Haldir Arothar

Haldir Arothar comes from the noble Arothar Dynasty in the Republic of Elyrion. After wounding his cousin in a sparring battle from his childhood, he was banned from a military education by his uncle. As a result, he became a financial expert of the Republic working with his other uncle. During this time, he made friends with a mysterious and distantly-related magical novice named Elion, who soon after was called to war and not heard from again. Haldir continued to work hard, until he won big after gambling against a rival in a great tournament in the republic’s capital. After his rival refused to pay, he hired ruffians to burgle his house to retrieve his rightly-gotten gains. This plan failed, and Haldir left the city. However, after the death of the patriarch of his family, as well as Haldir’s father, civil war engulfed his estate, and he was captured as a political prisoner. This imprisonment was short lived, as deputies from the capital also wanted his incarceration, and he ended up in the dungeon at Elyria’s capital.

           He was later rescued by Elion, who was assisted by mysterious magic-users. He ended up at Appilichon Island, home of the Mummy Lord Rabago. Rabago’s right hand imprisoned Elion in a static coffin for his disobedience, and instructed Haldir that in order to free him, he would have to become a follower of Rabago and enact his will. There he remained, until he was released as a free agent on the Perion Mainland.

### **The Arothar Dynasty**

**Arran Arothar** is the current head of the **Arothar Dynasty**. As a loyal retainer of **Trazin**, **Arran** has served the **Republic of Elyrion** in terms of military, production and administrative aspects. The **Arothar Dynasty** is located in the midst of the **Faradin Forest**, and provides timber and industry for the rest of the **Republic**. Soldiers loyal to the dynasty are well trained for scouting, woodland fighting and are a very well-disciplined fighting force. **Arran Arothar** began his career as a general in his father’s force, and took over the lordship at a very young age, only 26, when his father died in battle. Since then, he has ruled for the other 196 years of his life. He has sired many children, and as he was near the only remaining heir of the **Arothar** dynasty when he achieved the lordship, he has nearly rebuilt the entire dynasty. **Arran** is a driven individual, and the hardships of rule have turned him into a hard and unyielding man throughout the years. Rather than having a face of battle scars, lines and indentations delineate the hundreds of late nights discussing strategy with his generals. He has seen many crises in his time and has served **Trazin** loyally throughout. He is a patriot and views half-elves as the superior race of **Perion**.

**Arran Arothar** married **Wintran Arothar** when he was young, a loveless marriage designed to provide an heir and ensure the dynasty’s continuation. **Wintran** came from a distinguished but impoverished dynasty, the **Firivars**, who were eager to exchange her for a hefty dowry. **Wintran** was a kind and well-natured woman, while **Arran** was neither kind nor cruel. Years of being kept in the **Arothar Estate** took a toll on her health, and she died at the young age of 44. Three children were born to **Wintran** and **Arran**, daughters **Winion** and **Winsdam**, and son **Hadar**, with ages according to their order.

**Arran**, without showing an immense amount of grief, married his second wife shortly after. This time, his station was considerably increased, and he married **Delior Fargrove**, of the splendid and wealthy **Fargrove** dynasty. This marriage prompted a military alliance that would assist in **Arran’s** continued growth in power. **Delior** was much younger than **Arran**, but had drive to match his unlike **Wintran**. While **Arran’s** first marriage was loveless and hollow, his second was characterised by moments of belonging split up with raging disputes. **Delior** was a trained fighter, and would accompany **Arran** on his various sieges and rebel put-downs. **Delior** gave birth to two sons and two daughters in her lifetime, both pairs of twins. The sons were **Agran** and **Barlir**, and the daughters, who were younger were **Delir** and **Signar**.

**Delior** died leading a charge against peasant rebels when a wayward arrow struck her in the opening charge, causing her to fall from her mount and become trampled by her comrades. Despite their challenging relationship, the loss was a significant blow to **Arran**, and he wouldn’t marry again for some time.

