Tales of the Heroes

[Malchia]

Valizar pulled back the jaw farther until he began to turn the Devourer inside out as the spectators fled in horror.  The darkness inside of the monster began to spill out and annihilate it.  Valizar stepped back, not quite understanding what was happening, but enjoying the destruction of his foe.  Moments later, there was nothing left.

[Zunder]

Damn, ok, now


- Haas ( to set up Valizar's next list item )
- Vor'Ruk ( how he was captured )
- Ash ( Killing the Yellowians )
- Tchau / Harrick - working together ( fire thing )

[Asinjin]

We will need a best death scene category at the end to be voted upon.  Maybe need to be split between PCs death and NPC death?

[Zunder]

We will need a best death scene category at the end to be voted upon.  Maybe need to be split between PCs death and NPC death?

We should take nominations, and then vote.  But that is for after your done!

[Asinjin]

Valizar part 2

'Honor is death by stomp, insult is death by slap'

'Be pure of body'

'Judgement for all'

'Listen to the words of Father Haas'

Ruling was easy.  Obey or be disciplined.  Vass listened, Gatori listened, many others fled Valizar's rule.  Haas visited often to make sure things remained in line with Tyrogatore's teachings.  To ensure a voice of reason was there, the Vass Gizil was appointed advisor to the warlord at Haas' request.  Valizar was content to have another with him that could take care of the meaningless things: talking to other realms, picking out dates, setting values, deciding what coinage was allowed, picking other positions of importance.

Akrak and Valizar met in early 796.  They area was filled with thousands of gnolls and lizardfolk it what everyone who heard of the meeting assumed would be a battle.  Iott watched from above.  Haas mediated the conversation.  There was hissing, growling, barking and contests of strength and skill between the two behemoths.  Valizar won the wrestling, Akar the Archery, Valizar the eating, Akrak the drinking.  Both sides called out challenges the two should attempt to best each other at doing.  One disguised fey thought it was particularly clever and funny and yelled out writing.  Uncovered, he was deemed a spy and given a death sentence.  This led to the closest the meeting got to battle.  Death by arrow or slap.  To solve the problem, Haas judged that as the judge of the trial, the choice was his, and therefore he would carry out the punishment at his temple.  The grumpy warlords agreed and several days of revelry commenced.  The world breathed a sign of relief.

Breaking the stones was glorious.  Valizar basked in the thought of wizards laid low.  When asked if he would join the crusade of the orcs against Iott soon after, not even Haas could convince him to wait.  Akrak and this gnolls were to be the second wave.  The lizardfolk would arrive before them.  Leading a vanguard of 15,000, Valizar moved quickly behind the orcs fast march.  The orcs, with help from the clouds, would cross the sea.  Valizar and his army would swim across and surprise the Iottians from a flank.  Complete victory, the island would be theirs.

When the army reached the sea, Valizar waded in.  Knowing sea monster guarded it, he made his presence felt.  Beast after beast attacked him, but he crushed them one by one.  Clearing a path for his horde, the army swam across.  They dragged the serpents bodies with them.  A dozen or more died at Valizar's hand.  When they reached the island, they set about skinning the serpents and making them into banners, blessed by Tyrogatore.  They coated themselves in the blood of the serpents, marking themselves with signs of power and protection.  They could not see or communicate with the orcs, but scouts reported the battle had commenced miles away.  Seeing a village, Valizar lead them on the attack.  Iottians fled before them.  Meager spells lashed out and did little to the horde.  The village was theirs, it would be the first of many.

Setting up a base, Valizar sent messengers back across the water and to the orcs.  He sent scouts to find the next target.  The hours passed, none returned.  The clerics reported no news.  Valizar's eyes narrowed and a hint of worry grew.  He ordered defenses be made and the fastest path back across the sea be found.  The temperature began to drop.  Despite the efforts of the clerics, it did not relent.  The water behind them froze.  The sky remained clear but a mist surrounded the horde at a distance.  Valizar roared that magic seemed to be working.  Knowing enough to understand that deception was at play, he ordered the horde retreat.  The ice and cold water were better than what he knew the Iottians could bring to bare.

For many, it was too late.  The Iottian army, which had rarely needed to take the field of battle, was a force.  On the island, lead by Arnold Blockard, no one had yet seen their full might.  The captain and his squad or armored casters walked out of the mist towards the village.  Spells of all type battered the withdrawing horde.  Valizar and his retinue charged forward defiantly.  He would crush the leader, break their spirit.  Through wind and ice they charged.  The armored squad took up its position and readied for the attack.  Defensing magic screeched as the two groups collided.  Lizardfolk fell victim to all manner of ailments and were unable to fight.  Valizar remained unstoppable.  Clapped his hands in a mighty strike, instantly destroyed a summoned giant and sending almost all the armored casters to the ground.  Arnold alone stood.

