Cyrus History

HISTORY: (THIS IS AN UNFINISHED WORK IN PROGRESS)
Cyrus, born June 3, 467 in Karandia, is the fifth child of ROYCE and
FLORENCE KANAAN. His other siblings are(in ascending order of age)
JORDAN (m), DAHLIA(f), LEDA(f) and REUBEN(m). The Kanaans are all
members of the HOUSE LURIEL.

Cyrus grew up in a house that was devoted to magik. But this devotion
was simply a means to an end. Royce ever wanted was to get his family
and house closer to the center of the Karandian Mage Council at Traaü,
to gain more power & influence. To that end, Royce curried favor
from all he could, putting his voice and vote up for bid at the proper
"price"-entry into the Mage Council for Reuben, the eldest.

But Reuben's grasp of magik and politics were less than perfect, making
him nearly useless for advance. So Royce began prepping his daughter
Leda, who appreciated the magik knowledge but had no desire to play
political games. In exasperation, he began to prepare Dahlia, who had
the proper mix of magikal knowledge and political savvy. But Dahlia
became a cold and distant woman under her father's tutelage. Jordan had
no wish to deal with politics or magik, seeing the effect it had on his
older sister. Jordan used his academic prowess to become a poet. Which
left Cyrus as the last son.

Unfortunately for Cyrus, he had the gift of magik but no tolerance for
political games. His father Royce had no favors left to sell and his
sister Dahlia wished to give none, as she was building her own base of
power far away from the "name" of Royce. In this situation, the highest
that Cyrus could achieve would be the Library of the Plains. With the
desire to learn more magik than the Library of the Plains could supply,
Cyrus was left with only one course of action-Karandian military
service. In the military, he would have the opportunity to learn more
magik as well as being able to access higher libraries once he completed
 his service to Karandia. There was no choice for Cyrus. He joined the
Karandian Army in June 494.

His time in the Karandian Army Mage Academy was one of the hardest and
most defining periods of his life. While training under different mage
sergeants in the Academy, Cyrus attached himself to MAGE SERGEANT PAXTON
 KEANE. Mage Sergeant Keane was a rough, hard and tough teacher,
frequently inflicting injury on his troops to teach them the basics. But
 Keane was a fair man, rewarding intelligence, perseverance and
integrity when appropriate. This is what Cyrus had been waiting to
learn. Keane taught him the fundamentals of being a combat mage, the
need to work with your fellow troops as a unit and the skills to survive
 on the battlefield. Through nearly a year of training, Cyrus was forged
 into a tactical battle mage, designated as a "mage killer" under Red
Talon Brigade when he graduated in April 496.

Cyrus was posted with a unit designed to protect the borders from
Icaran, led by COMMANDER SHONA FITZROY. During his time with the unit,
Cyrus fought in many battles and skirmishes, especially with the
Acolytes of Vorak. As the Acolytes fell before Cyrus, his name became
known to all of the Acolytes and the Icaran Army, who nicknamed him "The
 Thorn of Vorak." The Acolytes now sought him out in battle, hoping to
take the story of Cyrus' death to Vorak in the Shield Hall. But none
succeeded. Cyrus' prowess in battle and his leadership skills gained him
 a quick advance in rank to sergeant. But then things changed for the
worse.

In February 497, Cyrus' commander was inexplicably reassigned. She was
replaced by COMMANDER ALLAN BEROT. From the moment he addressed the
troops, it was clear to all the Cmndr. Berot was a political
appointment, not a warrior-mage. This became vividly clear when Cyrus
was called before Cmndr. Berot. The commander began to explain to Cyrus
that he had taken command of the unit because it had been making a name
for itself. And Berot wanted his name attached to the unit. He explained
 that Cyrus would help facilitate this and both of them would be able to
 rise in the Mage Council of Traaü, gaining power and prestige,
especially once their military service had ended. But Cyrus had realized
 how foolish politics and power were-all that mattered was the skills of
 the mage and his unit. He declined. But Cmndr. Berot would not let that
 stop him.

