Lord's Keep

Thomas was paladin who earned a degree of recognition in the Greater Waynesburg region 40-45 years ago. Originally hailing from Hillsburg on the Northflood, Thomas began adventuring across the wild northern marches of civilization in the company of several other adventurers who went on to become household names in the decades since - John, Oliver, Leif, Roulard, Eugene, Jason, Timothy, Claudia, and even Geronimo of Waynesburg. It was in the company of several of these companions, including Geronimo and Oliver, that Thomas faced a great test of his devotion. An earlier campaign had seen them exploring far upriver beyond Farmington in the eastern mountains. There, Oliver found a location that appealed to him for setting up a castle of his own. A return journey was undertaken to secure the area and begin work. While on this journey, Thomas discovered a powerful intelligent sword that Geronimo had been questing for, and decided to take it for his own. This did not please his god, and he found himself cursed with a change of alignment and loss of his Paladin abilities. Seeking to amend his selfish turn and do penance in order to restore himself as a Paladin, Thomas had a vision of an evil enclave setting up a temple underground northwest of Waynesburg. With only a pair of henchmen in tow, he sought out the location. His vision led him to a concealed cave entrance that opened into a roughly carved tunnel system. Sensing orcs, he proceeded cautiously, discovering that the entrance was a back door to a more well-constructed underground temple to Lolth. With the help of his loyal followers, he cleared the entire complex of its evil cult, and sanctified the premises in the name of his god. As a result, he was redeemed to full Paladin abilities, and decided to construct a castle of his own over the location of the temple to fully demonstrate the power of good over evil. A keep was constructed over the original complex, and the complex itself was expanded and blessed to serve as home for Thomas and his followers, and as a temple to his god. The expulsion of Lolth's followers led to a further adventure that resonated with the exploits of Geronimo, and led to his ascendant fame, but Thomas had passed his test of devotion, and accepted his role with proper humility. The shrine was soon known throughout the upper plains of Golden Lake for its power for good in the north, and for many years, the area, even deep into the forested slopes of the northern mountains, was free from the darkness and evil that had pervaded it before. In recent years, the press of evil and despair has grown again, creeping out of the forests to threaten the northern plains, but Lord's Keep still holds sway as a bastion of good in the north. The strength of purpose from Thomas in accepting his penance and destroying the cult of Lolth in the north was rewarded in the power of the blessing which washed through the shrine and allowed it to be reworked into a positive presence in the world. Thomas found his lands and influence expanded, but in the spirit of charity which he felt he owed to his god and his order, he turned the majority of it over to his followers and friends, and was content to retain only a small keep over the original shrine. He retired from adventuring soon after this time, and devoted himself to maintaining the sanctity of the location, and served the city of Waynesburg for many years as a holy knight and trainer of hopeful Paladins. Now in his 70s, Thomas is still hale and living in his keep, although the duties of the Order of Thomas have passed to a new generation of leaders.