Vasilli, crusader for Shallya.
Prague, Kislev
Vasily Bokha is the firstborn son of an influential but cruel Boyar. His twin brother, Bor, came one minute later. Strength is the most important characteristic in Kislev and because Vasilli was skinny and sickly, his father decided to give the truth a twist and to introduce Bor as the heir to the throne.
Vasilli was given away to the midwife and her daughter. The Boyar, however, did not want witnesses and loose ends and decided to get them out of the way. His killer attacked the woman in the darkest part of the forest, between the castle and her hut. Much to her astonishment, and that of the murderer, a huge bear appeared from the thicket and rushed to the assassin. During the fight Vasilli was slightly hit by a claw and the baby got his first scar. The bear dragged the murderer into the forest after he had killed him without giving the woman and baby any attention. After a powerful prayer to Ursen, the midwife fled from the city and installed herself as a healer in a small stantiststas in the far north.
Three years later, fate struck when a big chaos raid and a Kislevite heavy platoon attacked each other in the middle of the village. None of the two armies got the upper hand and the fight was extended over three days of bloody struggle. Vasilli's stepmother died in the first hour of this fight when her hut was half overrun but he himself survived mirakulously for the full three days. His half-sister was dragged away by mutants. When he was found by Shallya's healers in a big cauldron on the smoldering coals of the fire, they were greatly surprised. Above him shone the morning light on the solar icon of Dazh that was carved in the mantelpiece. Only his hands were scarred when he climbed over the iron fire-shield of the hearth to be safe.
The healers took the toddler to their convent outside Prague and educated the boy as an initiate. The missionaries were tolerated by the population because Shallya is welcome almost everywhere and the Kislevites do not have a God of healing. There was, however, a conflict with the cult of Thor who claimed the land on which the monastery was built. Vasilli asked the abbot if he could speak to the priests of Tor and because he was eloquent and had a clear Kislevite appearance he was allowed to. The cult of Thor had little heed of his arguments, but then, from a slowly darkening sky, a lightning bolt struck the young man he had their attention. As by miracle, no vital parts had been touched and the boy was still standing. The priests saw this as a blessing from their natural god and left the temple to the Shallyans. Vasilli again had a scar, on his chest.
It is said that the chosen ones of Shallya have a high pain threshold and can endure a lot. This was certainly true for Vasilli. He became a promising student who respected the Gods of his country but Shallya above all. Thanks to his piousness, he quickly became a priest and left for Altdorf to end his studies. In the meantime the late bloomer had finally grown into a man, the priestly training was very good for his physical development and the healing properties of his Goddess had greatly improved his weak health. When he watched a tournament of knights on a normal afternoon, he had a real vision of Shallya for the first time.
He went into battle in full plate. He was surrounded by strange comrades of all kinds; a dwarf, an elf and some fierce fighters. Behind him, a giant dove drove the monsters before them as they plowed through their ranks, on their way to a horrible evil. He mowed monsters, killed them left and right, and was smeared with black, monstrous blood.
Vasilli understood that his Goddess wished not only that he brought compassion for the pure heart but also for those who were irrevocable possessed by evil. Healing in the form of a liberation from their inhuman existence. He decided to become a holy warrior and cut away the cancer that is destroying the world so that the healing process can begin.
Prague, Kislev
Vasily Bokha is the firstborn son of an influential but cruel Boyar. His twin brother, Bor, came one minute later. Strength is the most important characteristic in Kislev and because Vasilli was skinny and sickly, his father decided to give the truth a twist and to introduce Bor as the heir to the throne.
Vasilli was given away to the midwife and her daughter. The Boyar, however, did not want witnesses and loose ends and decided to get them out of the way. His killer attacked the woman in the darkest part of the forest, between the castle and her hut. Much to her astonishment, and that of the murderer, a huge bear appeared from the thicket and rushed to the assassin. During the fight Vasilli was slightly hit by a claw and the baby got his first scar. The bear dragged the murderer into the forest after he had killed him without giving the woman and baby any attention. After a powerful prayer to Ursen, the midwife fled from the city and installed herself as a healer in a small stantiststas in the far north.
