Rebecca Kern

From Reydala

Two years Prior, Rebecca, Erik, Jesstria, Kirshe and Staravi were sent on what seemed to be a standard cleansing of a monster lair in the mountains north of Pailah. Creatures seemed to have been gathering around one of the mountain caves and the guild was sent to investigate and clear them out as necessary. However, when they arrived they found signs of explosive use in the area, a large section at the rear of the cave was blown to bits, broken into a large hollowed out area underneath the mountain. Within this massive hollowed out hole there was a ruin, who could have constructed it was unknown, but it seemed that someone had recently gained access.

It was not long before they were confronted by Kobolds, small members of the draconic race. There seemed to be hundreds of them as they tried to gain access to the ruin, the fighting was slow but eventually their opponents turned and fled deep into the darkness of the surrounding stone walls. The building seemed to have been a temple of some sort, but not to any God those present recognized. In pursuit of the remaining foes, they split up to cover more ground over the temple.

Rebecca and Jesstria went off to explore the eastern sector of the temple. The paladin led the way, an arrow always ready in Jesstria's bow. Dark murals lined the walls on either sides of them, depicting wars that seemed more like bloodbaths. A strange symbol seemed consistent among all of them, but neither of them recognized what it stood for.

"Do you know the purpose of this temple?..." Rebecca asked after a long silence between them.

"...How should I know? Looks alot older than I am..."

"Well, I figured you might know something, being a half-devil.."

Jesstria glared. "Just because I'm half-devil doesen't mean I know anymore about this stuff than you do."

"Okay, okay! It doesen't seem like an old Haldian temple anyway now that I look.."

Jesstria harrumphed, the duo walking forward into a large, square shaped room. The strange symbol carved into the center of the floor. As Rebecca crossed it, it suddenly shone with a blue light and the floor suddenly gave away. The paladin cried out suddenly, falling along with Jesstria into the dark abyss below...

She did not know how much time had passed, but eventually she awoke upon a cold stone floor, a thin layer of caked blood clinging to her hair. Slowly she pulled herself off the ground, looking around the room after lighting a sunrod. A featureless square stone room, without windows, lights, or exits, only the floor littered with bones... She found Jesstria unconscious in one of the corners of the room, face up, her bow having scattered to the other side of the room after the fall.

"..Jess?..Jess are you alright?! Answer me.." The paladin kneeled over her, bringing a hand to the ranger's wrist. She was still alive, but her right leg looked badly broken, an injury far beyond her skill to heal... Nonetheless Rebecca laid hands upon Jesstria's shoulders, saying a soft prayer to triana as her hands illuminated in a soft glow. Jesstria's bleeding stopped, her eyes flicked open and immediately winced in an expression of severe pain.

"Wh..Where?... are we dead? O..Ouch..." She tried to sit up, looking down at her leg in an expression of disbelief.

"Not quite dead, but we are in a bit of a situation... It looks like we're trapped here. I don't know how far we fell but I can't even see the ceiling.."

"S..Sorry... I should have seen that trap sooner..."

Rebecca smiled, just happy that her companion was still alive. "Nobody is perfect... your leg looks bad, I think you should stay still..."

Jesstria sighed, staring into the blackness. "The walls don't even have any grooves to grip on to... Not that I could climb with this anyway...Damnit, we're really trapped..."

"Don't worry so much, I'm sure the others will find us... There might still be a way out of here." Rebecca slowly stood up again, feeling her way along the walls carefully, hoping there may be a hidden passage of some kind. Once she had finished the walls she began checking the floors, brushing aside the scattered remains that littered the ground. Both her searches turned up empty, it seemed there was no way out but up, and even that was questionable.

Rebecca started to inspect her backpack, they had already used one of their days of rations just getting here, adding what she had to Jesstria's remaing it seemed they had enough food for five days at best... Her waterskin was safe, but Jesstrias had ruptured in the fall and spilled out over the floor. In terms of water, they had maybe two days.

