Bedhos
Caretaker
Bedhos, a paladin of Rao, serves as one of the two caretakers of the Nulb Graveyard alongside Rahmsoot, the reincarnated version of the infamous archmage Asmoroth. Tasked with a mission of redemption and vigilance, Bedhos's presence in Nulb is a beacon of unlikely hope amidst the despair and wickedness of the village. His story is a complex blend of duty, faith, and the haunting question of whether true redemption is possible for the wicked.
Bedhos and Rahmsoot share a deep bond forged through unlikely circumstances.
Personality
Bedhos carries the aura of a man weathered by time, faith, and hard choices.- Bedhos embodies the ideals of Rao—peace, reason, and redemption—but struggles with doubt and guilt.
- Calm and Thoughtful: Despite the chaos surrounding Nulb, Bedhos approaches every situation with measured reasoning.
- Wary Vigilance: His friendship with Rahmsoot does not entirely dispel his concerns that Asmoroth’s evil might resurface.
- Faithful to Rao: Bedhos’s decisions are guided by the doctrine of reason and reconciliation, even when it conflicts with his personal desires.
Key Traits
- Patient and Kind: Always willing to offer guidance and support to those in need.
- Haunted by Duty: The burden of his failed mission weighs heavily on him.
- Unyielding Morality: He will never compromise his values, even in the face of mortal danger.
“I could have ended it all with a single stroke, but would I still have been a servant of Rao, or merely a butcher? The gods gave me another choice, and I took it.”
Background
Early Life and Mission
Bedhos hailed from Veluna, a devout follower of Rao. He rose to prominence in the paladin order, known for his unshakable commitment to justice. Over a decade ago, he was entrusted with the mission to destroy Asmoroth Eastrife, a powerful archmage and servant of evil.- The Failed Mission: TThe man now known as Rahmsoot. Bedhos’s choice to spare Rahmsoot instead of delivering a killing blow defined the rest of his life.
- A Life of Vigilance: Bedhos now guards Rahmsoot, believing his task may not yet be complete.
“Rao commands us to seek peace, but that peace must be built on vigilance. Evil cannot be ignored—it must be understood and countered.”
Motivation
Bedhos’s motivations are complex, tied deeply to his faith and his failure to destroy Asmoroth fully.- Redemption for Rahmsoot: Bedhos seeks to guide Rahmsoot toward the light, believing in the potential for salvation.
- Duty to Rao: He remains vigilant, ready to act should Asmoroth’s evil resurface.
- Protecting the Graveyard: Bedhos considers the Nulb Graveyard a sacred ground and defends it from desecration by bandits, river pirates, and agents of the Temple of Elemental Evil.
“You stand upon sacred ground. Disturb the dead at your peril, for I will defend them with my life.”
Goals
- Prevent Asmoroth’s Return: Ensure Rahmsoot’s past self never resurfaces.
- Maintain Peace in Nulb: Act as a subtle counterbalance to the village’s rampant corruption.
- Defend the Graveyard: Protect the dead from being exploited by the forces of evil.
Relationships
RahmsootBedhos and Rahmsoot share a deep bond forged through unlikely circumstances.
- Mentor and Protector: Bedhos guides Rahmsoot’s moral development and protects him from harm.
- Unresolved Doubts: Bedhos’s lingering fears about Asmoroth create a tension in their friendship.
“I call him friend, yet I watch him as one might watch a storm cloud on the horizon. It is not mistrust, but preparation for what may come.”
The River Pirates and Bandits
While Bedhos avoids direct confrontation with Nulb’s criminals and The River Pirates, he keeps a watchful eye on their activities.- Defensive Stance: Bedhos does not intervene unless the graveyard or innocents are threatened.
- Tenuous Peace: The criminals of Nulb respect Bedhos’s strength and largely avoid provoking him.
The Temple of Elemental Evil
Bedhos sees the Temple as a grave threat and monitors its activities carefully.- Opposition: Though he does not directly interfere, Bedhos considers the Temple an abomination.
- Subtle Resistance: He uses his knowledge to inform allies in the Verbobonc, Viscounty about the Temple’s movements.
Role in Nulb
Bedhos represents a flicker of decency in the lawless village of Nulb.- Graveyard Protector: He ensures the dead are laid to rest with dignity and keeps the graveyard free of tampering.
- Advisor to Locals: Villagers occasionally seek his wisdom, though few truly heed his counsel.
- Observer of Chaos: Bedhos gathers intelligence on Nulb’s darker elements, hoping to one day use it for good.
DM-Only Section
Show spoiler
Secrets and Plot Hooks
- Asmoroth’s Influence: Unknown to Bedhos, remnants of Asmoroth’s dark magic linger in Rahmsoot’s soul, and a powerful force could one day awaken them.
- Target of the Temple: The Temple of Elemental Evil considers Bedhos a threat and may attempt to eliminate him.
