BREAKING NEWS

PATRIARCH ROLAND FOUND DEAD

His Holiness has tragically been found dead! Reports claim he sacrificed himself to save the CoW from a kraken.

May he find Sainthood at Pelor's side. Click here to read his Last Will and Testament.

NEW COPOLDS PATRIARCH

Patriarch Buddy Bloodaxe has taken the holy seat. He rules from the Archbishopric of Torrun.

Have Your Peloran Wedding!

Have someone who you can trust to watch your back? Why not make things official with a Peloran Wedding Ceremony, hosted by the Patriarch himself? Those unions blessed by Pelor himself have a strong power to them, and for good reason! You literally have divine protection when near your partner!

For a reasonable donation of 99 gold pieces to the Copolds Faith, this amazing experience can be yours! Take advantage of this offer now, and I will throw in a 25% off coupon for Yorgin's Mastercrafts. What an amazing deal! But remember, this offer cannot be found in stores! Contact Dr. Roland Bloodaxe now!

Today's Happenings

Despite Saint Galwyn's martyred death, we were able to bravely stave off hordes of heretical Androth cultists. Pelor's trust in me was unwavering, as I had witnessed no weakness in my divine power. With my efforts, and thus the implied efforts of Pelor himself, we were able to survive long enough for Katagon to open an escape portal. We went through it, even though we surly could have handled the rest of those fallen to Androth's influence. I could not stand another moment near so many unrepentant heretics. 

Next time, I will have steeled myself to the point where the only mercy they shall see from Pelor, shall be in death. 

A Repentence

OH PELOR,

I REPENT FOR EVER WORSHIPING A MERE MORTAL, THE WICKED ANDROTH, OVER YOUR ALMIGHTY BEING!

PLEASE FORGIVE ME, AS I HAVE SINNED.

MAY MY COMPANIONS STILL FIND ETERNAL SALVATION THROUGH YOUR LIGHT.

MAY SAINT GALWYN REST IN PEACE, HE DIED A TRUE MARTYR.

I SHALL MAKE AMENDS, ALL SHALL KNOW YOUR NAME.

THIS, I SWEAR IN YOUR NAME.

-YOUR EVER-LOYAL PATRIARCH, DR. ROLAND BLOODAXE.

Today's Happenings

Last Session's Happenings

We bravely fought and slayed the unholy spider. With Pelor's blessings, it was hardly a fight at all.

Then, we continued our deep investigation of the Cult. After interviewing two cult members, we determined that they come from all walks of life, and have diverse motives including job stability.

After exploring the tunnels some more, we come across a sort of office. Borik Stronghand found a secret compartment with 4 books; they were on on alchemy, time travel, ancient peoples of Freevale, and a strange tale of Melandis. A great find, as expected of the Templar of the Order of the Purest Light.

We suspected that putting the books back in their proper location in the nearby bookcase would activate some sort of door. However, the false idol Denir must have misled the party, as nothing happened. Why must heretics exist? Had it not been for them, we would have spent our time more wisely.

During our thorough search of the underground base, a great horn blew, and the cult members flocked down the tunnel. We blended into the misguided flock of cultists, and made it to a ominous gathering point. Damacus Vandril appeared. We could feel his sense of superiority and hear his evil, yet melodious voice.

We watched in horror as he unveiled his captives on display. 

The first was Councilman Avanathus, of Perdigrad. He is a leader of the city, who knows what could happen with demise? We know Perilla Gellard plots a revolution in Perdigrad, maybe his death would be the spark she needs?

The second captive was Sage of Ragrokor, Ortan. His wit and vision led him to created a civilized hobgoblin town, and his wisdom allowed a Copolds temple to be built and run there. If he dies, would the hobgoblins revert to their unbaptized states?

The third captive was Loris Saverin, Magistrate of Melandis. He is the one who started our journey, and gave our company the start it needed. He gave us our purpose. We are in many ways in his eternal debt.

My heart nearly stopped when the fourth captive was revealed to be Galwin. He has looked out for us, the party, and has been our guide through our time in the Order of St. Jauffre, Without him, could we even survive?

The anticipation of what will come next rattles my bones. May Pelor of mercy on their souls, and on ours.

Today's Happenings

We put disguises back on, since the main house was dusty. No reason to sully our Priest's garbs, now.

The we thoroughly investigated the main house, and found the following intel:

1. Another letter detailing Salandra's elopement.
2. A portrait of Salandra Vandril, for which I sketched an accurate stencil copy.
3. A root plant that was responsible for the Estate's cook's death. Mo gave the cook his last Peloran rites.
4. A map of the Freevale with important annotations.
5. A scroll with odd writing on it.

