Hardah Halforcen
Hardah, a stoic half-orc initially driven by self-interest, she reluctantly allied with a group of adventurers to investigate stolen artifacts, eventually forming deep bonds with her companions. Her journey led her through perilous realms, from battling higher vampires to facing liches in the Undercity.
Retiring to a quiet life as a farmer, her past adventures resurface when a new group seeks her wisdom, reigniting a spark of the thrill she once knew.
The group paid for passage on a brass ship to navigate the Sea of Fire, encountering and battling a lava monster along the way. Their goal was to reach the Elemental Plane of Air, where they hoped to acquire an airship that would enable them to journey into the Shadowfell. Upon reaching the Elemental Plane of Air, they traded their collars for passage on an airship.
Ignis, a member of the group refused to proceed with the group she referred to as "buffoons" and left the party.
However, their journey took a disastrous turn as the airship crashed upon crossing into the Shadowfell. Outside the confines of the plane of air, the ship couldn't remain airborne.
Once inside the shadowfel, the party tracked Silver Remington. During their track, the adventurers met a group of elves, the Shadar-Kai, rare survivors of experimentation of the vampires. Thanks to the shadar-kai they had learned that the magical items was part of Silver's scheme to facilitate his movement across the material plane in preparation for a ritual.
After tracking the Vampire to his mansion in the Shadowfell, the adventurers confronted him.
To their surprise, the vampire greeted them politely and invited them to discuss the matter over a tasteful dinner. Introducing himself as Silver Remington, he explained his plan: to create a Philosopher Stone through the sacrifice of many souls. While acknowledging the adventurers as obstacles, he preferred negotiation over conflict, offering them wealth and protection if they allied with him.
Despite the tempting offer, the adventurers ultimately refused, leading to a confrontation with the higher vampire.
The group then returned to Tana's Empire capital, Holypertuis.
Additionally, the emperor bestowed upon them a new mission, one under the empire's order rather than the adventuring guild's. In an attempt to showcase the empire's might and to negotiate pacts with the Lightfoot Kingdom, the adventurers were tasked with escorting a group of diplomats to the Lightfoot Land.
The adventurers accepted, feeling obligated to do so in the presence of the emperor, and went to the Three Brewers to celebrate their new titles as well as Seraphine's promotion as a templar of Waukeen.
The following day, the party commenced their journey with the diplomats, including Joy Sunbringer and Anastashia Skyrun. A group of goblins attacked the caravan but were swiftly defeated by the adventurers, with a small Goblin girl barely managing to steal a bag of fruits before escaping.
Hardah discussed with Victor, leader of the guards escorting the envoy on ways to improve security, and the two even sparred.
Hardah asked Victor to ake care of the nobles as the adventurers followed the Yuan-ti into the jungle to negotiate passage with their high priestess, Sistine. After a week-long journey, they reached Orrinshire, where Sharla refused to enter, staying at the city entrance while the rest of the adventurers discussed matters with the high priestess of the Chezucore.
They demonstrated their valor in the dungeon beneath the main pyramid, proving their worth to Sistine, who invited them to a feast before they rejoined the diplomatic mission. The night following their reunion, they drank with the diplomates, enjoying the night sky on the boat deck while discussing the various visions of the world. A drunk Hardah kissed Victor under the moonlight.
With the diplomatic mission complete, the party was free to sail south and joined the boat, arriving in the Savage Savannah. There, they faced the Horsekull Clan, with whom they traded food and water before proceeding to the Tree above the clan, the village of the Oreskos pride. Upon arrival, they witnessed a group of Red Orcs from the Redfang clan fighting against warriors of the Oreskos Pride, including Cloudfur. They aided the warriors and were offered a place to rest.
During their Time in the Tree Above the Clan, a young Tabaxi wizard approached them, seeking advice about a levitation spell he was struggling to learn from an old book left behind by a previous traveler.
The party attempted to help him, but Cloudfur intervened, explaining that he was the son of Sun Star, the leader of the Oreskos Pride, and it was best for strangers not to meddle in their affairs. Cloudfur then expressed his frustration with Sun Star's lack of decisiveness, as he refused to take strong action against the Red Orcs.
Hardah took the opportunity to search for her father, Gnarg Redfang, among the clan members. Despite her past adventures and her current strength, he barely acknowledged her, showing more interest in the fight between the chieftain and Sharla. Left alone and shaken by her father's lack of emotion, Hardah was then confronted by a few Orc bullies from her childhood who took pleasure in tormenting her. She fought them off, emerging victorious but not unscathed.