At 500 years old, after great urging from his advisors, he finally decided to remarry in order to secure a new alliance for the dynasty. **Marion Deerflow** was a widow, and the matriarch of the neighbouring **Deerflow** **Estate**. With their lands merged, the two began a joint rule, though **Arran** secretly wished for the Estate to end up in **Arothar** hands in future generations. With **Marion’s** son and heir sickly and feeble, it was not an impossibility. Indeed, he would pass away shortly after their marriage. **Marion** proved a match for **Arran**, like **Delior**, but by now his attitude was so degenerated that the two found no love for each other, and clashed frequently. **Marior** always suspected **Arran’s** ulterior motives. The two only had one daughter

Around the same time, most of **Arran’s** children were married. His eldest son and heir had grown into a great warrior, and married **Trintan Fargrove**, of his stepmother’s dynasty. They sired sons **Talar**, **Adrofar** and **Haldir II**, as well as daughters **Wymar** and **Willow**. **Hadar**’s sisters married soon after, and joined other dynasties.

The twin brothers of **Delia**, **Agran** and **Barlir** both married sisters of the **Quaryx** dynasty, **Zarla** and **Yozyr. Agran** had one son, **Agran II**, whilst **Barlir** was never able to produce any children. The twin sisters also married into new dynasties, reaffirming old alliances.

### **Childhood**

**Haldir Mudon Beckwell Winsam Elion Arothar** was born to **Hadar** and **Trintan** in 1302. High expectations were placed on him from birth, as his father was to become the head of the **Arothar** dynasty, as **Arran’s** eldest son. Despite his two older brothers having rights to the inheritance, all three were given the highest training in military strategy, training and administrative abilities. **Haldir** was much younger than his two brothers, and so he was always behind them by a significant margin. **Hadar**, following in his mother’s wake, was a kind man, and was always willing to arbitrate the harsher nature of his father. Through respect, he was able to command the respect of his soldiers and subjects, and many secretly looked forward to his rule, as opposed to **Arran’s** aggressive nature. **Trintan**, as was the wont for the **Fargroves**, was a harsh teacher, and held little love for her children, aside from when they performed well. **Talar** and **Adrofar** were for the most part dismissive of **Haldir**, and his father was often busy with his duties. He spent a lot of time with the slightly older **Agran II**, and the two spent a great deal of time sparring together, with **Haldir** taking the majority of the blows due to his young age. This continued until **Agran’s** jeering grew too much to bear, and **Haldir** went on a vicious attack, his training sword striking **Agran’s** eye and blinding it. This resulted in a permanent rift between the two, and **Agran I** demanded of **Hadar** that **Haldir** be banned from sparring with his son. Ever the diplomat, **Hadar** agreed, and so **Haldir’s** brief military interest quickly came to an end.

           Under this ban, **Haldir** was trapped in his room with little to do. **Hadar**, worried his son would fall behind his brothers, decided to have him become the ward of his childless half-brother, **Barlir**. This was met with dismay by **Haldir**, but there was little he could do. He was shipped away from the family home of **Hadar’s**, to the shared house of **Delior’s** children. This meant that he was in closer proximity to **Agran II**, however, **Barlir** had no other children, and so could focus on his upbringing. Further, unlike his brother, **Barlir** had not undertaken a study of arms, but rather on the finances of the estate, and had served as **Arran’s** financial minister for some time.