The unit began to take more daring and dangerous missions. It was all
that Cyrus could do to get his people out of these situation alive. Any
success was attributed to Berot; any failure to the unit or Cyrus.
Seeing that he could not stay here and survive, Cyrus tried to apply for
 transfer. But all the messages were stopped by Cmndr. Berot. In fact,
all messages and requests for supplies were either stopped or destroyed
by the commander or his assistant, LT. BURTON VANDYKE, another political
 appointee with no skills in soldiery. They were trying to punish and
break Cyrus through his troops. But Cyrus would find another way. Cyrus
enlisted the aid of his unit members, CPL. TASHA GELLIS, CPL. CONNOR
MACLOREN, MAGE SOLDIER HELEN KARAPOS and MAGE SOLDIER HORACE SULLIVAN.

In May 497, Cyrus, with his unit in tow, brought a message to Lt.
Vandyke, stating that "this message is very important. It MUST get to
Cmndr. Berot as soon as possible." Lt. Vandyke smiled coldly and told
Cyrus that "it would be treated with the utmost urgency that you deserve
 Cyrus." Which was exactly what Cyrus hoped would happen.

Cmndr. Berot did not receive the message for four days, finally reading
that "Unless Otherwise Commanded" Cyrus was leaving the country to study
 magik "for the Karandian Army." And since copies had already been sent
to other people, including two Griffins, Cmndr. Berot would be forced to
 cover to Cyrus' departure. But it would not stop him from plotting
revenge.

In June 497, Cyrus met up with TARRIK ALDARIAN, another Karandian mage,
in Chalter Medrium. Cyrus exchanged court information with Tarrik. Cyrus
 was assaulted by a man, who took his papers and tried to impersonate
him. The paper were recovered but the man escaped. Cyrus wants this "Man
 in Black" dead by his hand for impersonating Cyrus.

Cyrus headed for Doro Y'edhel to seek magikal knowledge about fighting
the Drow. He also is seeking the secret of the spell Shatter(which he
believes can break weapons either magikally enchanted or cursed).

He arrived in Dor Y'edhel in mid-July 497 and headed straight for the greatest area of combat. And waited.

The Elves, already busy fighting a war with the Drow and Dakkor, took
little heed of another human in the camp. They had seen too many of them
 before trying to "join their cause." So they told him to wait til they
had some time to speak with him, expecting Cyrus to eventually get bored
 and leave.
After three days of waiting, an Elf soldier finally spoke to Cyrus.

"Still here, human? Why? What do you expect to do for us here?" asked
S'CHYLNN GATEW'ILL, a (insert mid-level officer here, like lieutenant).
"To learn from you and your Elven soldiers and help to kill the Drow, sir." Cyrus said evenly. S'chylnn snorted derisively.

"Another human on a quest for glory and. . ." S'chylnn stopped in
mid-sentence, noticing something about Cyrus. The elf reached out,
fingering the leather tag around Cyrus' neck. It bore the symbol of
Karandia. He stared Cyrus straight in the eyes.

"Karandian Army, eh. A soldier. What are you doing here...exactly."
Cyrus never lost eye contact with S'chylnn as he handed the elf his
orders. The elf looked over the paper quickly and then back at Cyrus.
S'chylnn called over to one of his soldiers.

"Garithe! Get this human a Elven Army tabard so we don't mistakenly kill
 him." said S'chylln, as he began to head off towards the most intense
sounds of battle. Cyrus snatched the tabard out of the air and caught up
 with the elf.

"So, what did you do in the Karandian Army?" asked S'chylnn as the sounds of combat drew nearer.

"I am of Red Talon. . .and we eliminate mages. And we do it quite well."
 said Cyrus as the reached the front. The fighting was quite fierce as
the last rays of the sun had just ended.

"Do you see that Drow there? The witch Up behind the trees?" Cyrus saw
the Drow woman, darting in and out of the shadows of the big trees. As
she appeared, she would gesture quickly, taking out Elven troops in the
distance.

"Why don't you go over there and "eliminate" her for me? Do that and I
might even call you by name, human." said S'chylnn disdainfully,
obviously expecting him to fail. Cyrus ignored the elf, instead scanning
 the distance to the trees.

"Just one last question...sir. Does the Elven Army take prisoners?" asked Cyrus, staing hard at the elf.
"No. We do not." S'chylnn voice was as hard and cold as stone.

"Excellent. And you may call me by my first name. Sergeant."
Cyrus turned and teleported away. Several minutes later a half started
scream sounded and died in the tree line. Cyrus appeared before S'chylnn
 and dropped a single item on the ground. A obsidian scarab with ruby
eyes, the Drow witch's focus.
"Have you eaten yet...Sergeant?" asked S'chylln, his voice having lost all disdain for Cyrus.

