Character Sheet: Sveja Vael

[Sveja]

Sveja Vael

Quick Pandaverse Notes (rather than posting a whole new sheet that will take me a while to prepare, and may not be needed long term).
My Spreadsheet is the official version of the character.
Attributes (unchaged except for LP expenditures - blood bound is not yet included)
Dex [7]
Vigor [7]
Per [5]
Wil [6]
Cha [6]

Racial Traits
Tenacious (+5 Uncon, +1 Hindrance)
Adrenaline Rush (+2 Speed, +2 Close Combat Damage)
Astral Sensitivity (+1 Mystic Defense, +1 Mystic Armor, Astral Sight talent (or +2))

Beast Master 4 / Cavalier 4 / Scout 2
Durability [5]
Uncon 68
Death 79

PD: 10 (12)
MD: 8
SD: 9

Discipline Talents
Animal Bond 4 (2 Bound Companions)
Cavalry Charge 4
Melee Weapons 4
Mount Weaving 4
Riding 4 (Nimble Rider, Sure Mount)
Animal Training 4 (Handle Animal)
Enhance Animal Companion 4
Battle Cry 3

Awareness 4 (Lip Reading)
Avoid Blow 4
Claw Shape 4
Beast Weaving 4
Unarmed Combat 4
Wilderness Survival 4
Creature Analysis 4
Tiger Spring 0

Scout Weaving 2
Climbing 6 (former option)
Tracking 6 (former option)
Stealthy Stride 6 (former option)

Free & Other Talents
Navigation 2
Astral Sight 2

Optional Talents
Surprise Strike 3 (Beast)
Acrobatic Defense 3 (Beast)
Great Leap 2 (Beast)
Danger Sense 1 (Beast)
First Impression 1 (Cav)
Call Animal Companion 1 (Cav)
Disarm Trap 1 (Scout)

Knacks:
Riding - Nimble Rider
Riding - Sure Mount
Animal Training - Handle Animal
Animal Bond - Bind Animal Companion (Mount, Free)
Animal Bond - Bind Animal Companion (2nd)

Skills:
Knowledge: Military Philosophy (1)
Knowledge: Black Company History (1)
Performer: Dancing (3)
Artisan: Drawing (1)

Speak Language: Or'zat, Dwarven, Elven
Read Language: Or'zat, Dwarven

Resist Taunt (1)
Streetwise (3)
Sprint (2)
Missile Weapons (3)
Lock Picking (2)
Pickpocket (2)
Resist Pain (1)
Steel Thought (1)
Swimming (2)

Animal Companions:
Tochiko (Dire Wolf) [Bound, Threaded] - 4th Circle - Combat Trained
Eryx (Foxel) [Bound, Threaded] - 4th Circle - Combat Trained
Kyo (Hunting Dog) [Bound] - 1st Circle
Skyree (Messenger Bat) [Bound] - 1st Circle
(Eryx and Tochiko cannot be used in the same scene)

Gear:
Silvered Shield (no thread yet)
Runed Leather (+3 Forged)
Primary Melee Weapon: 1.5 Handed War Hammer (or cutting sword) (15 1-handed, -1 to hit, 17 2-handed) [+4 Forged]
Primary Mounted Weapon: Lance (15 - 1 handed mounted, mounted weapon) [+3 Forged]
Primary Ranged Weapon: Elven War Bow (14 - 48/96/200) [+3 Forged]
Backup Melee Weapon: 1 handed Sword (13) [+2 Forged]
Variety of smaller weapons.
Claw Shape (13)

Consumables and Status

SPOILER: Click to show

Strain: 0
Damage: 0
Wounds: 0
Recovery Tests: 3
Karma: 20 / 20

Money: 470 silver
Healing Potions: 2
Booster Potions: 1
Salve of Closure: _
Last Chance salve : _

Legend Point Expenditures
Legend Points Earned: 31,700
Legend Points Remaining: 000

SPOILER: Click to show

Levelling:
_4,100: Skills
18,800: (Discipline Talents)
_7,000: (Optional Talents)
(_1,000: Knacks also counted in talents)
_1,000: Spells
_0,100: Companions
------------
31,700
-----------
0,000 Remaining

Quick Reference	Value	Notes
Sveja Initiative	6 (1d10)	Armor and Shield - WT 11 - KN 7 (1d12)
Sveja Defenses	P 12 / 8 Arm | M 9 / 3 Arm | S 9	Armor and Shield
Tochiko Defenses	P 11 / 5 Arm | M 11 / 3 Arm | S 11
Claw Shape Unarmed	12 (2d10) [14 (2d12)]
Claw Shape Charge	12 (2d10) [24 (1d20+1d12+1d10)]	Tochiko must have double moved in roughly straight line.
Wielding Sword	9 (1d8+1d6) [14 (2d12)]
Shooting Bow	9 (1d8+1d6) [15 (1d12+2d6)]
Tochiko Attack	13 (1d12+1d10) [14 (2d12)]	Bite
Acrobatic Defense	11 (1d10+1d8) Target highest PD close	1 strain +2 PD per success
Manuever	11 (1d10+1d8) Target targets PD	1 strain +2 PD and +2 attack first attack vs target
Avoid Blow	12 (2d10)	1 strain
Trick Riding	9 (1d8+1d6)	1 strain, mounted Avoid Blow
Resist Taunt	7 (1d12)	1 strain
Shamanism	11 (1d10+1d8)	Pack Strike (1) or Lick Wound (0)
Spell Casting	11 (1d10+1d8)
Swallow Gahad	6 (1d10) vs TN 7

