The Weight of Authority

Overview • Context • Scenario • Characters • Design Notes

Characters

The following pre-built characters are central to the scenario’s conflict and tension. Together they represent competing aspects of authority working together to enforce a shared obligation, expressed through some light background and mechanical features. They are not optimized builds; rather they are tools for the scenario and demonstrations of their class archetypes in a social rather than combat capacity.

Julius of the Capitoline

A junior priest of Jupiter Optimus Maximus serving as a religious attaché to a frontier province. He is trained in ritual law, augury, and state cult practice. He has a legal responsibility to see that the requisition order is fulfilled.

This character demonstrates clerics as institutional authority. Julius embodies the legitimacy of an empire and its laws.

Background: 3rd-level human cleric.

Ability Scores: Str 13, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 12.

Skills: Intimidate +7, Sense Motive +8, Handle Animal +7.

Feats: Improved initiative, endurance.

Bonus Feat (Human): Alertness.

Special Abilities: Turn undead, cleric spells.

Deity/Domains: Jupiter/Law and Protection.

Tignos Noricensis

Tignos is an engineer and contract warrior from the Alpine dwarves north of Italia, who’s people supply Rome with Noric steel and guard the mountain passes. He is here to enforce the law and provide escort and deterrence if needed.

This character demonstrates fighters as practical authority. Tignos power comes from technique, expertise, and sometimes force.

Background: 3rd-level dwarven fighter.

Ability Scores: Str 15, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 6.

Feats: Weapon focus (dwarven waraxe), endurance.

Bonus Feats (Fighter): Skill focus (Profession (engineer)), toughness.

Skills: Knowledge (local) +6, Profession (engineer) +6.

Saving Throws: Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +2.

Macha ex Hibernia

A traveling druid-scholar from northern Gallia studying Roman ritual magic and provincial cult practices. She is here to mediate between roman law and local custom, and can provide insight into who can afford what.

This character demonstrates wizards as scholarly authority. Macha is a practitioner of ancient ritual and understands long-held beliefs along the fringes of the Empire.

Background: 3rd-level elven wizard.

Ability Scores: Str 10, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 8.

Skills: Spellcraft +11, Decipher Script +8, Knowledge (arcana) +11, Knowledge (history) +8.

Feats: Skill focus (Knowledge (arcana)), skill Focus (Spellcraft).

Bonus Feat (Wizard): Scribe scroll.

Special: Summon familiar, wizard spells.

Saves: Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +4.

Spellbook: 0—Detect magic, prestidigitation, light, message; 1st—Comprehend languages, charm person, alarm; 2nd—Detect thoughts, knock.

Laufey Quickstep

A halfling river-trader from the borders of Germania working as a courier, guide, and civil intermediary. She is here to make contacts and gather information.

This character demonstrates rogues as a social authority. Laufey provides mobility, networking, and discretion in the spaces between laws.

Background: 3rd-level halfling rogue.

Ability Scores: Str 10, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 8.

Skills: Bluff +8, Diplomacy +7, Gather Information +8, Hide +13, Knowledge (local) +8, Listen +8, Sense Motive +11, Spot +6, Survival +8, Profession (boater) +6.

Feats: Skill focus (Gather Information), negotiator.

Saving Throws: Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +1.