Hrokon

Asok Demon Tongue's page

99 posts. Alias of Capricornus.


Full Name

Asok "Demon Tongue" Barekkah

Race

Half-Orc

Classes/Levels

Rogue 1 (Thug)/Barbarian 1 (Urban Barbarian)

Gender

Male

Age

20

Alignment

CN

Deity

Calistria

Location

Stolen Lands

Languages

Common (Taldane), Orc, Giant, Draconic

Occupation

Thug

Strength 14
Dexterity 12
Constitution 10
Intelligence 14
Wisdom 11
Charisma 17

About Asok Demon Tongue

Background:
Asok "Demon Tongue" Barekkah was born in the outskirts of Gralton in a filthy poor thorp called Badger. He has spent most of his life trying to forget that place, and the abuse and poverty he experienced there. His mother died when he was a baby. The less spoken about his father the better. He lived among a gaggle of orphaned urchins essentially sold to a farmer by the name of Bergin Bulwort and his family to work in his wheat fields. Asok, already a pariah by virtue of his appearance, was initially the brunt of the other orphans' and the Bulwort childrens' frustrations, but Asok quickly began standing up to them, backing up his foul mouthed cursing with physical violence, and more importantly, psychological terror campaigns. He earned the epithet of "Demon Tongue" at this early age and he has embraced it as a means to further intimidate would-be enemies.

During one of his many beatings, a young priestess of Calistria was passing by. She stopped to watch, and when Asok came stumbling away from his punishment, his eyes brimming with tears from the pain and humiliation, she spoke to him. "Repay unkindness, boy. But do not let your enemy keep the advantage over you." she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. He felt a sharp pain there and recoiled. The priestess smiled and revealed that the ring she wore had a needle on the inside. "And kindness can contain a sting more dangerous than all the spears of a barbarian horde." Asok was confused by this, but the authority, power and beauty she represented inspired him. "How do I fight back?" he asked. "Do not fight, child. Vengeance is not a brawl. Use your head first and use your enemy's own frailty against him." She then invoked her goddess' power and healed the injuries the beating had conferred. "When you are more in command of your destiny, come see me at the temple by the river." she said and smiled before walking away. Asok felt better, though the healing of Calistria had selectively left the pain of the needle on his shoulder. With that reminder, he returned to his work, but now watching everything around him. He learned the vices of his tormentors and used them against them. He planned and prepared for his escape. It wasn't until he was fourteen years old until he was ready.

Asok knew that Bergin Bulwort was a glutton. He had been a merchant in Galt before he had been forced to flee. His success early on as a farmer had been despite his lazy nature and due more to his canny business sense and the money he had managed to escape with. Asok had been collecting Ergot fungus from the Rye he was tasked with threshing. It was normally removed, but Asok kept it, powdered it and one moonless night, he snuck into the kitchen and dosed the family's pantry with it. The next evening was the 5th of Neth, All King's Day in Galt. The exiles of Gralton had taken to commemorating the revolution with defiant pledges to reclaim their former positions and defeat the revolution. Bergin was hosting a few fellow merchants at his home with a feast. The resulting vomiting, diarrhea, and hallucinations from the Ergot were even more effective than Asok dreamed. A fire broke out as one of the guests began trying to light the curtains to keep out imagined rioters outside the windows. The house burned and though there were only some injuries, the chaos allowed Asok to flee. His role in the poisoning was never discovered, or at least that is what Asok believes, for it has never come back to haunt him.

Asok, being a rather recognizable fellow, knew he was going to need to get far away from the scene of his escape and vengeance. But he had a promise to follow up on. Appearing at the temple of Calistria in the night, a young Half-Orc boy was an incongruous visitor, but he insisted on seeing the young priestess that gave him the all-important lesson. The priestess, a Half-Elf named Maya Itano, now a few years older, was pleased to see Asok, and heard of the results of his vengeance. She congratulated him and offered him a place at the temple. Asok readily agreed, and though he kept looking over his shoulder for retribution in the years that followed, he grew comfortable in the company of the Calistrian acolytes and their prostitutes. His first sexual experience was at the temple. He never developed early romantic relationships with women as a result of the influence of the temple of Calistria. He internalized Calistria's philosophy of never growing too attached to anyone. He served the temple in a number of capacities, but it was his talent for persuasion that was his best asset. He grew big and strong, and more devious and cunning as time went by. His penchant for intimidation developed, as did his desire for wealth. This got in his way eventually. He got caught up in a scheme to blackmail a powerful Galtan exile. His co-conspirators abandoned him when it went awry and Asok nearly bore the brunt of the retribution. From this he learned not to trust easily. He still bears a grudge against his partners in this scheme.