Undeterred by smoke, illusion, breaking down the wall of stone, Valizar reached his prey and grabbed hold.  The man could not be crushed.  He bit Arnold, and he could not be pierced.  He slapped him and he stood firm, all the while stabbing with a blade of force.  He had enough of this, so Valizar pinned him to the ground and raised the mighty metal foot.  "Tyrogatore judges you!" he bellowed and pointed down with his metal hand.  The foot came down and shook the earth.  Arnold was not there.  Incensed, Valizar wanted to rage through the squad and smash them all.  The spells were not building upon him, and even mighty Valizar could not withstand their weight.  Death to these heathens, these weak men, this would not be then end  for Valizar.  He withdrew, collecting as many of his kin as he could in his arms, mouth, and tail.  They made it back to across the sea.  Only a quarter made it back.  Warlord Valizar's gloom marred him for several years.

[Asinjin]

Valizar part 3

'Death is not the goal, but it often happens'

'There are always more pushups'

'Be fair in judgement'

'Listen to the words of Father Haas'

Valizar and the lizardfolk of the Great Forest did little in the years of Iott's decline.  After the crusade failed, there wasn't much work for large armies.  Wug warfare was the style.  Valizar practiced and trained and kept his people in line.  He brought some discipline and order.  He saw little of his brothers in the faith.  He could do little to accomplish his other goals.  He sent out vass to locate Zat.  He sent Gatori to look for clues to the appearance of Stronmus.  He watched the skies for giants.

The return of Iott's power meant little to Valizar and the lizardfolk.  The continued to be left out of the machinations of the two sides.  Valizar dismissed entreating by all to get the lizardfolk to throw in with the wizards of Lyla or the tinkers of Gneon.  What a dismal time it was.  Valizar resigned himself to trying to make the realm he ruled better.  His rule was an ironfisted one.  Obey or be disciplined.  No one survived a second disciplining.  The foreigners stayed away, none wanted to risk violating his rules.  Cults and religions that did not adhere to the tenants of Tyrogatore were given notice.

When the plagues came, Valizar demanded an even greater level of fitness.  Only strength would keep disease away.  Those that caught it had not properly devoted themselves to Tyrogatore's rules.  His vision was aided by the fact that the lizardfolk were resistance to half of the plague and by the fact they less travel into and out of the realm meant less spread.  Further confirmation of the righteousness of his beliefs came when word reached him that Zat had died, from the plagues.  The right justice of Tyrogatore!

As Akar's horde used the plagues to scour the continent, Valizar guarded his realm.  Many times the lizardfolk fought off attacks.  Valizar wanted to face Akrak in combat, but he had learned how important he was to his people and leaving to face the other Warlord would not end well for them.  The trip would be long as Akrak was fast and hid well.  The things that could happen while Valizar was gone outweighed the glory of the personal victory.  So he remained, protecting the realm.  Twice, he fought raiding packs and defeated them.  That would have to be enough.

Years more passed.  The realm of the lizardfolk grew more tightly knit under Valizar's rule.  Tyrgoatore's faith grew larger and more dominant.  He started to look for ways to make it better.  Bigger was better, and so he began to plan for expand the realm.  Garlaccal was weakened by the death of Akrak, so perhaps west.  There were giants to the north, perhaps removing them.  Balinhost to the east, they should be let to live their meager lives, but go around them maybe.  Eventually, he could reach Scalehome.  Glory for Tyrogatore, the defeat of one that would claim the mantle of scaled king.

Visions of grandeur fought in Valizar's mind.  The time approached when this could happen.  He collected, prepared and tested.  Kallark was then defeated and along with it magic.  Now was the time, a new Tyrogatorian Crusade with Valizar at its head.  The world would tremble!

Cleric 1 / Monk 4 / Kordan 10 / Wrestler 10

[Asinjin]

First- I’m sure Valizar will make a mess. Situationally and of some poor unfortunates.

[Asinjin]

Harrick Kindle (Zunder, Plateau)

Existence, for the term life is a loaded one when talking with those aligned with the powers of undeath, began anew for Harrick with his conversion to the faith of the quasi deity Vestilion.  Falan's folly had proven it was the right decision.  As lord the Skull Keep, as high cleric of the faith, Harrick set the rules and was the mortal (for now) voice of his new lord in the world.  Wealth and health came with this position.  Those seeking eternal life came to Vestilion to gain that, and a hearty (and heart) donation was in order.  Harrick took only what was due to him, as per the rules created by him.  For the rest of his years, he sent enough coin home with letters to Icefia making sure his family was secure.

