Vindsval's Evolution

Vindsval through the ages.

and his god "The Wanderer."

Progression from Cleric to Witch.

Vindsval returns to the Hall of Heroes with the desert dust still clinging to his robes.  He feels as if he is at a crossroads and that a decision must be made.  He gathers his meager collection of belonging and goes to the Training Hall for contemplation and guidance.  He is greeted by Master Copper Fox, the most sociable of the six veteran founders of Heroica.


"Greetings large one.  Welcome to the Training Room.  It would seem you believe yourself to be well travelled enough to claim a place among those of a different specialization."


"Greetings to you as well, I am Vindsval, called the Half-Born.  I have indeed come here for instruction for I have reached a crossroads.  I am of heavy heart and divided mind on the matter.  I am told you have places in which a being can seek solitude and quiet contemplation."


With this the veteran leads Vindsval to a side room, dimly lit by candle and fading sunlight.  He closes the large door silently behind the half-giant.  Vindsval moves to the center of the room and seats himself on the floor.  His remaining hand reaches to his shoulder, now a smooth healed stump.


Wanderer, you have led me down this path, you have brought me to this crossroads, but I know not in which direction I should proceed.  I was to be a champion for the weak.  A heavy hand to protect those who could not protect themselves.  I have always intended to raise sword and shield in your name to destroy those who would pray on the weak.
He slams his massive fist into the floor in a sudden fit of anger.
But you lead me to the door of the foul one who would poison this city, and the price of stopping him was my arm.  I will never hold the protective shield of the Paladin, never wield the two handed sword of power.

"Stop your mewling boy."

Vindsval turns his head sharply to the sound of the second voice. a ferocious snarl on his lips directed at whomever would interrupt his reflection.  The rage fades from his face when he looks up to see a vision of fog and mountains before him in the room.



He quickly lowers his eyes and rises to a knee before his God.  The High Lord of the Norse Pantheon, The Wander Wartan.


Forgive me great lord.


ASK ME NOT for forgiveness, I would not see such pathetic weakness in one I have chosen to show favor.  I thought I had tempered you better than this.  To find you whining at the loss of an arm. A true warrior uses the strength he has been shown and the strength he has taken to stride the path he wishes to take.  He is not forced by circumstance into a side path.  You say that your destiny was to become one of the pathetic paladins of this soft souther city.  Paah, that is no path for one such as you. Think on what I have shown you.  Think on the power you have glimpsed.  Then look inward and make your decision."

As he speaks his final words the god steps back from the cleric and is enveloped by the fog.  He fades from existence and Vindsval is once again alone in the room.  But now arrayed before him are several objects he has obtained in his travels.

The Hood of the Demon Disease that took his arm.
The pile of fangs and stingers he collected on his quests.
The Talisman and Gloves used to enhance poison and healing
and finally the doubled ended blades of the Nin-Jah-Go warriors.

He gazes at the items, and a smile splits his large face.  It would seem that the shadowed path has been made plain.

He gathers the items into his pouches and picks up the twin Sai.  Then he opens the door and goes to speak to Copper Fox.

Have you made a decision then?  What shall you become Hal-Born?  Would you become the Wise, One with Nature, a Protector of the weak?

Vindsval looks down at the man and shakes his head.  

Teach me to use this.

He holds out the Double Sai, no larger than a dagger in his massive hand.

A weapon of theives, then you would become a follower of the Witchery Way?

Vindsval nods.

There is much strength to be found in the mastery of poison.  I have felt the power that disease and venom contain.  I would master them, bend them to my will.  One that can kill with such things can also learn to protect others from their effects.  Teach me the way of poisons and curses so that I may bend them to MY will, and use them how I SEE FIT.

Then let us begin.

So the Half-Giant began his training in the mastery of poisons, curses and the weapons of speed and craftiness.  He refashioned he armor, attaching the tokens of power he collected.  He used the craft of the Runeskald to etch letters of power and protection into its fabric.  At the end of his training he donned his new armor, placed Verkenner at his belt and looked to Copper Fox.

Aren't you forgetting something?
The man holds out what appears to be a black fabric funnel.

You have a broom, now you need the hat.  How else will they know that a witch has arrived.

I will leave that thing with you.
He looks around the room and spies  bundle of black fabric on a nearby table.
If I must wear black to identify myself I will at least wear something with dignity.

He sweeps the fabric over his missing arm and fastens it with a length of chain.


I thank you for your instruction Master Fox.  Perhaps if I stay long enough within the Hall, I will have need of it again.

You are indeed welcome Vindsval, I shall eagerly await news of your exploits.

Vindsval Leaves the Training Room, a mere cleric no longer.

Vindsval sits in the corner of the hall, the weariness of the road and of his recent battles draws his chin to his chest and his eyes close.  Moments later he opens them again to find himself surrounded by the mists and standing before a now familiar figure.



He falls to his knees, his new iron fist digging into the soft loam at the Path's edge.

Greetings great one.  I thank you for this boon.  What need have you of me?

Arise Vindsval, I am here as always, to lead you upon the Path.  You have done well in your mastery of this Witchery Way, but I fear you have no more that the animals of the wild can teach you.  I allowed you to walk this path, but it is time you set your foot upon another.  You are now whole once more, it is time you took up the shield and sword of your ancestors.

But I have trained as a priest of your order.  How then could I weird the sword.

I am well aware of your desires to defend the weak and pressed of this land.  You have sent many souls to be for judgement in this cause, and because of this word of me has spread far into these souther lands.  I would have this continue.  You have acquired the last item you will need to take up arms as a Paladin of this land.  With this action your deeds may bring to you honor, and to me power.  Seek out the banners of the Fox, that you may fight beneath the sign of your past.

Vindsval awakens to find himself once again in the Hall.

The banners of the Fox.  It appears I have an appointment in the training hall.

Vindsval arrives at the Training Hall a short time later.

Hello once again my large green friend.  It would seem you have indeed fulfilled your desire to master the Witchery Way.  Tales of your use of poisons in battle have reached me even here.  But if you come to me you must be in need of a change.  But what would you study?  You have not the experience to be called a veteran nor the favor of a great house.

I indeed come to you for training, but first I must ask.  Do you have a room where you store the banners of those who have passed from these halls?

Copper Fox looks at Vindsval oddly but leads him to a storage room full of crates and chests.

A strange request Vindsval, but you are welcome to look through this storage room, and use anything that you find.

Vindsval digs through the chests until he finds what he was looking for.  A symbol from his past.  The emblem of the first great beast that he and his companions destroyed on Tridentia.




Thank you Wanderer for your guidance and Wisdom.  Now to visit the armorer.

Vindsval leaves the Training Hall to visit Anwyl in the Marketplace.

Wat is it that ye be needing boy?  Yeh kin see I am a busy Man.

I am in need of your skills.  I was blessed with this arm and a new charge.  To complete this I will need your help.

He detaches and hands the Master Smith his new arm along with the banner

If you have the time, here is what I would you to do.

He and the smith discuss his plans to modify the carapace of the armored arm, as well as to craft a crest plate embossed with the Sigil from the banner.  It takes a number of hours of planning, and the smith works long into the night on the modification and crafting.  By morning Vindsval leaves with what he sought.



With his new arm, his new crest and new goal he returns to Copper Fox's training room.  Through many days of prayer, training, and adaptation Vindsval soon emerges a new creatures.  Gone is The Half Born.  In his place is The Scorpion Knight.