Arylon Family/Fisc
| Fisc Arylon | |||
|
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| HIGH KING OF EVERGUARD | |||
| POLITICAL STATUS | |||
| STATUS | |||
| DEAD | |||
| CONTINENT | NATIONALITY | ||
| South-East Island Dwilight |
 Toren Everguard Averoth |
||
| TITLES HELD | LANDED TITLES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor of Averoth High King of Westgard Paladin Primus of Toren |
Governor of Valkyrja Governor of Gelene Lord of Dakan |
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| RELIGION | RELIGIOUS TITLES | ||
| Torenist | Prophet of Tor | ||
| PERSONAL INFORMATION | |||
| BIRTHPLACE | PARENTS | ||
| Calis, Cagilan Empire | Avalair Arylon Avery Stanford |
||
| SPOUSE | ISSUE | ||
| Saccharine de Nada (lover) Luna Dawnstar |
Gheric Arylon Lyanna Arylon Mathas Rearden Arylon |
||
| HEIGHT | WEIGHT | ||
| 6'1" | 186 lb | ||
| HAIR COLOR | EYES | ||
| Brown | Green | ||
Fisc Arylon, also known as The Emerald Knight and Fisc Silvertongue, was a warrior, statesman, King and religious icon of great fame in the old days of our world. Beginning his exploits on the now destroyed South-East Island, his reputation as a fierce warrior would be sharpened while fighting for the realm of Toren.
He is, however, best known among the ancient families as the first High King of the realm of Everguard in north-western Dwilight. Everguard was the first Kingdom founded in Dwilight that reached into the monster-infested hordes of the west. Fisc himself was the first man to lead knights-at-arms into that wilderness.
As High King, Fisc led his new nation to glory, quickly expanding his realm's borders as far west as the Shrine of Seeklander, and as far south as Eidulb. Everguard quickly became known as the "Emerald Jewell" of the west, defending the realms of the east from unchecked monster invasions.
Sadly, his reign was eventually ended when Fisc was struck by a horrible twisting plague, robbing him of his health and forcing him to abdicate the Crystal Throne of Everguard. In the aftermath of his abdication, he would go on to lead another colony realm known as Averoth to the west, and then later would receive divine inspiration and found the religion of Torenism at the peak of the Mountain of Betrayal.
Eventually, Everguard was betrayed and destroyed by the nation of Astrum, and Averoth was nearly destroyed as well. Frustrated by the treachery and corruption systemic through Dwilight, Fisc and his children left the continent seeking a quiet life, withdrawn from the world.
Some years later, after the death of his wife, Fisc mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again. Some have speculated that he grew restless and sought adventure beyond the known world. Some believe he died. Others think he may return some day. But today, he is gone.
Personality
Fisc’s personality has drastically changed as he has grown older. When he was a young man, Fisc could easily be described as having an extremely volatile personality. He was prone to dramatic emotional mood swings – from elation and exuberance to sullen and reflective. He was an aggressive, brash man who acted first and thought second, and a great deal of his personal worldview was shaped by his anger.
Fisc’s rage in his early years stemmed from his realization that the world by its very nature was an unjust, dangerous place – and that no one, not even family could be trusted. Fisc himself was betrayed a number of times, which only more deeply cemented his feelings on the subject. Everything that happened in his life, from his abandonment by his father, to the senseless politicking he would later face taught him that life was not fair – and he reacted to this with deep seeded anger and resentment. This point of view on life also led to Fisc having something of a cynical and sarcastic sense of humor – something that made him popular among his peers, but betrayed his lack of confidence in himself or the world.
Fisc also had an extremely cavalier view of life, believing that it can only truly be lived if one does so in the moment, in an attempt to extract as much from one’s life as possible. This attitude caused him to take a great number of risks, prosecute his beliefs without a second thought, and take pleasure in much of mundane details of life others take for granted - such as the sweet smell of the air on a crisp autumn day, the bitter bite of a dark brew, or the soft touch of a woman.