Iott's reign was a good time for the faith.  Aligned with powerful magic, and having Gneon and his thinkers distracted, Harrick was free to expand.  Competing with others than wanted to take on the mantle of god of the undead was a challenge.  Over the years, many sought out the title: Loomashyn, Merid, the servants of Nilas'Ahnor, Miskit, Zeist, Admiral Genadiya, and others.  Harrick played to his advantages.  General alignment with Iott, the ability of intelligent undead to plan and strategize, avoiding wanton destruction and slaughter, and a tentative agreement with Gneon and his tinker neighbors were all helpful in his quest.

The Bulwark was the largest obstacle in the way.  Already having sent one crusade to destroy the Skull Keep, Harrick was always on the watch for other attacks.  The reign of Iott years saw him rescuing those on their way to achieve eternal life.  He navigated the dangerous roads of the plateau and beyond to get pilgrims to Vestilion.  He also had to fight off incursions by the other cults seeking to destroy the faith.  It was a busy five years, but her persevered.  By the end of the time, three hundred pilgrims had been guided to everlasting life.  What was needed now was a way to get them into the world to continue their existence in the name of their new lord.

The Day Magic was not Broken, for Necromancy was ever present to Harrick to use, was a good day for the faith.  Being present and on the side of right, magic, and Iott's interests, served him well.  As the world wondered what would come next.  As crusader began and battles occurred, Harrick went on the offensive.  Other claimants to the title of Lord of Undeath relied on other magics to aid them far more than Harrick.  The plateau was his first target.  He spent year cleansing it of most threats.  Unintelligent undead was made extinct on the plateau.  The faiths that would compete with him were abolished, or in the case of Zeist, made to give up the quest for the title.  The quasi deity Lightstalker was dealt a mighty blow when his high cleric Artello Vansdale, was killed and his high temple burnt to the ground.  Thanks to Harrick's effort, the deity would never recover and fell from power several years later.  The plateau was Vestilion's alone.  By 800, the only organized opposition on it was the Bullark and the faith of Falan.

As much as he wanted to lay low the temple and demonstrate the might of Vestilion, it could not be done.  Any major attack would have decimated Harrick's forces and may not have succeeded.  He resigned to keep the temple in check while he expanded beyond the plateau.  The effort needed to be organized and coordinated well.  It could not run afoul of Iott or Gneon's forces.  It needed to walk in behind the other defeated entities looking to claim the throne of undeath.  The return of magic power to Iott and the transcending of Kallark in 801 gave Harrick another opportunity to advance the faith.

[Windblade]

Harrick Kindle (Zunder, Plateau)

The quasi deity Lightstalker was dealt a mighty blow when his high cleric Artello Vansdale, was killed and his high temple burnt to the ground.  Thanks to Harrick's effort, the deity would never recover and fell from power several years later. 

My favorite part!

[Zunder]

Harrick Kindle (Zunder, Plateau)


undead was made extinct on the plateau.

Learning from Trump, I wanted to call out this amazing tidbit.  See, you guys should have made me a real diety!

[Malchia]

Further confirmation of the righteousness of his beliefs came when word reached him that Zat had died, from the plagues.  The right justice of Tyrogatore!

[Asinjin]

Harrick part 2

Orders were given to all the faithful of Vestilion: do not interfere with Iott.  Do not seek out their wizards to convert.  Do no give them any reason to put the faith on their enemies list.  In addition to Iott, Harrick feared the crusaders.  Being of so called light and holiness that emerged to seek out and annihilate those that escaped death.  Olokas was chief among them, traveling the continent ending the existence of numerous sentient entities.  As much as he wanted to strike out, the power of the Counsel that backed these agents were not to be tested, not to be provoked.  Stay in the shadows, keep clear of holy places and holy agents.  For now, grow the faith slowly, quietly.  Preach far from the watching eyes of the non-believers.  Strike only rivals to the claim.

Harrick had another great thought, one that advanced the faith more than any other.  Mindless undead, which were just tools, were hated by most of the world for reasons that ignorance.  But they were mindless tools, so they could be used in whatever way was needed.  Harrick used them as a tool of good will.  He ordered the faithful to not create them, to destroy them when helpful and make it clear to those around what they were doing and the difference.  Using the fires of Vestilion, the vampires and mindful undead that he led could hutn down and destroy the mindless.  Immune to their deadliest attacks, Vestilion's agents were perfectly suited for the task.

