Iona Pentaghast's page

Found late in the evening of the 6th of Lamashan, Iona had been left upon the alter of Iomedae wrapped in a red cloak with a slip of parchment with the name 'Iona' pinned to it. The infant had been found by a cleric and paladin who had come to prey for a child. Upon inspecting the infant they noticed the large birthmark in the shape of Iomedae's holy symbol upon the newborn's forehead. The couple took this as a gift from their goddess and brought the infant into the family, keeping the name Iona and giving the her the family name Pentaghast.
As the child grew, her adopted parents ensured she was schooled within the church and with her birthmark no one objected. Her life was happy, and her family loved her. But when you live close to the world wound... happiness can quickly be dashed. Jurric and Diana Pentaghast where soon called back to duty, and when Iona was nine they left her in the care of the church, specifically Hilduin Ashmore. Whom her father, Jurric, was close to. The two left, heading to the world wound... they would never return. In fact out of all of the faithful that left, only seven returned. One of which was a young paladin named Alysone Pridehelm, who brought back Jurric and Diana's wedding bands for Iona.

From that day on Iona was raised by Hilduin and Alysone, each teaching the young acolyte useful skills. Hilduin handling the young girl's schooling while Alysone, when she could, handling her combat skills. They saw the child work through the pain of losing family, the pain of long hours training, and even the joy her faith brought her. When she came of age Iona entered the church as a cleric and with the teachings of Hilduin and Alysone became a bane of evil outsiders, and readied herself for the day she would join with the rest of Kenabres in fighting back the darkness of the world wound. The wound that inflicted great pain upon her and many others within this world. A more grievous blow came when her home Kenabres was attacked, or more like revenged. When Khorramzadeh, the Storm King, came to Kenabres people began to flee. The tower which held their protection vanished. But there was a light of hope, at least for a moment, Terendelev the Silver dragon of Kenadres lept to the defense of her home. Iona, dressed in her best aided those in danger from the other demons. Her shield became the wall when Kenabre's walls fell, her sword took the form of justice for the wrong inflicted upon her home. Then Terendelev fell. Iona's cry of pain and wrath filled the area and the young crusader fought twice as hard. They took her parents, they hurt people with smiles upon their faces, and now they wanted her home and her people?! They dared such?! NO! Not while she drew breath. Iona slew demons, gathered people, and made her way to a safe haven. The only safe haven, Defender's Heart with all the people she had found. Though she didn't stay for long. Iona, young and stubborn, believe she should be out there trying to find and take care of her people. Those who couldn't pick up the blade she returned to Defender's Heart, those that could she offered them to follow her and to find others who needed help.

When the wardstone shattered and let out a golden light and angelic choir, Iona turned her face to the light. At first worry filled the cleric mind as to what just happened then the birthmark upon her brow grew warm and Iona felt at peace. Things would never be as they were before, Kenabres would never be the same. A scar rested upon it now but Iona would try to help it heal. When the Heroes of Kenabres left to enter the world wound, Iona longed to go with them. She watched as them and the army left giving a prayer to Iomedae to watch over them, to see to their victory. Yet Iona didn't follow. Kenabres needed her for the moment. Hopefully she might be able to join them in time.

While in Kenabres recovered, Iona worked to become a beacon for her people. She rooted out any demon or demon worshipers that dared believe they could remain in her home. Gave healing freely to those who needed it, passed out food when it came, and helped rebuild the walls for Kenabres. She even tried to help set up a new government body, though the Queen seemed to have that handled. Then word came that Dezen fell to the heroes and Iona knew it was time. Kenabres was as good as it was going to be, and there was now a foothold in the World Wound once more. A foothold that needed protection, a foothold that needed a Bulwark. With her own two feet Iona left her home and made her way into the World Wound, where the Heroes would be the sword Iona would be their shield.