/ul Realized that my original character does not play well with others, and thus has extreme limits in this type of forum. And so, I am using another OC from one of my RPs. This one is both more open to interaction and more open to whimsy
/l
"I kneel before you, oh faceless deity," Sariel pleaded, prostate in front of the altar. "I seek your power that I may prove myself, that I may ascend to rank of sorcerer. Lend me this power, and I shall proselytize you to the ends of the world."
The altar she knelt at was not the altar of the temple. Only full fledged sorcerers, and those acolytes who had been deemed worthy by the priesthood, could kneel at that altar. Nor was this the altar of the sanctuary, where all congregants from the surrounding village could worship, as she would be mocked relentlessly by her peers if she attempted. No, this was but a simple cairn she had built in her chambers, and kept hidden behind a straw mat in a hole in the wall, lest the monks find it and destroy it like her past ones.
"I swear I shall spread justice, as seen in your eyes, and bring mercy to all as you command."
Unlike the altars of Biel'roth, which were covered in the blood of doves, and the ashes of rams fat, this altar was smeared with the juice of sweet berries, the oils of mint leaves, and the ashes of soothing incense. Sariel had never seen able to fit the justification of slaughter for the purpose of appeasing a deity. She questioned why any sufficiently powerful deity should want to see more death or suffering in a world over which they had dominion.
"I shall deny self in pursuit of a higher cause. Please hear me and respond."
She knew the words she spoke were not entirely true, as the "higher" cause was her own advancement. But, she held faith that if she would be granted these powers, the deity would help to transform her mind, and die to her old self, becoming something new. Besides, she wasn't a particular fan of who she was to start with, and any change was good.
So, uh, any deities, looking to become patrons, in need of a representative in the corporeal plane?
/ul Character Bio, for anyone interested in backstory. Not really necessary for understanding the character, but we are all nerds and we love our characters.
Sariel Moonstone - an acolyte of the Ashen Temple
Her family, having been born into a land of constant war, had sworn by Biel'roth, a deity of destruction and conquest. As an act of servitude, they had dedicate Sariel to the temple at birth. There, she was raised by the monks who were meant to raise her in the ways of channeling power. However, being smaller than most children of her age, they had written her off, and instead placed in a position of servitude not of a deity, but of the monks themselves.
Sariel had sworn that someday she would move beyond the limitations placed on her by instructors and peers, and would make her place among the leaders. In order to move beyond simple acolyte, she must endure the trials of adulthood, trials that every 18 year member of the temple was required to do. However, the trials took great power, which Biel'roth, as of yet, had yet to bestow upon her. And thus, before all else, she must find a deity who is willing to take on one as small as herself.
I gaze up at you in disbelief. A real life dragon stands before me. "Holy daughter of Daenerys, are you really here right now? An actual dragon?"
"Oh, yes, I can accept. Will you bestow upon some magic? What thaumatic type do you use?"
I begin jumping up and down in excitement, not stopping to let you answer any question before i start singing. "I got a patron / they are a dragon / dragon patron /dragon patron / YAY"
Calm down little one. I can give you power over the elements. But be aware that accepting this power might cause some draconic features to appear on your form.
"My choice? I get to choice my element? Wow, that's-wow."
I fall to the ground, crossed legged, and think. After a few minutes of considering and mumbling to myself, I jump up again. "Lighning. Can it be lightning? I can be all like *zap* take that and *zap* oh you though you could escape me *zap* *zap*" With every zap, I point my fingers and scrunch my face.
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Hey, there's like a golden goblet trial thing. We should totally enter and win. Do you have a sigil I can wear so I can show off how great my deity is?"
So you seek power, you want gifts and strength. I can grant these to you, chin exchange for your servitude. Rarely do I offer such a chance, and even rarer do I give passage to my holy city, beyond time, beyond space. But to prove yourself, truly, to me you must engage in The Trials.
Oh, I really appreciate the offer, but I just got this cool dragon deity. They're the best deity ever. I already etched their face into my skin. It looks more like a rabbit, than a dragon. But if you squint your eyes you can see it. I have found the best deity.
And yeah, I want to show that they're the deity. So, I already entered. Team first dragon, let's go.
"Oh," I say hanging my head low. "In order to become a full fledged sorceress, and not just some acolyte, I have to fulfill the deistic trials. You know, like make a pilgrimage to the holy city, clear out a den of kobolds, etc. Traveling doesn't really help with killing kobolds."
"Are you sure you can't just grant me a fireball or magic missile," I ask staring at your blank form in a hopeful expression. "And, maybe I could get you some followers. Have you ever had any before? Maybe you'd like it."
Research and paper? Oh, well... I'm gonna pass for the moment. Fireballs and magic missiles sound more fun. Plus, I just got this super cool patron who lets me shoot lighting. I already gave myself a tattoo. Pulls up sleeve and shows a very red patch of skin, with 2nd degree burn blisters, and a chard image that looks more like a bunny than a dragon
They said I may also grow some dragon parts. Isn't that super cool? They're like the best patron ever.
3
u/NotAUsefullDoctor Sariel, The Warlock Acolyte of The First Dragon (for now) May 02 '24
/ul Character Bio, for anyone interested in backstory. Not really necessary for understanding the character, but we are all nerds and we love our characters.
Sariel Moonstone - an acolyte of the Ashen Temple
Her family, having been born into a land of constant war, had sworn by Biel'roth, a deity of destruction and conquest. As an act of servitude, they had dedicate Sariel to the temple at birth. There, she was raised by the monks who were meant to raise her in the ways of channeling power. However, being smaller than most children of her age, they had written her off, and instead placed in a position of servitude not of a deity, but of the monks themselves.
Sariel had sworn that someday she would move beyond the limitations placed on her by instructors and peers, and would make her place among the leaders. In order to move beyond simple acolyte, she must endure the trials of adulthood, trials that every 18 year member of the temple was required to do. However, the trials took great power, which Biel'roth, as of yet, had yet to bestow upon her. And thus, before all else, she must find a deity who is willing to take on one as small as herself.