After completing our main objective (to gather intel), we shifted our focus to the odd statue in the courtyard. I determined the stone statue was hollow, with my keen sense of stone. Mo read out the statue's inscription, which activated a secret staircase to a mysterious underground. There, we expertly avoided traps and came across a mass gathering of the Cultists. 

It seemed like Pelor guided me by instinct, since the real filth that the disguises protected us from are the Cultists of Androth. WIth them, we were able to blend in and begin to gather intel we couldn't begin to fathom. Before that, however, my "instincts" (In truth, Pelor's subconscious guiding) again led me towards an unholy beast, a giant spider we must defeat.

Today's Happenings

As we ventured forth, we came across a series of volcanic vents. I was obviously able to cross the treacherous vents with Pelor's blessing.

We move onto the prairie, where Mr. "the heretic" Tran discovered a locked box. Tran was able to open it, revealing a mysterious map, and an old Book of Balmera. I am able to figure out the map Tran found is a mining survey map, so it could be used to find treasure.

As we edged towards our destination, we had a touching moment with Galwyn. This did not stop our dreams of doom, our croak dreams. Maybe being mushy with a non-believer is a bad idea?

We continued our trek towards the Vandrille Estate, for which Galwyn scouted ahead. He instructs us not to enter the estate without him. While trailing behind, Mo Kaelin found an odd totem. Interested in its religious meaning, I read the totem's inscription and received a mysterious blessing. Of ocurse it was likely from Pelor, or maybe one of his underling deities. There was a tribute of silver coins buried under the totem, so whoever left it there must have had almost as much devotion as I do to Pelor.

Charles found a abandoned tower, where we discovered the Vanrdille clan banner. Vandrille banner is maroon field with a silver crown, a nice design. Too bad it belongs to an enemy.

We meet at the rendezvous point where we waited for Galwyn. No horrific dreams, just tension-filled dreams instead. Deciding Galwyn may be in trouble, we began to infiltrate the estate.

Our hands burn and and our hands are magically branded with an odd, heretical symbol. I remembered the symbol is similar to a script found with Cult of Androth member we slayed at the Rusty Scabbard inn, months ago. I resisted the deep urge to purge the symbol from my hands, though Buddy could not. His devotion to Pelor is so deep.

I made my own entrance through the estate's walls, using the spell Stone Shape. While investigating the estate, we find it is seemingly abandoned. I expertly find a parchment that says "The lady has made her decision. The lady is going to abscond from her brother, as she can no longer take his madness." "The lady" is likely Lady Vandrille, who I now feel could be a great ally for the cause. 

Buddy realized the estate's fountain was filled with scum, and decides to dunk his head inside in a moment of divine inspiration. He was able to find a silver key. The key is able to open the door to the main house. The party splits into two groups, one enters the main house while the other enters a courtyard.

Now, we shall discover what awaits.

Today's Happenings

We were bid farewell by the order before going on our mission and given reward of gold, for our efforts in killing the ghouls. Chisabelle had her wages garnished, of course. Becoming of a Copolds Acolyte, she insisted on paying her entire reward to me as part of her debt repayment. I graciously accepted her initiative.

We set off east, through the Outlands. There, we found a tower of white stone, with a historical record of Freevale carved in. Galwyn explained that the monument was from before the Freevale was truly free. He taught us about Androth's conquest of the Freevale, which before him had been divided into several rival kingdoms. Androth easily conquered the peoples of the land, divided as they were. Countless people rallied together for their freedom against Androth, and in the process forged both a common identity, and built the foundation for their freedom.

The tower's bottom had the earliest history, new rings were added upon top to add to the record. Perhaps one day more rings shall be added, featuring both Pelor and his Copolds faithful.

Borik found an odd bush with pink and white berries, and gathered 10 of both. Using my knowledge of the world, I determined they were moonberries, of which the pink unripe and as such, are poisonous. The white ones can be eaten. The rest of the CoW gathered the berries, and they would come in handy later.

We encountered Zuruk, an avid duelist and weapon collector. He challenged Tran to a duel, a challenge of skill and strength. He was somewhat impressed with the heretic, but claimed "the blades sing, but not with each other." Surly Zuruk meant that only Pelor will bring Mr. Tran to greater skill and strength. Such a wise man. After all, Zuruk is a master of the Blademaster art. His greatest weapon is a mastercraft sunblade, forged in his homeland in the far east. An interesting man, he told us of his greatest opponent, his teacher. Before parting, Zuruk warned of us of a local cyclops.

