Kyra

Kudera Rivani's page

171 posts. Alias of Zektolna.


Full Name

Kudera Rivani

Race

Suli Dawnflower Dervish/Sacred Huntsmaster 7 | HP 61/61 | AC 19, T 12, FF 18 | CMD 22* | F +7, R +4, W +9* | Init +4 | Perc +12

Resources:
Spells: 1st 2/5, 2nd 4/4, 3rd 2/2, AF: Bull 6/7, Bane 6/7, CS 8/8, EA 5/7, DL 6/7, RT 6/6

Classes/Levels

Tathir Allahab (Lion) | HP 52/52 | AC 22, T 12, FF 19 | CMD 25 | F +8, R +8, W +4* | Init +3 | Perc +2

Resources:
AF: Bull, Skirmisher Tricks 5/5

Age

31

Alignment

LG

Deity

Sarenrae

Strength 18
Dexterity 13
Constitution 12
Intelligence 13
Wisdom 16
Charisma 12

About Kudera Rivani

Stats:

Kudera Rivani
Suli Dawnflower Dervish (Fighter)/Sacred Huntsmaster (Inquisitor)
(Native Outsider)

HP 61
Init 4
BAB 7 CMB 11* CMD 22*
AC 19 touch 12 ff 18
Fort 7 Ref 4 Will 9 (+2 against fear effects)
Energy Resistance Acid 5, Cold 5, Electricity 5, Fire 5
Speed 30 ft.
Melee weapon +1 Adamantine Scimitar +14/+9 (d6+8)
Ranged weapon Composite Longbow (+4) +8/+3 (d8+4)
Feats Combat Expertise**, Power Attack**, Combat Stamina, Toughness, Weapon Focus (heavy blades), Step-Up, Incremental Elemental Assault, Coordinated Reposition, Weapon Specialization (heavy blades), Deft Maneuvers, Outflank, Pack Flanking, Weapon Material Mastery
Traits Empathic Diplomat, Practiced Impression
Racial Traits Low-light vision, Negotiator, Elemental Assault
Languages Common, Auran, Terran, Ignan, Aquan, Draconic, Celestial, Abyssal, Infernal, Aklo

[dice=Scimitar Attack 1]d20+14-2+4+2[/dice]
[dice=Damage]d6+8+4[/dice] (Power Attack, Flanking, Charge)
[dice=Scimitar Attack 2]d20+9-2+4+2[/dice]
[dice=Damage]d6+8+4[/dice] (Power Attack, Flanking, Charge)

*+2 for CMB & CMD checks for trip and disarm maneuvers, can make a Bluff check to feint in combat as a move action
**Given (among others) by default w/anti-feat tax rules

Skills:

Adventuring Skills
6 + Int (1) per level (7 total)

Bluff +7 (3 ranks)
Climb +8 (1 rank)
Diplomacy +15* (7 ranks)
Heal +7 (1 rank)
Intimidate +8 (1 rank)
Knowledge (arcana)** +8 (4 ranks)
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +8 (4 ranks)
Knowledge (local) +5 (4 ranks)
Knowledge (nature) +8 (4 ranks)
Knowledge (planes) +8 (4 ranks)
Knowledge (religion) +8 (4 ranks)
Perception +12 (6 rank)
Sense Motive +12 (1 rank)
Spellcraft +7 (3 ranks)
Stealth +5 (1 rank)
Survival +7*** (1 rank)

Background Skills
2 per level

Handle Animal**** +8 (4 ranks)
Knowledge (engineering) +7 (3 ranks)
Linguistics +8 (7 ranks)

*+2 against NPCs known less than an hour
**+3 on [Monster Lore] checks for all knowledge skills
***+3 to identify or follow tracks via [Track]
****+4 w/animal companion

Gear:

+1 Adamantine Scimitar [3,015 gp]
Masterwork Cold Iron Scimitar [330 gp]
Masterwork Alchemical Silver Scimitar [405 gp]
Heavy Mace [12 gp]
Composite Longbow (+4) [500 gp]
Durable Cold Iron Arrows (40) [44 gp]
Durable Alchemical Silver Arrows (20) [23 gp]
Durable Adamantine Arrows (3) [180.15 gp]
Blunt Arrows (40) [4 gp]
Smelling salts [25 gp]
Wand of Cure Light Wounds (48 charges) [750 gp]
+1 Mithral Shirt [1,100 gp]
Mithral Shirt (for lion) [1,100]
Heavy Steel Shield [20 gp]
Amulet of Mighty Fists (for lion) [4,000 gp]
Inquisitor’s Kit [30 gp]
Healer’s Kit (10 uses) [50 gp]
Bloodblock x2 [50 gp]
Holy Symbol (gold) [100 gp]
Explorer’s Outfit (starting clothes)
Wooden box with candlestick
Snapleaf
Key to box
6.85 gp

Dawnflower Dervish Features:

Bonus Feats: At 1st level, and at every even level thereafter, a fighter gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement (meaning that the fighter gains a feat at every level). These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as combat feats, sometimes also called “fighter bonus feats.”

Upon reaching 4th level, and every four levels thereafter (8th, 12th, and so on), a fighter can choose to learn a new bonus feat in place of a bonus feat he has already learned. In effect, the fighter loses the bonus feat in exchange for the new one. The old feat cannot be one that was used as a prerequisite for another feat, prestige class, or other ability. A fighter can only change one feat at any given level and must choose whether or not to swap the feat at the time he gains a new bonus feat for the level.

Bravery (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a fighter gains a +1 bonus on Will saves against fear. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd.

Burst of Speed (Ex): At 3rd level, a Dawnflower dervish takes only a –1 penalty to her AC after charging. At 7th level, the Dawnflower dervish can charge with no penalty. This ability replaces armor training 1.

Weapon Training (Ex): Starting at 5th level, a fighter can select one group of weapons, as noted below. Whenever he attacks with a weapon from this group, he gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls.

Every four levels thereafter (9th, 13th, and 17th), a fighter becomes further trained in another group of weapons. He gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls when using a weapon from this group. In addition, the bonuses granted by previous weapon groups increase by +1 each. For example, when a fighter reaches 9th level, he receives a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls with one weapon group and a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls with the weapon group selected at 5th level. Bonuses granted from overlapping groups do not stack. Take the highest bonus granted for a weapon if it resides in two or more groups.

A fighter also adds this bonus to any combat maneuver checks made with weapons from this group. This bonus also applies to the fighter's Combat Maneuver Defense when defending against disarm and sunder attempts made against weapons from this group.

Desert Stride (Ex): At 7th level, a Dawnflower dervish can move through 10 feet of difficult terrain each round as if it were normal terrain. This benefit stacks with the benefits provided by the Acrobatic Steps and Nimble Moves feats. This ability replaces armor training 2.

Sacred Huntsmaster Features:

Animal Companion (Ex): At 1st level, a sacred huntsmaster forms a bond with an animal companion. This ability works as the hunter class feature of the same name, using her inquisitor level as her hunter level. This ability replaces judgment 1/day.

Monster Lore (Ex): The inquisitor adds her Wisdom modifier on Knowledge skill checks in addition to her Intelligence modifier, when making skill checks to identify the abilities and weaknesses of creatures.

Stern Gaze (Ex): Inquisitors are skilled at sensing deception and intimidating their foes. An inquisitor receives a morale bonus on all Intimidate and Sense Motive checks equal to 1/2 her inquisitor level (minimum +1).

Cunning Initiative (Ex): At 2nd level, an inquisitor adds her Wisdom modifier on initiative checks, in addition to her Dexterity modifier.

Detect Alignment (Sp): At will, an inquisitor can use detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, or detect law. She can only use one of these at any given time.

Track (Ex): At 2nd level, an inquisitor adds half her level on Survival skill checks made to follow or identify tracks.

Hunter Tactics (Ex): At 3rd level, a sacred huntsmaster automatically grants her teamwork feats to her animal companion. The companion doesn’t need to meet the prerequisites of these teamwork feats. This ability replaces solo tactics.

Teamwork Feat: At 3rd level, and every three levels thereafter, the inquisitor gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement. These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as teamwork feats. The inquisitor must meet the prerequisites of the selected bonus feat.