Attributes	Value	Step (Dice)	Notes
Dexterity:	15 16	Step 7 (1d12)	+1 Increased
Strength:	13 13	Step 6 (1d10)
Toughness:	17 17	Step 7 (1d12)
Perception:	13 13	Step 6 (1d10)
Willpower:	13 13	Step 6 (1d10)
Charisma:	13 13	Step 6 (1d10)

Defenses
Physical Defense:	9 (10)---12	+1 Beastmaster; +2 Shield
Mystic Defense:	8 ( 9)--- 9	+1 Shaman;
Social Defense:	8 ( 9)	+1 Beastmaster
Physical Armor:	0 ------- 8	+8 Runed Leather (+3)
Mystic Armor:	2 ------- 3	+1 Runed Leather

Other Traits
Initiative	7(d12)--7(d12)--6(d10	-1 R. Leather, +1 Str, -1 Shield
Movement Rate	12 Yards	+Sprint 2
Karma Modifier	5 (x Circle)	20 Max Karma
Carrying Capacity	125 lbs
Unconsciousness	69	+(5 x Durability)
Death Rating	80	Unconsciousness + Circle + Tou. Step
Wound Threshold	11	Toughness 17-18
Recovery Tests	3	Toughness 13-18
Ignore Init. Penalty	1	Strength 10-14
Racial Trait	Low-Light Vision	Ork
Racial Trait	Astral Sight	Dragonkin
Racial Trait	Gahad	Ork

Karma
Max Karma	20
Karma Die	1D6

Karma Usage	Max Karma Used	Times Per Round	Source	Circle
Talents	1	-	Adept	1
Recovery Tests	1	-	Beast Master	3
Summon or Interact with a Spirit	1	-	Shaman	3

Talents	Rank (Step) (Dice)	Strain / Action / Attribute / Source	Notes
Acrobatic Defense	4 (11) (1d10+1d8)	1 / Simple / Dexter. / B-*02	Test against highest PD of any opponent in close combat. +2 Phys. Def against all attacks.
Animal Bond:	4 (10) (2d8)	0 / Stand. / Charis. / B-*01	Test versus animal's SD. Success means neutral attitude. Additional test (taking one day each) to improve.
Animal Training:	4 (10) (2d8)	0 / Sustain/ Charis. / B-*03	Test versus animal's SD. Takes one day. Teaches command or +1 to skill. Max of 4 (AT/AB Ranks) such improvements.
--Animal Handling	--Knack--	0 / Stand. / .Will. / - - -	Animal Training Ranks allow use of Animal Handling Skill at same Rank. (Listed under skills).
Astral Sight:	4 (10) (2d8)	1 / Stand. / Charis. / S-D02	Duration: rank rounds; range: 10x rank (40) yards.
Avoid Blow:	5 (12) (2d10)	1 / .Free. / Dexter. / B-D01	TN = Attack Test; C/n use if surprised or Blindsided by attacker/ Max Rank (5) uses per round.
Awareness:	5 (11) (1d10+1d8)	0 / Simple / Percep. / X-D01	1 result: short visibility; 3 results: medium range; with disarm traps, spot traps
Borrow Sense:	2 ( 8) (2d6)	0 / Stand. / .Will. / B-*04	Target loyal animal versus MD. Unwilling requre extra success. Steal sense for rank (2) minutes, gaining all benefits.
Claw Shape:	5 (14) (2d12)	0 / Simple / Strengt / B-D01	Damage replacement talent for unarmed combat. +3 bonus included. May not be disarmed. Stacks.
Danger Sense:	4 (10) (2d8)	1 / .Free. / Dexter. / S-D04	When surprised by ambush or trap. If roll exceeds trap/ambusher initiative, surprise is negated. Range=Rx10 (20) yards
Dominate Beast:	5 (11) (1d10+1d8)	1 / Stand. / .Will. / B-D03	Subdue non-sentient animal. Targets MD. Sucess takes control of animal for rank (3) minutes. May be given a simple task
Durability:	5 (x7) (Uncon.)	- / Always / - - - - / B-Fr	+7 Uncon/Death Per Rank
Enhance Animal Companion	1 ( 7) (1d12)	0 / Sustain/ .Will. / S-*02	Targets Mystic. Each success adept applies +1 Defense Rating, +1 PA, +1 MA, or +1 damage step. Max is Bond Rating (4)
Great Leap:	4 (11) (1d10+1d8)	1 / Simple / Dexter. / B-D04	Result is total jump distance split between height and distance. Cannot exceed move rating.
Patterncraft:	4 (10) (2d8)	0 / Stand. / Percep. / S-D01	Read and write magic stuff. Identify spells.
Spellcasting:	5 (11) (1d10+1d8)	0 / Stand. / Percep. / S-D01	For casting spells. Pew Pew.
--Pack Strike	--Knack--	1 / St.(Si)/ Percep. / - - -	Target Friendly (6), if successful provides +2 bonus to next attack and damage roll until end of next round.
--Lick Wounds	--Knack--	0 / St.(Si)/ Percep. / - - -	Target Friendly (6), if successful provides +2 bonus to next Recovery Test or Like Ability until end of next round.
Spirit Talk:	4 (10) (2d8)	1 / Stand. / Percep. / S-D03	Targets Mystic. Duration: Rank minutes.
Spell Matrix (Std):	4	N/A. S/Free; Death Rating 10
Spell Matrix (Std):	4	N/A. S/Free; Death Rating 10
Spell Matrix (Std):	2	N/A. S-*01; Death Rating 10
Stealthy Stride:	3 (10) (2d8)	0 / Stand. / Dexter. / S-*03	Test determines target number to be detected. Move at half speed.
Thread Weaving(BM):	4 (10) (2d8)	0 / Stand. / Percep. / B-D01	Beast Weaving
Thread Weaving(Sh):	5 (11) (1d10+1d8)	0 / Stand. / Percep. / S-D01	Spirit Weaving
Tracking:	3 ( 9) (1d8+1d6)	0 / Stand. / Percep. / S-*04	Following trails left by others, or covering own tracks. Target is lowest dex step, or tracking result if covered.
Unarmed Combat:	5 (12) (2d10)	0 / Stand. / Percep. / B-D01	Make like the fist PEW PEW
Wilderness Survival:	5 (11) (1d10_1d8)	0 / Sustain/ Percep. / X-D01	Find Food. Find Water. Find Shelter.

