Sekter Rayne's page

Sekter was born in a sunny afternoon in Nerosyan. Son of wealthy merchants, he was surrounded by peace and comfort; the very best that coin could buy. His mother, Lady Gena, had a difficult gestation, but now seemed healthy, recovering from the loss of blood, and slept by his side with a smile. His father - Lord Mard Rayne - sent the servants home by sunset, as usual, and locked the manor.

The peace was disturbed by midnight - somehow, a minor demon escaped the protective barrier of the oathstones, and headed directly to the house. The outsider invaded and attacked Lord Mard and his family. The merchant and his wife fought well, despite the lack of training, and were able to still get rid of it; but not without leaving some scars behind. The baby was mauled and almost killed, and the mother's health decayed. Someone - something - seemed to be there that night, helping the family slay that enemy, and when the baby was alone, touched his face with angelical love and gave him enough hope to survive.

Through the neighborhood, there were rumours that the father had made a pact to save the woman's life and help the tough gestation, and that such pact was what brought the evil outsider there - and despite explanations that pacts were made with devils, not demons, the commonfolk didn't much know the difference. Lord Mard wasn't an evil man, despite not being as heartfully dedicated to Iomedae as he should, but nevertheless received the unwanted fame and saw his business bankrupt over the next few years.

Lady Gena didn't die, despite her fragile health, but never truly recovered. She passed the next years with the need for constant care and medicine, and the coin from the Rayne family quickly went down the drain. The loss of their fortune and status drove Lord Mard to a depressive state, but in his heart he found the strength to care for his wife and only son. He found humility on his decadence, and truly learned to pray.

Sekter was raised in this environment. Never fully knowing the life his parents had from before and mostly confined to the decrepit manor that once hosted parties and riches, the young man learned firsthand about redemption and true sacrifice for love. On the dark halls, he would run - from his very young age - carrying buckets of water to his mother, and cleaning after his parents. As a teenager, he would take care of both his parents, reading to them the only books they haven't sold - the holy texts of Iomedae and the stories of the Crusade.

As they would sleep, at late night, he would leave the manor to work, helping load ships by the docks or clean the church halls. And, even not gaining coins enough to feed his family, the good hearted boy would still share some of his bread with the homeless on the streets as he walked home. He would sit and sing with them, and could truly feel the warmth of his actions. Before sunrise he was back home for a couple hours of rest, before again being up to care for his parents.

The stories of pacts and evil outsiders were long gone in the past, and the church saw in Sekter a true follower of the edicts. He was brought in and trained as a paladin, and on his wages as a holy soldier he could finally provide enough comfort to his parents. The family moved to Kenabres as Sekter was commanded to serve by the Cathedral of Saint Clydwell. Those were happier days, and Lord Mard and Lady Gena seemed to finally be finding the peace of their past again.

At night, however - even fully recognized and respected in his new functions - Sekter would still leave the humble house, using his same commoner clothes, no armor and weapon. He would still go to the local church to help swipe, asking for no coins, and on his way back sit down, on the streets, to break bread with the local folk. They would still smile and sing, and for those moments before dawn, people would feel hope. The same warmth the baby once felt when touched by the divine being who once gave him enough hope to learn and live the righteous path...

Sekter is mild mannered and easy of smile. He's young - not even having completed two decades of life - and on a first glance looks as ordinary as one could be. He's humble and takes his faith seriously, however he clearly doesn't border fanaticism: he doesn't speak much, enjoys good songs and acts of righteousness, and sees redemption and sacrifice as possible paths for any being. His presence is warm, but he knows well how to use the tools he was given by the church - including his longsword.

He's not tall - in fact, probably more on the short side - but is enough agile and muscular to be martially skilled. He was always a lot healthier than he should, probably due to the awfulness he was exposed while still a baby. He keeps his hair short and the beard well trimmed, and constantly cleans his clothes and armor. Such things, however, are clearly from humble origins, and he's clearly not worried about looking otherwise.

Inspiration Images

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- I will learn the weight of my sword. Without my heart to guide it, it is worthless
- My strength is not in my sword, but in my heart. If I lose my sword, I have lost a tool. If I betray my heart, I have died.
- I will have faith in the Inheritor. I will channel her strength through my body. I will shine in her legion, and i will not tarnish her glory through base actions.
- I am the first into battle, and the last to leave it.
- I will not be taken prisoner by my free will.
- I will not surrender those under my command.
- I will never abandon a companion, though I will honor sacrifice freely given.
- I will guard the honor of my fellows, both thought and deed, and I will have faith in them.
- When in doubt, I may force my enemies to surrender, but I am responsible for their lives.
- I will never refuse a challenge from an equal.
- I will give honor to worthy enemies, and contempt to the rest.
- I will suffer death before dishonor.
- I will be temperate in my actions and moderate in my behavior.
- I will strive to emulate Iomedae's perfection.

First Act
Iomedae first slew Nakorshor'mond, cutting the unconscious bodies of her circle from the beast's stomachs.

The Second Act
In her second miraculous act, she defeated a coven of witches in the Sargavan city of Eleder, freeing the city from their tyranny.

The Third Act
From the back of a flying griffon, the soon-to-be-goddess hewed Segruchen the Iron Gargoyle's wings from his body, sending the so-called King of the Barrowood plummeting to the ground where she slew him in his falling-crater before he could escape.

