Volahn - The Tortured



Our lady of suffering. The Kind Silence. Volahn the kind. Volahn the brave. The Masked Lady.

In a time before memory, Volahn and her brother Salahk traveled the stars and found this planet. Volahn found a peaceful people and loved them. She healed their sick, played with their children, and learned their ways. Salahk sought out the secrets of this new planet, and found a seed darkness deep in a cave. He sensed great a great presence and the promise of unimaginable power, and he consumed it. The new force within him demanded bloodshed for this power, and Salahk went to find his sister and the people she had befriended, slaughtering all beasts in his path.

Volahn stood between her brother and the innocents, shielding them with her body so that they might flee his sudden wrath. She couldn't save them all, however, and many were killed with his new and terrible powers. Volahn tried to talk sense to her brother, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Once the village had been evacuated, a battered Volahn fought back to subdue her brother.

His attacks grew even more frenzied, ever urged on by the tainted force now attached to his soul. He tore and ripped at her skin and destroyed her face in his rage. Volahn used the last of her power to place him in stasis, greatly weakening herself in doing so.

The villagers later returned and tended to Volahn as she had their own injured. Her wounds healed, but the parts he had torn from her never regrew. The local craftsman took pity on her and crafted her a mask of silver and silk. She took her brother with her and went back to the stars. Forever sorrowful that she had brought his violence to the peaceful place. She kept him far away from innocent mortals. When her stasis shattered, Volahn fought her brother to temper his blood lust for mortals. When blood was spilled in his name he grew in strength. When selfless deeds were done in her name, her own strength grew.

There they remain today locked in battle, One seeking to protect, one seeking to destroy.

She has many names and an utterly devout following. Volahn urges her followers to protect the weak, even above their own well being. Her temples are known for their healing and feeding of the poor. Some of her followers wear masks in her honor, others take a vow of silence. Still, others wear no armor, taking pride in the scars and mutilation received in her service.

She is a patron of victims, defender of the weak, and takes duty and honor seriously. One does not enter into her service lightly, or for personal glory.