Rirsa Loldan's page

Rirsa favors arcane magic and skill at arms; attracting worshippers who follow one or both of those paths. Even her Clerics tend to either be skilled with the Estoc or practice arcane magic. Her Highest level Cleric is a Half-Elven man Mystic Theurge (favoring Arcane) named Gadion.

Religious basis: Rirsa's Religion is the result of a lifetime of a particular upbringing tested in a hostile world. She teaches that individual growth is the most important thing to concern yourself with; as long as it doesn't impede on the growth of others. She believes that people should look at others as individuals who deserve the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise; but to also trust their instincts on the matter (in a rough translation; take them at their word until proven otherwise or they give you reason to believe otherwise - don't let titles and appearence and rumor decide for you).

Think about your actions- a life lived without at least some forethought is a life filled with regrets… She teaches that people should make decisions that influence the world in the way they want it to be; instead of allowing themselves to get caught up the moment. She realizes that you can't spend all the time doing this; but she advises her flock to at least try to take time to reflect on their decisions and their possible outcomes.

Self-sufficient cooperation- Individually people should always endeavor to be the best they can be with minimal reliance on others; because they can't always be there for you. On the other hand; you cannot be prepared for every possible situation and should have allies who can help you when you need it; as long as you help them when they need it.( Think of a dock; what supports that dock? The pillars; of course. They bear the load; but what happens when they place a heavy load closer to one pillar than they others? The other pillars still support the dock even though one pillar bears most of the weight; and the dock as the whole pulls through. If the pillar cannot bear the weight at all; it snaps- and the dock goes with it.)

(On a side note; the fastest way to stop being a Cleric of Rirsa is to rely too much on the spells she grants without at least making the attempt to stand on your own occasionally. A couple of examples: Making a Survival check to gather food and the casting create food and water is fine; not bothering to make the check because it's a bother is not. Casting buff spells to stand against a worthy for is fine; casting those spells to kick a goblin commoner's face in or to have another fight your battle for you is not.)

Recognize when it is time to help someone, and when they need to face their own struggles- Referring to the beggar example above; if he is an obvious alchoholic- you can't help him change unless he actually wants to change- and if you help someone; actually help them- do not simply hand a beggar a gold piece and call it a day; find out why they are in that situation in the first place and figure a way to assist them without doing it for them. If someone faces a trail of that would help them grow; don't cheapen by doing it for them; assist them instead.

Disagreements are fine- if two people are of different kinds on a subject; they can both still be valid interpretations… be yourself; and as you wouldn't have another's world view stuffed into your mind; do the same.

‘Sarvollas is broken’; they said…

A scant seventeen years ago; the first born of house Loldan was born on the northwestern coast of Chevain; her blood; a mix of Celestial and Fey Heritages awoke earlier than any in her family expected; she was fortunate to have a family that was at least expecting it however; and they immediately started teaching the ten year old child how to control herself; Her father taught her basics of Martial Arts, and her mother showed her how to control Magic… and her Grandfather showed her how they should be as one.

An ancient Archmage called upon her and others in a grand tourney when she turned sixteen. Her grandfather argued with her parents for three days whether or not she should go; but she made up her own mind before then- and decided to show the world what she could do.

She learned one very important truth from her grandfather- she was destined to be a symbol- and symbols are no good if they are never seen.

'I will help you fix it’ I replied…

The tourney turned out to be more than a mere contest of champions. The Archmage was looking for people to track down artifacts to stop the lower planes from opening permanent gates into the world. Rirsa was the first step forward; along with seven others… started gathering artifacts; unaware that storms gathered around the world; including at home.

The first hints was dealing with bandits attacking Chevain; they were Rocian soldiers disguised as bandits; ordered to test the defenses of Chevain. Rirsa and the others drove them off before moving on to their next artifact; but not without a new companion, her cousin- Carie- who promptly began to follow along; and saved their lives more than once with her perceptive mind and sharp blade.

Their journey continued; defeating wars and building a legend both as a group; and as individuals- especially Rirsa- who's talents often carved open an easy path to victory.

They went to the Continent of God's; Vaeitros… and bore witness to the apathetic despair of its people.

They found the artifact hidden there; but the Rocian Emperor Grodvellos found allies with which to fight them; the first was an elf who tried to scam Rirsa's friend’s ( a Weregryphon prince) empire into an uprising- they put a stop to that- and then proceeded to fight their rival who set the whole thing up. Meanwhile; a man who specialized in hunting shapechangers began to harass the party as well. An undead army plagued Rirsa's good Dwarven friend's people and they discovered a dead knight of significant supernatural power. He was felled quickly by the Dwarf's hands in a duel. But it was nothing more than information gathering for the Roc Empire's assault on Chevain.

‘with what army?’ they laughed…

The two Armies met on the outskirts of Riven; the capital of Chevain. The group stepped out onto the field; and were quickly separated by the mass of the two colliding forces. But Rirsa; channeling all of her arcane fury spotted the Emperor riding into the fray… with but a whisper she teleported into his path; one hand extended… his Lance at the ready; he charged- only to watch the blade glide away from her body and into both of her waiting hand She planted her feet and lifted him off his feet, slamming him into the ground. His honorguard charged in while climbed to his feet; they didn't last long.

“I don't need one.’ I answered…

They stood thirty feet from each other; blades drawn...one heartbeat passed… then another… and she charged. Each blow she rained upon him cracked the earth… Grodvellos attempted to respond in kind; but found striking her to be as difficult as striking a hurricane.

Grodvellos’ armor, shield, and sword glowed brightly in the night; but then it stopped; suddenly; as Rirsa thrust forward with all her might. Her Estoc pierced both the shield and the armor; and she found her strength even greater than before; whispers came in on the edge of hearing… a she sliced through him like butter; and heard the snapping of steel as his armor and weapons broke apart rusted away. She shone as bright as a star; though it faded… not the whispers; however or the sense of purpose, stronger than it had ever been before. The last few months has been a daze; as she crushed a burgeoning tyrant of the seas, slew the same dragon her founder fought, and has been searching for new students for the Loldan Academy. Her friends that survived the battle journeyed to the Abyss; but her path took her and her cousin to other planes of existence.