dave_the_DM
First Post
This my first post to the forum, so I hope you guys like this. For the background to my campaign world, please see my profile.
The Matriarchs of Truth came about as my daughter's desire to have a heroic female character like those she has seen in the animes she watches.
The Vog N' Rok (Handmaidens of Zohl) came about as a result of my love of the Sword of Truth series, and need to have a cool counter point to the Matriarchs. Of course, the fact that PCs tend to rely too much on their magic item and spells. Also, the idea of having a hot chick in black or violet leather that can kick major booti was an instant "Done".
Your feedback is very welcome.
The Matriarchs of Truth
The Matriarchs of Truth are an order of all female paladins intent on maintaining order, law and justice in the lands of the North. They follow no particular god, and their divine powers are gained not from divine province of the gods, but from divine belief in the truth.
Founded in the year 900 N.R., The Year of the Thirsty Sword, the Matriarchs of Truth is an order of female warriors sworn to met out justice and truth created during the golden period of the Nerath Empire. Able to look into the hearts of all, the matriarchs are able to detect deception in an almost mystical way. For this reason, they have been trusted advisers, and patrons of law for centuries. In addition, they are excellent healers, warriors and champions of the people.
Known as "Matriarchs" to the people, and "sisters" to each other (Never "Paladin"), a single Matriarch was frequently be the only source of Empirical Law in some far flung territories. Today, with most of their monastarys in ruin, the Matriarchs represent the last remnant of law and order from the old empire.
The order has a hierarchy, with a single warrior as the leader known as the "High Mother" "High Matriarch" or just "Mother" to the sisters of the order. Members refer to each other as "sister", and there is ranking of hierarchy within that as follows:
1) Sister (levels 1-4)
2) Sister of the Second Circle (Levels 5-7)
3) Sister of the Third Circle (Levels 8-10)
4) Sister of the Fourth Circle (Levels 11-13)
5) Sister of the Fith Circle (Levels 14-16)
6) Mother of the First Truth (Level 17)
7) Mother of the Second Truth (Level 18-20)
8) Mother of the Third Truth (Level 21+)
9) Matriarch of Truth (only one in the world) (Level 25+)
Entry to the Order and Choosing a Mate
Entry into the order occurs in one of two ways. The most common way is for a girl child to be born to an existing member. Sisters of the Order do not marry, but may take a mate when they have reached the third circle or higher. This is not a marriage in the traditional sense. The woman is not expected to "settle down" or even live with her chosen mate, although many do. The order has many obligations, and this can be particularly hard on a relationship with long absences involved, and not knowing whether your loved one is dead or alive. The "Bonding" may only be performed by the High Mother, and she must approve the sister's choice of mate. Sisters may only marry once in their life, and while some bondings do break up, the sister will never mate or bond again in her lifetime (Unless they leave the order). Thus members of the order consider their choices with extreme care, and the death of a mate considered particularlly tragic.
During the bonding ceremony, many rituals are performed, including a magical one which is the completion of one begun when the member was first accepted into the order as a young girl. The Ritual of Ma K' Ras (originally an Elven ritual) assures that only a girl child will be the result of the mating of the couple. The Ritual is not fool proof however, and on rare occasions (once in a decade) a male child is born. The male child is considered Ma K' Res and is taken at birth to be adopted by another couple in some far off province to be determined by the High Mother herself. There is a rumor, however, that in fact the male children are killed... although this is disavowed by the order. In an order where truth is prized above all else, it is unwise to question such things.
The second way, and significantly less common, is for a girl child to be sponsored into the order. Occasionally, a sister traveling about the country side may come upon a young girl (usually between the age of 10 - 13) with qualities that meet the order's requirements: grace, truthful, virtuous, etc. In this case, she may be taken to a monastary of the sisterhood, and undergo several rituals and tests. Based on the results the girl may be accepted or rejected. Families of the girl frequently allow their child to go with the sister for many reasons. First, they know the girl has a noble destiny before her, she will receive an education of the highest quality, and the family is richly compensated for their sacrifice. Occasionally, a girl may reject acceptance into the order, or the family resists (a warrior is a dangerous profession), and in those cases they are left alone. However, sponsoring sisters still consider the girl their "charge" and will return to check up on them, their well being, attend their weddings, and see if possibly there may be a change of heart. The charge is considered "protected" and bringing harm to a charge of the order will surely bring about the wrath of the protecting sister or sisters.
