Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

[Susano]

WARNING: CHARACTER SHEET CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

 

The following character sheet(s) are for Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter from the trilogy The Deed of Paksenarrion. There are three character sheets, each one representing Paks at the end of each book (or thereabouts). If you haven't read the trilogy, you may not want to read the character sheets, as I give a synopsis of each novel as well as details about Paks's life and experiences.

 

As with all character sheets I post, comments, suggestions, corrections, and additions are more than welcome.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

"Paladins show that courage is possible."

Cami, Paladin of Gird

 

PAKSENARRION DORTHANSDOTTER

 

Book 1: Sheepfarmer's Daughter

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
15	STR	5	12-	Lift 200 kg; 3d6 HTH Damage
16	DEX	18	12-	OCV:  5/DCV:  5
14	CON	8	12-
12	BODY	4	11-
13	INT	3	12-	PER Roll 12-
12	EGO	4	11-	ECV:  4
15	PRE	5	12-	PRE Attack:  3d6
16	COM	3	12-

5	PD	2		Total:  8 PD (3 rPD)
4	ED	1		Total:  7 ED (3 rED)
3	SPD	4		Phases:  4, 8, 12
6	REC	0
28	END	0
29	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristics Cost:  57

Movement:[/b]	Running:	7"/14"
	Swimming:	2"/4"

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills
Martial Arts:[/b]  [i](Short) Sword and Shield[/i]; Use Art With Blades
[b]Maneuver	OCV	DCV	Damage[/b]
4	Block		+2	+2	Block, Abort
3	Cut		+1	+0	Weapon +2d6 Strike
5	Thrust		+1	+3	Weapon Strike

2	[b]Long Legs:[/b]  Running +1" (7" total), END 1

[b]Perks[/b]
2	Reputation:  Hero of the Honeycat Campaign (mercenary/military units) 14- (+1/+1d6)

[b]Talents[/b]
6	[b]Favored Of Gird:[/b]  Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED)
11	[b]Favored Of Gird:[/b]  Danger Sense (sense, any danger); IAF (medallion of Gird; -1/2), 
No Concious Control (-2), 18- 

[b]Skills[/b]
5	Combat Skill Levels:  +1 with Hand-to-Hand
3	Combat Skill Levels:  +1 with Blades

0	AK: Three Firs 8-
1	AK:  "Known World" 8-
0	Climbing 8-
0	Concealment 8-
0	Conversation 8-
0	Deduction 8-
2	KS:  History And Customs Of Duke Phelan's Company 11-
2	KS:  The Mercenary World 11-
1	Language:  "Common" (native, literate)
2	Navigation (land) 12-
0	Paramedic 8-
1	Power:  Faith 8-
2	PS:  Farmer 11--
2	PS:  Soldier 11-
0	Shadowing 8-
0	Stealth 8-
1	Survival (Temperate/Sub-Tropical Forests) 12-
1	Tactics 8-
0	TF:  Equines
4	WF:  Blades, Bow, Crossbow, Spear
[b]60	Total Powers & Skills Cost
117	Total Character Cost

75+	Disadvantages[/b]
10	Distinctive Features:  Style (NC)
10	Hunted:  Assorted Holy Orders (MoPow, Watching) 11-
10	Psychological Limitation:  Chaste (C, T)
0	Psychological Limitation:  Enjoys The Warrior's Life (C, S)
15	Psychological Limitation:  Honorable And Just (C, S)
[b]120	Total Disadvantage Points[/b]

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Book 2: Divided Allegiance

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
15	STR	5	12-	Lift 200 kg; 3d6 HTH Damage
18	DEX	24	13-	OCV:  6/DCV:  6
15	CON	10	12-
12	BODY	4	11-
13	INT	3	12-	PER Roll 12-
15	EGO	10	12-	ECV:  5
15	PRE	5	12-	PRE Attack:  3d6
16	COM	3	12-

6	PD	3		Total:  9 PD (3 rPD)
5	ED	2		Total:  8 ED (3 rED)
4	SPD	12		Phases:  3, 6, 9, 12
6	REC	0
30	END	0
28	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristics Cost:  81

Movement:[/b]	Running:	7"/14"
	Swimming:	2"/4"