She walked back to Jesstria and sat opposite her. "It seems we have some waiting to do... I'm sure the others will be here soon."

"...Why are you so sure of that?... Maybe they found their own holes to fall into...Even if they knew where we were, could they even get to us?.. The hole seems to have closed above..."

"You must have faith in them, they're probably already looking."

An entire day passed within the hole, there came time when they thought they heard echoes above them, but even though Rebecca called upward with all of her strength, they were never answered. As the hours passed, Rebecca began using the pommel of her sword as a chisel against one of the walls.

"What exactly are you doing?.. Trying to tunnel out?" Jesstria was already weakening, the pain seemed to never cease.

"Maybe they'll hear this better, but I don't think we're that far down, maybe the outside is just beyond this wall, if I can weaken it enough we might be able to break through.."

"For all you know that wall could be ten feet thick..."

"...You're right, I don't know how thick it is. It's still a man-made wall, though, chances are it's shallow..."

"You should just save your strength, our supplies are limited..."

"It's dangerous for you if we linger here any more than necessary, you need medical attention or you won't survive until the end of our supplies.." Rebecca said with a smile as she made small dents in the stone, a few chips falling away onto the ground.

The pain was too great for her to argue, Jesstria just closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep the best she could with the persistent chippings at the wall.

Another day passed. Rebecca through considerable effort had created a sizable impression in the stone wall, but it still showed no signs of ending. Nevertheless the paladin continued on.

"If it's not down by now, it's useless..." Jesstria groaned in pain. "We haven't been found by now, we're probably listed as MIA..."

"Kirshe.. wouldn't give up that easily, c'mon, don't give up hope.. I'm sure they're still looking.." Rebecca said between exhausted gasps. "They'll definitely find us, don't worry.."

"There's plenty to worry about, we're going to die here in this pit, just like the fools who came before us... There's no way out of here!"

Rebecca turned to her, putting her sword down for a moment, managing a soft smile in your direction. "If you give up, then that's the end... You need to keep going, keep believing, never give in.. keep trying to the end.."

"Same annoying chirpy optimism..."

The paladin put a hand to her heart. "I know we'll make it out of here, both of us... I'll do whatever I can to see that it happens. I need you to stay strong for me...stay alive for me.."

"...That's all I can do right now, stay alive..."

Another two days passed, Rebecca slowly chiseling away at the wall. When water began running low, the paladin began refusing it, giving it to her injured companion instead. She didn't say anything about this to Jesstria.. Jesstria would have objected, but Rebecca was alright, she was still going strong, she was the hope, she was the only way.

Twelve hours later, the paladin made a final weak push with her sword, before collapsing onto the ground. Her strength had run out, her hand trembled even trying to hold on to her weapon anymore, her throat was bone dry and her head was spinning, it seemed like it really was the end...

"H..Hey, are you allright?..." Jesstria called from the corner. "Hey!..." A sudden worry spread over her face as she slowly began to drag herself along the floor with her hands. It was immensely painful but she didn't even worry about that anymore... She eventually made it over to the paladin's side, looking down at her face. "...C..Come on, wake up!..."

The paladin slowly opened her eyes, her vision was blurred to a point where she could barely make out shapes... "I'm sorry, Jess... I couldn't break through... I don't have any more left, I can't..."

"What are you saying?!... After all that talk about never giving up?!" The paladin's eyes closed again as she spoke, a small tear falling down her cheeks. "Don't.. Don't even think about it!.. You're not leaving me.."

Jesstria was suddenly filled with anger, the situation, their inevitable meaningless deaths.. She grabbed the paladin's sword and thrust it into the large crevice in the wall that Rebecca had made.

...It broke through...

Jesstria looked at the wall a few seconds in suprise before chipping more around the hole, they could make it out, they could escape...!

The paladin had already lapsed into unconciousness, Jesstria grew in her desperation, summoning strength she never knew she had, knocking great chunks of the wall away, enough so that a human could squeeze through into the corridor beyond.. Rebecca wasn't moving. The armor was too heavy, the ranger slowly started unstrapping it from around the Paladin, leaving it behind as she dragged them both slowly, painfully through the hole. She didn't stop, she kept going, even when the pain was too great to bear...

