Graison (platinum)

Graison Derges Portrait Created by Divone Race [[Human]] Culture [[Aldora]] Class Paladin Profession Vindicator Religion Follower of Voln Affiliation(s) Order of Voln, The Militia In-a-Word Knightly Disposition Stoic Demeanor Friendly Primary Trait Divine Flaw Obsession with Voln Greatest Strength Nobility Greatest Weakness Lawful Good Dislikes Undead, Ghezresh Loyalties Order of Voln, The Shield and the Sickle

[[Category: Human player characters]] [[Category: Aldora player characters]]

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Lord Graison Derges
Title: Vindicator
Race: Human       Gender: Male
Age: 24
Date of Birth: Day 15 of the month Ivastaen in the year of 5095
Clan: Aldora
He is taller than average and has a muscular, able-bodied physique. He appears to be very young.
He has piercing blue-grey eyes and tanned skin.
He has short, frizzy black hair shaved at the temples.
He has a scruffy looking face and a broad chest.

Portrait Created by Divone

AFFILIATIONS

Member of The Militia
Member of the Order of Voln
Follower of Voln

ACHIEVEMENTS

Strongest foe vanquished: a towering oozing zombie spider

INVENTORY

He is wearing a little round mirror, a pure white onyx shield talisman, some metallic black pearl prayer beads, some jet prayer beads with a white shield pendant, a crystal amulet, a layered black wool cloak, a silver-dipped feather stickpin, a large-eyed purple dove charm, a golden feather charm, a gold-plated Militia insignia, a sailcloth haversack slung over his shoulder, a circular rolaren greatshield emblazoned with a bold blue lightning bolt slung over his other shoulder, a white spidersilk surcoat over a gilt-accented onyx jazerant hauberk, a pair of articulated black gauntlets with gold accents, a gold-framed band centered with a white sunstone shield, a miniscule gargoyle ring, a black-striated belt, a laje-buckled leather swordbelt with a gold-edged white ora sidesword hanging from it, an onyx leather pouch with mesh inserts, a sword-etched sleek silver case, a dark leather wine flask, a gold-plated onyx herb kit, a pair of loose stygian black leather trousers, some gleaming golden spurs embossed with argent roses, and some onyx-hued leather riding boots with rounded ora buckles.

Growing Up Graison

Graison Derges was born the 15th of Ivastaen in the year 5095 in a dukedom of the Turamzzyrian Empire known as Aldora. Baby Graison was born with blue-grey eyes and black hair. Graison’s father was a brave Paladin who traveled the country while his mother stayed at home taking care of their goats and sheep...and little Graison. She would use the wool from the sheep to make cloth for sale.

As Graison grew into his teenage years, he followed in his mother’s footsteps and tended their goats and sheep. He would go to the shanties outside the walls of Elstreth to sell what he could. He also wanted to be like his father and become a Paladin. He would listen to stories by his father for years.

When he turned 18, Graison was brought to the House of the Paladin by his father. His father didn’t follow the same deity as he and his mother, which was Kai. His father followed Lord Voln. Graison had heard about him. He also knew that his father was constantly out fighting beasts and other creatures that were killed but rose again. They called them the undead.

Graison started training as a Paladin at this time. He learned Paladins were fierce warriors with much spirituality as a cleric. The more he trained, the more he would learn how the spiritual magic works. He was taught that he could use these spells to help defend himself and offensively use against others in battle. He received a weapon as a gift from his father after joining the Paladin rankings. It was a sidesword made out of white ora. The white ora from the sword is a special metal that will react to the aura of a Paladin and allow them to fight the undead with weapon in hand without having to have it sanctified.

He fought many undead alongside his father for a year. The party he was with would always go out looking for the undead. There were many beasts that were harmful along the way, but their focus was to find any undead walking amongst the living. Alone, Graison would fight any beast that would try and hurt him, living or not. A few plants even got a whiff of his sword.

One evening when Graison was asleep, he had a peculiar dream. A man in full armor of black chainmail topped by a white surcoat and carrying a white shield was fighting alongside him. Graison had no idea who this man was. Something was different when they slain the undead. He could hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separated itself from the body of the undead as it would rise, disappearing into the heavens. The man would watch and smile contently as he stared at Graison. Then the dream was over and Graison woke up. He told his father about what happened in his dream and was told that Lord Voln had visited him and showed him the purpose behind defeating the undead.

Graison then started studying and learning more about Lord Voln and his mission. He heard about a band of folks living underground who were followers of Luukos, but never understood why until now. He even made friends who would worship Luukos, always keeping it a secret and never knowing the whole reason about it. He knew there were of Gods out there, but never really took any of it to the heart as to why. Until now.