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills[/b]
[b]Martial Arts:[/b]  [i]Armed Combat[/i]; Use Art With Blades
[b]Maneuver	OCV	DCV	Damage[/b]
4	Block		+2	+2	Block, Abort
4	Counter-Strike	+2	+2	Weapon +2d6 Strike, Must Follow Block
3	Cut		+1	+0	Weapon +2d6 Strike
5	Slash		-2	+1	Weapon +4d6 Strike
5	Thrust		+1	+3	Weapon Strike

[b]Martial Arts:[/b]  [i]Unarmed Combat[/i]
[b]Maneuver		OCV	DCV	Damage[/b]
0	Block			+2	+2	Block, Abort
4	Disarm			-1	+1	25 STR Disarm
5	Disarming Throw		+0	+0	Grab Weapon, 20 STR Disarm; Target Falls
5	Dodge			+0	+5	Dodge Affects All Attacks, Abort
4	Joint Lock/Throw	+1	+0	Grab One Limb, 1d6 NND (7); Target Falls
3	Tackle			+2	+1	3d6 Strike; You Fall, Target Falls

2	[b]Long Legs:[/b]  Running +1" (7" total), END 1
5	[b]Favored Of Gird:[/b]  Luck 1d6

[b]Perks[/b]
10	Contact:  Duke Kieri Artfiel Phelan (extremely useful skills/resources, good 
relationship) 14-
10	Contact:  Master Oakhallow the Kuakgan (extremely useful skills/resources, good 
relationship) 14-
1	Favor:  Aldonfulk and Gnarrinfulk (gnomes)
1	Fringe Benefit:  Paladin Cantidate/Guest Of The Order Of Gird
3	Reputation:  Hero of the Honeycat Campaign (mercenary/military units)/Freer of the 
elfane taig (elves) 14- (+1/+1d6)

[b]Talents[/b]
6	[b]Favored Of Gird:[/b]  Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED)

[b]Skills[/b]
10	Combat Skill Levels:  +2 with Hand-to-Hand
6	Combat Skill Levels:  +2 with Blades

1	AK:  "Known World" 8-
3	Animal Handler (Equines) 12-
2	CK:  Brewersbridge 11-
0	Climbing 8-
0	Concealment 8-
0	Conversation 8-
1	CuK:  Customs Of The Elder Races 8-
0	Deduction 8-
1	KS:  Code Of Gird 8-
1	KS:  Geography 8-
2	KS:  History And Customs Of Duke Phelan's Company 11-
1	KS:  History And Customs Of the Order Of Gird 8-
1	KS:  History Of Man 8-
1	KS:  Laws And Customs Of The Known World 8-
1	KS:  Lore Of The Gods 8-
2	KS:  The Mercenary World 11-
2	Language:  Elvish (Fluent Conversation)
1	Language:  Dwarvish (Basic Conversation)
1	Language:  "Common" (native, literate)
2	Navigation (land) 12-
0	Paramedic 8-
1	Power:  Faith 8-
2	PS:  Farmer 11--
2	PS:  Soldier 11-
3	Riding 13-
0	Shadowing 8-
3	Stealth 13-
1	Survival (Temperate/Sub-Tropical Forests) 12-
1	Tactics 8-
0	TF:  Equines
10	Two-Weapon Fighting (HTH)
6	WF:  Blades, Bow, Crossbow, Off-Hand, Spear, Staff
[b]148	Total Powers & Skills Cost
229	Total Character Cost

100+	Disadvantages[/b]
10	Distinctive Features:  Style (NC)
5	Distinctive Features:  Warrior's Scars (EC)
5	Hunted:  Assorted Holy Orders (MoPow, Watching) 14-
20	Hunted:  Achrya (MoPow, Kill) 11-
10	Psychological Limitation:  Chaste (C, T)
15	Psychological Limitation:  Honorable And Just (C, S)
64	[b]Chosen Of Gird Bonus
229	Total Disadvantage Points

OPTIONS
Cost	Powers[/b]
-4	[b]Scarred Body And Face:[/b]  -8 Com (8 COM total)
-10	Distinctive Features:  Heavily Scared Face And Body (C)
-20	Physiocal Limitation:  Collapses In The Face Of Confronation/Danger/Violence (F, F)
-25	Psychological Limitation:  Total Fear Of Confronation And Violence (VC, T)

