The Vashar

If anyone ever needed proof that some sort of intelligent force is destroying the
world with deliberate purpose, one need look no further than the Vashar. A Vashar is a
human granted supernatural powers in order to act in the worst interests of the world. No
one knows exactly where these powers come from, but the Vashar claim the source to be
that of a powerful entity made at the time of creation.
The Vashar themselves were a creation of this source. As legend has it, this
powerful entity was envious of the power held by his counterpart, who had just breathed
life into his first creations. In an attempt to equal his power, this being, known by most as
The Destroyer, created the Vashar. The first Vashar murdered a being of The Creator
with its bare hands and ate its flesh, using tendons and muscles to tie bones together for
weapons.
Outraged by The Destroyer’s actions, The Creator swept up his beloved creations
and hid them from his view. The Destroyer likewise hid his most precious creations from
the view of The Creator, for fear of retribution, but also because, like a wounded child,
The Destroyer felt hurt that his own Creator would hide such goodness from him. Slowly,
though, both sects of creation began to venture off into the vastness of the world and
intermingle, creating the vast races that inhabit the world today.
While the purpose of The Creator’s Runechildren is to protect and serve the
world, the purpose of The Destroyer’s Vashar is to haunt and corrupt the world. These
Vashar feel a sense of pride in their ancient heritage, for only those born inside the barrier
are allowed to take the mark of The Destroyer on their face. The Vashar, once a race
filled with primal urges, have evolved to be a cunning people, capable of matching wits
with the greatest of heroes.
In Vashar society, men are seen as superior to women. These men do have a sense
of honor and duty, however, to protect their womenfolk and children and act as the
hunters and gatherers for the village. There are no women in their council and instead
spend their time raising the children, cooking, sewing clothes, and cleaning.
There is no romance in Vashar society; love is a concept that all know, but none
understand. To live in a functioning society, it must be kept simple and love complicates
everything. Every year, in the first week of spring, those children who have reached the
age of twenty are pitted in competition: men versus men and women versus women. The
man that comes out victorious gets his pick of the women, usually choosing the woman
that has bested the other girls. If the victorious man is a Vashar and the victorious woman
is not, he will pick the best Vashar woman to breed with. If the winning male is not a
Vashar, he too will pick the best Vashar woman. The man in second gets second pick,
and so on. The competition for women is so the men can know who has fared best to
better their pick. Should there be an odd number, that other is thrown into the competition
for the following year.
The week after that important competition is one of celebration. Feasts occur
every night, accompanied by music and dancing. Competitions, games, and events are
held during the day, mostly consisting of fighting and other forms of violence and brute
strength in which only men are allowed to compete. The womenfolk that were involved
in the competition are kept locked inside a building for that week, unable to eat or leave
the building for any reason, in preparation for their union with their men.
 The final night of celebration is an especially delightful one for the village. After
the final feast, grander than all the others, the women are led from the building and are
stood before the village. The Sage presents a ceremony in front of the villagers, ending
with the women being anointed in lamb’s blood. After being told to sit across the fire of
their men, the union begins. One by one, The Sage calls forward the men based on their
rank in the competition. The man and his woman come forward and he takes her before
the village.
Virginity is extremely important in this ritual. Should either be found to be
anything but virginal, both are burned alive. Their parents must feast on their flesh to
devour the shame that now faces their family. For this reason, the men and women are
kept separate as children. The women are kept within the home while the men spend their
time rough-housing outside or hunting with their fathers and brothers. The only time the
women under the age of 20 see the outside is when they are fully covered, only the face
and hands allowed to show, in a completely white garment and accompanied by an older
male, either her father or brother. This is only allowed in extremely dire circumstances,
such as the urging of a Master or The Sage himself.
The Sage, The Masters, and The Master Scribe are forbidden to take a woman.
It’s common, however, for them to desire a woman. If their desire is strong enough, they
take her when they want her. Neither she nor they suffer any formal punishment, though
her man may decide she was the cause of it and punish her himself for her actions. As
much as the men in power may desire a woman, she is not to be touched by them until
after the ceremony of the union is complete. Further, the woman must be pregnant in
order for them to pursue her. This rule is in place so those in charge don’t have bastard
children running around. Of course, lies run rampant, and the men do as they please
anyway. No action is taken against them. On the other hand, a man already in a union
with a woman may not have any other women, consensual or not. Both are grounds for
death.
After the age of 20, those living in Reyordest that are Vashar are called into the
world by The Destroyer, through The Sage, to cause some kind of mayhem and
destruction, from bringing pain into someone’s life that will affect the world on a global
scale, to searching for Cotarre. Their ventures can last anywhere from days to years.
Some Vashar have never returned, never to be heard from again. When womenfolk are
called, the entire village shows up to see them off, for their mission is one of dire
importance. Rarely called to action, women Vashar that are blessed enough to have this
call are seen as a sacrifice to The Destroyer, as no woman has ever returned. In the entire
existence of Reyordest, only thirty-two women have been called. Her man is seen as
eternally blessed by The Destroyer and is revered by the other inhabitants, for his
sacrifice of allowing his woman to go is felt by all there. Once she leaves, he is not
allowed to gain another woman, nor is he allowed to have sexual intercourse. More often
than not, it has driven the man to hermitage, where it is said that The Destroyer rewards
him with death.
Murder and rape are two insurmountable crimes in Reyordest. By decree of The
Destroyer, no inhabitant is to ever murder another inhabitant. As children below the age
of 20 are not allowed intercourse, rape rarely will happen. When it does, it is either
because they are guilty of sex before union or adultery. In both cases, the assailant and
the victim are punished. Stealing never occurs, as that would be an admonition that they
are incapable of providing for their family.
Violence is common, especially among men: men are allowed to strike their wives and
children within reason, which is always at the discretion of The Sage. Women are never
allowed to strike a man or her children and are automatically burned if it happens; her
husband is allowed to enter the pool the following year for a new woman.

