Lor'hion Redleaf's History

[Griznuq]

Storyline developed by Blackspear.

Lor?hion is related to the Arkhen noble family through his mother's bloodline.   She was the sister of the last Lord, Tallis Arkhen.  Tallis and his sisters, Lur'hanna and Seryna, were assassinated by Deltharites nearly a year ago.   It is widely believed that all direct descendants of the Arkhen line have been murdered.   Furthermore, the blame for this tragedy rests on the shoulders of Lor?hion's favorite cousin, Theryn Northwind.   Theryn was also related to the Arkhens on his mother?s (Seryna) side and he had been like an older brother to Lor?hion.   The two cousins often spent the summers of their youth together, hunting and fishing around Arkhen Castle and playing numerous pranks on the castle staff and servants.   They were inseparable until Theryn went to study at the Shadan Basilica and Lor?hion became an acolyte of Flaern.   Driven by different religious beliefs they slowly drifted apart until they hardly had any contact with each other.

Theryn was heir to the Northwind Trading Company and the Northwind family fortune.    He devoted his life to Shada and became a Holy Knight.  He was very well thought of and by all accounts was very successful.  No one knows why, but during the past few years, Theryn had become increasingly edgy around others.   He was frequently reprimanded by his superiors and eventually the Preceptor expelled him from the Shadan Order for refusing to undergo the Rights of Purification.

During the invasion of N'arth it was Theryn Northwind who murdered Commander Alec Stonebreaker and opened the gates to the citadel.   This allowed the Deltharite forces to take the day.   During the battle, Theryn was seen using the legendary falchion Trollsheart, the Noble Weapon of N'arth and heirloom to the Arkhen line.   It is now rumored that he ordered the assassinations of the Arkhen family and that he may have even killed his mother himself.

At the time of the assassinations and invasion, Lor?hion was deep in the wilderness of Northern N'arth undergoing a druidical right of passage.   To become a member of druidic society, an acolyte of Flaern must train for years at Elliira's Glen with a mentor.   Once the mentor is satisfied with the student's progress, the acolyte is sent into the wild to commune with nature for a year.   During that year, the acolyte is not allowed contact with any humans and he must survive with the knowledge that he has accumulated during his studies.    At the end of the year, the acolyte returns to Elliira?s Glen, to meet with the Arch druid.   If the Arch druid is satisfied with the acolyte's experience, he will be initiated into the order as a druid.   The initiation is a truly spiritual experience.   Those who have discussed it describe it as becoming one with Flaern and leaving their former selves behind.    

During Lor?hion?s initiation, he saw a vision of his cousin slaying their uncle, Lord Tallis Arkhen and taking Trollsheart.   He further witnessed Theryn aiding the Deltharites in the assault upon N?arth.    Lor?hion then observed a peasant wielding Brendan De La N?arth?s sword against many Deltharite assassins.   Finally, Lor?hion heard an angelic voice say ?Find Quenton Silverthorn and aid him on his quest.   He will lead you to Trollsheart.  You must protect it for the true Arkhen Line.?

Days after the initiation, Lor?hion awoke to the sound of dripping water.   Groggily rising from his cot he stared at the rain running off the thatched roof of his hovel.   By his bed were two gifts left for him by his mentor and the Arch druid herself.   His mentor Seamus had fashioned him a necklace with a brown bear claw of spell holding.   Knowing that Seamus frequently took the form of a brown bear, Lor?hion was touched by the symbolism of the gift.   The other gift was what all acolytes dreamed of receiving.  It was a drab looking grey robe.   This robe could change colors like a chameleon and would allow Lor?hion to move about the land virtually unseen.   It would also serve as a symbol of his rank as a druid of Flaern.   Lor?hion was elated that he had finally become a druid!   Then like a clap of thunder, memories of the initiation flooded back into his head.    Lor?hion sat in shock and disbelief as the pain of watching his uncle get hacked down by Theryn steadily grew?.