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Book 3: Oath Of Gold

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
15	STR	5	12-	Lift 200 kg; 3d6 HTH Damage
18	DEX	24	13-	OCV:  6/DCV:  6
18	CON	16	13-
12	BODY	4	11-
13	INT	3	12-	PER Roll 12-
30	EGO	60	15-	ECV:  10
20	PRE	10	13-	PRE Attack:  4d6
16	COM	3	12-

6	PD	3		Total:  9 PD (3 rPD)
5	ED	2		Total:  8 ED (3 rED)
4	SPD	12		Phases:  3, 6, 9, 12
7	REC	0
36	END	0
30	STUN	1		[b]Total Characteristics Cost:  143

Movement:[/b]	Running:	7"/14"
Swimming:	2"/4"

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills
Martial Arts:[/b]  [i]Armed Combat[/i]; Use Art With Blades
Maneuver	OCV	DCV	Damage
4	Block		+2	+2	Block, Abort
4	Counter-Strike	+2	+2	Weapon +2d6 Strike, Must Follow Block
3	Cut		+1	+0	Weapon +2d6 Strike
0	Duck		+0	+5	Dodge Affects All Attacks, Abort
5	Slash		-2	+1	Weapon +4d6 Strike
4	Strike		+0	+2	Weapon +2d6 Strike
5	Thrust		+1	+3	Weapon Strike

[b]Martial Arts:[/b]  [i]Unarmed Combat[/i]
[b]Maneuver		OCV	DCV	Damage[/b]
3	Arm Lock		+0	-1	Grab One Limb; 25 STR to Hold On
0	Block			+2	+2	Block, Abort
4	Disarm			-1	+1	25 STR Disarm
5	Disarming Throw		+0	+0	Grab Weapon, 20 STR Disarm; Target Falls
5	Dodge			+0	+5	Dodge Affects All Attacks, Abort
4	Joint Lock/Throw	+1	+0	Grab One Limb, 1d6 NND (7); Target Falls
4	Shoulder Throw		+0	+1	3d6 + v/5; Target Falls
3	Tackle			+2	+1	3d6 Strike; You Fall, Target Falls

31	[b]Protection From Evil:[/b]  Mental Defense (20 points); Only To Defend Against Mind 
Control And Possession (-1) plus Power Defense (20 points); Only To Protect Against 
fear-Based Presence Drains And Like Attacks (-2) plus Useable Simultaneously (for up 
to eight people at once; +3/4) for Mental and Power Defense; Persons Affected Must 
Remain Within 4" Of Character Or Power Stops Working For Them (-1/2)
2	[b]Long Legs:[/b]  Running +1" (7" total), END 1
11	[b]Detect Good And Evil:[/b]  Detect Good/Evil 14- (no Sense Group), Ranged; Extra Time 
(Full Phase; -1/2)
22	[b]Gift Of Healing:[/b]  Simplified Healing 6d6; Concentrate (1/2 DCV throughout; -1/2), Extra 
Time (minimum of a Full Turn, possibly longer; -1 1/4), END 6
18	[b]Call Light:[/b]  Sight Group Images, +4 to PER Rolls, Increased Size (4" radius; +1/2), 
Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); No Range (-1/2), Only To Create Light (-1)
11	[b]Light Up A Battle Field:[/b]  MegaScale (1" = 1 km; +1/4) for Images
3	[b]Paladin In Shining Armor:[/b]  Cosmetic Transform 1d6 (dirty/tarnished equipment and 
tack into cleaner/polished equipment and tack, "heals" through normal use), Area Of 
Effect (hex; +1/2), Continuous (+1), Persistant (+1/2), Reduced Endurance 
(0 END; +1/2); Always On (-1/2),  Extra Time (1 Day between die rolls; -4), Limited 
Target (personal equipment; -1/2), No Range (-1/2)
5	[b]Favored Of Gird:[/b]  Luck 1d6

