As young teens, they often bickered and got into heated arguments over what was right and what was wrong, just or unjust. Romis viewed the world much like his father, from the eyes of a noble. Things were just if it served the nobles’ wants and needs. Barnin didn’t agree with this point of view, thinking there was just something wrong with that.

  Barnin had liked going to the local tailor’s shop ever since he could remember. Landreth, the local tailor, used to be an adventurer. He would sneak away whenever there and steal looks a Landreth’s office. The office was decorated with all sorts of wonderful items, like a sword that looked as though it was fifteen feet long. There was a shield that was black and had an odd picture on the front. It was a picture of a skull with a dark moon behind it, and it looked like a splattering of blood on the shield. There were many other wonderful items in that office.

  One day, the boys were sent to pick up an order of clothing from the tailor. Barnin’s spirits were immediately lifted because he hadn’t been to Landreth’s shop in weeks. When they arrived at the shop, Landreth had the order ready as usual. Romis went through the order, remarking at the “less than excellent” quality. The lords of Tehn had never really accepted Landreth because of his race. Landreth, knowing his place, remained quiet. Barnin came to his defense, saying that Landreth was the best tailor for hundreds of miles and that was why his father used the tailor to make their clothing. The argument turned into a shoving match. Landreth stepped in between the boys because he didn’t want his shop wrecked and because he didn’t see the need for a senseless fight on his behalf. Romis saw this as an attack and drew his sword. Landreth’s wife saw this, rushing from their office. Jasmine, only trying to deflect the thrust that was aimed at her husband, was stabbed. She died in her husband’s arms within minutes. As he watched his beloved die, a small part of Landreth died and he felt a flame inside go out.

  Romis quickly ran back to the castle and told his father what had happened. Duke Leftwich was at Landreth’s shop within minutes. They made a quick agreement that no one was ever to speak of this again as Romis was next in line to become Duke and this senseless accident could be seen in another light. The Duke said he would see to it that Landreth and his family would be taken care of for generations to come as long as no one were to ever speak of this. Landreth agreed to this, only for lack of want for anything but his beloved Jasmine back.

  Barnin felt guilty about everything, being as it was his argument with his brother that caused this whole tragic event. Barnin started spending less time in the castle and more time going to the tailor’s shop, hoping to talk to the tailor about what had happened. The tailor was often not at his shop. A sign on the door stated he was working from home, he would be in later. One day, he found Landreth in the shop with several other customers. He waited for what seemed like ages for the customers to clear out before he got a chance to talk to Landreth. Landreth couldn’t make eye contact with the boy. After a time of Barnin rambling on and Landreth saying nothing, Barnin tried a different approach. He walked to the back of the shop where the office was located and looked again, in wonder, at all the treasures hanging in the ex-adventurer’s office. As he walked in the stood in the middle of the room, he heard Landreth walk in behind him. Landreth started slowly talking about the sword that Barnin was looking at, and how he had slain a giant that attacked his adventuring party with it. He had taken the sword as a momento of that day. Landreth slowly told more and more stories until the shadows had grown long and darkness was drawing on.

  Barnin started going to the tailor’s shop daily to hear wonderful stories of adventure and fortune. After a few months of this, Barnin started asking questions about the weapons used and how to defeat such formidable foes as a giant. And so began Barnin’s first true instruction on weapon use, He had received formal instruction as a child, but when it came to instruction, it was always dry, and he never liked it. He started getting instruction from Landreth.

  You gain an attack of opportunity whenever an enemy attempts to grapple you, even if the enemy has a feat or special ability that would normally bypass the attack.

  If you deal damage with this attack, the enemy fails to start the grapple unless it has the Improved Grapple feat or a special ability such as improved grab. If the enemy has such an ability, you may add the damage you deal as a bonus on your opposed check to resist being grappled. This feat does not give you extra attacks of opportunity during a round or allow you to make an attack of opportunity when you would be denied one for being surprised, helpless, or in a similar situation.

Fate Points: 5

  Fate Point can be spent at any time to immediately reroll the result of a d20 roll, but the character must accept the new result, even if it is lower than the previous one (unless the character spends another Fate Point to reroll this new result). Once spent, they are gone forever.