Pathfinder Society Record
- Known Name: Valena Agelasippus
- Race: Human (Taldan)
- Apparent Age: Late teens-early 20s
- Birthday: 11 Arodus (August)
- Height: 5'8"
- Alignment: Lawful Evil
- Affiliations: Sisters of the Golden Erinyes, Church of Asmodeus
- Religion: Asmodeus
- Character Class: Hamatulatsu Master (Monk)
- Place of Origin: Gillamoor, Isger
- Player/Type: NPC
Appearance
Valena is a striking woman. Naturally gifted with golden locks, striking features and sapphire-blue eyes, this is only accentuated by years of intense martial discipline to perfect her body, which looks powerful and extremely healthy, and quite toned and muscular without being bulky. She usually wears her crimson coloured silk monk robes, which has Asmodean iconography depicted on it, which both accentuates her femininity whilst somewhat subterfuging her physicality.
Valena tends to keep her hair around shoulder length and hanging loose most of the time, although is prone to tying it up when training or expecting a protracted fight.
Background
Valena has the dubious honour of being both lucky and extremely unlucky. Despite it's closeness to the Chitterwood, her home village managed to survive the destruction of the Goblinblood Wars - whilst many villages and towns fell to the hordes. Gillamoor, however, did not go unscathed and many of its inhabitants died during the fighting - including her parents. One of many thousands of orphans created by the war, the Isger authorities seemed uncaring to her fate, but along with Chelish troops and Hellknights sent to fight the Hobgoblin hordes, the church of Asmodius (and House Thrune supporting it) began to set up many orphanages around the country, and Valena and her little brother Ivonius were entrusted to one of the orphanages run by the Devil Nuns of the Sisters of the Golden Erinyes - an order of monks that revered Asmodeus and believed that with sufficient piety and training, on death they would descend to Hell and become Erinyes themselves, to better serve Asmodeus.
Although the sisters were tough and unforgiving (some might say merciless and cruel), and Valena is still haunted by the memories of her breaking, she claims in all they were disciplined and fair to those that were obedient and trained and worked hard, and as such the two orphans ultimately prospered in their care. Baptized in unholy water, they were drilled in the basics of infernal politics and philosophies. The older Valena was also trained in the exotic Hamatulatsu martial art, renown for its vicious style, and difficulty to master. When she was old enough to be considered an adult, Valena was accepted into the Order herself and the training intensified. Once her training was complete she chose to leave the confines of the orphanage to better serve both Asmodean and Sisters of the Golden Erinyes interests elsewhere.
Most of this time was usually in service to Asmodius, often assisting or protecting priests and other church-affiliated persons and location, and eventually ended up in her current location at Piren's Bluff in Andoran, where she is aid and protector to the Asmodian priestess at the only temple to Asmodeus in Andoran.
She has been hearing of troubles in her home village, where her little brother (who is barely old enough to be considered an adult) resides. The village has been quarantined by the Isgeri army (what little of it there is) which, if reports be believed, are simply containing the situation and more willing to let the population be wiped by the growing undead scourge, than risk losing more of the little resources that they have left cleansing the problem. This does not bode well for the 627 or so people in the village, including her brother. Although reports are unreliable, Valena is aware that the Isgeri army have placed a 5,000 gold pieces bounty for any adventuring group who can eliminate the problem; and Valena is hoping to find some well-meaning Andoran adventurers who may be able to, and up to performing this task.
Personality
Cruel. Abrasive. Merciless. Violent. Sadistic. These are words people commonly used to describe Valena. Admittedly, these usually come from Andoran populace, who she claims are soft and believe they have the right to do anything they wish without consequence, and are coddled and entitled. She would describe herself as pragmatic, honest, problem-solving, unbiased and efficient. She claims that she always acts with honour and duty, and respects laws (even Andoran), religious dogma (even those of faiths other than her own), and tradition - even if she may not personally agree with them. Indeed, the Piren's Bluff guard captain would back these words by pointing out that Valena has not broken any laws, and the few fights she has begun (she has been in many fights, though usually does not start them; although she has always ended them) have been in defence of her honour against aggressors, or in benefit of the community. Although he does admit that she could be more diplomatic. Whether natural character, or conditioned into her, Valena respects authority and chains of command, and strength, believing it is the natural order for the strong to rule over the weak; and some will lead whilst it is the obligation of those beneath them to serve (and if required, die). She therefore shows respect and deference to those above her in station, and is notably condescending and intolerant of those she considers beneath her station (which, some point out, appears to be most people) to who she is particularly condescending... not that she isn't also condescending to those above her, as he believes that just being in a higher authority position does not make you stronger, and that you need to be strong to maintain that position, or the natural order is for others to crush you and take your position.