In a fit of rage, Cloudfur pushed the young tabaxi off the edge of the branches. Sun Star leaped to save his son, barely managing to grab hold of him. Cloudfur attempted to seize the opportunity to attack Sun Star, but the adventurers intervened, preventing Sun Star's Death. However, he couldn't maintain his grip on his son, who fell below, to the terrified gaze of his father. Miraculously, the young tabaxi managed to cast a levitation spell and survived the fall unscathed.
Cloudfur was promptly arrested, along with the adventurers. Nesiven and Hardah were suspected of conspiring against Sun Star alongside Cloudfur and were thrown into prison. A trial ensued, with the party arguing that they had saved the king and should be thanked rather than punished. Victor took hardah's defense during the trial. The judgment was delivered, and the adventurers were merely banned from the pride's territory, especially considering their failed diplomatic attempt with the red orcs.
Hardah proposed a date to Victor, which he agreed to, and the two went to the tavern to drink.
During their time off visiting the city, the party encountered Emilis Emka, a scientist attempting to find non-magical ways to heal and animate the dead. They attempted to assist her, but Sharla found herself electrocuted by one of the scientist's experiments.
While in the city, they also came across many clues hinting at something strange happening within the city and began investigating. All the clues pointed toward the royal castle. Rumors circulated about Alton Goodbarrel, supposedly linked to all the odd occurrences. They attempted to sneak into his laboratory but almost got caught, narrowly escaping while concealing their identities.
The adventurers decided to infiltrate the dungeon under the castle's keep during the night. They managed to bypass the traps and confront a Beholder manipulating events from the shadows. The beholder had collaborated with Alton Goodbarrel to seize power within the kingdom.
After defeating the beholder, they discovered Nessarya Jenssen, head of justice, dead in her office. Her blood still warm, and documents in her office indicating she was also investigating Alton, it was clear she had been murdered.
Hardah and Seraphine brought Nessarya's body to Emilis, attempting to resurrect her. In their attempt to resurect Nessarya, hardah channel lightning through her body as she redirected them to Nessarya, allowing the resurection of her dead body as Hardah almost died in the process.
The adventurers managed to resurrect Nessarya, but this inadvertently led to the destruction of Emilis's lab and a large fire that started to spread in town. The adventurers were subsequently captured.
During a lengthy trial in front of the queen herself, they detailed everything they had discovered. The adventurers were charged with a heavy fine and banned from the Lightfoot Kingdom for their intrusion on private properties, disregard of guard orders, and starting the fire in town. As most evidence had been suppressed, Alton was also only sentenced to a heavy fine and banned from the Lightfoot Kingdom.
The diplomats secured a trading agreement with the kingdom in the afternoon following the trial, and the group journeyed back to Holypertuis with the diplomats.
A few cultists attempted to kidnap Hardah. They were swiftly dealt with by the fighter but managed to escape. Hearing the news of Hardah's abduction attempt, the adventurers gathered and learned of a new cult kidnapping spellcasters and non-humans.
Victor tried to convince Hardah not to participate in this investigation, as he believed it would be dangerous for her, but Hardah refused to listen to him.
Their investigation quickly led them to the Undercity. Once in the Undercity, they were welcomed by Irina, a young woman and apprentice of the ruler under the city: Akhator Baltazar. Irina escorted the party to Akhator, who wanted to welcome the famous heroes of the realm and offered to help them in their investigation.
Escorted by soldiers under Akhator's order, the party was free to investigate in the Undercity. Their investigation led them to the black market and to an underground fighting pit.
The party finally found the cultists' headquarters, and after fighting a few of them, reached the upper level of the building, in which countless jars with souls trapped inside were stored. Seraphine explained that this was probably the work of a Lich, and the group broke the jars. However, this prompted the soldiers of Baltazar escorting them to attack, trying to prevent the adventurers from breaking the jars.
The soldiers were defeated and revealed to be skeletons under the command of Baltazar. The group rushed back to Baltazar's mansion, where they fought against the lich with all his might. Irina joined the fight, initially siding with Baltazar, before switching sides as she realized he was a lich.
The group managed to defeat the lich, but Sharla died as she protected the party from Baltazar's final spell. Hardah had adventured enough, and Victor proposed to her.
Two years later, Hardah spends her days as a farmer, relishing the peaceful life away from monsters. However, her tranquility is interrupted when a group of five adventurers seeks her out, inquiring about the legendary adventurer who defeated a higher vampire and had knowledge of an incomplete philosopher's stone.