The Fourth Act
Calling upon Aroden's then-herald Arazni, Iomedae convinced a regiment of mortally wounded knights at the Second Battle of Encarthan to stay their ground against a horde of wraiths until reinforcements arrived at dawn to rescue them.

The Fifth Act
In what is now considered her fifth miraculous act, Iomedae smote Erum-Hel at the Battle of Three Sorrows (the same battle in which Tar-Baphon returned Arazni’s body to the Knights of Ozem), forcing the crippled Lord of the Morghs into hiding in the depths of Orv.

The Sixth Act
Iomedae instantly reforged her sword—magically shattered by the Whispering Tyrant—fusing it together with a prayer and an oath to end the wizard-king's evil.

The Seventh Act
The seventh Act was the calling of the Undenying Light in Absalom, which is commemorated at the Seventh Church. As a terrible storm shrouded the city in darkness, a pack of sea-ghouls attacked the city. The then-mortal Iomedae called for the Starstone to light the city; the Starstone Cathedral glowed with blue fire, and the stars shone rays of light that targeted the ghouls and allowed Iomedae and the city's defenders to destroy them.

The Eighth Act
Convincing the graveknight known as the Black Prince to throw himself upon his sword as punishment for his evil is considered Iomedae's Eighth Act. This righteous suicide redeemed the undead knight's soul and allowed him to be judged in the Halls of Aroden.

The Ninth Act
In order to free nine righteous knights from imprisonment by the vampire-mage Basilov, Iomedae gave nine drops of her own blood; when Basilov attempted to recapture them, she and the knights slew him.

The Tenth Act
In the absence of its rightful lord—the heirless patriarch of House Narikopolous—Iomedae ruled the city of Kantaria for a year and a day while its lord, bringing prosperity to the city despite constant attacks by shapechanging horrors, which she battled personally.

The Eleventh Act
In her eleventh and final miraculous act before ascending to godhood, Iomedae cast her cloak before her into the Pit of the Starstone in Absalom; the common wool cloth straightened and expanded into a firm walkway across the gap, allowing her to enter the Cathedral and take the Test.

Sekter Rayne
Human (Taldan) paladin (oath of the mendevian crusade) 1 (Pathfinder Player Companion: Divine Anthology 20)
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0 (+2 while benefit from concealment or full concealment due to darkness or dim light)
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Defense
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AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +2 shield)
hp 12 (1d10+2)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +2
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee heavy shield bash +4 (1d4+3) or
. . longsword +5 (1d8+3/19-20) or
. . unarmed strike +4 (1d3+3 nonlethal)
Special Attacks smite evil 1/day (+2 attack and AC, +1 damage)
Paladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +3)
. . At will—detect evil
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Statistics
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Str 17, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats Blessed, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Traits a shining beacon, exposed to awfulness
Skills Acrobatics -4 (-8 to jump), Bluff +2 (+4 vs. Good Aligned Outsiders, -2 vs. Evil Aligned Outsiders), Diplomacy +6 (+8 vs. Good Aligned Outsiders, -2 vs. Evil Aligned Outsiders), Disguise +2 (+4 vs. Good Aligned Outsiders, -2 vs. Evil Aligned Outsiders), Intimidate +2 (+4 vs. Good Aligned Outsiders, -2 vs. Evil Aligned Outsiders, +4 while benefit from concealment or full concealment due to darkness or dim light), Knowledge (religion) +4, Perception +0 (+2 while benefit from concealment or full concealment due to darkness or dim light), Stealth -4 (-2 while benefit from concealment or full concealment due to darkness or dim light)
Languages Common
SQ dimdweller
Other Gear breastplate, heavy wooden shield, longsword, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, hemp rope (50 ft.), holy text (Iomedae)[UE], mess kit[UE], pot, soap, trail rations (5), waterskin, weapon cord[APG], wooden holy symbol of Iomedae, 67 gp
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Tracked Resources
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Detect Evil (At will) (Sp) - 0/0
Exposed to Awfulness (1/day) - 0/1
Smite Evil (1/day) (Su) - 0/1
Trail rations - 0/5
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Special Abilities
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Blessed +1 DC on spells & +2 on Cha skills vs. good outsiders. -2 on Cha skills vs. evil outsiders.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Detect Evil (At will) (Sp) You can use detect evil at will (as the spell).
Dimdweller +2 to Intimidate, Perception, and Stealth when in conceal due to darkness.
Smite Evil (1/day) (Su) +2 to hit, +1 to damage, +2 deflection bonus to AC when used.

Sekter might just stay as a Paladin his whole career, but I'd like to consider some prestige classes (Holy Vindicator and Battle Herald) as possibilities, depending on the party composition. At the end of the day, with the goal of better supporting the party.

In terms of magic items, he's literally focused in Iomedae and, as such, he's a classic longsword (blade-and-board) character. That considered, it's desirable for him any items that support this style, or that boost his offensiveness against demons, or that boost his armor, strength or charisma. This AP is known for having the legendary longsword Radiance, and that's definitely something that looks made for Sekter.

• Longsword / Radiance
  
• Celestial Shield
  
• Celestial Full Plate
  
• Headband of Alluring Charisma
  
• Belt of Mighty Strength
  

He'll follow the Guardian mythic path. It's possible he'll get dual path at some point for marshal or trickster, but not sure yet. At the end of the day, he fills more the role of a defender/tank than damage dealer; the possibility of going to one of the alternate paths is to provide buffs to his allies, or to boost his own "threat" by making himself more dangerous in combat.