           It was in this field that **Barlir** began to instruct **Haldir**. The two quickly developed a close bond, as **Barlir** was one of the few people who had ever had time for **Haldir**. **Barlir’s** wife, **Yozyr** was from the distant **Quaryx** dynasty, and knew little of the common tongue. **Barlir** worked as the head of mintage, supplying coin for much of the republic. He also worked closely with **Arran** managing the debts of estate, as well as with the larger kingdom. His frequent trips to the capital ensured his status as a useful, if not boring, individual. **Barlir** was also third in line between his brothers, so the two shared a lot of interest. Of the **Quaryx** **Dynasty**, **Haldir** also grew closer to **Elion**, bastard brother of **Zarla**, who had been sent with her for the possibility of a marriage with **Marla**, **Arran’s** youngest daughter (something he had never seriously entertained, but agreed to consider him to improve relations with the dynasty). **Elion**, despite having little natural talent, had an impressive knowledge of magic amongst greater circles, due to the **Quaryx Dynasty** being predominantly made up of high elves. **Elion**, also with little company, developed a brotherly affection with **Haldir.**

           It was with him that **Elion** shared the beginnings of his magical knowledge. **Haldir** also spent a lot of time with the **Elyrian Monetary Council**, stationed in **Agran’s** estate, which managed rural currency transfer. This group of old and wizened elves (of which **Elion** was also a part) were entertained by **Haldir’s** presence, and his aptitude for finance showed him to be a promising recruit in the future. **Haldir** grew accustomed to this way of life, though the eruption of a **Quaryx** succession dispute threw things out of arrangement. **Elion**, who had remained in the estate with little news of his arrangement with **Marla** (he had yet to meet her), was called by his half-brother to assist in the dispute and ensure the succession. So **Elion** left by sea, much to **Haldir’s** dismay. A few months later, the war ended with **Elion**’ half-brother being defeated and executed by his rivals. Nobody knew what happened to **Elion**.

### **Young Adulthood**

At 20, **Haldir** underwent his **Willowshroud**, marking him as a fully-mature half-elf. The small ceremony was held in **Barlir’s** hall. Shortly thereafter, **Haldir** was officially inducted into the **Elyrian Monetary Council**, acting as aide to **Barlir**. As aide, **Haldir** scribed **Barlir’s** meetings, drew up his financial calculations, and listened in to his advice. He also accompanied him to **Nuriflow**, the capital, for meetings with high-ranking officials. **Barlir** reported to the official monetary council there, some of whom were related to **Trazin** himself. At **Barlir’s** 125th birthday, he was allowed an official ceremony, where **Trazin** himself award him with a multi-coloured wreath, a symbol of his wisdom and his great servitude to the republic. This was the first time **Haldir** saw **Trazin**, though the two never met. While **Barlir** often stayed in the official palace guest room, **Haldir** and the rest of his entourage stayed at high-end taverns in the local area. It was here that **Haldir** got his first taste of gambling. **Haldir** viewed his position in the court as a way of improving his status in the dynasty, and **Barlir** was the prime example. His desire to multiply money was harnessed through these activities, and he stayed up late in the night, gambling with soldiers, generals and sailors for high stakes. However, at this point he tried to keep things on the down low. That was until he underwent his first staggering loss, wherein an experienced general won a great amount of money from **Haldir**, money he didn’t have. Given the general’s influence, there was no way to avoid giving him the money he was due, and **Barlir** was forced to bail him out. This was something of a public scandal, and set back **Haldir’s** advancement a significant amount. The general was **Varpol Scornblade**, and would continue to act as a rival to **Haldir** during subsequent visits to **Nuriflow**.

           At 23, **Haldir** was granted a new position on the council, as **Barlir** took a new aide. He worked as the organiser of taxation and finance for a collection of villages in the **Arothar Estate**. During this time, he settled financial disputes, organised currency exchange, worked with the local police and militia to prevent financial crimes, and ultimately handled the taxation with the help of the local militia. **Haldir** wanted to rise up in his position, and use his intelligence to improve his importance within the dynasty. Since he became ward of **Barlir**, his two brothers clearly had a greater sway over **Hadar**, and they were both great warriors. Now he was nearly a stranger to them, and his father looked at him with kindness, but little expectation. **Barlir** had managed to become an admirable official, even with little inclination to warfare and no hope of continuing his line, so surely **Haldir** could too. He worked hard, becoming an intelligent, charismatic, and savvy master of coin, and the villagers looked at him with respect. His judgements were generally fair and respected, and he was lenient on taxes, even when under pressure from the rest of the council. His gambling tendency subsided during this time, as he wasn’t fond of winning whatever little funds commoners might have in local taverns.