Reminded of her past adventures, Hardah welcomes the adventurers into her home and listens to their story. She reveals that only the vampire, set to reincarnate eventually, knows the stone's location, which is why she holds the vampire's arm used in his demise.
Sharing the vampire's tragic tale of loss and obsession, Hardah recounts how his pursuit of resurrecting his wife led to madness and the creation of the incomplete philosopher's stone through the extermination of the Shadowfell elves.
Grateful for the information, the adventurers depart for the capital but return days later. Recognizing the importance of Hardah's vampire arm for a ritual, they seek her aid, agreeing to a favor in exchange.
Hardah, missing the training sessions with her companions, requests a bare-handed spar. Breizh Ankil, volunteering despite his paralyzed arm, engages in a spirited contest, with Hardah proving resilient.
After the bout, Hardah requests one last favor: an interesting shield to complement her collection. The adventurers exchange a shield that fires fireballs for the vampire arm needed for their ritual, sealing the deal.
Retiring to a quiet life as a farmer, her past adventures resurface when a new group seeks her wisdom, reigniting a spark of the thrill she once knew.
Characteristics
Physical features
Despite the naked steel of her drawn blade, despite the gleaming steel plate enshrouding her broad-shouldered frame, the half-orc steps forward with calm, measured movements. The crimson scarf around her neck, concealing scares, flutters in the wind. With a clang, she drops the visor of her helm over her eyes.Abilities
Hardah is a powerful fighter and barbarian.History
Campaign
Thief Scheme
Hardah was a solitary adventurer, situated in a tavern within the City of Brass, when she caught wind of a band of adventurers delving into a case involving stolen artifacts. Initially driven by the prospect of claiming the reward for herself, she embarked on an independent investigation. However, as she uncovered the true extent of the mystery, she realized the necessity of collaboration and reluctantly allied herself with the other adventurers, initially intending to participate only for this specific mission.The group paid for passage on a brass ship to navigate the Sea of Fire, encountering and battling a lava monster along the way. Their goal was to reach the Elemental Plane of Air, where they hoped to acquire an airship that would enable them to journey into the Shadowfell. Upon reaching the Elemental Plane of Air, they traded their collars for passage on an airship.
Ignis, a member of the group refused to proceed with the group she referred to as "buffoons" and left the party.
However, their journey took a disastrous turn as the airship crashed upon crossing into the Shadowfell. Outside the confines of the plane of air, the ship couldn't remain airborne.
Once inside the shadowfel, the party tracked Silver Remington. During their track, the adventurers met a group of elves, the Shadar-Kai, rare survivors of experimentation of the vampires. Thanks to the shadar-kai they had learned that the magical items was part of Silver's scheme to facilitate his movement across the material plane in preparation for a ritual.
After tracking the Vampire to his mansion in the Shadowfell, the adventurers confronted him.
To their surprise, the vampire greeted them politely and invited them to discuss the matter over a tasteful dinner. Introducing himself as Silver Remington, he explained his plan: to create a Philosopher Stone through the sacrifice of many souls. While acknowledging the adventurers as obstacles, he preferred negotiation over conflict, offering them wealth and protection if they allied with him.
Despite the tempting offer, the adventurers ultimately refused, leading to a confrontation with the higher vampire.
The group then returned to Tana's Empire capital, Holypertuis.
Mighty diplomate
The emperor himself heard about the group of adventurers who had saved the material realm from destruction and caught the thief of Holypertuis' artifact. Summoning them to Castle Goldleaf, he rewarded the adventurers for their deeds, granting each of them a noble title and lands in the Roaring plains within the Duchy of Buchais.Additionally, the emperor bestowed upon them a new mission, one under the empire's order rather than the adventuring guild's. In an attempt to showcase the empire's might and to negotiate pacts with the Lightfoot Kingdom, the adventurers were tasked with escorting a group of diplomats to the Lightfoot Land.
The adventurers accepted, feeling obligated to do so in the presence of the emperor, and went to the Three Brewers to celebrate their new titles as well as Seraphine's promotion as a templar of Waukeen.
The following day, the party commenced their journey with the diplomats, including Joy Sunbringer and Anastashia Skyrun. A group of goblins attacked the caravan but were swiftly defeated by the adventurers, with a small Goblin girl barely managing to steal a bag of fruits before escaping.
Hardah discussed with Victor, leader of the guards escorting the envoy on ways to improve security, and the two even sparred.