While the other powers that sough to claim the mantle of lord of undeath used fear to boost their claim, Harrick used helpfulness.  Where they used brute force, he used logic.  Where they used chaos, he used order.  Order was what Iott wanted, so they did not object.  Fortune smiled upon Vestilion when Sutyr betrayed and left the Counsel.  A deity of similar philosophy, that was the lord of fire, now a cultist.  The path forward became more clear.  Harrick sought to convert faithful of Sutyr now.  Those whose adherence to law and order could not align with leaving the Counsil.  It was a small group to be sure, but worth the effort.

To lead the effort, Harrick enlisted one of his lieutenants.  An Amatine gnome turned death knight, Lord Gnairth.  The gnomes moved around the world, finding the dispirited faithful of Sutyr and brought the to the Skull Keep, where after years of education, they would hopefully see the fiery light and convert.

The plagues brought another opportunity to Harrick.   Again, the others that sought to claim the mantle saw them many dying as an opportunity to swell their ranks.  Merid did just that, and until his destruction, Harrick feared the creature would cross the finish line before Vestilion.  Harrick's plan was different.  Go to those dying and offer them the cure that other clerics and faiths could not.  Endless existence, free from the fear of disease and illness.  It was here, in those plague years, that the faith expanded and founded shrines around the world.  A dozen were consecrated as places where the sick could find eternal peace.  Such was the state of the world that half survived through to the end of the plagues.

This effort had crossed the line for some, and when Falan's faith learned of the shrines, they had enough.  The bulwark, which has failed in their crusade two decades before now had new reason and the blessing of the religion to again move against Skull Keep.  Calling upon the agents of Falan that they could, the Bulwark marched to war again.

In 812, a force of thousands left the temple.

[whitesword]

Ajax is going to be so pissed if he ever gets out of prison.

[Asinjin]

Haas Tuskenhammer (Hero, Tyrogatore)

With a treaty signed bringing a tentative peace to the Great Forest, Haas had to put that behind him.  For many years, the recognized, if not official high cleric of the religion had been preoccupied with the war against Scalehome.  Greenfellow, Skygiants, and fey and consumed his attention.  He now had to look upon the religion in the world and assess what needed to be done.  So much damage had been done during the conspiracy against Stasis and Tyrogatore.  Much rebuilding was needed.

Haas left the forest in the capable hands of Grant.  He ordered celebrations of the end of the war to be held in all shrines and temples.  These would feature contests of physical skill.  He first went to the high temple in Jaswap so that all were certain he was now on the throne of Tyrgatore.  He proclaimed that Tyranny in all forms would be opposed by the religion and pointed to the success in Baenrl as an example.  He denounced Iottian tyranny as it began.  Then, he set out on a world tour.  For five years, during the reign of Iott, he visited every temple and shrine he could reach.  Whenever he came to one, he would declare a festival of contests and declare they should be held yearly in honor of Tyrogatore.

Through the Destroytian Republic and Thalmeret he traveled.  In the republic, he celebrated the 75th birthday of Jeevone Deluke, a judge of Tyrogatore that has been serving for more than 50 years.  In Thalmeret, he freed several clerics of Tyrogatore from an inappropriate sentence for violating the laws of decency.  The females left the nation with him to avoid further persecution.  In Hertoplowis, he broke bread with the high clerics of the other judges, hoping to make peace with Everentual, knowing that continued strife between judges only hurt the goal of justice.

Traveling through Loahk, he was surprised to find a land that he knew little about.  Shrines to Tyrogatore that had never met a cleric from beyond their land.  He would have liked to visit the top of the plateau they mentioned, but sightseeing was a luxury he could not afford.  In Undrile, he faced a test he could not overcome.  Once a seat of power for Tyrogatore, the place had fallen far.  Clowns and addicts ran roughshod through the city.  Order was hard to find and the wealthy lorded over the poor.  Haas declared a contest to honor the best athletes in the city.  He promised praise and honor to those that won.  He made it known to the nearby lizardfolk villages and to the elves to the north and Loahk.  He spent a year setting it up, and was confident he could restore the city.  While he was there, things improved thanks to his oversight.

When the time came for the festival, in 794, the city was in its glory.  Ships had sailed in to witness the festivities.  Elders said they had not seen the city in this state in two decades.  Haas smiled at his accomplishment, but more was to be done.  Cheers rang out as he called an opening to the games.  The first contest would be one of vaulting.  A jungle elf of surpassing skill was present and expected to win.  Haas frowned at the gambling that was rampant, but he had more important matters to attend.  The elf did not win, and Haas grew sour.  The faithful elf had been defeated by a colorful nipit sporting that tattoo of the three eyed clown, the local circus.

