Gerrin vaGeherrin
Sean Jaco - Group 3: The Unforgiven

Gerrin vaGeherrin, Clan Battlehammer, is a 147-year-old cleric of Tempus. A dwarf from the Vale of Summer, he is an unusual being to say the least. Dwarves do not usually enter the service of the God of War. Magic among the dwarves is rare, to say the least - yet Gerrin is a cleric, and the product of a cleric, his
mother Daherri; there have also been several magic users in his line. Although he entered the Order of Tempus early, he also trained as a miner under the tutelage of his father, Minemaster Geherrin; this is in perfect accordance with the teachings of the Order, as Tempus himself said that “man should not make his living from Battle, lest he be tempted to act less honorably in his conduct on the Field.” Although he is counted as but a stripling among the miners of the Vale, among the Outsiders he would be considered an expert along the lines of a mining consultant, especially concerning construction techniques and
safety measures. Like any good Bearded One, Gerrin is adept at working metal; he is no mastersmith, although he can and has assisted several at their forges in the past, but is a decent farrier and a passable smith.

Clan Battlehammer is an old and honorable clan among the Stone Folk; any dwarf outside the Vale would recognize the Clan Name, although they would believe it to be a very old, very honorable legendary Clan - and one that has been dead for centuries. The Clan was very isolated and secretive even before the Taking of The Vale. Gerrin typically used the paternal honorific surname when among outsiders - most of the Moderate People choose to do so, as clan names are considered very personal and very “dwarvish,” and not something for Outsiders to use.

Among the dwarves, keeping a journal is second nature. Even uneducated laborers can usually write, at least the dwarven runes. Journal writings spring deep from the dwarven heart, which is why the sages say “To know a man, know his writing.”

The following are some scraps from the personal journal of Gerrin vaGeherrin

3 Marpenoth

Scouts have been sighting strange things these past few days. Nehera fears a siege, but from where does our threat come? Nobody seems to know. Father
Geherrin reports seeing strange cloven footprints around the tailings from shaft number three, the shaft he calls Myrkul’s Asshole, or just The Hole when he
isn’t feeling crude. I’ve not seen the footprints, but I have seen the wondrous ore The Hole has produced - ore so rare, most miners only hear about it, and
then only if they are very well educated. And I have held this kohljar in my hands! Truly Tempus has blessed me this past tenday. I must remember to thank
Him in my meditations tonight....

4 Marpenoth

Mother Daherri paid a visit today. She says her auguries have been very disturbing but very vague. She actually asked that I consult Tempus, since my Lord is
more proficient in battle than is Moradin! Imagine, my mother admitting that my Lord might be stronger than hers in anything! Actually, I was pleased and
somewhat touched - Mother Daherri has served Moradin for 200 years, after all - her pride must have made a huge lump in her throat!! Anyway, I’ll perform the ritual this evening before meditation - Tempus grant me success, else I’ll never hear the end of it!!

Later: Mother is dead, and the Undercity is besieged. It seems we have a demon-infestation in the Vale. The foul creatures and their minions attacked our city in great number in a coordinated effort to throw us down. That in itself is odd, as the denizens of Tartarus rarely cooperate on any meaningful level.... I’ll have to think about that, and perhaps talk it over with the Thane. Who is leading the demons?

Moradin will honor Mother Daherri. Mother tried, she really did. Her prayers inspired our fighters, and the deeds done today in Moradin's name surely won her a place at His side!! But even a high-level cleric such as Mother Daherri can only do so much... She turned countless undead, yet more kept coming. Some of our warriors turned tail and ran, despite her fervant prayers; most stayed, and fought, and died. I had been on watch in the Pillar of Gwellin when the denizens attacked. I ran from the Pillar to help Mother....

Too late. Bereft of time, stripped of hope and with little power left, Mother Daherri called to Moradin one last time... As I ran towards the front gates, I SAW the flames descend from on high, I heard the anguished screams of the living and undead, I smelled the oily smoke of a hundred charred bodies - and I knew I would not see my mother again in this world. Rather than submit, Daherri beseeched her Lord to grant her the power of fire... The Flame Strike must've been centered right on her head.

