Asbrand, male azer Ftr6: CR 8; Medium Outsider (Extraplanar, Fire); HD 2d8+6 plus 6d10+18; hp 69; Init +3 (Dex); Spd 20 ft. (armour); AC 28 (+1 Dex, +6 natural, +8 armour, +3 shield), touch 11, flat-footed 27; Base Atk +8; Grp +11; Atk +13 melee (1d8+6 plus 1d6 fire/19-20/×3, +1 warhammer); Full Atk +13/+8 melee (1d8+6 plus 1d6 fire/19-20/×3, +1 warhammer); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.; SA Heat; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., immunity to fire, vulnerability to cold; SR 19; AL LN; SV Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +7; Str 17, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Languages: Common, Ignan, Terran.
Skills and Feats: Appraise +6, Climb +2, Craft (armoursmith) +5, Craft (weaponsmith) +15, Handle Animal +4, Hide +1, Intimidate +4, Jump +2, Listen +7, Ride +5, Search +6, Spot +7; Cleave, Improved Critical (warhammer), Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Craft [weaponsmith]), Weapon Focus (warhammer), Weapon Specialisation (warhammer).
Possessions: +1 warhammer, +1 half-plate, +1 heavy steel shield.
Appearance: Like many azers, Asbrand resembles a fiery dwarf. His skin resembles polished bronze and his hair is the colour of burnished brass. The smell of molten iron follows him everywhere as if all his years of working in foundries and smithies have permeated his being with the essence of heated metal. He is usually dressed both for war and work, wearing his magical field plate when forging weapons. As an azer, the intense heat does not bother him at all, and he finds the feel of hot steel quite comfortable.
Background: A member of the dwarflike azers, Asbrand spent most of his early life on the Elemental Plane of Fire. During his long apprenticeship, Asbrand became an expert weaponsmith, learning how to put a killing edge on most materials found there, from iron to granite to obsidian. Seeking to broaden his knowledge, he travelled first to the Material Plane, and then started to seek out famed weaponsmiths, offering his services as a journeyman. Outside of the dwarves themselves, few in the city-states have matched his skill at the forge, and yet despite that he has yet to win much in the way of renown. He has kept a certain air of secrecy about himself, letting only a select few know of his identity, and allowing them to distribute information about his services along various grapevines. In short, only the well-connected learn of his existence or expertise. This has kept trivial, routine jobs away from his door, allowing him to concentrate on his works of destructive art.
Roleplaying Notes: Asbrand is suspicious of most people, keeping everyone he meets at arms' length. Though he is scrupulous and meticulous in all his dealings, he does not hold other people up to that same high standard, and assumes that they are more likely to be tempted to acts of greed or laziness. He takes great pride in every piece he finishes, and will never make a weapon of less than masterwork quality. Though he does not stock any weapons made from strange materials, he gladly accepts opportunity to make custom weapons from said metals if the customer can supply them for him.
Asbrand is patient and rarely attacks on sight. He burns slow but hot, as he is wont to say. Once his dander is up, he often fights to the death. He picks on the heaviest-armed characters and uses Improved Sunder to smash their weapons and shields before using Power Attack to beat his enemies to a pulp.