Arylon Family/Taran

Taran Arylon is the elder of the famous Arylon twins, born before his brother Fisc by only a few minutes. He is currently a high-ranking priest of the Aristoi Atamarism religion in the nation of Abington. He began his life in the Cagilian Empire but as his life evolved, he later left the Empire in favor of Abington. Since his defection, his relationship with his twin brother Fisc Arylon have been somewhat chilly, but still civil.

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.