Eventually Jesstria reached the top floor of the temple again, where Kirshe found them both... Jesstria soon after lapsed into unconciousness, a smile on her face, hoping that she was in time... The dragonborn wasted no time with words, hoisting both of them over her shoulder and carrying them back out into the outside and the surrounding wilderness.

Both of them would eventually recover from their Ordeal, but neither of them would ever forget it. Rebecca herself watched over much of Jesstria's recovery, slowly helping her back to her former self after the leg had healed. If it wasn't for that final burst of strength, they both may have died... Rebecca would speak endless words of gratitude...

But, Jesstria knew where that strength had come from, if the Paladin had not given everything in their escape, neither of them would have made it out. If it wasn't for that annoying optimism that never gave up in the face of fact and inevitability, they both would have passed from this world among those bones.

Jesstria kept her thanks more silent, but never spoke to challenge Rebecca's unyielding faith again.

Character Sheet

Level: 7	Class: Paladin	Paragon Path: N/A	Epic Destiny: N/A
Race: Human	Size: Medium	Age: 22	Gender: Female	Height: 5'8"	Weight: 141 lb.	Alignment: Good	Deity: Triana	Origin: Nuln

Ability Scores Statistic Score Base Racial Class Modifier Mod+1/2 Level STR 15 14 0 1 2 5 CON 11 11 0 0 0 3 DEX 10 10 0 0 0 3 INT 12 12 0 0 1 4 WIS 14 13 0 1 2 5 CHA 18 16 2 0 4 7	Defenses Defense Value Level Item Stat Class Enh Misc AC 25 13 10 0 0 2 0 Fort 18 13 0 2 1 0 2 Reflex 18 13 1 1 1 0 2 Will 20 13 0 4 1 0 2 Conditional Bonuses:	Initiative Initiative Dex 1/2 Level Misc 3 0 3 0 Movement Score Base Armor Item Misc 5 6 -1 0 0 ACTION POINTS! Action Points: 1
Skills Bonus Skill Stat Mod Trained Armor Misc 1 Acrobatics DEX 3 0 -2 0 4 Arcana INT 4 0 0 0 8 Athletics STR 5 5 -2 0 3 Bluff CHA 3 0 0 0 12 Diplomacy CHA 7 5 0 0 5 Dungeoneering WIS 5 0 0 0 6 Endurance CON 3 5 -2 0 10 Heal WIS 5 5 0 0 4 History INT 4 0 0 0 10 Insight WIS 5 5 0 0 7 Intimidate CHA 7 0 0 0 5 Nature WIS 5 0 0 0 5 Perception WIS 5 0 0 0 9 Religion INT 4 5 0 0 1 Stealth DEX 3 0 -2 0 7 Streetwise CHA 7 0 0 0 1 Thievery DEX 3 0 -2 0	Hit Points Max HP Bloodied Surge Value Surges/Day 62 31 15 10 Racial Features +2 CHA Bonus At-Will Power Bonus Feat Bonus Skill Human Defense Bonuses Class Features Channel Divinity Divine Challenge Lay on Hands Languages Known  ??? Common	Senses Score Passive Sense Base Skill Bonus 20 Passive Insight 10 10 15 Passive Perception 10 5 Feats Bonus Healing Hands 1st Human Perseverance 2nd Action Surge 4th Student of Battle (Mutliclass Warlord) 6th Novice Power (Hammer and Anvil)
Exploits Level Exploit Action Target Bonus Damage Miss Basic Attacks Basic Magic Longsword +2 Standard One Creature +10 vs. AC 1d8+4 N/A Basic Crossbow Standard (Load Minor) One Creature (15/30 Range) +7 vs. AC 1d8+2 N/A At-Will Prayers Class Divine Challenge Minor One Creature Close Burst 5 N/A Mark the target. Target takes -2 penalty to attack rolls if you are not included as a target. Target takes 3+CHA modifier radiant damage each round before your turn, if it makes a at least one attack in which you are not included as a target. (Subsequent attacks before your turn do not cause this damage.) Mark ends if you do not engage the target or use Divine Challenge on another target. To engage the target, attack or end your turn adjacent to it. If you do not, or do not use Divine Challenge