Serra the Blessed's page

Appearance

Seeming like a traveller from the celestial realms having just arrived on Golarion, Serra has an unearthly serenity to her. Her short, neatly cropped gold hair frames a pale face that some might describe as angelic. Her eyes betray her unique heritage, her irises taking the form of glowing rings of molten gold. She wears a breastplate of gleaming mithral over a set of scholar's robes trimmed in red and silver, the colors of her lord Ragathiel. On her back are a greatsword and backpack containing the few items she owns.

Personality

Serra is quick to defend others when she sees an injustice, and does not hesitate to call out actions she sees as wrong. In combat she is brash, sometimes bordering on reckless when solo, rushing through combat and singling out the largest foe. When in charge of others her actions are tempered, and she has no small amount of natural leadership ability.

In private Serra varies from quiet and pensive to jovial. Her natural tendencies are light hearted and cheerful, but the visions of her past life haunt her constantly. The great wrongs that she witnesses in them weigh heavily on her, driving her need to defend others and right injustices. She frequently calls out in the night, tormented by those same images, and often has trouble sleeping due to their burden.

She spends a significant amount of time pondering the fate of her brother as well. She considers his disappearance during the battle of Kenabres a personal failure, and has spent years in the aftermath searching for any sign of him.

Story

Serra knows little about who she was born to. She and her twin brother Philip were found and delivered to an orphanage in Kenabres when they were both only two. The siblings grew up along the border of the world wound, watching the Rift Wardens and Knights preparing for their ceaseless struggle against the demonic forces beyond the wardstones. Needless to say that when the two siblings began to display traits of their celestial heritage, the children were turned over to the local order for training as future Crusaders.

Things went well until her teen years. It was then that the dreams started for her. Visions of great fires burning, entire towns laid to waste, people burning to death in the infernos began tormenting her nightly. She also began dreaming of a great dragon, his golden scales dulled and speckled with black marks. Along with the dreams came another gift: Her world was slowly engulfed in a mass of cinders and smoke, perpetually swirling about her. This wall of cinders first started obscuring the sky and closed in until she could see nothing beyond a few dozen feet and bathing everything about her in a dim red glow.

This curse upon her might have driven her mad had she not met a Varisian seer in the order. The old woman told her that she was the reincarnation of an ancient fallen gold dragon who had done many wrongs in the early days of the world wound. She also aided Serra in learning how to control the blood burning within her veins and to put it to use to power magic, as well as how to depart her own body for brief periods. This gift, the ability to travel through the astral plane, maybe be what kept Serra from falling herself. Outside her body her vision is not clouded and though she still cannot see color, viewing the world through that silvery veil comforts her greatly.

Before she could finish training as a paladin, however, Kenabres was attacked and laid to waste. During the turmoil of the initial battle she lost sight of her brother, and ended up having to flee the city without him. She spent a year afterwards doing nothing but trying to track him down, but had no luck at all. In the meantime she vowed vengeance against those who wronged the citizens of Kenabres, and began worshipping Ragathiel, who she was introduced to by the old varisian woman.

In the aftermath of the terrible assault on Kenabres she rose to prominence among the remaining crusaders, not just for her combat abilities, but for her seemingly limitless supply of knowledge with which to battle their foes. She recieved several commendations, including one for single-handedly saving a group of refugees fleeing from a Babau Demon. As things began to stabilize in Kenabres, Serra began searching for other ways to take the fight to the demons: Leading raids into the world wound, hunting cultists, and so on. It was at this point she heard the call for the able bodied to join the Army of Hope in the defense of New Actuss. Having heard the rumors of a great horde of demons massing there, she jumped at the chance to aid the town, joining up at once and leaving Kenabres. It was at the battle of New Actuss that she met the then commander of the army, Flame Demonspawn. While many of celestial heritage would find it difficult to trust a tiefling, Serra's exposure to the crimes committed by the gold dragon in her nightmares gave her a very different view of good and evil. As such, the deeds of the tiefling spoke more to her about his intent than his blood did. Awed by the tiefling's prowess in battle, Serra determined to pledge herself to his service after the battle, certain that following in his footsteps would allow her to continue her crusade against evil.

