Boring technical details
In this section I will discuss technical details of the creation and development of Meagen's character. I'll examine how I allocate points into various statistics and skills, what feats I like to pick and so on. If lenghty discussions on this subject are not your thing, feel free to skip this.

Starting out...
The first version of Meagen I created was a Ranger with default Ranger stats. I soon found that they did a very poor job of reflecting her character. Also, I found myself wasting a lot of skill points by raising my Pick Locks and Disarm Trap skills. At level 15 I finally started a Rogue multiclass, but by then it was too late to undo the damage.

I started a second version of Meagen who sacrificed STR and CON in favour of INT and CHA. This was closer to what I'm like in real life, but still wasn't perfect - I left WIS at the default 12 and didn't dare lower my DEX, so the character turned out pitifully weak. Since I used her mostly in online games this didn't bother me much, but I still felt she could be improved.

With the release of HotU I decided to re-do my character once more in preparation for the new campain. I fiddled with the starting statistics to get a good balance of role-playing and striking power. I used an automatic trainer to get to level 18, the highest I had achieved by playing normally, and passed all the equipment I had gathered to the new character. Then I deleted all local copies of the previous versions, though some still survived in various saved games.

Meagen Image, Ranger (1)

Strength	11	0
Dexterity	16	3
Constitution	12	1
Intelligence	13	1
Wisdom	11	0
Charisma	13	1

Race: Half-elf
Alignment: Chaotic Good

I often re-roll all levels to tweak my stats. (After HotU Meagen is at level 27. As you can imagine, it takes a while.) Here are the general guidelines I use.

Levelling up
One Rogue level for every two Ranger levels. A Ranger-Rogue- Ranger pattern.

Work towards meeting requirements for Harper Scout prestige class. When requirements are met (usually around level 12), level up Harper-Harper- Ranger-Harper-Harper-Rogue-Harper, then start pattern again.

Abilities: As soon as possible put another point into INT and CHA, bringing them both to 14 and giving a +2 bonus to many key abilities. DEX is the vital ability, but also increase STR. Typical pattern for first five bonuses: CHA, DEX, INT, STR, DEX.

Important Skills: Open Lock and Disable Trap (main reason for the Rogue levels). Persuade. Tumble. Lore. Discipline.

Key Bonus Feats
Weapon Finesse - every DEX-based, low-STR character's best friend. I choose it at level 1. Allows for a great deal more flexibility in battle (weaken enemies with bow at a distance, when they come closer switch to melee weapon and shield for extra AC).

Point Blank Shot - good for fighting in close quaters, but only if you have henchman/animal companion as a tank. I usually leave it off until later.

Alertness and Iron will - Harper requirements, also quite useful on their own. Usually my first two choices.

Favored enemy: Undead - unlike most Rangers who hunt down orcs, trolls or goblins, Meagen hates zombies, vampires and their ilk. It's a bit of an inside joke as well.

Favored enemy: Elementals - because I need *some* kind of edge over creatures who are immune to Sneak Attacks, and I'm not going to cart a bag of various elemental weapons with me.

Weapon proficiency: exotic - along with the Simple and Martial feats that Rangers get automatically, this allows me to use pretty much any weapon in the whole game. I usually pick it out much later, when I can afford to have some fun with a scythe or katana.

Summary
The main advantage of Meagen Image is her versatility. She can use a wide array of various weapons, and she can talk her way through as well. Locks and traps do not deter her, but sharp-eyed guards do - she has to take the time to slaughter them all, which she'd really rather not do.

She can hold her own in combat, relying on speed and skill rather than endurance. But her true strength only shows when she's part of a team. Hurting enemies from afar with well-placed arrows, slipping past in melee and delivering sneak attacks, protecting the magic users to let them unleash a devastating spell - Meagen does it all.

She takes care of dangerous traps and unlocks treasure-filled chests. She sweet-talks people into parting with gold and information. She can even heal her companions with a medicine kit, or cast spells from scrolls.

And she's cute, too!