Brennan Essik

**Talias** was a Halfling Druid and member of Inexial's Chosen. Hailing from the Groves of Underhill at the south coast of Adrin, he was a disciple of a group of devout believers of Animism in Verun, he was indirectly a follower of The Archfey, and the Lady of the Forest as well as the God-Guardian of the Forest.

Along side the other Heroes, Talias helped to defeat **The Star Shepherd** and stopped the return of Karai, the Mad God. This victory earned him the respect of his friends, as well as the Kingdoms of Estivir.

## History

### Birth and Early Life

Born within the Grove of Underhill to Merrill and Terion, both influential members of the Druidic Circle of the Land. Unfortunately they were killed while protecting the Grove from Stone Trolls. They were buried within the Druid's Hollow. Talias was then brought up by the Elder of Underhill, Willehad Eldercrest.

Willehad taught him everything Talias knows, the delicate magics and weaves that make up the world, the care and love for all creatures as well as the ability known as Wildshape, this allowed Talias to over time, turn himself into a variety of creatures and beasts that he had seen, such an ability became essential at moments of his future adventures.

In his early life, Talias believed that being a Druid meant protecting all natural life, and in some way perhaps he was right, but he also learned that some things in nature, just aren't good. He knew the power that lay in store for him and believed only in the power until Willehad showed him their true calling, their duty to the wider world.

In his dreams he saw a circle of shadowed figures, around the base of a great tree, and overtime they manifested more and more until such a time he wished to seek the source of the visions, he once entered a deep meditative state usually reserved for the Elder, a hibernation trance that brought him into the spirit of a bird in flight. It took him to a cave that was somewhat familiar to him and his name was called out to him, the trance didn't last long enough.

### Meeting the Prophet

On the fifteenth summer since his parents were killed, Talias felt a pull to the Druid's Hollow. He woke up at Twilight and ventured through the forest for several miles until he reached the cave, upon entering he didn't know what had pulled him there, but he went to his parent's graves and prayed. As he left the burial chamber an instinct kicked in, and he used the Barkskin spell, alert he investigated the main chamber where a great tree stood. He found the Prophet knelt by the tree, carving something into it's trunk. Introduced as Anfaire, a prophet of the Everglade they talked for sometime, she spoke of a great many conflicts to come, that he would be able to protect the world from. He interpreted this as a fact that he would have to stop the conflicts from happening. She offered him a box andinstructed Talias to find the Spirit of Duty, the Star Shepherd and the World Trees that hold the world together, without him the world would be sundered.

### Calling to the Mainland

To the disappointment of his Elder, Talias immediately began to pack for his journey as he got home he was excited to get underway, but the hatching of his egg distracted him for a moment. The hatching of the Phoenix that would earn him his title. It made sense that the Prophet referred to him as the Phoenix bearer before it hatched. Nevertheless he was stalwart in his idea, he would venture to the mainland and seek the Spirit of Duty and the Star Shepherd, ultimately neither would prove particularly difficult.