Description
Before you stands a middle-aged man. First thing you
notice about his appearance is a stern face, probably
not often visited by a smile. His hair and short beard
are light-brown with occasional streaks of gray. His
stature is not something extraordinal, but the muscles
all over the body are well-developed, leaving no doubt
that this man is a seasoned warrior. There is a
feeling of uneasiness about his gaze. It burns with a
righteous zeal of a priest, but there is something more
about it which cannot be told from a first glance.
Role
The Destiny
Added Sat Apr 2 14:09:34 2005 at level 51:
The testament of my faith is completed, and the Destiny is clear.
"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger
those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will
know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!". The words
written in a Holy Covenant burn in my mind as the tattoo of the Molten
Circle burns on my arm. There are no rules, only the will of the Father.
Becoming His Avatar is what I seek, and I will not stray off the path.
As the molten lava rushes down the mountain, making everything living
be consumed by a searing heat, so the Vengeance of the Father will rush
down upon the wicked and the unholy, and those who sides with them.
The time has come. Let the Father guide my hand.
The Fortress of Light
Added Sat Apr 2 13:29:53 2005 at level 51:
- I decided to join the Fortress of Light. Should fit my goals well.
The way of Maran is to destroy wicked ones. Not quite exactly as
bringing them to Justice, but close enough. And protecting the
innocent, just as my guild's Code teaches.
- Was defending the Fortress from imperials. There were some I couldn't
harm. An Acolyte asked me if I have friends who could harm them.
Replied I have none. How can I tell them I have no friends at all?
- During another Fortress defense, fought a few imperials right in front
of two acolyte healers, heroes of their guild, and not a single of them
was going to grant me protection of healing. What are they for then?
- Turns out I need recommendations to join. Spoke to Wungar. One hour
of spiritual narrations and that's it. Because he is not a Maran
anymore, so his recommendations are worthless. Asked Martainn. He told
me he will watch me, hid in shadows and never showed up again. Heas
said he will talk with me, then left the realms. Good thing I finally
got to speak with Iramath, the only sound-minded fellow out there.
- A dwarf, Krakgar called me to aid him against four imperials. As I
fought one of them near Hamsah Mu'tazz, the dwarf proceeded right to
the Palace where, of course, got slain by the rest. Then he started
crying and moaning that I betrayed him, and even complained to the
Captain Iramath. What a nice fellow. Good thing is that Iramath
is of a reasonable type, and allowed me to join the Fortress despite
the dwarf's lunatic accusations.
- Summarizing my impressions against the Fortress: the whole Army of
Light in its current state looks less like a trained, regular troop
than a pack of crippled turtles. The only sane persons in this turmoil
are still tripping on each step. We need something more tactically
sound to oppose the growing tide of Darkness.
Path of Vengeance
Added Sat Feb 5 05:35:10 2005 at level 31:
- After I have been defeated by that orc, Murgh, a group of darkhearted
adventurers who called him in, looted my corpse. No big surprise.
However, one of them, conjurer named Gredatha, had the insolence to
annoy me afterwards. She was too young for me to harm. Later, after
she advanced in ranks, she conjured servitors and charged into me.
Three rounds of combat and it was over. The sight of her corpse on the
ground was indeed satisfying.
- My Lord's voice boomed in my head. Told the story above. Lord was
pleased with my progress and blessed my path. What can possibly be a
better reward for a faithful priest than a blessing of his deity?
- In the times of youth, I was rewarded for a noble deed with a nice
warhammer, which I used on a regular basis. When I attacked a duergar
warrior, he disarmed me and his friends took the weapon, then promptly
retreated. I encountered this warrior once again, fighting a young
lightwalker. Duergar was about to finish his opponent off in a few
rounds. I used my prayers to heal the warrior of the light, and soon
the body of the dark dwarf hit the ground. Even a minor vengeance is
quite satisfying.
- Orc Murgh, the one who once defeated me, continued to seek my blood.
He chalenged me, but I used a potion to avoid his bashes. I easily sent
him running. He was greatly surprised. Thus fell my only fearful foe.
- Encountered a young dwarven paladin in Mortorn. He wielded a blade
called "Vengeance", and gladly gave it to me, recognizing the importance
of my path. This sword serves me excellently. Tremble the Unholy!
- I had a vision of standing on a grassy plain in the middle of a torrent
rain, yet not a single drop fell on me. My faith in my Lord saved me,
as it did many times before. There is no place for doubts. My path is
the righteous one, and I will not fail Father Grurk.
The Crusade continues
Added Sat Jan 22 15:36:05 2005 at level 20:
- Continue to face the challenges alone. It is not as easy as do
the slaughter in groups of three as others do, but it strengthens
my spirit and trains my body. Will continue to do so.
- Holy Lord of Light, Paladin guildmaster spoke to me. Indeed,
carrying a tainted item, even as a trophy for my deity, wasn't the
best idea. Asked me why did I pray to an evil good. What a
nonsense. How can a divine being which guides my soul the path of
destruction of evil be evil itself? Maybe he is a great warrior,
but he surely is not well versed in the religious aspects.
