Purveyor of Fine and Not-So-Fine Horses and Mules, Veterinarian, and Farrier
Halfling male exp 3/rng 2: CR 4; Small humanoid (halfling); Hit Dice 2d8+2 plus 3d6+3; 24 hp; Init +5; Spd 20 ft. (4 squares); AC 16 (16 touch, 11 flat-footed); BAB/Grapple +4/+1; Atk +3 melee (1d2+1 nonlethal, whip), or +6 melee (1d3+1/18-20, cold iron kukri) or +10 ranged (1d4+1/x3, mighty composite shortbow [+1 Str]); Full atk +3 melee (1d2+1 nonlethal, whip), or +6 melee (1d3+1/18-20, cold iron kukri) or +10 ranged (1d4+1/x3, mighty composite shortbow [+1 Str]); SQ +2 morale bonus to saves vs. fear, +1 racial bonus to attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings, +1 racial bonus on all saves, +2 racial bonus Climb, Jump, Listen, and Move Silently checks, combat style, favored enemy (human) +2, wild empathy +3; AL NG; SV Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +6; Str 13, Dex 20, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 13; Weight 35 lbs., Height 3 ft., 1 in.
Skills and Feats: Appraise +7, Craft (leatherworking) +7, Diplomacy +4, Gather Inromation +2, Handle Animal +12, Heal +10, Hide +12, Listen +7, Move Silently +9, Sense Motive +4, Ride +11, Speak Language (Common, Halfling, Elven), Spot +5, Survival +4, Use Rope +11; Rapid Shot, Self-Sufficient, Skill Focus (Handle Animal), Track.
Combat Style (Ex): Barth has selected archery. He gains the Rapid Shot feat.
Favored Enemy (Ex): Barth gains a +2 bonus on his Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against humans. He gets the same bonus on weapon damage rolls against humans.
Wild Empathy (Ex): Barth can improve the attitude of an animal in the same way a Diplomacy check can improve the attitude of a sentient being. He rolls 1d20+3, or 1d20-1 if attempting to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2.
Possessions: horseshoes of speed, pony, masterwork military saddle, masterwork whip, cold iron kukri, mighty composite shortbow [+1 Str], 20 arrows.
Barth Ewell settled in Keriel’s turn about twenty years ago, by his own count, and set up shop as a farrier, horse doctor, and horse trader soon afterwards, enjoying a brisk business almost from the outset because of his rapidly-garnered reputation as businessman of unusual skill and honesty, who has forgotten more than most individuals ever learn about the care of equines.
Everyone who knows Barth seems to like him, for reasons ranging from his gruff kindness, to his willingness to share juicy tidbits of gossip about his customers, most of whom are merchants or barge captains in need of his services. He’s also uncommonly perceptive, which has stood him in good stead recently because of Nerraella Tinnilstrathor’s attempts to become friendly with him as a means of turning his knowledge of caravan and shipping movements to the advantage of the Black Purse. While Ewell is unaware of Nerraella’s true motives, he smells something fishy and doesn’t trust her.