He trembled as he stood waiting for the heretic. What could make a citizen of the Pale, become a heretic? Especially one of this kind. The Church was his life. The Church gave him life. And he was not even native to the land.
Reifus knew that one way or another, Kanen was going to face his crimes, for today Reifus had command of twenty-one members of the Church Militant, and he was not going to let him slip away so easily this time.
“You are hereby commanded to come forth and face the crimes you have committed against the Church of the One True Path.”
Reifus knew that this was just a formality, as Kanen would never voluntarily leave his sanctuary. This old farmhouse had been converted over to a shrine of evil, dedicated to Vecna, the once human Bakluni Emperor-Mage of awesome power that terrorized his own citizens some millennium ago.
The other members of the Church waited with ease. Kanen was not their first capture, nor was it likely to be their last, and most certainly not the worst. Some watched with passing interest, as they knew that Reifus’ statement was nothing more than regulation and thus fidgeted as they waited. Janus, on the other hand watched Reifus’ every move. Janus had sponsored this raid, and any false move would come back to him (*1). Prior to accepting Reifus’ request for this raid, Janus and the other members researched Kanen and his proposed injustices against the Church of the One True Path. Finding Kanen to not only be a common sorcerer heretic (*2) and more than just a priest to an evil deity, it was agreed that this raid should go ahead.
The members of the Church Militant cleared the livestock from the nearby barn and placed many traps in the surrounding area, making clear yet tricky paths to the doorways and closed windowpanes. Reifus directed the other members to station themselves around both the farmhouse and barn, with himself and Janus standing in a direct line towards the front door. With the traps and Church Militant surrounding the house, Reifus knew that Kanen had no chance of escape other than what his dark god would grant. Reifus stepped closer to the door and he heard the chants of dark priestly magic emanating from within. He stopped and listened intently. After a few seconds, he understood the implications of those chants and quickly retreated.
“I heard chanting. He is calling forth an oerth elemental, if I understand the words correctly.”
Janus understood the what this meant, and shouted back to the others “Careful in the fields, something will be coming out of the ground.”
The cries of his fellows told him that his warning was too late.
“Damn. This waiting game has got to stop. We don’t know what power he has amassed and is saving, just waiting for us to become exhausted. Reifus, this is your capture, call the order. Have Den stay behind to cover, and Theane to draw the elemental away from the wounded.”
“Call to order!” yelled Reifus, having to be heard over the crushing sounds of Oerth being trampled beneath the huge elemental behind the house. The Templars and Legates (*3) were fighting valiantly with their swords and maces but were on the losing end of the battle.
“Den! Theane! Draw that thing away from the others, and keep it busy for awhile.”
Reifus knew that with both Den and Theane out, things were going to be tough, especially with the groans and death throes of this fellows lying on the ground.
“Minly, you have to get to the injured before that treacherous monster causes anymore havoc.”
“This was not the way Janus said it should go, thought Reifus. I’ll get that demon-spawn bastard if it is the last thing I do”
He looked to his left and signaled ready, and was thankful to see the signal responded to in kind. He knew that the thinning ranks of the group on the right were not going to be so lucky, yet he signaled ready. Confirmation came gingerly, as it appeared that Templar Lenard was unable to fully raise his hand, having come forth from fighting the elemental.
At the top of his lungs, he yelled, “In Sashia’s name, I smite thee!” (*4)
All knew this was his personal battle cry, and charged. Janus looked on and brought forth a forced smile. With himself not participating, both Den and Theane fighting the ungodly beast, and Minly healing their four injured friends and companions, it was not going to be an easy capture, yet anybody capable of moving towards the farmhouse did so. He hoped that Reifus would make his capture and a name for himself. This was his time. He would be one to contend with later in life (*5). He was proud of his protégé.
The Legates threw spells and the Templars leveled swords, axes and mauls towards the building as they rushed forward. Reifus was certain the outcome. He knew Pholtus was on his side. He knew Pholtus had given him this test. He was Nyrondese after all, and needed to prove his faith to the Path.
The house exploded, flames cascaded up the ancient wooden building as if it were tinder on a bonfire. Guinin, a Legate of some renown was hit, full force, in the face by flaming splinters and fell to the ground, writhing in pain. Running forward, leaping over his compatriot and through the flames, Reifus' trousers caught fire. “No matter” Reifus thought, “I’m protected by the Light of Pholtus.”
In front of him stood a seven-foot tall demonic looking creature. Looking past the fearsome monstrosity and directly at Kanen, Reifus yelled, “You heathen are in violation of the doctrine as prescribed in the Pietistical. Place aside your weapons and send this demon back to the Abyss. You hereby face the Question of Pholtus.”
