Heroes of Legend
The Tarsonis Ten
Extract from “Heroes of The Thousand Eye War, Fact or Fiction” by Zeddicus.
Great and varied are the legends concerning The Tarsonis Ten and they are widely recognised as being responsible for ending the great Thousand Eye War though exactly how they did this has been argued in taverns across Tarsonis for over two hundred years. What follows is a brief summary of each member of the Tarsonis Ten before we delve more deeply into the myths surrounding them and their involvement in the war. Now the more academic among you may cry out demanding I recognise the other great heroes of the time for they are many, Kelley Tinkerstone, Belgrand Loresmith, Kaden the Quick, Lady Lifedrinker, Vex and Vax and the Titan Twins, but that it is not the focus of this research.
Cloud, the Verdant Lord, Master of the Elements, First Speaker of the Grove and Guardian of the Soul Seed, believed to be both the oldest member of The Tarsonis Ten as well as one of the most elusive. The legends speak of how this powerful druid united his kin and caused the year of storms in AA:2037. An aged and wise elf Cloud was said to transform into a great towering tree in battle, becoming the living embodiment of nature, and whether or not he still lives is unknown but he stopped taking an active role in society at the end of the Thousand Eye War.
Krull, The Warrior King, Headtaker, Eyegouger, Drowbane, The Well Endowed, The Unstoppable Rage lord, now residing in his mercenary hall within the city of Kracken’s Fall Krull is rumoured to hold the record as the oldest living Halfling in the history of Tarsonis but since even he isn’t sure when he was born it is hard to know for sure. Said to have been raised by wolves Krull was the youngest member of The Tarsonis Ten but gained great fame as a hunter of monsters and taker of skulls.
Susan, The Storm Bringer, Giantsbane, Mountain Shaker, Exiled Lord of the Unmarred Stone. Preferring the more simple title Susan the Dwarf this great warrior was stripped of his birth name at a young age and given the name of a young human girl as punishment, though he never believed it to be an insult, when he was exiled. Those who found humour in his new name quickly found their way to the nearest healer as in his early years Susan was quick to anger and slow to forgive. Over time Susan earned a reputation for integrity and skill in battle and when the Thousand Eye War broke out he quickly became a beacon of calm in any battle. Now it is said that one in four firstborn sons are named Susan in his honour, sadly this can get very confusing in larger dwarf communities. Susan is still alive and is rebuilding the old Canton Keep newly renamed as “Susan’s Safe House and Sundries”
Sir Kyler Skorne, Lord Captain of the Vengeful Eye, the unwavering, the unforgiving, not born to nobility Kyler Skorne proved his worth to the Order of the Vengeful Eye and swore his Oath in the great hall of Skorne before it’s destruction in the Thousand Eye War. This human was said to have many flaws but no one ever questioned his determination to rid the world of Evil, he spent his life crushing cults and punishing the guilty, never did he hold back or compromise his oath. Known to have died in the battle with The Long Shadow near the end of the war, his body was never recovered nor his anointed armour and weapons though a forgery will crop up every few years.
Sir Hugh, Knight of the Realm. Holding no other titles this loan human knight from the Korhol Conclave defied his people’s orders and left his land to aid in the Thousand Eye War. A human respected throughout the lands and famed for befriending a number of mighty dragons and riding them into battle. Sir Hugh founded a number of Knightly orders after the war and died of old age never returning to his homeland.
Garak, The Destroyer, shortly after the war began and the heroes that would come to be known as The Tarsonis Ten started working together to save the people of the Minbar Empire a young human mage joined them. This slightly chubby and prematurely balding man was said to have been found by Cloud and the others buried in the rubble of the Imperial palace at the foot of Z’ha’Dum. It is said that his rage upon seeing the blackened and ruined landscape was terrifying to behold, quickly joining the other heroes, Garak was an extremely powerful mage and he incinerated whole armies without mercy. How he died is unknown for he retired to his hidden sanctum though it is said he never forgave the rest of the Tarsonis Ten for allowing the peace treaty and ending the war.