- Brought to Justice several wicked souls. Feels good.
- Spoke to Wungar, Captain of the Brigade. He looks like a nice guy.
Warned me about Anger inside me and Lord Grurk, Father of Anger.
Wasn't very wise on his part. As a paladin, he should know better
what does the faith mean for one of our guild.
- Father of Anger blessed my path. I feel like never before. Divine
power of the Father courses through me. All the doubts in my faith
were baseless. I am on the just path, the path of Justice.
- Brought to Justice some more unholy fiends. No quarter for the evil.
- An orc whom I attacked questioned my reasons. Stated that I am no
better than he is. He has a point. Should consider it.
- Another orc defeated me in combat. He was called in while I tried
to protect orphans from dark ones. Spoke to him. He did not look
evil, despite the red aura about him, more like a wild animal. Maybe
all orcs are not really evil? Maybe not anything with a red aura
represents darkness which needs to be purged? Another good point.
Various events of importance
Added Wed Jan 12 17:08:21 2005 at level 11:
Just reread what I wrote before. What a childish rant. From now
on, I will keep it short. I am a paladin, not a writer. I think.
- Had a conversation with a young elven invoker. What an arrogant
creature. Asked me about my deity. Suggested to follow Shokai
instead. What does he think a religion is, a pair of gloves?!
From Paladin Code: be fair of speech. Even when speaking with
complete idiots. Was polite and respectful. Shortly after that
a drow attacked me. I was imbued with anger, and remained unharmed
while he fled like a mouse. Controlled Anger is a great virtue.
- Created many chunks of bread and offered them to Galadon citizens.
Almost all bread was taken by low-ranked evil heroes. Code teaches
to provide hope for all. I wonder if they learned something.
- Healed a few adventurers of the Light. They were grateful. In
words, of course. Pleasant to hear, nevertheless.
- Tired of answering that I am NOT going to join them on an
adventure. Vengeance is a personal thing, as is Justice. I must
do it myself. Or not do it at all. I choose the former. Some do
understand, some not.
- Visited Castle of Basilica. That's the place! Discovered several
different Orders of Knights. Tried to learn more about them, but in
vain. Heard about the Fortress of Light. Will learn more about it.
Crusade for Justice begins
Added Mon Jan 10 16:24:55 2005 at level 10:
Here is what I learned during my travels: Evil is very strong,
and forces of Darkness organize in covens. Usually there is a
mastermind behind a coven. To destroy the coven, one should
get rid of the most powerful and wicked creature. Only after
such creature is tracked down and destroyed mercilessly, one may
consider the Justice fulfilled and mission complete.
Recently I found such coven very close to Galadon, to be exact,
in the city's graveyard. Disgusting zombies, ghouls, skeletons,
ghosts and even banshees walked freely among the living, causing
great terror, grief and despair. I noticed a few graverobbers
hiding behind the once peaceful tombstones and decided that their
foul crimes brought the dead back to the horrific parody to the
life. However the undead continued their foul dance after I
brought robbers to Justice. Closer investigation revealed that
the Greater Evil lurked nearby. A horrific gravewalker stepped
in through the portal of deepest darkness and assaulted me. All
the creature's darkest powers were no match for my faith and
motivation, as I unleashed my Anger upon the creature, delivering
swift and timely Justice. After that, I enjoyed the sight of once
again peaceful graveyard in sorrow, as many fell in the battle.
Looking at the desperate widows and children, I learned one thing:
my crusade against Darkness will not end until the last unholy
creature is wiped from Thera's face.
Anger as the way to Justice
Added Mon Jan 10 16:23:54 2005 at level 10:
Today I found a very strange object at the entrance to my guild.
It was a red sphere covered with a substance strangely resembling
warm blood. Curious, I wielded the orb. It turned in my hand as
it were alive. Obviously some supernatural forces were acting
there. I invoked the god-granted powers, but no taint upon this
orb was seen. As I rushed into a battle with yet another creature
of the Darkness, I felt the surge of power as the Anger filled me.
My arm gripped the weapon firmly, and the opponent was quickly
defeated. I learned how controlling and directing my Anger helps
me in bringing the Justice upon the unholy.
Joining the Guild
Added Sun Jan 9 09:02:50 2005 at level 1:
Today is truly a glorious day. I joined the Paladin's guild.
All that happened before that in my life seems so unimportant...
However, I do realize that it was necessary in order to begin
my training within the guild. I strive to be a Weapon of Light,
to strike the fear into the hearts of the dark ones, to make
them repent for their sins... No one will ever escape the
righteous punishment, as I bring the Justice upon their heads.
May Lord Grurk, Axe of Justice and Father of Anger guide my
hand as I battle those who attempt to poison and destroy my
brethren. As I progress in my training, I will seek His guidance.