           At 28, **Haldir’s** position improved, and he was removed from the village commune. He was selected to manage an official entourage towards **Nuriflow**, a collection of soldiers, teamsters, merchants and performers, for the sake of a grand tourney being held in honour of **Trazin’s** daughter’s wedding. Coincidentally, among the entourage was **Agran II**, and **Haldir’s** two brothers, who were all competing in the tournament. Little love was lost between **Haldir** and **Agran**, and the two tended to butt heads during the trip, **Agran** preferring physical threats, whilst **Haldir** resorted to wits. Besides greeting him, his brothers were stiff and unkind, and their rivalry between each other had grown to great proportions.

           Neither of the three managed a great performance in the tourney however, as **Elyria’s** greatest warriors vied for the championship. **Haldir** spent most of the trip managing what was to be his estate’s contribution to the tournament, with some reserved for the **Republic**, and some reserved for prizes. **Haldir** managed once again to get into a feud with **Varpol**, whose incessant bragging caused **Haldir** to bet against his victory in the tournament. **Varpol**, laughed, and scorned **Haldir** for not entering himself, however, this time luck turned in **Haldir’s** favour, as his rival was knocked out early. However, **Varpol** refused to pay, claiming some magic trickery had taken place. This infuriated **Haldir**, so he hired some local ruffians to burgle **Varpol’s** room and return what was rightfully his, giving them access to the palace. However, this only caused more complications. Whilst they had successfully gained the money, they had left considerable evidence, and the ruffians refused to give all of **Haldir’s** money unless he would organise them passage out of the city, something that would surely bring attention to him. Fearing another catastrophic downfall at the hands of **Varpol**, **Haldir** decided to wash his hands of the situation, and left **Nuriflow** earlier than expected, travelling with his defeated brothers’ entourage back to the estate. Unknown to him, the ruffians would be caught leaving the city, and would confess the situation to the magistrates. These deputies would not be able to reach **Haldir** before other events unfurled, however.

           Upon return to **Barlir**’s estate, word of **Arran Arothar’s** illness reached him. The patriarch was old, and had ruled for so long it was hard to envision the dynasty’s future without him. Despite his age, he had always remained sharp, but now it was clear that his death was imminent. **Haldir** had little contact with his grandfather, but his father **Hadar** was especially close to him. And now, he would become the new patriarch. At least it seemed that way. As **Arran’s** family gathered around him, **Agran I** began to grow aggressive towards **Hadar**. The two had always shared a rocky relationship, but now it was getting out-of-hand. Eventually, **Agran I** challenged **Hadar** to a trial of arms, in response to **Haldir’s** blinding of **Agran II** many years prior. Under official custom, such a challenge was valid in response to the assault of the challenger’s family member, though it was incredibly rare for such a challenge to emerge amongst family, and **Agran I** was viewed with great dishonour for the retroactive nature of the challenge, as well as the timing, near to their father’s death. Such duels were rarely lethal, however, and it was considered even more dishonourable to refuse, so **Hadar** accepted the challenge, hoping the duel would allow them to put the incident behind them.

           In 1329, while **Arran** ailed in his mansion, **Hadar** and **Agran I** drew blades on each other in the courtyard. As the tournament entourage had not yet returned, few people of influence besides the fighters’ wives were in attendance. The course of the duel is not entirely known, though most describe a fierce and extended duel, in which **Hadar** eventually won the upper hand, disarming his opponent. Believing the duel to be over, he turned his back on **Agran**, who quickly drew a stiletto that had been hidden up his sleeve, and in a well-timed blow, slipped the blade between his ribs, through a small gap in his armour. **Hadar** fell, bleeding on the ground. As his servants rushed to save him, **Agran’s** loyal guard, who had been briefed for this moment, rushed forward to cut down any who would give **Hadar** assistance. While **Hadar** bled out, the guard stormed the mansion, garrisoning it against any who would defy **Agran’s** newly-obtained birthright. Despite the execution of most of the servants, word of the duel in the courtyard still managed to escape, and the story spread throughout the nearby villages.

