Malin

Overview

The priest that represents Ignatius in The All-Father Temple. He considers himself a moderate in the faith, condemning The Sundering for its huge loss of life and immense suffering. However, it was revealed that he originally fought in the war as a commander of an Ash Spawn legion. He has since seen the error of his ways and left to right his wrong.

History & Mentions

§	Interactions
Session 30	Korrigan ends the connection between him and Terathra and returns to the cavern. In a slight daze, they return to face Malin, who stands to the side with his head bowed respectfully. Halfbie awkwardly asks if this is when Malin wants to do it, and if so, does he have a way he wants to go? Malin says that he doesn't really care as long as it is painless and soon, so he won't have to deal with the fiery explosions that come with Ignatius' return. Drache is confused, wondering why he would want to die now as surely he would be sent straight to Ignatius, who was bound to be furious with the priest.
Session 30	Although Ignatius is the God of Fire and Cleansing, he is also the God of Violence and War. When his soldiers and followers die, their souls get sent to Ignatius's eternal battlefield, where they fight a myriad of monsters, demons and beasts. Moderates who had given up on war go to the same place but are put in a separate area, which is covered in fire, and people are in great pain. Ignatius is the general of his army and is too busy to come to see the moderates, so it is believed that even though the existence will be painful, it will be peaceful. Halfbie whispers to Korrigan, wondering if it might be better to Kill Malin with Ice magic so he won't be as affected by the fire in the bad place. Korrigan didn't respond.
Session 30	Malin carried on talking, almost losing himself in his own words of doom and gloom. He explained that During the first Sundering, the world had The Auditors, Galen Verix ‡, and other strong warriors, like Caden SteelBreaker †. Now, most of those warriors are dead and missing. The Dawn Empire is fractured, and Ehobel has lost its most powerful Wizard queen, Ashira Yelris. Strixhaven, although still a strong faction, is nowhere near the same strength as before, with its renewed focus on research during times of peace. Tulan Fort is in shambles, and The Emerald Fort is without a leader.
Session 30	Looking slightly pissed off now, Drache surmises that Malin wants them to destroy the tower and then kill him so he doesn't have to deal with the fallout - Malin agrees. Halfbie analyses the tower and notes that the crystal isn't at the centre of it like the others. Instead, the crystals line the walls and focus on the tower. Korrigan touches on them, and a husky and laboured voice whispers to him, "Lightbearers." Korrigan's head snaps in the direction of the voice, and it is one of the black wraiths they saw in The Dawnhaven Crypts; Halfbie and Mordacai also recognise them from The Tower of Ishnmel.
Session 30	Halfbie asked about The Tower, noting its distinct difference from the other towers before becoming slightly confused about what The Towers were. Malin explained that he was here before The Tower or Temple was built. Before the temple was around, there was nothing, just an empty plane. Then, a crystal crashed on this land, causing an enormous crater. Sometime after, A dragon appeared, and she explained she would use the crystal to ensure The Sundering wouldn't happen again. The people, still mourning the loss of their friends and family, desperately agreed. The dragon spent months and months building something that could use the crystal. Eventually, he was successful and went around the world using fragments of the crystal to build more towers all over. Malin and the other priests soon gathered around to protect it, creating a church over it to hide it from The Ashen Cult and anyone who might have bad intentions.
Session 30	Korrigan asks if they do kill him, will they be hunted down for his death? Malin explains that this room is rarely used and is not known to many people. Additionally, many of the staff do not enter the different rooms dedicated to the Gods; they would not know he was dead for many weeks or even months. After Korrigan asked, he confirmed that the number of people, excluding The Party, who knew of this room could be counted on one hand. Without a moment's hesitation, Korrigan drew his bow and shot Malin in the head. The arrow buried deep in the priest's eye, threatening to come out the other side. Malin crumpled to the floor, dead instantly. Korrigan explained to the shocked members of his party that killing him now would ensure that no one related to Ignatius would ever be able to find out about The Tower and would serve to buy them time. They admitted he had a point, but Drache and Aidan were annoyed that none were given a say.
Session 30	Korrigan, happy that Halfbie was safe, let out a heavy sigh and simply stated that it was good that the rift didn't do too much damage to the Feywilds. They updated Halfbie as they had legitimately forgotten what was happening in the human and that they needed to get out of there. korrigan and drache figured that their best bet would be to just walk right out as the guards saw them walk in with Malin, so they probably wouldn't care if they walked out. they do just that, and the guards don't even bat an eye as they walk up the stairs and into the main library of The All-Father Temple. Korrigan found a nearby table, set a map on it, and said they should plan out their route for the foreseeable future. Korrigan says that he wants OFC since they need to sort out everything there and then end up near Lost Haven as Lorwyn is becoming impatient with him.
