Bo Duke

Overview

Character Concept

Bo Duke was a highly mobile and unusually durable monk who frequently served as the party's forward operative. He was repeatedly trusted to move ahead of the group, investigate dangerous or unknown areas, probe magical hazards, and pursue enemies that other characters could not easily reach.

His survivability was a defining characteristic. The Chosen specifically described his training specialization as “ridiculous survivability.”

Bo eventually adopted the Vow of Poverty, abandoning the normal accumulation and use of magical equipment in exchange for the benefits of the vow and its associated exalted feats.

Monk

Bo was a monk.

His exact level progression, ability scores, feats, and other class details are not currently reconstructed.

His alignment is recorded as Lawful Good, consistent with his monk character and his known Chosen abilities.

The Chosen

The player characters of Under the Bus were extraordinary individuals known as The Chosen. Their advancement included special abilities that placed them above ordinary people and sometimes reproduced abilities associated with prestige classes.

Bo was formerly a member of the The Chosen.

When the party returned to the Tower of Plinth and the Chosen offered membership again, Bo and Malachi declined. Bo was thereafter treated more as a mercenary or hireling than as a full Chosen member. He retained access to some Chosen resources and information on a need-to-know basis, but no longer received the organization's membership discount.

The Chosen asked him for a voluntary promise not to betray their secrets.

When Bo received his current share of party treasure during this period, he donated it to the Chosen treasury rather than keeping it. The Chosen subsequently returned the money to the other party members to help fund their preparations.

Bo's Known Chosen Progression

• 12th: Power modeled on the Scorpion Tattoo ability associated with the Tattooed Monk.
• 13th: +2 ability score — specific choice unknown.
• 14th: Bonus feat — specific feat unknown.
• 15th: Stoneskin 1/day
• 16th: Fast Healing 1 or DR 1/— — choice unknown.

12th Level — Scorpion Tattoo

At 12th level, Bo received a Chosen Power that mimicked the Scorpion Tattoo ability of the Tattooed Monk prestige class.

The published ability allows the character, once per day per tattoo, to force an attacking opponent to use its lowest ability-score modifier instead of its Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack roll, provided the character is aware of the attack and not flat-footed.

Bo's campaign ability is recorded as a Chosen Power mimicking this ability; it should not automatically be treated as an actual level in Tattooed Monk.

15th Level — Stoneskin

At 15th level, Bo received a Chosen Power allowing him to cast Stoneskin once per day.

Other Powers

Bo possessed additional Chosen Powers, but the complete list has not yet been reconstructed.

Campaign reports also state that Ray used a Chosen Power to heal other characters. The exact source of this ability has not yet been conclusively identified.

It should not be assumed that this healing ability was a standard benefit of Vow of Poverty.

Vow of Poverty

Bo acquired the Vow of Poverty at some point during the campaign.

The exact character level at which he took the vow is currently unknown. An August 17, 2009 campaign report explicitly states that Ray had “just taken the Vow of Poverty feat,” indicating that it had been acquired by that point.

The vow became an important part of Bo's character and explains several otherwise unusual aspects of his equipment and treasure history.

Equipment implications

Bo originally possessed a dragon-styled Ring of Protection +2.

No later upgrade or continued use of the ring has been identified. Because Vow of Poverty prevents the character from using magical items, the most likely interpretation is that Bo stopped using the ring after taking the vow.

The exact disposition of the ring is unknown.

Treasure

A surviving party treasure record contains an entry labeled:

Ray's Tithe — 82,874 gp

This is consistent with the voluntary-poverty obligations associated with Bo's vow, although the exact bookkeeping meaning of this particular entry has not yet been established.

Bo also gave his current share of party treasure to the Chosen treasury when he declined to rejoin the organization as a full member.

Combat & Tactical Role

Bo's recurring role was that of a mobile scout and forward combatant.

He was repeatedly placed in situations where his combination of speed, survivability, mobility, perception, and monk abilities made him the safest character to send ahead.

Known capabilities and characteristics include:

• High movement speed
• Tumble
• Slow Fall
• High touch AC
• Strong saving throws
• Exceptional survivability
• Very good Spot checks
• Ability to function effectively without conventional equipment
• Ability to operate independently ahead of the party
• Radiant aura/glow used as a signal
• Repeated use of flight to pursue or scout airborne targets

Notable Actions & Adventures

Wolf Pyramid / Werewolf Cult

Bo participated in the party's investigation of the wolf pyramid.

During the initial assault, Bo and Marcus led a sneak-attack charge against dire wolves. When one wolf fled into the pyramid, Bo pursued and killed it before it could raise the alarm.

