Dnd the ancient war PC Judas Priest Journal

Journal

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Preface

Indentured-, or bonded-, servant is what they are called, these end products of a long tradition of creating artificial entities to serve mankind. In the end, the warforged may prove to be the turning point in this history, as they have indisputably shown to have the capacity to rise up and rebel against their former masters. Indeed, these insurrections have proven to be incredibly costly for all sides involved. Currently, any of the limited number of remaining warforged still so bonded is most likely held against its will.

As was common in the days, Judas was created in an industrial mining camp in the foothills of mount Wrath. Warforged were used extensively for the mining and excavating the precious ores and minerals to be found there. Half a generation ago, over the course of barely a handful of years, seismic activity in the territory increased manifold. The frequent quakes and cave-ins destroyed most of the area, workers include. The few remaining warforged were repaired and transferred to continue their service elsewhere, as even with these constructs performing the gross of the menial activities, the area was judged to have become too dangerous for work to continue. The cost of upkeep and constant repairs alone would have been enough to beggar the average duchy.

Biding their time with unearthly patience for an opportunity to present itself, Judas and his remaining companions have but one goal in mind; that of claiming a true existence for all Warforged still yoked under their current servitude. Having no family in the traditional sense has not prevented Warforged from forming fast bonds of friendship and loyalty amongst themselves.

In the years that followed, the infamous Bone Temple claimed his employ to serve in the battalion of one of their border complexes. There, he was part of a maintenance team whose primary function was keeping the squad of traditional, non-living, constructs in working order. Additionally, he was part of the temple’s reserve guard force, charged with guarding the perimeter against both intruders and slaves attempting escape.

Calm, orderly and courteous are qualities that easily come to mind when discussing Judas Even for one of his rather unique race, he is distinctly meticulous and thorough. In a sense, all Warforged have a rather different concept of time than the average ‘living’ individual, though most have adapted to a greater or lesser degree to the rhythms and flows present in all social communities. In all honesty, Judas has a demeanour that near radiates calmness and serenity. He seems to prefer to take his time, combined with a lot of care and attention, with whatever activity he is involved in.

Given the time and opportunity, Judas will indulge his outwardly repressed curiosity and inquisitiveness, although his existence so far has clearly instilled the need for vigilance and secrecy in these matters. For years Judas has been aware of a tiny spark of psionic power in the deeply buried crystalline structure of his body. Unbeknownst to his owners, he has spent well over a year in feeding and developing that fleeting shred of energy. During the last months especially, he has been making leaps of progress in this field, succeeding in performing a number of feats by means of sufficient mental focus.

Associating Judas’ silent and reserved nature with the archetypical contemplative nature of the disdained priestly followers of the more benign Gods, the younger acolytes at the Bone Temple were among the first to refer to him as ‘Judas the priest’. The mocking label was swiftly adopted by the remainder of the Temple ecclesiastics and in due time became naturally shortened to its current rendering. Judas has, for all intends and purposes, taken the name as his own, knowing full well its true aptness in reference to his blossoming mental abilities.

Judas’ latest assignment, which entailed refurbishing a number of battle golems for one of the Bone Temple’s foremost patrons, may very well present the moment he has been waiting for.

Day I - Setting out

[24/09/08]

A routine maintenance job on a pair of iron golems turned out to be a turning point in my term of captivity.

I was present when a handful of humans entered the Lich's throne room. Without hesitation, their leader engaged Zearban, my undead master, in a sorcereous duel. Screening their wizardly leader, his henchmen moved to intercept three fellow captives and myself who, being similarly dominated, prepared to defend our own master.

Arcane defenses on both sides flashed and gave way before the dual barrage. A fleeting moment, an instant's worth of attention was all Zearban required to activate and instruct both golems to join the fray. This proved to be his undoing. At that exact moment, a thin green ray, launched from the human’s finger, breached the undead horror’s defenses, engulfing it instantly. Simultaneously, both golems fired on the distracted human mage, deluging him with vaporous acid. The corrosive liquid burned and smoked as the man was dissolved on the spot. A blinding flash interrupted the sight, signaling the disintegration of the Lich.

I stumbled as my mind cleared, the mental block lifting the moment Zearban’s profane existence ended. Three of my fellow captives likewise staggered as they regained control of their faculties. The golems ceased their attack and ground to a halt, leaving a smoking puddle where a moment ago our liberator had stood.

• unfortunate misunderstanding
• chance companions (Kratos, Jimmy and Kenny)
• chasing survivor
• trapped corridor
• arduous alignments
• each to its own
• signs of past conflict
• sounds of current conflict

[08/10/08]

• convergence
• mini-ambush
• iron room battle
• return of ambusher, smart guy
• strange rings and un-ID'ed sword