Posts from Ad aspera

Origin: Arkhaimar +2 to Strength, +2 to Will. All incoming (final) damage is reduced by (Will*2)%, with a maximum of 50%. Final damage from water and cold is halved. Free skill of the Warriors of the North. Belief: Azer Upon receiving or inflicting the first damage, the character gains +100% to final damage and +25% to attack skill in melee combat, and receives an additional attack, but always attacks the nearest character, without distinguishing between enemies and allies. Rage Each kill grants an additional turn and restores 50% health. Characteristics Strength: 22 Endurance: 20 Agility: 17 Perception: 10 Intelligence: 10 Will: 12 Skills Two-Handed Weapon I. +2 to Strength, +30 to Accuracy and Dodge. II. +2 to Speed, +2.5% damage per point of Strength. III. +1 to Endurance, +1 to Strength, additional attack. IV. +2 to Accuracy per point of Strength; a successful attack has a chance (Strength vs. Strength) to paralyze the opponent. Specialization: Two-Handed Hammer I. +3 to Endurance, armor penetration is doubled. II. Attacks cannot be parried or blocked. Armored Combat Warriors of the North Charge The character instantly covers the distance to the enemy; if the attack hits, it paralyzes for 1 turn (Strength vs. Strength). Equipment Two-handed hammer, armor (medium), dried meat.

Krait was born in one of the few villages of Arkhaimar. He was the third son, the youngest, the largest, the strongest, and the most sullen. He was also distinguished by his quick temper, contempt for those around him, and for himself. He was quite gloomy and not accepted by the group. Mostly, he argued and brawled with those around him, drank heavily, and participated in fights with neighbors and his own brothers. He also liked to roam the area with other Arkhaimarians, staging robberies. The bully's favorite weapon was a large mallet. Other raiders liked Krait because with him, they could fear nothing; he could always be unleashed like a mad dog into the fray, while they, in turn, could take the loot and have fun with the victims' women. By the time the warrior wiped the fragments of the last skull off his weapon, there was nothing of value left in the area, so he was always poor. That's how he grew up, swinging his club, crushing the heads of fens, yars, and divas, burning villages, arguing, and punching his comrades. At some point, the cup of his frustration overflowed, and he decided that he would not achieve any glory or wealth at home, so he left the village and went to other lands. There, his strength and ferocity could be useful. And Krait himself was glad, because his brothers, as well as all the other leeches, snakes, ticks, fleas, scoundrels, parasites, and outcasts who took advantage of his simplicity and appropriated his merits, remained to rot miserably in their native land. That's how he ended up in another city.

Unus Antinish

- Unus?
- Yes, father.
- Do you admit that you disobeyed me and did what you were told never to do again?
- Yes, father.
- Are you ready to repent before the Lord our God Almighty?
- No, father.
- Reason?
- I have not broken the covenants of our Most Gracious God Almighty.
- Fair enough. Are you then ready to accept punishment for disobeying me, your father, your provider, your support?
- Yes, father. That is fair.
- Then go, - the man handed the boy a large waterskin. - Try not to freeze your fingers.
- Yes, father.

Winter was not the best time of year for such punishment. Unus would have had it easier if he had simply been flogged, as all the other children were. But his father, Onus Antinish, was an opponent of physical violence and believed the best weapon in any conflict was the power of words. Unus did not think so. If bandits attack you, it is better to send them to the Almighty's judgment before they can commit another sin by killing and robbing you. Otherwise, why did the Lord grant us iron, if not to defend ourselves with weapons, to protect others from sin and the innocent from sinners? But today Unus was punished not for killing bandits. He was still too young, and despite his stature, he would not have had the strength to stand against brigands. The boy went to the shed, found a sled, loaded it with firewood and kindling, took a shovel and an axe, and headed into the forest.

Trudging through the snowdrifts, he reflected on his deed. Unus pondered why his father believed associating with fallen women was so dangerous. For if your faith is strong, no women can frighten you. Even if they are witches or demon worshippers. And Unus's faith was strong.

 - The Almighty is my Father; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul, He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of absolute darkness, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your gaze and Your sword — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Almighty for many days, - Unus began reciting his favorite prayer. It surfaced in his mind on its own. The boy repeated it until he reached the forest. The youth noticed the moonlight slowly dimming. A storm was approaching. He needed to quickly dig a dugout, set it up, and build a fire.

