Skyserpent
2005-12-28, 10:10 AM
Okay diving into my first contest, here we go...
You have been wandering days in the northern tundra, not a person for miles around. You stumble upon a large clearing of flat icy ground. Looking in you see a single figure, a burly beast of a humanoid, ice and frost speck his hairy body. And surrounding him are a team of smaller creatures, grayish white dog faced creatures. Kobolds, totally unarmed, the smaller creatures circle the former, each applying an identical martial stance. The central man holds out a fist, slowly turning it. a single small stone falls to the ground. The very instant it strikes a flash of fists, cloth and blurring movements overtakes the center of the clearing. Before you even have time to realize they had moved, the battle ends... each Kobold lies several feet from the central unmoving figure, who himself had taken his own martial stance... returning to a standing position he bows to the Kobolds, who pick themselves up, high pitched coughs and the cracks that accompany the minor realigning of bones, each Kobold adopts a low bow and they sit into meditation... You have stumbled into the training grounds of none other than, Kobun, the Scale-Breaker.
Description:
The Hobgoblin is lean and muscular. Somewhat shorter than most others of his kind he stands in the icy snow wearing the simple garb of a Monk. he wears leather bracers and smooth fingerless gloves. Around his neck are a long string of Prayer Beads each about the size of a marble... an ancient language is inscribed on each bead, one bead is larger than the others and has a tassel hanging from it. His beard and hair are unkept and his dark skin is scarred from many fierce battles. He wears strangely little compared to the heavy winter coats of other travelers. His yellow eyes look toward you and he grins... "Greetings..." says he...
<Kobun the Scale-Breaker> (CR 15)
<Hobgoblin FTR 2 MNK 12>
<Lawful Neutral Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid)>
Initiative +10
Senses <Darkvision 60ft>, Listen +4, Spot +4
Languages <Common, Goblin>
AC 31, Touch 26, Flat-footed 25
hp 88 (12d8+2d10+30 HD)
Resist <list any resistances - ie, acid 20, or special bonuses to saves>
Fort +12, Ref +15, Will +13
Speed 80ft. (16 squares)
Attack Unarmed Strike +18 (2d8+1) or
Ranged Composite Longbow +17(1d8+1)
Full Attack Flurry +18/+18/+18/+13/+8 (2d8+1)
Base Atk +11/+6/+1; Grp +12
Attack Options Stunning Fist DC21 (12 per day), Power Attack, Iron Fist (+1d6 to unarmed strike, Uses Stunning Fist usages) Flying Kick (+1d12 after a charge)
Special Actions (Improved) Sunder (Improved) Trip, Wholeness of Body (24hp)
Combat Gear 4 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
Abilities Str 12, Dex 22, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 8
Special Qualities Unarmed Strike, Improved Evasion, Ki Strike (Magic/Lawful) Slow Fall 60ft, Still Mind, Diamond Body, Purity of Body, Abundant Step
Feats Stunning Fist, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Deflect Arrows, Weapon Finesse, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Trip, Power Attack, Flying Kick, Iron Fist
Skills Move Silently 20, Tumble 22, Hide 18, Climb 6, Jump 6, Sense Motive 10, Diplomacy 7
Possessions Monk’s Outfit, Periapt of Wisdom +4, Bracers of Armor +3, Gloves of Dexterity +4, Boots of the Winterland, Ring of Protection +3, Ring of Force Shield, Cloak of Resistance +2, Monks Belt
Now for the oh so beutiful BIO!
Legend has it; Kobun was trained under one of the most powerful grandmasters in the world. His style was capable of shattering stone, and rending asunder the most powerful of enchanted metals. So legendary were his skills, young warriors and upstarts from around the globe would come to challenge him to single combat all were greeted quite warmly by the ground. Becoming increasingly frustrated with the incompetent warriors who would challenge him he relocated to hermitage in the far north, where he could be left to meditate in peace. Not long after he had moved, the icy grip of death turned its watchful eye on the grandmaster… as he sat in meditation awaiting his eternal rest he made a realization; as great as his skills were, he was a fool to waste them without training even one single student. It was with this epiphany, that he died. Leaving no heir, leaving no scroll. Thus, the gods forced his hand, without an heir to his martial style, without anyone alive to teach his discipline, he himself could not rest in peace until one soul held his legendary skill.