Three years later, fate struck when a big chaos raid and a Kislevite heavy platoon attacked each other in the middle of the village. None of the two armies got the upper hand and the fight was extended over three days of bloody struggle. Vasilli's stepmother died in the first hour of this fight when her hut was half overrun but he himself survived mirakulously for the full three days. His half-sister was dragged away by mutants. When he was found by Shallya's healers in a big cauldron on the smoldering coals of the fire, they were greatly surprised. Above him shone the morning light on the solar icon of Dazh that was carved in the mantelpiece. Only his hands were scarred when he climbed over the iron fire-shield of the hearth to be safe.
The healers took the toddler to their convent outside Prague and educated the boy as an initiate. The missionaries were tolerated by the population because Shallya is welcome almost everywhere and the Kislevites do not have a God of healing. There was, however, a conflict with the cult of Thor who claimed the land on which the monastery was built. Vasilli asked the abbot if he could speak to the priests of Tor and because he was eloquent and had a clear Kislevite appearance he was allowed to. The cult of Thor had little heed of his arguments, but then, from a slowly darkening sky, a lightning bolt struck the young man he had their attention. As by miracle, no vital parts had been touched and the boy was still standing. The priests saw this as a blessing from their natural god and left the temple to the Shallyans. Vasilli again had a scar, on his chest.
It is said that the chosen ones of Shallya have a high pain threshold and can endure a lot. This was certainly true for Vasilli. He became a promising student who respected the Gods of his country but Shallya above all. Thanks to his piousness, he quickly became a priest and left for Altdorf to end his studies. In the meantime the late bloomer had finally grown into a man, the priestly training was very good for his physical development and the healing properties of his Goddess had greatly improved his weak health. When he watched a tournament of knights on a normal afternoon, he had a real vision of Shallya for the first time.
He went into battle in full plate. He was surrounded by strange comrades of all kinds; a dwarf, an elf and some fierce fighters. Behind him, a giant dove drove the monsters before them as they plowed through their ranks, on their way to a horrible evil. He mowed monsters, killed them left and right, and was smeared with black, monstrous blood.
Vasilli understood that his Goddess wished not only that he brought compassion for the pure heart but also for those who were irrevocable possessed by evil. Healing in the form of a liberation from their inhuman existence. He decided to become a holy warrior and cut away the cancer that is destroying the world so that the healing process can begin.
He left on a pilgrimage and visited every main temple of every great God of the ancient world. In each temple he prayed three days and three nights without eating and drinking. He swore to each of them that he would defeat evil in their name, and to Shallaya in particular he swore that his life was in her service, forever.
The Chief Priests of Shallaya, who was old and full of wisdom, heard about his pilgrimage and personally appointed him an annointed priest. She gave him the Ursine plate to make his mission succeed. This armor had entered the empire centuries ago after conflicts with Kislev and was, given his origin, a perfectly fit.
As an annointed priest he brought a merciful death to many "suffering" black magicians and plenty beastmen. Sometimes alone, sometimes with other warriors; Knights, priests, dwarves and elves, but he never met the fighters from his vision. He gained a reputation as a respected force against evil with many groups and organizations.
When in Bogenhafen through gossip and rumors, he discovered tales of a special group of adventurers, he decided to trace them as they answered the images in his vision. He just missed them in Middenheim where they returned the Graf to his power and was delayed to follow them through a huge Skaven upsurge where he made his own heroic act by assisting Allavandrel Fanmaris, lord of the Hunt in a valiant last stand. For this act he was promoted to squire of Middenheim, a ceremonial title, and rewarded with Der Strahl Des Morgenlichtes, a kind of polearm that belonged to a loyal knight of Mandred Skavenslayer. This halberd had a historical reputation but no magical powers, until it came into the hands of the very pious Vasilli.
He went into apprenticeship with an old knight with whom he had become friends. He agreed to travel with Vasili following the heroes and to train him in the knightly values. The old knight mainly wanted to leave his boring court to experience the thrill of adventure one more time.
After a few months they arrived together in Altdorf where Skaven Assassins lured them into an ambush and the old knight was mortally wounded. With his final breaths he signed the document and spoke the words that elevated Vasilli to knight.
He was later approached by the Knights of Shallaya's Final Mercy. This order was very new and still very modest. Apparently he was not the only priest who got visions. Several priests who devoted their lives to Shallya discovered that they were called to form a militant arm of the order. Sir Godfried Hiller, a knight who had become a priest, led them and invited Vasilli to try to get into their inner circle. For this he would have to gain a lot of experience and succeed in a powerful quest.