As a standard action, the inquisitor can choose to learn a new bonus teamwork feat in place of the most recent bonus teamwork feat she has already learned. In effect, the inquisitor loses the bonus feat in exchange for the new one. She can only change the most recent teamwork feat gained. Whenever she gains a new teamwork feat, the previous teamwork feat becomes set and cannot be changed again. An inquisitor can change her most recent teamwork feat a number of times per day equal to her Wisdom modifier.

Animal Focus (Su): At 4th level, a sacred huntsmaster can take on the aspects of an animal as a swift action. This ability works as the hunter’s animal focus class feature, with her inquisitor level serving as her hunter level. This ability replaces later iterations of the judgment ability.

Bane (Su): At 5th level, an inquisitor can imbue one of her weapons with the bane weapon special ability as a swift action. She must select one creature type when she uses this ability (and a subtype if the creature type selected is humanoid or outsider). Once selected, the type can be changed as a swift action. This ability only functions while the inquisitor wields the weapon. If dropped or taken, the weapon resumes granting this ability if it is returned to the inquisitor before the duration expires. This ability lasts for a number of rounds per day equal to the inquisitor’s level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.

Discern Lies (Sp): At 5th level, an inquisitor can discern lies, as per the spell, for a number of rounds per day equal to her inquisitor level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive. Activating this ability is an immediate action.

Healing Domain & Restoration Subdomain:

Restorative Touch (Su): You can touch a creature, letting the healing power of your deity flow through you to relieve the creature of a minor condition. Your touch can remove the dazed, fatigued, shaken, sickened, or staggered condition. You choose which condition is removed. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.

Healer's Blessing (Su): At 6th level, all of your cure spells are treated as if they were empowered, increasing the amount of damage healed by half (+50%). This does not apply to damage dealt to undead with a cure spell. This does not stack with the Empower Spell metamagic feat.

Spells:

CL 7th; concentration +10, Spells per day: five 1st level, four 2nd level, two 3rd level

0 Level: Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light, Read Magic, Stabilize

1st Level: Cure Light Wounds, Ears of the City, Heightened Awareness, Divine Favor, Alarm

2nd Level: Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, See Invisibility, Undetectable Alignment

3rd Level: Dispel Magic, Protection from Energy

Tathir Allahab (Lion) Stats:

Tathir Allahab (Cleansing Flame)
Big Cat (Lion)

Str: 24 (+2 w/AF: Bull)
Dex: 17
Con: 17
Int: 2
Wis: 15
Cha: 10

HP 52
Init 4
BAB 4 CMB 11 CMD 25
AC 22 touch 12 ff 19
Fort 8 Ref 8 Will 4* (+4 morale bonus against enchantment spells and effects)
Speed 30 ft.
Size Large
Special Qualities Low-light vision, scent
Attacks Bite +13 (2d6+9), 2 claws +13 (d6+9)
Feats Toughness, Light Armor Proficiency, Improved Natural Attack (Bite)
Special Attacks Grab, Pounce, Rake (d6)

[dice=Bite Attack]d20+13-2+4+2[/dice]
[dice=Damage]2d6+9+4[/dice] (Power Attack, Flanking, Charge)
[dice=Claw Attack 1]d20+13-2+4+2[/dice]
[dice=Damage]d6+9+4[/dice] (Power Attack, Flanking, Charge)
[dice=Claw Attack 2]d20+13-2+4+2[/dice]
[dice=Damage]d6+9+4[/dice] (Power Attack, Flanking, Charge)

Companion Skills:

Climb +11 (1 rank)
Stealth +11 (5 ranks)

Companion Tricks:

Skirmisher Tricks: 5-per-day

Attack: The animal attacks apparent enemies. You may point to a particular creature that you wish the animal to attack, and it will comply if able. Normally, an animal will attack only humanoids, monstrous humanoids, giants, or other animals. Teaching an animal to attack all creatures (including such unnatural creatures as undead and aberrations) counts as two tricks.(x2)

Defend: The animal defends you (or is ready to defend you if no threat is present), even without any command being given. Alternatively, you can command the animal to defend another specific character.

Down: The animal breaks off from combat or otherwise backs down. An animal that doesn’t know this trick continues to fight until it must flee (due to injury, a fear effect, or the like) or its opponent is defeated.

Heel: The animal follows you closely, even to places where it normally wouldn’t go.

Stay: The animal stays in place, waiting for you to return. It does not challenge other creatures that come by, though it still defends itself if it needs to.