[b]Perks[/b]
10	Contact:  Duke Kieri Artfiel Phelan (extremely useful skills/resources, good 
relationship) 14-
10	Contact:  Master Oakhallow the Kuakgan (extremely useful skills/resources, good 
relationship) 14-
1	Favor:  Aldonfulk and Gnarrinfulk (gnomes)
15	Follower:  horse (75 base points)
2	Fringe Benefit:  Paladin Of Gird
9	Reputation:  Heroic Paladin of Gird (everywhere) 14- (+3/+3d6)

[b]Talents[/b]
3	[b]Taig-Sense:[/b]  Bump Of Direction
6	[b]Favored Of Gird:[/b]  Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED)
29	[b]Taig-Sense:[/b]  Danger Sense (sense, any danger, general area, intuitional) 14-

[b]Skills[/b]
16	Combat Skill Levels:  +2 with Combat
6	Combat Skill Levels:  +2 with Blades

1	AK:  "Known World" 8-
3	Analyze:  Fighting Style 12-
3	Animal Handler (Equines) 12-
2	CK:  Brewersbridge 11-
0	Climbing 8-
3	Concealment 12-
0	Conversation 8-
1	CuK:  Customs Of The Elder Races 8-
0	Deduction 8-
3	High Society 13-
1	KS:  Code Of Gird 8-
1	KS:  Geography 8-
1	KS:  Geopolitical World 8-
2	KS:  History And Customs Of Duke Phelan's Company 11-
1	KS:  History And Customs Of the Order Of Gird 8-
2	KS:  History Of Man 11-
1	KS:  Laws And Customs Of The Known World 8-
1	KS:  Lore Of The Gods 8-
2	KS:  The Mercenary World 11-
1	KS:  Woodslore 8-
2	Language:  Elvish (Fluent Conversation)
1	Language:  Dwarvish (Basic Conversation)
1	Language:  "Common" (native, literate)
2	Navigation (land) 12-
3	Oratory 13-
0	Paramedic 8-
1	Power:  Faith 8-
2	PS:  Farmer 11--
2	PS:  Soldier 11-
3	Riding 13-
0	Shadowing 8-
3	Sleight Of Hand 13-
5	Stealth 14-
1	Survival (Temperate/Sub-Tropical Forests) 12-
1	Tactics 8-
0	TF:  Equines
3	Tracking 12-
10	Two-Weapon Fighting (HTH)
6	WF:  Blades, Bow, Crossbow, Off-Hand, Spear, Staff
[b]338	Total Powers & Skills Cost
481	Total Character Cost

125+	Disadvantages[/b]
15	Distinctive Features:  Holy Aura (NC)
10	Distinctive Features:  Style (NC)
10	Distinctive Features:  High Lord's Circle On Brow (C)
20	Hunted:  Achrya/Liart (MoPow, Kill) 11-
20	Psychological Limitation:  Cannot Lie (C, T)
20	Psychological Limitation:  Paladin's Oath To Gird, the High Lord, the Windsteed, and 
Alyanya (C, T)
261	[b]Paladin Of Gird Bonus
481	Total Disadvantage Points[/b]

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Background/History:

The following will attempt to sum up the high points of each novel, providing an overview of Pak's life as seen in The Deed Of Paksenarrion.

 

(Sheepfarmer's Daughter synopsis)

Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Paks for short) grew up in the tiny village of Three Firs, tending to her father's sheep and the rest of the farm. But she longed for more than a life of forking hay and shoveling sheep dung. She wanted to be a warrior, like her cousin Jornoth, and come home with a sword and riches. To make matters worse, her father wanted her to wed a pig farmer, while Paks had no desire to marry at all -- she liked the outdoors life -- hunting, wrestling, and the like. So, she ran away.

 

Walking all night and into the next morning, Paks made her way from Three Firs to Rocky Ford (a distance of around thirty miles all told) and signed up at a recruiting station for Duke Phelan's Company. She agreed to serve the Duke though basic training (which would last from four to six months) and for two years of regular service.

