From the notes of Master Lynskreld of the Temple of Iomedae in Maginmar

▪ At the age of 5, Aldred Aethalhorn was handed over to the Temple of Iomedae by his parents. His parents were common folk of a middle-class family that already had four children and had just brought their sixth into this world. They could not support all of them. The family was not as poor as peasants – but were able to make connections at the Temple. Young Aldred was to be raised as a novice in our order.

▪ Aldred took quickly to his duties, having a certain flair and penchant for manual work in our smithies and forges. He was tall and strong for his age, albeit a bit lean. He could swing a hammer and pump a bellows with the best novices two years older than he was.

▪ After two years, his family moved from Magnimar to the countryside and lost contact with young Aldred. No reports were to be found of their deaths. Aldred was permitted at times to seek them out, but after one week the order could not permit our young ward the unlimited time required to search for them.

▪ Somewhere around his eight summer, Aldred began to learn how to pick up a sword and what they were and why the were heavy. He first heard the riddles of steel. His chores began to include a daily wiping and polishing of the armor of the Knights of Ozem residing in the local temple.

▪ At the age of 10, Aldred began to manifest sorcerous abilities. This was noticed by the elders of our temple in short order. They took the young lad aside and observed his abilities. He did in fact have the powers of a Sorcerer, although slightly different. He could cast spells, but also seemed to have an elemental command of the air. When his power manifested – the very atmosphere seemed to crackle with a barely restrained energy.

▪ Aldred was indoctrinated into our Faith, properly, on his 14th Name Day. He spent one full year as an Acolyte of Iomedae. Every day of this year was dedicated to rigorous prayer and physical excellence. Exercise, chores, cleanliness, prayers, labor, training, forge work, etc.

▪ In addition to the physical and martial demands, our priests care very much about the mental and the spiritual. Our Clerics spent time with Aldred, helping him understand and practice his magical abilities. He developed many talents, controlling the wind, shooting electricity, telekinesis. His skills grew and were sharpened just as one would sharpen a blade.

▪ On his 15th Name Day Aldred took the four tests of the Last Azlanti. These tests proved his belief in (1) honor, (2) righteousness, (3) the defense of good, and (4) the battle against evil. This grueling experience began at sunrise and would end as the bells tolled midnight that evening. The last test, against evil, pitted a weary boy against a magical maelstrom. He was tossed and tested, thrown by winds, pelted by rains, and struck by lightning - but emerged from the vortex a man. Aldred had passed his final test and in doing so he gained his moniker “Stormcast”.

▪ One could now properly address Aldred Stormcast as a Herald of the Temple of Iomedae in Maginmar. All Heralds spend 3 years in service to the Temple. They now face fewer mundane chores day to day and can begin focusing their efforts where they will best contribute to the overall value of our efforts.

▪ On his 18th Name Day the Temple Elders presented Aldred with a gift, the sword “Storm’s Wrath”. A greatsword that could be swung by only the mightiest warriors. It should be noted that the typical weapon of Iomedae is a 1-handed longsword. When he can, and when it is prudent, our Aldred is always one to take an established tradition and add the slightest twist to it. We did the same for him with his weapon.

▪ Storm’s Wrath was forged on a day when the primal fury of a lightning storm unexpectedly crashed through the aether. The blade was forged from cold iron. It is a deadly weapon – with a perfect combination of beauty, balance, master craftsmanship, and sorcerous connection to its wielder.

▪ Since Aldred was so intimately involved with the armory and forges, it was difficult to keep the creation of this weapon secret from him until his 18th Name Day. He had been sent on a quest for a holy relic and returned with said relic the evening of his 18th Name Day. That relic was then given back to Aldred for him to use as he ventured out into the world.

▪ I have been most curious in these past few weeks of how Aldred will combine his innate magical gifts with his love of forge craft. He swings a forge hammer well enough and his chants whilst engaged in his craft seem other worldly. Perhaps he communes directly with the gods while shaping metals. He has shown promise of being able to harness the true power of Lightning within the body metallic.

▪ For now – consider him an able fighter, an enemy of Evil beings, a competent user of some limited magics, but first and foremost a dedicated servant of the Relgious Order of Iomedae.

The A Personal Note to Sheriff Hemlock

▪ This boy – no, this man – I have seen him do battle. I have seen him kill a man. An evil man. A strong, skilled capable warrior who happened to be evil and to be on the wrong side of justice that day.

▪ He is certain to be of use to Sandpoint. His skills with a Greatsword are compelling. He can cast magics with just his words and channel them directly through his hands and through his sword.

▪ Aldred has the uncanny ability to harness the power of wind and electricity and use it in his quest for righteousness. Do not be alarmed by this. It is… most impressive.

▪ He is, however, young. We have trained him well. But he is outside the Temple now. He will see and meet men he has never had the displeasure to encounter before. Liars, cheats, thieves. And he will meet women without the guiding light of his Temple Elders to steer him clear of temptations. That sort of thing is not strictly against our beliefs but help him on his way. Steer him clear of wickedness.

▪ Lastly, don’t let him start using nicknames. A fortnight ago, he decided that his role of warrior on the battlefield was akin to be a Judge. Judge Aldred. Which he shorted to Judge Dred. He attempted to get the other young Heralds and Honor Guard to call him Judge Dred. They did not.

Order within the Temple of Iomedae

1. Novice Age 0 to 14

2. Acolyte Age 14-15

3. Herald Age 15-18

   • ** *** ** One could remain a Senior Herald well after 18, 19, and 20 with no shame --This includes travelling Missionaries, Merchants, Traders and Quartermasters

4. Honor Guard Age 18+

   • ** *** ** One could remain solely an Honor Guard for many many years --This includes Men-At-Arms, Armorers, Trainers, Scouts, Engineers and more

5. Priest of Iomedae Must be 20+ AKA Cleric

6. Knight of Ozem Must be 20+ AKA Paladin

7. Sanctum Warrior Must be 20+ AKA Bodyguard

8. Temple Elder Must be 40+

Send me stuff you want added here, could be class choices, character developments, etc.