De Ravenal Family/Tharion
| Status: | Dead |
| Class | Hero |
| Realm/Island: | Greater Aenilia, Far East |
| Title: | High King |
| Former realms: | Arcaea |
| Former titles: | Marshal of Nahad Field Marshal of Greater Aenilia Viscount of Ornaz Duke of Lasop Captain General of Greater Aenilia |
Current Affairs
Appearance & Personality
Like his mother, Tharion has sandy blonde hair which he has grown to his shoulder, his own personal way of honouring the memory of his brother, the Baron Rhathar. He stands 5'9", and while he lacks the height of many knights, he maintains a strict regime of strength and agility training. Tharion is seemingly unaware of his good looks and while his pale blue eyes have attracted more than one love stricken girl, he has had few successful romantic dealings with the opposite sex.
Tharion is a clever man although he understands the need to call on the aid of others when it is needed. Naturally compassionate, his time spent guiding the armies of Aenilia and playing the political games that come with such territory has awakened Tharion to the way in which the world truly works. He seeks to maintain an honourable course of action but understands that sometimes other methods are needed.
History
Tharion commanded the forces of the Aenil on three separate occassions, most notably during the second battle for Erahol which saw a crushing victory won for Greater Aenilia but Tharion was injured during the melee. Despite his young years he was given the title, Count of Ornaz in addition to the Marshaldom of Nahad.
Being given command of the Greater Aenilian armies, Tharion quickly found himself leading the realm into war against Colasan. With little time to prepare and confusion following the sudden departure of Lord Zelos from command, Tharion managed to organise the realm and they proved themselves worthy allies on the battlefield.
An alliance with Soliferum had drawn Greater Aenilia into battle against the forces of Nighthelm. After two less than successful forays into the field, Tharion marshalled his forces with the intent to crush the mobile army of Nighthelm by striking at Batesaor, drawing them into a direct conflict. The initial attack was a resounding success and the few militia behind the walls were quickly overcome with minimal casualties, however the waiting Nighthelm army launched an immediate counter assault in a desperate attempt to regain their land. Against the forces of Greater Aenilia and Zonasa the Nighthelm army stood no chance and were soundly defeated.
Immediately following this battle came the most shocking event in the campaign. While the Zonasian and Soliferum leadership wanted Batesaor reinforced and a takeover commenced, Tharion sensed a chance to humiliate Nighthelm by crushing them once again, this time at Idaol where a the remaining enemy had rallied, including their King, Gul'Dan. Having questioned Gul'Dan's bravery, Tharion ordered the attack and handed direct command of the battlefield to his Marshal, Kazuma. In the resulting conflict Nighthelm did indeed crumble, their once proud army completely obliterated and most importantly, King Gul'Dan was killed by Kazuma's hand.
Having overseen the defeat of Nighthelm, Tharion was next tasked with aiding Lasanar in their assault of Anacan and the creation of a new realm. Having lost the first battle, the allied forces returned in lesser numbers and crushed the Antozan resistance. Tharion commanded an assault against Taop, and then stoicly held the position against repeated Antozan attacks, ensuring that the last remnants of the once mighty realm were unable to re-organise and threaten.
His final act of command was to oversee the conquest of Svunnetland, a campaign which left a bitter taste in the Lord's mouth. Political wrangling disrupted his plans and the glorious retribution against Svunnetland culminated in nothing more than a single skirmish at Zolon. The victory held little honour and Tharion was personally disenchanted with the outcome.
When the Duchy of Lasop, newly gained from the fallen Kingdom of Kamador required a new Duke, Tharion relinquished his post and took control of the city. Having grown dissatisfied with the lack of communication and general lack of involvement from Emperor Orphen, Tharion was convinced by Duke Luyten to air these complaints in public and call for new elections. He was further honoured by the suggestion that he himself be named a candidate.
Silence enveloped the realm as all waited for the Emperor's reply, which was not forthcoming until nearly a month had passed. Only Dukes Luyten and Xarnelf, as well as Exchequer Rekhyt commented on Tharion's ultimatum during this time as many others seemed to be waiting for an official response.
The election was called with only two named candidates and the next day it emerged that Emperor Orphen had regained his throne. It was a closely run thing with Orphen winning by 13 votes out of the 442 cast. Nearly a third of the total votes were given in favour of Duke Luyten and Lord Rekhyt, both of whom spoke in support of Tharion.
This was a bitter blow and it would later emerge that some had missed the voting. Tharion honored the outcome and made the decision to leave the realm. Staying would open up the temptation of rebellion, an outcome that he did not wish. Orphen was a dangerous and unpredictable man, one whom Tharion had never shared friendship. Tharion was accepted into Arcaea, a realm he had chosen due to his friendship with King Jenred. His time in the realm only lasted a month before he received word from Luyten that Emperor Orphen had mysteriously vanished. The nobility of Aenilia were united in the belief that Tharion should return and become the next monarch of the realm, taking over from Luyten who had temporarily ascended the throne. Giving his thanks to Arcaea, Tharion returned to his home. Tharion was named as the fifth ruler of Greater Aenilia and immediately distanced himself from Orphen's rule by accepting the title of "High King". It was not long before Aenilia became embroiled in further war in the south, this time targeting Soliferum.
During this period his relationship with Yleina had grown stronger, spurred by the revelation that she was the younger sister of Tharion's closest friend, Xarnelf Lightstar. Tharion believed that he had reached a time when he would be ready to ask for her hand but sadly such an ending was torn away from them. During battle Yleina was captured by Soliferum soldiers and despite his pleas, Judge Viracocha had her executed. The loss affected the High King deeply and while he maintained a calm demeanour for the sake of the realm, inwardly his desire for revenge removed any thoughts of mercy. With renewed vigor they fought Soliferum with both Xarnelf and Tharion intent on capturing the hated Virachoca. Such an event never came to pass and torn apart by grief and fatigue, Tharion fell into madness. As was the way of three rulers before him, Tharion vanished. A letter was left which claimed that he had joined a wandering circus. The validity of this document was never established.
In truth he shed any vestiges of his noble life and escaped to the dark parts of the Ornaz forests. He had long ago discovered the various hubs of the black market that wove like tendrils through the region, and using his contacts he was able to begin a new life. In time he took a wife and soon after she birthed his one heir, Blais de Ravenal.
After many years the old King was finally taken by the Aenil. Before his death he revealed his story to Blais and set the young man upon a path to reclaim his rightful place among the Aenilian elite.