           The entourage received news of **Agran** and **Hadar’s** duel, but the victor was unknown. Fearing potential opposition, **Adrofar** and **Talar** decided to briefly put aside their differences to ensure their collective birthright. **Agran II**, who had been travelling with them, was captured, and his men were too. The brothers immediately marched on **Arran’s** mansion, and arrived to learn of **Arran** and **Hadar’s** deaths. Despite their fury, their guard was too small to flush out **Agran I’s** defensive position, and they left soon after. Before that however, they approached the mansion, in an attempt to trade **Agran II** for their mother, **Trintan Fargrove**. They were shocked to be placed face to face with her, and she announced her support for **Agran**’s claim. At first the brothers thought **Agran** must have threatened her, but she explained that **Agran** was the best ruler as the eldest of **Arran**’s children, as **Arran** technically died after **Hadar**. Further, as **Agran** was also of **Fargrove** blood, his ascendance could allow for him to eventually rule the combined lands of the two dynasties. The brothers were appalled by their mother’s betrayal. They were still allowed to leave with **Agran II**, however.

           During this time, **Haldir,** with his limited knowledge of war and violence, had largely been following his brothers, concerned for his father’s life. He was devastated to hear of his death, though his woes did not step there. After their mothers betrayal, **Adrofar** and **Talar** reasoned together that **Haldir** given his connection to **Barlir**, may also join the other side of the family. **Haldir’s** wounding of **Agran II** also gave **Agran I** justification to murder **Hadar**, so the brothers decided to incarcerate him before he could defect.

           A selection of their guard escorted **Haldir** to **Hadar’s** keep, whilst the rest of the force left to assault **Barlir**’s poorly-defended mansion. During this assault, **Barlir**, and all of **Haldir’s** friends on the **Elyrian Monetary Council** were slain. **Haldir** vowed revenge, on his return journey.

           The guard shortly encountered a group of deputies from **Nuriflow**, led by **Vorpol Scornblade** himself. They had been dispatched to obtain **Haldir**. Upon hearing of the dispute in the **Arothar** family, **Vorpol** was still determined to have his revenge. The two forces began a brutal skirmish. **Vorpol** was ultimately successful, though the conflict dragged the crown into the war, which angered **Trazin** greatly. Meanwhile, in the **Deerflow** **Estate**, other events had materialised. **Arran’s** estranged widow, **Marion**, was in bereavement for the death of her first son. However, she had procured a daughter named **Marla**, an infant. Given **Arran’s** age and health, it was generally believed that she was not his daughter, though **Arran** had officially acknowledged her. Citing an ancient tradition, in which the **Arothar** **Dynasty** had once legitimised female succession, she raised her own forces in defence of her daughter’s claim. By this point **Arothar** lands where thrown into chaos, with a three-way war that the crown had become unwilling intricated in.

           **Haldir**, however, was much removed to it, as he was heading back to **Nuriflow** to stand trial for his burglary of **Vorpol**. The trial was sure to end in opposition to **Haldir**, given **Vorpol’s** influence and the loss of family support. Once**, Barlir** had been able to defend, but that time was no more. In expectation of his trial, he remained in the **Nuriflow** dungeons for a year, a quasi-political prisoner.

           This eventually changed, by the hands of none other than **Elion**. He appeared before **Elion’** cell, dressed in peculiar leathers and surrounded by five others, with headwraps. The six knew magic beyond what **Haldir** had before seen, inflicting wounds on themselves in the process. Freeing **Haldir**, the group snuck out of **Nuriflow** unseen.

