xhto-ya

Xhto-ya

Background

He became a fighter, although one with a very low dexterity (4). Had excellent leadership abilities and led many expeditions. Culminated the set of expeditions in first world by leading extremely long, outdoor adventure to destroy a red dragon and return. His reward for slaying the red dragon was an increase of dexterity of 2d6, one rolled before the expedition, one after. The Gods were certainly looking down on him that day, for he received a bonus of 6 to his dexterity before the journey started, significantly increasing the chances for success. In the God's view, they got their fairness about him when the second die, cast upon his return home, was a "1". Unfortunately, the destruction of the dragon made significant changes to the area, as many who tolerated each other to ward off the dragon's raids no longer could continue that tolerance and many racial wars broke out. The destruction of the dragon was not a positive catalyst for the inhabitants of the area.

Later He led an expedition onto a mythological island, where success brought wish fulfillment. While he was able to get his wishes about combining some of his magical items, he could not wipe the memory of what he had done to his home world's balance of power and relative peace. His heart was still in turmoil. He left with two wishes unused.

After the journey to the island, he and his companions continued sailing away from the land they knew. They reached a distant shore, and there, as part of his wish-fulfillment, he became a thief, while maintaining his hit points as a fighter. He reached 5th level of thievery before deciding to end that path in his life. It was not an unpopular switch within the local Dwarven community, but it wasn't popular either. There were those who thought that he was abandoning tradition and doing unnecessary things. Combined with the fact that he was an outsider, his popularity did not match his fame, nor his temper. He no longer improves his thieving abilities, and though limited, they have served him well.

Semi-Retirement: The Diced Demon - II

After a semi-retirement from being a fighter, and shortly after becoming a thief, Xhto-ya opened a tavern / inn. Some say that you can't be a thief if you aren't in business, and others say the opposite. He knew that if he was to be less direct in his dealings, then he needed a tavern that he could trust, and that meant ownership. He originally named the place "The Diced Demon II", referring to a victory over a demon earlier in his career that was emotionally very powerful. (The Demon was the "Ace-up-the-red-Dragon's sleeve", but instead of being the instrument of his demise, the demon got 'diced' when thrown through a blade barrier, repeatedly. It's a long story, but often told at the tavern.)

He had the money and the contacts to get it started, and even to have it well looked after in his absence. He was not the only one treated as an outcast by the locals, and found loyalty amongst other, unique and lonely creatures. They made a great team running the place, and when they had some . . . thieving to do.

This place of merriment and more subtle activity is found on the corner of Ying Street and Yang Road. It is the type of tavern that weary travelers and adventurers feel most at home in. The floor is relatively dirty, but the tabletops and counter are relatively immaculate. A great place to get rumors and maybe even more valuable information. It is frequented by many of his associates, as they are always looking for some fun thing to do. There are two stages for performers, and set of irons along one wall, a counter across most of one wall, several booths and tables. Often musicians travel far and wide to perform at the tavern, and Xhto-ya has found an enjoyment in music he had not known was even possible.

The place prospered, and Xhto-ya believed that he would be able to find peace if he studied the way of Bards. His last wish was to allow him to progress in that line of work. Of course, being a tavern owner ensured that he always had a place to demonstrate his own musical talents to a captive audience, even if only through discounted beers while he entertained the crowd. Being a bard suited him well, as he got to sing songs about great heroes and great heroic deeds. Since he felt himself a great hero, he was the favorite subject of his songs. And since he really was brave, the songs went well, and when he had too much ale, he often taunted visitors into bar room brawls. Anyone looking for a good "John-Wayne-Western" style bar fight would not be disappointed if they frequented "The Diced Demon".

It had a dreadful ending one evening when a party of 8 came looking for information. They had heard rumors of a centaur having achieved the office of High Druid and wanted to unseat him. They were impatient and not interested in politeness. Fortunately, many of Xhto-ya's friends were present. Dorado the Wizard, Killjoy the Paladin, Pilfo the Thief, Asbestos the Ranger, Beermug the Elf, Cat Dancing the Thief, Radagast the Wizard and Chuka the Fighter. Xhto-ya was totally uninterested in druids and centaurs (horses-asses he called them), but such animosity against someone merely because of their race and accomplishment was something he knew too well and hated. A terrible fight broke out, and the place was decimated. They did not get the information they sought, and Xhto-ya later admitted he really, really enjoyed such a good fight!

Because the place had to be rebuilt, (an action he did not oversee), the name was slightly changed to "The Diced Demon - II". The '2' refers to it being a modified tavern / inn, not to the type of demon defeated that day. The layout was unchanged, though the place was rebuilt with some special 'adjustments' to reduce the chances of such a fight devastating the tavern again. In fact the new manager, is a powerful wizard, with outstanding skill with both staff and blade. The manager (Dorado the Wizard) gets to run the place as he wishes, with the only stipulation being a relatively small annual income for Xhto-ya. This is an arrangement that pleases both, Dorado does not wish to travel, enjoys all the musicians, and has found he has a great head for business.

Later

Xhto-ya gave up tavern management and spend more of his time as a bard should: traveling. He used his last wish to allow him to start a new career as a bard, while losing none of his former abilities or hit points. His curiosity was aroused regarding Centaurs, and especially the one his tavern had been destroyed over. It didn't take him long to find the Druid, though it took longer to befriend him. As a bard he has been very successful, though no longer as leader of the group, but led by his current mentor, Pfennig. Despite great success, and extraordinary fame among his kindred, he fell from grace because of the decision to quit traditional, honorable dwarven pursuits. No other dwarf from the local clans had ever become a bard. He has been banned from his home mountains, and not allowed to mention his clan name. Yes, word traveled back there and their displeasure was made known. It was at this time that he took on his current name, Xhto-ya, and he is bitter at being cast-out. He has been barred from even mentioning his real name, and it is something that bothers him. This bitterness keeps his fighting skills at a razor's edge. He currently lives with his mentor, at his mentor’s abode, far from the mountains and caves of home. He travels on errands for Pfennig, otherwise spending time with the druid learning about spiritual matters with almost as much zeal as he once placed on musical matters and violent matters before that. Almost.

