Theoduin Tahl'miltheryn the Luminary of Hope

Role

Chapter 6

Ignorance is a dangerous thing. Theoduin first realized his own ignorance upon
leaving the Adventurer's Academy, but the realization of how dangerous such
ignorance could be did not occur to him until some years later. Climbing
through a dark and dangerous swamp, Theoduin stumbled upon a paladin in far
worse shape than himself. The Paladin needed water, which was freely given.
And he needed first aid.

Examining the local fauna in a rushed manner, Theoduin thought he knew what he
needed to know. And so he provided that desperate paladin with the herbs that
should have cured his affliction. It was a simple mistake, overlooking the
shade of green, and through that mistake an opportunity to save a fellow holy
knight was lost. He died as Theoduin looked on, helpless to correct the
ignorant mistake he'd just made.

There were no apologies to be made. No excuses for anyone to hear. Theoduin
was alone in his failure, standing over the lifeless body of one he so easily
could have saved. That death was on Theoduin's hands. It would not be the
last, if he allowed his ignorance of Thera outside of his home were to
continue.

Alone in his thoughts, Theoduin made a promise to himself that day. No more
opportunities would be lost, no more good men would fall due to his own
ignorance or pride. He must find a way to avoid these foolish mistakes. He
must do better. He must be better, if he is to do his duty for the people of
Thera.

Role

Chapter 5

As a student Paladin, only just earning his graduation through the
Adventurer's Academy, Theoduin struggled to maintain his well-practiced
stoicism in the face of immense culture-shock. The people of Thera, those who
he was sworn to serve, to guide and to protect, were far different than the
stories and the books had described them. They were complex, strange and
confusing. If he was to help these people, he must find a way to truly
understand them.

Taught that the other races were lower than himself, Theoduin's faith in that
teaching was shaken when he first stood before the great paladin Dallantius
Ghrim. It was fractured further as he met an apparently friendly Dark-Elf near
the Fortress of Light, who had the audacity to lecture him on the morality of
fighting aggressive bears. What young Theoduin was taught simply did not
reflect was truly was. And if he were to live up to the great duty which he
was tasked, Theoduin must learn more.

It was this understanding, this first doubt of his own readiness, that drove
him to question the next steps in his path. While he knew where his purpose
lie, he also knew that he could not fulfill it alone. And so he did his father
had taught him- he looked above for an answer. For the answer.

He found that answer in a place he did not expect. While his father taught him
to worship the Gods of the Light in all things, Theoduin came to realize that
it was not the Gods of the the Light that would inspire the understanding that
he needed to fulfill his duty. He found himself dreaming of the Eternal
Library, what some would say is the greatest source of knowledge known. One
way or another, perhaps that was the place that Theoduin would find the
understanding that he sought.

Role

Chapter 4

When the day came for Theoduin to leave, the Tahl treated it as if it were
some great honor. Indeed it was. Many of the other boys of the village were
disappointed or even angry not to have been selected. Their disappointment,
though, was proof that they were not ready.

Theoduin may not have been emotionless, but he knew what was expected of him.
He knew that he most maintain a face of duty. There was fanfare and
celebration as Theoduin gathered a simple sword and shield and made his way
out the village. But though many of the Elves celebrated, Theoduin simply
walked away. And while some Elves cheered, Theoduin's father was not among
them. He prayed in the temple, as he did every morning. His mother, too, was
absent. She stalked the forest, doing her patrols and keeping the village
safe. Both had their duty, and it was not to watch their son leave to do his.

Theoduin, for his part, remained stoic as he noted their absence. He walked
silently through the Forest, along a trail so very few could ever find. He
stayed quiet until he found his way into Darsylon. He uttered not a single
word until he found himself before the Guildhall of the Paladins in Darsylon.
Only when he stooed before the great paladin Telaryllana herself did he
finally announce his intention and begin the training that would see him
through to his divine duty.

Role

Chapter 3

The day Theoduinalastyrial was chosen for this mission was the very day he
came of age, on his first centennial birthday.