A hundred years passed and not one sentient being came upon his lonely domicile. Until one day a young Hobgoblin by the name of Kobun, starving to death, wandered the icy hills, His encampment was ravaged by a White Dragon the devastation of the strongest tribe of warriors in the territories was the beasts prelude to the total domination of his newfound domain. After many days of walking through the harsh tundra he happened upon an old Cave hidden in a hill… upon entry he was assaulted by immediate warmth… crawling downward he discovered an ancient hot spring… He found edible roots and plants growing near the bubbling pool and his life was saved. Unbeknownst to the young Goblinoid he had stumbled upon the hermitage of the very same ancient grandmaster. The age-old human ghost wisped into view from the steam in front of the hobgoblin… “Well, I suppose you will do…” It said to him with a raised eyebrow. The boy believed it had been this strange spirit that saved his life and gave the grandmaster a deep bow of respect. It didn't take long for Kobun to get used to his training regimen, In fact he made stunning progress, a natural skill in battle and inborn discipline forged by generations of soldiers made him a fine student of the martial arts…
After years of grueling training the Kobun bowed before his master one last time the old ghost’s visage was barely visible. After each stage of training he was instructed take a single article of power from his masters physical remains. Each object would fade the grandmaster from the material world. He was about to take the last item, a string of prayer beads enchanted to focus the mind of its wearer. His master gave him a short bow… “You still have much to learn, but this is the limit of my teaching” He said with a slight grin… and as the Hobgoblin Kobun put the string around his neck the ancient character on the largest bead glowed for exactly 12 seconds, signifying it’s acceptance of the new wearer. Upon looking up the Old master was gone to his eternal rest.
Kobun left the hermitage and made his way to the cave of the White Dragon that destroyed his home. He entered it with fierce determination in his eyes, calling out his challenge. The White Dragon laughed at him and blasted with its frigid breath… But Kobun was already in the air, though the steel swords and iron pikes of his kin did little to nick the armored hide of the great dragon his blows sent the beast reeling. Their battle waged on, the cavern shook and trembled with each moment. After an epic exchange of blows and strikes, the beast toppled to the earth, and with his final blow he made an instant legend out of himself among the small tribes of kobolds whom the Dragon was using as slaves and scouts. He was now The Scalebreaker, He was their hero, and thusly became their leader.
Kobun had the small folk construct a Monastery as he began to train them in the discipline of his master. The Dragons Horde remained generally untouched; some of the gold was traded in order to buy food and necessities. Humans and Dwarves have recently begun settling this northern tundra and he has become something of a folk legend. Though rarely leaving his Monastery he makes it his job to protect all creatures from the destructive wake caused by all manner of beasts.
Though he is an ascetic Kobun has a greedy streak and is quite adept at haggling.
Hooks:
Deep within the treasure horde of the long deceased dragon, there is a magical gateway to the Frozen Plane of Cania. The Dragon had the gateway enchanted with a special rune, which warded the fiends from passing through the portal, only allowing the unearthly cold to escape into the tunnel. Unfortunately the old rune has become weak from the ages and fiendish creatures are slowly making their way to the portal into the Material Plane. Kobun, illiterate in the sense of planar warning signs has no idea that this is happening. Mages who sense this disturbance may approach him though he is generally mistrustful of anyone trying to get into the treasure horde. Mages in particular as he knows Magic often stems from Draconic Influences.
Anyone wanting a piece of the horde will likely have trouble and the vast pile of treasure sitting there is a hook in and of itself.
A Kobold named Nife has been banished from the Temple for killing a fellow student in cold blood. He seeks revenge on Kobun but lacks the power necessary to do so, he can pay adventurers well through larceny he has committed recently and promises a piece of Kobun’s horde if he can.
Players who opt to warn Kobun about Nife’s treachery will gain his trust and a smaller amount of monetary reward. This might actually be a transition into the first hook.