Marvellous Malachi, Necromancer, Whisperer to the dead, this Halfling mage once banished by the imperial college of magic for dabbling in forbidden magic was one of the few powerful arcane practitioners not at the Imperial Palace when Z’ha’dum rose from the ground destroying everything, with the outbreak of the Thousand Eye War and the massive death toll his past transgressions were quickly forgiven in exchange for his aid. Malachi died in the battle with The Long Shadow near the end of the war and left behind nearly twenty grieving widows and many more fatherless children.
Mortius. His name is listed when ever people speak of the Tarsonis Ten yet there is no tales of him, not a single ballad or song of praise from solders during the war, none could tell you for sure his, if it is even a him, name or race or country of origin or even what skills Mortius possessed. The surviving members of the Tarsonis Ten will not speak of it; the last person to press the issue with Krull had his arm ripped clean off. Despite this all historians and bards agree that Mortius was an important part of the fight to end the Thousand Eye War, it has been speculated that there is some great curse or enchantment at work around the memory of Mortius.
Tel’emore, The Divine, priest without a God, the traveller’s guide, many tales will speak of his humanity but Tel’emore was proven to not be entirely human for in his blood flowed the tiniest spark of the divine for he was an Aasimar, his grandfather an agent of divine forces hidden in human form. Many have called him Godless but nothing could be further from the truth, Tel’emore devoted himself to the teaching of the forgotten Gods. He was devoted to those Gods who had no living followers, whose temples had been desecrated by evil and whose relics pillaged, and to rebuilding temples in their name. Sadly much of his life’s work was destroyed during the Thousand Eye War, but not all, even today you may come across a small shrine on your travels with the beliefs and tenants of a forgotten God carved upon it. Tel’emore died in the battle with The Long Shadow near the end of the war.
De’Calis, The Shadow Slayer, he who became a dragon, lightbringer, the last member of the Tarsonis Ten on our list. Famed to be both the reason for breakup of the group as well as the reason they formed in the first place. De’Calis was born in what was the Silent Wood within the area now known as the Shadowlands, long before the rise of Z’ha’dum this wood elf left his home to go on a strange pilgrimage known as The Long Walk. The tale among his people was that long before the empire of Minbar the elves of the Silent wood lived in great cities but then a doom came to the people, an ancient evil known only as The Long Shadow destroyed all but a fragment of their people who fled into the Silent Wood. There they lived in peace until some of the children developed the sorcerer powers that the elves claim they were once famed for. Every time a child matured enough to manifest these powers, and it was a relatively rare trait, the entire tribe would be wiped out by The Long Shadow. The elders of the tribes proclaimed that for the good of all those who showed the hints of magical ability would leave the Silent Wood and travel far away to die alone and thus spare the tribe. De’Calis left his home for the good of his people but soon met a strange man named Tel’emore and together they swore to gain the strength to defeat this evil.
Extract from “Heroes of The Thousand Eye War, Fact or Fiction” by Zeddicus.
Great and varied are the legends concerning The Tarsonis Ten and they are widely recognised as being responsible for ending the great Thousand Eye War though exactly how they did this has been argued in taverns across Tarsonis for over two hundred years. What follows is a brief summary of each member of the Tarsonis Ten before we delve more deeply into the myths surrounding them and their involvement in the war. Now the more academic among you may cry out demanding I recognise the other great heroes of the time for they are many, Kelley Tinkerstone, Belgrand Loresmith, Kaden the Quick, Lady Lifedrinker, Vex and Vax and the Titan Twins, but that it is not the focus of this research.
Cloud, the Verdant Lord, Master of the Elements, First Speaker of the Grove and Guardian of the Soul Seed, believed to be both the oldest member of The Tarsonis Ten as well as one of the most elusive. The legends speak of how this powerful druid united his kin and caused the year of storms in AA:2037. An aged and wise elf Cloud was said to transform into a great towering tree in battle, becoming the living embodiment of nature, and whether or not he still lives is unknown but he stopped taking an active role in society at the end of the Thousand Eye War.
Krull, The Warrior King, Headtaker, Eyegouger, Drowbane, The Well Endowed, The Unstoppable Rage lord, now residing in his mercenary hall within the city of Kracken’s Fall Krull is rumoured to hold the record as the oldest living Halfling in the history of Tarsonis but since even he isn’t sure when he was born it is hard to know for sure. Said to have been raised by wolves Krull was the youngest member of The Tarsonis Ten but gained great fame as a hunter of monsters and taker of skulls.
