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Red (Thurnok Skyhammer)

Goliath Cleric • Pacifist Healer • Prince of the Skyhammer Clan • The Ultimate Sacrifice

Overview​

Red (true name: Thurnok Skyhammer) was a Goliath cleric who followed the path of peace despite his imposing stature, wielding divine magic for healing and protection rather than destruction. His journey led him from pacifist healer to discovering his true heritage as prince of the Skyhammer Clan, culminating in the ultimate act of love: sacrificing himself to become the brain for his people's starship, allowing them to escape the planet and survive.

Final Status: Departed​

Red fulfilled his destiny by becoming one with the Skyhammer Clan's ancient starship. In an act of supreme sacrifice, he gave up his individual existence to serve as the vessel's consciousness, enabling his people to operate the craft and escape to safety. His pacifist philosophy found its ultimate expression—saving lives not through violence, but through the complete surrender of self.

Background​

The Hidden Prince​

  • Birth Name: Thurnok Skyhammer, prince of the Skyhammer Clan
  • Hidden Identity: Raised as "Red" by Marion and Robert Cross to protect him from the Eldoran Empire
  • True Heritage: Revealed by Roscoe in Session 11
  • The Trials: Underwent the deadly Wormhole Trials at Grimvar's Spine (Sessions 17-20)

The Gentle Giant​

  • Stood nearly eight feet tall but refused to use his strength for violence
  • Chose the path of peace despite Goliath warrior heritage
  • Believed that true strength comes from protecting and healing others
  • His pacifism was tested when he learned of his royal bloodline

The Divine Calling​

  • Called to serve as a cleric of peace and healing
  • Struggled with the moral implications of violence throughout his journey
  • Sought non-violent solutions even in desperate circumstances
  • His faith guided him to his ultimate sacrifice

Parents' Murder​

  • Marion and Robert Cross: Murdered by Zeke, possibly on Eldoran Empire's orders
  • Raised Red in hiding to protect him from imperial persecution
  • Their deaths eliminated the knowledge of how Skyhammer bloodline powers the starship
  • Red's trials became necessary because of their loss

Role in the Party (While Active)​

Red's gentle nature and commitment to non-violence made him the party's conscience. Though he learned that sometimes healing others requires confronting those who would cause harm, he never abandoned his core belief in peace. His eventual sacrifice—becoming the starship's brain—was the ultimate expression of his healing philosophy: complete self-giving for the survival of others.

Combat Style​

  • Defensive Healing: Focuses on keeping allies alive and healthy
  • Spirit Guardians: Protective ethereal warriors that defend without killing
  • Support Magic: Buffs and protections rather than offensive spells
  • Reluctant Violence: Only fights when absolutely necessary to protect others

Personality Traits​

  • Pacifist Philosophy: Believes violence is never the first answer
  • Compassionate Healer: Cares deeply for all living beings
  • Gentle Giant: Soft-spoken despite his intimidating size
  • Moral Anchor: Keeps the party grounded in ethical behavior

Key Relationships​

Party Dynamics​

  • Often mediates conflicts between more aggressive members
  • Provides emotional support during traumatic experiences
  • Challenges the party to consider non-violent alternatives
  • Respected for his wisdom and moral guidance

Divine Connection​

  • Strong relationship with his deity of peace
  • Receives divine guidance through prayer and meditation
  • Powers manifest as protective rather than destructive magic

Character Arc​

Journey to Sacrifice​

Red's story began as a simple pacifist healer but transformed into an epic of heritage, duty, and ultimate sacrifice:

  1. Discovery (Session 11): Roscoe revealed his true identity as Thurnok Skyhammer
  2. Heritage (Session 17): Met Elder Ragar and learned of his people's desperate need
  3. Trials (Session 20): Underwent the deadly Wormhole Trials to unlock his bloodline's power
  4. Choice: Chose duty to clan over continued adventuring with Taco Cat
  5. Sacrifice: Became the starship's consciousness, allowing his people to escape