As his life progressed, however, Fisc began to change. The anger that so often consumed him had driven him to fight. Fight against enemies of the flesh, and of the heart. He fought his battles without reservation, filled with hate and bloodlust - seeking revenge and penance for the wickedness of the world. Because he was so distrustful of people, and so skeptical of justice – he himself became obsessed with personal loyalty, and seeking to prosecution of justice in the world. He would never betray, he would never seek revenge over justice and he would attempt to correct the wickedness and corruption of the world.
Ironically, it was this point of view that calmed his soul. Age and experience (as well as his marriage) has now taught him that his flashes of pure unadulterated rage do not serve him as well as he had thought – and as such he has learned to temper those feelings and channel them into more productive exercises. He has found that if he seeks truth, justice and loyalty, that they are indeed in the world and can be cultivated. He can no longer be easily goaded into throwing the first punch, as he once could, nor does he anymore act before thinking.
Since gaining real political power, he has also learned the wisdom of compromise and diplomacy. A young Fisc hated the blabbering foolishness of diplomats, and viewed politics as talking when action was required. It was his brother Taran who enjoyed the game of power, and it was he who hated it, and did not want anything to do with it – which is perhaps why he acquired it.
Today, Fisc Arylon is the High King of Everguard, is married to the beautiful Luna Dawnstar and expects to soon have children. His hardness and fierce outlook on life has been replaced by a more mature and statesman-like personality.
However, do not be fooled by his now quiet, thoughtful and reserved demeanor – if pushed to a point that he feels calls for it, Fisc is still the most dangerous and fierce man in the Arylon family – his anger and aggressiveness are not gone, only now below the surface, waiting to explode.
Early History
Fisc's early life mirrored his brother Taran's. Those who knew the twins at this point in their lives have often said that Taran was a popular, outgoing extravert, and Fisc was a more reserved, less scholastic person. Nonetheless, both boys did well in school, up until they were 7 years old - when Avalair made the decision to set off for the colonies and attempt to carve out an estate in the expansive lands.
Staying Behind
Since both Taran and Fisc were too young to take part in their father's expedition, they remained in Nardil to continue their education, while their brothers Jaden and Galen went with Avalair. This separation affected Fisc a great deal more than Taran, causing him to lose interest in his studies, and retreat away from friends, classes, and sports. He began to grow bitter at his father's absence, acting out and continually getting himself suspended from the Nardil Academy, where the boys attended school. He seemed to be on track to burn out early, despite Taran's efforts to include him and temper his behavior.
All of that changed when the twins received word from their father stating that he was now in the south-east island, fighting for the nation of Toren. Avalair’ letter informed Fisc of the death of his mother and brothers Jaden and Galen (or so he thought), and his own indentured servitude to a noble in Toren.
Enraged at his perception of his father, Fisc immediately left Cagilan Empire and set off for the south-east island. Before he left he confronted Taran and as the elder brother ordered him to stay in Nardil and keep the family estate until he returned – this request, and Taran’s breaking of his word to Fisc, was the source of their animosity in later years.
Seeking His Father Across the Sea
So consumed with anger and vengeance aimed at his father for causing his family to be destroyed, he vowed to go to Toren and find Avalair. He arrived in Toren Stronghold shortly thereafter and began to investigate his father's whereabouts. The trail got hot nearly a month later, when he got word from a local trader that Avalair was seen in Lesthem, on the front lines in Toren's struggle against the nation of Taselek. Fisc immediately set after him.
He found the armies of Toren camped on the field the night before the battle and stealthily observed the troop movements, looking anxiously for his father. Hate burned in his mind for Avalair - Fisc blamed him for the death of his mother and two older brothers, Jaden and Galen. It was Avalair's own irrational need for power, land and title that had lead him to the colonies, and caused his family to go with him. Fisc had always believed that his mother never really wanted to go, and that it was only her love for Avalair that convinced her to follow him to the new world.
Deep into the night, Fisc approached the tent he had identified as Avalair's. Quietly he slipped by the night watch guards and opened the canvas of the tent, dagger in hand – Fisc intended to kill his father in retribution. What he found shocked him. Avalair was to his left flank with an arrow drawn in a bow. Ignoring reason, Fisc dove for his father attempting to slash his throat, but he was easily disarmed by his more experienced foe. Avalair swung Fisc to the ground and held him there with his boot.