Susan, The Storm Bringer, Giantsbane, Mountain Shaker, Exiled Lord of the Unmarred Stone. Preferring the more simple title Susan the Dwarf this great warrior was stripped of his birth name at a young age and given the name of a young human girl as punishment, though he never believed it to be an insult, when he was exiled. Those who found humour in his new name quickly found their way to the nearest healer as in his early years Susan was quick to anger and slow to forgive. Over time Susan earned a reputation for integrity and skill in battle and when the Thousand Eye War broke out he quickly became a beacon of calm in any battle. Now it is said that one in four firstborn sons are named Susan in his honour, sadly this can get very confusing in larger dwarf communities. Susan is still alive and is rebuilding the old Canton Keep newly renamed as “Susan’s Safe House and Sundries”
Sir Kyler Skorne, Lord Captain of the Vengeful Eye, the unwavering, the unforgiving, not born to nobility Kyler Skorne proved his worth to the Order of the Vengeful Eye and swore his Oath in the great hall of Skorne before it’s destruction in the Thousand Eye War. This human was said to have many flaws but no one ever questioned his determination to rid the world of Evil, he spent his life crushing cults and punishing the guilty, never did he hold back or compromise his oath. Known to have died in the battle with The Long Shadow near the end of the war, his body was never recovered nor his anointed armour and weapons though a forgery will crop up every few years.
Sir Hugh, Knight of the Realm. Holding no other titles this loan human knight from the Korhol Conclave defied his people’s orders and left his land to aid in the Thousand Eye War. A human respected throughout the lands and famed for befriending a number of mighty dragons and riding them into battle. Sir Hugh founded a number of Knightly orders after the war and died of old age never returning to his homeland.
Garak, The Destroyer, shortly after the war began and the heroes that would come to be known as The Tarsonis Ten started working together to save the people of the Minbar Empire a young human mage joined them. This slightly chubby and prematurely balding man was said to have been found by Cloud and the others buried in the rubble of the Imperial palace at the foot of Z’ha’Dum. It is said that his rage upon seeing the blackened and ruined landscape was terrifying to behold, quickly joining the other heroes, Garak was an extremely powerful mage and he incinerated whole armies without mercy. How he died is unknown for he retired to his hidden sanctum though it is said he never forgave the rest of the Tarsonis Ten for allowing the peace treaty and ending the war.
Marvellous Malachi, Necromancer, Whisperer to the dead, this Halfling mage once banished by the imperial college of magic for dabbling in forbidden magic was one of the few powerful arcane practitioners not at the Imperial Palace when Z’ha’dum rose from the ground destroying everything, with the outbreak of the Thousand Eye War and the massive death toll his past transgressions were quickly forgiven in exchange for his aid. Malachi died in the battle with The Long Shadow near the end of the war and left behind nearly twenty grieving widows and many more fatherless children.
Mortius. His name is listed when ever people speak of the Tarsonis Ten yet there is no tales of him, not a single ballad or song of praise from solders during the war, none could tell you for sure his, if it is even a him, name or race or country of origin or even what skills Mortius possessed. The surviving members of the Tarsonis Ten will not speak of it; the last person to press the issue with Krull had his arm ripped clean off. Despite this all historians and bards agree that Mortius was an important part of the fight to end the Thousand Eye War, it has been speculated that there is some great curse or enchantment at work around the memory of Mortius.
Tel’emore, The Divine, priest without a God, the traveller’s guide, many tales will speak of his humanity but Tel’emore was proven to not be entirely human for in his blood flowed the tiniest spark of the divine for he was an Aasimar, his grandfather an agent of divine forces hidden in human form. Many have called him Godless but nothing could be further from the truth, Tel’emore devoted himself to the teaching of the forgotten Gods. He was devoted to those Gods who had no living followers, whose temples had been desecrated by evil and whose relics pillaged, and to rebuilding temples in their name. Sadly much of his life’s work was destroyed during the Thousand Eye War, but not all, even today you may come across a small shrine on your travels with the beliefs and tenants of a forgotten God carved upon it. Tel’emore died in the battle with The Long Shadow near the end of the war.