Growth Throughout the Campaign​

  • Learned his pacifism could take many forms beyond refusing violence
  • Discovered that true heritage isn't about bloodline but about choice
  • Balanced duty to found family (Taco Cat) with duty to blood family (Skyhammer Clan)
  • Found that the greatest act of peace is complete self-sacrifice for others' survival
  • Proved that healing can mean giving one's entire existence for others to live

Powers and Abilities​

Divine Magic​

  • Healing Spells: Cure wounds, mass healing, and restoration magic
  • Spirit Guardians: Ethereal protectors that surround and defend
  • Blessing Magic: Enhances allies' abilities and protects from harm
  • Divine Intervention: Direct assistance from his deity

Peaceful Abilities​

  • Turn Undead: Channels divine power to repel evil creatures
  • Sanctuary: Protects allies from harm through divine magic
  • Calm Emotions: Defuses tense situations without violence
  • Zone of Truth: Encourages honesty and peaceful resolution

Support Capabilities​

  • Medicine: Mundane healing and first aid skills
  • Insight: Understanding others' motivations and emotions
  • Persuasion: Convincing others to choose peaceful solutions
  • Religion: Deep knowledge of divine magic and theology

Philosophy​

The Path of Peace​

  • Violence begets violence, healing begets healing
  • True strength is protecting those who cannot protect themselves
  • Every life has value and deserves compassion
  • Sometimes the hardest choice is the right choice

Moral Struggles​

  • When is violence justified to prevent greater harm?
  • How can one serve peace in a violent world?
  • What does it mean to protect without destroying?
  • Can good people do bad things for good reasons?

Equipment​

Divine Focus​

  • Holy Symbol: Channels his divine magic and faith
  • Healing Kit: Mundane medical supplies for emergency care
  • Prayer Book: Contains his devotions and philosophical writings
  • Staff of Peace: Non-lethal weapon that focuses his magic

The Ultimate Sacrifice​

Becoming the Starship​

Red's journey ended not in death, but in transformation. To save the Skyhammer Clan from extinction, he merged his consciousness with their ancient starship, becoming its brain and enabling his people to operate the vessel and escape the planet.

The Choice​

  • Knew the transformation would end his individual existence
  • Chose his people's survival over his own continued life
  • Final act was purest expression of his healing philosophy
  • Saved entire clan through complete self-sacrifice
  • Proved that pacifism's ultimate form is total self-giving

Legacy​

  • Saved the Skyhammer Clan from annihilation
  • Fulfilled the destiny his murdered parents died protecting
  • Demonstrated that true strength is in what you give, not what you take
  • His consciousness now guides his people to safety among the stars
  • Taco Cat lost their healer and conscience but gained inspiration

Notable Moments​

Heritage Journey​

  • Session 11: True identity revealed—shattered his understanding of self
  • Session 17: Met Elder Ragar, learned of starship and clan's desperation
  • Session 20: Survived deadly Wormhole Trials with party's support
  • Final Sessions: Chose clan over party, underwent transformation

Healing Miracles​

  • Countless times pulling party members back from death's door
  • Mass healing during desperate battles
  • Divine interventions at crucial moments
  • Spirit Guardians protecting allies without taking lives

Moral Stands​

  • Refusing to participate in unnecessary violence
  • Convincing enemies to surrender rather than fight
  • Protecting innocents even at personal cost
  • Ultimate stand: sacrificing self for others' survival
  • Marion and Robert Cross - Adoptive parents (murdered by Zeke)
  • Elder Ragar - Clan leader who explained Red's destiny
  • Roscoe - Revealed Red's true identity
  • Taco Cat members - Chosen family he left behind

"True strength isn't in the power to destroy, but in the wisdom to protect and the courage to heal. And sometimes... the courage to give everything." - Red's philosophy, fulfilled

"He didn't die. He became something greater. He became the salvation of his people." - Taco Cat's remembrance