Fisc was forced to lay there and listen to his father talk. He had apparently been warned of Fisc’s arrival by a letter from Taran, who disagreed with Fisc’s assertions about Avalair (this was yet another point of contention among the twins that caused a major rift in their relationship).
He tried to speak up and shout his father down, but he could barely squeek out a noise, let alone talk. Avalair continued to speak, telling him that it was in fact his mother Genesis who had asked him to go to the colonies and settle in Giblot. He informed his son that he believed he could restore his name by remaining in the Cagilan Empire - eventually reconciling with his father Alexis. She did not agree, and threatened to leave him unless he was able to restore his family name, carve out an estate for himself, and bring honor to the name Avalair Arylon once again.
He continued, telling Fisc how he had forced his wife and sons to stay behind in Giblot while he was out on the frontier expanding his territory - so as to protect them from harm. Avalair explained that their deaths were the result of a great coalition of honorless nobles, and that the only reason his family was threatened at all was because the coalition was able to get to his Manor in Giblot before he could get his family out to sea.
He also made it clear to Fisc that in one year, he was to be released from his servitude to the Toren lord who had bought his freedom, and that he planned to return to Giblot and exact his revenge for the death of his family, then once again return home to the Cagilan Empire and reclaim his honor, glory and respect.
Fisc was stunned - it was apparent now that he had completely misjudged his father. A sneaking admiration crept into his heart, washing away the rage and hate he had felt only hours before.
He apologized to his father and pledged to help him in his cause – Avalair agreed.
The Death of Avalair Arylon
The next day, the reunited father and son marched on Lesthem. The forces of Taselak were more extensive than originally thought, and Toren's General was killed at the outset of the fighting. In disarray, confused and outnumbered, Toren's armies were quickly cut through. Avalair and Fisc were holding the third hill to the west of the fighting, but as Taselak advanced they became surrounded.
Faced with capture, Avalair threw down his sword and ordered Fisc to do the same. This was supposed to be honorable combat, so the forces of Taselak would take them prisoner, and they would be able to buy their way out in the future - living to fight another day. As a unit captain approached him, Avalair called out his name, rank and informed him of his surrender.
The captain, a bloodthirsty maniac named Rahvin said nothing, approached Avalair, withdrew his sword and sliced his head off in one foul swoop. Rahvin laughed, mounted his horse and ordered his men to leave Fisc where he was.
Horrified at what he had witnessed, Fisc dove to the ground and wailed. He had just learned his father was a truly honorable man, and now he had been stolen from him. Fisc was unable to contain his anger. He bent down and withdrew Avalair's sword from the ground, rose to the first riderless horse he could find, and charged after Rahvin and his men with bloodlust in his eyes. It wasn't long until he was on their heels.
As Fisc rode for him, Rahvin dismounted and waited. Fisc approached, and his enemy dove on the ground, rolling and slicing the legs of the horse, throwing Fisc from it violently. He quickly recovered and wildly hacked at Rahvin, desperately trying to score a killing blow. The experienced captain easily blocked his attempts. Finally, as Fisc raised his sword and left himself open, Rahvin drew a dagger and stabbed Fisc in the thigh, then he kicked him over to the ground.
The man who killed his father cackled wildly and mounted his steed again, leaving Fisc bleeding on the ground. His blood loss was profound, and he lost consciousness.
Dedication to Toren
When Fisc awoke, he found himself among a deserted battlefield littered with dead bodies. Rage consumed Fisc, and he had nowhere to direct it as he was alone. On his knees and covered in blood, he grabbed his hair and let out a great scream of agony.
Collecting himself, he found that Avalair's sword was still there - he picked it up and placed it in his back holster. He resolved at that moment that he would never touch another sword in battle as long as he drew breath. He then began walking toward the city of Toren Stronghold – it was unavoidable now, he had business there.
Along the way to the Stronghold, Fisc stopped at a number of small towns to rest. At each stop, he would spend time at a local tavern and drink heavy amounts of beer, reflecting upon his own sorrow, regret and anger. Curious locals would hear his story and learn that he was traveling to Toren Stronghold, and many would ask to join him. Each small village he would stop at, By the time he finally arrived at the city he commanded 25 eager young men, all of whom felt a rush of bloodlust that reflected the young nobleman they accompanied.