on a different target, effect ends and Divine Challenge cannot be used until after your next turn. Magical compulsion, doesn't require intelligence or language from target. Cannot be used on an already affected creature. Class Lay on Hands Minor One Creature N/A Lose a healing surge while the target gains hit points as if it had spent a healing surge. (Healing Hands: Target also gains additional hit points equal to your CHA modifier) You can use this power as many times per day equal to your WIS modifier (minimum 1), only once per round. 1 Bolstering Strike Standard One Creature Charisma vs. AC 1[W] + CHA Modifier damage, gain temp hit points equal to WIS Modifier N/A 1 Enfeebling Strike Standard One Creature Charisma vs. AC 1[W] + CHA Modifier damage. If you marked target, target takes -2 to attack rolls until end of your next turn. N/A 1 Valiant Strike Standard One Creature Strength+1/Adjacent Enemies vs. AC 1[W] + STR Modifier damage. N/A Encounter Prayers Class Channel Divinity: Divine Mettle Minor Close burst 10 One Creature in burst N/A Target makes a saving throw with a bonus equal to your CHA Modifier. N/A Class Channel Divinity: Divine Strength Minor Personal N/A Apply STR Modifier as extra damage on your next attack this turn. N/A 1 Hammer and Anvil Standard One Creature Strength vs. Reflex 1[W] + STR Modifier damage One ally adjacent to target makes a melee basic attack as a free action, adds your CHA modifier to damage. N/A 3 Invigorating Smite Standard One Creature Charisma vs. Will 2[W]+CHA Modifier If bloodied, you regain 5+WIS modifier hit points. Bloodied allies within 5 squares regain 5+WIS modifier hit points N/A 7 Benign Transposition Standard One Ally within WIS Modifier squares Secondary Target: One Enemy Charisma vs. AC 2[W] + CHA Modifier damage Switch places with one ally within a number of squares equal to WIS Modifier. If an enemy is within melee reach, you may make an attack against it. N/A Daily Prayers Feat Inspiring Word Minor Close burst 5 You or One Ally N/A Target can spend a healing surge, regains additional +2d6 hit points. 1 Radiant Delirium Standard One Creature Ranged 5 Charisma vs. Reflex 3d8 + CHA modifier radiant damage Target is dazed until end of your next turn and takes -2 to AC (save ends) Miss: Half damage and dazed until end of your next turn. 5 Hallowed Circle Standard All Enemies Close burst 3 Charisma vs. Reflex 2d6 + CHA Modifier damage Creates a zone of bright light that grants you and allies within +1 to defenses until end of encounter. N/A Utility Prayers 2 Sacred Circle Standard Close burst 3 N/A Creates a zone that that grants you and allies within +1 power bonus to AC until end of encounter N/A 6 Divine Bodyguard Minor Ranged 5 N/A Choose an ally within 5 squares. Take half the ally's damage until you end the effect (free action) or until end of encounter. Damage cannot be reduced. Item Prayers 3 Heavy Shield of Protection Standard You and one adjacent ally N/A Gain resist 10 to all damage until end of your next turn. N/A 7 Symbol of Life +2 Minor Personal N/A Until end of turn, any character healed by your encounter or daily powers regains additional 1d6 hit points. N/A		Equipment Worn Items Slot Item Level Right Hand Magic Longsword +2 6 Left Hand Heavy Shield of Protection 3 Armor Magic Plate +2 6 Neck Symbol of Life +2 7 Carried Items Crossbow N/A Bolts (20) N/A Standard Adventurer's Kit N/A Money and Wealth 0 Copper Terremes 0 Silver Terremes 120 Gold Terremes 0 Platinum Terremes