The contests continued, and Haas grew more annoyed.  Again and again, these clowns defeated the faithful of Tyrogatore.  They mocked the practice, the eschewed the discipline, and yet in fairness, they won.  The end of the fortnight closed in, and it became clear that the faithful of Tyrogatore would not win the majority of contests.  When the awards ceremonies arrived and the final feast came, Haas remained composed.  His plan had failed.  He feared that when he left the city, things would soon fall back.  He could do little.  Other cities needed his guidance.  He needed to have faith in those he left here.

So Haas headed north in Yellowia.  He found Yellowia angering and wanted to spend little time there.  The religion was small and uninfluential.  His only pleasant time in the nation was spent at the Awkland estate, where renowned grappler and former Graplore contestant Henry lived.  Haas next had to pick between Borkondof and the Orcish Empire, but he would reach neither.  His next stop was the Great Forest, the circle and dealing with the changes that came to the treaty in the forest after that.

[Asinjin]

Haas part 2

Magic broken was a glorious boon for the tenants of the faith.  More than ever, discipline and fitness were essential.  No longer could enemies hide behind their weave of endless spells.  No longer could the sins of sloth and avarice so easily be washed away with those with the coin to pay for it.  Haas thanked Tyrogatore for the success, and was confident that Iott's time of tyranny would not last long.  In 797, he restarted his travels.  Now, in addition to the festivals and contests, he announced the location for the Graplore in 800.  For the first time in 200 years, it would be held in Jaswap, home to the religion.  His travels also included rousing talks proclaiming an end to Iottian tyranny.  His only hesitation was the leader of the revolt, Gneon.  Nonetheless, this was a better path, one without Iott and arcane magic dominating.

Through Borkondof, where the faith was strong and Haas smiled despite the sometimes feral behavior of the residents, he went.  Stopping at Lynkeed, he spent several months at his old home, visiting his old friends.  Then into the empire.  He, as in Yellowia, he was disappointed.  The emperor was a not a fine symbol of strength and wisdom.  He was an aging bureaucrat, held in place by an Iottian governor.  The failed orcish crusade and only solidified his position.  Unable to change the emporer, Haas resigned to going to the many shrines and temples and doing what he could.

Haas quickly made his way to the last high temple in Palumbton.  Here, all was well.  Koth kept the region in order.  Iott and Gneon wanted little to do with the backwater land.  Haas was able to relax and smile for a bit.  Almost a vacation.  He met with Foram Farfist, a halfling gladiator who many felt could win the Graplore.  With Iott's reign lifted, and the event in Jaswap, Haas expected attendance to be incredible.  If the mood in Barnstenagor was any indication, he needed to get to Jaswap to prepare.  With ten months to go, Haas returned to the high temple and began preparations.  A high cleric of Tyrogatore was judged on many things.  The success of a Graplore was high on that list.

The event was heavily attended, but missing dignitaries one might expect.  Iott did not participate.  Not that they would have had more than a handful of entrants, and not that those that did enter had any chance of winning, but it was odd for a powerful nation to not attend.  also strange was the lack of presence by Gneon and his Coalition.  While not a nation in the normal sense, few in the world did not at current count Gneon and the forces he lead as a unique entity.  But every other nation of note was in attendance.  Layraedia and the Grean Republic, Yellowia and the Destroytian Republic, Pacyr and Hertoplowis.  Lesser nation and ancient ones, small and large, all other attended.  The field was enormous.  Despite the strain of the past two decades, the population had been booming.  Especially the years of Iott's reign with the safety it brought, combined with the proliferation of the Yinites, meant a population many millions larger than the world had at the last Graplore.

It was a glorious event.  A Yinite defender named Sho'nite put the judges to the test when he tried to win by exhausting his opponents with a tireless defense.  A four armed fey caused a great stir and debate as to whether it should be allowed to compete.  A front giant almost won and the rift between Tyrogatore and the giants of the sky grew larger when Haas was forced to disallow a Cloud giant from competing, his size proving too large to make any competition legitimate.  A gremlin managed to win entry and his comedy got him disqualified even though it was the talk of the tournament for weeks.

The event ended, Haas crowned the winner with satisfaction, and it could not have been a greater success for the religion, the city, the world, and Haas.  Planning his next trips, Haas took months to relax as he did.  He was a dwarf, he had many years of life left, but even he needed a break from the mental effort of being high cleric.  Before he left on the next part of his world tour, Kallark transcended.  Haas saw this for what it was and know now that the world may not be able to stop them this time.