[edit: It's DONE!]
You have been wandering days in the northern tundra, not a person for miles around. You stumble upon a large clearing of flat icy ground. Looking in you see a single figure, a burly beast of a humanoid, ice and frost speck his hairy body. And surrounding him are a team of smaller creatures, grayish white dog faced creatures. Kobolds, totally unarmed, the smaller creatures circle the former, each applying an identical martial stance. The central man holds out a fist, slowly turning it. a single small stone falls to the ground. The very instant it strikes a flash of fists, cloth and blurring movements overtakes the center of the clearing. Before you even have time to realize they had moved, the battle ends... each Kobold lies several feet from the central unmoving figure, who himself had taken his own martial stance... returning to a standing position he bows to the Kobolds, who pick themselves up, high pitched coughs and the cracks that accompany the minor realigning of bones, each Kobold adopts a low bow and they sit into meditation... You have stumbled into the training grounds of none other than, Kobun, the Scale-Breaker.
Description:
The Hobgoblin is lean and muscular. Somewhat shorter than most others of his kind he stands in the icy snow wearing the simple garb of a Monk. he wears leather bracers and smooth fingerless gloves. Around his neck are a long string of Prayer Beads each about the size of a marble... an ancient language is inscribed on each bead, one bead is larger than the others and has a tassel hanging from it. His beard and hair are unkept and his dark skin is scarred from many fierce battles. He wears strangely little compared to the heavy winter coats of other travelers. His yellow eyes look toward you and he grins... "Greetings..." says he...
<Kobun the Scale-Breaker> (CR 15)
<Hobgoblin FTR 2 MNK 12>
<Lawful Neutral Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid)>
Initiative +10
Senses <Darkvision 60ft>, Listen +4, Spot +4
Languages <Common, Goblin>
AC 31, Touch 26, Flat-footed 25
hp 88 (12d8+2d10+30 HD)
Resist <list any resistances - ie, acid 20, or special bonuses to saves>
Fort +12, Ref +15, Will +13
Speed 80ft. (16 squares)
Attack Unarmed Strike +18 (2d8+1) or
Ranged Composite Longbow +17(1d8+1)
Full Attack Flurry +18/+18/+18/+13/+8 (2d8+1)
Base Atk +11/+6/+1; Grp +12
Attack Options Stunning Fist DC21 (12 per day), Power Attack, Iron Fist (+1d6 to unarmed strike, Uses Stunning Fist usages) Flying Kick (+1d12 after a charge)
Special Actions (Improved) Sunder (Improved) Trip, Wholeness of Body (24hp)
Combat Gear 4 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
Abilities Str 12, Dex 22, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 8
Special Qualities Unarmed Strike, Improved Evasion, Ki Strike (Magic/Lawful) Slow Fall 60ft, Still Mind, Diamond Body, Purity of Body, Abundant Step
Feats Stunning Fist, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Deflect Arrows, Weapon Finesse, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Trip, Power Attack, Flying Kick, Iron Fist
Skills Move Silently 20, Tumble 22, Hide 18, Climb 6, Jump 6, Sense Motive 10, Diplomacy 7
Possessions Monk’s Outfit, Periapt of Wisdom +4, Bracers of Armor +3, Gloves of Dexterity +4, Boots of the Winterland, Ring of Protection +3, Ring of Force Shield, Cloak of Resistance +2, Monks Belt
Now for the oh so beutiful BIO!
Legend has it; Kobun was trained under one of the most powerful grandmasters in the world. His style was capable of shattering stone, and rending asunder the most powerful of enchanted metals. So legendary were his skills, young warriors and upstarts from around the globe would come to challenge him to single combat all were greeted quite warmly by the ground. Becoming increasingly frustrated with the incompetent warriors who would challenge him he relocated to hermitage in the far north, where he could be left to meditate in peace. Not long after he had moved, the icy grip of death turned its watchful eye on the grandmaster… as he sat in meditation awaiting his eternal rest he made a realization; as great as his skills were, he was a fool to waste them without training even one single student. It was with this epiphany, that he died. Leaving no heir, leaving no scroll. Thus, the gods forced his hand, without an heir to his martial style, without anyone alive to teach his discipline, he himself could not rest in peace until one soul held his legendary skill.