Skills	4000 Legend Points
Animal Handling (Knack)	4 (10) (2d8)	0 / Stand. / .Will.	Test versus Highest SD, +1 per each additional animal to make animal perform desired action.
Artisan: Drawing	1 ( 7) (1d12)	0 / Sustn. / Charis.	Artisan - TN = 5 for an aesthetically pleasing piece.
Charge:	2 ( 8) (2d6)	0 / .Free. / Strengt	Damage replacement on charge attack. Used to resist dropping weapon/dismount after charge.
Disarm Trap:	1 ( 8) (2d6)	1 / Stand. / Dexter.	Allows disarming of traps. Not useful against magical traps and wards. May attempt rank (1) times.
Entertainer: Dancing	1 ( 7) (1d12)	0 / Sustn. / Charis.	Targets Social Defense. Each success leaves 25% of crowd enjoys and remembers performance.
First Impression:	2 ( 8) (2d6)	0 / Stand. / Charis.	Targets Social defense. Success improves attitude once. Three or more successes twice. Degrades once per day.
Knowledge: Animal Lore	1 ( 7) (1d12)	0 / Stand. / Percep.	Knowledge Skill
Knowledge: Literature	1 ( 7) (1d12)	0 / Stand. / Percep.	Knowledge Skill
Manuever	4 (11) (1d10+1d8)	1 / Simple / Dexter.	PD of one target. Each success provides +2 PD versus that target, and +2 on first attack against for round.
Missile Weapons:	2 ( 9) (1d8+1d6)	0 / Stand. / Dexter.	Ranged weapons Pew Pew.
Melee Weapons:	2 ( 9) (1d8+1d6)	0 / Stand. / Dexter.	I like weapons. They make me look dangerous.
Read/Write Language:	2 ( 8) *2d6)	- / - - - / - - - -	Languages: Dwarven, Orcish (Or'zat)
Resist Taunt:	1 ( 7) (1d12)	1 / .Free. / .Will.	Use when Social Defense is targetted, TN to resist = Ability Test. Taunt, Persuasion, Intimidation, etc.
Speak Language:	2	- / - - - / - - - -	Languages: Dwarven, Elven (Sperethiel), Orcish (Or'zat)
Sprint:	2	1 / .Free. / - - - -	For strain add + Rank to yards of movement for one round.
Trick Riding:	2 ( 9) (1d8+1d6)	1 / Simple / Dexter.	Use for riding tricks, such as jump. Also used as Avoid Blow when Mounted - Rank (2) times per round.

Animal Companion Threads/Knacks
Tochicko
Bind Animal Companion	Bound. 100 LP	Combat Trained. Simple to Command. Complex Tricks.

Animals
Tochicko	Dire Wolf	4 (4)	Awestruck	Animal Companion. Threaded. Combat Trained.	Any Tricks
Kyo	Hunting Dog	1 (1)	Awestruck	Animal Companion.	TN 6, 2 Tricks Automatically
Skyree	Messenger Bat	1 (1)	Friendly	Work Animal.	TN 7
Smorgee	Kue	1 (1)	Friendly	Pet.	TN 7

Special Abilities
Half-Magic: Beast Master: Used when dealing with or caring for animals, including husbandry and first aid.
Half-Magic: Beast Master: Recognize different animals, animal tracks, and abnormal behavior among animals and creatures.
Half-Magic: Shaman: Recognize different animals, animal tracks, and abnormal behavior among animals and creatures.
Half Magic: Shaman: Perception Based to detect beast spirits within 30 yards vs. mystic defense. Sense is always active.

Karma on Recovery Tests (Beast Master)
Karma on tests to Summon or Interact with Spirits. (Shaman)

Spells:
1 page per circle per spell.

