CRB is a repository of all the creative things that float through my mind about the RPG Pathfinder. Two major features are random character generation and building characters based on the god they worship. Anything that seems like it adds to the creative aspects of the game will pop up from time to time, including location descriptions, adventure ideas and even short stories. CRB won't just be my own creativity, it will open the floor to anyone who has an idea sparked by what I present to you.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Character Nineteen - Human Magus [Kensai] Prasoon Malhotra, the thinking blade

The first character of the New Year was no easy task, with the random rolls allowing for many paths. With the high int my first thought was to take an int based casting class, and that’s kind of what I went with. The high strength meant he could also be a decent melee fighter. My final decision on class was Magus with the Kensai archetype. I also decided to explore a people and place I hadn’t before, and thus we have a Magus of Varundi descent from the island nation of Jalmeray.

Prasoon Malhotra, the thinking blade

Belonging to the Dalits caste on the island of Jalmeray, Parsoon was considered one of the “untouchables” from birth. His parents served the will of the Thakur, Kharswan, toiling away as slaves to the undisputed ruler of the island. For the most part Parsoon and his family were content with their lot. They weren’t treated poorly—mostly ignored—and  being Dalit was the first step as a human on the path of enlightenment.

From the outside appearance the Malhotra family seems content, but Parsoon’s father didn’t treat the boy as if he was his own. The elder Malhotra had good reason, as Parsoon is not actually his child. The youngest child may hold the Malhotra name but Parsoon was conceived when one of the palace guards forced himself on the boy’s mother. Although his parents know that this is the case, they have never told another soul, not even Parsoon’s older brother.

In the royal palace the young boy grew up as a nobody, which suited him just fine. His favorite place on the grounds was the Thakur’s library, a room the decadent ruler never visited. Texts from the magical to the mundane sat gathering dust, but opened up a world unknown to one of the Dalita world of possibility and enlightenment.

As Parsoon grew his strength began to match his intellect; what had been a small scrawny boy had begun to become a strapping young man. Although he still kept mainly to himself, his shy and awkward manner hiding both his keen mind and incredible strength, he couldn’t go completely unnoticed. A sword for hire who would occasionally work on behalf of the Jalmeray government took notice of the boy. The mercenary offered the Thakur a tidy sum to allow the boy to be practice for his training, but the keen-eyed warrior had other plans.

The man, a rahasyavaadee yoddha or mystic warrior, sought to bring a new path of enlightenment to the fore among the Varundi. Whereas people look to the houses of perfection and their unarmed monks as the pinnacle of the perfection of Irori, the mercenary with his mix of magic and swordsmanship believes that his style could rival that of the more traditional schools. Parsoon was to be his first student with a promise of being raised from his station among the Dalits to true enlightenment in one lifetime.

The young Varundi took quickly to the training of his new master, though the two had to hide their deeds from prying eyes. Parsoon chose one of the traditional weapons of the Varundi, the Kukri, as the martial implement to channel his growing arcane powers. His training would be cut short, however, well before he became the perfect balance of the two powers.

Word came from the palace that Parsoon’s mother was once again attacked by the guards and his father beaten for trying to defend her. The Thakur, wrapped in his hedonistic pastimes and caring not for the untouchables in his service, sought no justice against the guard. Parsoon was furious and snuck into the palace where he sought to bring his new abilities to bear on the guard, but  was only successful in burning down the one place he always cared for, the library.

The younger Malhotra was cornered by the guard and captured. Brought before the Thakur, he was to be sentenced to death, except the mercenary spoke on his behalf. Instead Parsoon was branded upon his forehead, the mark of the pariah, and he was cast out from Jalmeray. He traveled far from home to the lands of Avistan where no one knew his shame.

Parsoon spends his days as his mentor did, a sword for hire, but he always longs for home. The love of his mother the only thing that keeps him going, some of the other household staff of the Thakur send word to him of his family and these letters he keeps by his side always.

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