The Sword of Justice
The chosen weapon of the sisterhood the two-handed long sword. Known as "The Sword of Justice" it is both symbolic of the precepts of the order, and conducive to the sisterhood's two-handed fighting style which stresses grace, style, conservation of energy and surgical effectiveness. The hilt of the sword is very ornate, and when held inverted symbolizes a "T" for truth. The swords themselves are magical, and specially prepared for the individual warrior at a young age in a special ceremony conducted by the High Mother. Blood is drawn from the girl and collected in a large bowl. The girl is drained almost to the point of death, which the High Mother carefully monitors. Then, all the sisters present at the ceremony contribute a drop of blood to the bowl. The blood is then taken to the "Forge of Making" where the sword has been crafted. The sword is heated to glowing hot, and then thrust into the collected blood. This is done many times, while a special ritual invokes the power of good, truth, and law which imbues the sword with its special magical properties that will only work for the girl for whom it's made.
Once, done, the girl will wield no other weapon if possible. The sword itself is magical, and has the following properties:
Sword of Truth and Justice
Enhancement: Attack, damage, healing and save rolls
Level 1: +1, +2 insight bonus.
Level 6: +2, +4 insight bonus. Critical 19-20 Gain Encounter power
Level 14: +3, +6 Insight Bonus. Critical 18-20
Level 21: +4, +8 Insight Bonus. Critical 17-20 Gain Daily Power
Level 25: +5, +10 Insight Bonus. Critical 16-20
Level 29: +6, +12 Insight bonus. Critical 15-20
Property: the sword is a required implement for the use of all channel divinity powers. Half the damage from this weapon is radiant damage. Only works of the weilder for whom the sword was made.
Critical: +1d6 per plus, versus evil
Power: (Encounter) - Standard Action
Make a basic melee attack against an evil target. Target takes an additional 5 Radiant Damage, ongoing. Save ends.
Power: (Daily) - Free Action
Take a second standard action. In addition, you may shift as a minor action, and all your damage is radiant damage for the rest of the encounter.
Special Properties: The swords of the matriarchs are linked for life to their wielders, and all the sisters present at the ceremony of making. Whenever a sister is killed in battle while using the sword, all linked sisters will know the time, place, and manner of death. If the death was not natural the killer is not brought to justice, then all linked sisters will permanently lose one hit point until the sister is avenged.
If a sister ever loses her sword she loses five hit points, and is considered "bloodied" until she finds it. In addition, none of her channel divinity powers will function.
If the sword is ever destroyed the sister will immediately lose half her hit points, which can not be healed by any means other than natural. Healing surges will only heal half the normal number of hit points, and the number of healing surges available per day drops to 1. In addition, all the sisters involved in the Ritual of Making permanently lose 1 hit point.
Destroying a sister's sword is not easy. The sword is magical and is virtually indestructible. However, there is special ritual, created by the sisterhood called "The Ritual of Unmaking." It was originally created as a punishment for sisters who had so violated the tenets of the order that excommunication is not severe enough. It requires a drop of the sister's blood, and a specially prepared forge. Unfortunately, in the year 1066 N.R. a sister, fearing excommunication and unmaking stole the ritual book that contained the Unmaking spell. She was eventually captured and killed, and the book recovered, but it is said that while the book was in her hands someone copied the ritual. This copy is known as the Codex of Malgaden, named after the rebellious sister who stole the original book. The codex was highly prized by evil enemies of the sisterhood who desire to bring harm to the order.
