Arylon Family

Introduction

Currently, the only known remaining members of the Arylon family are the twin brothers, Taran and Fisc Arylon. Their father, Mannix Arylon was killed in the constant warfare experienced by the citizens of the south-east island. He was slain in battle defending the stronghold of the city Toren.

Both boys had been sent off to their ancestral home on the Atamara Continent to receive an education at the time, which is the only reason anyone from the Arylon line survives. Once each learned of what had happened to their family, the two brothers began to take very divergent paths.

Arylon family crest

The elder (by 6 minutes) brother Taran had always hated living on the south-east island, and viewed it as a haven for barbarians and mindless warfare. He took the tragic events as a sign that he should never return to the island, and as such, he stayed behind in Atamara to finish his education and pursue the paths of political power.

His brother Fisc on the other hand, felt nothing but bloodlust for revenge. All attempts by Taran to appeal to Fisc's logical mind and draw him away from vengence fell on deaf ears. Fisc decided as soon as he was old enough to effectively fight, that he would return to the south-east island and begin to work for the annihilation of those who had killed his parents.

Unbenknownst to the surviving brothers is that they have two older brothers named Jaden and Nexis, both currently on the continent of Beluaterra.

Family History

For a more detailed history of this family, see: Arylon Family History

See also: Arylon Family Tree

Origins

The Arylon family's roots are on the Atamara continent, specifically in the realm of the Cagilan Empire. Each generation of Arylon's has been born in the Empire, although at current members of the family are spread all over the world.

The nobility of this family can be traced to the patriarch of the family, Avalair Arylon who was born of two commoners, but managed to carve out a career for himself as a noble after Julienn Stanford a noble of the region of Calis in the Cagilan Empire took a fancy to him and married him. All future Arylons owe their nobility to Avaliar, and the great time and effort he went through to establish himself on Atamara.

Mannix Arylon

The family's fame and accomplishments really began to gain some notaritiy with the advancement of Taran and Fisc Arylon, twins born of the famous Mannix Arylon.

Mannix is the grandson of Avalair, and the first son of Alexis Arylon. Mannix began his life in Ravening where his father was a minor noble. His father, Alexis, forged himself a strong reputation and was granted lordship over the region of Nardil just after Mannix's seventh birthday. He moved the family immediately to Nardil and began great civil works projects to improve his land. One notable project was the creation of the Nardil Academy, a place where his sons and grandsons would later study.

Growing up, Mannix fell in love with a common girl in Nardil and against his fathers wishes, married her when he turned 20 years old. Disowned by his father, stripped of his inheritance and titles, Mannix moved to the outskirts of Nardil with his wife, where they would begin their family - his first son Jaden Arylon would be born later that year.

He began planning ways to rebuild his influence - clearly, his father would never allow him to rise the ranks of the nobility in Cagilan Empire as long as he was alive. He spent a great deal of time studying military history, tactics, strategy and the rule of law. Despite his self-education, the situation seemed dire for nearly 10 years, until word came to Mannix of the discovery of a new continent, which was being colonized by nobles all over the world.

It was then that he began making plans to go to the colonies, and begin anew in a new land.

Mannix set out in the spring, taking with him his two eldest sons, Jaden and Nexis, and leaving behind his seven year old twins Taran and Fisc to study at the Nardil Academy - Alexis did not hold the same ill will about his grandsons as he did for his own son, and so he allowed their education. Mannix planned to return to Nardil when the boys were teenagers, and bring them to an expansive territory taken over by him.

What would really happen at the colonies would be much different.

Triumph, Defeat

Mannix came to the colonies before nations had even formed yet, and immediately began carving out terrirtory for himself and his family. His name became more well known with each victory, and his land more substantive. His expansion at the colonies continued for several years after his arrival.

Unfortunately, he failed to realize that his increasing influence would make him a major target.

Several of the competing nobles in the colonies realized Mannix's potential to perhaps take over thier own lands. Out of fear, 8 nobles were gathered at the Council of Giblot, a meeting instigated by Kaendall Istar, the cheif rival of Mannix in the region. They forged a temporary alliance for the purpose of driving Mannix back.