STATISTICS: Fighter 9th, Thief 5th, Bard 12th Experience Pts: 201,458 as Bard

Strength: 18 (57)
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 7
Constitution: 18
Dexterity: 11
Charisma: 16
Size: 15
Hit Points: 172

Magic Items / Treasured Possessions: Mythril Armor, +4, Mythril Dagger, +4, War hammer, +2, auto return, Mythril Battle Axe, +4, Ring of Regeneration, Bag of Holding, Flying Carpet.

A copy of his long-lost early journals is said to have been found recently, you may find it if you look hard enough! It was reportedly written by a fellow adventurer or villager.

Xhto-ya's Current Mentor: Pfennig

About eighteen months after the dreadful night at the Diced Demon, (precipitated by a combination of young bucks entering the place while being way too cocky, his own self-pity about banishment, and his loss of future goals), he was taken under wing by a druid. By a centaur no less. Yes, the very one that was the original target of the ruffians that evening. Seeing his new mentor's vividly different view of the world, Xhto-ya found new meaning in being a bard. He has become more introspective, and go on adventures not for the thrill or for revenge or for the money. He now goes on adventures to help someone else do something worthwhile. The "Diced Demon - II" now provides Xhto-ya with whatever financial support he may need (the place may have been destroyed, but what was carefully hidden under the floor was still there) and his mentor provides him with much spiritual and emotional substance. Only in times of great COMMUNITY (not personal) need, by those that Xhto-ya would care to benefit (read those that he has been emotionally touched by), would Xhto-ya ever leave his serene surroundings. He does go forth as a messenger for Pfennig from time to time, leaving the battle-axe behind. He truly enjoys those trips as they usually take him underground, where despite everything, he feels most at home. His music has softened, is no longer so egocentric, but not always!

Pfennig. Centaur Druid, 12th level.

Strength: 11
Intelligence: 16
Wisdom: 17
Constitution: 16
Dexterity: 11
Charisma: 17
Size: 17
Hit Points: 87

As the non-human character species rules grew, and expanded, this centaur entered the scene. Being forced to be more of an outdoors adventurer by his species, he naturally had a fondness for becoming a druid. He had a rough time getting started, and was once trapped in a tunnel in a dungeon, unable to turn around, and was saved by his companions. He has not forgotten the lesson, and has always appreciated smaller friends as a result. In fact, his love for the little people led him to leave his woods, and travel extensively in multiple efforts to help those that needed help, especially if they were oppressed.

Later, he helped destroy a band of pirates by approaching them on the water and sinking their ships, one at a time, using the local weather and his powers. As a reward for destroying the pirates, the local authorities gave him the gauntlets of Armor class 2, which have been a very prized possession. Yet, his most prized possessions he got as his reward for destroying an evil king and his castle on an island off the coast. Using one of the pirate ships, they snuck up on the castle pretending to still be a crew that worked for the king, and with the help of some "converted pirates" they were able to storm the castle despite horrendous weather. There, in the bowels of the castle, he found the king's source of power that had been used to terrify the locals: A weather control ring, 2 Golden Lions and a staff of power.

Pfennig is extremely powerful when out of doors, especially when accompanied by his magic items. His ability to throw powerful lightning bolts, and control weather is an awesome combination. As a centaur, he is a formidable foe in combat, as well. In the woods, with his ranger-like tracking abilities, or at sea with his Neptune-like weather control, he is very nearly indestructible and very potent. His ability to hide in a wooded area, and from his concealment control the weather, and then step forward with destructive weather has made several abodes and armies wither before him. There are many ex-oppressed people that are very grateful for his actions.

Remember that druids can shape-change into various animals, and that they tend to keep their body mass when they do so. He makes a very awesome lion, bear, eagle or dolphin when he choses. Remember those 2 Golden Lions, and you will understand why there are rumors of several large, mean lions patrolling his grounds as a security team.

It was to his advantage that the druids advance by fighting out of doors, and he has become a very powerful foe indeed. His home is in the side of a hill, with several tunnels leading in and out. Xhto-ya uses those, Pfennig only uses the main entrance. Not surprisingly, it is a large double-door, with plenty of room for him to manuver if needed! He enjoys the garden, the large library and the den. As for his not-so-humble abode, all the doors are huge, and many of the rooms do not have ceilings but are open to the sky! Some unwelcome guests have mistaken his house for a huge maze, and reportedly are still trapped inside!

Yet, he can be vulnerable in a dungeon, as centaurs a crowded in narrow passages and a druids best powers are available outdoors, not deep in the earth. In fact, he refuses to go underground. If something must be done underground, he gladly talks Xhto-ya into taking on the task. In fact, he and Xhto-ya have become a wonderful team: one powerful underground, the other powerful above it. On rare occasions, Xhto-ya can be seen riding Pfennig, usually when one or both has had more ale than is wise! Being a sensible centaur, he has never riden Xhto-ya's flying carpet, preferring to shape-change when he needs to fly.

Magic Items:

Ring of Weather Control, Ring of Water Walking, Staff of Power, Gauntlets Armor Class 2, Robe of Blending, 2 Golden Lions, Bag of Holding.