Once he arrived, Fisc directed one of his men to carry a letter to Phear Phantom, Pontifex of the realm of Toren. The letter told the story of how he arrived to Toren, and asked permission to pledge his life and his sword to the realm. He then spent a day in the city, entertaining his men and resting, before setting out for the front lines.
Upon his first encounter with enemy forces after beginning his career in Toren, Fisc's unit was severely damaged, and he needed to withdraw from the front and return to Toren Stronghold to refit his unit. In his naiveté, he turned his back on the enemy as he retreated. He had been wounded and his usual acute senses did not see a Taselek soldier approaching him from the rear. Just as the enemy soldier drew his blade to strike Fisc, he felt a wind blow past his face and heard the sound' of an arrow burying itself in a man’s chest. At first, he thought the arrow was intended to kill him, and so he drew his weapon to attack the archer.
However, he heard a body drop behind him, turned around to look and saw a soldier now laying face first on the ground - sword in hand, arrow in chest. Fisc understood what had just happened, the female archer had saved his life because he had been negligent with his own life.
The woman walked up to Fisc, nodded in his direction and uttered her name - Averyll. She was the countess of the region of Jerelin, and the Fiduciary of Toren. Averyll smiled, and clapped her hand on the young soldiers back.
He and Averyll would meet on the battlefield a number of times. Fisc was even able to repay the life debt at a large fateful battle in the region of Falens. When Averyll had been knocked to the ground and was vulnerable to attack, Fisc placed himself between Averyll and a group of 10 Taselek soldier, managing to hold them long enough for her to escape and fall back to a safe position.
After Falens, Averyll invited Fisc to come to Jerelin to her personal estate. The two became great friends, sharing drinks and war stories. This friendship forged what can be considered an strong alliance between their two great houses, which exists to this day.
Ascention to Lordship
Fisc began to build his legend in the trenches. He was angry, passionate, vengeful but most of all, he was brutal. His naked rage was taken out on any enemy he faced on the battlefield. Early in his career, Fisc was hardly a proficient and brilliant soldier - he was surviving on his own bloodlust, and all too often his extreme behavior would come close to killing him. On more than one occasion, his recklessness led to the death of men under his command, something that only furthered his frustration and angst.
But one thing was undeniable, for however foolish and short sighted he was, he was an efficient and maniacal soldier. He became something of a berserker - wildly (and mercilessly) slaughtering anyone who came in his path, completely abandoning the conventions of traditional warfare. Each time the Army of Tor was ordered out, Fisc was there in the front, aggressively attacking the opponent. He was instrumental in victories at Falens, Seggelin and Lesthem, though his commanders were beginning to worry that his potential as a soldier was being wasted by his irrational behavior.
Averyll begged him to stop. She would tell him that if he ever met a truly proficient warrior, that his anger would be a weapon that could easily be used against him, and that he was only notching body counts because he was facing conscriptions. He didn't listen - not only were his emotions erupting from him, but he began to fall in love with the idea of his own success. He began to feel invincible, becoming insufferably arrogant.
Something was about to change.
The great Pontifex of Toren, Sir Phear Fantom was present at a great battle in Lesthem. At this battle, the heroic leader was slain - ending the reign of the most influential ruler on South-East Island. This vacated the office of Pontifex and began a series of events that would lead to Fisc's advancement within the realm of Toren.
The forces Toren faced in Lesthem were professional soldiers, and many of them were of a quality Fisc had not yet seen. He had charged into the battle as he had every time - but this time he was struck down. First an archer connected with Fisc's right shoulder, then another in his thigh. As the battle continued, a skilled Taselak warrior disarmed Fisc and stabbed him in the chest with a dagger. He survived the attack, but it left him crippled for months afterward.
The ensuing election for Pontifex saw the elevation of Fisc's greatest friend, Averyll in a narrow victory. Once taking command of the realm, Averyll felt she had to find a way to temper Fisc's aggressive death wish. He had sacrificed and proven his worth as a soldier and as a man, and so she decided that perhaps the best way to rehabilitate his mind was to grant him a title, and give him responsibility over a region of land. After much thought, Averyll dispatched a courier to the front in Lesthem (where Fisc was still healing) to order him to travel to Dakan with her, to take command of the region.