A long journey
The caravan reached the river north of Crystal Lake, where a group of Yuan-ti had erected a dam to prevent the passage of ships and halted the diplomats' boat.Hardah asked Victor to ake care of the nobles as the adventurers followed the Yuan-ti into the jungle to negotiate passage with their high priestess, Sistine. After a week-long journey, they reached Orrinshire, where Sharla refused to enter, staying at the city entrance while the rest of the adventurers discussed matters with the high priestess of the Chezucore.
They demonstrated their valor in the dungeon beneath the main pyramid, proving their worth to Sistine, who invited them to a feast before they rejoined the diplomatic mission. The night following their reunion, they drank with the diplomates, enjoying the night sky on the boat deck while discussing the various visions of the world. A drunk Hardah kissed Victor under the moonlight.
With the diplomatic mission complete, the party was free to sail south and joined the boat, arriving in the Savage Savannah. There, they faced the Horsekull Clan, with whom they traded food and water before proceeding to the Tree above the clan, the village of the Oreskos pride. Upon arrival, they witnessed a group of Red Orcs from the Redfang clan fighting against warriors of the Oreskos Pride, including Cloudfur. They aided the warriors and were offered a place to rest.
During their Time in the Tree Above the Clan, a young Tabaxi wizard approached them, seeking advice about a levitation spell he was struggling to learn from an old book left behind by a previous traveler.
The party attempted to help him, but Cloudfur intervened, explaining that he was the son of Sun Star, the leader of the Oreskos Pride, and it was best for strangers not to meddle in their affairs. Cloudfur then expressed his frustration with Sun Star's lack of decisiveness, as he refused to take strong action against the Red Orcs.
Family first
The adventurers offered to negotiate with the red orcs, despite Hardah's advice against it, given her origins from the Redfang clan. Nevertheless, the group ventured into the territory of the Redfang orcs and challenged the clan's chieftain, Rhorog Oknar RedFang, to a duel.Hardah took the opportunity to search for her father, Gnarg Redfang, among the clan members. Despite her past adventures and her current strength, he barely acknowledged her, showing more interest in the fight between the chieftain and Sharla. Left alone and shaken by her father's lack of emotion, Hardah was then confronted by a few Orc bullies from her childhood who took pleasure in tormenting her. She fought them off, emerging victorious but not unscathed.
Lion's king
The party returned to the tree above the clan, where Cloudfur challenged Sun Star. The fight quickly turned in Cloudfur's favor. Sun Star's son intervened, attempting to prevent his father's demise.In a fit of rage, Cloudfur pushed the young tabaxi off the edge of the branches. Sun Star leaped to save his son, barely managing to grab hold of him. Cloudfur attempted to seize the opportunity to attack Sun Star, but the adventurers intervened, preventing Sun Star's Death. However, he couldn't maintain his grip on his son, who fell below, to the terrified gaze of his father. Miraculously, the young tabaxi managed to cast a levitation spell and survived the fall unscathed.
Cloudfur was promptly arrested, along with the adventurers. Nesiven and Hardah were suspected of conspiring against Sun Star alongside Cloudfur and were thrown into prison. A trial ensued, with the party arguing that they had saved the king and should be thanked rather than punished. Victor took hardah's defense during the trial. The judgment was delivered, and the adventurers were merely banned from the pride's territory, especially considering their failed diplomatic attempt with the red orcs.
The destination
They continued their journey south through the savannah, encountering and battling the perils it brought with it, until they were on the home stretch to Oakhearth, their final destination. Upon their arrival, their task was supposed to be completed. It was now up to the politicians and traders to negotiate an agreement with Tulia Greyhard and the great council.Hardah proposed a date to Victor, which he agreed to, and the two went to the tavern to drink.
During their time off visiting the city, the party encountered Emilis Emka, a scientist attempting to find non-magical ways to heal and animate the dead. They attempted to assist her, but Sharla found herself electrocuted by one of the scientist's experiments.
While in the city, they also came across many clues hinting at something strange happening within the city and began investigating. All the clues pointed toward the royal castle. Rumors circulated about Alton Goodbarrel, supposedly linked to all the odd occurrences. They attempted to sneak into his laboratory but almost got caught, narrowly escaping while concealing their identities.
The adventurers decided to infiltrate the dungeon under the castle's keep during the night. They managed to bypass the traps and confront a Beholder manipulating events from the shadows. The beholder had collaborated with Alton Goodbarrel to seize power within the kingdom.