Their efforts proved ineffective at first, but after months of constant pressure applied to all areas of Mannix's land, his armies finally crumbled. Mannix was captured, and as he was hauled away to one of Istar's prisons, he saw his wife and sons standing on a platform with nooses around their necks - he believed them killed as he was lead away to prison.

He was then kept in a cell for 3 months, treated extremely poorly. It was clear his captors intended to torture him, and leave him to die at some point. One late night, Mannix heard footsteps approach his cell, and he prepared himself for another beating. When the door opened however, the guard presented him with release papers, and told him to walk outside.

As he left the facility, a man in a long grey coat was waiting for him. He introduced himself as a noble from the south-east continent nation of Toren, and explained to Mannix that he had purchased his freedom. Apparently the noble had heard of an extremely efficient leader and warrior who had recently fell to a coalition and was being held captive. As the nation of Toren was facing enemies on all sides and constant warfare, the man was sent to seek Mannix out and recruit him to help the war effort.

Mannix did not want to go - he had heard of the island of war, and had no interest in taking part in the effort. Instead he wanted to stay and avenge his wife and son's death by attacking the ringleaders of the effort against him. The mysterious stranger who had bought his freedom did not care, and informed Mannix if he did not go with him to Toren, he would revoke his payment and have him thrown back into jail.

Reluctantly, Mannix agreed to go with the stranger.

What Mannix did not know at that point was that his wife and sons were not dead. The execution of Genesis, Jaden and Nexis was put on hold when Istar rode by the hanging platform, and saw Mannix's wife. Immediately struck by her beauty, he decided to spare her, and her sons (to curry her favor) and take her back with him to the city of Giblot. Had Mannix known this, he would never have gone with the stranger who bought his freedom.

Legacy

The events at the colonies would have lasting repercussions for all members of the family. It would lead to Fisc's movement to the nation of Toren, Tarans abandoment of the sword in favor of religion, and the loss of contact between brothers.

Taran Arylon

Taran Arylon in his newly created shrine. Painting the work of Matrim Gannon

Vital Information

Age: 18
Height: 6'2"
Weight: Roughly 190 lbs
Eye Color: Green
Hair: Brown, short
Class: Priest
Honour: 12
Prestige: 2
Continent: Atamara
Realm: Abington

Personality

Taran is a highly educated, cerebral person - concerned with the use and application of political power. He has a sly and relentless sense of humor that has more than once caused him to be labeled a troublemaker. He values knowledge, cunning, cleverness and ingenuity above brute strength. This has caused some friction with his brother Fisc, who has always believed that true power, flows from the use of strength.

Taran also has the reputation as a lover of women. He is charismatic and witty, which has served him well in matters of love. Intellect and confidence seem to ooze from his very pores - along with a fair amount of arrogance.

He also has a rather cavalier view of life, believing that life can only truly be lived if one lives in the moment, and attempts to extract as much from each moment as possible. This has led to many excesses in his life - too much drink, too many women - but has only solidified his belief in taking advantage of all of life's advantages.

Taran believes in a universal human moral code. It is this belief in a moral authority higher than the world of men that led to his abandonment of his ancestral home, the Cagilian Empire. His loyalty was to his beliefs, and when it became apparent that his nation and those beliefs were incompatible he defected.

Recently, upon his conversion to Aristoi Atamarism, he has become more introspective, subtle and reflective. His extraverted nature is now being somewhat tempered by the seriousness of his faith. He now has also found peace, as the tenets of his new religion have satisfied his need for allegiance to a higher set of morals.

Early History

The library at Nardil Academy, where Taran received his early education.

Taran grew up in the Cagilian Empire, receiving a very aristocratic education. He learned much of philosophy, art, science, mathematics as well as theology. At the same time he observed, learned and practiced the specific uses of political power. He saw nobles use the law, the system, the military and the church to gain and use power. He noted mistakes that were being made when people obtained power, and resolved to learn from them and not repeat the same mistakes when he was old enough to wield authority.