As the hordes came streaming through the gates, I turned my heels and made for the Inner Chambers of The Undercity. There, I told Thane Nehera what I had seen. There, I told my Father Geherrin that his wife, my mother, was no more. His grief and and his anger were nearly unbearable. It has made his heart a cold burning ball. No mercy was evident as we planned the defenses of the inner city this evening. I’m afraid father’s heart beats contrary to the code of Tempus tonight, for I know he entertains no thought of quarter, no quality of mercy whatsoever. And I must search hard to find such thoughts within myself....

Later: moradin’s beard! The minions just keep coming, though the trick arches and falling bridges have disposed of scores. I fear our defenses are not going
to hold.... Lord Tempus, I pray thee forgive my doubts and anger earlier. You are the god of battle, and I am honored to live and die in thy service. Let my axe
bring you many souls before I am hewn. Grant me vengeance, give me strength, and grant me honor.... What’s that? There’s a booming knock at the inner
gate, and I swear I heard a monstrous voice calling out the name of nehera. I must go find father geherrin and stand by his side.

19 Uktar

My world has been turned awry. The last i remember, there was a hideous demon at the inner gate to the undercity, calling on the thane by name. I was
standing beside father geherrin; his good dwarven pickaxe chipped and bloody, his mail shirt torn and gory. Now, I find our fair city overrun with humans
and even orcs, who tell me we’ve been slaves of the demons for 800 years! I didn’t want to believe them, but it must be true! The undercity itself has
changed, seeming somehow more worn and rundown. I climbed the pillar (it seemed like I charged down it’s spiral stairs only yesterday) and watched the night sky... Incredible as it seems, the constellations have changed. The anvil was nearly overhead when last i saw it - tonight, it was halfway to the horizon! Only the passage of a great deal of time could account for such a thing!

23 Uktar

Even as my heart swells with honor tonight, my head is roaring in confusion.... I am honored that the Thane should choose me for this mission, but the choice also confuses me. Given what has happened in the past week, I would think the Thane would rest the fate of the Vale in the capable hands of one of the clan wizards. After all, the properties of kohljar make it of special interest to a magic user. Then again, you'd never get one of those worthies to leave the Vale in
the first place.... Fat tomcats content to stay warm by the fire!

Speaking of staying warm by the fire, I'll need to speak to father Geherrin before I go and lay in a small supply of his firestarters. It's already cold outside the Vale, and bound to get colder before I hit Athkatla. The Thane gave me a handful of Thunderstones, but I wouldn't want to be starting a fire with one of those, would I!!

I'm looking forward to worshipping in a Temple of Tempus I've never seen, surrounded by races I've never met. It should be interesting.... Can it be true that
dwarves and orclings sit side by side in worship? I know all warriors are honorable in the service of Tempus, but can you imagine the smell....

I'm not given to lies, so I'll have to think up some good cover stories now. The Fathers are very specific - Do Not Mention The Vale To Outsiders! Apparently, we have disappeared from the minds of the world during our long captivity, and the Fathers wish it to remain so, at least until we've scouted out the lay of the
land so to speak. A wise policy.... My mining experience should come in handy as a cover layer....

I hear the horns blowing for dinner, so I'll leave this for now. I need to eat good food while I can - Tempus knows road fare is barely edible!!

27 Uktar

my new-found friends are an odd group, it seems to me. After i entered the gates of athkatla, i found a good room at a local inn. Hearing of “the frothing
miscreant,” and knowing it to be a clue to the missing mithril and the kohljar, i set out for the docks.

Arriving there, i found the ship abandoned, crew dead and cargo gone. In the captain’s chambers were two humans, a slight female and a huge male. We faced each other for a moment, she with bow and the giant and I with axes. They weren’t bloodied or even dirtied, so I didn’t believe they were responsible for the mayhem. Setting aside my axe, i approach and made introductions. Thus was my first meeting with jolie the bard and perrin the smith.

Leaving the ship, we were waylaid by a gang of cutthroats. It turns out my bardish friends bow is not just for show, and the smith is adept with more than
hammer. We were also helped by a friend of jolie’s by the name of endrin, a quiet human who looks like he knows his way down the river and under the mountain, as the saying goes.

Later

I’ve lost track of the days here, but i think it’s the 29th of uktar. My friends and I just visited the temple of malar, and o the terrible things i have learned of this day!! This feels like a swift kick in the groin to me. The Brotherhood of Tempus - MY Brothers! - involved in the kind of shit that's been described. I just can't get my mind around it.... I'm feeling some skulduggery and information-gathering coming on - and then a cleansing of the Temple! Tempus grant me revenge! And if You do not listen, then to Hell with You!