After defeating the beholder, they discovered Nessarya Jenssen, head of justice, dead in her office. Her blood still warm, and documents in her office indicating she was also investigating Alton, it was clear she had been murdered.
Hardah and Seraphine brought Nessarya's body to Emilis, attempting to resurrect her. In their attempt to resurect Nessarya, hardah channel lightning through her body as she redirected them to Nessarya, allowing the resurection of her dead body as Hardah almost died in the process.
The adventurers managed to resurrect Nessarya, but this inadvertently led to the destruction of Emilis's lab and a large fire that started to spread in town. The adventurers were subsequently captured.
During a lengthy trial in front of the queen herself, they detailed everything they had discovered. The adventurers were charged with a heavy fine and banned from the Lightfoot Kingdom for their intrusion on private properties, disregard of guard orders, and starting the fire in town. As most evidence had been suppressed, Alton was also only sentenced to a heavy fine and banned from the Lightfoot Kingdom.
The diplomats secured a trading agreement with the kingdom in the afternoon following the trial, and the group journeyed back to Holypertuis with the diplomats.
The undercity
Returning from their journey, the party took a few weeks off to rest after their adventures. The whole party, including Victor, gathered on a small mission to fight nekkers ambushing the trading road between the Kingdom -o Qwir and the Kingdom of Vale. During this mission, Sharla weapon took over her, and the barbarian turned against her allies, fighting against them in a reckless fury. The other adventurers managed to stop Sharla, and decided it was best for this weapon to be cast aside, where no one would access it.A few cultists attempted to kidnap Hardah. They were swiftly dealt with by the fighter but managed to escape. Hearing the news of Hardah's abduction attempt, the adventurers gathered and learned of a new cult kidnapping spellcasters and non-humans.
Victor tried to convince Hardah not to participate in this investigation, as he believed it would be dangerous for her, but Hardah refused to listen to him.
Their investigation quickly led them to the Undercity. Once in the Undercity, they were welcomed by Irina, a young woman and apprentice of the ruler under the city: Akhator Baltazar. Irina escorted the party to Akhator, who wanted to welcome the famous heroes of the realm and offered to help them in their investigation.
Escorted by soldiers under Akhator's order, the party was free to investigate in the Undercity. Their investigation led them to the black market and to an underground fighting pit.
The party finally found the cultists' headquarters, and after fighting a few of them, reached the upper level of the building, in which countless jars with souls trapped inside were stored. Seraphine explained that this was probably the work of a Lich, and the group broke the jars. However, this prompted the soldiers of Baltazar escorting them to attack, trying to prevent the adventurers from breaking the jars.
The soldiers were defeated and revealed to be skeletons under the command of Baltazar. The group rushed back to Baltazar's mansion, where they fought against the lich with all his might. Irina joined the fight, initially siding with Baltazar, before switching sides as she realized he was a lich.
The group managed to defeat the lich, but Sharla died as she protected the party from Baltazar's final spell. Hardah had adventured enough, and Victor proposed to her.
After the campaign
Retired adventurer
After completing their last quest, Victor and Hardah's relationship flourished. Hardah sold her lands in the Roaring Plains to purchase farmland near Holypertuis, where they settled down.Two years later, Hardah spends her days as a farmer, relishing the peaceful life away from monsters. However, her tranquility is interrupted when a group of five adventurers seeks her out, inquiring about the legendary adventurer who defeated a higher vampire and had knowledge of an incomplete philosopher's stone.
Reminded of her past adventures, Hardah welcomes the adventurers into her home and listens to their story. She reveals that only the vampire, set to reincarnate eventually, knows the stone's location, which is why she holds the vampire's arm used in his demise.
Sharing the vampire's tragic tale of loss and obsession, Hardah recounts how his pursuit of resurrecting his wife led to madness and the creation of the incomplete philosopher's stone through the extermination of the Shadowfell elves.
Grateful for the information, the adventurers depart for the capital but return days later. Recognizing the importance of Hardah's vampire arm for a ritual, they seek her aid, agreeing to a favor in exchange.
Hardah, missing the training sessions with her companions, requests a bare-handed spar. Breizh Ankil, volunteering despite his paralyzed arm, engages in a spirited contest, with Hardah proving resilient.
After the bout, Hardah requests one last favor: an interesting shield to complement her collection. The adventurers exchange a shield that fires fireballs for the vampire arm needed for their ritual, sealing the deal.
Family tree
Hardah Halforcen
Children
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