Prisha Acharya's Meroya Cult Followers (5/6 Henchmen) & Orph the Bard

Prisha Acharya, Priestess of Meroya

High Priestess Prisha Acharya's Temple of Meroya. 

Daughter: Arya Acharya, born M4 4448 BCCC 

Cult Followers. Number per Town Temple = 5 times (High Priestess' Level + CHA bonus. City Temple = x2. Cult Fortress = x3.

Typical Cult Follower: Armor Class 11 or 12 (leather/padded) Hit Points 9 (2d8) Speed 30 ft.
STR 11 (+0)  DEX  12 (+1)  CON 10 (+0)  INT 10 (+0)  WIS 11 (+0)  CHA 10 (+0)
Skills Persuasion +2, Religion +2 Senses passive Perception 10 Languages Common
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Actions: 1 melee weapon, eg pitchfork, shortsword or mace: ATTACK 1d20 + 3 DAMAGE 1d6+1

Maximum henchmen: 6 at CHA 18, Level 2 at PC Level 5-10.

Priestesses (NM= Normal Man/Commoner)
1.Mealia, half-elf Courtesan priestess, Rogue-2
2.Delanie of Capricia, farm girl priestess, Cleric-1
3.Esmalia of Ogbert's Stead, farm girl 'priestess-sage', Cleric-1.
4. Viola Narangi, Alchemist, owner of Narangi villa/Meroya temple. Wiz-1
Other Henchmen
5. Princess Lyssana Koloth of Carchimish, Noble

Slaves
1. Slave Rosaria, Temple Slave of Meroya, being trained by Mealia at Carchimish, NM
2. Slave Shae, Princess Lyssana's handmaid. NM

Others
1. Randall the Narangi Villa/Meroya Temple Halfling Gardener, Fighter-1
2. Orph the Bard, Rogue-8 (Swashbuckler)

The Princess Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin of Carchimish

Slave Shae, Lyssana's handmaid

1.Princess Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin, Noble
STR 6 (-2) DE 10  (+0) CO 10 (+0) IN 10 (+0) WI 8 (-1) CH 17 (+3) AC 10 HD 2d8 HP 9
Recently Lyssana was said to have been listless, stricken by some strange fever.... clearly she was in need of some special healing... and Prisha provided that healing. Lyssana is now (M8 47) a strong follower of Meroya.
Treasure: Ruby-heart necklace of Meroya, huge 900gp base > 1800gp carved ruby, v. 2500gp total, includes anti-Curse ward.
NOT a potential Priestess.
16/8/47: Despite her initial hostility, Princess Lyssana seems to slowly becoming rather taken with Ranger Kosvar... until she sacked him. :p

Late M8 4447: Lyssana is courting Sir Ector Bronze, younger brother of King Namelin, and discovering he has some 'interesting' tastes...

2. Slave Shae, Handmaid to Princess Lyssana 
STR 8 (-1) DE  11 (+0) CO 9 (-1) IN 10 (+0) WI 12 (+1) CH 14 (+2) AC 10 HD 1d8 HP 4
Originally from the Skandik Shore, her father was killed by one of Alkazed's cronies, her family enslaved. Shae was bought in Ahyf by Rolth the Slaver from Orson the Northron and sold in Carchimish to King Koloth. Shae is EXTREMELY taken with the Wood Elf Kosvar, a fellow Skandik. Lyssana tolerated their coupling with good humour awhile, but eventually fired Kosvar.
NOT a potential priestess (WIS 13+), her Wisdom is slightly too low.

At the Isle of Nymphs

Dressing in Boudoir

In Nerathi "Shepherdess" dress

3. ORPH THE BARD, COMPANION OF PRISHA ACHARYA, VIZIER TO THE PRINCESS LYSSANA KOLOTH-MERCELLIN OF CARCHIMISH from M8 4447 BCCC lover of Prisha Acharya.

Orph: Rogue-8 (Swashbuckler)
PB+3 (Expertise +6)
AC: 16 (AC 13 +1 studded leather, +3 DEX)
HP: 51
Initiative +7 (+3 DEX +4 CHA)
STR 13 (+1) DEX 16 (+3) CON 12 (+1) INT 12 (+1) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 18 (+4).
HD 8 (d8+1) hp: Levelx6+3
Passive Perception +3
Expertise:
Perform (all!) CHA, +10
Stealth (DEX) +9
Deception (CHA) +10
Persuasion (CHA) +10
Insight (WIS) +6
Thieves' Tools (DEX) +9
MI: Ring of Fire Resistance (attuned)

Rogue Powers:
Sneak Attack +4d6
Thieves' Cant.
Cunning Action:  Disengage/Dash/Hide.
Uncanny Dodge (Use Reaction to half damage).