 

For the next three years, Paks served in Duke Phelan's Company. She learned to march, to dig latrine ditches, to load and unload animals, to move in formation, to use a sword, a shield, and other weapons, and most importantly, how to fight. She fought in open fields, in sieges, in the woods, and even acted as a town guard. She also experienced a number of adventures -- the most harrowing of which was her escape (with two companions) from the fort of Dwarfwatch, after it was taken by men of Lord Siniava, and her journey south to meet up with Duke Phelan. Afterwards, she participated in the campaign to eliminate Lord Siniava (a.k.a. "the Honeycat") once and for all, and was present at his capture. But afterwards, she saw a harsher side of the mercenary's life, one that troubled her and clashed with her beliefs in a soldier's duty and her image of Duke Phelan. So, once her two year term was up, she took her leave of Duke Phelan's Company and set out as a freeblade, to find her fortune.

 

(Divided Allegiance synopsis)

Following a short stint helping to keep order in the Duchy of Immer, Paksenarrion decided to take her accumulated leave, and return home (if possible) for a time, and consider what she wanted to do with her life. She considered staying with the Duke's Company, or seeking advanced training elsewhere, perhaps even become squire with the intent of seeking knighthood.

 

On her travel back home, Paks was joined by the part-elf Macenion, and ended up journeying with him to the ruins of an old elven fortress/feasting hall called the banast taig, a place inhabited by an evil spirit and shunned by the elves. The two of them managed to destroy the evil spirit, freeing the banast taig to become the elfane taig again, the elves' Winter Hall. Afterwards she made her way to the town of Brewersbridge, where she met Master Oakhallow the Kuakgan (a form of Druid) and Marshal Cedfer, a follower of Gird. She stayed there for some time, befriending Oakhallow, training with Cedfer and his yeomen, and leading troops into battle against an enclave of bandits. The bandits took some time to clean out, and Paks was part of a group that brought down the evil priest magician commanding and controlling them.

 

Once autumn came, Paks set out from Brewersbridge for Fin Panir, to meet the Girdish Marshal-General, and see about training there. Paks does join the Company of Gird, but does spend some time wondering if she's right as a Girdsman and if Gird is the right one for her to follow. Still, she trains with enthusiasm, finding great joy in learning new weaponscraft, as well as gaining knowledge in tactics, supply, and other arts of war (and peace). Eventually, she joins the Company of Gird, first as a yeoman, and then is made a Paladin Candidate.

 

That spring, Paks rode out with a contingent of Girdish knights and men-at-arms on a quest to find the fortress of Luap, an assistant to Gird and chronicler of his deeds. The quest is successful, but Paks was captured by dark elves and forced to fight in their arena for days, her wounds healed by dark magics and her mind nearly destroyed. Although rescued, the seed of evil had been planted, and Paks slowly begins to succumb to it. Finally, a magical ritual is enacted that purifies Paks of the taint of evil -- but at the cost of her courage. Unable to even some much as spar without fainting, Paks find herself unable to continue as a Paladin Candidate, and leaves the Company of Gird.

 

(Oath Of Gold synopsis)

After spending the winter unable to so much as defend herself from assault, Paks, cold, hungry, and scared, finds herself back in Brewersbridge. There she enters Master Oakhallow's grove, and offers up everything she has -- her money, a ring the Duke gave her, even her cloak. Master Oakhallow takes her in, and then spends some time healing her. First he simply feeds her, allowing Paks to regain her strength and sense of self. Then he begins to work on her wounds, which still hadn't healed from her time spent as a captive of the dark elves. And finally, he heals her mind.

 

Afterwards, Oakhallow sends Paks off to Lyonya, to work with the rangers. She stays with them all summer, improving her skill with the bow and learning woodcraft. While with the rangers, Paks finds she can detect strong concentrations of evil and after an encounter with a deadly daskdraudigs can heal others. Once summer ends, she returns to Brewersbridge and Master Oakhallow. There, they speak about her future, and her desire to be a paladin. In response to Paks's statements, Oakhallow gathers together several lengths of wood and build a fire, commanding Paks to place her hands within. She does so, and experiences a communion of sorts, meeting in turn Gird, the protector of the helpless; the High Lord, maker of the world; Saben, the Windsteed and father of horses; and lastly, Alyanya, The Lady of Peace.

 

Now a paladin of Gird (for the most part), Paks journeys back to Duke Phelan, and stays with him. She tells him of her travels and experiences, but also informs him that she will no longer swear allegiance to any mortal lord, her oath is to a higher power. But that doesn't mean she will not serve beside him, and does so, helping him rid his duchy of evil as well as finding him his true destiny. And along the way, Paks will experience her greatest trial yet -- five days and nights of torture at the hands of the Priests of Liart, the Master of Torments....