De’Calis, The Shadow Slayer, he who became a dragon, lightbringer, the last member of the Tarsonis Ten on our list. Famed to be both the reason for breakup of the group as well as the reason they formed in the first place. De’Calis was born in what was the Silent Wood within the area now known as the Shadowlands, long before the rise of Z’ha’dum this wood elf left his home to go on a strange pilgrimage known as The Long Walk. The tale among his people was that long before the empire of Minbar the elves of the Silent wood lived in great cities but then a doom came to the people, an ancient evil known only as The Long Shadow destroyed all but a fragment of their people who fled into the Silent Wood. There they lived in peace until some of the children developed the sorcerer powers that the elves claim they were once famed for. Every time a child matured enough to manifest these powers, and it was a relatively rare trait, the entire tribe would be wiped out by The Long Shadow. The elders of the tribes proclaimed that for the good of all those who showed the hints of magical ability would leave the Silent Wood and travel far away to die alone and thus spare the tribe. De’Calis left his home for the good of his people but soon met a strange man named Tel’emore and together they swore to gain the strength to defeat this evil.
People of the Drazi Kingdom
Krull The Warrior King
Known as KRULL WARRIOR KING! This 240ish year old Halfling barbarian is the leader of a mercenary guild of monster hunters called “The Headtakers” based in Kracken’s Fall and former member of the Tarsonion Ten a group of world famous adventures.
Krull sits in his hall, an older keep within the Lower Dock district of Kracken’s Fall, upon a throne towering above all made out thousands of skulls of all manner of monsters. He spends his time overlooking the fighting pit below where members of the guild do bouts of honour and hopefuls wish to join the guild by offering skulls for his throne.
Despite his 220 years and size, standing just under 3 foot (0.9 Meters) Krull is still immensely strong able to lift his huge keg sized ale tankard one handed despite it being large enough to hide inside. His usual attire is to be almost completely naked so as to show off his many Dwarven Tattoos and so he only wears white ribbons wrapped around parts his body which only highlight rather than conceal as well as being covered in jewellery. Even in his extremely advanced age for one of his race Krull has maintained a body that would leave most professional weightlifters speechless with envy though perhaps there is a magical explanation for his physical fitness.
KRULL THE WARRIOR KING hates when people do not use his full title and also appears to have gone slightly death as he ONLY SPEAKS AT A SHOUTING VOLUME AND ALWAYS REFERS TO HIMSELF IN THE THIRD PERSON.
Where they first met: Shortly after rescuing Knight Captain Aurelius the party headed to the Headtakers guild as they had heard rumors that one of the Headtakers was a Thiefling named Illyria and she was in possession of a magical eye that was part of a set of magical items that Durn S’Altar was searching for.
Known as KRULL WARRIOR KING! This 240ish year old Halfling barbarian is the leader of a mercenary guild of monster hunters called “The Headtakers” based in Kracken’s Fall and former member of the Tarsonion Ten a group of world famous adventures.
Krull sits in his hall, an older keep within the Lower Dock district of Kracken’s Fall, upon a throne towering above all made out thousands of skulls of all manner of monsters. He spends his time overlooking the fighting pit below where members of the guild do bouts of honour and hopefuls wish to join the guild by offering skulls for his throne.
Despite his 220 years and size, standing just under 3 foot (0.9 Meters) Krull is still immensely strong able to lift his huge keg sized ale tankard one handed despite it being large enough to hide inside. His usual attire is to be almost completely naked so as to show off his many Dwarven Tattoos and so he only wears white ribbons wrapped around parts his body which only highlight rather than conceal as well as being covered in jewellery. Even in his extremely advanced age for one of his race Krull has maintained a body that would leave most professional weightlifters speechless with envy though perhaps there is a magical explanation for his physical fitness.
KRULL THE WARRIOR KING hates when people do not use his full title and also appears to have gone slightly death as he ONLY SPEAKS AT A SHOUTING VOLUME AND ALWAYS REFERS TO HIMSELF IN THE THIRD PERSON.