Pages Used: 23 / 100

1st Circle: (200 LP - 4 pages)
1. Invoke Crow's Tears
2. Invoke Leopard's Pounce
3. Pack Tactics
4. Prey Senses

2nd Circle: (200 LP - 6 pages)
1. Ferocity
2. Hero's Feast
3. Coiled Serpents (Zhong strikes the hand)

3rd Circle: (600 LP - 9 pages)
1. Cat Walk
2. Invoke Lion's Pride
3. Mark of the Wolf

4th Circle: (4 Pages) (0LP - 4 pages)
1. Ferret Reflexes

Equipment:

Armor:
(40) Runed Leather Armor (5/1/-1) [3 Times forged (+3PA)] [Black Company Armor]
( 8) Runed Raider Shield (2/1/-1) [Thread Item]
(20) Runed Padded Leather (4/1/0) [1 times Forged (+1PA)] [Black Company Dress]

Weapons:
(1) Dagger (5D, Size 1, S 2-10, L 11-20) [Forged 3]
(1) Dagger Number Two (4D, Size 1, S 2-10, L 11-20) [Forged 2]
(4) Broadsword (, Size 3) [Forged 3]
(3) Hand Axe (6D, Size 2) [Forged 2]
(4) Elven Warbow (9D, Size 5, S 2-48, L 49-96) [Forged 4]
(2) Quiver of Arrows

Potions: (0.5 x # of potions lbs)
(1) Healing Potion
(1) Booster Potion
(_) Salve of Closure

Starting Equipment:
(14) Adventurer's Kit (backpack, bedroll, flint & steel, torch, waterskin, large sack)
(3) Artisan Tools: Drawing
(5) Grimoire (magicians only), 100 pages
(3) Clothing (Variety)

Small number of esoteric but mundane books.
Always has a library book or two on hand.
Scrapbooks of drawings.

Nice collection of jewelry and accessories.
Mount tackle and gear for Tochiko.

Keepsakes. A coin given to her by Orek to buy her candy on the last day of his life. A small stuffed bear made by her mother.

In-Game Acquisitions:
1000 sp worth of Black Company/Other Resources

[Sveja]

Additional Gear or Spell Notes

Standard Matrix Loadout for Danger
Standard [4] - Ferret Reflexes
Standard [4] - Ferocity
Standard [1] - Pack Tactics

Invoke Leopard Pounce in place of Ferret Reflexes for ranged attack (10 yards) that causes knockdown.

I still really like Zhong's, and feel like Shaman is very much missing snake and reptile themes (having only one such spell), and this seems easily adapted here. I've tried to flesh it out with reasonable Extra Success and Extra Thread abilities, as well as a clarification that additional successes on the Effect test add to damage as if it were a hit roll (which it is). Currently unapproved by Tom.

Coiled Serpent Guardians
Circle: 2
Threads: 0
Weaving: 6/11
Range: Self
Casting: 6
Duration: Rank Rounds

Effect: WIL+4/Physical
This spell summons a smoke-like snake spirits that wrap around the caster and attacks those who make a close combat attack against him. The magician makes a Spellcasting (6) Test. If the test is successful, the snakes spirits appear, wrapping around the magician's limbs and shoulders. Any target who makes a close combat attack against the magician with less than an Average result is subject to an attack by the biting snakes. The magician rolls an Effect Test against the attacker’s Physical Defense. If successful, the magician rolls his Willpower Step to determine how much damage is inflicted on the target modified for physical armor. The damage roll cannot be modified by Talents, but can be effected by Extra Threads, and the level of Successes on the Effect Test +2 damage for each additional success.

(Summary: when a close combat attack misses the adept, make an effect test (Wil+4 Willforce eligible) against the attacker's PD. If successful deal damage to the target of adept's Will step + 2 per additional success on the effect test made to hit, and +1 per additional thread dedicated to additional damage when the spell was cast but no talents may modify it. This damage is reduced by the target's physical armor).

Success Levels: Duration (+2)
Extra Threads: Duration (+2), Additional Effect (+2 to hit), Additional Effect (+1 to damage)

[Sveja]

I will be working this into a proper Character Sheet soon. I am just going to use this space to take down some notes I have been working on regarding Sveja's background and characterization.

There are some similarities here to Brux's background which is unintentional, but the result of both being the product of Horror attacks (though Brux was not an orphan, he never had the knowledge of his mother either), and both being spirit-focused characters. They're also written by the same person, so... well, that's just the way it is I guess!

Background / History
Childhood

• Unusually focused on their small nuclear family.
• Father is from a line of farmers unassociated with the Black Company.
• Mother was viewed as more prominent, but was no warrior.
• They were poor but happy.
• Mother taught her to read Dwarven from an early age.
  [li]The topic of my vravraka always made mother sad. My name does not derive easily from Or'zet, but she always said I was destined for legends.
• (The truth is that she revealed she would be the death of the rest of the family, despite her love. But that this was necessary for greater things. Her name is partly derived from the tongue of Dragons, and will always sound unusual.
• Older brother by the name of Orek, given how close the small family was they were very close..
• Family and brother, and entire farm were wiped out during a Horror attack when she was the equivalent of about 6. She saw her brother killed trying to protect their mother, and only survived because she was bodily shielded and hidden by her father before. She was left with a head scar on her left cheek, and deeper emotional scars.
• In the immediate aftermath of the attack she was left orphaned, with no extended family. She lived on the street as an orphan for some time, making friedns with some spirits and and oprhans as no one else seemed to pay her any mind. Had her first experience "piercing the veil," that is seeing the world from the animal's perspective and thus connecting to the Beast Master Pattern, occurred during this time..
• Befriended other orphans during the same time, joining the numbers of them warded over by Skull and Bones.
• She was given a new home when adopted by the Black Company.