Track: The animal tracks the scent presented to it. (This requires the animal to have the scent ability.)

Upending Strike (Ex): The ranger can use this trick as a free action just before he makes a melee attack. If the attack hits, he may make a free trip combat maneuver against the target.

Vengeance Strike (Ex): The ranger can use this trick as an immediate action when an enemy adjacent to him hits an ally with a melee or ranged attack. The ranger can make a single melee attack at his highest base attack bonus against the creature who attacked his ally.

Companion Abilities:

Link (Ex): A druid can handle her animal companion as a free action, or push it as a move action, even if she doesn't have any ranks in the Handle Animal skill. The druid gains a +4 circumstance bonus on all wild empathy checks and Handle Animal checks made regarding an animal companion.

Share Spells (Ex): The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a spell with a range of touch) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.

Evasion (Ex): If an animal companion is subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex save for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw.

Devotion (Ex): An animal companion gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against enchantment spells and effects.

Backstory:

A written record of Dawnseeker Kudera Rivani’s oral telling of her upbringing and past exploits.
Transcribed by Dawnfather Merriloc Tombias of the Sarenite congregation of northern Almas in Andoran. May it be a testament to all peoples of the Dawnflower’s goodness and strength.

My name is Kudera Rivani.

I should start by saying a bit about my ancestry. It will help to properly frame some of the events that have occurred so far in my life. Most notable, many would say, is that my grandfather is a Janni. He met my grandmother in Katheer, Qadira after he had recently returned from the plane of air and the two soon became mates. Their union resulted in three children, two boys and one girl. Both my grandparents expected their children to exhibit traits that marked them as Suli. To be in such close proximity to their Janni forebear surely meant that one or more of them would manifest their elemental heritage.

It was not to be. Neither my mother or her brothers proved to be Suli, though their Janni lineage was never in doubt. My grandparents were both greatly saddened by this. My grandfather, in particular, took it quite personally as he considered it inconceivable that his offspring would not exhibit the same elemental prowess that he himself did. He had to begrudgingly acknowledge my mother and uncles as simply human by the time they became adults.

Since we’re speaking about my heritage, you may wonder where my surname comes from. Rivani is my mother and grandmother’s family name. Human and Genie relationships are far from commonplace in Qadira and particularly in Katheer where humans dominate the city’s citizenry.

I’ll simply say that my grandparents had to use my grandmother’s surname to avoid scandal. She was a noblewoman. Had her relationship with my grandfather become open knowledge, my family would have been scandalized, along with many distant relations within Katheer’s nobility. Since my mother was also a noblewoman by birth, my father took her name. Thus they went by Rivani.

When my mother married, my grandparents were once again excited at the prospect of her bearing Suli children. That she bore seven children made them all the more joyful. Seven children in fourteen years. Nothing else needs to be said on the subject. That fact alone speaks to my mother’s immense strength.

My father, a cleric of Sarenrae, was not himself a nobleman by birth but became one by marrying my mother. My father possessed a strength of his own. He was a member of the Cult of the Dawnflower in Qadira. While I’m certain he held to some of the more extreme tenets of the Cult, I only experienced warmth and compassion from him. He loved my mother and she him.

Of the seven children my mother bore, I was the eldest. Five boys and two girls. To say I acted as a second mother to my younger siblings would be doing a great disservice to our mother. But I did administer discipline to them when my parents’ were absent, mostly via passages from The Birth of Light and Truth. My father was on his way to becoming the Cult’s Dawnfather in Katheer and so had a continually increasing list of duties to attend to. My mother, simply by virtue of being a noblewoman, had many obligations of her own. It was at those times, when both were absence, that my character was tested most as a child.

When I was twelve and all my siblings had not yet even been born, I was tasked with caring for three of them a few days a week. My father’s teachings and Sarenrae’s light carried me through those days by giving me the patience not to smother my siblings.

My grandfather was especially vigilant for any sign that one of my parents’ children proved to be Suli. His wait ended after I turned fourteen. At the time, I was growing increasingly interested in joining the ranks of Sarenrae’s clergy. While my goal never entirely changed, it was significantly altered by what happened.

Put simply, my elemental heritage awakened. I knew about this possibility. My mother had warned me and my siblings. But none of us took the warning seriously. After all, my mother and uncles never manifested their elemental heritage, so why would we?