Swashbuckler powers:
1. Fancy Footwork - when make melee attack vs target they can't make an opp att that turn.
2. Rakish audacity, CHA bonus to Init. Can sneak attack lone opponent (no one else within 5') if no disad.

weapon:
+1 shortsword ATT +7 dam 1d6+4 & 4d6 Sneak (5d6+4)
3 daggers (melee or thrown) ATT +6 dam 1d4+3 & 4d6 sneak. Offhand is d4 & 4d6 sneak 1/turn.

T: 340gp in cash. 2 potions of healing. Vial of Wyvern Venom, 7d6 dmg - CON save DC 15 for half. Guitar. Thieves' Tools.

This wandering minstrel bard was (M1 4446) playing at the Redeye Inn, before heading up to Thusia, then on to Ahyf with Rey's former slave Lucy Prentice later in the year, where he dropped her - "Well, she kept nagging me... it got kinda boring". >:) His guitar music can get the wenches dancing on the tables in next to no time. Orph likes wine, women, song and (especially) gold.

MEROYA TEMPLE AT CARCHIMISH

PRIESTESSES OF MEROYA AT CARCHIMISH TEMPLE

1. Priestess Mealia, Half-Elf Rogue-2
AC 12 HP 15 (Levelx6+3) 
STR 5 (-3) DEX 15 (+2) CON 13 (+1) INT 13 (+1) WIS 15 (+2) CHA 18 (+4)
Expertise: Persuasion +8 Deception +8 Stealth +6 Sleight of Hand +6, Eros +8
Passive Perception 14
Dagger att+4/dam d4+2 (4), sneak att +1d6 (8), 
Cunning Action: Dash/Disengage/Hide
XP: 300/900
Mealia seemed infatuated with Delanie (unrequited) and likely jealous she is 'in lust' with Ironfist, but reconciled following their lovemaking under Prisha's direction. Now seems smitten with the Alchemist Viola Narangi, who she introduced to the ars amatoria on the Narangi patio!
Potential Assassin or Inquisitive.

Esmalia of Ogbert's stead

SA: Level 1 Cleric Rituals
13/8/47: Mealia & Slave Rosaria spent an enjoyable night at the Palace with Sir Baltek, Captain of the Guards. She is growing rather fond of the old guy.
Equipment: 1 vial of Serpent Venom

Mealia the Courtesan

2. Priestess Esmalia, Human Cleric-1
HD 1d8 AC 9 HP 8
STR 7 (-2) DEX 8 (-1) CON 11 (+0)  INT 13 (+1) WIS 13 (+1) CHA 15 (+2)
Shepherd's tools+3
Perception +3
Eros +6
Passive Perception 13
Shepherd's Staff att+1/dam d6-1 (2)
Quite intelligent. Inquisitive but unlearned, wishes to become a 'priestess-sage'. 
14/7 Fancies Prince Sandor (unrequited). 16/7 willing to canoodle (moderately) with Ironhead of Nightshadow's Iron Warriors.
Plans to be Priestess-Sage to King Sandor Koloth at Carchimish.
SA: Level 1 Cleric 
Cleric check 41%
Failed Cleric check 19/02/47, succeeded 4448.

Viola Narangi of Carchimish

3. Priestess Viola Narangi, daughter of Hognar Narangi, a young Alchemist of Carchimish. Human Wiz-1/priestess.

STR 8 (-1) DE 12 (+1) CO 12 (+1) IN 16 (+3)  WI 13 (+1) CH 15 (+2)
Eros +6
AC11 NM HD 1d6+1 HP 7
Since the brutal death of her Alchemist father Hognar in dispute with one of Marnt's brigands, Viola has lived alone. Until the liberation of Carchimish she hid her beauty behind all-enveloping hooded robes, and she remains shy and nervous of interaction with strangers.
Viola is very talented and can create the Reagants necessary to create many magic items, as well as brewing Common potions herself.
The old halfling gardener Randall keeps the villa grounds well-tended. She is friends with the young merchant Kym Goodkind, lover of Nightshadow/the Don, from whom she buys supplies of Rocksblood and other ingredients.
Inducted into the Cult of Meroya 25/7/47 by Prisha & Mealia at her villa pool. Places her villa at the disposal of the cult.
13/8/47 on the night of the Rado/Euma wedding, serviced L-Cpl Norbert Porkins & two other guardsmen, channelled the power of Meroya... and became a Priestess.
SA: Level 1 Cleric Rituals
Cleric check 44%. 4448 Became Wiz-1 4448 under Dark Odo.