After travelling deeper into the Outlands, I bravely repelled a anti-Peloric gang of Gnomes, without help. I had defeated them so quickly that the CoW couldn't even react to help. I wondered if the heretics in our company would have sided with the devilish gang, had I not put them in their place.

Later, Mo Kaelin found a gruesome scene, a dead couple lying near a dead bear. He skinned the bear and obtained its hide. The woman was named Dana, as we discovered when Buddy found her journal. It detailed their plans and efforts to find Androth's Crown Jewel, the site of his final battle, near an important forest. It mentioned a city called Northgate, and we discovered a standard Freevale map with some locations marked off. Bishop Kaelin and I held a Copolds funeral rite for Dana and her man. As such, their spirits were laid to rest.

We continued further east, and found an abandoned mine. There, we found a locket held in the hands of a deceased miner. Inside a love letter meant for Reysa of Eastgate. The Company resolved, under oath of Pelor, to deliver this last letter.

Finally the CoW came upon the local Cyclops. He had illegally occupied a farmhouse, probably abandoned by good, Pelor-fearing folk upon his arrival. So we decided to rid the world of his evil, and to avenge the farmers he drove away. Borik poisoned the cyclops with some of our pink moonberries. He coughed and proved it would take more than that to take him down. He quickly woke up and attacked the party, like the monster it is.

Tran the heretic, attempted to draw the Cyclops' attacks, but failed from his lack of faith in Pelor.
The Bloodaxe guided me in combat, and so did Pelor's divine grace. Buddy "Ice Knife" Bloodaxe used his ice knifes, of course. Together, we managed to defeat the Cyclops without injury.

In the Cyclops' pouches, we discovered a book that detailed the wealthy Vandril estate, of which the Cult of Androth's leader, Damacus, is the sole male heir. However, he does have a sister who could lay claim to the fortune. She may be a powerful ally, given the right incentive. 

 Pelor must be very pleased with our Company recently. However, I'm sure he will give us greater challenges in the future in order to grow our faith.

Praise Pelor, Praise the Sun!

Today's Happenings

We arrived at the ghoul's burrow, and engaged the ghouls in combat. Borik Stronghand joined us in battle for the first time, and he did really well. Charles E.W. the Heretic killed one in a single motion, which was impressive for a heretic. I absolutely demolished another ghoul with my holy weapon, the Bloodaxe, proving that Pelor helps both the faithful and those meant to become so. After all the ghouls only targeted the heretic party members, but could not land a hit because of Pelor's mercy. They could have attacked me, but they knew the consequences of messing with Him. As such, we defeated the ghouls without taking a single scratch.

When we came to loot the bodies, we found some interesting belongings, mostly. Buddy "the Elf" Bloodaxe obtained a copper Dwarven timepiece from a ghoul's corpse, kept it to honor his Dwarven heritage. Chisabelle found a diamond ring on a dead ghoul, lucky girl said no to the proposal but kept the ring anyway. Mr. Tran (the heretic) found a special dagger, or something lame like that.

After obtaining our just rewards, we returned to the Order's new camp. There, we went to Brother Eldan, and learned about the Cult's leader, an old Elf who lived when the cult's founder was still alive. The order needs us to find out what he is up to.

To prepare, we bought some new supplies. I purchased a restock for my crossbow bolts. Chisabelle paid back part of her debt to me, still due for her previous resurrection. The party is now ready for anything.

The jerk Katagon, realized by experimenting with the mysterious gauntlet, that he isn't as smart as he thought he was. He awkwardly requested out help in locating items that may help his studies.

As we slept before going out on our dangerous mission, traumatic dreams forewarned an incoming revelation. What does this mean!?

Copolds Hymn #2

Pelor loves me,

This I know,

Because my Copolds Clergy member tells me so.

...Be sure to reward him for telling you so.

Written by Dr. Roland Bloodaxe.

The Order of the Purest Light!

With the increased prominence of the Copolds faith, comes increased risk. As such, we find it necessary to establish an order of the military variety. This military order shall be called "The Order of the Purest Light", in honor of Pelor's grace and power (I sometimes feel we get distracted by the minutia of politics when our purpose is to serve Pelor). We hereby commission our new Templar, Borik Stronghand, as the first member of the order. The order will comprise of two ranks of service: Knights, who are equivalent to Acolytes for purposes for administrative purposes, including Patriarch elections. Above them are Templars, proven to be the elite of the order. They are equivalent to Reverends for Administrative purposes. Templars answer only to a Patriarch, and the Knights answer to their Templar superiors.

This could never go wrong, I know it with all my faith.

Welcoming a New Party Member! Borik Stronghand!