A new vision depicted a fight between the mysterious heroes and the Baba Yaga and Vasilli, with a charismatic firemage as backup, he ventured deep into the Drakwald with the intention of finding thos vile witch... (see session 42 & 43)
Appearance: Vasilli has the looks from the region between Kislev and Norska. Thick blonde, curly hair, slightly asian shaped, blue eyes and pale skin. He has a strong constitution, tall body but not overly broad.
The Ursine plate: Throughout the ages it has been forgotten where this kuras originates. It is speculated that it belonged to a high priest of Ursen around the time that the Ungol were expelled by the advancing Kislevites. It's dark green with bronze and decorated with old runes. Hooks are attached to the shoulders to secure a heavy fur coat. The metal at the top of the shoulders, arms and hands is extra thick and especially curved so that a trained warrior can position his body to shake off attacks during a fight.
Der Strahl Des Morgenlichtes: A primitive halberd or polearm. A heavy staff with a thick, broad blade on one side and a heavy, pure crystal of unknown type on the other side. Legend has it that when a fight takes place at the end of the night, this crystal effectively strengthens the invisible morning light that is already present and accelerates the arrival of the morning so that the forces of darkness lose their advantage. This is of course nonsense...
The Chief Priests of Shallaya, who was old and full of wisdom, heard about his pilgrimage and personally appointed him an annointed priest. She gave him the Ursine plate to make his mission succeed. This armor had entered the empire centuries ago after conflicts with Kislev and was, given his origin, a perfectly fit.
As an annointed priest he brought a merciful death to many "suffering" black magicians and plenty beastmen. Sometimes alone, sometimes with other warriors; Knights, priests, dwarves and elves, but he never met the fighters from his vision. He gained a reputation as a respected force against evil with many groups and organizations.
When in Bogenhafen through gossip and rumors, he discovered tales of a special group of adventurers, he decided to trace them as they answered the images in his vision. He just missed them in Middenheim where they returned the Graf to his power and was delayed to follow them through a huge Skaven upsurge where he made his own heroic act by assisting Allavandrel Fanmaris, lord of the Hunt in a valiant last stand. For this act he was promoted to squire of Middenheim, a ceremonial title, and rewarded with Der Strahl Des Morgenlichtes, a kind of polearm that belonged to a loyal knight of Mandred Skavenslayer. This halberd had a historical reputation but no magical powers, until it came into the hands of the very pious Vasilli.
He went into apprenticeship with an old knight with whom he had become friends. He agreed to travel with Vasili following the heroes and to train him in the knightly values. The old knight mainly wanted to leave his boring court to experience the thrill of adventure one more time.
After a few months they arrived together in Altdorf where Skaven Assassins lured them into an ambush and the old knight was mortally wounded. With his final breaths he signed the document and spoke the words that elevated Vasilli to knight.
He was later approached by the Knights of Shallaya's Final Mercy. This order was very new and still very modest. Apparently he was not the only priest who got visions. Several priests who devoted their lives to Shallya discovered that they were called to form a militant arm of the order. Sir Godfried Hiller, a knight who had become a priest, led them and invited Vasilli to try to get into their inner circle. For this he would have to gain a lot of experience and succeed in a powerful quest.
A new vision depicted a fight between the mysterious heroes and the Baba Yaga and Vasilli, with a charismatic firemage as backup, he ventured deep into the Drakwald with the intention of finding thos vile witch... (see session 42 & 43)
Appearance: Vasilli has the looks from the region between Kislev and Norska. Thick blonde, curly hair, slightly asian shaped, blue eyes and pale skin. He has a strong constitution, tall body but not overly broad.
The Ursine plate: Throughout the ages it has been forgotten where this kuras originates. It is speculated that it belonged to a high priest of Ursen around the time that the Ungol were expelled by the advancing Kislevites. It's dark green with bronze and decorated with old runes. Hooks are attached to the shoulders to secure a heavy fur coat. The metal at the top of the shoulders, arms and hands is extra thick and especially curved so that a trained warrior can position his body to shake off attacks during a fight.
Der Strahl Des Morgenlichtes: A primitive halberd or polearm. A heavy staff with a thick, broad blade on one side and a heavy, pure crystal of unknown type on the other side. Legend has it that when a fight takes place at the end of the night, this crystal effectively strengthens the invisible morning light that is already present and accelerates the arrival of the morning so that the forces of darkness lose their advantage. This is of course nonsense...