Adolescence

• First began tasks helping train and deal with the Company animals, which she has always excelled at.
• Studied how to train and raise animals. Did not so much adopt her own, as befriend both the domesticated work animals and the wild/urban animals living among them.
• During early adolesence she first met the Old Shaman Woman, who seemed to know her from the moment they met.
• The Old Woman is a Shaman, long of life and depth of wisdom, she seems to be served by and protected by the beast spirits in order to pass on the traditions of Shamanism which are imperiled by the Scourge and the Kaer system leaving their most common practitioners abandoned.
• She had been a Shaman with the Company in the last of the Pre-Scourge Days. The Black Company was a Cavalry and was less attuned to the way of the wild than other Orks may be - but they bonded with their animals and deeply respected their Shaman. As the generation in the Kaer have adapted to the customs of their more prominent Namegiver neighbors these ways have been steadily eroded. Many of the traditions have been lost, or are left in only visceral form, and the Old Shaman is no longer visited for consultation as she was in centuries passed. She is respected and feared in a superstitious manner. The Spirits have helped sustain her long life in order to keep their connection to the Namegivers of the Kaer, but these connections have been tenuous and weakening given the constrainsts of Kaer Life (at least until Sveja came around).
  [li]Aetoc (eye-toe-sh) is an ancient and great Eagle Spirit who resides within the Kaer, and seems to be the defacto leader or at least most respected of the Beast Spirits. The spirits may not be as well insulated from Horror corruption as animals themselves, being capable of deep and powerful emotion not unlike Namegivers, so many have taken refuge here. They have taken a very hands-off and neutral approach to existence, wanting nothing to do with the Horrors and simply waiting anxiously for a return to the wider world.
• Lower ranking spirits are more free and interested in interacting with Namegivers, and these are those she has mostly befriended and dealt with.
• Since she started learning from the Old Shaman, Aetoc has begun sending Sveja regular dream visions - she has soared over the lands of the Pre-Sourge world. She has seen landscapes and seascapes that most of the residents of the Kaer cannot even imagine. She has taken to drawing in order to try to convey some sense of what she has seen. Though she rarely (if ever) discusses these, they are collected in several scrap book collections in her quarters.
• Because of these visions she actually looks forward to, and enjoys sleeping (unlike Brux and his dread of it).
• Aetoc and the Old Woman have helped teach her Shamanism in a mostly unorganized fashion. The practice of the art comes naturally to Sveja, made all the more so by her close affinity with animals themselves.
• Sveja made friends quickly and easily. By her teenage years she was already surrounded by a significant social support network among Orks, Orphans, and the Black Company.
• She is considered honest, energetic, hard working, and earnest. If anything she is quiet and humble for an Ork, but respected for her efforts all the same.
• Training as a Cavalryman for the Company always proved challenging. She never seemed to take to it as naturally as expected, despite the immense amount of effort she was undertaking to learn it.
• She has a mentor within the company, an older veteran warrior who is missing an arm and an eye. He has been teaching her both fighting, and fighting and life philosophy for years.
• She has a best friend slightly older male Ork named Waruck. Waruck is progressing as a Cavalryman. She personally trained his mount before they became bonded. They have been friends since childhood days.
• During these years she bonded with a very special Dire Wolf pup. Special because the small population of Dire Wolves in the Kaer has not frequently reproduced. Tochiko was one of a litter of five, and bonded quite closely with Sveja even as a pup.
• Bears a heat-scar along her left cheek from the attack.

Early Adulthood

• Trained exceptionally hard for the Grand Tournament, and proceeded to the Finals including the defeat of Mawaris Medaera. In the Final she was ruled to have tied, and was declared a Shared Champion with Mawaris' brother Mes. She understands that Mes opened himself to allow for the tie and emerged from the tournament with a profound respect for the Brothers Madaera, but for Mes in particular.
• She took the opportunity to officially join the Black Company, becoming part of its regular operations.
• Since this time she has become comfortable, at least in herself, to the fact that she is a Beast Master and not a Cavalryman. It no longer bothers her as it once did, but she is still dedicated to honing her ability to fight while mounted.
• Tochiko came of age at the right time to be claimed by her as a mount. It was an unusual choice with most of the cavalry riding horses, but it suits her nature.
  

Present

• Was present at the Detonation - and was not so much as scratched by debris during it.
• Was unnerved by the sheer destruction and death, it immediately reminded her of the ordeal of the Horror attack on her family.
• The resulting famine not only endangers the Namegiver residents of the Kaer, but she is particularly concerned about the Beasts for whom she is partly responsible. Not only work and war animals necessary for the safety and function of the community - but also the ark like role the beasts play in some respects, ensuring that stocks of species survive until they leave the Kaer. The loss of the sheep herds, alone, could have a terrible impact on the Kaer's ability to survive.
  

