Cash (3.5e NPC)
Cash is a Chaotic Good NPC who functions on the surface as Chaotic Neutral or even Chaotic Evil, hence his spell undetectable alignment. Though he can fight, and his 'lucky sword' allows him to land stronger blows fairly consistently, he avoids combat whenever possible, choosing pragmatism over style. I gave him 'Forged Diplomatic Immunity Documents' as an item, but it can really be anything contextually relevant. He may be working as a messenger and delivering an important notice to the corrupt constable of some town, only to trap him with sepia snake sigil and then neutralize him. He could be working for a wizard, who unknowingly owns an item that is vital to the progress of whatever Cash's cause is - then he tricks the wizard into reading 'instructions for a new spell' that he stole from the wizard's rival. His stealth is not to hide when unwelcome, but to be welcomed by his enemies so that he can infiltrate their ranks and sever the head of the snake. If caught, and left with no option but to run, he will mirror himself, slow his enemies and run, using illusion spells to create obstacles for his perusers. His CR is bumped to 9 mainly because as an NPC he has knowledge that the players will not (minor details he can exploit, usually) and because of his keen rapier, which crits 30% of the time.
| Male Human Bard 8 | |
| Chaotic Good Medium Humanoid | |
| Init/Senses | +3/Listen +1, Spot +6 |
| Languages | Common, Elven, Draconic |
| AC | 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13; Fencing Stance +2 AC (dodge), Cat's Grace +2 AC (dex) (+3 Dex, +3 Armor) |
| hp | 59 (8 HD) |
| Fort/Ref/Will | 4/9/7 |
| Speed | 30 |
| Melee | +1 Keen Rapier +10/+5 (1d6+2/15-20) |
| Ranged | Throwing Knives +9/+4 (1d4/20) |
| Base Atk/Grp | +6/+1/+8 |
| Special Actions | Inspire Courage, Inspire Competence, Bardic Music (8/day) (Countersong, Fascinate), Suggestion |
| Spells Known | (CL 8th): 2nd (4/day)—blindness/deafness , cat's grace , minor image , mirror image |
| Abilities | Str 15, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 20 |
| Feats | Weapon Finesse, Weapon Finesse, Fencing Stance, Scribe Scroll, Quicken Spell |
| Skills | Balance +7, Bluff +16, Concentration +7, Diplomacy +7, Disguise +12, Forgery +7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (History) +7, Perform (Fiddle) +16, Search +7, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of Hand +12, Spellcraft +13, Spot +6, Survival +3, Use Magic Device +7 |
| Possessions | Forged Diplomatic Immunity Papers (Sepia Snake Sigil cast on them), Knife holsters on belt, Fiddle & Case, 9gp |
As for instruments, Cash's favored would be the harmonica if it were historically accurate. Your call - it is a custom setting after all. He doesn't play it for others so much as for himself, so players will find him playing when he's either in a certain mood, or trying to get into another mood. He could possibly passively fascinate listeners while he plays because his great love for music has led him to become quite talented.
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