While Flame was initially skeptical, her earnestness, valor in battle and surprising depth of knowledge made her an invaluable asset. Joining him as his Lieutenant, the y led the Army of Hope in the mop up operations after the battle at New Actuss. The Crimson Knights, who had watched the outcome of the battle closely looking to recruit Flame, also took note of Serra's actions in the battle and with Flame vouching for her skills asked her to come along as well.

Darataurax the Burning Tyrant
Darataurax was once the pride of Apsu. A Gold Dragon so Ancient and Powerful many wondered if he wasn't divine himself. For many aeons Darataurax was a champion of good and order, and many came to revere him in much the same way the Emperyal Lords are worshipped. Darataurax still lived on Golarion, however, and the mortals who worshipped him eventually installed him as their god-king. For a millenium he ruled over the men, defending them and their kingdom from harm. They say familiarity breeds contempt, and this is no less true for a dragon. Ruling over the humans and other races, he began to see them as flawed. He began first to tighten protections for their own good, and as time passed the protections became restraints Instead of flawed he began to percieve them as inferior. Before long he was ruling over slaves he considered disposable and conquering nearby lands to include them within his domain. It was during this set of crusades against the surrounding kingdoms that he earned the title "The Burning Tyrant" from his subjects and foes alike.

Eventually his bretheren came to him to demand he cease his fall into evil. Incensed, Darataurax fell upon the delegation of gold dragons and slew them all. This act caught the eye of Apsu himself, and for it Darataurax was stripped of his ability to use divine magic. This reprimand from his god only further enraged the proud dragon, and in his hubris he decided that the proper course of action was to ascend to divinity himself so that he could depose Apsu for once and for all. In order to ascend he developed a ritual whereby he gathered all of his subjects into one place and sacrificed them to grant him apotheosis. When he completed the ritual, a great pain was felt across the heavens, and gods both good and evil took note of the atrocity.

With his newfound powers he arrived in Apsu's home realm to challenge his former deity. To Darataurax's surprise however, Apsu had already prepared for his arrival. Standing before the dragon, alongside Apsu, were Saranrae and Ragathiel, both prepared to aid him in the battle. Though the fight was long and painful, the three were able to best him eventually and restrain him with spells. The dragon raged against the magic binding him as Apsu began reciting a list of his crimes. When Darataurax only laughed and demanded that Apsu kill him and end it, the great platinum dragon shook his head and replied: "Your crimes are too great for such mercy. Only when you have attoned for all your sins will you be allowed to rest. You will be reborn in a mortal body and you will watch as they bear your burden and right your wrongs. They will have a portion of your power to call upon in their quest, and when they die they will be freed to rest, but you will pass on to another life and continue your penance. When the myriad of lives you live have worn down the stone that is your heart and you truly repent you will finally have peace. Furthermore, from this day forth you shall be without a name. None shall ever speak of Darataurax again, and even those who carry you through their lives shall never know who you were, only that your deeds were terrible and that justice was meted to you in this fashion."

Female Aasimar (Emberkin) Paladin 2/Oracle (Lore) 3
LG Medium Outsider (native)

Init +2; Senses darkvision 30 ft.; Perception +8

Defense
AC 21, Touch 15, Flat-footed 16 [6 armor + 5 cha]
HP 54/54
Fort +12, Ref +11, Will +14
Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5;

Offense
Speed 30 ft.

Melee MW Greatsword +9 (2d6 + 6, 18-20/x2)
Mods Smite Evil (+5 hit, +2 dam), Divine Favor (+3 hit, +3 dam), Power Attack (-2 hit, +6 dam)

Special Attacks Smite Evil
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 5):
at-will--detect evil, halo
1/day--pyrotechnics, bless

Spells Known (CL 5):
1st (7/day) - cure light wounds, divine favor, dream feast, identify (m), know the enemy
0th (at will) - guidance, detect magic, read magic, create water, mending

Statistics
Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 20
Base Atk +4; CMB +8; CMD 20

