The character is Lawrence Greyson, a roughly five and a half foot tall man in his late twenties with completely unmanaged grey hair, a piecemeal leather armour covered by a shirt of mithril chainmail of elven design; rather out of place over the cheap leather. He carries a shortbow and keeps a battleaxe for his off-hand and a dagger for his main. He carries a rather full backpack, filled and covered with various tools and supplies.

He is playful, but amoral. Not evil, just certainly not good. He laughs and jokes at peril, while continually throwing himself into it. Deep down, it’s for de-stressing, as he gets stressed very easily and defusing situations with humour helps avoid it (as well as infuriating whomever he’s facing, which always helps). He likes working with others, but only if they can keep up. He doesn’t rely on magic, trusting only his own physical ability, and barely enough magic on his weapons to make them effective against his opponents rather than useless.

Growing up near the (to them, unnamed) elven lands had an affect on young Lawrence, a curious and eccentric boy. He spent most of his dependant years crossing the border into the forests, and playing with the children there. His parents thought them a bad influence, as the elves were mistrusted. The boy grew up physically and mentally much faster than his playmates and had to socialise with many older crowds. During that time he became more in touch with the world than most elves thought humans could, and more agile and graceful, having to travel through the treetops like the natives do. One of his acquaintances who (unbeknownst to him) was a member of the Bladed Leaf, a prominent military guerilla warfare and reconnaissance unit asked him if he’d want to be trained in their ways, with no obligations to them afterward. Lawrence agreed, and the man was convinced that he would join them when his training was complete. Lawrence was a prodigy, and became expert in mobile combat and survival skills. He then left as soon as his training was done, without even saying goodbye, much to everyone’s surprise.

His motivation was simple – see the world and have a good time while doing it. All Lawrence seemed to care for was his own journey, and while he was intolerant of what people would call ‘evil’ acts, he didn’t take much stock in good and evil himself. This caught the attention of a man known as ‘the Saint’, a roguish figure with a lot of influence and a knack of knowing just what is needed. As most auspicious meetings are, the two met by pure luck. He started doing work for the Saint; steal this off a powerful wizard, take this from a dead dragon’s lair, each task ever more dangerous and daring, just how Lawrence liked it. He laughed as he went, being ridiculous and astounding between one moment and the next. His personal best was when he stopped an entire Yuan-Ti force in their tracks by claiming brazenly that he was a ‘mighty wizard’ and making such a good impression that they backed down long enough for him to escape with their temple’s golden idol through an open skylight. Though he wasn’t a worshipper, he became known in some circles as ‘Olidammara’s Laughter’, for his roguish and comic ways.

3^rd Edition

Race: Human

Level: 23

Classes: Scout 16/Thief-Acrobat 4/Ruathar 3

Favourite Class Feature: Fast Acrobatics. It is the basis for his brand of tumbling combat, allowing him to constantly change position and tie up a large force while also always able to escape if it gets too difficult.

Favourite Feats: Acrobatic Strike, Dual Strike and Keen-Eared Scout. Acrobatic Strike, mixed with his tumbling around the battlefield, gives a pretty much constant +6 to his attacks, as long as he keeps moving. Dual Strike allows him to attack with both his weapons after tumbling, getting Skirmish bonus and the attack bonus from the earlier feat for both weapons as they count as the same attack, for a devastating amount of damage. Keen-Eared Scout lets him identify threats from far off, down to what they are, what they’re wearing and carrying, how far they are and where they’re going. It’s a huge help when he’s the party scout.

4^th Edition

Race: Human

Level: 23

Class: Rogue/Cat Burglar/Eternal Seeker

Favourite Race or Class Feature: Rogue Tactics – Artful Dodger. It allows his tumbling combat style to continue since the loss of Tumble as a skill. A high Charisma modifier makes him virtually untouchable while mobile.

Favourite Powers: Dazzling Acrobatics, Instant Escape and Bloody Path. Dazzling Acrobatics allows him to dart around the battlefield at great speed, just in case the enemy is inaccessible or he needs to get out fast. Instant Escape gets him out of tricky spots as soon as he gets into them, and he slips by. Bloody Path uses his speed against the enemy, causing a large group to potentially kill themselves while trying to hit him as he rushes past.

Favourite Feats: Sure Climber and Flanking Manuever. Sure Climber further increases his aptitude for movement, allowing him to scramble up cliffs and walls quickly to further confound the enemy who previously thought themselves safe, or thought him cornered. Flanking Manuever allows a greater range of movement, through many normally inaccessible spaces, further emulating his tumbling around, darting behind and around foes.

I began as a sea elf living in Old Ptolus City,
A Bard in House Dalamoth; sweet gig, sitting pretty,
Delving with 10th level chums, from the Docks to the Spire,
Of that City by the sea we never will tire.

I threw spells and sang charms and used wands to do healing,
Use of Magic devices is the skill for believing
That Bards can do everything given half a chance
With a ring of evasion leading all a merry dance.

Keen elven weapon training meant that using my bow
I could fire into combat and with Precise Shot hit my foe
And even if occasionally my aim was quite awful
Can’t be helped and who cares? You try being alignment non-lawful!

But the fateful day came when all the angels had fallen
Moons spun in their orbits, Rune Children were called on
To defend as we had to spite the Prophecy’s sway
And our heroes quests were completed and as it was release day…

…We switched up to 4th, ‘stead of Spells I have Powers.
And adventuring in Sharn, Ebberon’s city of towers.
War Forged, Shifters and Gnolls from the last war’s battalion
Our motley crew’s base of Ops is a Lyrandar galleon!

For this is the tale of an Elf turned Eladrin,
(‘Cos the intelligence bonus is clearly worth havin’)
PHB2 ensures I’m still playing a Bard
Converted 3rd into 4th Ed. It’s REALLY not very hard!

And yes I can heal with my shiny new power
From a distance or in combat when the monsters tower
Over my head, with Majestic Words I do urge
You to regain 4 more hit points, oh and spend a surge!

And if that fiend’s proving tricky and harder to sock
With harsh language and bile I shall viciously mock,
taunt and anger the creature so greatly that you
will find it easier to take down with defence minus 2!

We work well as a group as our new roles compliment
One another’s, we’re Heroic! Success up a hundred percent!
But if you think I’m not tough ‘cos I live and let live,
Then just pick up your die and roll initiative!

For yes I’m Jack of all trades, maybe master of none
But my all rounder’s a killer and my party will have fun
As I back up, slide and assist them in handing you your rear
Then write a sonnet to remember it on my Fochlucan bandolier!

And the moral of this tale if you’ll please raise your flagon
That no matter the Edition of your Dungeon or Dragon
It’s a game.  Of stories and fights and of heroes Die Hard.
So listen up! Pay attention! To the new 4th no holds Bard!