I am proud to introduce Borik Stronghand - A dwarven former desert hermit who lived alone, but managed to make himself comfortable in such conditions. He encountered Ragrokor, a hobgoblin village, and was swayed by the missionaries to join the Copolds faith. Now he uses his skills as a brutal survivor to become a holy warrior. This Paladin serves the Copolds faith, its clergy, and its mission. He will be joining the Company of Weirdos, and we can't wait to take him under our wing. Give him a warm welcome!

Copolds Hymn #1

Pelor is the Sun,

and the Sun gave us the world.

Our world is full of life,

and life gave us our existence.

One's existence is always short,

and death returns us to the earth.

The earth is always hardening,

and this creates the Stone.

Know the Stone,

and soon you will know,
The earth beneath your feet,

The existence of those long passed,

The world in which we share,

and Pelor, the all-mighty god of the Sun.

So may the man who knows the dwarf,

Who uses his cunning to know the stone,

Cherish the gift which Dwarves bring.

Should he not, 

May shame be brought down,

For Turning their backs on the

Light.

Written by Dr. Roland Bloodaxe.

Articles of Succession

The Patriarch serves for life. The Patriarchate's successor is elected by a consensus of the clergy, but only those ranked Reverend or higher. The heir to the newly deceased Patriarch's diocese shall be determined by the written will of said Patriarch. All other positions made vacant are appointed by the Patriarch.

Ranks of Clergy

Here is the official hierarchy of the Copolds clergy, from most authority to the least.

1. Patriarch - They are the head of the church.
2. Archbishop - A title held by the head of an archbishopric.
3. Bishop - A title held by the head of a bishopric.
4. Reverend - a full member of the clergy.
5. Acolyte - A clergy trainee.

Official List of Copolds Organization Properties

The Church of Pelor of Latter Day Saints (Copolds) has been formally registered with the Consortium, and properties have been put in the organization's name. Each property is the responsibility of the diocese it is located in. The official properties include:

• Patriarch Roland's Cathedral, named for the Copolds' first organized head of faith, Patriarch Roland I of Torrun. Seat of the Archbishopric of Torrun.
• Saint Owyn's Temple, named for a Copolds movement saint that lived long ago, in a distant land. He is the ancestor of Patriarch Roland I. Seat of the Bishopric of Ragrokor.
• 30% of Yorgin's Mastercrafts and 100% ownership of its Copolds Alcoholics Anonymous program. Located in Torrun.

Today's Happenings

First we announced the Copolds successful exorcism of a haunted house, for which the Patriarch declined the reward personally, allowing the rest of the Company to receive more gold.

Then, Acolyte Chisabelle handed over her mysterious gauntlet despite the protests of the wise half-elf, Bishop Mo Kaelin.

We returned to Yorgan's Blacksmith and Bishop Kaelin received a saber-tooth hide armor, and a worm knife. The Company's heretic Dao received a nice lance made from behemoth bone. Acolyte Chisabelle received a tomahawk. Patriarch Roland I received the Ancient Behemoth Blade known dubbed the Bloodaxe. 

I registered the Church with the Consortium, and purchased a home in Torrun to be renovated into Patriarch Roland's Cathedral. It will be the seat of the Archbishopric of Torrun. Yay for the bureaucracy of the Consortium, hopefully one day we will be large enough to tax them.

After going through Katagon's portal, Bishop Kaelin helped us track some evil, anti-Pelor (redundant, I know) beings, the necrophages. The Company may blow up their nest. We traveled through a desert, and reflected on our lives. We set up camp with the Order.

Finally, we realized how fortunate we are to have the mighty Pelor's blessing.

The Bloodaxe (Patriarch Roland I)

The Holy Weapon known as the Bloodaxe has been forged for Patriarch Roland I by the blacksmith Jorgen of Torrun. It shall surely be a sacred artifact for the Copolds in the years to come. 

Praise Pelor!

Praise the Sun!

Roland Bloodaxe's Coronation as the Copolds Patriarch, unknown date, colorized

Hear me, followers of Pelor! Today, by the right of Pelor's grace and the Copolds faithful, I am justly coronated as His Holiness, Patriarch Roland I of the Church of  Pelor of Latter Day Saints and Archbishop of Torrun. May our faith in Pelor lead us not only to glorious success, but to mend the broken as well. The peoples of these lands face many challenges that only the power of the Copolds can resolve. Through my divine leadership, blessed by Pelor himself, peoples such as those in Torrun will be granted what they deserve in this life, and in the next.
Praise Pelor!
Praise the Sun!

