Rival Explorer
CR: 17 XP: 102,400
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)
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
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
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
Languages: Common, Draconic, Orc
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
Description
Half-orc bard 18
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.
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.
Source: NPC Codex, p. 41