Ripthene

Al’Dinan goddess of mercenaries and glory through combat. She is the patron goddess of mercenaries and gladiators, as well as soldiers and knights who fight for fame and glory rather than altruism or money. She expects her followers to fight openly, as glory cannot be won in the shadows, but she has no issues with underhanded tactics. Poison, deception and trickery may all be used as long as it is done in the open.

The popular depiction of Ripthene is of a young, dark-skinned human woman with long, white hair, both loose and with two braids, in a short white dress, along with a red cloak and headscarf, both of which are decorated with golden trim and flower motifs. Naturally, she wields her favoured weapon, the cutlass, along with a long musket that has golden decorations.

## History

Ripthene is believed to have originally been a mortal woman. Though stories differ on the exact details, the common depiction is that she was one of the first mercenaries in the land, whose company was practically an army unto itself. They never failed a contract, no matter how outlandish it was, whether that be to support an underdog army in a bid against their betters, or to slay the most dangerous creatures.

Eventually, Ripthene was given the task of slaying Mudamir, a great black dragon that made his den in Mudamir’s Teeth, the western mountain range of Al’Dina. Ripthene and her lieutenants ascended the peak to battle the beast, and managed to bring it to ground, where their leader mounted it and began to stab its neck. Mudamir took off, flying straight up, into the clouds and beyond with Ripthene clinging on to it. After a few minutes, Mudamir’s body fell from the sky, impaled on the peak, but Ripthene herself was nowhere to be found. Her lieutenants spread the story that she had ascended to the heavens, becoming a goddess that would watch over all their greatest, most glorious endeavours, and support the mercenaries of the world.

## Followers

The Church of Ripthene’s formal clergy consists of former gladiators and mercenaries, who survived into old age, and take on the same mantle of Ripthene herself by guiding future glory-seekers. The church itself is rather decentralized, with its largest place of worship being the Blood Sands of Baskoti, where gladiators seek their own glory. Followers of Ripthene believe that one of the greatest accomplishments that one can achieve is the slaying of an ancient dragon, mimicking the story of their goddess’ ascension. They also follow the philosophy that a person doesn’t truly die until all memory of them fades, and all seek to immortalize themselves by becoming as famous as possible.

Ripthene herself is followed by those who seek glory through combat, whether that be the contracts of a mercenary, the blood sports of a gladiator, or the duties of a soldier or knight. Though there is a distrust for those who can manipulate minds, mages are welcomed as much as fighters within their ranks. Assassins and thieves are heavily stigmatized against, since their whole purpose is to remain unknown.

## Servants

Ripthene’s divine servants typically wear silver armor with red capes, and forgo helmets. Her Herald, The Eternal Champion, is a man clad in silver plate armour, wielding an enormous hammer made of dragon bone, with a blank helmet so shiny it serves as a mirror, reflecting the face of whoever looks upon him. He is one of the most commonly-seen Heralds, as he will infrequently make appearances in the Blood Sands, as both spectator and gladiator.

## Deific Obedience

Ascend to the highest point that you can reach within 30 minutes. Practice your forms with your weapon, or your magical incantations or somatic components while reciting your your victories, accomplishments and achievements until the time for your obedience is complete. You gain a +2 sacred or profane bonus on attack rolls against dragons, and an equal bonus to strength checks and strength based skill checks. The type of bonus depends on your alignment - if you’re neither good nor evil, you must choose either sacred or profane the first time you perform your obedience, and this choice can’t be changed.