Declaration of the Copolds Sect

Today is a truly momentous occasion for the faithful. In recent months, Reverend Dr. Roland Bloodaxe founded a mission branch servicing Ragrokor, invested in a smithy located in Torrun, and established in Torrun the flagship Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which is a community outreach program aimed at reducing problems that arise from alcohol dependency through a 12-step program.

Our Reverend has contributed an incredible amount to the movement that is the Church of Pelor of Latter Day Saints, but his devotion to Pelor falls on the deaf ears of mainstream clergy. To this end, we formally separate in communion from the mainstream to establish an independent Church of Pelor of Latter Day Saints (CoPoLDS), which may be shortened as the Copolds Faith. 

The Copolds Faith henceforth declares the Reverend Dr. Roland Bloodaxe as its first Archbishop of Torrun and as the first Patriarch of the Church of Pelor of Latter Day Saints.

In recognition of other influential Copolds movement leaders, Mo Kaelin will be invested as the first Bishop of Ragrokor. Meanwhile Buddy Bloodaxe will be formally invested as a Reverend.

As such, the following formal roles in the clergy shall be invested:

• The Patriarchate of the Copolds Faith, which holds domain over the entire faith. Its seat shall be with the Diocese under the Patriarch's direct control.
• The Archbishopric of Torrun, centered in the city. It holds domain over Copolds within Torrun's borders along within any bishoprics assigned under it. Its seat shall be Patriarch Roland's Cathedral, located in the city proper.
• The Bishopric of Ragrokor, its domain the village. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archbishopric of Torrun, and led by a Bishop. Its seat is Saint Owyn's Temple.

Leaders have a privilege to collect tithes within their domain, but also have a duty to pass on at least 50% of the tithe to the immediate superior for which they are under jurisdiction.

The proper way to address Dr. Roland Bloodaxe shall be, for as long as he holds the relevant positions in Copolds:

• In most formal settings, his address shall be as Patriarch Roland I.
• In Torrun he may be addressed as Archbishop.

Finally, a process for deciding the next Patriarch, who serves for life, will be decided later in declaration.

Edit: Updated to include the physical seat of the Archbishopric of Torrun and the Bishopric of Ragrokor.

Copolds' Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step Program

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of Pelor as the Copolds Faith understands Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to Pelor, to ourselves, and to another member of the Copolds Faith being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have Pelor remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Pelor to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with Pelor, through the Copolds Faith, consulting fellow Copolds for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Dr. Roland Bloodaxe's Investments

• Established a basic temple for the Church of Pelor of Latter Day Saints (C.o.P.o.L.D.S. or Copolds) in Ragrokor. It is known as Saint Owyn's Temple.
• 30% stake in Yorgin's Mastercrafts of Torrun (Transfers 10% to Jorgen when he pays off debt to consortium). 
• Established the first Copolds branch of Alcoholics Anonymous in Torrun.
• Bought an abandoned home in Torrun, and renovated it into Patriarch Roland's Cathedral. This a deed recognized by the consortium.

Edit: Updated with information on a new investment, and the name of the temple in Ragrokor.

Today's Happenings

We fought some Orcs that were up to no good. They got thrashed by the Company. Buddy Bloodaxe found a note, mentioning a guy named Norm, and the bones of the Orc's brethren. It appears someone associated with these corpses has the key to my discovered chest. Can't wait to open the lootbox.

Today's Happenings

Today I, Dr. Roland Bloodaxe, managed to lower a bridge without the aid of the party, ingeniously made my own entrance through a fortified stone wall to avoid a trap, and found a hidden chest my party had carelessly overlooked.

Yes, I refused to pay the mercenary captain to be silent (much to the dismay of my simp party members), which led to her escape. But as my grand-uncle, Pope Dr. Owyn Bloodaxe once said, "A bag of gold buys an unbeliever's silence for a while, but a well-placed dagger buys it forever." May his Holiness rest at Pelor's side, at peace.

In short: Dr. Roland Bloodaxe is the Official Company of the Weirdos Inc. Employee of the Month, for umpteenth time in a row. May lesser employees of our mercenary band learn from his example, particularly from his devout faith in and allegiance to the Church of Pelor of Latter Day Saints.


Praise Pelor, Praise the Sun!

Also, we scammed a merchant with an altered tale, sorry Pelor. It was for the greater good, I promise...

Patients Who Owe BFMP Money

• A dame named Chisabelle owes BFMP: 183 Gold Pieces. 

Dr. Roland Bloodaxe is the Party's Official Healer

• Don't mess with his turf, yo. 
• His turf is healing, btw.
• Healing is free, revivals cost gold. 
• Other gods should buzz off, Pelor is the one true god!
• Stonesense rocks