           **Elion** was greatly changed from when **Haldir** had last seen him. His kindness was intact, but his brotherly charm and affection had differed. There was a coldness and lack of life to him. **Elion** had freed **Haldir** upon hearing of his predicament. He revealed that he had been mortally wounded and left for dead in a naval battle. Amidst the waves, the currents of fate directed him to **Apilichon Island**, the home of the fearsome mummy, **Rabago**.

### **Apilichon Island**

**Rabago** was created several ages ago, by a dark sorcerer who had scourged **Perion**, named **Drake Rifedred**. **Rabago** had served as a dark minion during **Rifedred’s** conquests, though after the sorcerer’s death, **Rabago** fled. **Apilichon Island** had been in existence since the times of the **Meridians**, inhabited by dark forms of undeath. **Rabago** single-handedly invaded the island, expelling or enslaving all undead creatures that roamed the cursed isle. There he remained for millennia, brooding over his defeat. That was until the current age, when **Rabago** had finally finished recovering from his wounds that he accumulated so long ago. Instilled with a desire to take vengeance on mankind, he began to assemble his own corps of minions, as **Rifedred** did with him. **Rabago** had not the power to create his own minions out of the ether, so he instead set about gathering loyal followers from the civilised races that he despised so much. These were individuals beset with rage and loneliness, ostracised by their community. They turned to **Rabago**, wanting to receive powers and abilities that they had not received in their old life.

           The organisation of **Rabago’s Followers** followed a strict hierarchy. The **Grand Archon** was the right hand man of **Rabago**, and other followers were placed in roles according to their talents. Some remained in **Apilichon** **Island**, guarding it and tending to the headquarters. Some were administrators too, though most were exterior agents, enacting **Rabago’s** will throughout **Perion**. **Rabago** communicates his wishes to his followers in their dreams. He does not use language, but a more primordial form of communication that expresses concepts in their basest form.

**Elion** had entered this organisation after learning of his family’s murder back in the **Republic of Elyria**. He vowed revenge, and acquiring the powers of a mummy lord would assist him in avenging the injustices done to his family. His group returned to **Apilichon Island**, where they met with the **Grand Archon**, **Blase Yalton**, a high elf. As it turned out, **Elion** had gone against **Rabago’s** wishes by attempting to recruit **Haldir**. As punishment, several of **Rabago’s followers** seized **Elion** and removed him to the dungeon. **Blase**, recognising **Haldir** as an ideal recruit, with an already existent level of magic ability, still decided to offer **Haldir** a place in the organisation. **Haldir** refused, seeing the extent of the undeath around him, and also how they treated his friend. Hearing this, **Blase** revealed that he had trapped **Elion** inside a **Static Coffin**, wherein all processes of life and mentality where paused. **Blase** revealed that the only way to release **Blase** was to appease **Rabago**, by accepting the gift of his powers and entering his death. If he proved suitable, **Rabago** would free **Elion**.

With little options, **Haldir** decided to agree, and he was suddenly grasped by followers at every corner. He was dragged into a dark cavern, beneath the headquarters. Candles, floating in midair, illuminated the den, whilst a small altar lay in the centre. **Blase** inducted **Haldir** into the order, using his own blood for the sake of the ritual. Suddenly, **Haldir** was filled with the power of **Rabago**, and his magical energy increased substantially.

Officially a follower of **Rabago**, **Haldir** remained on **Appilichon Island** for the next four years, tending to the matters of the island. It was a dreadful place to reside, but **Haldir** had little choice, as he had been officially inducted, and leaving was not an option unless **Rabago** granted it. Further, **Elion** was still incarcerated in the **Static** **Coffin**, and **Haldir** owed him a life debt.

           One day, **Blase** announced that **Haldir** was deemed ready to leave the island, and act as an agent for **Rabago** on mainland **Perion**.