Reyordest
A small community set in a vibrant forest, Reyordest is divided into two sections:
Vashar and non-Vashar. In ranking, Vashar are always higher than non-Vashar, despite
age or gender. Reyordest’s inhabitants are mainly human, though some half-elves and
drow count themselves among their ranks.
To become a Vashar, one must be born in Reyordest. All Vashar initiations occur
in the first week of the fall, at the age of 20. Men are dressed in loose-fitting black pants
and a loose black shirt while the women are dressed in a loose fitting white robe. The
intiation involves taking a hot needle and drawing the rune on the left cheek, burning the
flesh. Once the flesh is seared, the rune is drawn over in bear blood for men, to symbolize
strength, and eagle’s blood for women, to represent grace.
There are two week-long holidays in Reyordest: The Week of the Union, which
occurs the first week of spring, and The Week of Initiation, which occurs the first week
of fall. There is a holiday celebrating the Summer and Winter equinox, as well as a
holiday each month to celebrate the first night of a full moon. Other holidays include:
The Competition, which is the last day of winter, Freedom Day, which occurs the day of
the first snowfall and is a day where all the rules can be broken without penalty (except
The Three), Rebellion Day, which is celebrated the first day of the year as a symbol of
The Destroyer’s disobedience and unwillingness to obey, and Joker Day, which is
celebrated the last day of year and is a day where all the kids in Reyordest run around
playing pranks on people, even the girls.
Other forms of entertainment include talent shows, sports competitions, and
birthday celebrations for The Masters, The Sage, and The Inscriber.