A hundred years passed and not one sentient being came upon his lonely domicile. Until one day a young Hobgoblin by the name of Kobun, starving to death, wandered the icy hills, His encampment was ravaged by a White Dragon the devastation of the strongest tribe of warriors in the territories was the beasts prelude to the total domination of his newfound domain. After many days of walking through the harsh tundra he happened upon an old Cave hidden in a hill… upon entry he was assaulted by immediate warmth… crawling downward he discovered an ancient hot spring… He found edible roots and plants growing near the bubbling pool and his life was saved. Unbeknownst to the young Goblinoid he had stumbled upon the hermitage of the very same ancient grandmaster. The age-old human ghost wisped into view from the steam in front of the hobgoblin… “Well, I suppose you will do…” It said to him with a raised eyebrow. The boy believed it had been this strange spirit that saved his life and gave the grandmaster a deep bow of respect. It didn't take long for Kobun to get used to his training regimen, In fact he made stunning progress, a natural skill in battle and inborn discipline forged by generations of soldiers made him a fine student of the martial arts…
After years of grueling training the Kobun bowed before his master one last time the old ghost’s visage was barely visible. After each stage of training he was instructed take a single article of power from his masters physical remains. Each object would fade the grandmaster from the material world. He was about to take the last item, a string of prayer beads enchanted to focus the mind of its wearer. His master gave him a short bow… “You still have much to learn, but this is the limit of my teaching” He said with a slight grin… and as the Hobgoblin Kobun put the string around his neck the ancient character on the largest bead glowed for exactly 12 seconds, signifying it’s acceptance of the new wearer. Upon looking up the Old master was gone to his eternal rest.
Kobun left the hermitage and made his way to the cave of the White Dragon that destroyed his home. He entered it with fierce determination in his eyes, calling out his challenge. The White Dragon laughed at him and blasted with its frigid breath… But Kobun was already in the air, though the steel swords and iron pikes of his kin did little to nick the armored hide of the great dragon his blows sent the beast reeling. Their battle waged on, the cavern shook and trembled with each moment. After an epic exchange of blows and strikes, the beast toppled to the earth, and with his final blow he made an instant legend out of himself among the small tribes of kobolds whom the Dragon was using as slaves and scouts. He was now The Scalebreaker, He was their hero, and thusly became their leader.
Kobun had the small folk construct a Monastery as he began to train them in the discipline of his master. The Dragons Horde remained generally untouched; some of the gold was traded in order to buy food and necessities. Humans and Dwarves have recently begun settling this northern tundra and he has become something of a folk legend. Though rarely leaving his Monastery he makes it his job to protect all creatures from the destructive wake caused by all manner of beasts.
Though he is an ascetic Kobun has a greedy streak and is quite adept at haggling.
Hooks:
Deep within the treasure horde of the long deceased dragon, there is a magical gateway to the Frozen Plane of Cania. The Dragon had the gateway enchanted with a special rune, which warded the fiends from passing through the portal, only allowing the unearthly cold to escape into the tunnel. Unfortunately the old rune has become weak from the ages and fiendish creatures are slowly making their way to the portal into the Material Plane. Kobun, illiterate in the sense of planar warning signs has no idea that this is happening. Mages who sense this disturbance may approach him though he is generally mistrustful of anyone trying to get into the treasure horde. Mages in particular as he knows Magic often stems from Draconic Influences.
Anyone wanting a piece of the horde will likely have trouble and the vast pile of treasure sitting there is a hook in and of itself.
A Kobold named Nife has been banished from the Temple for killing a fellow student in cold blood. He seeks revenge on Kobun but lacks the power necessary to do so, he can pay adventurers well through larceny he has committed recently and promises a piece of Kobun’s horde if he can.
Players who opt to warn Kobun about Nife’s treachery will gain his trust and a smaller amount of monetary reward. This might actually be a transition into the first hook.
[edit: It's DONE!]