Where they first met: Shortly after rescuing Knight Captain Aurelius the party headed to the Headtakers guild as they had heard rumors that one of the Headtakers was a Thiefling named Illyria and she was in possession of a magical eye that was part of a set of magical items that Durn S’Altar was searching for.
Lady Elenna Blackhand
Elenna was never meant to be heir, the third and youngest child of Duke Blackhand, her eldest brother Jared was trained to rule Kracken's Fall and Dean would inherent the title of Earl of Winchester Keep. Elenna's fate rested in marriage to one baron or duke's son but was mostly left to her own devises as long as her tutors were appeased, that is until the battle of Whispering Crag with Duke Naroon Moonshroud's cowardice and the betrayal of Duke Sliscus Ironheart. Elenna did her duty and took up the martial training that the Blackhand's heirs always did but seeing the slow erosion of her fathers power and influence and fearing the almost inevitable power grab from the other Dukes Elenna decided to sneak away from her home with the aid of a love sick bard Sam Windsinger went in search of the lost Kracken's Fall Keystone. With it she hoped to re-activate the long dormant gateway to Minbar and with it gain wealth from trade to rebuild Kracken's Fall's diminished forces and maintain it's independence from outside influence. Where they first met: The party met Lady Elenna near the ruins of the town of Canton, she was searching for the Kracken's Fall Keystone and convinced the party to aid her rather then take her back to her father. |
The Good People of Glass Shadow (Northern Drazi)
The Mayor: Jethro Palmer. Human.
Jethro was born in to a family of blacksmiths both his mother and father worked in there smith and shop but it was never going to be his future. from a young age all he wanted to do was make his town a better place. when the goblin raid happened on his village he was rushed in to the town vault to keep him safe. once raid was over and he left the vault the 1aid eye on was this Drow standing in the middle of the bank dead goblins covered the area across the bank and out both the door and windows. He instantly hailed the Drow as there savior and a Hero of the people.
The Bank Owner: Eric Goldtooth. Dwarf.
Eric is a bit odd for a Dwarf he hates being underground preferring the Clean vault in his bank to a messy tunnel or cave. he is a Business man 1st and a Dwarf 2nd in his eyes, he has even been know to cut his bread. The only Dwarf in Glass Shadow to of hid in the Vault with his very big gun "facetaker" He to was very happy to see the Drow standing between his vault and the goblin hoard. He also instantly hailed the Drow as there savior and a Hero of the Vault.
The Town Cryer: Fromer Major Yuri Kirkov. Human.
Major Yuri Kirkov Fromer knight to the town of Glass Shadow did not want to retire but after being badďly injuryed in the defence of the city. He beleives his life was saved by Amon Che'kai as he killed the two goblins about to gut the Major. All Amon remebers was two goblins blocking the side door to the building that lead up to the roof of the bank. But he was not going to tell the Major that and any way who was he to disargee with a Major.
The New Baron of the knights of Glass Shadow: Baron Von Claudeitz. Tiefling
Von had been living in Glass Shadow for many years treated as an outside and regally beaten and insulted by the people of the town living on the scraps that he could find at night when the others slept in jail more then not just to humiliat him. When the goblin raid happen he was about to just walk away from the town and abbandon its people to there fate. Just as he was at the edge of town he watched a band of goblin heading towards the school were the mayors wife worked and knowing there must be over 50 childern in there even he could not walk away remebering each and every insult each child had made towards him over the years he let his hate for how he was treated drive him in a slaughter of the goblins. He then lead the childern and teachs to the vault out of 57 people at the school he saved 49 from the goblins. After the raid was put down a few of the famliys that lost child blamed him for not saving there children. It was only by the hand of Amon and a group of the children that saved Von from being beaten to death. He then acompanyed Amon and a handful of the city knights in making sure the city was clean of goblins. When Amon met with the town leaders and they said they needed a new leader for there knights Amon turned down the honour but asked that the job be given to Von as he had proved that no matter how the city had treated him when they need him he was there more then many of there own people. He has served with a smile and sense of place since then and has been treated better then any Tiefling could ever dream to be. Von favors Amon above all others as it was him that gave him a reason to live and a place in the world he could turely call home.
The Mayor: Jethro Palmer. Human.
