(Thomkin Ballyforth sits in his usual position at a table in the Traveler's Rest Inn, engaging in his favorite pastimes--drinking and looking at the day's profits. He downs his third beer as he....)
"What the hell are you doing over there?"
(Thomkin glances up from his receipts to look at a devilishly beautiful young maiden sitting at the next table with a pen in hand. He says, in his usual belligerent way, "What the hell are you doing over there?" )
"I SAID, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING OVER THERE, WITCH! YA DEAF?"
I'm taking notes. What does it look like I'm doing. Just continue doing what you're doing. Don't mind me.
"I still don't know what you're doing here, anyway."
I felt like visiting, that's all. Ya got more Cherry Wheat Ale.
"Naw. I got Berry Weiss though."
Mleck. Never mind. Gimme another mead.
"Get it yourself. I'm busy."
Lazy bastard. I thought you little guys were supposed to be more industrious in 3rd Edition.
"I told you before, I ain't a book and I don't got EDITIONS. Now leave me alone."
(The devilishly beautiful young maiden gets up from her table to get the drink that the useless barkeep won't get for her. On the way, she notices a young monk woman coming into the bar. Looking back at the barkeep, whose nose is back in his books, she decides against her better judgment to warn him.....)
....Hey, Thomkin. Incoming.
Thomkin looks up from his book. "Aw hell. Look honey, don't start anything, okay. We haven't had a lick of trouble for six months from you people. Let's keep it that way, huh?"
Timidly the girl asked, "Beggin' your pardon sir. I was looking for your helper, Jamie."
"Oh no you don't. When are you people going to stop pestering him? HE'S NOT COMING BACK TO THE MONASTERY, OKAY?! NOW GET OUTA HERE."
The young girl just stares at Thom for a moment. Then her lower lip starts to quiver and she bursts into tears.
Now look what you did, you monster.
"Shaddup. Aw look, little sister, I didn't mean nuthin' by that. Come on, sit down. I'll get you a glass of mead. Whatsamatter?"
"I....he....they....," she stammers as she continues to bawl.
Way to go, Thom. Hey, before you say any more, let me get back to my pad and pen. I gotta get this down.
WHAT!!!!!
(Having poured herself a mug of mead, the beautiful maiden goes back to her seat and picks up her pen) Never mind, Thom. Okay, I'm ready.
Thomkin stares at Erica for a moment then turns back to the monk. Pulling a dirty hanky out of his pocket, he hands it to her and says, "Okay kid, spill it. Tell Uncle Thom all about it."
Uncle Thom? Cuuute.
"Shaddup! Go ahead, honey."
"Well...(HONK)...I...I...I've been studying with my master since I was a little girl and he just..just..died. And he said if anything ever happened to him I should find a monastery to continue my studies. So, I wa...wa..went to that monastery down the road and...and...," she stammers as she bursts into tears again.
"Aw, say no more. Poor kid, you didn't wanna be in that nasty old monastery anyway. They're not nice people. Don't you worry. You can stay here."
"Sniff...I can. Oh, thank you kindly, sir! Jamie said you were good people," she says as she lifts Thom off the ground and gives him a big hug.
"Oof. That's okay, kid. That's okay," he gasps as he pats her shoulder, "Uhm, could you put me down, do ya think?"
"Oh, sorry. I'll go get my things. Thank you sir." she says as she kisses him on the cheek, then runs out the door to her pony.
Running a home for wayward ex-monks now, Thom?
"Aw, get of my back, will ya? I can't help it I'm a softy at heart."
(Finishes her mead in one gulp and looks down at her notes) This is boring. I already did a wayward monk article. Oh well, the bozos at the Ink Blot will just have to understand.
Thomkin glares at her again. "You're writing your article HERE?!?!"
Yup. More mead, please.
Thomkin hits his head with his hand and walks out of the inn to help the girl with her things, leaving Erica to get her own damn mead.
Kim Van Trahn
Lawful Good, 5th level warrior
Human Female, 19 years old
5’1”, 110 lbs.
Str 18 Int 14 Dex 18 Wis 16 Con 12 Cha 10 AC 19 Hp 44
Initiative: 8
Base Attack: 3
Saving Throws:
| Fortitude |
6
|
| Reflex |
10
|
| Will |
7
|
Weapon Proficiencies: Kama, Crossbow, Unarmed Strike
Armor: +1 Bracers
Skills and modifiers:
| Balance |
8
|
| Climb |
8
|
| Diplomacy |
4
|
| Escape Artist |
8
|
| Hide |
10
|
| Jump |
4
|
| Knowledge: Nobility and Royalty |
5
|
| Listen |
9
|
| Move Silenty |
11
|
| Tumble |
8
|
Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike (monk bonus), Deflect Arrow(monk bonus), Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Combat Reflexes
Languages: Common, Elven, Dwarven
Equipment: Bracers +1, Kama, Heavy Crossbow, black pajamas (think Vietnamese), sandals, belt, 1 small belt pouch, light horse, saddle, small saddle bags, saddle blanket and one magical backpack which contains a money pouch with 5 gold, water skin, 5 days of iron rations, flint and steel and 50’ silk rope.
Background: Kim is not quite as frail as she may seem at first glance. She's had a lot of experience in adventuring, but always with her monk master by her side--teaching, guiding and directing her. She has never been at a formal monastery before finding the one in Guardian's Grove. Instead, her training started at age 6 when she was given to "The Master," as he is called, and trained to follow a path similar to his: one of peace, justice, and equality for all. She was part of a reward given to the monk for ridding her home village of its occupying bandits. Not that she minded much. The Master had always been kind and gentle to her, and she came to regard him as a second father. The Master is only recently deceased, having died in a fight with a band of orcs he'd found attacking a merchant caravan. The caravan was rescued, but he was mortally wounded. Kim had been told by the Master that if anything ever happened to him she should find a monastery and complete her training. Unfortunately, the monastery she found was the one in Guardian's Grove--not the best of choices. Her reaction to them was much like Jamie's. In fact, it was he who found her wandering the woods after she'd run screaming away from the place. He'd sent her to Traveler's Rest, knowing that Thomkin would look after her--the old softy.
Roleplaying note: When I've played Kim, others have described her as a "paladin wannabe."
(c) 2002 by Erica Woollums