Characters

Blood Edge

Poppy

Kalash Valakhad:

Kalash Valakhad hales like most of the Kalashtar race touched by Quori spirits, from the mountainous region of Sarlona known as Adar. Growing up in the Shalquar monastery nestled among the vast battlements of the region, Kalash followed the teachings of the path of light. This religious system strives to aid in the dawning of a new age, ushering in the light and banishing the darkness of the current epoch. Founded by a Quori sage Taratai who was the first to merge with a human consciousness it seeks to drive out Il-Lashtavar. This entity translated to common speech from the Guori language is known as the Dreaming Dark. Kalash progressed quickly as a follower of the light and proved to be a talented strategist and defender of Adar. Leading multiple offensive strikes into surrounding Enlightened controlled provinces of Riedra.

A short explanation of Reidra and the Enlightened is given here. Sarlona was once a unified and prosperous continent. However, after a century of manipulation of the population by the dreaming Dark and its Quori servants, Sarlona and her people were thrown into chaos. After three hundred years of feudal lords, regional war, and suffering new charismatic leaders emerged fully possessed by dark Quori. They stabilized most of the continent through domination and religious dogma. The followers and possessed minions of this cult are known as the Enlightened. This group and the Kalashtar are eternally opposed. Just as the light of day rages ever against the tide of night. This ever-burning conflict has been locked in perpetual stalemate for over a thousand years.

Kalash in more recent years began to stray from the strict teachings of the path of light. While still sympathetic to the cause Kalash began to feel frustrated with the endless defense of his home. Seeking instead to take a more aggressive and offensive approach to end the great darkness. This unrest was driven by dreams, fuzzy fragments of memory, and a growing feeling that prevailing against the dark would require more than meditation, prayer, and defense. Desiring to end the occupation of his homeland and destroy the looming threat of the Dreaming Dark he joined the Shadow Watchers and began to meditate and strengthen his connection with his Quori spirit.

The Shadow Watchers fight the Enlightened in regions outside of the borders of Adar and even outside of the continent of Sarlona. These warriors follow the path of the Atavists and spread the teachings of Soserath who believed that it was possible for a Kalashtar to fully incarnate the power and memories of the Quori thus becoming an Avatar. This union would shift the tide in favor of the Dawning light and allow the creation of new Quori. This is an ability that Il-Lashtavar who hungers endlessly in the depths of hopeless darkness covets endlessly but can never attain. Kalash seeks above all else to save his people and achieve this state. Destroying the darkness forever and ushering in a new age of light. He also yearns to know the identity of his Quori spirit. It is abnormal for a Kalashtar to be divorced form the identity of this spirit but the premature death of Kalash’s family obscured this essential part of his heritage.

This brings the account to present events. Having been divinely inspired by Dol Arrah the Goddess of light and sacrifice. Appearing during meditation Kalash was told that his path would lead him to the doorsteps of darkness and that his task was to drive it out. Dol Arrah promised to provide the torch to achieve this end. Hoping a change of scenery would help further his Atavist meditations and goal of unification. Kalash ventured out from his home continent. Finding himself working to eliminate inspired convents in distant lands and exploring the dark places of the world. Ultimately this is what led him to join forces with an unlikely group of adventurers who were first brought together by a cave, an artifact, and a portal.

Shak-Tar Tolis

Dusty Ironmace

Blackcloak

Forsythia

Xanphia

Kithri Tosscobble

Dent the Fierce

Bent the Unknowable