 

Personality/Motivation:

Overall Paks is a nice person, which seems odd to say about someone who starts out as soldier in a mercenary company. But then, that is one reason why Paks becomes disenchanted with the some of the things the Duke's Company is required to do at the end of the Honeycat Campaign. Paks doesn't want to fight, simply to fight, she wants to fight for the right reasons -- not to be bigger, or stronger, or tougher, but to put down evil, to stop injustice, and to uphold the good.

 

On the flip side, Paks's open nature means she tends to see the good side of most people, and will overlook (or explain away) their more negative qualities. She wants to like people and wants people to like her. And for the most part this works for her, allowing her to make friends quickly and easy, although it does "blind" her to actions and attitudes of several people.

 

Paks greatest quality is her sense of honor and fairness. She is strongly loyal to her friends and most everyone in the Duke's Company (and certainly Duke Phelan himself), and tries to comport herself properly. She doesn't drink (to excess), doesn't gamble, stays out of fights (and other trouble), and isn't much for looting a sacked town, finding it... wrong to a certain degree. She is also quite honest, and can be counted on the tell the truth if asked, even if the truth may harm her future in some way. Paks is also chaste, and while feels strongly for several of her male companions, isn't interested (for the most part) in taking any of them to bed.

 

Finally, Paks takes great joy in learning new forms of weapons play, and is an avid student of just about any form of armed and unarmed combat. She also enjoys fighting -- although not killing. She realizes that battles mean death, but don't have to mean mass slaughter. However, against unredeemable evil enemies (such as Priests of Liart) she will show no mercy.

 

Quotes:

Sheepfarmer's Daughter

"I didn't -- I don't want to marry at all. I want to be a warrior like my cousin Jornoth. I've always like hunting and wrestling and being outdoors."

 

Divided Allegiance

Paksenarrion: "I want to fight --"

Master Oakhallow: "What needs fighting?"

Paksenarrion: "I think that's what I mean. ... I want to fight where I'm sure it's right -- not just to show that I'm big and strong."

 

Oath Of Gold

"I know that I can, if I but ask the gods, know what is right, and do it."

"I travel as as I am bid...; Gird ws a plain man, and I am a sheepfarmer's daughter. When Gird chooses to have me recognized, I daresay I will be."

"I am a Girdsman, and a paladin, and Gird was part of my choosing. But the High Lord, the Windsteed, and Alyanya were present."

 

Powers/Tactics:

Her life on a sheep farm made Paks strong and durable. When she joined Duke Phelan's Company at the age of 18, she was able to lift an adult sheep to her shoulders and claimed to have never been sick before. In Divided Allegiance a tailor says Paks is "as big as a man, even in the neck," giving one an idea of her size and strength. She is also very quick, and can hold her own against many other older and more experience fighters.

 

In battle Paks uses whatever she has in hand, be it short sword and shield, long sword and shield, or a long sword alone (It's not clear just how long the long sword it. It may be a typical one-handed cut-and-thrust weapon, or it may indicate a hand-and-half sword.) She has trained with spears, the crossbow, and by the end of Divided Allegiance is a resonably skilled archer. Her attempts to learn the axe failed rather miserably, however, and she's never done much with polearms. Her fighting style is pretty much by-the-book, although she does tend to incorporate various sword tricks into her repertoire as she learns them. If armed with a shield, she tends to combine blocks with quick cuts or thrusts, and if armed with a short sword will use the point for the most part.

 

As Paks gains her paladinhood, she gains a number of fairly specific powers. They are:

1)

Creating Light:

Paks can create a white light from her body, ranging from enough to illuminate a room to the ability to light up an entire valley in

Oath of Gold

.

2)

Healing:

Paks first heals someone in

Sheepfarmer's Daughter

by calling upon Gird to aid one of his followers (one of the first strong signs of Paks's future). Later she is able to heal others from various wounds and illnesses, and can even heal tiredness in herself. This healing can take time, however, and often requires all of Paks's attention.