I have devoted all my life to serving the God of Battle - nearly 5 decades, to you short-lived among us. Always, always, ALWAYS have I honored the strictures, always have I striven to bring honor to Tempus, bring gold to His coffers and accolytes to His temple.

And now this! I learn that my "Brothers" have been involved in slaying non-combatants, have given no quarter and destroyed the worldly goods of many! They
have reduced the Name of Tempus to one of shame.

Well, I say NO MORE! I swear here and now that I shall track down the responsible ones. It may take a day, a week, years - I don't care! The ones responsible for this outrage shall face Tempus after facing my axe!! I swear to send them before Him to render unto Him an explanation for all that has been done in His name!

My god cries out for vengeance! I shall fetch it for Him.... The heretics will know the Power and the Majesty of the One they have dared profane... They
will know it and fear it, as they will know me and fear me. I, Gerrin, Son of the Vale, of Clan Nehera, a faithful member of the Order of Tempus, do swear it
now! Let my enemies take note, and tremble!!

The following are excepts of conversations between Gerrin and his band of adventurers, mostly the Bard Jolie.

Fair enough. So, do you trust me now? CAN you trust me?

I can only give you my word as to my trustworthiness - that and my actions. You are right, Jolie - actions do speak loudly.

The actions of the heretics speak loudly - they thunder in my head constantly. I can hear the screams of innocents echoing in my head, and the sounds fill
me with shame.... The thought of my Order bearing responsibility for such despicable acts is driving me insane - but I cannot hate the heretics. Hatred is for
the weak; My Lord has written "Hatred consumes the soul and blinds the eye."

Vengeance, on the other hand, can be a powerful driving force.... And I will have mine!

I am reminded of the First and Last strictures of my Order: "Never start a fight," says My Lord. "Always end one." This is the First Stricture of Tempus. And:
"There are a multitude of ways to fight a war, be it ferocity, deception or words. Strive to perfect and honor them all." Thus reads the Last Stricture of
Tempus.

Well my friend, and friend you are, I have not started this fight, but I will By Tempus end it! And I will use all my guile, all my means and all my resources to
do so....

I realize this is not your fight. Whatever god you serve, I know it is not Tempus. I will not ask you to risk yourself and your dreams in service to My Lord.

But....

I will not refuse the gladly-offered hands of my friends. I thank you, Jolie. We will fight together in honor, and the third and fourth generations shall sing
the anthems you will create!!

My Brother in Steel,

Yet another innocent to atone for! We shall travel together, and restore Honor to our families and cleanse the Name of Tempus! I must tell you, though -
the False One is MINE. For that one I reserve the rite of kanly - single combat, no quarter taken or given, until the Lord of Death claims a soul! I will burn
that one's body, scatter the ashes and sow the ground with salt that nothing will live on to commemorate his life.

I claim this - I, Gerrin vaGeherrin, swear this now!

Jolie,

It's strange that you should envy me, though I'd have not thought so even 2 weeks ago. I've always felt pride in my Lord and my Calling - well-deserved pride,
I might add. Few of the Moderate Folk are given to magic, few are consecrated to the gods, and very few serve Tempus! I was always treated with deference and respect among my People, because I was called by Tempus.

The Moderate People know wars and battles, and fight fiercely when pressed. But they do not often serve Tempus, although they know and respect Him. Those who do heed the Calling are most often aligned with Moradin, or occasionally Gond. Tempus, though - there's an honor! My Lord is not the God of
Blacksmiths, or the God of Dwarves - He is a Major Deity, the Lord of War Himself!

Yes, I was proud, because I was special, I was honored and I was honorable....

But not now. Surely you can see the dishonor staining my soul because of this affair! Only blood will wash my stains away - the blood of Heretics.

As I say, it is strange that you should envy me anything right now.... I have always enjoyed the finer things in life. My armor - the best. My weapon - the best. My food and drink - the best. I know the things that are finest when I see them, touch them, taste them or hear them. And I say to you now: your music is among the best, also. You have a gift, my friend, or shall I say a Gift?