Personality

• Highly, notably, and renown for her energy and vitality.
• Generally friendly and upbeat, if a touch on the quiet side with people she doesn't know, and members of authority.
• Gregarious and boisterous with close friends.
• Bold, and often blunt if coaxed into speaking
• Passionate and goal-oriented. Not necessarily the best at staying on track. Rarely if ever half-commits to anything.
• Greatly enjoys fighting for the sake of fighting and challenge.
• Respects Authority and Hierarchy (pack nature) to a potentially unhealthy degree. There is a sense there of not knowing how to function without being told what to do.
• Generous
• Unforgiving of those who have done bad things: especially to innocent, animal, or child victims.
• Hates liars and cheats.
• Loves music, especially energetic and percussive heavy.

Weaknesses and Flaws

• Overly trusting of authority
• Bold and passionate in behavior. A risk taker.
• Is generally easy to like, but lacks any talent for manipulating social connections.
• Awkward around social betters.
• Is not knowledgable on scholarly matters
• Compared to the Brothers is probably kind of dull. Neither as educated, nor as witty nor sharp.
• Can be naive when dealing with villainous Name-Givers
• Is not as confident as she seems - and worries that the experience of the Horror Attack may come back to her and cause her to panic or break at the worst possible time.
• Feels like she has not earned the way in which the Black Company saved her as an orphan.
• Terrified of Horrors.
• She's an Ork: not only does she have a reputation for anger and violence - these things are true!

Traits and Quirks

• Likes the phrase "Nothing ventured, nothing gained"
• Finds aesthetics important.
• Slightly uncomfortable as a Beast Master, wants to be known and recognized as a great warrior and tries to look like one.
• Dislikes unknown noises
• Fascinated by amphibians in particular
• Smells of spice and furs.
• Loves to tell stories: true and tall
• Very professional with her treatment of animals, including her mount and companions. Cares deeply, but does not necessarily show affection.
• Resents her animal companions being called "pets"
• Very curious about art, even if she fails to understand it (especially if it is decadent or abstract)
• Outwardly dismissive of scholarly knowledge, but inwardly impressed by it.
• Sketches her dreams
• Likes sweets, and food in general (favoring spicy meats).
• Typically carries some number of sweet treats, dried jerky, salt licks, and small prey animals (mice) for herself, animals, or spirits.
• Likes and collects writing and drawing instruments
• Prompt and punctual (also unlike Brux)
• Deals wonderfully with children, but inwardly they make her uncomfortable to be around except for orphans.
• Frequently sees omens and sees Spirits in everything.
• Very frequently, and often unabashedly, speaking to animals and spirits
• Keepsake: a childhood doll made by her mother that miraculously survived the attack.
• Keepsake: scrapbooks with drawings of her dreams, spirits, and animals.
• Keepsake: A coin given to her by her brother Orek (for her to buy sweets with) moments before his death. She has punched a hole in it and frequently wears it on necklace chains or bracelets.

Social Circles and Relationships

• Ork Ork. Is much more comfortable and experienced being around other Orks, and Namegivers used to living around Orks.
• Has trouble with Elves and Humans because of the way they look down on Orks. She is especially quiet, humble and reserved in their presence.
• This nature is magnified if she is being observed by a third party. If accompanying elves in public she is unlikely to be able to converse at all.
• Has no class bias. Does not resent the other races.
• Knows many of the street orphans, as well as Skull and Bones.
• Is a member of the Black Company, and has active friends especially among her squadron and the animal trainers and handlers.
• Has a small group of non-Company girlfriends she has met over the years. May also be orphans. Her most frequent group for going "out".
• Waruck is her best and most trusted friend and comrade. They have been fighting together for ages.
• Befriends people quickly and easily - has acquaintances throughout the city.
• Veteran One-Arm, One-Eyed Ork Trainer. Still her primary teacher of formal martial education (though she has come to accept that most of what she learns will come from the natural world, at this point)
• The Old Shaman Woman: her spiritual and magical mentor.
• Aetoc the Great Eagle Spirit: hands off, but always present in the background, drawing her forward in her understanding of the world and its spirits.

Discipline Traits and Philosophy

• Seeks to understand and learn from the natural world, spirits and beasts.
• Is a Namegiver first and foremost. She does not place either Spirits or beasts above namegivers in her mind, though they may be equal in some ways.
• Understands that Namegivers, Beasts, and Spirits all benefit when they work together. Her goal is mutually beneficial partnership for everyone's sake.
• Is not above instrumentalizing her relationship to Beasts and Spirits, but never forgets that they are living beings, and seeks to never forget that they deserve the same respect Namegivers do.

Current Goals

• To fight. To become the greatest warrior the Kaer has ever known!
• Other than wanting to fight, her greatest goal in life is to see, experience, and explore the outside world.