- Hidden Relic: Buried within the Nulb Graveyard is a powerful artifact tied to Rao, which Bedhos has sworn to protect at all costs.
Adventure Ideas
- Graveyard Intrusion: Bandits or cultists attempt to rob the graves, forcing the party to assist Bedhos in their defense.
- Rahmsoot’s Trial: A crisis reveals lingering fragments of Asmoroth’s dark magic, and the party must decide whether to destroy or save Rahmsoot.
- Artifact Quest: Bedhos reveals the existence of a hidden relic that could turn the tide against the Temple of Elemental Evil, but retrieving it requires braving the dangers of the graveyard and beyond.
- Rahmsoot: Friend and charge, but a source of constant vigilance.
- River Pirates and Bandits: Maintains a defensive stance against them.
- Temple of Elemental Evil: Views the Temple as a dire threat to be monitored and opposed.
DM Secrets
- Asmoroth’s Influence: Rahmsoot’s dark past may resurface.
- Artifact Hidden in Graveyard: A powerful relic tied to Rao lies buried.
- Target of the Temple: Bedhos’s presence draws the ire of the Temple’s leaders.
Original Story
Show spoiler
Bedhos came to Nulb with the army that ultimately sacked the Temple. He was there when Asmoroth fought his duel against the wizards from Veluna. He saw Asmoroth struck down by the wizards after a furious battle of spells. Unknown to anyone else, Bedhos was there when Asmoroth’s contingency spell went off.
The archmage had prepared for his eventual defeat with a risky coupling of spells. Using a contingency spell designed to go off on his death, Asmoroth reincarnated himself. It was Bedhos who was still there an hour after Asmoroth died. The paladin was reflecting upon his charge and considering whether he should return to Veluna with a tale of victory or aid in the further defeat of the Temple. That’s when he noticed the naked body of a newly formed adult human appear on the road known as Pilgrim’s Way.
The form stumbled about as if walking for the first time. In a moment of clarity, Bedhos knew that his mission was not complete. He drew his sword and approached the discombobulated figure. But before striking him down, Bedhos had to be sure.
“You are Asmoroth,” the paladin said. It was an accusation.
The slack-jawed man looked at Bedhos and furrowed his brow. Then a moment of cognition. Tears welled in the confused man’s eyes. “I was,” he said. “I was.” He hung his head and fell to his knees. “Gods forgive me, but I was.” He crumpled further to the ground and wept with heaving sobs.
Finally, to be done with it, Bedhos thought. He wanted to run his blade through the archmage, to finish his mission and prepare to make his way back home. He was to be married! He was to be granted land and now to be thought a hero. He raised his sword.
But would a hero strike an unarmed man who wept on the road? And would the woman he was to marry love a murderer? And what of Rao? Did Rao prefer blood to redemption?
Bedhos sheathed his sword, and with a decision that would shape the rest of his life, he wrapped his cloak over the pitiful man crying in the dirt. “Come with me, brother. Let us learn of one another.”
Since that day, the reincarnated Asmoroth has been in Bedhos’ charge. The two tend the graveyard together, and they have become friends. Asmoroth now goes by the name Rahmsoot.
Though Bedhos considers Rahmsoot a friend, the paladin is always wary that some part of Asmoroth may return. In fact, Bedhos does not feel his charge is complete. A part of him believes that the evil of Asmoroth has been defeated. But another part of him feels that Rao has him here for a reason he has not yet begun to see.
“Even the vilest soul can find its way back to the light, but the path is steep and fraught with peril.”
Bedhos Caretaker of the Nulb Graveyard
Bedhos carries the aura of a man weathered by time, faith, and hard choices.
- Height and Build: Tall and broad-shouldered, his presence is imposing and commands respect.
- Features: A lined face with a noble demeanor; his silver-streaked hair and beard symbolize wisdom earned through hardship.
- Attire: Bedhos wears plain robes over his chainmail, a simple but elegant holy symbol of Rao always visible around his neck. His longsword, polished but unadorned, is a testament to his martial discipline and humility.
Bedhos Cleric of Rao
- Class/Level: Paladin 10
- Str: 12, Int: 11, Wis: 15, Dex: 15, Con: 12, Cha: 17
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- Armor Class: 3 (bracers of AC 4)
- Hit Points: 60
- Movement: 12”
- THAC0: 12
- # of Attacks: 3/2
- Damage: 1d8 + 2 (longsword +2)
Equipment
- Bracers of AC 4
- Longsword +2
- 2 silver pieces, 52 copper pieces
Spells (Paladin Spells)
First Level (3)- Bless
- Cure Light Wounds x3
Alignment
Lawful Good
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Year of Birth
536
40 Years old
Children
Sex
male
Eyes
Steady brown
Hair
silver-streaked hair and beard
Height
6'1"
Quotes & Catchphrases
“Here I am but a caretaker, yet even this simple duty feels like a great trial. Perhaps that is the point of it.”
Belief/Deity
Rao
Aligned Organization
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