I can lead men, but you can inspire them. My plans can show warriors the way to victory, but your songs can drive them to Paradise. You have the Gift!

If I am to die on this journey, Tempus grant me two things: that I may take a vanguard of enemy warriors with me, and that the Songs of Jolie waft their way
skyward with my soul!

Jolie,

Having heard the Fantesca name here and there, and noting your obvious wish to avoid association with said name, I had surmised part of your story. I kept
it to myself because I assumed when you were ready, you would speak....

Since you've seen fit to share, perhaps I should do so as well. Obviously, I told you a bit about the Vale and my People I must admit, however, I haven't been entirely forthcoming....

There is a problem concerning the Vale - or at least, there WAS a problem. This will be surprising to you, to say the least, but I must explain. Our lives can
depend upon information....

To put it mildly, I'm a bit older than I appear. I think I told you I'm 47; this is a slightly misleading statement. I'm actually about 800 years older than
that, as far as we can tell.

You see, the Vale of Summer is slightly off the beaten path; we never got many tourists. About 800 years ago, the Vale was overrun by demons, and my Clan was enslaved. Then, a few weeks ago, we were set free by a band of Heros who stumbled upon our situation.

If this seems spotty, imagine how I feel. None of us remembers our period of enslavement; we don't know what we were doing, to whom we were doing it or why. I remember a few days of fierce fighting; my mother was killed at this time. Her name was Daherri; she was a Cleric in service to Moraddin. Father was, and is, Geherrin, a master miner in service to my Clan. Father and I survived, along with most of the Clan. The demons enslaved us, and that's all we remember until a few weeks ago.

None remember the actual enslavement period, thank Tempus for His Mercy! We were awakened, and found our world much changed. We now have humans and orcs who live among us! Thane Nehera and the rest of the Clanfathers have been making arrangements with our neighbors, and trying to make sense of all that has happened to us.

Which is where I come in. The Thane charged me with three quests: to learn all I can about our new world, to keep the existence of the Vale a secret and to
locate some missing mithril. We know a human took charge of this shipment, and we know it was on The Frothing Miscreant. I suspect the human may have been working in collusion with the demons, but this is not certain....

Obviously, I've failed in the second quest, and I must register my concern sharply at this point - the Thane will not be pleased!! I think Nehera can be pursuaded, as I have been, that you are all honorable beings, but this is not a certainty. Be advised, when we journey to the Vale, that we will be viewed with mistrust and suspicion at best. We will have to be on our best behavior, and observe the strictest protocols. As we are questioned, please - LET ME DO THE TALKING!! Do not mistake our enslavement as a weakness on the part of my Clan - the Moderate People are strong and fierce!

On the plus side of this equation - not for nothing are we called the Moderate People. Dwarves do make decisions in haste, nor out of anger. Rest assured,
the Thane and the Clanfathers will consider all aspects of our situation.

Having been a slave, albeit an unknowing one, I can say this: the institution of slavery reeks of cruelty, of injustice and degradation. It gladdens my heart to
hear you echo my thoughts! You have sacrificed a life of comfort and wealth, you have cut the ties that bind you to you family - all for a question of morality!
Among the dwarves, there is only one thing more meaningful than Clan and Family - that is Honor. You, my friend, have sacrificed Clan and Family for your
Honor; that sits high with me, and will raise you high in the eyes of my People if it becomes necessary for them to know of your situation.

We shall speak more of this later.

Gerrin

Jolie,

Please, don't try to teach a priest about morality!

You beat yourself over the head for the life you used to live.... unnecessarily. You call yourself a 'spoiled and ignorant child.' Isn't another definition
of "spoiled and ignorant' simply 'innocent?' Children know hunger or satiation, fear or safety, home or not-home. Children do not wonder at the circumstances
surrounding a home, they simply accept it for what it is. To quote you, children take. You were seven at the time, for Tempus' Sake!

When we become adults, we learn to question, to examine and to choose. Indeed, some believe that we do not become adults until we learn to do so.

If you'll tolerate hearing this from a being of my stature, growing up hurts. A lot. In the mind of that seven-year-old girl, she was loved. How could she know
she was not? The introduction of an elven slave simply started the growing process, like watering a plant.

But I digress....back to the question of morality. You say you don't do things out of morality, you do things for people. My foolish friend...

That IS morality!

We shall talk later,

Gerrin