Appearance and Dragonkin Traits

• Generally attractive for an Ork - sometimes brunt of jokes for being 'elf-like' owing largely to her Draconic nature.
• An amazonian figure, roughly 6 feet tall and muscular.
• Pure crimson red hair. Typically worn long, frequently with intricate braids and adornment.
• Bright and intensely green eyes with somewhat unusually large irises
• Unusually smooth and bare complexion for an ork. When under water, especially moving water, her appears scale-like.
• Especially elongated elf-like ears..
• Puts a great deal of effort into her fashion and style (like Brux): though the style itself is martial and relatively practical. Usually wearing some form of combat armor or simple clothing, but mindfully and carefully decorated with accessories and adornment (whether stitching, spikes, bangles, leather, furs, and so on)
• Heavily pierced and virtually always wearing copious amounts of jewelry (which must be inexpensive)
• Some amount of this jewelry is composed of animal talismans and other shamanistic tokens.
• Always wears some form of Skull-and-Bones jewelry, frequently but not always earrings.
• Typically heavily armed despite not needing the weapons.
• Wears leggings anklets, and partial gloves but usually has both her feet and fingers bare.
• Ork fashion changes quickly, and so does she. She frequently changes her look even in major ways, sometimes from one week or one day to the next.
• Not afraid of more feminine dress, but it is rarely worn among Orks who prefer the straightforward.
• Does not sacrifice protection for much if expecting danger, though she has no interest in super-heavy armors desiring the ability to move most unhindered.

The Brothers Madaera

• Has had several encounters with the Brothers, and has encountered their reputation far more frequently than that.
• Admires and respects them. They are her favorite elves. She may even be a fan.
• True of all the brothers: Maw is the most glamorous, but she likes Mal's quiet and steady demeanor.
• She has an especial respect for Mes due to his treatment of her at the Tournament. The gesture could have been taken many ways, but she accepted it as a sign of respect and a desire to keep the peoples of the Kaer united.
• Would view the Brothers as an authority in their own right. After her Company commanders, and the political leadership of her people and the Kaer, there is no authority she would likely put ahead of the Brothers.

Waruck


The Ork Names of the Passions

• Asterndar is Mera-a-a-arg
• Chorrolis is Grenkaklank
• Dis was Kawujuwak
• Floranus is Prakarool
• Garlen is Muvuul
• Jaspree is Greeb
• Lochost is Blork
• Mynbruje is Mikbruug
• Raggok is an orkish name
• Thystonius is Tranko
• Upandal is Jrikjrikjrik
• Vestrial was Yelubo

[Sveja]

Change Log

• Finalized Starting Gear (Forged Sword and Bow, Shield is Runed)
• Swapped Entertainer: Dancer for Entertainer: Singer
• Minor changes to non-combat or adventuring gear. (Note non-specific clothing, not a muder hobo yet, detailed keepsakes, update that her owned number of books is small, but always has some form of library book.
• Swapped Sheet to represent earlier decided decision to keep Tracking rather than Creature Analysis.
• Initial Character Changes due to Animal Companion Variant Rules. Reduced Enhance Animal Companion to 1. Bindng Animal Companion Knack. Read/Write Languages to 2 added Or'zat.
• Updated All Animal Companions.
• Post Wendigo expenditure of Legend Points: (29700 LP Earned)
• Increase Dexterity to +1
• Increases Maneuver (Skill) to 4.
• Learn Steel Thought (Skill) to 1. (removed with permission because this will not stack with the ranks provided by the thread shield she already has)
• Increase Tacking to 2 and 3
• Increase Stealthy Stride to 3
• Increase Dominate Beast to 5
• Increase Acrobatic Defense to 4
• Increase Wilderness Survival to 5
• Increase Great Leap to 3
• Updated Gear Based on Tom's Guidelines - only interesting change is Bow to Forged 4
• Changed back to Dancing from Singing after quite a bit of thinking about it.
• Added section for interesting thread items for the future.
• Post First Block Fight expenditure of Legend Points: (31700 LP Earned)
• Increased Spell Casting to 5
• Increased Shamanism to 5
• Increased Danger Sense to 3
• Increased Danger Sense to 4
• Increased Great Leap to 4
• Increased Standard Matrix to 2

[Sveja]

Thread Items of Interest[/u
Otherworldly Ink
Charm Bracelet
Little Troll's Helm
Esperaga Saddle
Razorclaw
Feral Bracers
Bands of Fortune
Bloodsworn Lattice
Bloody Ribbons
Thornbird

Weapon Idea: Two-handed sword that can be wielded as a mounted weapon.


Knack Ideas

Accepted:

Summoning: Spirit's Friend - This knack allows all Spirit interactions including Summoning and Half-Magic to include namegiver associated Ally spirits in addition to Beast Spirits. Specifically this refers to Hearth Spirits, City Spirits, and specific Namegiverspirits (if they are found to exist).

Ideas:

A knack to extend Gahad to Animal Companions

A knack to become Fire Resistant (5 armor applied versus 5 damage) when under the effect of Gahad

Thread Items

Currently: None threaded.


Ideas:

Laying out some general goals/areas of utility for Sveja to help guide my thinking on thread items.

High Concept: A coordinator of namegiver, spirit, and beast bringing all three together in a combined force. On her own a savage fighter, highly energetic and tough, who either buffs and protects or fights in a feral fiery rage.

Combat Style: Protector. Tough. Energetic. Sometimes mounted.

Other Combat: Leadership and Fear Effects (Battle Shout, Bellow, etc).

Non-Combat: Scout like capability, stealth, tracking, wilderness survival.

Magic: Spirit based. I imagine the lowest priority for matrix items.


Weapons (only two choices presently):
Savage Braces (from the books)
Tarrock Talons pandagaminggrove.blogspot.com/2019/10/earthdawn-4e-anatomy-of-thread-item-06.html
Savage Bracers are more centered on surprise or blind siding, Tarrock Talons on going higher in initiative. I like the Talon more.