Feats Incarnation of the Burning Tyrant, Power Attack, Radiant Charge
Race Traits Halo, Truespeaker, Celestial Resistance
Traits Tireless Logic, Fate's Favored, Touched by Divinity (Ragathiel, Nobility/Leadership), Magical Knack
Drawback Headstrong
Skills Appraise +8, Bluff +5, Climb +3 Diplomacy +13, Know(History) +8, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +8, Know(Arcana) +12, Know(Nature) +8, Know(Dungeoneering) +8, Know(Nobility) +8, Know(Geography) +8, Know(Local) +8, Linguistics +14, Perception +8, Perform +5, Ride +1, Sense Motive +13, Spellcraft +12, Stealth +1, Survival +3, Swim +3
Languages (Base;Bonus;Linguistics) f Varisian, f Celestial; f Draconic, f Sylvan, f Taldane, f Elven; n Ignan, n Angelic, n Infernal, n Abyssal, n Giant, n Goblin
SQ
Limited Use Lay Hands (6/6), Smite Evil (1/1), Cloak of Ash (1/1), Pyroclasm (1/1), Focused Trance (5/5), Tireless Logic (1/1)

Combat Gear Masterwork Greatsword, Mithral Breastplate
Other Gear Holy Symbol of Ragathiel (Silver), Scholar's Outfit (Red/Silver), Belt Pouch, Paladin's Kit,
Treasure None

Special Abilities (Race)
Halo (Sp): (at will, std act) As light. +2 circumstance to intimidate vs evil creatures and on saving throws vs dazzled or blinded while active.

Special Abilities (Paladin)
Aura (Ex): The power of a paladin's aura of good (see detect good spell) is equal to her paladin level.
Detect Evil (Sp): (at will, std act.) detect evil as spell. (at will, mv. act.) Concentrate on single individual and learn details as if studying for 3 rounds with detect evil.
Smite Evil (Su): (1/day, swift act.) +5 to hit, +1 damage (double on first hit vs evil outsider/dragon/undead), +5 deflection vs evil target. Lasts until target dies or paladin rests.
Divine Grace (Su): Add Cha bonus to Saving Throws
Lay Hands (Su): (6/day, swift or move act.) Heal 1d6 HP

Special Abilities (Oracle/Lore)
Oracle's Curse: Clouded Vision (Ex): You cannot see anything beyond 30 ft., but you see as if you had darkvision.
Revelation: Sidestep Secret (Su): Add your charisma modifier instead of dexterity to your armor class and reflex save. Armor's max dex applies to cha instead of dex.
Revelation: Focused Trance (Ex): (5/day) Enter trance for 1d6 rounds, only move actions allowed. +3 sv vs sonic and gaze attacks. At end make int-based skill check at +20.

Cloak of Ash (Su): (constant) Ignore concealment/perception penalties in natural/magical smoke, fog, ash, etc. (std act, 1/day) As fire shield plus 20% concealement and 1/2 character level stealth bonus in smoke/volcanic terrain. Additional uses every three levels.
Pyroclasm (Sp): (std. act., 1/day) As control winds, all area except eye also as ash storm with extreme heat (1d6 dam/min, 1d4 non-lethal/5 min, Fort DC 15 + 1 per 5 min for non-lethal damage)

Gear Abilities

Mythic (Tier 0 Heirophant/Champion)

Str: 18 = 17 + 1 ability adj.
Dex: 14 = 14
Con: 16 = 18
Int: 18 = 16 + 2 racial
Wis: 16 = 16
Cha: 20 = 18 + 2 racial

Melee Masterwork Greatsword [+9 (4 BAB + 4 str + 1 enh; 2d6 + 6 (4 str * 1.5), 20/x2]

Acrobatics +1 [2 dex - 1 ACP]
Appraise +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Bluff +5 [5 cha]
Climb +3 [4 str - 1 ACP]
Diplomacy +13 [5 ranks + 3 class + 5 cha]
Disguise +5 [5 cha]
Heal +3 [3 wis]
Intimidate +5 [5 cha]
Knowledge(Arcana) +12 [5 ranks + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(Planes) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(Religion) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(Dungeoneering) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(History) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(Nature) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(Nobility) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(Geography) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Knowledge(Local) +8 [1 rank + 3 class + 4 int]
Linguistics +14 [5 ranks + 4 int + 2 racial + 3 skill focus]
Perception +8 [5 ranks + 3 wis]
Sense Motive +13 [5 ranks + 3 class + 3 wis + 2 racial]
Spellcraft +12 [5 ranks + 3 class + 4 int]

