Wind Scout (Character Kit)

The Wind Scout 
is often part of a fielded army and is primarily used for aerial reconnaissance. The Scout's principal task is to determine the lay of the land, paying specific attention to details such as the terrain, habitations, and enemy movements and reporting back to his or her superiors. The Wind Scout does this upon the back of a flying mount, such as any of the greater drakes. Wind Scouts traditionally work alone, scouting ahead with only the companionship of their flying steed, with whom they form a close bond. They realize they are performing a useful function and greatly prefer their role as an information gatherer over other roles more directly involved with combat. This doesn't mean that scouts are afraid of fighting, merely that they recognize combat is not one of their greatest strengths. 
Wind Scouts can be Lawful or Chaotic. Many enjoy the sense of being the "eyes and ears of the general" and have a deep pride in the importance of their contributions. 
Role: A Wind Scout's primary role is to learn the overall lay of the land and report it back to the rest of the unit. This is most often done while soaring at great heights above the land, where vast distances can be seen at once. However, upon occasion, it is necessary The Storm Priest controls a potent weather-related arsenal. for the scout to get a closer view, and for such occurrences the scout must rely upon strong infiltration abilities. Hiding in Shadows and Moving Silently serve the Wind Scout much more than Picking Pockets or Opening Locks, and most Wind Scouts develop these abilities before others. The Wind Scout might need to adopt a disguise or at least be able to pass as a neutral party; as such, most Wind Scouts do not wear their army's colors or carry anything that would give away their true affiliation. 
Weapon Proficiencies:
* Required: None.
* Recommended: Any. Most of the weapons employed by Wind Scouts tend to be small and easily carried and/or hidden. Daggers are more popular than broadswords among those who follow this vocation. 
Nonweapon Proficiencies:
* Required: Airborne Riding (greater drake), Reading/Writing. 
* Recommended: Alertness*, Cartography (as detailed in Lloyd Brown Ill's "Working Class Wizards" in Dragon Magazine #253), Direction Sense, Disguise, Information Gathering*, Hands-Off Mount Control (see sidebar), Observation*, Reading Lips, 
Survival*, Weather Sense. Proficiencies with an asterisk (*) are detailed in The Complete Thief's Handbook. Special Benefits: Wind Scouts enjoy special status in the camps of their armies, usually reporting directly to the army commanders. This gives them a special relationship with powerful individuals, people who probably won't mind "pulling a few strings" to help out the Scout if he or she asks for an occasional favor. They also gain the privileges and respect that are associated with being a military member, while bypassing many of the hardships that go along with the job. For instance. 
Wind Scouts seldom march on foot with the regular soldiers, nor must they devote as much time training in weapons practice. Instead, they spend most of their days soaring on their mounts above the treelines, taking in the details of the surrounding terrain, then flying back to base camp where a cozy tent waits for them. Wind Scouts are also in one of the few "respectable" jobs available to members of the Rogue class—at least as seen by many military commanders. Their special skills earn them the respect and admiration of even the hardest-nosed generals. 
Special Hindrances: A Wind Scout 
without a flying steed is like a fish out of water. Most Wind Scouts take to the job because of a love of flying, and even if their skills aren't particularly needed, they take every opportunity to saddle up their drakes and head for the skies. If a Wind Scout goes for a week without being able to fly, the Scout becomes sullen and grumpy, causing a +1 reaction penalty to those he or she meets. In addition, many of the army's regular forces resent the special treatment Wind Scouts receive and do what they can to remind the prima donna just where the true backbone of the army lies. This can take the form of anything from snide remarks to cruel practical jokes at the Wind Scout's expense. Of course, such occurrences only reinforce the Scout's views on the pleasures to be had alone in the air with his or her trusted mount on an intelligence-gathering mission. Wealth Options: Wind Scouts begin with the standard 2d6 x 10 gp allotted to all members of the Rogue class. As with Air Knights, much of the Wind Scouts' equipment (saddle, armor, weapons, etc.) may be supplied by the military, depending upon the size and wealth of the army. 
Highly Prized Equipment: Wind Scouts value magical items that increase the ability to see: eyes of the eagle, gems of seeing , rings of x-ray vision, and the like. They also prize nonmagical means such as spyglasses and are seldom found without blank parchment, inks, and scroll tubes with which to make and carry maps of the areas they scout out.
Category:Character Kit
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