Bo then went ahead alone after hearing chanting, having been identified as the party's stealthiest member. He discovered a large chamber containing priests, wolves, worgs, dire wolves, humans, and werewolves conducting a blood-and-incense ceremony.

He returned to report his discovery rather than engaging the entire group alone.

Later, Bo went ahead again after discovering something important upstairs, helping lead the party to the temple at the pyramid's summit and the mysterious portal.

When the pyramid began collapsing, Bo's Slow Fall allowed him to descend the ten-foot steps rapidly during the escape.

Toreon Gladiatorial Encounter

The party encountered slave opponents who surrendered during a gladiatorial encounter.

While the crowd wanted the defeated slaves killed, Bo chose to knock them unconscious with nonlethal damage rather than kill them. His monk abilities allowed him to do so naturally.

This is one of the clearest surviving examples of Bo's behavior toward helpless or defeated opponents.

Brewing in Toreon

While other members of the party researched in the Great Library, Bo worked with Doogan brewing and distilling alcohol for sale to local taverns.

Doogan's beer was reportedly comparable to Black Horse beer, and the operation generated a respectable amount of money.

Bear / Unicorn Adventure

Bo participated in the encounter involving the mother bear and her cubs, where the party remained patient and nonaggressive.

He also fought the bulette encountered during the adventure. The report notes that Ray hit more than he missed.

Frost Giants

During the frost giant encounter, Marcus was critically injured.

Ray used a Chosen Power to heal others, helping the clerics get Marcus out of immediate danger.

Bo subsequently remained behind as a lookout during the party's deception involving the dead giants.

As darkness approached, Bo used his radiant aura to make himself visible as a signal to the ship.

The light attracted Greater Shadows. The shadows concentrated their attacks on Bo, but his high touch AC caused most of their attacks to miss. He suffered some Strength damage but no lasting serious consequence.

Vampire Attack / Sunchaser Lookout

Bo served as lookout on the deck of the Sunchaser.

After Aritrea was murdered, Bo made exceptionally high Spot checks and noticed a small flying object at extreme range. Using a spyglass, he identified four figures on a flying carpet observing the Sunchaser.

The figures appeared to be wearing the regalia of the Church of Demmazon.

The party elected not to pursue them because of their injuries and depleted spells.

Dead Magic Zone

Bo was repeatedly used as the party's probe while investigating a dead-magic region.

The party placed Bo on an Air Walk spell in front of the ship to determine the boundaries and possible gaps in the dead-magic area.

The surviving report explicitly refers to this as the technique of “putting Bo Duke on an Airwalk spell in front of the ship.”

Negative Levels

Bo acquired two negative levels during vampire encounters.

The party lacked sufficient diamond dust for Restoration. Characters with poorer Fortitude saves were prioritized, leaving Bo and Tashiro to make their own saves.

Bo rolled poorly but had sufficient bonuses to survive the saves.

Dragon Hunt — First Red Dragon Encounter

Bo and Tashiro were among the first characters to spot a Huge red dragon approximately a quarter-mile away.

Bo had Fly active and pursued the dragon while the clerics healed the party.

When the dragon fled, Bo continued the pursuit.

During the ensuing battle, Tammy was knocked unconscious by dragon fire. Bo caught her before she fell.

After the dragon was killed, Ray healed Tammy back to consciousness.

Dragon Hunt, Part II — Adult Red Dragon

Date: February 22, 2010

Bo was central to the second red-dragon encounter.

The party had killed two red dragon hatchlings when an adult red dragon arrived. Bo was standing on the bodies when the adult dragon engaged the party and focused its attacks on him.

Bo was flying and used his high movement speed and Tumble to maneuver behind the dragon after it used Awesome Blow against John.

The battle ultimately resulted in the death of Demetrius, whose later resurrection and resulting afterlife experience became connected to the prophecy concerning the Messiah.

The dragon was ultimately killed by Kevin.

Player note: Bo's AC during this encounter was recorded as 34, with 127 maximum hit points.

These numerical values come from player notes rather than the surviving campaign report.

Fire Flower Cavern

After Demetrius's death, the party explored the dragon's lair and discovered a cavern containing Fire Flowers and magma.

Bo was sent across the hazardous cavern ahead of the others while Doogan and Kamal remained behind to harvest and study the flowers.

When Bo crossed a magical barrier, his protective spells disappeared and he was suddenly exposed to the extreme heat beyond it.

The barrier was believed to involve Dispel Magic, although the exact mechanics are not completely established.