Linguistics 14 (5 skill ranks + 4 int + 2 racial + 3 skill focus)
Truespeaker (x2 linguistics ranks) = 10 ranks
Bonus Skill Focus(Linguistics) from Fluency (Varisian, Draconic, Sylvan, Taldane, Elven)

Native Languages (Start at Fluent)
Varisian - Varisian Humans - Common - ISWG - Fluent
Celestial - Good Outsiders - Celestial - ISWG - Fluent

Int Bonus Languages (Start at Novice)
Draconic - Dragons, Kobolds - Draconic - ISWG - (1 rank) Fluent
Sylvan - Fey - Elven - ISWG - (1 rank) Fluent
Taldane - Taldan Humans - ISWG - (1 rank) Fluent
Elven - Elves - Elven - ISWG - (1 rank) Fluent

Linguistics (Start at Novice due to Skill Focus)
Ignan - Outsider(Fire) - Draconic - ISWG - (1 rank) Novice
Angelic - Outsider(Lawful Good) - Celestial - ISWG - (1 rank) Novice
Infernal - Outsider(Lawful Evil) - Infernal - ISWG - (1 rank) Novice
Abyssal - Outsider(Chaotic Evil) - Infernal - ISWG - (1 rank) Novice
Giant - Giants - Dwarven - ISWG - (1 rank) Novice
Goblin - Goblins, Hobgoblins - Dwarven - ISWG - (1 rank) Novice

3 (Oracle): +1 skill
4 (Oracle): +1 skill
5 (Oracle): +1 skill

Starting: 5500
Spent: 3861
Remaining: 639gp

Masterwork Breastplate (Free, worth 200gp + 150gp MW)
+ Mithral (4000 gp - 150 gp for Masterwork above)
Masterwork Greatsword (Free)
Mithral Dagger (Free)

Paladin's Kit (11 gp)

The blood of Darartaurax the Burning Tyrant, the fallen gold dragon, flows within your veins granting you a small measure of his power. That power comes at a cost, however, and legacy of the tyrant's deeds weigh heavily upon you, filling your dreams with terrible visions.

Prerequisites: You may only select this feat at 1st level.

Benefit: Choose one class that can spontaneously cast spells. If you have access to the Draconic Bloodline you may add levels of that class to your sorcerer level for determining your level for that bloodline. Additionally, you may qualify for the Dragon Disciple prestige class with your chosen class, and advance its spellcasting as you progress in the prestige class. Add the bonus spells gained from the blood of dragons ability to those you can cast as divine spells. Additionally, you suffer a -2 penalty against sleep effects, as well as dream-related effects whether awake or asleep.

Ragathiel's Judgement (Su): As flame blade but it looks like a Bastard Sword instead of a Scimitar. May be used for 1 min. per character level per day. The time does not need to be used all at once, but it must be used in one minute increments. Upgrade: By taking Legendary Item (Ragathiel's Judgement) the blade becomes a blade of solid elemental fire. In doing so the weapon no longer functions as flame blade, but can be enchanted as a normal weapon (with normal costs), except that it gains the burning property for free. The weapon can be dismissed as a free action and summoned as if drawing a weapon.

Burning Endurance (Ex): At second level, gain endure elements but heat only, as well as the ability to breathe normally in smoke/ash.

Cloak of Ash (Su): At 3rd level, you ignore concealment and Perception penalties in natural or magical smoke, fog, ash, and similar conditions. In addition, you can surround yourself with a cloak of swirling ash and cinders for a number of rounds per day equal to your class level. This power acts and deals damage as fire shield. It provides a 20% miss chance on attacks made against you and grants a bonus on Stealth checks equal to 1/2 your class level in smoke, or on volcanic terrain. You can use this ability once per day at 3rd level, and an additional time each three levels after that.

Pyroclasm (Sp): At 5th level, you can create a savage fire storm centered on you. This power acts as control winds, but in addition the entire area (not including the “eye” at the center of the storm) is affected as an ash storm and all in the area are exposed to extreme heat. You may use this ability once per day, and an additional time per day at 10th level.

Wings of Fire (Su): At 7th level, as a move action, you can manifest a pair of fiery wings that grant you a fly speed of 60 feet with average maneuverability. You can use these wings for 1 minute per day per character level. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1 minute increments. At 15th level the wings can be summoned as a swift action and used for as long as desired.