In the year 1234 N.R., the evil Baron Damion Ordanar, a powerful wizard in possession of the Codex of Malgaden, captured a much beloved sister of the 6th circle named Vanya Anarian. Fearing, that the sisterhood would bring about his demise he concocted an evil plan. He lured Vanya to his stronghold and captured her. Using the codex he destroyed her sword, and then slowly, over a period of many days tortured her to death. The other sisters of the order already aware of the sword's destruction (and knowing that they had not performed the ritual of unmaking on Vanya), they learned the horrid manner of their beloved sister's death. So enraged, they converged in force on the Baron's stronghold, intent on bringing him to justice. Unfortunately, this was exactly what the baron wanted. Using horrid magics learned from dark places, and the remnants of Vanya's sword, he conducted a special ritual that instantly transported swords of all the sisters who were present at Vanya's Making Ceremony to a specially prepared room in his stronghold. The magics he learned allowed him to extract the original drops of blood used in Anya's ceremony and use them to unmake the swords!
Greatly weakened, Damion unleashed his forces and slaughtered or captured all those present. So many Matriarch deaths all at once reverberated through out the Empire, and almost destroyed the sisterhood as Damion, now in possession of so many of the sisterhood's holy weapons repeated the horrid series of rituals over and over. This was especially devastating to the most powerful members as they had attended many induction ceremonys over the years, and it proved deadly to the high mother who died a horribly agonizing death as she endured the deaths of her sisters. Eventually, the wizard Damion Ordanar was overcome and killed (but the historical texts do no reveal how). The sisterhood was saved (just barely), and the Codex of Malgaden was recovered and destroyed. However, rumors persist to this day that another ritual book exists. Named in legend as the Codex of Ordanar, it is said to contain not only the Ritual of Unmaking, but all the rituals that Baron Ordanar used in his quest to destroy the Matriarchs of Truth! The order itself never returned to its former glory.
The Three Truths
The First Truth: Action is the tool of truth. There is no failure as long at the desire to succeed remains.
The Second Truth: Evil only succeeds when good people fail to acknowledge it exists, and stray from the tenents of law.
The Third Truth: All material things and worldly relationships are transitory, do not allow them to cloud the truth and stray from the path. Follow the truth, and the good deeds of the sisterhood will live forever.
The Truth of Spirtuality
The gifts of the sisterhood come not from the gods, but strength of truth. Do not follow the worldly teachings of men for they are corruputable. Follow the truth, and divinity will follow.
The Five Circles
The five concentric circles are intertwined, with one leading to the other, all linked together with the circle of truth in the center. This symbol is frequently found in plate glass windows in Matriarch monestaries, and on jewlry.
1) Honor
2) Integrity
3) Valor
4) Wisdom
5) Truth
Symbol
A majestic sword, mystical symbols along the blade, hilt side up (like a "T") wreathed in a blue flame.
Wealth
The sisterhood has little need for material goods, and personal wealth is considered obscene. Enough money to survive, maintain their equipment, and tithe to the order is all the weath they will keep.
Leaving the Order
The life of a matriarch is a difficult one, and sometimes, for a variety of reasons a sister may wish to leave the order. This is not frowned upon as membership is always voluntary, however a special ceremony must be performed. The sister's sword also goes through a special ritual. After the ritual, the sword will not bestow abilities above 6th level. In addition, its use as an implement for channel divinity powers is lost.
While no longer a member of the order, she may still be referred to as sister by her friends, and still has the protection of the order, which extends to her family (which is the most common reason women leave). The daughters of former matriarchs are frequently recruited for membership in the order.
Races:
Matriarchs are predominently human, although on rare occasions dwarves have been known to join the order.
The Mog D' Rok
Eleven magic is especially unpredictable when it comes to the results of fertility rituals such as the Ma K' Ras. When a male child is born to a sister, there is an even rarer chance that that male child may gain the special insight of a Matriarch. In addition, such a "gifted" child gains the healing touch of the order, but may also use this touch to cause injury as well as heal it (a killing touch)! For some reason, only a male child will gain inherent power such as this. Such a child is called Mog D' rok, and they are always evil. For this reason, a special ritual is performed by the High Mother on all male children born to sisters of the order. Most are normal and go on to good families. When a Mog D' rok is discovered however, it is the duty of the High Mother to conduct as special ritual that kills the child and forever banashes his soul to the Shadow Fell.