To those who haven't been on the receiving end of one of her famous verbal or physical scathing, Valena is renown as a dedicated and hard worker who seems to show a strong community spirit and dedication to duty. Unfortunately she admits that "tact and subterfuge" were not things taught in her training. She is brutally honest, saying what she thinks even when it may offend or upset others (and it often does); and offers practical solutions to problems (that she admits regularly offends the overly-sensitive sensibilities of others). Hypocrisy and dishonesty are two things she has never been accused of. When she approves of people, she is usually cordial and benevolent (to her standards, though many have pointed out that approval often brings an increase in sarcasm and helpful rebukes); and when she doesn't it is as obvious as her crimson robes. She does not suffer fools, and is willing (and quick) to back up her words and protect her honour with her fists and feet.
When not directly working or acting towards the needs of the Church of Asmodeus or community, Valena spends much of her time training, often in solitary, and seeks to perfect herself in mind and body. She has little interest in wealth, socialising, or other trappings of fine society. She claims she did not have them growing up, and sees no need for them now either.
She is surprisingly tolerant towards people's attitudes to the fact she serves an Evil God - usually (very conspicuously pointing out that) this is due to ignorance about the Asmodean faith and its followers due to Andoran propaganda and nationalism. She is quite willing to educate those willing to listen in the truth but claims that as she is not a priest, is is not her job to proselytize and convert others, and has no intention to do so. But she will not suffer bigots who refuse to discuss and just attack, and will end up ending the conversation (by stating it is over, and if they insist on continuing a verbal attack will end it with physical means).
Other Notes
Faith & Loyalties
Valena is fairly faithful to Asmodeus - but more to his concepts of order and justice, and the belief that the strong rule over the weak (she believes that perhaps if the Isgeri had been stronger they would not have suffered as much in the Goblinblood wars) than the being himself. Whilst she doesn't subscribe to evil as a philosophy (she will claim evil is simply a term invented by those without the mettle to make the hard choices, claiming that makes them good which is simply another word for soft). Her brutal training has hardened and disciplined her to reject weakness, and believe that only the strong survive and prosper.
This does not, however, translate to being loyal to either her native Isger, or it's ruling nation of Cheliax, or even Asmodeus really. Quite the contrary - she believes that Cheliax's care for Isger ends purely at it's usefulness as a trade route to the wealthy northern kingdoms (as Cheliax long-since stripped Isger of natural resources, and only sent troops to help once the war threatened their borders), and is wise enough to recognise that House Thrune and the Church of Asmodeus supporting setting up the Isgeri orphanages was far from an act of kindness; but good propaganda and a source of potential loyal followers for the Church of Asmodeus, and potential recruits for the Hellknights (as well as possible Devil Nuns of the sisterhood). Moreso, she recognises that Steward Hedvend VI is little more than a puppet to Cheliax's ruling house of Thrune, and obviously cares nothing for the Isgeri outside keeping the precious trade route functioning for his masters.
As she is hardened against weakness, however, she respects both house Thrune and (especially) the Church of Asmodeus for their actions. The only true emotional connection she still has is that of her little brother, the only person for who she truly cares on an emotional level.
Pain & Fear
Valena's brutal training involved being subjected constantly to torture and physical pain, and confronting and overcoming it and fear. She is not easily frightened and is effectively immune to pain - she feels it, like any normal person, but it has no hold over her; and attempts to threaten her with pain and torture are usually pointless.
She does, however, appear to have a fear of rats (she would deny this, and refer to it as a dislike, but her reaction to being surprised by an encounter with a rat says otherwise). She has admitted her dislike stems from her early Hamatulatsu training by the sisterhood, during the breaking which involved her being chained at nights in the dungeon, with rats allowed to nibble on her appendages, in order for her to learn to resist pain and fear.
Combat Style
Most who witness Valena fighting describe her as brutal and sadistic. She admits that her combat style, Hamatulatsu - a difficult to master, exotic and brutal style that seeks to immitate the combat style of the Hamatula barbed devil - does not focus on taking an opponent down the quickest and most painless way like most monks. Sometimes the best way is to whittle down an opponent by crippling him and/or reducing his effectiveness - and pain is an effective way to do this. As such Valena is good at carrying out precision strikes that cause opponents to be unable to fight as effectively, or strike fear into them. By reducing their combat capability, she claims she softens them up which enables herself and her allies to be able to end the fight more efficiently.
Even when not in a life-threatening situation, such as a verbal aggressor that will not back off, she claims that punching unconscious the aggressor rarely results in them learning a lesson; whilst breaking their knees and having them limp for the rest of their lives will give them a constant reminder that will make them learn from their mistakes more efficiently.
