Professor Baxter Abdel

A gentleman of middle age, jet black hair graying at the temples, stands over a portable writing desk. In one hand, a ink quill is making precise notations on a journal; the other is alternating between expressive gestures to work crews out in the field and keeping a pair of spectacles on his face. While his beard is frazzled with work and sweat, he regularly smooths it to a point; an act of frustrated disappointment while keeping the work force on task. A tailored vest, that has seen better days, is filled with quills, ink wells, pocket journals and the like. While he seems friendly enough, the collection of scars on his arms and hands seem to undermine the established reputation of this college professor.

Bard (Archivist) 20

CR 19

XP: 204,800

NG Medium Human

Init: +3; Senses: Darkvision 60', Perception +30

DEFENSE:

AC: 25, Touch 16, Flat-Footed 21 (+3 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 deflection +7 armor, +2 natural)

HP: 147 (19d8+52)

Fort: +12; Ref: +19; Will: +17

OFFENSE:

Speed: 40 ft.

Melee: Adamantine Rapier +1: +19 / +14 / +9 (1d6, 19-20 / x2)

Ranged: Shortbow +1: +19 / +14 / +9 (1d6, x3)

Space: 5 ft.; Reach: 5 ft.

Spells: (CL 20th, concentration +28)

0th (DC 14) - Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Mending, Message, Sift

1st (7 / day, DC 15) - Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Feather Step, Magic Mouth, Obscure Object, Remove Fear, Timely Inspiration,

2nd (7 / day, DC 16) - Alter Self, Blur, Blindness / Deafness, Cure Moderate Wounds, Detect Thoughts, Disguise Other, Locate Object, Silence, Track Ship

3rd (6 / day, DC 17) - Cure Serious Wounds, Dispel Magic, Glibness, Haste, Remove Curse, Scrying, See Invisibility, Seek Thoughts, Witness

4th (6 / day, DC 18) - Break Enchantment, Cure Critical Wounds, Detect Scrying, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Locate Creature, Modify Memory, Neutralize Poison, Serenity

5th (6 / day, DC 19) - Bard's Escape, Cure Light Wounds (Mass), False Vision, Greater Dispel Magic, Greater Heroism, Ki Shout, Mind Fog, Mirage Arcana, Persistent Image

6th (6 / day, DC 20) - Analyze Dweomer, Brilliant Inspiration, Cure Moderate Wounds (Mass), Getaway, Veil

STATISTICS:

Str 8, Dex 13 (17), Con 10 (14), Int 18 (22), Wis 12, Chr 18 (22) (Heroic NPC array, +2 Int (human), +1 Int (4th), +4 Chr (8th - 20th))

Base Atk: +15 / +10 / +5; CMB: +14; CMD: 27

Feats: Combat Casting, Dodge, Extend Spell, Extra Performance, Heightened Spell, Lingering Performance, Master Linguist, Mobility, Research, Selective Spell, Skill Focus (K: History), Weapon Finesse

Traits: Classically Schooled, Artifact Hunter

Skills: Acrobatics +20, Appraise +8, Bluff +12, Climb +22, Diplomacy +12, Disable Device +11, Disguise +10, Escape Artist +7, Fly +7, Handle Animal +10, Heal +5, Intimidate +10, K: Arcana +39, K: Dungeoneering +22, K: Engineering +22, K: Geography +23, K: History +46, K: Local +22, K: Nature +39, K: Nobility +22, K: Planes +39, K: Psionics +29, K: Religion +29, Linguistics +12, Perception +30, Perform (oratory) +19, Profession (teacher) +9, Ride +7, Sense Motive +9, Sleight of Hand +7, Spellcraft +30, Stealth +16, Survival +5, Swim +22, UMD +14

Languages: Aboleth, Abyssal, Aklo, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Drow, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnome, Gnoll, Goblin, Halfling, Ignan, Infernal, Necril, Orc, Quor, Riedran, Sphinx, Sylvan, Terran, Treant, Undercommon

SPECIAL ABILITIES:

Bardic Knowledge (Ex): +10 to all Knowledge checks

Performance: ___ / 30 rounds per day as a swift action

Countersong (Su): Counter sound effects w/ Perform check, 30'

Distraction (Su): Counter illusion (pattern / figment), Perform check, 30'

Fascinate (Su): Will DC: 24, fascinated

Naturalist (Ex): Requires identifying creature via Knowledge check, 30', +4 insight bonus to AC, attack and saving throws vs extraordinary, supernatural and spell-like abilities of that specific creature

Inspire Competence (Su): 30', +6 competence bonus to a skill check

Lamentable Belaborment (Ex): Target one fascinated creature, standard action, Will DC: 24, dazed or confused (choice) for duration of performance

Dirge of Doom (Su): 30', enemies shaken

Inspire Greatness (Su): 30', 4 allied targets, +(2d10+2x Con mod) temp HP, +2 competence bonus to attack, +1 competence bonus to Fort saves

Soothing Performance (Su): 4 rounds, Mass Cure Serious Wounds w/ removal of fatigued, sickened and shaken conditions

Frightening Tune (Sp): 30', Will DC: 24, frightened for as long as targets can hear performance

Inspire Heroics (Su): 30', 2 allied targets, +4 morale bonus to saving throws, +4 dodge bonus to AC

Pedantic Lecture (Su): Target all fascinated creatures with Lamentable Belaborment, plus sleep as an option.

Deadly Performance (Su): 30', 1 target, full-round, Will DC: 24, death or staggered for 1d4 rounds.

Lore Master (Ex): ____ / 4 times per day, take 20 on a Knowledge check.

Magic Lore (Ex): +10 to Spellcraft to identify magical items & decipher scrolls and can take 10 on such checks. +4 to saves vs. magical writing or language dependent effects. Use Disable Device to disarm magical traps.

Jack of All Trades (Ex): Use any skill untrained, can take 10 on any skill and all skills are class skills.

Probable Path (Ex): ____ / 4 times per day, take 10 on any d20 roll.

GEAR:

Combat Gear: Headband of Mental Prowess +4 (Intelligence, Charisma, ranks in Climb & Swim), Belt of Physical Might +4 (Dexterity, Constitution), Cloak +4, Mithral Chain Shirt +3, Amulet of Natural Armor +2, Ring +2, Ring of Mind Shielding, Boots of Striding and Springing, Goggles of Night, Adamantine Rapier +1, Shortbow +1 w/ 50 adamantine arrows

Other Gear: Spell Component Pouch w/ Foci (Analyze Dweomer, Scrying Shard) & components (1,000 gp), 149 gp

VITALS:

Age: 35 Height: 5' 8" Weight: 170

Hair: Black, with grey highlights Eyes: Brown Skin: Tanned

Region of Origin: Breland Religion: Sovereign Host (nominal)

Professor Baxter Abdel is a professor of Pararcheology at Morgrave University and a one-time teacher of Oberon d'Orien. However, he has been on an extended 'sabbatical' after hiring the party for an expedition into Droaam, discovering an artifact from the bygone age of giants there and accompanying the characters in their pursuit of what it means. While not a combatant by any means, Baxter has been with the party through thick and thin, providing his insight and academic skills to advise the party on their next course of action.