This is a closely guarded secret in the order, and is only revealed to Mothers of the First Truth. It is said that Baron Damion Ordanar was Mog D' Rok for whom the high mother took mercy on and allowed to live. She paid dearly for her mercy not only with her own death, but the near destruction of the order itself.
Dagon Zohl is an evil ruler far "to the east" in my campaign world. An ancient sorcerer from the long defunct Nithian Empire (Egyptian), he's expanding west, and the relative peace of the North is about to be shattered. The Vog N' Rok are the counterpoint to the "Matriarchs of Truth" from my previous entry. Your comments are appreciated.
The Vog N' Rok (Handmaidens of Zohl)
The Vog N' Rok or "Handmaidens" are powerful evil warriors from the East, and the physical manifestation Dagon Zohl's power. Greatly feared throughout the Realms, their arrival always foretels the coming of great strife for they are without mercy or campassion. Always female, they are cruel, evil, extremely powerful, and darkly beautiful. In addition, they serve as Dagon Zohl's private concubines, and gain rank by his favor. Taken from the ranks of fallen enemies in battle, only the most elite, pure of heart and goodly female warriors are considered for the ranks of the Vog N' Rok. They are taken to the Zentar city of Vognar and held in the first level of the Tower of Woe where they are trained. Training consists of three stages. First, they are horrifically tortured until their will is broken. Even death is no escape, for the enchanted walls of the tower prevent the souls of the dead from escaping to the Shadow Fell. If a potential candidate succumbs to the torture, Zohl's priests restore the corpse, and then give the victim a special potion (the elixir of life)that calls the soul back into the body. Then the torture begins anew. With no hope of escape, not even death, no one no matter how much will they have can withstand this stage of the training. In fact, candidates are selected for their strong will power.The Elixir of Life frequently fails to revive dead candidates, however, so most do die in the Tower of Woe their wreched souls forever trapped in the tower's obsidien walls.
Once a surviving candidate is broken they are taken to the second level of the tower where they are forced to torture other prisoners held in the tower. During this time they are given special potions that enhance their blood lust until they are mad with the desire to inflict pain and death. When their blood lust reaches its peak, their eyes turn violet, and they are ready to advance to the next level of training on the third level of the tower. During this time they frequently leave the tower and go on missions with Handmaidens where they inflict cruelty on the people of the East.
On the third level of the tower the candidates loved ones or close friends have been kept. The Handmaiden completes her training when she gleefully tortures their fallen comrades or loved ones to death. It's at this point they are given the Elixir of Dom 'nac, which creates the long black entangling hair for which they are known.
Since no souls may escape to the Shadow Fell, the tower of woe constantly echoes with the tortured wails of all those who have died there.
The Vag N' Rok hair is extremely long, and raven black, and their eyes are a vibrant purple. In fact their hair seems alive as it swirls and undulates of its own accord. In fact, their hair is a weapon which they use to entangle and inflict damage to their opponents while in close combat. Their armor is also jet black, and made of a special magical leather. The inside of the armor is lined with thousands of tiny pins and worn as tightly as possible to not only accentuate the Handmaiden's body but so that the least bit of movement causes pain.
They are extremely proficient combatants, and all wield a specially enhanced morning star whose mere touch can send horrific pain through a target. The weapon is known as the Paroxysm Sigil, or simply the "Paroxysm". Anyone, including the Vog N' Rok themselves must suffer an attack versus will simply to pick up the weapon. Failure results in horrific spasms of pain which temporarily immobilize the person.
All of this pales in comparison to the Vog N' Rok's true power. Not only do they have a high resistance to all magic forms, they can turn a wielder's magic back on its wielder. Requiring only thought, any magic attack cast at a Vog N' Rok, be it spell or a magic sword is reflected back upon the weilder. The Vog N' Rok immediately gets a free attack with the word of pain against the target.
The Vog N' Rok also have a special power known as the Word of Pain that they may unleash upon anyone who has ever attacked them magically, which wracks the body with pain, causing the subject to spasm uncontrollably.