I was wrong. Laughably so. My arms erupted in fire in the middle of the night. My bedsheets were consumed. My bedroom and the rest of the house were only spared by the fire ending a few seconds later. It ended as suddenly as it began. I was terrified. I was also certain that I would be severely burned. That I would be horribly marred. And yet, once I was able to light a candle and examine myself in a mirror, I found that only my clothes had been burned. My skin was perfectly healthy. The only difference in myself that I could see was my eyes. Brown and black before, a silvery-white light had appeared in their centers.

It would only be years later that I realized how fortunate I was. My personality changed almost overnight. Responsible and reserved before, I became impulsive and passionate. While my parents and siblings were startled by the change, my grandparents were overjoyed. The fact that I knew of my Janni grandfather is what spared me from much pain in my youth. There was no question as to where the flames and the sparkling eyes had come from. I was a Suli.

The next couple years were extremely formative for me. In addition to my new physical traits, I also came to realize my physical strength. With their knowledge of what I was, my father recommended I train with the Cult’s dervishes. It wasn’t what I originally had in mind when it came to joining the clergy, but it was a good opportunity, so train I did. As it turned out, I excelled in combat. Swinging a scimitar became as natural to me as writing a note. Training day and night with other dervishes, I kept my new impulsiveness in check with a strict regimen.

At the same time, I felt a tug on my soul. Sarenrae was calling me to more than mere martial strength. The Dawnflower was calling for me to have divine strength as well. This became abundantly clear when I was seventeen. I was training with my fellow dervishes in the Ketz desert when I became separated from the others by a sandstorm. Seeking shelter, I entered a cave and waited for the storm to pass.

A growl behind me indicated I was not alone. I remember the scene vividly. I drew my scimitar and prepared to fight whatever predator had made the cave its home. A lone lion with a gold and red mane emerged from the cave’s dark recess. It growled again and slowly approached. I feared the worst. Inconceivably, just as I was certain that we would clash, a single beam of sunlight pierced through the sandstorm and fell briefly on the lion and me.

The lion continued approaching, but I knew something had changed. I felt a warmth inside. Rather than attack, the lion licked my hand. That was when I knew. I was not only blessed by my elemental heritage. I was blessed by the Dawnflower herself. How could I refuse to commit myself wholly to Sarenrae after an experience like that?

I left the lion, whom I soon came to know as my lion, in the cave and returned to Katheer. I frequently came back to the cave to make sure the lion was well-fed. I couldn’t bring him into Katheer. He would surely be captured, if not immediately killed. No one had ever heard of a Sarenite cleric with an animal companion. Not in Qadira.

I eventually realized, at the age of eighteen, that I couldn’t leave my lion in a desert cave forever, and that I couldn’t keep calling him lion forever. After speaking with my parents, I brought him safely into the city with the help of other dervishes. He stayed exclusively at the Sarenite temple in Katheer for a time till people realized he was completely obedient to me, if not actually tame.

When I finally named him, I named him in honor of Sarenrae, who had blessed me with him in the first place. Tathir Allahab. Kelish for Cleansing Flame. I will admit that I should have named him sooner. Teaching him to answer to ‘Heel, Tathir’ instead of ‘Heel, Lion’ took far longer than I expected.

By the time I was twenty, I had become a full-fledged Dawnflower Dervish within the Cult of the Dawnflower. I had also come to accept my role as an inquisitor within the church of Sarenrae. Furthermore, I was a noblewoman of Katheer. And a Suli, to top it all off. Being split between so many different roles was taxing, but it was also invigorating. It was a crucible that convinced me of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

As a result of my duties, I became disillusioned with both the Cult and the government of Qadira. It had nothing to do with my parents. The Cult was simply too harsh for my liking and the government too hostile to other nations. Wanderlust took me and I decided I could do more good for Sarenrae and her church abroad rather than at home.

They all urged me to stay. ‘Qadira has enough problems of its own.’ ‘The Dawnflower needs you here.’ But I was resolute. I felt the conviction to leave even more firmly with their pleas in my mind. I made sure they knew I was still committed to strictly following the Dawnflower’s teachings. I didn’t want them to have any doubt on that topic.