Jethro was born in to a family of blacksmiths both his mother and father worked in there smith and shop but it was never going to be his future. from a young age all he wanted to do was make his town a better place. when the goblin raid happened on his village he was rushed in to the town vault to keep him safe. once raid was over and he left the vault the 1aid eye on was this Drow standing in the middle of the bank dead goblins covered the area across the bank and out both the door and windows. He instantly hailed the Drow as there savior and a Hero of the people.
The Bank Owner: Eric Goldtooth. Dwarf.
Eric is a bit odd for a Dwarf he hates being underground preferring the Clean vault in his bank to a messy tunnel or cave. he is a Business man 1st and a Dwarf 2nd in his eyes, he has even been know to cut his bread. The only Dwarf in Glass Shadow to of hid in the Vault with his very big gun "facetaker" He to was very happy to see the Drow standing between his vault and the goblin hoard. He also instantly hailed the Drow as there savior and a Hero of the Vault.
The Town Cryer: Fromer Major Yuri Kirkov. Human.
Major Yuri Kirkov Fromer knight to the town of Glass Shadow did not want to retire but after being badďly injuryed in the defence of the city. He beleives his life was saved by Amon Che'kai as he killed the two goblins about to gut the Major. All Amon remebers was two goblins blocking the side door to the building that lead up to the roof of the bank. But he was not going to tell the Major that and any way who was he to disargee with a Major.
The New Baron of the knights of Glass Shadow: Baron Von Claudeitz. Tiefling
Von had been living in Glass Shadow for many years treated as an outside and regally beaten and insulted by the people of the town living on the scraps that he could find at night when the others slept in jail more then not just to humiliat him. When the goblin raid happen he was about to just walk away from the town and abbandon its people to there fate. Just as he was at the edge of town he watched a band of goblin heading towards the school were the mayors wife worked and knowing there must be over 50 childern in there even he could not walk away remebering each and every insult each child had made towards him over the years he let his hate for how he was treated drive him in a slaughter of the goblins. He then lead the childern and teachs to the vault out of 57 people at the school he saved 49 from the goblins. After the raid was put down a few of the famliys that lost child blamed him for not saving there children. It was only by the hand of Amon and a group of the children that saved Von from being beaten to death. He then acompanyed Amon and a handful of the city knights in making sure the city was clean of goblins. When Amon met with the town leaders and they said they needed a new leader for there knights Amon turned down the honour but asked that the job be given to Von as he had proved that no matter how the city had treated him when they need him he was there more then many of there own people. He has served with a smile and sense of place since then and has been treated better then any Tiefling could ever dream to be. Von favors Amon above all others as it was him that gave him a reason to live and a place in the world he could turely call home.
Dutchess Drusilla De’vil
Born long ago in a small Drow keep to Amenhotep a Sorcerer in the keeps guard and what seemed to be Nephthys The maid but was in fact Hatshepsut an assassin for the House of the Twisted Sisters sent to kill the heads of all the Drow Houses that were meeting at the keep later that year for the Gathering a ancient meeting that happened only once every 50 years. 3 weeks before the Gathering they found out they were with child and Hatshepsut was not willing to risk losing her child by completing her task of kill as many of the House leaders as she could so she told Amenhoteps and his leaders of the plan and asked for there protection. With the plan out in the open the House of the Twisted Sisters envoys to the Grathering were slaughtered and sent home in the skins of dead chickens a sign of disrespect, That had been eaten at the Feast of the Ravens Nest.
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At the feast Hatshepsut Married Amenbotep, Once there child was born her name was reviled across the land as Drusilla Cha'Kai and she was toured around to the people of the higher levels of the Great house's as a future leader and unverifier of there people. Some even found or twisted prophecies to make them seem to be about her and the coming of a Hero of the People the will unite them for one last great age, both of parents and the leaders of the great house as a tribute for reviling the plans harboured by the House of Twisted Sister and to help build on the Story's, rumours and hopes of her being the Unverifier, All aided in the teaching and rasing of Drusilla, Tutors and Masters of every craft were sent to train her,
Dutchess Drusillas Delightful daughters
Each of Drusilla's Daughters have a different father and each of them is a Ruler of one of the great House's.