The Matriarchs of Truth came about as my daughter's desire to have a heroic female character like those she has seen in the animes she watches.
The Vog N' Rok (Handmaidens of Zohl) came about as a result of my love of the Sword of Truth series, and need to have a cool counter point to the Matriarchs. Of course, the fact that PCs tend to rely too much on their magic item and spells. Also, the idea of having a hot chick in black or violet leather that can kick major booti was an instant "Done".
Your feedback is very welcome.
The Matriarchs of Truth
The Matriarchs of Truth are an order of all female paladins intent on maintaining order, law and justice in the lands of the North. They follow no particular god, and their divine powers are gained not from divine province of the gods, but from divine belief in the truth.
Founded in the year 900 N.R., The Year of the Thirsty Sword, the Matriarchs of Truth is an order of female warriors sworn to met out justice and truth created during the golden period of the Nerath Empire. Able to look into the hearts of all, the matriarchs are able to detect deception in an almost mystical way. For this reason, they have been trusted advisers, and patrons of law for centuries. In addition, they are excellent healers, warriors and champions of the people.
Known as "Matriarchs" to the people, and "sisters" to each other (Never "Paladin"), a single Matriarch was frequently be the only source of Empirical Law in some far flung territories. Today, with most of their monastarys in ruin, the Matriarchs represent the last remnant of law and order from the old empire.
The order has a hierarchy, with a single warrior as the leader known as the "High Mother" "High Matriarch" or just "Mother" to the sisters of the order. Members refer to each other as "sister", and there is ranking of hierarchy within that as follows:
1) Sister (levels 1-4)
2) Sister of the Second Circle (Levels 5-7)
3) Sister of the Third Circle (Levels 8-10)
4) Sister of the Fourth Circle (Levels 11-13)
5) Sister of the Fith Circle (Levels 14-16)
6) Mother of the First Truth (Level 17)
7) Mother of the Second Truth (Level 18-20)
8) Mother of the Third Truth (Level 21+)
9) Matriarch of Truth (only one in the world) (Level 25+)
Entry to the Order and Choosing a Mate
Entry into the order occurs in one of two ways. The most common way is for a girl child to be born to an existing member. Sisters of the Order do not marry, but may take a mate when they have reached the third circle or higher. This is not a marriage in the traditional sense. The woman is not expected to "settle down" or even live with her chosen mate, although many do. The order has many obligations, and this can be particularly hard on a relationship with long absences involved, and not knowing whether your loved one is dead or alive. The "Bonding" may only be performed by the High Mother, and she must approve the sister's choice of mate. Sisters may only marry once in their life, and while some bondings do break up, the sister will never mate or bond again in her lifetime (Unless they leave the order). Thus members of the order consider their choices with extreme care, and the death of a mate considered particularlly tragic.
During the bonding ceremony, many rituals are performed, including a magical one which is the completion of one begun when the member was first accepted into the order as a young girl. The Ritual of Ma K' Ras (originally an Elven ritual) assures that only a girl child will be the result of the mating of the couple. The Ritual is not fool proof however, and on rare occasions (once in a decade) a male child is born. The male child is considered Ma K' Res and is taken at birth to be adopted by another couple in some far off province to be determined by the High Mother herself. There is a rumor, however, that in fact the male children are killed... although this is disavowed by the order. In an order where truth is prized above all else, it is unwise to question such things.
The second way, and significantly less common, is for a girl child to be sponsored into the order. Occasionally, a sister traveling about the country side may come upon a young girl (usually between the age of 10 - 13) with qualities that meet the order's requirements: grace, truthful, virtuous, etc. In this case, she may be taken to a monastary of the sisterhood, and undergo several rituals and tests. Based on the results the girl may be accepted or rejected. Families of the girl frequently allow their child to go with the sister for many reasons. First, they know the girl has a noble destiny before her, she will receive an education of the highest quality, and the family is richly compensated for their sacrifice. Occasionally, a girl may reject acceptance into the order, or the family resists (a warrior is a dangerous profession), and in those cases they are left alone. However, sponsoring sisters still consider the girl their "charge" and will return to check up on them, their well being, attend their weddings, and see if possibly there may be a change of heart. The charge is considered "protected" and bringing harm to a charge of the order will surely bring about the wrath of the protecting sister or sisters.
