Battle of Niya Creek

Much of the inspiration and details is derived from Colombia Games and the Hârn Religion Team (HRT) Archive.

In the dying days of Ezar’s War, even as the Peace of Selvos was being negotiated, a final plot was underway.

Legend has it that an ocatad of Fuming Gate priests, in the act of desperation or retribution, undertook a dark ritual, sacrificing eight captured Kandian Soldiers, burning them slowly to death with balefire in a hazily dug octagonal pit.

Using rituals contained in the holy book, The Codex of Balefire and Blood, legends say a gateway to Balgashang was opened, and from it emerged 888 Vii, a motley horde of the least, of the least, among Agrik's demonic minions.

The Priests of the Fuming Gate were deeply disappointed. They were hoping for some much more powerful demons, even possibly one of Agrik's sons, who would surely turn the tide of the war even at this late stage. Regardless, in spite, they set the horde onto the nearby village of Vemoyan, which had rebelled against the Copper Hook, killing the garrison and supporting the Kingdom of Kanday two years earlier.

An hour before dawn, they crossed Niya Creek, encountering half a squadron of Checkered Shield Knights investigating the fiery blaze in the distance. The 10 knights made battle; all were experienced warriors, well-armed, battle-hardened, and on horseback. They fought valiantly. The puny Vii were numerous and tore into the knights and their horses. Soon steeds fell, and the knights were forced to battle on foot.

One by one, the Knights fell, but so did many more of the Vii. By dawn, only three knights remained standing and half the horde, but the sunlight weakened the Vii giving the remaining knights a fighting chance. An hour later, the battle was over, one Knight still stood, and all the Vii were dead in a field of carnage.

by Attacus

Spread

It is said the surviving knight was Sir Syman Tolfane, the current Grandmaster of the Checkered Shield. He has always denied this encounter, possibly due to a directive from the church or the crown to prevent panic among the laity and common folk. Nevertheless, tales of this battle both inside and outside the Checkered Shield, have granted him much prestige and an epic reputation and may have been responsible for his promotion to his current rank.

The Church of Agrik does not talk about this event, possibly embarrassed by the failure. Apparently, The Codex of Balefire and Blood exists and is closely guarded by the Agrikian Clergy. However, it is not clear if the Order of the Fuming Gate is its current holder.

Memorial of the Last Battle

A small, Larani Shrine has been built at the alleged site of the battle, the Memorial of the Last Battle. This supposedly commemorates another engagement, one of the last of the war; however, the relief carving shows knights doing battle against diminutive winged creatures and there is what looks like a large burial mound nearby. The Checked Shield frequently patrol this site, and there have been occasional skirmishes with the Copper Hook, who occasionally lay ambushes or vandalize it.

The soil at the nearby mound is also sampled and used by alchemists and spell-casters with spurious claims that it has magical properties. It is commonly believed that the bodies of weak out-world creatures like Vii will rapidly smolder into ash once killed. Digging into the mound traces of ash and orange dust is present and vegetation, except weeds, grow only sporadically on and around the mound.

Vigil of the Wars End

Praying, meditating, or reading holy books from dusk to dawn at the shrine may impart a blessing for a worshiper of Larani.

Blessing

Succeeding in a DC 15 Religion allows the devoted warrior to make their next five checks to avoid exhaustion at advantage. Members of the Order of the Checked Shield make their religion check at advantage. If the check exceeds DC 20, the warrior gains advantage on the first attack made each round against demonic creatures in their next battle.

Date of First Recording

697TR

Typical Vii Stat Block

Vii

Small fiend (v’hîr) , any evil

Armor Class 12 (natural armor)

Hit Points 5hp 2d6-2

Speed 20ft Fly: 30ft

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STR

7 -2

DEX

15 +2

CON

9 -1

INT

8 -1

WIS

7 -2

CHA

8 -1

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Damage Vulnerabilities Radiant, Cold

Damage Resistances Necrotic, Poison

Damage Immunities Fire

Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 8

Languages Surikal and whatever is the predominate local Language in the region they were summoned.

Challenge 1/8 (25xp)

Special Abilities

Blood Frenzy.

If an opponent has been reduced to less than half hit points, the Vii enters into a blood frenzy and melee attack rolls against this creature are made at advantage.

Sunlight Sensitivity.

While in sunlight, the Vii has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

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Actions

Weapon Section

(A Vii is typically equipped with one of the below)
Dagger Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Small Barbed Whip Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Small Mace Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
d20+4 d4+2

Appearance

The Vii are only three and a half to five feet tall winged demonic humanoid with small horns and scaly hide varying in color from slate grey to any shade of red.
These nocturnal demons make up for their general weakness with strength in numbers, mobbing any opposition.