OCs & DnD Characters

Paladin's Background - Heathen (OC)

The Story of a Man Who Loved a Fallen Goddess

Ever since Heathen was a child that his parents taught him the way of the Gods, the way of giving their lives for a greater good, for a path laid down by the Gods. Being raised in this environment Heathen soon decided to offer his life to the gods to help those who needed, to fight for those who couldn't and he lived a prosper live. He rose through the ranks of the Holy Army, but things would soon change.

Heathen was what you'd be expecting of a warrior, despite being half-orc he somehow had a very humanoid looking face. Pointy ears, black eyes, blonde hair lung up to the shoulders, a light blue skin tone and despite the strange combination of facial features, people and all races tended to rather enjoy being around him. He was kind to everyone, always willing to help and would never turn his back to a good challenge. And one day.. One day he saw everything he ever needed...

Heathen can still clearly remember the day, it was a sunny day no clouds in sight on a blueish sky, in a village surrounded by mountains covered in green tall trees you could even spot a river flowing down from the northern mountains straight into the village, the houses were simple, walls of piled stoned, roofs made of straws and sticks, you could see the peace that the village embraced and transmitted to those who were passing by, however to Heathen the truly beauty of the village was a girl. Her name was Rhea she was taller than expected, had long dark hair up to the waist, a skin nearly as white as snow and deep blue eyes, a bright smile capable of warming the coldest of the hearts, and to Heathen she seemed the portrait of a goddess and little he knew that she was a goddess, one with a troubled life, full of nightmares and haunting fears but it changed when herself laid eyes on Heathen. Both fell for each other almost instantaneously, he made the choice of setting camp nearby the city, he wanted to meet that girl desperately even if for brief seconds, and he did.. But seconds turned to minutes... Minutes turned to hours.. Hours turned to days.. And they eventually started to live a life together, him doing his sacred job and her permanently worrying about Heathen, both had so many plans and a long life to live together, but the Gods above had other plans.

Rhea was no ordinary Goddess, the Goddess of Justice capable of separating the Good from Evil and permanently sealing away what was harmful or what should be saved. Centuries ago Rhea decided to turn her back to the divine, she decided to live among humans, as a human and all the other Gods got angered at Rhea for ignoring her gifts, and duties, but she knew mortality was the true divine gift and she wanted to live a mortal life besides a loved one and she finally had it. But the gods decided to take her out as a punishment, the day started cloudy, a storm could be felt coming in their way, Rhea felt it was something horrific.. All kinds nightmares and tortures one could imagine were heading towards them.. The Gods wanted to make her suffer, they had decided to take Heathen out first, to take out the light from her eyes as she would see her dear love being ripped apart.. But Rhea was stronger, she separated all that was evil and sealed it away nearly killing her in the process, she knew it wouldn't be over ever... The gods would always seek revenge... And in her last breaths she whispered to Heathen:

"Heathen, I'm sorry we can't be together no more.. The gods... The Gods aren't as kind as you believe, they only follow their own interests... They seek revenge against my decision of living as a mortal.. And now I dragged you into the heavenly problems.. But.. In the name of Justice... I will give you one more chance of having a proper life.."

She could still be saved of course, but... In a final effort, with all her life force she sealed herself, her soul in Heathens armor, that would in case of need give Heathen a new chance of a life. So while in his arms, Rhea whispered one more time for the last time: "I love You".

Heathen couldn't believe, he was heartbroken... But the Gods didn't care she had died, they wanted someone to pay, and in all their might they sent another war party, another storm in his way.. They watched him being ripped into shreds... And turned their back to the innocent who had been murder by the Gods themselves... Rhea's plan however, succeeded... Her soul was released from Heathen's armor, rebuilding and bringing him back through Justice against the unfaithful Gods.

Heathen passed out for days.. When he woke up, he was in a strangers house, who had seen him laid nearly dead in the ground and took care of him. The stranger was amazed he was alive all that was around him were debris, destruction he was the only thing left alive in that village. Heathen got up and quickly realized that, Rhea was gone and wasn't just a bad dream. He felt on his knees and mourned for days the biggest loss of his life, the biggest joy he had was now dead... Killed by the same gods he had sworn to serve.. Heathen then realized, that there are no enemies... Not even allies... There is only those who are about to die... And it was time for the gods to pay for their own crimes, even if just once... The goddess of justice was gone, but Heathen now became the Aspect of Justice, and he would lay bare the Gods' sins.. Even if it costed his life... He broke his oath, and swore a new one...

"For all that is Sacred, For all that is just, For you Rhea... I will seek vengeance, I will seek Justice... The righteous path begins with me, only the guilty will need to fear me."