Turik Family

The Turik Family

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A History

The Turik Family is young when compared to many Atamarran Families and was founded by Patrus Turik,a horsebreeder from Bolgar. Patrus was knighted for his bravery and ferocity as a warrior after banding together with an unruly group of lesser nobles and farmers to defend the borders of Bolgar from a monster invasion. Patrus fought as viscously as any Knight of Redspan against the advance of the Beastman herd, driving the gruesome halfbreeds away from a nearby town and then to the banks of the River Yuella, where the last of the beasts were finally slain.The descendants of Patrus Turik have proudly worn his name ever since.

The Turiks have continued the tradition of horsebreeding and have provided some of the best cavalry horses that Redspan has ever ridden into battle. The Turik farm has always been modest and the family has never been the wealthiest or most well known but they have always been strong and they have never strayed in their devotion to Da Way.

The Family Crest was adopted after Patrus Turik's passing. The Golden Lion is a tribute to Patrus' bravery while the heraldic blue stripe to the Lion's right represents the River Yuella. The field of black upon which the crest stands was chosen as a symbol of mourning for the passing of the Family's patriarch. The Family's motto, Ne Obliviscaris, is written in the old tongue and means "Forget Not".

The Trials

The Trials are a family tradition that is used to determine whether a family member is ready to serve as a leader in The Army of Redspan. The tradition was started by Patrus Turik's first son, Apollo, after Apollo's younger brother Kurt joined The Army and was killed without a hope in his first battle because he was unsuitably prepared for the battle.

The Trials involve three challenges that test the prospective Troop Leader's ability to Command, face danger, and fight.

The first challenge is fairly straight forward; the young Turik must organize the member's of his or her village and lead them in a large scale project of some type. For example, Razer gathered all the men of the town and organized the construction of a small church devoted to Da One. In addition to passing his first Trial, Razer was also given the sword he still wears to this day; engraved on the pommel with the head of a ram.

The second challenge pits the young man or woman against the harshest conditions available in Bolgar. The man or woman must spend three days and nights in the woods on the banks of the River Yuella, given only a water sack, a bow and a tinder box. The Yuella woods are full of dangers, ranging from wild animals, the harsh Bolgar weather and sometimes even monsters. Tarkus faired the best in this challenge. With his hunting and survival abilities, Tarkus lived almost comfortably for his three days in the woods.

The third challenge is a test of one on one fighting ability. The aspiring warrior must challenge another man or woman, approved as worthy by the father, to a duel. Following conditions set out by the man or woman challenged, the prospective Troop Leader must exact a clear victory over their opponent. Once again it was Razer who demonstrated mastery of the challenge after challenging the town blacksmith to a hand to hand duel, and leveling the blacksmith after a few quick bodyshots and a ferocious headbutt.

Once the Trials have been completed, the family member is blessed by the local priest and baptized with Goat Urine before heading towards Stargard with a small unit to join the Army of Redspan and seek their glory in the history pages of Redspan.

Family Members

Razer

Razer Turik is the first born son of Grackus Turik. Razer's true birth name is Alezander but he was given the nickname Razer at the age of six after attempting to shave out of curiosity and cutting himself deeply on the right side of his jaw. Razer's beard has never been able to grow over that scar. Razer has grown into a large man, tall and as big around as a large beer keg; this factor makes him easy to spot and hard to forget but has been an advantage in many a tavern brawl. Razer has never been afraid to voice his opinion annd regretably often acts before he fully considers the consequences.

He wears a kilt in his family's colours as opposed to the traditional Redspanian dress in accordance with Family custom; the Turiks feel that dresses interfere with showing off their manly coats of chest hair and the constriction of a dress' bodice inhibits full burping potential.

Razer invested most of his savings in equipping a small unit of soldiers at the age of twenty and soon after travelled to the Redspan capital of Stargard to join the ranks of warrior nobles in their quest to ensure Redspan's survival against the Northern Alliance. Razer was slow to get involved due to several problems with communication in the army but it was not long before he first saw battle and learned his first lesson in mortality.

His first unit of twenty-five men was slaughtered. Each man was given a plain steel ring engraved with the Turik Family crest upon enlistment to identify him as a warrior of the Turiks; Razer had the ring of each of his fallen comrades placed upon a chain which he wears around his neck to remind him of their sacrifice. Sadly this collection of rings has slowly grown with each passing day.

Tarkus

Tarkus Turik is the third born son in the family. Older only than the youngest sibling, Logan. Tarkus is the Only son of Grackus to prefer a bow over a sword. Tarkus became so skillful with a bow that by the age of nine he was doing the majority of the hunting for the family. For the most part the Trials were rough on Tarkus but he proved himself and now commands The Flying Goatly Death for The Army of Redspan.

Tarkus is the most devout follower of Da Way in the family. He is such a strong follower of Da Smelly One that even though Da Great Goat is constantly busy eating, sleeping, drinking and passing gas, Tarkus' every prayer is heard by Da Goat.

Ureus - Deceased

Ureus Turik, the second born son of Grackus and younger brother to Razer by only a year, grew up as a quiet, thoughtful individual; quite different from his older brother. Ureus was a quick learner growing up and was always eager to study. Incredibly intelligent and devious, Ureus became a master of strategy and tactics, easily making up for his lack of obvious physical strength, which his older brother had plenty of.

Ureus was sent to Oligarch on the East-Continent to fulfill a mission. Ureus' grandfather, Joran, had made a trip to Oligarch after his retirement from the Redspan militia and had been imprisoned and banned shortly after arriving. Joran had never been a shining hero of the family, in fact he was rarely spoken of due ton the dishonor he had brought the family and he had a taste for taking things that didn't belong to him. He was caught robbing the tax offices in Oligarch city and was harshly punished for it. Joran also had an incredible sense of pride however, like every Turik, and after having it wounded through his capture and subsequent punishments, Joran became determined to see Oligarch suffer.

Joran knew he was too old to fight anymore so he went to his favorite grandson, Ureus and charged him with his impossible task. Joran told Ureus false stories about his experiences in Oligarch and indoctrinated the young man into believing that Oligarch was nothing but evil. Growing up as a loyal and loving child, Ureus was one of the few who was able to look past his grandfather's faults and loved the old man dearly. When Joran died, Ureus, Wanting only to see his grandfather avenged took up his sword and a small contingent of men and travelled to Oligarch. Once there, Ureus joined the underground of Oligarch and worked to destroy Oligarch from the inside.

Ureus' mission was fulfilled without his aid however when the alliance of Sirion and Fontan brought Oligarch to it's knees with absolute force. Ureus was captured as an Oligarchian and after his release from prison, he immediatley started home for Redspan by joining the realm of Old Rancagua so that he could safely pass through their territory in order to reach the port in Perdan.

However, someone from Oligarch learned of Ureus' mission and planned the noble's death. Ureus was shot in the back with an arrow bearing the message "For Your Treason" while walking towards Old Rancagua's border. The young Troop Leader would never see the rolling fields of his home again. Nor would he ever see the smiling faces of his wife or daughter.