Vancell Greeves
Description
Imposing in height and broad-shouldered in girth, Vancell neutralizes the unknown variables of his surroundings with a stern, cautious gaze. From under the steely, shiny rim of his spherical cap, cold blue eyes steadily sweep back and forth, always searching. Blonde bangs peek from under the cap, brightening his cream complexion. The cleric's torso is girded protectively in a smooth shirt of bright chain links crafted from steel. Hanging around his neck is a slender chain link that suspends a silver symbol on his chest, over the chain shirt. The familiar design of Nailor: a cruciform over two concentric circles, embedded with three small rounded carnelian stones and eight tiny ones, stares onlookers straight in the eye. Vancell's muscular arms are sheathed in only wool, the gray material tightened where it's tucked into the steel plates of his gauntlets. Each gauntlet has a small, oval-cut carnelian set into the top of the hand, before the flexible plates his fingers slide into begin. The right gauntlet has unique clasps and chains wound into the sides as well. At Vancell's waist a black leather belt suspends his garments up just under the chain shirt. On his left hip, a sturdy pouch sits next to a smaller one closer to his back. From the waist down, his legs are clad in woolen breeches that match the monochromatic gray of his shirt. Those breeches are tucked into black leather boots that reach up to just under his knees. From his right hip, linked to the base of his chain shirt, extends the man's trademark weapon. As a servant of Nailor, the great mace is only a natural choice. The weapon boasts a thick bronze shaft extending one foot from the leather-bound handle. The head of the mace broadens out widely with a lotus design of shaped metal, the rims flowering forth to optimize impact damage when the cleric is forced to smite his opponents. Strapped onto his right arm is a small disc crafted of bronze, its weight negligible enough that he needn't grip it at all. The buckler's face boasts the holy symbol of Nailor, though lacks the semi-precious jewels. Criss-crossing Vancell's back are three torches and three javelins. The torch heads are wrapped in leather, as are the sharp points of javelins. Rawhide thongs bind them all to a tan leather backpack burdened with all the necessities of travel. Occasionally, an ample gray cloak is tied around his neck, and billows behind the cleric as he walks with steady purpose.
History
Vancell was born in the city of Devu, Elan. His family continued a prosperous merchant tradition until a tragic fire burnt their storehouse to the ground. Yet they recovered to at least a pale shadow of their former wealth when a charitable temple rescued them with immense donations. That day, Vancell knew he had to join the clergy. He felt the call to help others as he was once helped. When he came of age, he ignored advice to seek out the finest warrior academies in the land. Everyone was sure he'd be promoted quickly to a high-ranking officer in the king's army, considering his prudent intellect. Instead, he sought out the smallest temple in Devu, the Cathedral of Nailor. There he was admitted as clergy and spent the first few years of his adult life studying scripture, law, theology, and -- to a degree -- self-defense. He would have to be able to defend his beliefs and wards, after all, for a priest of Nailor was a protector of the just and lawful.
After ordainment, one of Vancell's first missions drove him many miles away to the Fraternal River, the natural border between Artos and Praetoria. A holy war was underway, pitting an army of Duvaun against an army of Kapponius. Both sides proclaimed that law and order were the true ways, but Duvaun’s leaders were dictators while the kings of Kapponius strove to be fair and good. That didn't matter to Vancell, however. He was there as an observer, to insure neither side broke the "rules of war" -- that is, honorable combat. He stayed at the camp of Kapponius, expecting that if any wickedness were to come, it'd be skirmish parties directed at the non-combatant support men (and women and children) encamped away from the battlefield. And Vancell was right. One night during the battle, Duvaun’s army sent a horde of orcs against the camp. Vancell rose up to defend the innocent, and many of Kapponius’ finest joined him to defend their friends and family. The battle ended soon after. Duvaun’s army's will broke as their beliefs in orderly and just combat proved wavering. Vancell returned to Devu after that episode, but was promptly reassigned to oversee another war in Verdentia. The cleric once more went abroad, wondering now who would see the light of law -- or need it cracked into their skull.
Personality
Quiet and methodical, Vancell keeps an open mind in life. Yet at the same time, he judges all things based on what he learns. He is not afraid to cast judgment on others, nor is he afraid to reserve the right to revise his opinions later. Only when it is clear that something or someone endangers an orderly and harmonious world that maintains civic virtue and balances the furies will he act. And then all his wrath and might is poured into an act of true and unbiased justice. This cleric would prefer to see others surrender their chaotic ways, and he'd prefer to persuade them through eloquent discourse than have to smite their asses. But he knows not everyone will listen. Vancell is not a fan of most non-human races, for they all tend to be selfish lots interested only in themselves or their own lands: to hell with the rest of the world. "Think globally, act locally" is one of his favorite mottos. Vancell is more warrior than cleric and he might have made a fine paladin did he not see a need for some forms of "evil" (like strong, dominating leaders to keep chaotic deviants in line). And like the paladins, Vancell needs a great war or crusade to pursue in order to fulfill himself and the neutral void of emptiness he feels growing inside.
Goals
Vancell will master the Cleric class (to 20th level) and pursue it beyond as an epic Cleric.
Character Sheet