He was forced to flee Gralton, much to his secret regret. Maya, now his sometime lover, was philosophical about it. As Calistria preaches, one's position needs to change to maintain advantage. She gifted him with a small amount of cash and a symbol of Calistria and bid him farewell. Asok traveled through the River Kingdoms, narrowly avoiding being drafted in Touvette, and spending some time in Pitax. He eventually found himself on the border of Brevoy where, his resources depleted, he made the poor choice of joining up with a band of highwaymen. He worked with them for several months, using his talent for intimidation to end most encounters without violence. He was wary of his partners, but it was the law that ended this particular scheme. He was hunted down and captured, and while his comrades were sentenced to hard labour, Asok was able to mitigate his sentence with a particularly effective argument at his trial. The judge, sensing something in him, or perhaps just falling for Asok's bluff, instead exiled him back across the border upon pain of death, but with a writ to establish order in the Stolen Lands.

Personality:
Asok is used to getting what he needs himself. He values autonomy and freedom, but is not above bullying or smooth-talking others into doing things for him. While amoral in most respects, he does appreciate loyalty and companionship. Just don't expect him to trust easily. Above all things he seeks to escape the poverty that plagued his youth. This has led him to do questionable things in the past, but with the open horizon ahead of him he isn't looking back. Religiously he is a follower of Calistria. He doesn't hold much stock in ceremony or ritual, but he appreciates the Calistrian ideals of always looking to maneuver oneself into the most advantageous position. The time he spent in the proximity of Gralton's Calistrean temples (and their prostitutes) influenced him

Appearance:
Asok's Orcish blood has been something of a curse to him in some respects, but he has learned to use it to his advantage, usually by bullying others or tricking them with words backed up by his fearsome appearance. While not massively muscled, he does cultivate the image of the powerful Half-Orc, showing off his biceps and broad shoulders with carefully chosen clothing and armor. Having learned in his younger days the value of appearances, he carries a Flail rather than the more iconic Roguish weapons. His skin is a gray-green, and his hair red. He keeps his hair neat but short, oiling it and combing it straight back. His clothing and gear is well-maintained, and he clearly spends money on his appearance, to the point of capping his tusks in bronze points. Though not ostentatious, he favours simple jewelry including a bronze torc, bracelets and a ring featuring a leering demon face. He also carries a symbol of Calistria which was a gift from an old friend, though he seldom wears it openly. He keeps it in a pouch that hangs around his neck.

Traits, Feats:
Racial Traits: Darkvision 60ft, Intimidating (+2 Intimidate), Bestial (+2 Perception), Chain Fighter (Proficient with Flail and Heavy Flail)
Traits: Brigand (+1 Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Sense Motive vs. Brigands, bandits, thieves, etc., 100gp)
Poverty Stricken (+1 Trait Bonus to Survival, Survival a class skill)
Feats: Persuasive (+2 Diplomacy, Intimidate) (1)

Stat Block:
Asok "Demon Tongue" Barekkah
Male Half-Orc Rogue (Thug) 1, Barbarian (Urban Barbarian) 1
CN Medium Humanoid (Orc)
Init: +2, Senses: Darkvision 60ft, Perception: +7
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Defense
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AC 15 (+1 Dex, +4 Armor), touch 11, flat-footed 14
HP 16 (1d8+1d12)
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +1
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Offense
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Speed: 30ft
Melee: Flail +3 (1d8+2), Dagger +3 (1d4+2)
Ranged: Shortbow +2 (1d6)
Special Attacks: Sneak Attack 1d6
Special Abilities: Controlled Rage (5 rounds/day, + 4 Morale to Str, Dex, or Con. May split bonus in +2 increments between physical abilities. No bonus to Will or penalties to AC, may use skills based on mental abilities.), Crowd Control (+1 to attacks, +1 Dodge to AC when adjacent to 2 or more enemies. No penalty to movement in crowds. +1/2 Barbarian level to Intimidate checks against crowds.)
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 17
Base Attack: +1, CMB +3, CMD 15
Feats: Persuasive (1)
Traits: Brigand, Poverty Stricken, Chain Fighter, Bestial
Skills: Acrobatics +7, Bluff +7, Climb +6, Diplomacy +9, Intimidate +12, Knowledge: Local +6, Perception +8, Ride +6, Sense Motive +5, Stealth +5, Survival +7, Swim +6

Gear:
48gp 1sp 4cp

Flail (8), Dagger (2), Shortbow (25), 17 arrows (1), Chain Shirt, Studded Leather (25), Backpack (2), Bedroll (1s), Fishhook (1s), Flint & Steel (1), Belt Pouch (1), 50ft Hemp Rope (1), Sack (1s), Soap (5s), Tent (10), Waterskin (1), Flask (3c), Whetstone (2c), Traveler's Outfit, Magnet (5s), 50ft String (1c), Brand - Combat trained light horse (110), Riding Saddle (10), Saddlebags (4), Steel Mirror (10), Bit & Bridle (2), Compass (10), Shaving Kit (15s), Signal Horn (1), 3 Tindertwigs (3)