Session 30	It is late afternoon when they arrive at Whitespire. Korrigan is nervous about being around the area with Aidan's possession and their last interaction with The Towers' staff [^2]. They all decide to walk around the town and make camp in the forest nearby. Still mentally exhausted, Halfbie says it might not be worth it to use their Tiny Hut spell and have a night watch like normal. They all agree. while figuring out watch partners, Drache is insistent that he watches with Korrigan, who happily accepts. With everyone asleep, Korrigan is eager to carry on their training, but drache refuses, stating that he has a few things he wants to talk about. Drache expresses that he feels incredibly lost at the moment; their adventures feel incredibly chaotic, and they're finding themselves incredibly lost with what is happening. At the start, this was fine as it meant he could focus on the fighting and defending, but not it becoming too much. Drache is also feeling very guilty about the death of Malin.
Session 29	Outside, Mordecai took a deep breath as they mentally prepared to enter Ignatius' room. Questioning out loud if this was really the correct thing to do. Drache suggested that I couldn't hurt to ask, worst case, they could all step in to help if it came to that. Slightly reassured, they all entered the room. Malin was sitting near the altar reading as they all entered. He greeted them warmly, asking if there was anything he could do to help. Mordecai dodged around the subject as they asked if Malin knew of someone called Seifer Willow ‡ during The Sundering. Malin explained that he knew of her when they both fought in the war and explained that she was a great general who gave her life to destroy an entire army Battalion. He explained that in some circles, she is regarded as almost a sudo Herald.
Session 29	Mordecai comes clean and explains that they actually found Seifer Willow ‡, and she currently has processed his brain. Malin looks terrified and asks to know the full story and becomes increasingly terrified when they explain how they found The Crown of the Lost and then Firesoul Greatsword. Malin, now on the verge of panic, begged to know that the sword was safe and hidden away still. The Party deliver the troubling news that the sword was stolen by someone they suspect to be Ebis Daro. Malin broke out in a cold sweat and told them to follow him as he walked incredibly quickly for an old man. He took them out into the main library and into the back areas through a door labelled 'Authorised staff only'. Down a few corridors, they walked through a heavily guarded gate and down a steep flight of stairs. until they entered a large and dark room - illuminated only by a pristine white pillar.
Session 29	Malin explained that they shouldn't be down here, but he assumed they needed access to one of The Towers and a room where no one could hear them. He paused for a moment before continuing. He explained that they needed to kill him because it was the only way for them to justify their being down here after they were finished, and he didn't want to be around for what was to come. Seeing the pillar, Korrigan suggested talking to Terathra to get some much-needed answers. Getting comfortable, he went through the usual motions, and before long, they stood before Terathra, who greeted them warmly:
Session 26	Chenris then ask what would the followers of Ignatius do in a theoretically perfect society, surely there would be no need to worship their beloved god since there is no evil to be wiped away. This question stumps the priest as he had never thought of that before, he doesn't have an answer. Chenris is about to leave when stops to ask one final question, "Do you know anything about one master Ebis?" the priest had heard the name but only as someone leading a magic guild somewhere. Mordecai asks if he knows anything about the grand plan. The priest hesitates before explaining, that the grand plan is often about how The Ashen Cult wants to start The Second Sundering. At this point the priest wants to confess that he was a general in the original army and led a legion of Ash Spawn, however, he feels immense guilt for his actions and is trying to reform, his name is Malin. They thank him for his time and leave.
Session 20	Chenris then ask what would the followers of Ignatius do in a theoretically perfect society, surely there would be no need to worship their beloved god since there is no evil to be wiped away. This question stumps the priest as he had never thought of that before, he doesn't have an answer. Chenris is about to leave when stops to ask one final question, "Do you know anything about one master Ebis?" the priest had heard the name but only as someone leading a magic guild somewhere. Mordecai asks if he knows anything about the grand plan. The priest hesitates before explaining, that the grand plan is often about how The Ashen Cult wants to start The Second Sundering. At this point the priest wants to confess that he was a general in the original army and led a legion of Ash Spawn, however, he feels immense guilt for his actions and is trying to reform, his name is Malin. They thank him for his time and leave.