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Rival Explorer

Rival Explorer CR 17

Source NPC Codex pg. 41
XP 102,400
Half-orc bard 18
NE Medium humanoid (human, orc)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +20

Defense

AC 24, touch 17, flat-footed 19 (+7 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 102 (18d8+18)
Fort +8, Ref +18, Will +11; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic
Defensive Abilities orc ferocity

Offense

Speed 30 ft.
Melee +2 sword of life stealing +19/+14/+9 (1d8+5/17–20)
Special Attacks bardic performance 43 rounds/day (swift action; countersong, dirge of doom, distraction, fascinate, frightening tune, inspire competence +5, inspire courage +4, inspire greatness, inspire heroics, mass suggestion, soothing performance, suggestion)
Bard Spells Known (CL 18th; concentration +23)
6th (3/day)—animate objects, find the path, greater shout (DC 21), sympathetic vibration
5th (5/day)—greater dispel magic, greater heroism, shadow evocation (DC 20), shadow walk (DC 20)
4th (6/day)—break enchantment (DC 19), cure critical wounds (DC 19), freedom of movement, shout (DC 19)
3rd (6/day)—charm monster (DC 18), gaseous form, haste (DC 18), phantom steed, remove curse, see invisibility
2nd (6/day)—alter self, cat’s grace, glitterdust (DC 17), silence (DC 17), suggestion (DC 17), tongues
1st (7/day)—alarm, animate rope, detect secret doors, expeditious retreat, grease, undetectable alignment
0 (at will)—dancing lights, detect magic, mage hand, mending, message, read magic

Tactics

Before Combat The bard casts cat’s grace and freedom of movement.
During Combat The bard casts haste on herself, and makes hit-and-run attacks.
Base Statistics Without cat’s grace, the bard’s statistics are Init +4; Dex 18; Skills Disable Device +18, Escape Artist +18, Stealth +20.

Statistics

Str 16, Dex 22, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 9, Cha 20
Base Atk +13; CMB +16; CMD 33
Feats Acrobatic Steps, Critical Focus, Dodge, Improved Critical (longsword), Mobility, Nimble Moves, Spring Attack, Staggering Critical, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Skills Acrobatics +12 (+16 when jumping), Bluff +10, Climb +10, Diplomacy +10, Disable Device +20, Escape Artist +18, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (arcane, dungeoneering, geography, history, local, nature, planes, religion) +14, Perception +20, Perform (dance) +20, Perform (oratory) +13, Perform (sing) +18, Perform (string) +25, Spellcraft +15, Stealth +22, Use Magic Device +20
Languages Common, Draconic, Orc
SQ bardic knowledge +9, jack-of-all-trades (use any skill, all skills are class skills), lore master 3/day, orc blood, versatile performance (act, dance, oratory, string, wind), weapon familiarity
Combat Gear scrolls of fireball (2), scroll of lesser restoration, scrolls of lightning bolt (2), scroll of remove curse, wand of cure moderate wounds (50 charges); Other Gear +3 chain shirt, +2 sword of life stealing, belt of physical perfection +2, cloak of resistance +1, goggles of minute seeing, hat of disguise, headband of alluring charisma +4, necklace of adaptation, ring of protection +2, masterwork lute, masterwork thieves’ tools, 10 gp

Rival explorers compete against other adventurers, going after the same rewards.

Rhortia Mooldon

Since she was a teenager, Rhortia has traveled with dozens of adventuring groups. She signs up with whoever promises the most excitement or the most lucrative reward. Rhortia spies on adventurers while they prepare in town so she can beat them to a good haul.

Rhortia learned throat singing while on a lengthy campaign, and uses that talent to augment her bardic performances and fill her opponents with unease.

Combat Encounters: Rhortia sits back and observes the flow of battle (while bolstering her allies), then enters the fray with a perfectly timed attack.

Roleplaying Suggestions: She uses her hat of disguise to appear harmless, taking the guise of a fawning youth or inquisitive old person to gain information.