3)

Detect Good and Evil:

Paks, like all paladins, can detect extremes of good and evil. She also can tell the general location of good and/or evil, and how intense it is. However, this only works on extremes, and since most people are not absolutes one way or the other, they don't register.

4)

Resist Evil:

Simply put, Paks is virtually immune to fear, possession, and mind control from evil sources. As a paladin, and in her case, a divinely-chosen paladin, she cannot be forced into evil by any power, regardless of source. She can also defend those near her from such attacks.

5)

Shining Armor:

Paks's gear becomes more clean and polished the longer she wears it.

6)

Horse:

Paks's horse (she has yet to give it a name) appeared one day out in a field. It is a very smary animal, strong, seemingly tireless, and has the surprising tendency to show up, saddled and ready to go, when Paks needs to travel -- even if the horse was in the stable just a little while ago.

 

Before Paks became a paladin, she still exhibited some rather unique abilities. First, she was able to heal a comrade (as mentioned above), second, she was given a Girdsman medallion (despite not being one) and wore it. The medallion warned her on several occasions of danger, once causing her to nearly stumble (and this duck a crossbow bolt), while another time it "pricked" her, forcing her awake just in time to spot an oncoming enemy. She also survives fighting a Priest of Liart (something almost unheard of for non-paladins), and seems to avoid wounds, even when at the front of a battle.

 

Appearance:

Paksenarrion has an attractive face and figure, and is very tall, probably standing six foot or so (possibly taller). She meets very few people with height greater than her's, and almost none of them are women. Her eyes are gray and her hair is golden and worn very long, past her shoulders at least-- although usually she braids it up to help support her helm. Her normal mode of dress is a shirt or tunic, with a leather over-tunic, trousers, and boots. When geared for battle she dons a long-sleeved coat of mail, leather gloves, leg armor, and an open-faced helm.

 

At certain points in her career, Paks is heavily scarred, on both the face and body. Most of the time these scars simply indicate her profession, but at the end of Divided Allegiance they are bad enough to be almost disfiguring. In Oath Of Gold she is branded with the sign of Liart on her forehead, but this becomes the silver circle of the High Lord once the ordeal is over.

 

Designer's Notes:

The Deed Of Paksenarrion is a trilogy by Elizabeth Moon, comprised of Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath Of Gold. I have heard (and have every reason to believe) the trilogy is a novelization of an AD&D campaign Moon participated in, with Paksenarrion being Moon's character. Many AD&D elements are obvious to the reader, such as the dwarves, gnomes, elves, and orcs (as well as other races), the gods (Gird seems to be St. Cuthbert, while Achrya is pretty much Loth), the dark elves are Drow, and Brewersbridge is apparently a renamed Village of Hommlet. Also, the paladins in Paks's world are pretty obvious adaptations of AD&D paladins, right down to creating light, laying on of hands, having protection from evil, and being able to summon (or in this case, receive) a warhorse open being granted paladin status. That said, the series is a fairly good read, and Paksenarrion is an excellent example of how a paladin should be played (and directly inspired the creation of my own paladin character, Merriya de Blackmere).

 

(Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter created by Elizabeth Moon, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[Eosin]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Most excellent and worthy write up!

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Most excellent and worthy write up!

 

Thanks.

 

Uhmm... anyone else have any thoughts?

[mayapuppies]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

I've never read the books, but the write-up is definitely up to your lofty skills.

[tancred]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Very good writeups indeed.

The only possible quibble I can see would be her PRE on the 3rd sheet. I'd consider giving her a 30 PRE, or perhaps more, possibly as a power.

She commanded the people of that little village, after escaping from the priests of Liart; inspired them to follow her into battle even though they weren't trained.

And didn't she take command of troops during the final battle in the book?

 

That might be too much, though. I'd have to think about it some more.

 

BTW, there is (at last) a hardback edition of The Deed. I'm considering replacing my nearly worn-out paperbacks, despite the cost.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Very good writeups indeed.

The only possible quibble I can see would be her PRE on the 3rd sheet. I'd consider giving her a 30 PRE, or perhaps more, possibly as a power.

She commanded the people of that little village, after escaping from the priests of Liart; inspired them to follow her into battle even though they weren't trained.

 

Good point. Maybe +10 PRE to inspired and lead?