At the age of 21, Graison joined the Southern Order of Voln in Aldora. He would meet up with monks who would guide him and lay symbols upon which he would learn new spiritual magic alongside the ones he was learning as a Paladin. He had a tattoo imprinted on his wrist of a white shield on a field of black to represent his devotion to the Lord Voln.

His father and mother grew too ill that the stone-tenders were no longer able to assist. They passed away and Graison knew this was his time to adventure outside of the Turamzzyrian Empire and begin a new chapter in his life while completing the works and studies of the Order of Voln.

Itzy Bitzy Spider

It was the Hour of Tonis in Wehnimer’s Landing on the 19th of Koaratos in the year 5119. Graison stood outside the North Gate with others who would defend the town from an onslaught of undead creatures and beasts. What seemed like a simple task would soon turn into something more. He was ready for this. He trained for this. Graison could see the swarm of undead heading towards the gate. He drew his sword, put a fist to his chest and murmured a small prayer to Lord Voln to guide him.

The battle lasted for what seemed all night, but probably only lasted a half hour or so. There was a call from the West Gate that the undead forces have overrun the guards and entered the town. Jaynon summoned for a group of defenders to stand alongside him and help the citizens of Wehnimer’s Landing. Graison volunteered and joined up.

Graison helped the defenders fight off the undead within the town and escort citizens and visitors to safety. As he was moving forward through the streets, Graison couldn’t believe what he saw next. A few feet in front of him, Graison notices a pocket realm form and larger creatures and beasts come forth. These ones were not the typical undead that Graison has fought. These ones were oozing from every pore and orifice.

A towering spider that clearly was zombified noticed Graison and used its eight legs to quickly rush him. Graison followed lead and ran at the spider as well as yelling. The spider was almost as big as him. Every stab he performed on the spider would result in more ooze. Graison was tired and getting injured. Tiny little spiders started crawling from the bigger spider and now he was stepping on these as well as fighting off the zombified spider. Other defenders joined Graison and the towering oozing zombie spider was eventually defeated. So was Graison and he needed to find shelter and get help.

A triage was set up at the Raging Thrak Inn where defenders were going to get healed. Graison was helped getting there. As his wounds were being tended by an empath, Graison noticed one of the tiny spiders had found its way onto him. He quickly grabbed the spider and tossed it away. The spider quickly crawled instantly back onto Graison. Using the palm of his hand, he covered the spider and pressed down to squish it. As he released, the spider was still there. As Graison tried to grab the spider again, it dug its legs into his armor and was unmovable. As much as he tried, there was nothing he could do. The spider was not harmful.

As days went on, others around town grew concerned that Graison was infested with a spider, Jaynon in particular since he had his own concerns with a spider-person taunting him. The spider soon became part of Graison’s life and he treated it more as a pet. Whenever he is asked about why he has a spider that lives on him, he shares his story of the fight against the undead and the towering oozing zombie spider.

(Credit: Fallen from Faith)

Teasingly Torturous

This short story contains violence that may not be suitable for everyone. Read at your own discretion.


It was during the Hour of Tonis on Tilamaires, the 1st of Jastatos in the year 5119 when Graison was approached and given a poster. The poster had a picture of a young boy who went missing on Caligos Isle. Graison had heard of this island before. Many attend to celebrate the Eve of the Reunion. Merchants stop by during the month selling their wares and those who live on the isle set up games to play. It was supposed to be a fun place to visit. But there seemed to be trouble on the isle. Others around the town of Wehnimer’s Landing were also given posters. Their presence was requested on the isle.

As Graison arrived on Caligos Isle, there were many others he recognized from Wehnimer’s Landing and surrounding towns. A mystery was afoot. Those who had already gathered learned information that they were sharing. Ghost children were wandering the isle. They were stuck there and not able to pass into Lorminstra's Gate. Graison teamed up with some of what he now considered friends to figure what to do for these ghostly children who seem to be the ones missing on the posters hanging up around the isle. After time of investigating and research, everyone headed for the Whip and Wight Inn for the night.

When the Hour of Tonis arrived the next day, Graison was out and about with Rouste when Rouste all of a sudden asks, "Hear that?" Graison had no clue what Rouste heard and replied, "I didn't." Rouste scratches his beard and continues, "Dinna hear laughin'?" A silvery mist suddenly shrouds the area, obscuring Graison's vision. He feels something cover his face and the world goes completely dark. Graison awakens somewhere underground.

