Fitz — Fizzwick Tanglebram
Pathfinder 1e · Rise of the Runelords · GM: Robert Wilhelm
Identity
| Full Name | Fizzwick Tanglebram | Goes By | Fitz |
| Class | Songfilch (Bard/Rogue) | Level | 1 |
| Race | Gnome | Alignment | Chaotic Good |
| Size | Small | Age | 36 (≈ 16 human) |
| Height | 3’4” | Weight | 39 lbs. |
| Hair | Auburn | Gender | Male |
| Homeland | Sandpoint, Varisia — Gull Street | Deity | Desna |
| Favored Class | Songfilch (counts as Bard) | FCB Choice | +1 Bardic Performance round/level |
Ability Scores
| Ability | Base | Racial | Final | Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 7 | –2 | 5 | –3 |
| Dexterity | 16 | — | 16 | +3 |
| Constitution | 12 | +2 | 14 | +2 |
| Intelligence | 14 | — | 14 | +2 |
| Wisdom | 8 | — | 8 | –1 |
| Charisma | 18* | +2 | 20 | +5 |
* Set Three array (17,16,14,12,8,7) + 5 bonus points: 7→8 Str (2 pts) + 17→18 Cha (4 pts). Gnome racial applied.
Combat Statistics
| Stat | Value | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 10 | 8 (d8) + 2 Con |
| AC | 16 | 10 + 2 armor + 3 Dex + 1 size |
| Touch AC | 14 | 10 + 3 Dex + 1 size |
| Flat-Footed | 13 | 10 + 2 armor + 1 size |
| Initiative | +5 | +3 Dex + 2 Excitable |
| Speed | 20 ft. | Gnome base |
| BAB | +0 | Level 1 |
| CMB | –4 | 0 + (–3 Str) + (–1 size) |
| CMD | 10 | 10 + 0 + (–3) + (–1) |
Saving Throws
| Save | Total | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Fortitude | +2 | 0 base + 2 Con |
| Reflex | +5 | 2 base + 3 Dex |
| Will | +1 | 2 base + (–1 Wis) |
Note: Gnome +2 vs. illusions applies only to illusion spells/effects — not a general Will bonus.
Skills
8 skill points at level 1 (6 base + 2 Int). All points spent.
| Skill | CS | Ability | Mod | Ranks | Misc | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluff | ✓ | Cha | +5 | 1 | — | +9 | Talking his way out of trouble |
| Diplomacy | ✓ | Cha | +5 | 1 | — | +9 | Charming bards into sharing stories |
| Disable Device | ✓ | Dex | +3 | 1 | — | +7 | Added by Songfilch |
| Knowledge (Local) | ✓ | Int | +2 | 1 | — | +6 | Every rumor about Sandpoint; +1 Bardic Knowledge |
| Perception | ✓ | Wis | –1 | 1 | +2 gnome | +5 | Sharp eyes from watching and listening |
| Perform (Oratory) | ✓ | Cha | +5 | 1 | — | +9 | Core identity — Diversion & Piercing Crescendo |
| Sleight of Hand | ✓ | Dex | +3 | 1 | — | +7 | Harbor kid, grew up around loose cargo |
| Stealth | ✓ | Dex | +3 | 1 | +4 size | +11 | Sneaking away from fishing duty |
Spells
Spell Save DC = 10 + spell level + 5 (Cha) Spell Slots: 2/day (1st level) · Cantrips at will Bonus slots from Cha 20: +1 to 1st–4th level as those levels are reached.
Cantrips (4 known — at will)
- Detect Magic
- Prestidigitation
- Mage Hand
- Dancing Lights
1st Level (2 known — 2/day · DC 16)
- Cure Light Wounds — heals 1d8+1 HP
- Jitterbugs — Will DC 16 negates; target takes –4 on all Dex checks and Dex-based skills, cannot delay/ready/total defense; 1 round/level; Illusion (figment) [mind-affecting]
Future Spells (noted for later levels)
Vanish · See Alignment · Recharge Innate Magic · Feather Fall · Coin Shot · Biting Words · Alluring Light
Traits & Drawbacks
Traits
Excitable (Gnome) +2 trait bonus on all Initiative checks. Total Initiative: +5.
Naturally Gifted (Gnome) +1 extra use per day of any one gnome magic spell-like ability (Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation, or Speak with Animals). Choose fresh each morning.
Drawbacks
Naive –2 AC vs. attacks with improvised weapons; –2 CMD vs. dirty trick combat maneuvers.
Forgetful When leaving a location visited for 1+ hour, make a DC 10 Wis check. Failure = leave behind one random mundane item.
Feats
1st Level Feat: Extra Performance +6 additional bardic performance rounds per day.
Drawback Bonus Feat: Lingering Performance (APG pg. 164) Bardic performance bonuses/penalties continue for 2 rounds after stopping. Starting a new performance during this window immediately ends the previous effect.
Class Features
Bardic Performance
16 rounds/day — 4 base + 5 Cha + 6 Extra Performance + 1 Gnome FCB
| Performance | Description |
|---|---|
| Diversion (Su) | Will save DC 15 or target hears ghost sounds; Fitz may immediately attempt Stealth to vanish from view. Replaces Distraction. |
| Obfuscate (Sp) | Grants invisibility (as spell) to self or creature within 30 ft. for as long as performance is maintained. Lingering Performance extends 2 rounds after stopping. Replaces Fascinate. |
| Piercing Crescendo (Su) | Standard action. Ranged touch attack, 30 ft., no AoO. Deals 1d4 piercing + 0 sonic (½ level). Ignores hardness and DR. Target saves vs. Daze (DC 15, Fort or Will per Robert). Not subject to spell resistance. Replaces Countersong. |
Sneak Attack
+1d6 when target is denied Dex bonus or when flanking.