For some reason, Unus felt that saving lost sinners was his destiny. Despite their apparent joy and merriment, the boy considered them deeply unhappy people. People who, out of hopelessness and despair, indulged in the poison of their vices. He clearly remembered how happy and peaceful his mother was. How she gave that peace and care to him, his brothers, and sisters. Sinful women are incapable of that. All they can do is satisfy their own and men's base needs, the pleasure from which is so fleeting that the briefest moment of union with the Almighty in prayer feels like an eternity. Moreover, women are weak. Their will is frail and unreliable. And without proper guidance from a righteous man, they cannot fight their passions. Saving their souls is a most righteous deed. For the Almighty placed an important function upon women — the continuation of the human race. The race of righteous people. And a sinful woman can only give birth to more sinners.

Digging the dugout took a long time. The frozen ground gave way with difficulty. The rags Unus had wrapped around his hands offered poor protection from friction. When he finished, his limbs were badly chafed and bleeding. And he still needed to build a fire. The boy began to pray mentally and continued his work. When everything was ready, he settled on pine branches, curled up, and fell asleep. The youth was awakened by someone's voice and a bright light shining in his face.

- Unus, my son!
- Father? Why are you here? – the boy muttered through his sleep, trying to open his eyes, but the bright light prevented him.
- I am your Heavenly Father! - at that moment, Unus experienced incredible shock. Was the Almighty Himself speaking to him, a mere mortal? The youth jumped up sharply and opened his eyes. But he saw nothing but bright light. He fell to his knees and exclaimed.
- Almighty! My Heavenly Father!
- Hear me, Unus Antinish, son of Onus! Your heart is compassionate, your soul is pure and immaculate, your faith is strong and mighty! From now until the end of ages, you shall carry my light into the darkest corners of vice! Your lot is to save sinful women and guide them onto the true path! But remember, this is dangerous! Treat a saint like an ordinary woman, an ordinary woman like the worst sinner, the worst sinner like absolute evil! And then vice will not overcome you, and you will save thousands of souls and keep your own! I bless you, Unus!
- Heavenly Father, Almighty, my God, I will not let you down! I swear! – saying these words, the boy felt a terrible, body-searing cold.

Unus woke up. The fire had gone out, the storm had begun, and lightning was splitting the sky heavily veiled with clouds. The youth's first act was to kneel and pray fervently to the Almighty. He repeated every prayer he could remember, one after another. And in the end, he swore to do the Almighty's will until his death. Then he checked his fingers. Fortunately, nothing critical had happened yet; he had woken up in time. Or rather, he had been awakened. Upon returning home, Unus made a firm decision to join the Order of Paladins. His mission would be preaching; he would travel from settlement to settlement and save the souls of sinful women. So the Almighty had commanded.

Twenty years have passed since then. The 35-year-old virgin Unus continues to bear the burden of a healer of human souls. He guides not only fallen women, but all who need it. He also teaches children reading and writing. This time, the Almighty has led him to Tyrren.

- A big city, big vices. Almighty, my Heavenly Father, save and protect, - whispered Unus, and with a firm step he strode towards the gates of Tyrren.

Characteristics:

Strength: 22
Endurance: 25
Dexterity: 15
Perception: 15
Intellect: 19
Willpower: 20

Origin:
Ardor: Order of Paladins: free paladin specialization

Beliefs:
Church of the Almighty
The character gains full immunity to mind-affecting effects, consecrated weapon effects, and active abilities of other religions

Skills:
Paladin

Requirement: Church of the Almighty
Asceticism
Free trait. +5 to Endurance, Dexterity, Perception, and Intellect, +10 to Willpower. Inability to use money for anything other than meeting the character's basic needs
Holy Protection [5]
+10 to barrier per point of Willpower. Damage to the barrier bypasses all resistances; while the barrier is active, instant death effects do not work. After destruction, it recovers within 24 hours
Second Chance [6]
If the character dies, he will revive with full health. Once per phase. Does not work in exceptional cases (dismemberment, decapitation, etc.) but works against instant death effects
Antimagic [6]
Damage from spells (final) is halved, resistance to effects is doubled
Undead Slayer [3]
The character deals double damage to undead and demons

Scholar

Literacy[5]
+4 to Intellect, the character can read and write. Required for all Scholar skills except Blacksmith and Musician

Two-Handed Weapon

I. +2 to Strength, +30 to Accuracy and Evasion [3]

Equipment: medium paladin armor, paladin helmet, paladin cloak, consecrated (is that allowed?) paladin war hammer (two-handed maul), Holy Scripture (written by hand), hardtack, modest savings.

 2 skill points remaining.