a position as bodyguard in the giant’s household.At first he refused it,thinking his days as a warrior were finished,but he soon learned to compensate for his injury.He now bears a shield,concealing a hidden blade,strapped to his dominant left arm.

Kelberen has served this household for more than 10 years with distinction and honor.Visitors might easily mistake him for a mere ceremonial guard,as he bears few weapons—but most overlook the cutting edge ofhis shield. His knowledge ofcourtly behavior permits him to be present at even the most formal ofoccasions.Desdimne’s musical talents are often called for,and she has occasionally served as a vital pair ofeyes at state dinners,although Kelberen is loath to put her in harm’s way.He and Desdimne have two children:a daughter,Iarel (EYE-ah-rel,seven summers),and a son,Murres (Mur-ay,two).

To date,Kelberen and the guard have stopped two major assassination attempts,seven robberies,and one kidnapping.Although there have been no such incidents in the past year,Kelberen has detected subtle signs that his family was the true target ofthe kidnapping attempt. This concerns him and his employer greatly,and he is considering sending Iarel and Murres to stay with their grandparents for a time.

Combat

Kelberen’s first duty is to protect his employer,and he will do so even at the cost ofhis life.Sometimes the best defense is a good offense,and Kel handles both with grace and speed.He uses his magic to sneak near and stalk intruders,taking them alive ifpossible.Should physical combat become necessary,he uses his dagger with its animate weapon spell to strike from a distance,ifhe can do so safely;otherwise,he casts energy blade (usually with sonic energy) and enters melee.Most adversaries don’t realize his shield is also a potent weapon until it’s too late—he uses it purely defensively until he sees an opening.Kel’s combat style is elegant,almost like the movements ofa dance,and he often relies on dodging and ducking to avoid blows. When on duty,he casts a heightened glamour on himselfto augment his spellcasting ability,then a diminished lesser ability boost to aid flexibility.

Using Kelberen

At the age of37,Kelberen stands 6 feet,1 inch tall.His light brown hair is complemented by his pale,gold-brown eyes and beige skin.Tall and slim,he has a slightly aristocratic nose.He usually wears a tunic with the crest ofhis giantish patron and a light cloak over his chain shirt.For special occasions,like formal dinners or ceremonial guard posts, he owns a decorative uniform.

Kelberen’s sonic spells often manifest as the scream ofa bird ofprey.His beastskin spells tend to create a layer offine, feathery scales and down.He is left-handed.

Kelberen’s immediate goals are simple:protect the family of his employer,his wife,and his children.Although he remembers his adventuring days fondly,his brush with death dissuades him from striking out on his own—he has too much to live for.More abstractly,Kelberen now desires to serve his employer honorably and well.Ironically,he finds service to be more fulfilling than the pursuit ofglory ever was.

Kelberen,male human Mbl8: CR 8;Medium humanoid;

HD 8d10;hp 42;Dying/Dead –1/–11;Init +2;Speed 30 feet;AC 21 (+2 Dex,+6 armor,+3 shield),touch 12,flatfooted 18;Armor Check 0;BAB +6/+1;Grapple +5;Attack +11 melee (1d3+2 plus 1d6 sonic,17–20/×2, shield blade), or +9 ranged (1d4–1,19–20/×2, dagger);Full Attack +11/+6 melee (1d3+2 plus 1d6 sonic,17–20/×2, shield blade) and +5 melee (1d4–1,19–20/×2, dagger),or +9 ranged (1d4+1,19–20/×2, dagger);SQ Shimmering shield;

Hero Points 1;SV Fort +3,Ref+5,Will +4;Str 9,Dex 14,

Con 11,Int 13,Wis 12,Cha 16

Languages: Common,Faen,Giant,Litorian

Skills and Feats: Concentration +10,Knowledge (history) +5,

Knowledge (magic) +7,Knowledge (nobility) +5,Search +7,

Spellcraft +9,Swim +5;Complex Spell (2nd level),Craft

Magic Arms and Armor,Craft Spell-Completion Item, Expertise,Two-Weapon Fighting,Weapon Finesse Shimmering Shield (Sp): Once per day,this aura provides Kelberen with a +4 deflection bonus for 8 rounds. Possessions: Raptorwing (+2 Devanian round shield with a +3 keen sonic shield blade, specially crafted to resemble the outstretched wing ofa falcon [athame]); Featherlight (+2 Devanian chain shirt);a masterwork dagger with a charm of animate weapon embedded in its pommel; bracer with charms:diminished lesser enhance magical flow, lesserenhance magical flow, heightened scent tracker, heightened canny effort (3),heightened scent bane, lesser transfer wounds (3), heightened saving grace (3), see invisibility, safe fall (3),diminished silent sheath; a spider-shaped cloak fastener that acts as a charm of eldritch web; wand oficebolt (21 charges); snowflake obsidian pendant (akashic memory stone) containing his spell notes;plus 36 gp and 100 gp worth ofgems

Spell Slots: 5/4/3/2

Spells Readied:6/5/4/2; 0—contact, detect magic, detect poison, ghost sound, hygiene, sense thoughts; 1st—glamour, lesser transfer wounds, mind stab, precise vision, resistance; 2nd— energy blade, lesser ability boost, lesser beastskin, scream; 3rd— protection from elements, slow