Armor:
Bloodbound Lattice from the books has the very first item I wanted for this character. Hides/leathers are perhaps more fitting, but they do not match the statistics and being one of the tougher characters in the party I think being able to protect others is very helpful. Still, I think, the best and most important item on my list.

Others:
There could be a long list, for now I haven't gone back through the book items so I am going to list a couple from Panda's work plus one I definitely remember.

Esperaga Saddle (the only mount based item that I am aware of).

Races-the-Wind: pandagaminggrove.blogspot.com/2020/07/earthdawn-4e-anatomy-of-thread-item-34.html
Very thematic, ork cavalry based. Provides quickness and works on a mount as well.

Storm Eyes: pandagaminggrove.blogspot.com/2020/08/earthdawn-4e-anatomy-of-thread-item-54.html
Very thematic, in our usage I think this would be an item passed down within the Black Company. Probably originally crafted from the hide of a legendary mount or some such. Provides beastial sensory abilities I really like, an a capstone that helps against Horrors.

Dreadcry: pandagaminggrove.blogspot.com/2020/05/earthdawn-4e-anatomy-of-thread-item-14.html
I think would probably have to be recast as something that is not a Wyvren Skull (but I don't know). Maybe a horn? Provides a neat interaction between hitting targets with fear effects and then hitting them.



Quicksilver: pandagaminggrove.blogspot.com/2020/07/earthdawn-4e-anatomy-of-thread-item-48.html
Maybe TOO on point for a matrix item, providing defensive ability and an R6 capstone that turns defense into offense.


Other Thoughts:

Spirit based item that enables some ability to summon a spirit for later use (spirit beads or something), to make them more useful. Could come with cost (recovery or karma) and spirit rank restrictions.

Fireblood/Fire Eater item that has effects I have not come up with yet. Would be fun to have fire claws or some such, possibly!

[Sveja]

Thoughts on the Black Company, its Philosophy, manner of teaching, and history.

The Black Company, in its original form, was an Orkish Mounted Mercenary company that operated for a couple of centuries in the Far East. Its practices, outlook, philosophy, and teaching were all built around those assumptions. They do not appear much like other Orkish Cavalry, and certainly have little in common with Scorchers. They returned from the Far East speaking an out-dated languages, and with strange concepts of the Passions and a disciplined, highly organized society built around the constant practice of open warfare.

Their warrior class, which dominated the society, were similar to the proto-Bushi of early Japanese history. Their lives devoted to war, always prepared for battle, and always preparing for battle.

The society at large venerated blades and bows as objects of both spiritual and practical power.

Their spiritual bent was built around the twin embrace of the Passions, generally viewed in their animal identities from the Far East, but possessed of Barsaivian characteristics, and the practice of shamanism with its reverence for spirits of beasts, nature spirits, and their ancestors.

The practice of arms was closely regulated through careful organized instruction that includes secret techniques and doctrines that were the subject of a formalized education system. The system was open only to orks for most of its history, though they did allow outsider orks to join the Company and thus undergo such training. Training focused on the same set of basic skills later studied by bushi, namely armed and unarmed combat, physical skills, maintenance and knowledge of weapons and armor, swimming, climbing, handling of logistics, and later tactics and the ways of war in addition to the skills of horsemanship and mounted combat, and a heavy spiritual emphasis meant to sharpen the mind and prepare them for constant struggle.

As with most orkish societies, a good death was a celebrated death. They did not encourage death wishes, but a constant preparedness to die for the cause without hesitation.

Additionally, there was a heavy focus on the disciplining and controlling Gahad, allowing the fire of passions to fuel deeds of strength and martial prowess well beyond expectation.

Within their school there were sub-sections for the three primary disciplines: Warriors, Cavalrymen, and Archers. They also took on non-adepts (as they still do) who were exposed to the same level and devotion of training, but lack the particulars of the Adept schools for obvious reasons. Often times the key strategists, teaches and logisticians of the Company were non-Adepts.

Life in the Kaer has obviously distorted this culture. The maxim to live every moment prepared for battle, and to draw no distinction between times of peace and war, is obviously dulled by centuries of peace. Much like the later Samurai of the Tokugawa era, many of the practices are now largely ceremonial. The school pays more than lipservice to the spiritual and philosophical side, but are not nearly as devoted as they once were. The addition addmission of non-Orks has also meant that emphasis on Gahad does not make sense, and discipline is generally slacker than it once was.

Obviously, horsemanship and their mounted way of life has also slipped to a spectre of its former self. Much like the general diminishment of the veneration of spirits in the Orkish community, the old ways are there but as more of a suggestive shadow than a formal way of life.

However, the specialized sub-school all still exist with their own guarded secret techniques. The warriors, cavalrymen, archers, and soldiers they train and maintain are heirs to a centuries old school of military art unbroken with the old Company and its time in the East.

Some of the old traditions are especially strong still among members of the Company, and Orks in general in the Kaer:
*The veneration of the Blade and the wearing of one at most (or for some particularly passionate or conservative, all the time)
*The veneration of the Warrior Ideal which still represents the highest goal of the Company members.
*Practices of meditation and art as an integral aspect of and expression of Military Art - it does not hurt that these are considered ways to resist Horror influence.

[Sveja]