[Underground, Sacrificial Altar] The rough dimensions of this chamber suggest it was formed by some manner of calamity, with its rocky floor spanning only two-thirds of the depth from one wall to another before dropping off into a sheer chasm that echoes with the flow of water from somewhere below. Near the edge is an elaborate altar of stone and ghezyte, and before it stands a raised stone slab and an imposing crossed timber rack, the stone around each stained ruddy and dark. At the rear of the chamber is a heavily warded doorway that leads up a set of steps, and on the far end, imbedded in the wall, is a discolored section of stone. Obvious exits: none Graison says, "Oh, this can't be good." Graison gazes in wonder at his surroundings. Graison glances at Khlast. Graison deftly removes the white ora sidesword from his swordbelt. Khlast grins. Speaking to Khlast, Graison asks, "Who are you?" Khlast cocks her head. Khlast says, "You may... call me Khlast." Khlast glances up. Khlast asks, "Are you paying attention out there?" Speaking to Khlast, Graison asks, "And why am I here?" Speaking to Graison, Khlast says, "Conversion." Graison asks, "To you?" Graison says, "I don't think so." Khlast says, "To me? No...." Khlast carefully intones, "Ghez... Resh." Graison says, "Never heard of this one." Graison says, "And I don't think I want to." Khlast says, "We'll see if you continue that method of thought...." Graison says, "If I can only get myself to move." Khlast stalks towards Graison and jabs the haft of her cleaver into his gut, doubling him over! Graison exclaims, "Stop! I don't approve of this....whatever you are!" Khlast picks up a two-pronged silver fork. Khlast grins at Graison. Graison says, "Keep that away from me." Khlast smiles towards him and stabs the fork into his leg! Graison says, "If I could only.....move." Graison yells, "I need help!" Khlast trails the blade along the thigh of him and then slams the hilt of it against his fingers. Graison yells, "Owww! Stop!" Khlast says, "Allow Him in. Seek his salvation. Convert to him." Khlast leans forward. Graison says, "No! I won't." Khlast leans close to him, and carefully whispers, "Ghez....Resh..." Graison asks loudly, "Somebody up there has got to hear me! Anyone?" Khlast looks up towards the window, then back down to Graison. With a quick flick of her ghezyte cleaver, removes a finger from his left hand. Graison yells, "Ahh! Stop!" Khlast glances up. Speaking to Graison, Khlast says, "They like it when your fingers are removed. I think they're foolish... but... may as well." Khlast trails the tip of her cleaver down Graison's finger before flicking the blade three quick times. Each time the blade moves, another knuckle of his third finger is removed. Graison says, "You are a coward. Let me free." Graison says, "I can resist. I must resist." Khlast using her fork, quickly spears the three finger knuckles. Khlast licks a two-pronged silver fork in her hand. Khlast taps a two-pronged silver fork, which is in her left hand. Khlast shows Graison a two-pronged silver fork spearing three meaty finger knuckles, which she is holding in her left hand. Speaking to Graison, Khlast asks, "Care for a bite?" Graison exclaims, "You're disgusting. Let me go!" Khlast shrugs. Khlast put a two-pronged silver fork spearing three meaty finger knuckles in her green leather pouch. Graison says, "My friends are going to come for me." Speaking to him, Khlast says, "You seem keen on being heard....." Khlast quickly slashes the blade towards his head, lopping off his left ear. Khlast says, "Your friends appear to be suggesting other methods of torture...." Graison exclaims, "I swear....let me go and fight me! You coward!" Khlast says, "No." Khlast shakes her head. Khlast says, "No...." Khlast says, "There will be no fighting. You have been chosen." Khlast says, "Accept it." Graison shouts, "I accept nothing from you!" Speaking to Graison, Khlast says, "You accept one of two things: The salvation of Ghez... Resh. Or death." Khlast reaches out and cradles Graison's hand in her own. She smiles warmly down to him and presses the hand, palm down against the altar. Khlast glances inquiringly around the room. Graison painfully says, "At this point.....I would rather die." Khlast says, "Perhaps... but not yet." Graison says, "I will not pray to whomever this Ghez thing is." Graison continues, "Or worship." Khlast stabs her cleaver through the back of his hand, piercing the flesh and bone and hitting the alter with a loud scrape and sparks of metal. Speaking to Graison, Khlast says, "Your audience up there...." Khlast grins. Graison cries out, "If I have to die, I will be with my loved ones. Not your kind." Khlast says, "Confident...." Khlast shoves her forefinger into his right eye and plucks the orb from its socket. With a wet sloshing sound, she flings his eye across the room. Graison exclaims, "Blind me! At least I won't be able to see you anymore!" Khlast places her blade over the top of his right shoulder. Placing a hand at either end of the