Theoduin, as he reluctantly agreed that Therans may call him, was considered
an exceptional young Elf. His father was the High Priest of the Tahl, his word
second only to the divine Lords and Ladies of the Light. No one would be
considered more pure, more selfless or more devoted than he. His mother, one
of the few perimeter guardsmen, took upon the most dangerous and most critical
duties among the Tahl. She protected the Village from any who would stray into
their domain. Among the finest swordsmen of any Elf, none from the village
could claim to have protected more lives or slain more of the Light's foes
than she.

Together, this pairing raised the boy Theoduin to be the best of them both. To
love the light, to love the people under his charge, to love the Gods and to
love his people - all of his people. Theoduin was an admirable pupil. Other
cultures may call the teaching extreme. They may call Theoduin a zealot. But
to the people of the Tahl, he was simply raised to be the best of them. He was
perfect, in their world and in their eyes.

And so on the day he was selected, Theoduin did not complain. He did not scowl
or search for an escape. It was his duty, and duty was an honor. He simply
bowed his head and accepted the charge he was given - to save the people for
whom he was responsible.

Role

Chapter 2

The Tahl'miltheryn are a reclusive and enigmatic community of Elves. Little is
known of their ways or their culture. The name alone is known only by a few,
through the rare few of the Tahl (who would never abbreviate the name in such
a fashion) who let the word slip. Their existence to most people is entirely
an unknown. And that is how these Elves preferred it.

They never truly even considered opening themselves up to outsiders, like
their cousins of Darsylon. Instead, they chose to live in solitude,
maintaining the purity of their culture thriving without the corruption of
wickedness, greed or materialism that so often accompanies outsiders. They
were not a people of possession, only of purpose. Allowing traders, visitors
and politicians would have corrupted the beliefs they held most dear.

For millenia upon millenia, they kept themselves isolated. But they did not
turn a blind eye to the people of Thera. They watched and listened, though
were never seen. They knew the struggles and tribulations of the lower races.
They saw the wars and the strife that the people caused and then suffered
through. They knew well these events, and they knew their duty in response to
them.

The Tahl consider themselves true Elves, firstborn of the mortal races, and
therefore inheriting a responsibility for those that came after. They took
this responsibility not as some abstract idea, but as a very tactile and
necessary purpose. Therefore, once every millenia they would choose a young
Elf who embodied their best traits, as they saw them, to leave their village
and fulfil their role as the protectors, as guides and as leaders. To live as
a guiding hand to the lower races, both those who strive to live under the
Light, and those that resist it.

That responsibility was perhaps the most crucial aspect of the Tahl culture.
In this case, it is also the most relevant, as it launches the story of the
young Elf, Theoduinalastyrial.

Role

Chapter 1

Summary and Traits

Theoduin's full name is Theoduinalastyrial. He allows it to be abbreviated to
Theoduin for the sake of other Therans. He's adopted the last name
"Tahl'miltheryn", the name of the society from where he comes.

This society, occassionally abbreviated as the "Tahl", are very much believers
in the High-Elven superiority over other races.

The Tahl also have a strong sense of duty, of service above themselves. They
do not place value in individual accomplishments or property.

That sense of superiority over others creates an almost paternalistic
responsibility towards other "lower" races.. in Theoduin's mind, they are
weaker (if not physically, then mentally and spiritually) and need his
guidance and protection.

On his 100th birthday, Theoduin was chosen from his village to carry out this
responsibility. He left with no fanfare and with no hope of returning home.
He's just doing his duty.

That said - upon leaving his village and joining Thera, Theoduin realizes the
"lower" races are more complex and nuanced than he was taught. This drives a
desire to learn more, so that he can fulfill his responsibility. He will do so
in the Eternal Library, under the tutelage of Ishuli.

Ultimately, Theoduin will find himself as a Squire to the Fortress, thinking
that is the best place to allow him to fulfill his obligations.

Believing himself superior, Theoduin may be condescending to allies and
enemies. He may offer unwelcome help, advice or guidance. He may even
"Elf-splain" simple matters that don't require explanation.

His driving trait, though, will be a deep devotion and compassion to those of
the Light, a desire to lead the lost to the Light, and to destroy those that
cannot and will not be saved.

Coming from a society that shuns materialism and greed, Theoduin will carry no
value for possessions or physical goods. In practice, this will mean he shuns
rare and expensive items and relies only on the essentials. We'll see how
closely he sticks to that as he ages.

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