Trials in the Heavens (Round 3 - Trial of Courage)
The Trial of Courage requires that each of them maintain the seven aspects of courage and divinity: humility, charity, chastity, gratitude, temperance, patience, and diligence. Queen Aurara has given each the remaining four a new life as a mortal upon another world. Upon their death they will be judged by Ohtli, the Arbiter to the Gods. In the end, their heart will be weighed against her feather. Only one whose heart is in balance will succeed in this trial.
Heart of EarthLord Arhakama as Cardoc Wynne |
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Heart of UdariLady Arunaire as Lady Akra |
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Heart of KoganLord Araznurum as Lubash of Pakgu |
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Heart of Loth'VasaehildaLord Amaranthinos as Tordek Durthane |
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Heart of Earth |
Heart of Udari |
Heart of Kogan |
Heart of Loth'Vasaehilda
In the end only Amaranthinos was able to display and maintain all seven virtures. It is he, that will be chosen to succeed the queen in the rebirth of cosmos. However, these trials were only his first step in proving his worthiness. From here on, the true battle begins.
Introductions |
Trial of Strength |
Trial of Wisdom |
Trial of Courage
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Failed: ArhakamaLord Arhakama drew the Ekla Rune. When he stepped upon the Bifrost, he was transported to Arunaire’s home, Sol on planet Earth.
Arhakama’s life was that of a man named Caradoc Wynne, a Celtic warrior, in a country called Scotland in the 1400’s. He showed diligence by constantly training to be a strong and skilled fighter and joining the militia. He showed temperance by not overeating at a feast following a grand victory in battle. He showed charity, by helping build and rebuild homes for families and orphaned children after a raid by British soldiers. After being captured, he showed gratitude by giving thanks to an enemy for sparing his life. He was a great warrior but not without his faults. Early in life he showed too much pride. unable to remain humble in his loss over a sparring match, he destroyed a number of training dummies and weapons. As he grew older however his fame earned him women. Though married to another woman, he had committed adultery several times. However, his anger and lack of patience was ultimately his undoing. Unable to wait for the signal to attack before a large battle against British soldiers, he charged on the assault too soon. As a result, he soon fell in battle along with many others who followed his lead. Upon his death he met with Ohtli who stood silently before him. Removing a feather from her wing she placed it on a large golden scale. Then with her talons she tore Caradoc’s heart from his chest, placing it on the scale opposite the feather. The scale tipped, revealing a heavy heart. Caradoc’s body changed, reverting back to Arhakama’s original and true form. The orc god stood dismayed, having failed his final challenge. Return to Top
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Failed: ArunaireLady Arunaire drew the Ulov Rune. When she stepped upon the Bifrost, she was transported to Amaranthinos’ home, Udar on the planet Udari.
Arunaire’s life was that of Lady Akra, a gold dragonborn and descendant of Radekthais. She showed her diligence by studying to become an adjudicator. She spent most of her time in Qadosh, a large city in Ghetsa, but traveled around occasionally as well. She showed her humility, that despite her knowledge of Draconic Law, there was even still more she could learn. Even though she was young for her station and quite attractive, she showed chastity by dressing modestly and steadily maintained her reservations. She showed temperance that, despite the opportunity, she refused to overindulge herself, especially when wine was served at numerous events. When she grew older and married and wished for a family. She displayed patience more than anything else until her prayers were finally answered. Akra’s life was a busy one with many trials and tribulations, but she was far from perfect. She did well with her job as a well-respected adjudicator, however she was consistently envious of others, especially colleagues who seemingly had more wealth and fame than her. This weakness brought forth her greatest flaw, greed. Striving to earn more wealth she took a bribe to turn the favor of the court against an innocent party. According to the verdict they were sentenced to death. The corrupted decision was held for several weeks until the controversy worsened. Akra was slain in the streets of Qadosh as the people revolted against her. She left behind her husband, Ghesh of Coizzut and son, Pijjink. When she met with Ohtli, her heart was far too light. When Akra’s form changed back to Arunaire’s she too was dismayed, having failed her final challenge. Return to Top
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Failed: AraznurumLord Araznurum drew the Kala Rune. When he stepped upon the Bifrost, he was transported to Arhakama’s home, Zahgora on the planet Kogan.
Araznurum’s life became that of an orc named Lubash of Pakgu. He showed his diligence by becoming a renown swordsmith and became an expert of his craft. As he grew, he continued to show humility and gratitude by honoring and thanking his elders and teachers, both in life and his profession. During the harsh cold winters, he displayed charity by helping to provide clothing and blankets to the less fortunate. He displayed chastity by remaining celibate, a practice not common for orcs. He showed patience in his work and craft, moving too hastily would create an inferior sword. The best swords took time and patience to masterfully craft. He worked and lived a balanced life, but one issue he had always struggled with was the lack of materials. When a large cache was brought to his village, he was offered some of the bounty. Among the items brought were precious metals, gemstones, and various other materials that would aid in the creation of better swords and weapons. However, he decided to take far more than others believed to be his fair share. Many of his fellow orcs did not take too kindly to this gesture. Lubash was a strong swordsmith, but a warrior he was not. He lost his life in the midst of Mahak’goma. Upon Lubash’s death and meeting Ohtli she too performed the ritual. His heart was almost nearly in balance, but not close enough to have passed this trial. When Lubash’s form changed back to Araznurum’s he was disappointed, but looked on to the stars toward his homeworld and Amaranthinos. He hoped that at least one of them would survive Queen Aurara and Ohtli’s trial. Otherwise, all may be lost. Return to Top
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Passed: AmaranthinosLord Amaranthinos drew the Leid Rune. When he stepped upon the Bifrost, he was transported to Araznurum’s home, Dun’aruil on the planet Loth’vasaehilda.
Amaranthinos’ life had become that of a dwarf noble named Tordek Durthane. As he grew up in this life, he had been groomed to become the future lord of his land of Dun’Alor. His father, Travok, was a stubborn and vile lord. It was believed one of his own subjects had assassinated him, but the culprit was never brought to justice. By default, Tordek was forced to assume the throne at an early age, but even so, he vowed to be better than his father. This task was not easy, but Tordek showed diligence by keeping his heart noble, and becoming a resilient and honorable leader. He displayed humility. Even though he was a lord with wealth and power, he believed he was not above the laws or rights of any other. This belief became evident through his actions and interactions with his subjects. He displayed charity by distributing surplus food to the impoverished, even during hardship. He displayed chastity by resisting alcohol, a feat uncommon for dwarves. He showed gratitude by praying, giving thanks, and making sacrifices in the name of his gods. He showed temperance by refusing to increase taxes or take more than what was needed from his people. Finally, he showed patience when arbitrating conflicts, especially with unruly litigants. Tordek Durthane grew to live a long life as the kingdom of Dun’Alor grew and prospered. His wife Urshar, daughter Finellen, and son Uraim outlived him, but the entire kingdom blessed them at all his passing, an honor his father Travok did not. When Tordek appeared before Ohtli he revered the massive, winged serpent. Ohtli, then with a steady claw, carefully plucked a feather from one of her wings and placed it upon one side of the large golden scale. Then, in a violent motion she thrust her talons at Tordek’s chest, ripping his heart from him. Tordek’s ethereal form became Amaranthinos once more as Ohtli placed the heart upon the scale. The golden platforms tipped back and forth several times before finally coming to a stop. The needle in the middle laid to rest. Dead center. Ohtli took a step back and bowed before Amaranthinos. The remaining gods, Araznurum, Arunaire, and Arhakama stood nearby and bowed in respect as well. Return to Top
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