Player character

Brakkus Embervein (2e)

Brakkus Embervein

Male Dwarf Gunslinger 1 · Way of the Pistolero · Salvage Engineer of Vladmirr

LN Medium Humanoid Dwarf

Brakkus Embervein was born among quarry smoke, forge ash, and salvage docks. Before joining the expedition, he worked dangerous recovery contracts around Vladmirr, retrieving relics from collapsed foundations, drowned basements, volcanic vents, and wrecked cargo barges. He trusts steel, powder, and engineering more than prophecy or ancient myths — though the Castrovin Sea has begun challenging that certainty.

Brakkus fills the party's ranged damage and expedition engineering role. He handles firearms, black powder, demolition charges, pressure systems, salvage equipment, and eventually the restoration and operation of the submersibles recovered in Vladmirr. He thrives in defensive firefights, tunnel ambushes, shipboard engagements, and later volcanic Darklands sieges.

Level 1 Character Sheet — Pathfinder 2e

Defense

AC 18

HP 19 (10 + Con 2 + Dwarf 1)

Perception +4 (trained) · darkvision

Fort +5 (trained) · Ref +7 (expert) · Will +4 (trained)

+1 studded leather · Dex +4 · level 1

Offense

Speed 20 ft.

Ranged flintlock pistol +7 (1d4+1 P, fatal d8, range 30 ft., reload 1)

Ranged flintlock musket +7 (1d6+1 P, fatal d10, range 70 ft., reload 1) (2 hands)

Ranged dagger +7 (1d4+1 P, agile, thrown 10 ft.)

Melee boarding axe +5 (1d8+2 S, sweep)

Gunslinger Deeds Ten Paces, Gunslinger's Draw, Raconteur's Reload

Statistics

Str 14 (+2) · Dex 18 (+4) · Con 14 (+2)

Int 16 (+3) · Wis 12 (+1) · Cha 8 (-1)

Class DC 17

Languages Common, Dwarven, Kelish, Undercommon, Alchemical (from Int)

Ancestry Dwarf · Heritage Forge Dwarf

Background Salvage Engineer (custom)

Skills (Trained)

  • Acrobatics +7
  • Athletics +5
  • Crafting +8 (Engineering)
  • Intimidation +2
  • Lore: Mining +6
  • Lore: Engineering +8
  • Perception +4
  • Society +6
  • Stealth +7
  • Survival +4
  • Thievery +7

+3 trained · +7 expert (Reflex)

Feats

Ancestry: Rock Runner

Class: Gunslinger's Way (Pistolero), initial deeds

Skill: Specialty Crafting (Engineering)

Background: Additional Lore (Engineering) — from custom background

Custom Background: Salvage Engineer — ability boosts: Str, Int; trained in Crafting and Thievery; Skill Feat: Specialty Crafting (Engineering); Lore: Engineering

Class Features & Key Abilities

Gunslinger's Way (Pistolero): You are a duelist and close-range threat. Your initial deeds are Ten Paces (reaction to step and Interact to draw when initiative is rolled), Gunslinger's Draw (Interact to draw and Strike as one action), and Raconteur's Reload (Interact to reload while attempting a Deception or Intimidation check to Create a Diversion).

Singular Expertise: You gain +1 circumstance bonus to damage with firearms and crossbows.

Grit: You have a pool of 1 grit point (Wisdom modifier) that you can spend on certain deeds; you regain 1 grit when you critically hit with a firearm or crossbow.

Dwarf Ancestry: Darkvision, Rock Runner (ignore difficult terrain from rubble), and a +1 circumstance bonus to saves against poison and magic (Dwarven Hardiness).

Custom Background: Salvage Engineer — you know how to assess, dismantle, and repair ancient and damaged machinery, granting you deep knowledge of engineering and salvage operations.

How to Play Brakkus at Level 1

Stay near cover. Brakkus excels when firing from barricades, ship rails, broken masonry, and tunnel chokepoints. Use the Take Cover action to boost AC.
Manage your reloads. Reload 1 means you need to use an action each shot. Use Raconteur's Reload to combine reloading with a diversion — great for setting up flanking or flat-footed. Switch to the musket when you need extra range and punch.
Think like an engineer. Brakkus should constantly examine structures, collapse risks, salvage opportunities, excavation tools, pressure systems, and ancient mechanisms. Your Engineering Lore and Crafting are vital outside combat.
Protect your powder. Firearms are rare and valuable. Keep your ammunition dry, and consider using alchemical rounds (e.g., dragon's breath) when you can craft them.

Recommended Feat Progression (Levels 1–14)

Level Feat / Feature Recommendation Reason
1 Ancestry Rock Runner Ignore rubble difficult terrain — common in ruins and mines.
1 Class Way of the Pistolero Best for close-to-mid range firearm combat, fits pirate/salvage style.
2 Class Feat Risky Reload Allows a Strike + reload as one action for 2 actions, boosting action economy.
3 Skill Feat Quick Craft Speed up crafting ammunition and repairs during downtime.
4 Class Feat Paired Shots (or Dual-Weapon Reload if using two pistols) Increase damage output; Paired Shots lets you attack twice with one action if you have two loaded weapons.
5 Ability Boosts +Dex, +Int, +Con, +Str Boost key stats for accuracy, skills, and survivability.
6 Class Feat Bullet Split Great for dealing with clustered enemies.
7 Skill Feat Inventor Create new gadgets and alchemical items — perfect for a salvage engineer.
8 Class Feat Grit and Tenacity (or Advanced Deed) Pick Stab and Blast if you want melee synergy, or Covered Fire for support.
9 Ancestry Feat Mountain's Stoutness +4 HP per level, great durability.
10 Class Feat Penetrating Fire Ignore lesser cover, very useful in tunnel fights.
11 Skill Feat Legendary Engineer Master crafting and repairs.
12 Class Feat Final Shot Devastating single-shot finisher.
13 General Feat Toughness More HP.
14 Class Feat Ricochet Shot Extra utility against multiple targets.

Preferred Gear

  • Flintlock pistol – your sidearm for close-quarters and one-handed shooting.
  • Flintlock musket – your primary rifle for longer ranges and heavier hits[reference:1].
  • Studded leather armor – good balance of AC and mobility.
  • Powder horn and ammunition (20 rounds each for pistol and musket) – always carry extra.
  • Engineering kit (repair tools) – for fixing gear and submersibles.
  • Alchemist's tools – to craft special ammunition (e.g., dragon's breath, goblin's fire).
  • Darkvision goggles – though you already have darkvision, these may help with detail work.
  • Rope, pitons, and a small sledgehammer – for salvage and structural work.

Conversion Notes: This PF2e version translates Brakkus's PF1e gunslinger into a Pistolero. His stats (Str +2, Dex +4, Con +2, Int +3, Wis +1, Cha -1) reflect his salvage background and firearm proficiency. Custom background Salvage Engineer grants training in Crafting, Thievery, Specialty Crafting (Engineering), and Engineering Lore. He is a durable, intelligent ranged combatant with strong out-of-combat utility.