- Free with Piercing Crescendo when you already qualify (flat-footed, invisible, successful Diversion, etc.)
- Costs +1 BP round to apply when you would not normally qualify — no check or save needed.
Replaces Inspire Courage.
Bardic Knowledge
+1 to all Knowledge checks; can attempt Knowledge checks untrained.
Cantrips
Cast 0-level spells at will.
Gnome Racial Traits
| Trait | Effect |
|---|---|
| Small Size | +1 size bonus to AC and attacks; +4 Stealth; –1 CMB/CMD |
| Low-Light Vision | See twice as far in dim light |
| +2 Con, +2 Cha, –2 Str | Applied to final scores |
| +2 vs. Illusions | Racial bonus on saves vs. illusion spells/effects only |
| +1 DC Illusions | +1 to save DCs of illusion spells Fitz casts |
| +4 vs. Fear | Racial bonus on saves vs. fear effects |
| Obsessive | +2 racial bonus on one Craft or Profession skill |
| Gnome Magic | 1/day each: Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation, Speak with Animals (CL = character level). Naturally Gifted adds +1 use/day of any one. |
| Hatred | +1 attack vs. goblinoids and reptilians |
| Defensive Training | +4 dodge bonus to AC vs. giants |
| Weapon Familiarity | Gnome weapons treated as martial |
Equipment
| Item | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapier | 20 gp | 2 lb. | Martial, 1d6 piercing, 18-20/×2. Weapon Finesse for Dex to hit. |
| Leather Armor | 10 gp | 15 lb. | Light, +2 AC, max Dex +6, 10% spell fail, no ACP |
| Scarf, bladed | 12 gp | 2 lb. | Exotic, 1d4 slashing, 19-20/×2, reach. Weapon Finesse applies. Appears as ordinary Varisian scarf. |
| Ink, 1 oz. vial | 8 gp | — | For the portrait book and story notes |
| Portrait book | 10 gp | 3 lb. | 100-page face-drawing book. Fitz’s story-collecting journal. |
| Inkpen | 1 sp | — | |
| Belt pouch | 1 gp | 0.5 lb. | Holds remaining coin |
| Total spent | 61 gp 1 sp | 20.5 lb. | Starting gold: 105 gp (Bard avg 3d6×10) |
| Coin remaining | 43 gp 9 sp | — | Daggers and shield removed after session 1 |
Background
Family
| Father | Corvin Tanglebram — fisherman, owner of the Stellar Sturgeon |
| Mother | Maesel Tanglebram — practical, quietly supportive |
| Sibling 1 | Pip (Pipplewhistle) Tanglebram — age ~11, hero-worships Fitz |
| Sibling 2 | Nessa Tanglebram — age ~8, disturbingly perceptive |
Personality Storyteller at heart. Collects tales from traveling bards. Performs for neighborhood kids. Eternally curious — asks questions to hear more, then recites the answers back to check he got them right. A blend of Tasslehoff Burrfoot (irrepressible curiosity, light fingers), Mickey Mouse (boundless enthusiasm, chaotic energy), Bilbo Baggins (unexpected depth, love of home mixed with hunger for adventure), and Scanlon Shortholt from Critical Role (charming performer, quick wit, always spinning a situation to his advantage).
Goal Get out of Sandpoint and see the world. Magnimar. Riddleport. Anywhere with stories worth telling.
Fear Spending his whole life on the Stellar Sturgeon.
Deity Desna — Goddess of Dreams, Stars, Travelers, and Luck (CG). Domains: Chaos, Good, Liberation, Luck, Travel. Fitz lights a candle to her most nights, asking quietly when it will finally be his turn to go somewhere.
Piercing Crescendo — Full Ruling Text
(Robert Wilhelm ruling, incorporating original Songfilch text)
At 1st level, a songfilch can use his bardic performance to unleash a powerful keening note which transforms into a razor-sharp crystalline shard. The shard deals piercing damage equal to 1d4 plus sonic damage equal to ½ the songfilch’s level (minimum 0) to a single target within 30 feet. This crystalline shard ignores hardness and damage reduction. The note is inaudible to all but the target. Activating piercing crescendo requires a standard action and a ranged touch attack that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
The target must then succeed on a Fortitude or Will save (DC 10 + ½ the songfilch’s level + Charisma modifier; DC 15 at 1st level) or be dazed for 1 round. This is a supernatural ability and is not subject to spell resistance.
Sneak Attack: Applies free whenever Fitz already qualifies (flat-footed target, invisible, after a successful Diversion). Costs +1 bardic performance round to apply when Fitz would not normally qualify — no check or save required.
Range increases to 40 ft. at 8th level, 50 ft. at 15th level. Note that the standard 30 ft. maximum range for ranged sneak attacks means the extended range won’t interact with sneak attack for several levels.
Piercing crescendo relies on audible components. This ability replaces countersong.
Sheet current as of Session 1. GM: Robert Wilhelm.