cleaver, she slowly presses down on his flesh. Finding resistance momentarily as the edge meets bone, it suddenly thunks against the alter with a sickening crunch. Khlast just nudged Graison. Khlast says, "Don't fade yet." Graison cries, "I will not convert." Khlast slides one of riding boots off Graison's foot, setting it aside. She then places a finger on his large toe. Graison says, "I know I am going to a better place." Khlast says, "This little piggy...." Khlast inclines her ear, listening intently. Khlast nods approvingly. Khlast flicks the blade against his large toe before it plummets to the ground in a red spray. Khlast slides the blade to his next toe and continues, "And this little piggy...." Khlast nods once, the blade giving a soft *snick* as his second toe flips through the air and lands nearby. Khlast slowly drags the blade along his foot as it moves towards the third toe. "And this little piggy?" Khlast smirks as she quickly amputates the middle toe. Khlast whispers softly to Graison, "Still with us?" as she moves the blade against is fourth toe. "This little piggy?" Khlast glances up. Khlast nods once. Graison cries, "Do what you want now. My mind is clear and I will be with Voln." Khlast clips off his fourth toe in a slow slide of the blade through flesh and bone. Khlast asks, "And the last little piggy?" Khlast slams the blade against his ankle, severing his entire foot! Khlast shakes her head, clucking her tongue. Khlast says, "They wish you to be symmetrical again." Khlast quickly lops off his second foot, which sprays a crimson arc across the room. Khlast moves around towards his head. Khlast says, "This can all end..." Khlast says, "Convert." Khlast says, "Your companions, they advise to embrace him." Khlast carefully intones, "Embrace Ghez... Resh." Khlast says, "You can nod if you wish to submit." Graison quietly shouts, "Never! Those companions you talk about are not my friends." Graison continues, "I will not!" Khlast quickly reaches into Graison's open mouth and pinches his tongue. Not giving him a chance to react, the tongue is quickly removed with the blade. Khlast leans towards Graison, whispering softly into his good ear. "Remember to nod if you wish to embrace Him." Graison shakes his head. Khlast says, "This will... hurt you more than it hurts me." Khlast presses the blade against his thigh, leaning heavily upon it until the familiar *KARUNCH!* of bone echoes in the small chamber. Graison falls silently screaming to the ground with his mangled right leg! Khlast shakes her head, clucking her tongue. Speaking to Graison, Khlast says, "Your companions wish you, once again, to be symmetrical." Khlast presses the blade against his other leg, pressing until the crunching sound reverbrates once more. Speaking to Graison, Khlast says, "You are not long for this world... convert. He will welcome you." Graison senses that his spirit has a slight attunement to the minds of others in the area, though it will quickly fade. Graison is now fish food for the fauna of Caligos Isle! Khlast shakes her head, clucking her tongue. Khlast says, "A pity." Speaking to Graison, Khlast says, "You have one last chance...." Khlast picks up the corpse of Graison and carries him to a discolored section of stone, perfunctorily shoving him in. Graison feels himself being pulled away... [Underground, Cistern] The dimensions of this chamber are breathtaking, such that it could only have been naturally wrought, and it echoes with the sound of water lapping against stone. Evidenced by the scent of the sea, the cistern is fed from an underground channel, and its waters break in shallow waves chased by the cyan glow emitted by the crystals dappled across the arching ceiling and convex walls. The effect is otherwordly and seems in sharp contrast to the mundanity of the furnishings haphazardly arranged throughout. You also see an uneven aperture. Obvious exits: south

Graison's spirit was still with his body, but fading fairly quickly. He could hear voices coming from afar and some people to his location. He saw these people before, but wasn't sure who they were. They started dragging his body away from where he was. He wasn't exactly sure what they were doing with his body. Graison started to get concerned. But he finally saw two familiar faces. Jourwen and Ravenfritha were walking along and immediately speaking to Ravenfritha, Delieta says, "We found him in our walking path."

Raven, for short, placed her hands on Graison and started making some small prayers and his limbs begin reforming onto his body as well as his tongue. Jourwen cracks open a gem and scatters it all over Graison's body and chants a prayer. Graison's spirit and body becomes one again.

Graison remembers clearly what had happened to him and shares his story with his two friends. He tells them he thinks this is what happened to the missing children. As Graison was walking away with his group, a silver voice slithers across his ear, "Rest.... I will decide if we try again tomorrow."

(Credit: Ebon Gate 2019)