^^Holy Warriors of Light^^

Today was an unseasonably cold and windy day on a humble farm, nestled near the base of the Great Mountains of the North. A large plume of smoke drifted up from a cobblestone chimney that sat atop a non-descript cottage that was rather large by human standards. Within its walls, around a large oval-shaped stone table, there sat a humble family of giant-like proportions enjoying a dinner of the days harvest and hunt. A heavenly scent wafted about coming from a large stew kettle sat over a small cooking fire. "Jharmani.. Your mother tells me you have been talking of leaving farm and travelling abroad, such as your grandfather did.. Clearly you have been studying his old teachings of the goddess Vanisse and the stories of the holy warriors of light. I do not think this a coincidence. What say you my son?" The youngest of the three jotun peered up from his bowl of stew, eyes widened he shot a look of betrayal towards his mother." How could you tell him mother?" , Said Jharmani, You know father would never approve, he needs me here on the farm.. Planting season is coming soon! With an exasperated sigh, the father jotun spoke, " My son, I know your grandfather used to fill your head with all those stories about the Goddess Vanisse and the paladins of old, but they were just stories.. There is nothing out there for you.. Your place is here with us on our humble farm." " As you wish my father", grumbled Jharmani.. "May I be excused ?" Jharmani stood up from the dinner table and retreated to his corner of the cottage. Placing a hand to his chest, he lowered his head and closed his eyes and began to whisper a prayer. His hand produced a holy symbol of Vanisse from underneath his shirt and he clutched it tightly while praying and seeking guidance, offering his devotion. As was always the case he recieved no replies but it always seemed to make him feel better. When he finished, he carefully tucked his grandfather's old medallion back inside of his smock and prepared his bedding of straw and saplings. In the midst of his dreams about shining white knights vanquishing hordes of evil monsters, Jharmani was suddenly awakened being shook and he heard his mother calling to him, "Wake up! We have to go now! Oh my Gods how could this happen?!? Jharmani jumped up from his sleep, " What is wrong ?!?" . His mother was sobbing but through her incoherent ramblings he managed to catch 4 words that he would soon never forget. " The necromancer has come!" How could this be? Jharmani thought to himself, it was only a scary story to frighten children, it is real?!? They have long heard rumors from surrounding farms of a dark lord who controls minions of the undead and darkness and every so often seeks out living victims for his demonic deeds. "They are breaking through the door! I cannot hold them back much longer! Take our son out the back and get to safety!" , Jharmani heard his father yell. His mother rushed to grab him and take him to the back of the cottage. "NOO! WE can't leave him! Father!" Just then he heard a loud crash as the front doors gave away, splintering in all directions. A concussive blast of magical force ensued knocking the father jotun from his feet. The last sounds Jharmani heard as his mother shoved him out the back door was the clamoring of bones and metal, and the defiant roar of his father that was quickly and eerily silenced with a "boom". "Noo.. How could this be? Father?!" Jharmani called out into the dark night as his mother rushed him across the fields towards the nearby forest. As they entered the tree line, they stopped a moment to turn back and view the destruction that had befallen their home and the apparent loss of their loved one. "Jharmani, the stream at the bottom of the ravine flows south all the way to the city of Seringale. There is a boat tied off down there, you must take it ! Go and seek out the paladin guildmaster, he is an old friend of your grandfather's. Tell him what has befallen here! Good luck my son." Jharmani looked curiously to his mother through tear filled eyes. "But what about you mother, you must come too!" His mother looked back towards the cottage with a glare and said, "No my son, I must go back to your father even if it means my death . I love you my son. Now GO!" Jharmani's mother than shoved him down the ravine and with a defiant roar she rushed back out of the trees towards the cottage. Jharmani reached up to his chest and clutched the holy symbol hidden beneath his shirt and once again prayed to the goddess Vanisse, " Lady of Spirit, give me guidance, I devote my faith to your teachings and seek the oath of vengeance." Wiping the tears from his face, he boarded the small wooden boat moored at the base of the stream. With a determined nod he took one last look back towards his home, he untied the craft and began to drift towards the city of Seringale.. And his awaiting destiny.