Despite their sadness at my departure, I was still given a grand farewell. My father blessed me in Sarenrae’s name and had the church of Sarenrae name me a Dawnseeker - an itinerant Sarenite, tasked with aiding fellow followers of the Dawnflower throughout the entire Inner Sea region. My mother made sure I was given an official Qadiran writ, signed by my father - who had recently become the Dawnfather of the Cult - and by Satrap Xerbystes II himself. My grandparents also cautioned me about my nature and abilities. I had to keep my passions in check, or they would threaten to consume me.

At twenty-one, with the conviction that this was Sarenrae’s will, I began my ten year journey that eventually brought me here. I effectively became a nomad. Leaving behind my family - grandparents, parents, and siblings - is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I bought passage by ship from Katheer to Absalom. Departing down the Pashman River, I waved farewell to my family, uncertain if I would see them again. As far as I know, my grandparents and the rest of my family still live to this day.

While I may one day recount each of my adventures in detail, I will simply summarize them for now. In Absalom, I was able to successfully assist in the disruption of an assassination plot against a Sarenite member of the Grand Council by a rogue agent within the Guild of Wonders.

From Absalom, I traveled to Oppara in Taldor. I met with the congregation of Sarenrae there and assisted them in clearing the name of one of their clergy who had been thrown in jail for murder. We also managed to capture the person truly responsible. Tathir was particularly helpful in accomplishing that task.

From there, I traveled north to Galt. I helped some Sarenite refugees make their way to the River Kingdoms and Kyonin. I wish I could have saved more, but it was a particularly violent time. Tathir made me stand out and I would have lost my head had I stayed longer.

Sarenrae’s tug drove me south, so I made my way through Andoran for the first time. I briefly stopped in Augustana to assist in the recovery of stolen goods from a bank robbery. Many of the funds that had been stolen - then later recovered - belonged to a local Sarenite congregation.

I continued on to my true goal at the time: Cheliax. It was there that I spent my longest stint of time. While I can’t give locations or names, I will say that I spent time with several secret house churches of Sarenrae in a few different Chelaxian cities. I was able to offer encouragement and a bit of hope in spite of their difficult circumstances. I was even able to assist in keeping one particular church secret from Cheliax’s government.

Eventually I realized that Tathir was attracting too much attention, no matter how carefully I tried to hide him, so I left Cheliax and journeyed north to assist Nirmathas in their war with Molthune. Many of the towns affected were home to followers of the Dawnflower. The Molthuni had to be taught a lesson. Several, actually. I didn’t have to worry about hiding Tathir there. He was a vital ally in skirmishes and it taught me much about how to make the most of our duo.

From there, I began the last leg of my travels thus far and came here, to Almas. Sarenrae’s pull was once again what drew me here. I’m not yet sure why she brought me here, but I intend to find out the reason before long. It may be time for me to visit my family in Qadira.

That’s my story for now. I hope it’s helpful and encouraging to Sarenites here in Almas and for whoever else reads my account.

Recorded the 30th of Rova, 4718 AR

Vignette:

Dawnfather Merriloc Tombias puts down his pen and massages his wrist for a moment once Kudera finishes speaking. He reads over what he’s written, the ink still wet from writing.

He looks up and smiles at Kudera and says, “Quite the life you’ve lived in just over thirty years. You should really think about writing your own memoirs. I’m certain other Sarenites would be inspired if you wrote these stories down in detail yourself.”

Kudera smiles back at Dawnfather Tombias, but shakes her head in reply. “I prefer to inspire with my deeds, rather than words on a page. Words have power, but that’s why the church of Sarenrae has people like yourself to record noteworthy occasions. I choose to make a difference through speech - and sword and shield when necessary.”

Tombias puts his pen back in its case and caps his inkwell. Then he sets his reading glasses to the side before turning back to Kudera. “The church needs heroes. We need them to follow the standard Sarenrae set when she smote the Rough Beast. Tell me, do you consider yourself a hero?”

“Hero? No. A person can’t rightly consider themselves a hero. Others have to recognize you as a hero for that to be an appropriate title.”

“Have others not called you a hero before? Throughout all your adventures?”

Kudera’s lips form a slight smile and she says, “Your first question was whether or not I consider myself a hero. I don’t. Do others? Yes, others have attributed that word to me before.”