The Sword of Justice
The chosen weapon of the sisterhood the two-handed long sword. Known as "The Sword of Justice" it is both symbolic of the precepts of the order, and conducive to the sisterhood's two-handed fighting style which stresses grace, style, conservation of energy and surgical effectiveness. The hilt of the sword is very ornate, and when held inverted symbolizes a "T" for truth. The swords themselves are magical, and specially prepared for the individual warrior at a young age in a special ceremony conducted by the High Mother. Blood is drawn from the girl and collected in a large bowl. The girl is drained almost to the point of death, which the High Mother carefully monitors. Then, all the sisters present at the ceremony contribute a drop of blood to the bowl. The blood is then taken to the "Forge of Making" where the sword has been crafted. The sword is heated to glowing hot, and then thrust into the collected blood. This is done many times, while a special ritual invokes the power of good, truth, and law which imbues the sword with its special magical properties that will only work for the girl for whom it's made.
Once, done, the girl will wield no other weapon if possible. The sword itself is magical, and has the following properties:
Sword of Truth and Justice
Enhancement: Attack, damage, healing and save rolls
Level 1: +1, +2 insight bonus.
Level 6: +2, +4 insight bonus. Critical 19-20 Gain Encounter power
Level 14: +3, +6 Insight Bonus. Critical 18-20
Level 21: +4, +8 Insight Bonus. Critical 17-20 Gain Daily Power
Level 25: +5, +10 Insight Bonus. Critical 16-20
Level 29: +6, +12 Insight bonus. Critical 15-20
Property: the sword is a required implement for the use of all channel divinity powers. Half the damage from this weapon is radiant damage. Only works of the weilder for whom the sword was made.
Critical: +1d6 per plus, versus evil
Power: (Encounter) - Standard Action
Make a basic melee attack against an evil target. Target takes an additional 5 Radiant Damage, ongoing. Save ends.
Power: (Daily) - Free Action
Take a second standard action. In addition, you may shift as a minor action, and all your damage is radiant damage for the rest of the encounter.
Special Properties: The swords of the matriarchs are linked for life to their wielders, and all the sisters present at the ceremony of making. Whenever a sister is killed in battle while using the sword, all linked sisters will know the time, place, and manner of death. If the death was not natural the killer is not brought to justice, then all linked sisters will permanently lose one hit point until the sister is avenged.
If a sister ever loses her sword she loses five hit points, and is considered "bloodied" until she finds it. In addition, none of her channel divinity powers will function.
If the sword is ever destroyed the sister will immediately lose half her hit points, which can not be healed by any means other than natural. Healing surges will only heal half the normal number of hit points, and the number of healing surges available per day drops to 1. In addition, all the sisters involved in the Ritual of Making permanently lose 1 hit point.
Destroying a sister's sword is not easy. The sword is magical and is virtually indestructible. However, there is special ritual, created by the sisterhood called "The Ritual of Unmaking." It was originally created as a punishment for sisters who had so violated the tenets of the order that excommunication is not severe enough. It requires a drop of the sister's blood, and a specially prepared forge. Unfortunately, in the year 1066 N.R. a sister, fearing excommunication and unmaking stole the ritual book that contained the Unmaking spell. She was eventually captured and killed, and the book recovered, but it is said that while the book was in her hands someone copied the ritual. This copy is known as the Codex of Malgaden, named after the rebellious sister who stole the original book. The codex was highly prized by evil enemies of the sisterhood who desire to bring harm to the order.