Viola Alchemical Creations

Bottled Lightning
Base Price 40 gp; Weight 1 lb.
DESCRIPTION
Electricity crackles along a metal filament inside this small glass bottle. You can open the bottle as an action, unleashing a small bolt of lightning toward an enemy within 20 feet of you. This deals 2d8 points of electricity damage. (DEX save DC 15 negates).

Flash Powder 
Base Price 100 gp; Weight -
DESCRIPTION

This coarse gray powder ignites and burns almost instantly if exposed to flame, significant friction, or even simple force such as throwing it against a floor (as an action). Creatures within a 10-foot-radius burst are blinded for 1 round unless they make a DC 10 CON save.

OTHERS

Randall the Halfling Gardener

Randall the Hafling, Lightfoot Gardener at Narangi Villa/Temple of Meroya
Fighter-1
Armor Class 10 or 11 (padded gambeson)
Hit Points 11  hd 1 x d10+1
Small, Speed 25 ft.
STR 12 (+1)  DEX  11 (+0)  CON 12 (+1)  INT 7 (-2)  WIS 10 (+0)  CHA 8 (-1)
Skills Nature +2, Perception +2 Senses passive Perception 12
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Actions: 1 melee weapon, sharpened pitchfork (as spear)
ATTACK 1d20 + 3 DAMAGE 1d8+4 2hw
Second Wind: Bonus Action recover d10+1 hp
Fighting Style: Peasant Fighter, +2/+3 damage with peasant melee weapons (max d6 1-h, d8 2-h)
Lucky: When rolls a 1 on the d20 for an Attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
Brave: advantage on saving throws against being Frightened.
Halfling Nimbleness: can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
Languages: can speak Common and Halfling.

Slave Rosaria, Meroya Temple Slave

Slave Rosaria (ex Rosaria Lady di Carchimish). Meroya Temple Slave from 8/8/47

STR 8 (-1) DE 15 (+2) CO 8 (-1) IN 13 (+1) WIS 14 (+2) CH 15 (+2)
AC 12 NM HD 1d8-1 HP 4
Eros +4
Mealia has decided to take charge of training the arrogant former Carchimishi noblewoman as a temple slave of Meroya - with a little light chastisement where necessary...
13/8/47 Rado's wedding night, Mealia brings Rosaria to spend it with Sir Baltek
14/8/47 At Prisha's order, Rosaria got to spend one night with her the instructor, Mealia the tutee... She sees things a lot clearer now. Possibly Mealia does too.
After that pleasurable experience Priestess Esmalia declared her initial training complete permitted her a loincloth, and to run errands for the Temple.

CARCHIMISH TEMPLE OF MEROYA CULT FOLLOWERS
Maximum Number #: (High Priestess' Level + CHA bonus) = 14x5 = 70

MEROYA TEMPLE AT HARA

PRIESTESSES OF MEROYA AT HARA TEMPLE (under construction) 

Delanie

1. Delanie of Capricia, Temple Priestess of Meroya at Hara Human Cleric 
Level 1 AC 12  HP 9
HD 1 xd8+1 hp = Levelx6+3
STR 10 (+0) DEX 14 (+2) CON 13 (+1) INT 10 (+0) WIS 15 (+2) CHA 19 (+4)
Max Henchmen: 6, NM
Religion +4
Persuasion +6
Survival +4
Farmer's tools +4
Eros+8
Passive Perception 12
Unarmed att+2 dam 1
Dagger att +4 dam d4+2 (4)
Cousin of Esmalia. Sworn to serve Prisha, who saved her from dwarf slavers. Oblivious to Mealia's attentions. Not hugely bright or very studious, but has huge other assets... 
SA: Level 1 Cleric spells
Wisdom spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks. She has the following cleric
spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): light, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
1st level (3 slots): bless, cure wounds, sanctuary

14-15/7/47: Talented entertainer of Norbert Perkins, and pretty much the entire Plato town guard.
16/7/47: She is infatuated with the 'mighty Altanian warrior' Ironfist Greywolf, one of Nightshadow's barbarian Iron Warriors... lots of hanging off mighty thews...
16/8/47: She is equally infatuated with Lance Corporal Norbert Porkins!
19/8/47 Since arriving in Hara they have been largely inseparable - literally - and Delanie has begun teaching Norbert in the Way of Meroya...
21/8/47 At the Royal Council King Namelin seemed most taken with Delanie, and agreed she should have a prominent Temple of Meroya, close to Castle Hara. Hara also has a nice big river for bathing...
29/8/47 Passed Cleric call 44% - roll of 42.