Although she is trained in the use of several weapons such as the cestus, clubs and maces, crossbows, daggers, handaxes, javelins, kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, spears, short swords, shuriken, siangham, slings and temple swords, she rarely uses them. Her Hamatula training makes her unarmed strikes as capable of piercing attacks as daggers, and combined with her precision blows, makes the need for such weapons moot. She claims she once used them, but has advanced in her training beyond the need for weapons, except for specific situations. Although others in her order have developed use of exotic weapons like the nine-section whip, she has focused her style on more close-in and personal, preferring grappling and precision unarmed strikes. Since she is a fast runner, capable of quickly closing combat distances and delivering effective combat charges, and most of her combat occurs in temples or urban environments, this style serves her well. The ability to shroud her fists in flame during combat just accentuates this.
When out on the road, however, she appreciates that some dangers may come from above; and that similarly occasional threats may arise (such as demons, which she will quickly point out are not the same as devils, and whilst devils are worthy of respect, demons should be destroyed or enslaved on discovery), she usually keeps a Chelish crossbow on her when travelling, or nearby (at her place of residence or work) when in her fixed location. Whilst she is no zen archer, she is a respectable shot and has surprised people on the rare occasion she has used this backup weapon.
Social Style
Patience and tolerance is required for those who want to get along with Valena. She is naturally condescending and sarcastic, which can make her abrasive and hard to get to know initially. But she claims this is just her way, and does not actually mean she may dislike someone or not cooperate with them.
This can be made difficult by those she considers beneath her station or weak. As she is not a noble, or army officer or the likes, she rarely considers people beneath her station as more than simply existing - generally anyone with a respectable occupation that requires training or expertise would be "sufficient" (but she would consider people such as homeless, the unemployed, drifters, beggars and unskilled workers to be beneath her), so usually it is weakness of character that will make her clash with someone. There is, she points out, a difference between being diplomatic, discussing things, and sharing workloads and tasks, and weakness of character. Unfortunately, she often considers showing mercy to attackers and criminals, or sympathy for slaves, as signs of weakness of character.
This does not mean that those wishing to get along with her must assert dominance over her constantly. It simply means they should show that they have strength of character and conviction, rather than flow along as the wind blows to the whims of others as she would say. As may be expected, she disrespects most nobles. Those that she considers morally strong and thus worthy of respect, and that make the effort to be patient and not get riled up by her condescension, usually find her to be a loyal and helpful companion. As she is honest about what she thinks and feels, and has few inhibitions or sense of shame, she often finds herself attracted to those of strong character, and makes these feelings very clear and obvious (although the same people are often surprised at how quickly this is dismissed as inconsequential in the aftermath).
Signature Equipment
Armour & Weapons Valena does not carry any physical armour, nor is she trained in the use of either armour or shields
- Chelish crossbow: This is a simple, but effective red and black masterwork light crossbow, of a design commonly used by Hellknights and Chelaxian officers.
Magic Items
- Hamatulatsu Robes: these crimson-coloured silk robes are of extremely high quality, and engraved with Asmodean iconography. They are magically infused and enhance various of Valena's monk abilities.
- Ki Straps of the Golden Erinyes: These red leather straps are worn wrapped around her fists and lower wrists. They magically enhance Valena's unarmed strikes and related special unarmed attacks, as well as granting her the ability to set her hands and feet on fire, so as to deliver flaming unarmed strikes.
Mundane Items
- Barbed pentacle of Asmodeus: This is a silver, inverted pentagram on a silver chain, worn around her neck. It is the most common symbol of Asmodeus (and infernalism as a whole) and a sign of her order's faith.
- Asmodean Disciplines: this is a abridged copy of the unholy text of the Church of Asmodeus, with information about the precepts and laws of the church. The full version known as the Articles of Asmodeus is over a thousand pages, and constantly growing and updated by Hell itself, and is normally only kept at Asmodean temples.
Signature Quotes
- "Hesitation is a mistake that invites defeat. My father might still be alive had I not hesitated when I was young."
- "Your sentiments are noble, but impractical. A true leader takes power, he doesn’t ask his subjects for permission first."
- "Funny how people always curse the Devil Nuns... until they need one."
- "I’ve minced and curtsied and rhymed, and we still don’t have what we need to get. I’ll get it my way."
- "You deserve worse than this, but they prevent me doing it."
- "It was pleasurable. But it doesn't make me your mate for life."
- "Hurry up and torture me before I fall asleep and miss it."
- Exchange with the Piren's Bluff guard captain:
- Captain: "You're saying this is MY fault?"
- Valena:"Of course this is your fault. I would have killed him the other day but you told me I had to show more compassion. Had I rid us of him then, today's innocent victim would still be alive."
- Exchange with a criminal informant being paid to assist in an investigation:
- Informant: "The magical tattoo that opens the vault is on MY wrist so, as you need me, I think we should change the deal to reflect my importance. Make me a better offer if you want me to go with you"
- Valena: "Or I can just cut off your wrist and take that with me. It would complain less."
- Informant: "On reflection, I find the present terms most acceptable."
Gallery
Portrait of Valena
Younger Valena training in Hamatulatsu robes