[tancred]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Good point. Maybe +10 PRE to inspired and lead?

That's the way to go.

It's definitely better than just the flat high PRE (which I had doubts about even as I suggested it). She could inspire and lead anybody when she worked at it.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

That's the way to go.

It's definitely better than just the flat high PRE (which I had doubts about even as I suggested it). She could inspire and lead anybody when she worked at it.

 

Done. I will be adding the HTML versions of the character to my website tonight (or over the weekend at the latest).

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter's character sheets have been posted.

 

http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionsbook/bookchar.html#PAKS

[swbaxter]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Uhmm... anyone else have any thoughts?

 

Looks good to me. If you want to go crazy adding stuff to the book 3 sheet, she probably also has a few more contacts: Aliam Halveric, the Lady of the Ladysforest, possibly various other elves, and the High Marshal of Gird. She knows a lot of movers and shakers by the time it's all over. She might have a KS related to threats to the Taig from her time with the Rangers - they seemed to guard against a unique array of threats, with weapons to match.

 

She also has some kind of power that sends her where she needs to be, that could be some kind of uncontrolled precognition that only gives vague feelings. Of course, that's a plot device power so no real need to stat it up.

 

You might want to put "KS: Lore of the Gods" in the Book 1 version. IIRC, she first learns about the various gods from other soldiers in Phelan's company, even if a lot of it isn't especially accurate. She might also have some kind of military campaigning KS in the book 2 writeup, a fair amount of her education at Fin Panir was logistics, supply, siege equipment, and so on.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

I think this will get added as optional powers.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Little thread necromancy --

 

I just found out that Elizabeth Moon will be revisiting the world of Paksenarrion in March 2010 with Oath of Fealty, what sounds like the start of a new trilogy.

 

Here's the description:

 

When the paladin Paksenarrion saved Kieri Phelan from traitorous attack on his way to the throne of Lyonya, it seemed her work was done. Lyonya would once more have a healthy king whose taig-sense would sustain the alliance of elves and humans in this strange land. But a paladin's intervention always means change--and change sweeps through the world in the wake of her great deeds. Who will take over Kieri's former realm? What will happen to those who opposed him? From Girdish yeoman to mercenary veteran, from peasant to king, from the Eight Kingdoms of the north to the Guild League cities of the south, no one escapes the challenges--and opportunities--of this tumultuous period. Those who expected to spend the rest of their lives in the same familiar place or position must cope with these changes, or in failure contribute to the chaos.

[lemming]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Little thread necromancy --

 

I just found out that Elizabeth Moon will be revisiting the world of Paksenarrion in March 2010 with Oath of Fealty, what sounds like the start of a new trilogy.

 

Here's the description:

 

Interesting. I just reread the series, been on a Elizabeth Moon kick lately. Just reread Vatta's war as well.

[Nolgroth]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Man I remember reading those books and taking inspiration on how to run a paladin straight from them. I like the write-ups. They do an excellent job of portraying the character as she grows.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Interesting. I just reread the series' date=' been on a Elizabeth Moon kick lately. Just reread Vatta's war as well.[/quote']

 

I just finished the series myself, as well.

[tancred]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

That is good to hear.

I rate Elizabeth Moon as one of the 3 or 4 best authors still actively writing.

I've enjoyed every one of her books I've read.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Hmm... perhaps I need to re-read t he Gird book and do a character sheet for him as well.

[lemming]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

I haven't gone thru the Gird and Larp books yet. I got sidetracked by the Vatta war and the Serrano series. Either which would make decent sci-fi settings.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

I've yet to read anything of hers but the Paks and Gird novels. And right now, I'm a bit too busy to start any new series.

[RexMundi]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Ones never to busy to start a new series; after all, there is always the "throne" to read upon.

 

~Rex.....good work on the Paksenarion stuff I make all my Paladin players read That, and Poul Andersons Three Hearts and Three Lions before I let them into the Smite Away zone.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (SPOILERS!!!)

 

Trust me, my "books to read" shelf is packed.

 

Hmm... I have Three Hearts... I could adapt the character from that as well (uhm... what was his name?)

 

EDIT: After I finish reading LOTR, I start on the last Black Company omnibus.