Zeph Keinis

19-year-old Zeph just before his Awakening

**Zeph Keinis** */ZEF KAY-nis/*, born **Zephanakh Keinis**/ze-fahn-AHKH/, was a Wolftongue redman of the Tribe Of Keinis The Wise during the latter portions of the Other Eld. He was known in his day as the Righter Of The Wolftongue, The Scarred Wolf, King Of The Wolftongue, and the Heir To The Throne Of Mani.

## Concerning his appearance

Zeph was a bronze-skinned, dark-haired redman of the Wolftongue stock. Being of the pure blood of Red, he bore no alterations of body, nor corruption of flesh commonly associated with the other races of the sons of Red. Of his unique features, he bore the Wolfstripe of the Line Of Kings, a twin set of white hairs running around his head by his temples. He also bore a peach scar stretching from the left side of his neck, down his shoulder, and onto the left side of his breast. After his encounter with Mona on Lyca Peak, however, his scar turned and thenceforth remained black.

## Concerning the Fall Of Argusburg

Along with the rest of his kinsman, Zeph suffered persecution by the lords of Energya during the Lightning Siege. Warlord Sotoh, leading the Ferd Of Energya, entered into and destroyed the capital city Argusburg, slaughtering all who dwelt therein, on the 14th of Weightsmona 1990 O.E. Zeph survived the attack due to the wise actions of his father Argus Keinis III and uncle Arhon Keinis, but became separated from them after the siege and sold into bondage in Energya.

King Argus, Yulia Vulpis his mother, and Arhon all fell during the Lightning Siege.

## Concerning his bondage in Energya

At some point after the Siege, Zeph was taken from his uncle and mother and sold into slavery in Energya, eventually being purchased by a kindly elder named Jethro Kon. Along with Zeph, Jethro also bought Kalupso Vulpis, another survivor of the Siege, and raised them on his estate, often thinking of them more as children than servants. Jethro continued to be Zeph's master for a period of twelve years until 2002 O.E. The reason he gave for Zeph's freedom was that the young man no longer needed his protection.

Under the oversight of Elijah Sha, also called Iron Belly, Zeph spent most of his days tilling the earth, loading carts, and harvesting crops from Jethro's fields with his co-servants. He was often allowed liberal access to the village beyond Jethro's lands, even as far south as Lyca Peak.

### His friendship with Borkan

During his service to Jethro, Zeph developed a close friendship with his eventual roommate Borkan Dragonus, an Infrian Heatmaw child Jethro also purchased some time after Zeph and Kal. Though a bit of a rebel and instigator of others, Borkan developed a strange loyalty to the Wolftongue boy, often defending him from the problem-child Adam Terrus.

### His friendship with Kalupso

Zeph and Kal's relationship began long before the Siege, back when Zeph was a child prince and Kal was a simple commoner child from the outer districts of the city. Kalupso and the queen were only distantly related, but the queen retained a close relationship with her due to her parents' proximity. Zeph and Kal were often at odds during play, as Zeph and his friend Klau liked to play War, while Kal and her sister Nora preferred games like Got-you and Find-the-wolf. After the Siege, Kal's relationship with Zeph became far more formal, often addressing him—even as a slave—with "my lord." But the formality—at least to her—was not a reflection of distance but nearness, as the two formed a unique bond due to being the last of their kind. While Kal put on Zeph not only the role of prince but also her noble protector, Zeph instead struggled under the weight of these titles, outright rejecting their use. Despite his hesitance, Zeph was fiercely loyal to Kal and would challenge anyone who dared try to harm her.

### His rivalry with Adam

Adam Terrus, the lone Mundan Groundbollock of Jethro's servants, bore a deep hatred and contempt for his Wolftongue peer, the reasons of which are unknown. The two often fought, coming to blows and even wounds. As a result, Adam received many harsh punishments and began to hold a burning resentment against his master and Zeph.