Authority
The Sage (Vincent Malloy)
An odd man who keeps to himself, The Sage is given visions. He is in charge of
heading Reyordest and keeping peace. All orders are given by him. He stands just
under six feet tall and has graying brown hair and hazel eyes.
The Master of Punishment (Grant Gunthrie)
Closely tied to The Master of Protection, the two are often seen walking together.
Grant is a tall man, just under his comrade’s six and a half feet. He, too, has black
hair and blue eyes, though his eyes are tougher and tend to strike fear into the
hearts of those who see him. He enjoys this power very much.
The Master of Ceremonies (Thomas Langan)
Easily the most cheerful of the Masters, he plans the entertainment for Reyordest.
Although the most cheerful Master, he is still considered to be a mean-spirited
man by the other villagers. He is also avoided at all costs, as are his brethren. He
 stands slightly taller than The Sage and has brown hair, tied in a ponytail, with
green eyes.
The Master of Medicine (Gabriel Vesta)
The most compassionate of the Masters, many speculate in quiet rumors that he
isn’t a Vashar. When it comes to a vote, he is always the one to vote the side of
mercy. This distances him from the other Masters and men from the village, but
brings him closer to the womenfolk, who feel akin to his soft nature. Many
speculate this is one reason why he is kept around. He deals with the healing
magic inside Reyordest. He stands just over six feet with wavy blonde hair, cut
close to his head, and soft, bright blue eyes.
The Master of Protection (Alexander Faego)
If the Masters didn’t work together, Alexander would be considered their leader.
He is often seen where violence breaks out, which it often does. He is given the
charge of deciding whether it is legitimate or to break it up. He is a tall man, six
and a half feet, with dark black hair and vibrant blue eyes.
The Master of Agriculture (Roland Cook)
A man drawn more to the land than to people, Roland is not afraid to bring justice
to those in Reyordest who would compromise the land. He is in charge of
dividing the food hunted and gathered equally amongst the villagers, as well as
preparing the food for large feasts. He is the only Master that stands the same
height as The Sage. He has dark, woody brown hair and dark, emerald green eyes.
The Master of Academia (Seth Griffyn)
A shrewd man, Seth is a relentless teacher. Any who wish to learn must learn
from him, which is more than enough to keep those pursuing an education to a
minimum. Women are allowed in his classroom, but he is especially tough on
them: no mistakes go unpunished. He stands six feet tall and has long white hair
and brown eyes.
The Master of Arcana (Nicholas Pinard)
The quietest of Masters, Nicholas spends all his time monitoring the magical
capabilities of Reyordest. When new magical energies arise, he is the second to
know, only the Sage knowing before him, since he knows before it even happens.
He is in charge of all things magical. He stands six feet, two inches and has brown
hair and brown eyes.
The Master Scribe (Richard Windsor)
The Master Scribe never leaves his house. He keeps record of all the going-ons of
Reyordest, including births, deaths, moves, and celebrations. He also keeps record
of who owns what, where everybody lives, and criminal records. Rarely seen,
those who have seen him say that he stands almost as tall as Alexander and has
raven black hair and eyes as black as a void.

The Rules:
The Three – No rape, no murder, no disrespect.
Other Rules: No stealing, no sex before marriage, women under the age of 20
cannot go outside unless accompanied by an older male, no unnecessary violence, no
leaving, no cheating.
The Template
A Vashar gains a +1 inherent bonus to her highest ability score (if two scores are
highest, the player may choose) and a permanent +1 luck bonus to all checks and
saves. Vashar with an Intelligence or Wisdom higher than 11 possess spell-like
abilities, using their character level as the caster level. Unless otherwise noted, all
abilities are usable 1/d.

Level Choose one

5-6 Darkvision, Levitate, or Object Loresight (3/d)
7-8 Dimension Door, Energy Bolt (choose energy type), or Cause Wounds*
9-12 Enchantment Resistance, Elemental Resistance, or Energy Sheath (choose
energy type)
13-16 Finger of Destruction, Incorporeal Form, or Teleport
17-18 Psychic Blast, Phase Door, or Wave of Life
19-20 Damage Reduction, Immortality (self only), or Shapechange
21-23 Spell Resistance (10 + character level), Perfect Health, or Multiple Uses**
24-25 Fist of the Elemental Lord, True Telekinesis, or Multiple Uses**

* Cause Wounds: Identical to a paladin’s Lay on Hands ability, accept he can

cause wounds instead.

** Multiple Uses: Choose any ability gained at a lower level, usable 3/d