Illyssa of Thay, Watcher of Helm        CR 12   
Female Human (Rashemi) Rogue 3 / Ranger 3 / Paladin 6
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses Listen +7, Spot +7
Aura courage (10 ft., +4 on saves against fear)
Languages: Common, Damaran, Mulhorandi, Rashemi

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AC full-plate: 28, touch 15, flat-footed 25 (+9 armor, +4 shield, +2 deflection);
AC studded leather: 20, touch 16, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +2 deflection);
hp 99 (12 HD)
Fort +15, Ref +16, Will +11

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Speed full plate: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Speed studded leather: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee Undeadbane +15 (1d8+4/19-20)
Ranged comp short bow +17 (1d6+2/x3)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +11; Grp +13
Atk Options favored enemy (Humanoid(human)), smite evil 2/day (+4 attack, +6 damage), sneak attack +2d6
Special Actions lay on hands 24 points/day, turn undead 7/day (+6, 2d6+7, 3rd)
Paladin Spells Prepared (CL 3rd):
  1st - cure light wounds, divine sacrifice (Book of Exalted Deeds)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 3rd):
  At will - detect evil
  1/week - remove disease

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Abilities Str 14, Dex 16 (18), Con 14, Int 14, Wis 17, Cha 18
SQ aura of good, divine grace, divine health, evasion, special mount, trap sense +1, trapfinding, wild empathy (+9)
Feats Endurance, Mounted Combat, Negotiator, Nimble Fingers, Nimbus of Light (Book of Exalted Deeds), Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot*, Stigmata (Book of Exalted Deeds), Track

* only applies when wearing light armor

Skills Concentration +6, Craft (Bowmaking) +5, Diplomacy +20, Disable Device +9, Escape Artist* +9, Gather Information +9, Handle Animal +10, Heal +8, Hide* +10, Knowledge (Geography) +5, Knowledge (Nature) +9, Knowledge (Nobility and Religion) +7, Knowledge (Religion) +7, Listen +7, Move Silently* +10, Open Lock +11, Ride +16, Search +7, Sense Motive +12, Sleight of Hand* +9, Spot +7, Survival +8, Tumble* +9

* Skills do not have armor check penalties factored in since Illyssa is just as often in studded leather as full plate (-3 armor check penalty).

Possessions: +1 Studded Leather of Masking (Shining South); +1 Everbright, Mithril Full Plate (Faith and Pantheons); +2 Heavy, Steel Shield; Undeadbane (+2 Holy, Ghost Touch Longsword); +2 Composite Short Bow of Speed (+2 Str bonus); Gloves of Dexterity +2; Ring of Mind Shielding; Ring of Protection +2, Bag of Holding (Type II)

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Background:

Illyssa of Thay was born in 1348 DR and grew up in Tyraturos to a poor, commoner family with no hope of the future. When Illyssa was seven, her father crossed a slaver in a game of chance (probably bones, as that was her father's favorite past time) and was slain. Illyssa's mother and older sister, Marthion, were taken as slaves but Illyssa escaped to the streets. Even at such a young age her natural ability to influence people was evident and she was taken in by members of one of the thieves' guilds of the filthy city. She learned the ways of the craft over the next eight years. At 15, Illyssa determined Tyraturos and the ways of the Guild only led to a dead end path and left the city.

Illyssa traveled to Bezantur, largest of the cities of Thay, unsure of her future. Her haughtiness and general contempt for those beneath her caught the attention of one of the Sisters of Cyric, who took the young girl under her wing. Soon, Illyssa found herself applying to serve in one of the black unicorn cavalry units. Her petitioning was successful and a black unicorn agreed to Illyssa being its rider. Illyssa was assigned to a mounted archer unit, where she remained for the next four years.

Then, while on patrol in the Priador near Escalant Illyssa somehow was separated from the rest of her scouting patrol. After hours of wandering, Illyssa had a vision of a knight in full plate armor calling her to leave the ways of her past. The knight asked her to instead take the path she was destined for, to serve Helm and fight for the liberation of Thay from the Red Wizards. Already disillusioned by the excesses of the nobles, especially the Red Wizards, Illyssa chose to follow this vision, which pointed her to Elturel.

Illyssa's steed sensed its rider's change and immediately threw Illyssa off. Alone against the black unicorn, Illyssa renounced her allegiance and swore to serve Helm as she barely defeated her former mount. Battered, she began the long journey to Elturel, where she was received by High Rider Lord Dhelt. Confirmed in the faith of Helm and in her new path as a paladin of the vigilant one, she rode off for the Dalelands in order to seek her new future.

The change from rogue and archer to the eyes of Helm has not been an easy one for her. Many of the church of Helm were shocked at the sight of Illyssa when she first rode into Elturel for she very much looked the part of her past armored in black studded leather with her most prominent weapon a short bow. This sight was a far cry from the typical image of a Helmite, clad in heavy armor and wading into combat hand-to-hand. However, over the years Illyssa has learned to wear heavy armor, fight with sword and shield or joust with lance, and look the part of the faceless Helmite. The old ways die hard, though, and those who know Illyssa are as accustomed to find her in leather with bow as they are in full plate with sword and shield.