Cassius Aurenae

(The Lightning Warrior)
submitted by Matt Boley and Brian Wissel.

Human m, F26/Psi25; SZ M (6', 187 lb.); ML fearless (19); AL NG

Armor Class Movement Level Hit Points THAC0 No. of Attacks

22 15 26/25 113 +25 (base) 9/2 or 1/1

Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha

18/69 17 20 20 18 14

Special Attacks Special Defenses Magic Resistance

Nil Immune to Lightning 2%/lvl

Saving Throws

Noteable Nonweapon Proficiencies: Reading/Writing-Common, Elven, Dwarven; Riding-Land; Tactics; Sword Throw; Weapon Lore; Style Analysis; Brewing; Seamanship; Throwing; Teaching; Tightrope Walking
Weapon Proficiencies: Grand Master: Bastard Sword, One handed, Two handed, and Two weapon specialist; Shortsword specialist; Anzara Style Master; Tahlzara Style Master; Swords Broad Group; Parrying: ½ level +3, Short Bow, Dagger, Spear

Special Equipment: Blade of Auranae; Shortsword of Lightning; Wand of Force; Boots of Speed; Ring of Shocking Grasp; Bracers of Defense AC 2; Rod of Building; Ring of Three Wishes-2 remaining;

Description: Cassius is a handsome middle-aged man with stark white hair and bright blue eyes. He typically can be found wearing fine clothes, usually red in color. He prefers boots, breeches and a vest. His Bracers are encased in dragon's teeth that have been enchanted with bone steel. He keeps his prized weapon, the Blade of Auranae, in a specially designed double scabbard slung across his back diagonally. His shortsword fits into the scabbard going the opposite direction. He bears the mark of Ahwehota, a lightning bolt that runs from his left shoulder to his right side.

Personality: Cassius is a very disciplined and focused man. To the outside world he appears sullen and withdrawn. Only his close friends know the real Cassius. He is a warm and caring individual who has known hardship throughout his life. In his teachings, he is extremely patient. His smile encourages results, which he always seems to get. He will gladly teach mastery in the Bastard Sword to any who would come. To those who are worthy and accept his price, he will teach his special martial and weapon styles. His love in life is a woman named Angela, a priestess of Tymora who has accompanied him on many journeys.

Game Uses: Cassius resides in the Thunderpeaks on the southwestern corner of Cormanthyr. He built his special castle here as a first line of defense for the elves of the region and also as a safe haven for them. He will teach in his home for a modest fee and provides food and shelter for all students.

His fees are usually 100 gold/level. He will also accept any tomes or treatises as payment, as he finds knowledge to be more important than money. He will teach mastery to any warrior willing to spend the time and money. His price for teaching his fighting styles is life long servitude for his god, Ahwehota. This price should only be offered to those of good alignment that have proven themselves worthy.

History: Cassius's story begins in the City of Raven's Bluff. Not much is known before that. He grew own the streets and at the age of 15 enrolled in the guard full time. He learned many skills. When his three year service was up, Cassius began travel north toward Mulmaster, near the Moonsea. He met up with Piccolo, a thief shortly there after and the travelled together out of convenience, though they soon became friends. Cassius adventured around the Moonsea for sometime, stopping in the towns on his way north around the east end of the Moonsea and then headed west. He made friends with a local mage named Knolan, a gnome inventor named Trinket, and a dwarven smith named Bud. It was these friends that forged his prized bastard sword. He acquired a few more travelling companions, some outcasts and drifters like himself, others claiming to be on a mission.

While travelling north of the Dragonspire Mountains, Cassius and his friends encountered a lowly shack high in the mountains. Here his life would change forever. He met a old hermit by the name of Max. But Max was not what he seemed. In fact, he was a demigod named Ahwehota. Ahwehota had watched Cassius for sometime and noticed qualities within him that could change the world. He made Cassius the first of his Chosen, training him in the use of his sword and his unique fighting styles. He also supplied him with equipment, including his Boots of Speed and his Ring of Shocking Grasp. He also required a bargain from Cassius. When Cassius's time came to depart the mortal coil, he would become an emissary for Ahwehota.

Cassius continued on his travels which included Zhentil Keep, Hellgate Keep, and journeys to other worlds. He met another man in his travels named Oli Kingslayer, an elven master archer who would accompany him on his journeys to repay Cassius for saving his life and the lives of his people. Cassius also discovered at this time the source of his combat styles. They had been taught to a mortal Max who had adventured across the planes and other worlds in his quest for godhood. He would later return to Abeir-Toril and would build a castle in the Thunderpeaks on the southwest end of Cormanthyr. Here he trains new warriors and has begun his inner search for ultimate peace. But this peace may be short lived. Recently Cassius has uncovered clues to his past that may be destroy everything he has accomplished. Only time will tell.

Allies:
Henry Lawmaster (dwarf m, F18), Trinket (gnome m, T19), Knolan (half-elf, M20/Pr 20-elementalist), Angela (human f Pr17-Tymora), Dalimar (elven m, M21-Wildmage), Garrett (human/weretiger m, R-20), Piccolo (human mT21), Oli Kingslayer (elven m, F23/M20-archer mage), Alustriel of Silverymoon, the dwarven descendants of Ammarindar, and the elven descendants from Ascalhorn

Enemies:
Zhentil Keep, The Dlardrageths of Hellgate Keep, Kaanyr Vhok-the Sceptered One, and Aliisza, the necromancer N'Geth, his transformed skeleton warrior Argos, and Thrall Grumth, a high priest of Gruumsh One-Eye the orc god.