Battle Chess

The party encountered a mysterious retired dwarf who challenged them to a game of Battle Chess.

The dwarf specifically selected Bo as his champion because he believed Bo would honestly attempt to win rather than deliberately throw the game.

Bo's team consisted of:

• Bo
• Kamal
• Smah

The opposing team consisted of:

• Tim
• Tashiro
• Malachi
• Clowe

Bo's team won quickly.

The dwarf subsequently told Bo that he had been correct not to expect him to throw the game.

This provides evidence that an NPC perceived Bo as straightforward and reliable, though it should not be treated as definitive proof of his complete personality.

Mysterious Portal / Floating Temple

During the exploration of a mysterious portal, Bo had Fly active from an earlier salamander encounter and entered the portal alone.

He found himself suspended in the air amid a huge waterfall and mist, with no visible land nearby.

Bo took 20 on his Spot check and was able to see a distant landmass.

The party later traveled there and discovered a massive floating temple.

Characterization

Bo's defining characteristic was ridiculous survivability. He was often the character the party could afford to send into something dangerous because he had a better chance than almost anyone else of surviving the consequences.

This made him both a scout and a sort of unofficial experimental test subject whenever the party encountered an unknown magical hazard.

Courage / willingness to take risks

Bo was repeatedly willing to go where the other party members would not:

• Into unknown chambers
• Ahead of the party's main force
• Through magical hazards
• Into dead-magic zones
• After fleeing airborne enemies
• Through dangerous terrain
• Into unexplored portals

Survivability

This was arguably Bo's defining mechanical characteristic. The Chosen explicitly characterized his specialization as “ridiculous survivability.”

His willingness to serve as the party's forward probe was made possible by the confidence that he could survive situations that might kill another character.

Mercy toward defeated enemies

His choice to incapacitate surrendered slaves rather than kill them is a concrete example of a Good-aligned response to helpless opponents.

Honesty / straightforwardness

The Battle Chess encounter provides direct evidence that the mysterious dwarf regarded Bo as someone who would genuinely attempt to win rather than manipulate the outcome.

Limited attachment to wealth

Bo's Vow of Poverty, the recorded “Ray's Tithe,” and his donation of his party treasure share to the Chosen all point toward a character who was not strongly motivated by personal accumulation of wealth.

The exact motivations behind these actions are not currently documented.

Relationships

• Tim — fellow Chosen and party leader/strategist.
• Smah Tepants — fellow Chosen and arcane specialist.
• Dew Gooder — fellow Chosen and cleric of Demmazon.
• Dugan Lifebrew — fellow Chosen and party brewer.
• Tashiro Sunshine Eastforest — fellow Chosen and ranged specialist.
• Malachi — fellow Chosen and paladin of Demmazon.
• Kamal — later member of the party.
• Clowe — fellow rogue and scout.
• The Chosen — Bo's extraordinary affiliation.
• Tower of Plinth — headquarters and institutional center of the Chosen.

Known Numerical Data

The numerical values above are not necessarily representative of Bo's statistics for the entire campaign.

Open Questions

The following information has not yet been reliably reconstructed:

• Exact character level progression
• Exact level at which Vow of Poverty was taken
• Complete exalted feat list
• Complete Chosen Power list
• Exact source of his healing ability
• Full ability scores
• Full saving throws
• Complete equipment history
• Starting ability scores and feat selection
• Detailed backstory
• Appearance
• Family/background
• Personal motivations beyond what can be inferred from his actions
• Exact fate after the events currently documented

These should remain unresolved until supported by additional campaign material or player recollection.

Known Statistics

Canon / Confidence Notes

Established or strongly supported:

• Bo Duke was Ray's character.
• Bo was a Monk.
• Bo was Human under the campaign's character-creation constraints.
• Bo was Lawful Good based on Monk and exalted-feat requirements.
• Bo took Vow of Poverty.
• Bo had a dragon-styled Ring of Protection +2 at the beginning of the campaign.
• Bo received Chosen Powers including the Scorpion Tattoo mimic and Stoneskin.
• Bo served repeatedly as scout/forward operative.
• Bo- was characterized by exceptional survivability.
• Bo participated in the major adventures documented above.

Strong inference:

• Bo stopped using his Ring of Protection +2 after taking Vow of Poverty.
• The “Ray's Tithe” was connected to his voluntary poverty.
• His Vow of Poverty contributed substantially to his unusual equipment/treasure situation.

Unresolved:

• Exact level at which Vow of Poverty was acquired.
• Complete mechanical build.
• Source of the reported healing ability.
• Complete Chosen Power list.
• Detailed personal backstory and motivations.