Gralie Applewood

In the shadowed halls of Silvervein Shire, amidst the echoes of ancient dwarven chants and the mysterious whispers of the Land Harreapian lore, Gralie Applewood's journey began. As a Harengon child, her innate curiosity was captivated by the enigmatic beliefs of her peers. The gods they spoke of were not just figures of worship but embodiments of mystical forces that shaped the very fabric of Aegimius. Her fascination with Jarned , the Forger of Souls and Lord of the Anvil, grew from whispered tales into a profound devotion that would define her destiny.

THE GRUELING TRIALS OF FAITH

The path to priesthood was fraught with challenges that tested not only Gralie's physical endurance but also her spiritual resolve. The trials, designed by the most venerable priests of Jarned, were a harrowing blend of arcane rituals and forging tasks, each a riddle wrapped in a mystery. Surviving these trials was a feat few could boast of, and for Gralie, each step was a dance with danger and revelation. The night before her final trial, she experienced a vision – a cryptic message from Jarned himself, foretelling a future where her faith would be the beacon in an impending storm of chaos.

Emerging victorious and transformed from the trials, Gralie moved to Hollowbury, dedicating her life to the service of The Ancestral Tower's Temple of Jarned. Here, she was not just a priestess but a guardian of ancient secrets and a mediator between the divine and the mortal. Her days were spent in the solemn rituals of worship and the nights in contemplative meditation under the starlit sky, seeking guidance from the celestial bodies that she believed were linked to Jarned's will.

Shortly after moving to Hollowbury, Gralie befriended Angelica Greenhand. The two would frequently chat when Angelica went to the temple, or when Gralie was visiting the farms. Gralie frequently commented on the care that Angelica showed when initiating certain Harreapian rituals around Chariot Meadow, which helped to create the bond between the two. The bond was so strong that when Angelica married Marcus Malin, she insisted the Gralie be the one to perform the ceremony.

The Unseen Threat

But peace was not to last. Whispers of a shadowy organization known as the Unseen began to stir unrest. The tragic death of Angelica Greenhand, a close friend and ally, under mysterious circumstances, set Gralie on a path of investigation and retribution. The clues pointed towards the Unseen, and Gralie knew that her confrontation with them was inevitable. This quest was not just for justice but a test of her faith and the very principles she stood for.

GM
Which organization do you belong to?

CEIE Followers

Heist Clan

Anvil

Race: Harengon

It was to much. Helping Marcus these last five years, it put a target on my back with The Unseen. Marcus can never know what I've done. There's only one option, I have to go after them. They must be held accountable for what they did, not just to Marcus, but to Angelica as well. I cannot, I will not let them get away with this.

— Gralie

Important Relationships

Marcus Malin

a close friend since the death of his wife, and Gralie's best friend Angelica Greenhand. Gralie was responsible for helping Marcus not only follow the calling of his ancestors, but break free from the clutches of the unseen.

Borin Silverbeard

A venerable dwarven blacksmith in Silvervein Shire, known for his devout worship of Jarned. Gralie, having grown up in the Shire, views Borin as a mentor and father figure. He played a crucial role in nurturing her faith in Jarned and guiding her through the trials to become a priest.

Lysandra Thornwood

A changeling herbalist and healer living in Hollowbury, who often collaborates with Gralie on community welfare projects. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and a shared dedication to helping others. Lysandra admires Gralie's spiritual depth, while Gralie values Lysandra's practical knowledge and compassionate nature.

Eldrin Shadowstep

A mysterious half-elf rogue with rumored connections to the Unseen. Gralie's interactions with Eldrin are cautious yet crucial, as she seeks information about the Unseen and Angelica's death. Despite her mistrust, Gralie recognizes Eldrin's intelligence and resourcefulness, which could be vital in her quest for answers.

Quirks, Flaws, or Secrets:

Gralie struggles with a deep-seated fear of dark magic, stemming from a traumatic experience during her priestly trials.

Unknown to most, Gralie has a hidden talent for divination, which she rarely uses due to its unpredictable nature.

Gralie once saved a member of the Unseen from certain death, a fact she keeps hidden, knowing it could damage her reputation and relationships.

Gralie is meticulous about the organization of her living and worship spaces, aligning everything according to a specific system known only to her.

Rumors:

There's a rumor that Gralie was once offered a position of high authority within the church of Jarned but turned it down for unknown reasons.

Some say that Gralie's devotion to Jarned is so intense that she has been granted the ability to commune with spirits of fallen dwarven warriors.

There are whispers that Gralie leads a double life, secretly involved in activities unbefitting a priest, possibly even espionage or forbidden magic.

A Sudden Vanishing

Nine and a half months ago, the serene halls of The Ancestral Tower were struck by a disquieting silence as Gralie Applewood, a devoted priestess of Jarned, was reported missing. The news sent ripples of concern through Hollowbury and beyond, as Gralie's presence had been a beacon of faith and wisdom. The temple, her second home, became a place of unanswered prayers and lingering hope as days turned into weeks and months without any sign of her.

The Unaccounted Days

The mystery deepened with the passage of time. For 285 days, Gralie's whereabouts remained a haunting question mark in the lives of those she touched. Rumors swirled through the community – some spoke of a secret pilgrimage, others whispered of a divine mission bestowed by Jarned himself. Yet, no concrete evidence surfaced to shed light on the truth of these speculations.

Echoes of Conflict

Recently, a startling discovery was made. Gralie's humble abode, long thought to be untouched since her disappearance, was the site of a violent altercation, the aftermath of which left a visiable difference in the dust that had accumulated. This revelation was as baffling as it was alarming – it implied that Gralie had returned, if only briefly, to her home after being missing for nearly a year. The scene was chaotic, marked by signs of struggle and the inexplicable presence of her holy symbol and a soultrap gem.

A New Chapter of Mysteries

This new information paints a complex picture of Gralie's disappearance. What had transpired during the time between her vanishing and the altercation at her home? Why had she returned, and what forces had she confronted in the sanctity of her own dwelling? The soultrap gem, a tool not commonly associated with the practices of Jarned's priests, hints at darker, more desperate undertakings.