Cyrus continued to eliminate mages during his tenure with the Elves. He
earned a modicum of respect from the elves, especially S'chylnn. He did
his job well, learning when need be and teaching where appropriate.

During his time, he has learned new spells, to fight the Drow and to continue his quest for *Shatter*.

More than a year has passed since he began service with the Elven forces
 and the fighting has remained strong. But with the Elf/Drow/Dakkor war
winding down, Cyrus decides to move on in his quest for knowledge.
Taking with him some Drow foci and a Pain Stick as trophies, Cyrus
headed for Palrim in September 498.

GOES TO PALRIM, MEETS SYL'VINAR, SEES SEQUESTRUM, FIGHTS GENERAL TALONZ, JOINS UP WITH GARN-September 498
MEETS UP WITH WHITE TALON HORACE SULLIVAN(Dale Brodt) AND IS GIVEN THE STORY, GIVES UP FOCUS AND PAIN STICK.-December 498
CONTINUES TO SEARCH WITH GARN FOR THE SPELL "Shatter" AND THE ANVIL TO
MATCH HIS HAMMER... AND TO GET VERY DRUNK.-December 498-May 500
ATTEMPTS TO RETURN TO KARANDIA TO FILE HIS FINAL REPORT AND RETIRE FROM
THE ARMY. HE IS STOPPED AT THE BORDER BY A MESSAGE FROM CMNDR
BEROT-CYRUS HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERED TO JOIN A SPECIAL PROGRAM TO LOCATE AND
 IDENTIFY ANCIENT MAGIKAL OBJECTS. CMNDER. BEROT ALSO STIPULATES THAT HE
 CANNOT CROSS THE BORDER BACK INTO KARANDIA UNTIL THIS TASK IS
COMPLETED-June 500
CYRUS GOES OFF TO GET VERY DRUNK...-July 500
As July 500 began to wane, so did Cyrus' drunkenness. Having ended up at
 the INSERT ROBIN'S INN NAME HERE, Cyrus was at the end of his coin,
which meant the end of his drunk. But one last night was possible due
the generosity of a strange creature that occupied the inn as well. All
drinks and food were free that night. Cyrus indulged in both. That
evening he met up with AODH and THOMAS again and told them of his new
"mission" for Karandia. Cyrus also met a Halgudarian doctor name PROVA, a
 fruit seller named USUL(who he had seen several years earlier) and a
Elf adventurer name JASON'S ELF. During the night several monsters
attacked as well as a demon, all of which drove off the staff. Cyrus and
 the rest of the living patrons took it upon themselves to "liberate"
the food and drink, since it was free that night!
The next day saw THE ELF, AARON'S CHARACTER Prova, Aodh and Cyrus
looking for a guide to get them out of the strangely trailed area. But
the guide was captured by a strange etheral creature that bargained for
her life and magiks for the recovery of several items. This was done but
 not given to the creature for fear of a backstab. Through tense
negotiation (involving the Cyrus' petrification of the guide for
tactical use), the creature left without the objects but left the group
with the magiks.
Upon meeting the "real" guide, the group took off through the woods.
While traveling, the party was being attacked by goblins who were
massing a large force nearby, as Cyrus discovered by reconnoitering
ahead. Upon returning, Cyrus found that the demon had reappeared and had
 somehow brought to life the body of Terrel, the instigator of the
Elf/Drow war. Cyrus spoke with THE ELF, AARON'S CHARACTER and Dr. Prova,
 who all wanted to make sure the Terrel never made it to Doro Y'Del
alive. Cyrus agreed to aid in this conspiracy, provided that Aodh was
not harmed and any magik objects would become his property. It was
agreed.

UPDATED: 8/31/00

LATE NOVEMBER 506- Cyrus Kanaan was "assigned" to be the lone opposing
force for three squad Talon training exercise involving tracking and
taking down a mage in the wilderness in winter conditions. The exercise
was concluded with none of the Talons having taken down Kanaan...nor
even locating him at any time. The whereabouts of Kanaan has yet to be
determined, though there were unsubstantiated reports of him being seen
in Traau near Talon barracks.
File Note: At this time, Cyrus Kanaan has no rank listed with the
Karandian Army provost, though he IS registered as a member of the Talon
 Corps. All inquiries were directed to the Griffin of Magik's office and
 have yet to be answered.