In the year 1234 N.R., the evil Baron Damion Ordanar, a powerful wizard in possession of the Codex of Malgaden, captured a much beloved sister of the 6th circle named Vanya Anarian. Fearing, that the sisterhood would bring about his demise he concocted an evil plan. He lured Vanya to his stronghold and captured her. Using the codex he destroyed her sword, and then slowly, over a period of many days tortured her to death. The other sisters of the order already aware of the sword's destruction (and knowing that they had not performed the ritual of unmaking on Vanya), they learned the horrid manner of their beloved sister's death. So enraged, they converged in force on the Baron's stronghold, intent on bringing him to justice. Unfortunately, this was exactly what the baron wanted. Using horrid magics learned from dark places, and the remnants of Vanya's sword, he conducted a special ritual that instantly transported swords of all the sisters who were present at Vanya's Making Ceremony to a specially prepared room in his stronghold. The magics he learned allowed him to extract the original drops of blood used in Anya's ceremony and use them to unmake the swords!
Greatly weakened, Damion unleashed his forces and slaughtered or captured all those present. So many Matriarch deaths all at once reverberated through out the Empire, and almost destroyed the sisterhood as Damion, now in possession of so many of the sisterhood's holy weapons repeated the horrid series of rituals over and over. This was especially devastating to the most powerful members as they had attended many induction ceremonys over the years, and it proved deadly to the high mother who died a horribly agonizing death as she endured the deaths of her sisters. Eventually, the wizard Damion Ordanar was overcome and killed (but the historical texts do no reveal how). The sisterhood was saved (just barely), and the Codex of Malgaden was recovered and destroyed. However, rumors persist to this day that another ritual book exists. Named in legend as the Codex of Ordanar, it is said to contain not only the Ritual of Unmaking, but all the rituals that Baron Ordanar used in his quest to destroy the Matriarchs of Truth! The order itself never returned to its former glory.
The Three Truths
The First Truth: Action is the tool of truth. There is no failure as long at the desire to succeed remains.
The Second Truth: Evil only succeeds when good people fail to acknowledge it exists, and stray from the tenents of law.
The Third Truth: All material things and worldly relationships are transitory, do not allow them to cloud the truth and stray from the path. Follow the truth, and the good deeds of the sisterhood will live forever.
The Truth of Spirtuality
The gifts of the sisterhood come not from the gods, but strength of truth. Do not follow the worldly teachings of men for they are corruputable. Follow the truth, and divinity will follow.
The Five Circles
The five concentric circles are intertwined, with one leading to the other, all linked together with the circle of truth in the center. This symbol is frequently found in plate glass windows in Matriarch monestaries, and on jewlry.
1) Honor
2) Integrity
3) Valor
4) Wisdom
5) Truth
Symbol
A majestic sword, mystical symbols along the blade, hilt side up (like a "T") wreathed in a blue flame.
Wealth
The sisterhood has little need for material goods, and personal wealth is considered obscene. Enough money to survive, maintain their equipment, and tithe to the order is all the weath they will keep.
Leaving the Order
The life of a matriarch is a difficult one, and sometimes, for a variety of reasons a sister may wish to leave the order. This is not frowned upon as membership is always voluntary, however a special ceremony must be performed. The sister's sword also goes through a special ritual. After the ritual, the sword will not bestow abilities above 6th level. In addition, its use as an implement for channel divinity powers is lost.
While no longer a member of the order, she may still be referred to as sister by her friends, and still has the protection of the order, which extends to her family (which is the most common reason women leave). The daughters of former matriarchs are frequently recruited for membership in the order.
Races:
Matriarchs are predominently human, although on rare occasions dwarves have been known to join the order.
The Mog D' Rok
Eleven magic is especially unpredictable when it comes to the results of fertility rituals such as the Ma K' Ras. When a male child is born to a sister, there is an even rarer chance that that male child may gain the special insight of a Matriarch. In addition, such a "gifted" child gains the healing touch of the order, but may also use this touch to cause injury as well as heal it (a killing touch)! For some reason, only a male child will gain inherent power such as this. Such a child is called Mog D' rok, and they are always evil. For this reason, a special ritual is performed by the High Mother on all male children born to sisters of the order. Most are normal and go on to good families. When a Mog D' rok is discovered however, it is the duty of the High Mother to conduct as special ritual that kills the child and forever banashes his soul to the Shadow Fell.