Cult Followers: Delanie at Hara with currently Level 1 & +4 CHA could attract 5x5= 25 cult followers as temple leader.

_________________________________________________

COLOURS OF MEROYA

Meroya's followers usually know the meaning of their 6 holy colors and dress accordingly. In Karak, Popolva the choice of worn colors often revealed a lot about their wearer. Meroyanic color association is not exactly the same as the 'Indian' ones although usually similar. Typically a faithful of Meroya wears a primary color and a secondary one.

Red: Color of Love & Purity

In this the religion follows typical cultural norms by using Red for a connection with Love, but also adds the Popolvan meaning of spiritual Purity to it, could easily be worn by any priest and priestess of Meroya, and is often the color of gown or dress worn at a marriage. Meroyanic religious culture doesn't consider most things other cultures or religions would as 'impure', especially sexual things, as such many can bravely wear it.

Pink: Color of Lust & Joy

Lust, passion, freedom, happiness are connected to the color pink. Those who follow the way of 'physical love' usually pick this one, fits for courtesans, most bards, rogues, casanovas. It wouldn't be rare for old men and women to wear it as well when celebrating the birth of their child or grandchild with joy. It is often the dominant color at grand celebrations combined with an other Meroyanic color to attach extra meaning to the celebration.

Purple: Color of Prosperity & Wisdom

The regal color of purple is representing wealth and an excessive amount of knowledge. Often nobles, merchants, scholars dress in purple. Priestesses and Priests of Knowledge also pick either Purple or Black as their primary color, usually with the other color of this pair becoming the secondary color they wear. Sometimes people overestimating their wealth or knowledge also wear it.

Green: Color of Rebirth & Grief

While many Karakan cultures consider White the color of grief & death for the Meroyanic religion (which believes in a cycle of rebirth) Green is the choice for funerals. Healers, those close to the natural or spiritual cycle of life, grave diggers usually wear the color as primary or secondary color choice. The rare few Meroya following druids have an easy time picking their dress color but it also often gets worn by wizards of the Transmutation school.

White: Color of Peace & Benevolence

The colors of white and black differ the greatest between associated meaning in western and Karakan cultures. Typically the color of innocence and worn at marriages in the west while the color of death and grief in Popolva/Karak, for the Meroyanic faith white represents peace and benevolence. A nurse or doctor often wears white and green colors, many judges and politicians also choose white as their dominant color for their clothes. White is also the color of the holy animal of Meroya as a benevolent guardian.

Black: Color of Secrets & Darkness

Black color lacks the typical associated meanings of death or evil, although often worn to ward off evil. Researchers, students of magic and seekers of hidden knowledge usually wear this color as their primary or secondary color. Thieves and spies also often pick it and not just because practicality. The aspect of darkness helps in hiding secrets and victims from enemies. Black color might be dominant in wizard towers or used together with Purple in places like libraries. A Meroyanic Priestess/Priest who values research and revealing secret knowledge might wear a black heart pendant as holy symbol, and/or wear black as their choice of primary clothing color. Blue color is often replacing black with the same meaning and might be worn easier in the western realms than black, although scholars and wizards usually care less about cultural norms or what others think about their clothes as long they're left alone with their work without getting bothered.

PRIESTLY RITUALS

These are spells that a trained priestess can cast who isn't an actual Cleric.  Ceremonies of marriage, burial, etc would also come under 1st level Clerical ritual. Investiture of new priests would be 2nd level. Ritual spells can be cast without using spell slots (you still have to Prepare them).  It takes 10 times as long as casting them using a spell slot. Most priests in the Wilderlands are not actual classed Clerics, a typical priest is a Normal Man with 1st level ritual casting, and some have higher level ritual casting.

5e Ritual casting - http://engl393-dnd5th.wikia.com/wiki/Ritual
PRIEST (CLERIC RITUALS) REQUIRES WIS 13+

Followers with WIS 13+ are capable of being invested as priestesses and becoming clerical ritual casters; this would normally take about 6 months training; the same as learning a tool proficiency or new language.

Cleric Ritual Spells 

• Cleric Rituals Level 1:
• Detect Magic 1st-level divination (ritual) Usable by Bard, Cleric,Druid,Sorcerer, Wizard
• Detect Poison and Disease 1st-level divination (ritual) Usable by Cleric,Druid
• Purify Food and Drink 1st-level transmutation(ritual) Usable by Cleric, Druid
• Ceremony 1st-level abjuration (ritual) Usable by Cleric
• 
  
• Ritual lvl 1 granted access with Knowledge domain (might be fine for Viola, perhaps others):
• Identify
• 
  
• Cleric Rituals Level 2:
• Augury
• Gentle Repose
• Silence