Tales of D&D: Lucien Validus Stellatus

Descended from a celestial being who took a human wife several generations back, Lucien was no ordinary child. His father served as a cleric in the church of Heironeous and he instilled in his son the values that would eventually lead the young lad down the path to becoming a holy paladin of The Fist of Valor. Lucien was well liked as a child; he was energetic and charismatic, leading a band of local boys and girls on imaginary quests for Heironeous all about town. Even as a child, his celestial heritage shone forth with his golden blond hair and striking blue eyes.

At the age of nine Lucien became a page in the halls of the Temple of the Fist that was just a little ways up the mountain from their town. The paladins had often visited and their gleaming armor reflected in Lucien’s perfect blue eyes as he watched the ride by in dumbstruck admiration. He served for a number of years, slowly learning from the paladins whom he served devotedly. He excelled in all of his studies and became a quick favorite among the elders in the temple and the paladins he worked with. On several occasions he was allowed to accompany the holy warriors when they went out on a quest and began making a bit of a name for himself. “Lucien the Courageous” the y began calling him, for he would never back down from a challenge or waver in the face of evil.

Finally it came time for the boy to become a man. On his nineteenth birthday he was told that it was time for him to make his rite of passage and join The Fist of Valor as an anointed paladin in service to Heironeous the Invincible. The rite of passage for centuries at this temple has been to escort a monk of the fist as they begin their spiritual journey. Monks trained in the temple, at the completion of their training, were sent up the mountain to a sacred location to meditate for three days and nights with only one companion there to drive off the wild things and ensure the safety of the catatonic monk. The monk was supposed to meditate on his or her inner being and upon reaching the end of the third day, their path would become clear to them and they would embark on their spiritual journey. For some, that journey was a simple pilgrimage and completed easily, for some it became a lifelong task. Either way, upon returning from the rite of passage both candidates would be given the official title of monk or paladin of The Fist of Valor.

Lucien came to the elders ready and excited to begin his rite of passage. There he was introduced to a young monk-in-training with peach color hair. He introduced himself with a polite bow and soon they were off. They had to travel about half a day further up the mountain, deep in the eldritch forest there, before they found the circle of standing stones. Before entering the sacred place Lucien recited the prayer he was taught to consecrate himself and his escort. Then he prepared a special meal for his charge, it was a simple but filling meal with some herbs that would help the monk maintain her meditation for such a long time. Lucien’s last meal had been on the previous night. He was not allowed to eat or rest for the duration of the monk’s meditation. This was both a test of strength and endurance, meant to push you beyond your physical limits and rely on the power of Heironeous to make it through the trial.

After she had eaten, the monk began her meditation and soon she was whisked away into some sort of dream world which Lucien could only imagine. After a few hours of silence, so as not to disturb the newly entranced monk, he began to pray to Heironeous to bring him a challenge that he might demonstrate his devotion and gain honor worthy of a Paladin of the Fist. His prayers were soon answered when he heard howls in the distance. All day he could hear beasts gathering just out of sight in the woodlands surrounding the stone circle. At twilight the first wave of wolves attacked. Lucien was armed only with a long sword and a wooden shield, but he dispatched them easily. Through the night he fought, the wolves only coming in one or two at a time. At the break of dawn the monk awoke as he finished off another of his foes. He quickly assured her that he was fine and that she should continue her meditation.

That day no more wolves came, but late afternoon came a mountain lion. His battle lasted hours but in the end he stood bloody and victorious. Lucien cleaned his sword, stood over his foe, and thanked Heironeous for allowing him to emerge victorious against so powerful a foe. After this, he tended to his wounds as best he could, tearing his shirt to make simple tourniquets and stop the bleeding. That night was quiet, none the less, Lucien stayed up keeping a weather eye. At dawn on the third day the wolves came back in force. A whole pack attacked at once, darting in and out, circling him and lunging at every opening. Lucien fought with every ounce of strength left in him and called out to Heironeous for strength with every breath. He killed many wolves, their bodies piling up around the alter where the monk sat. But he was losing blood from many new wounds and some old ones that has opened back up. He began to despair and his last thought before sliding out of consciousness was that at least he would have an honorable death. Sometime later, he could not tell if it was minutes or hours, he awoke to see one large wolf covered in blood and peach colored fur standing between him and the one remaining wolf. The peach colored wolf lunged with feral grace and ripped open the other wolf’s throat. It dropped in agony, twitched a bit, then it’s spirit passed on. The peach colored wolf turned toward Lucien and stared at him. He saw the wolf stand and begin shifting forms back into the young monk who he had escorted just before he fell unconscious once more.

When he came to, he was back in the temple infirmary. His wounds had been healed by the clerics there, and he had slept clear into the next day. Once he sat up, a boy rushed over to him excitedly. “You’re up!” he cried, “please come with me sir, the ceremony will be starting soon!” And the boy ran with Lucien to a dressing room where there was a perfectly tailored suit of armor gleaming. The boy helped him don the armor and then led him to the main hall where Lucien was greeted by one of the elders who was very pleased to greet him. Lucien was told that he was just in time to attend the ceremony where he was to receive his title as official Paladin of the Fist of Valor. Lucien’s father was there, ready to walk up and perform the ceremony in his stead, but he smiled and stepped aside as his son walked down the aisle. Lucien was as happy as a young man can be, his blue eyes practically glowed, the sun glinted off of his golden hair and glittered off of his armor.

“Lucien, Lucien, Lucien” the crowd all shouted as he strode gracefully down the center of the room. No paladin in close to a century had come back after slaying so many beasts; everyone believed that he was favored of Heironeous. He was still in pain, but all of that seemed to fade away as he walked down that stone pathway. He received a medallion, which he carries with him even now, and the blessing of the elders there. He was asked to speak, and with a smile he said, "Glory be to Heironeous!" Shouts erupted echoing his words, and then the ceremony ended.

With the ceremony complete, Lucien was sent to serve in a church in the town of Homlet. He served there for four years doing whatever he could to help the town and defend it. Then one day he received a letter from the mayor…