“Ahh, you mortal fool,” boomed the voice of the demon. “Your faith in your puny god is nothing compared to the power that I behold, you foolish mortal. I’ll terrorize you and your sisters soul.”
Reifus knew this demon was goading him, trying to seduce him, but how did he know of his dear sister? For no more than that mere second did he waiver, as his fellows came forth, crashing through the burning walls and windows. With mauls and maces swinging, they attacked the foul-smelling demon. Reifus had been distracted by the demon long enough, and he was here to capture Kanen. “Let the Templars and Legates deal with this foul beast”, he thought.
His flesh burned. He had forgotten the flames, and they now crawled towards his back. The smell of burning flesh was strong in the air, and Reifus did not know if the odor was emanating from himself, those under his charge or as part of Kanen’s deadly sacrifice. He saw Kanen as he stood in the center of a Symbol of Summoning. The Eye of Vecna on the demonologist’s black robes began to glow as he concentrated on his summoned demon. Ignoring the pain and flames licking at his long hair, he swung his hammer towards Kanen.
He watched his swing go wide, everything stopped, except the pain. “Ahhhh!” his lips let loose. It was not the wild swing that distracted Kanen, but the pain that was evident in the attacking scream that did.
The precious moment of confusion left open by the scream allowed the demon the moment it needed. Turning from the dead or dying bodies of his attackers, the demon pointed one of his huge talons at Kanen, and his deafening voice bellowed out “You. Now you will pay the ultimate price for the protection that I have granted. Pain. Suffering. Torture. Those will be your rewards for failing Vecna.”
Reifus had to act fast. His friends were down or still outside battling the elemental and the blaze engulfing the house. Little did he believe that this demon was making light or idle threats. Correcting his balance, Reifus’ hammer again swung towards Kanen. Striking and obviously breaking his leg, Kanen crumpled to the ground.
THE DEMON LEAPT FORWARD.
*1 – Older members of the Church Militant are required to sponsor new members of the Church Militant, especially during their first few captures.
*2 – Average citizens of the Pale believe that all wizard’s and sorcerer’s are heretics and many accuse them of starting the world spanning Greyhawk Wars.
*3 – The Church Militant is broken up into two groups. The Templar's and the Legates. The latter are priests of the Church of the One True Path that have shown both knowledge and dedication to the Church and Pholtus. Templar’s are usually fighters and paladins (but other classes have been represented) that are used when force is required or for use as forces for protection.
*4 – When Reifus was 14, his Nyrondese family was reduced to a squalid living near the Gamboge forest. Due to the lack of support his family received from the surrounding community, his younger and favorite sister, Sashia contracted fever, and as a result of their unhealthy lifestyle, she passed away. From the day that Reifus offered himself fully to Pholtus, he swore to keep her spirit alive, and yells this each time entering a battle.
*5 – This story takes place around CY 573, many years prior to Reifus’ assuming command of the Church Militant.
Reifus’ Stats during the story (CY 573):
Reifus, Templar of the Church Militant, male human (Oerdian) Ftr2/Clr1; CR 3; Medium Humanoid (6’0” tall, 18 years old) HD: 1d8 +3: HP 31; Init +2 (Dex), Spd 30 ft.; AC: 16 (Chain shirt, Dex); Atks +4 melee (Warhammer 1d8 crit 20 x3); AL LN, SV Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +3.
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 14
Skills: Diplomacy +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Intimidate +6
Feats: Blind Fighting, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Intimidate), Sunder, Weapon Focus (Warhammer).
Spheres: Knowledge, Sun
Equipment: Chain shirt, Warhammer.
Reifus’ Stats today (CY 591):
Reifus, Cardinal-Commander of the Church Militant of the Church of the One True Path, “the Paganhammer”, male human (Oerdian) Ftr6/Clr9; CR15; Medium Humanoid (6’0” tall, 38 years old); HD 1d8 +3; HP 130; Init +6 (Dex, Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft.; AC 20; Atks +20 / +15 / +10 melee (Warhammer 1d8 +1d6 crit 20 x3); AL LN; SV Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +10.
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 14
Skills: Diplomacy +17, Sense Motive +17, Concentration +12, Intimidate +28, Knowledge (Religion) +9, Language = Common, Language = Flan.
Feats: Blind Fighting, Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Intimidate), Weapon Focus (Warhammer), Weapon Specialization (Warhammer), Power Attack, Sunder, and Scribe Spell.
Spheres: Knowledge, Sun
Equipment: Ring of X-Ray Vision, Cloak of Etherealness, Ring of Protection +2, Amulet of Health +4, Warhammer +4, Flaming, Chainmail +3, Minthral, Scroll: Strength, Endurance, Plane Shift, Neutralize Poison, Spiritual Hammer, Cure Light Wounds (x6), and Righteous Might.