When he was 17, Taran received word that the island nation of Toren was over-run by its enemies, and that his parents and siblings had all been killed. Infuriated by his father's insistance on fighting rather than thinking, and blaming him for the death of his entire family, Taran swore never to return to his birthplace in Toren, forsaking a purely militaristic life.

His brother, Fisc, disagreed and was filled with such rage that he returned to the island to fight for Toren, in vengeance for his family's death. The brothers parted on an icy note, though both swore that they would remain loyal to each other, being they were the only members of the Arylon family left.

Life in the Cagilian Empire

Taran was of age to make his own life at this point, and traveled to Nardil, a small region on the outskirts of the Cagilian Empire. There he met several young men his age, and he recruited them to serve him in the Cagilian Empire military. He was reluctant at first to pick up a sword, but also felt that to not learn to fight would leave him at a disadvantage politically.

He promised his men action. What he found, however, was quite the opposite. In the ensuing months, Taran was continually disappointed - not only by the lack of any real battles to fight, but at the incoherently bureaucrat nature of his country. Contradictory orders were given, often times making little sense. Halfhearted attempts at marshalling an organized, elite-fighting force was made. Goals that were short sighted and small minded were pursued, and action that could barely keep Taran's sword sharp.

Taran grew increasingly frustrated with what he referred to as "running in sand". Cagilian Empire was going nowhere, its leaders seemed to think of themselves on an ivory tower, and its nobles seemed content with mediocrity.

Defection to Abington

The Shrine of Sudfern constructed by Taran. This was his first - and greatest - construction project.

It was at that time that Taran received word from an old friend of his from childhood. Aeryn Arete, of Abington sent a courier to meet him, bringing greetings and updates of her own life. The two would send letters back and forth for a month, and each time Taran read of her exploits, he saw something he coveted - a realm that suited him. She would speak of the simple, direct, orderly and coherent nature of her nation's exploits. But more than that, she spoke of her new religion, that of Aristoi Atamarism, and the effect it had on her.

More and more he grew longing of a life he could lead elsewhere. Finally, he arrived at a decision - to move out and abandon the land of his childhood in favor of a new world that more suited the way of life he desired to lead. He informed his captain of his intentions and the troop moved out the next day.

The journey from Cagilian Empire to Abington was not an easy one. Along the way Taran lost more than 10 men, as more than one skirmish claimed the lives of his people. Clever trails, traveling in darkness and ordering his men to evade anything resembling another troop did pay off however, and he arrived in Abington in under a week. The 13 men that arrived with him had the benefit of experience, and were extremely highly trained. Taran initially expected to use them to help the people of Abington deal with their enemies.

New life in Abington

As he began to acclimate to his new land, Taran increasingly paid attention to the plight of the religious peasants in his adopted home, especially the followers of Aristoi Atamarism. He found himself increasingly wanting to help, even despite the fact he still belonged to The Order. Upon speaking further with his good friend Aeryn, he made the decision to officially convert to Aristoi Atamarism - a move that would have lasting implications for Taran.

As time wore on, and he spent more time studying his new religion, he found himself consumed by matters of the spirit, rather than of the physical world. He was fundamentally changing as a person, becoming more pensive, reclusive, quiet and thoughtful. Taran began to wonder if he was any longer suited to command a unit of soldiers. When Aeryn formally requested he become a priest and work to expand Aristoi Atamarism across Abington, Taran formally disbanded his unit and immediately enrolled in the priesthood.

His newfound purpose was well served. Once becoming a priest, Taran traveled to the northern lands of Abington to preach the good word among the commoners. After many successful preachings in the north, it became apparent that more pressing needs were in the south-western regions of Abington. It was there that he became the mastermind of the great shrine of Sudfern - a holy crystal shrine to the faith of Aristoi Atamarism, created with a reflective pool intended to enhance the beauty of the shrine. It stands as Taran's greatest contribution to Abington to date, both in the effect it has had on the faith of his religion, but also on the architectural uniqueness of the realm.

Taran is currently preaching in the south-west, attempting to expand his faith to a new set of commoners.