This is a closely guarded secret in the order, and is only revealed to Mothers of the First Truth. It is said that Baron Damion Ordanar was Mog D' Rok for whom the high mother took mercy on and allowed to live. She paid dearly for her mercy not only with her own death, but the near destruction of the order itself.
Dagon Zohl is an evil ruler far "to the east" in my campaign world. An ancient sorcerer from the long defunct Nithian Empire (Egyptian), he's expanding west, and the relative peace of the North is about to be shattered. The Vog N' Rok are the counterpoint to the "Matriarchs of Truth" from my previous entry. Your comments are appreciated.
The Vog N' Rok (Handmaidens of Zohl)
The Vog N' Rok or "Handmaidens" are powerful evil warriors from the East, and the physical manifestation Dagon Zohl's power. Greatly feared throughout the Realms, their arrival always foretels the coming of great strife for they are without mercy or campassion. Always female, they are cruel, evil, extremely powerful, and darkly beautiful. In addition, they serve as Dagon Zohl's private concubines, and gain rank by his favor. Taken from the ranks of fallen enemies in battle, only the most elite, pure of heart and goodly female warriors are considered for the ranks of the Vog N' Rok. They are taken to the Zentar city of Vognar and held in the first level of the Tower of Woe where they are trained. Training consists of three stages. First, they are horrifically tortured until their will is broken. Even death is no escape, for the enchanted walls of the tower prevent the souls of the dead from escaping to the Shadow Fell. If a potential candidate succumbs to the torture, Zohl's priests restore the corpse, and then give the victim a special potion (the elixir of life)that calls the soul back into the body. Then the torture begins anew. With no hope of escape, not even death, no one no matter how much will they have can withstand this stage of the training. In fact, candidates are selected for their strong will power.The Elixir of Life frequently fails to revive dead candidates, however, so most do die in the Tower of Woe their wreched souls forever trapped in the tower's obsidien walls.
Once a surviving candidate is broken they are taken to the second level of the tower where they are forced to torture other prisoners held in the tower. During this time they are given special potions that enhance their blood lust until they are mad with the desire to inflict pain and death. When their blood lust reaches its peak, their eyes turn violet, and they are ready to advance to the next level of training on the third level of the tower. During this time they frequently leave the tower and go on missions with Handmaidens where they inflict cruelty on the people of the East.
On the third level of the tower the candidates loved ones or close friends have been kept. The Handmaiden completes her training when she gleefully tortures their fallen comrades or loved ones to death. It's at this point they are given the Elixir of Dom 'nac, which creates the long black entangling hair for which they are known.
Since no souls may escape to the Shadow Fell, the tower of woe constantly echoes with the tortured wails of all those who have died there.
The Vag N' Rok hair is extremely long, and raven black, and their eyes are a vibrant purple. In fact their hair seems alive as it swirls and undulates of its own accord. In fact, their hair is a weapon which they use to entangle and inflict damage to their opponents while in close combat. Their armor is also jet black, and made of a special magical leather. The inside of the armor is lined with thousands of tiny pins and worn as tightly as possible to not only accentuate the Handmaiden's body but so that the least bit of movement causes pain.
They are extremely proficient combatants, and all wield a specially enhanced morning star whose mere touch can send horrific pain through a target. The weapon is known as the Paroxysm Sigil, or simply the "Paroxysm". Anyone, including the Vog N' Rok themselves must suffer an attack versus will simply to pick up the weapon. Failure results in horrific spasms of pain which temporarily immobilize the person.
All of this pales in comparison to the Vog N' Rok's true power. Not only do they have a high resistance to all magic forms, they can turn a wielder's magic back on its wielder. Requiring only thought, any magic attack cast at a Vog N' Rok, be it spell or a magic sword is reflected back upon the weilder. The Vog N' Rok immediately gets a free attack with the word of pain against the target.
The Vog N' Rok also have a special power known as the Word of Pain that they may unleash upon anyone who has ever attacked them magically, which wracks the body with pain, causing the subject to spasm uncontrollably.