Tombias pushes his chair back and stands to his feet. For an older man, he’s managed to keep in-shape. His grey hair is the only thing that gives away his age.

“You do an old man wrong,” the Dawnfather says. “If even a tenth of what you told me is true, any decent, reasonable person would consider you a hero.”

Kudera stands up as well. The conversation is coming to an end and it’s almost time for her to be on her way. “Is humility not one of the things the Dawnflower values?”

Tombias shakes his head. “No, I don’t remember reading about that in Light and Truth. Certainly not false humility. However, honesty is most certainly something Sarenrae values.”

Kudera sighs, but slowly nods in agreement. “Then I am a hero according to - as you say - ‘decent, reasonable’ people. But it isn’t particularly healthy to think about oneself in such a way. I see myself as a sojourning Sarenite, a Dawnseeker who provides aid and the Dawnflower’s teachings to any who need them or will receive them.”

“And that’s why you’re a hero,” Dawnfather Tombias concludes with a smile.

The Sarenite leader walks with Kudera to the door of his study. He opens it for her to leave, but then says, “Oh, one last question. Can you really make your arms spontaneously catch fire?”

Kudera holds out her right arm and says, “Yes.”

A moment later, her lower right arm is aflame in red and gold. She lets the fire continue for a few seconds before cutting it off as suddenly as it began. Not a single scorch mark can be seen on her arm or shirt. There’s also no sign of the terrified girl whose clothes caught on fire so many years ago.

After saying farewell to a few other Sarenites, Kudera finds herself standing outside the doorstep to Sarenrae’s temple. The Dawnseeker stands about six feet tall. She wears clothes traditional to Sarenites, in blue and gold hues along with a few sunburst patterns to punctuate her appearance.

Crisscrossing her back are a pair of scimitars, one silver, one cold iron. A shield painted with Sarenrae’s holy symbol is strapped to her back, covering all but the hilts of both blades. A stringed bow rests on top of it all. Despite the layered setup, it looks like Kudera could easily retrieve any of the weapons at a moment’s notice. An adamantine scimitar is also sheathed at her side.

Kudera looks to her right. As she does, her shoulder-length hair blows in the wind and her family’s traditional facial-markings are accentuated in the sun. Tathir still sits where she left him. The lion looks back at her and gives a low growl, apparently annoyed at having to wait for awhile.

“Trust me, you had more fun out here watching all these people than I had in there recounting my life’s story,” Kudera says.

Tathir tilts his head in response.

Kudera crosses her arms and says, “Don’t give me that look. We’ll find something to do. We just arrived after all. No, no, I don’t know what that something is yet, so you’ll have to be patient.”

The lion snorts in reply then stands to all four feet. He stretches his limbs and yawns at the same time, revealing his massive teeth. Tathir only recently grew so large. Perhaps Kudera shouldn’t have let him hunt so freely in the forests of Nirmathas.

“Well, let’s get going. We aren’t going to find something to do by just standing here.”

As she finishes speaking, Kudera recalls some of her final words to Dawnfather Tombias. Hadn’t she hoped it was time for her to see her home again? Her family? The tug Kudera has felt in the past tells her home isn’t her destination. Not for now. But unlike before, she’s not sure which direction she should go. It’s almost as if she’s being pulled somewhere else.

Kudera brushes Tathir’s mane with her right hand as the pair walk out into the streets of Almas. Any who actually see the large beast scurry to get out of the way. It’s times such as this that make Kudera especially grateful to have her lion. Having what amounts to a bubble of open space around the pair gives her plenty of time to ponder and plan.

She can’t get it out of her head that Sarenrae’s will is somewhere else now. What does ‘somewhere else’ even mean? Kudera doesn’t know, but she intends to find out. One way or another.

Status:

Kudera
HP: 61/61
Active Effects:
Spells Per Day - 1st: 5/5, 2nd: 4/4, 3rd: 2/2
Animal Focus: 7/7 (minutes)
Bane: 7/7 (minutes)
Combat Stamina: 8/8 (uses)
Elemental Assault: 7/7 (rounds)
Discern Lies: 7/7 (rounds)
Restorative Touch: 7/7 (uses)

Tathir
HP: 52/52
Active Effects: Animal Focus - Bull (+2 Str)
Skirmisher Tricks 5/5 (uses)