Entry Into Politics - Fiduciary
As Averyll was the previous Fiduciary of Toren, upon her ascension to Pontifex she was forced to abdicate the duties of Fiduciary and a replacement was needed. At the Nardil Academy as a boy, Fisc had an aggressive scholastic education in finance, trade and tax policy. Certainly no expert - but more than competent enough to serve the realm in financial matters.
Initially though, Fisc did not seek the position. He had just been humbled in battle, proven to be a hotheaded, arrogant young man, and was given a title that he didn't believe he truly deserved. He also felt that in the realm there were likely others with a higher level of understanding of financial matters, and that a noble would step forward and become the consensus choice as Averyll's replacement. As time went on however, it became apparent that the field of candidates was inadequate, and the realm needed a strong presence to lead the financial matters that were at the time in transition.
He did not make the decision to run until he spoke to Pontifex Averyll about the situation. From the conversation, Averyll got the impression that his near death on the battlefield and quiet humble reflection on the path of his life was a good sign, and that perhaps serving the realm would help him find focus and purpose in his life. She gave him his blessing, and ordered him to run.
Upon returning to Toren Stronghold, Fisc began a ruthlessly efficient campaign to gain the position. Reinvigorated by the belief that his life was perhaps finally on track, humbled by his experiences and matured by his losses - he campaigned with the same vigor he used to fight with. Pledging a transparent and open administration of finances, Fisc made direct appeals to each individual noble in Toren, informing them of his detailed plans for the position while speaking individually to each. The grassroots campaign struck a cord with a great deal of Toren nobles, who have increasingly felt distanced from their rulers and responded positively to being spoken to on an individual level.
The ground level work paid off, with Fisc winning the election with 47.7% of the vote, despite facing 14 separate candidates. His victory was by more than 32%, giving him a clear mandate and vote of support from the people of Toren. His service to the realm would prove successful, allowing him to win re-election several times, even against the brother of the heroic Pontifex Phear. In his later writings, Fisc would often say that his experience as Fiduciary and the campaigns to gain the position were the most valuable events of his life - leading him to make peace with the establishment and mature his worldview.
The First Toren Rebellion
In the spring, Toren faced rebellion. At a time deep in the night, the underground movement that had been systematically planning their revolt finally acted. A noble named Hiddukel had originally planned on calling the rebellion, but circumstances prevented him from doing so - instead Zellion stepped up and while standing near the seat of government in Toren Stronghold, gave an impassioned speech, attempting to rally as many nobles as possible to the cause of the rebellion.
Leading the Loyalist Forces
Fisc had inserted himself into the underground movement, using the pseudonym The Emerald Knight for nearly a month before the rebellion began. As such, he had been kept abreast of the activities of the rebels for some time, and was well aware of their intentions to call a rebellion when they did. He had warned the Advisory Council, and was standing by with several nobles just outside of Toren Stronghold, ready to respond when the rebellion was called.
After Zellion's speech, a few nobles openly declared themselves rebels while others declared loyal to the realm. Averyll was unavailable to rally the Loyalists at the time, and so Fisc, deeply familiar with the rebellions plans, took up the mantle of leading the Loyalists against the rebels. Gaius Julius was the first and most vocally supportive Marshall of the Loyalists, and Fisc instructed him to make preparations for the upcoming military campaign in Toren Stronghold to put down the rebellion.
Orders soon went out to all loyal nobles of Toren instructing them to return to Toren Stronghold to destroy the rebellion. Flocks of nobles, even those who were not pleased with the government, declared themselves loyalists and responded to the orders, moving to Toren Stronghold.
The rebels found themselves vastly outnumbered, and in only one day, their military effectiveness was cut off, effectively ending the threat they posed to the government.
Rebellion Ends
Though Zellion called the rebellion, Hiddukel was the driving force behind it. After it became clear that the revolt had failed, Hiddukel offered himself to the Loyalist forces, calling for his own sacrifice as penance for the rebellion.
Fisc rejected Hiddukel's original offer, instead demanding that Hiddukel be executed for his crimes, that all rebels be exiled from South East Island, and that a direct contact be established between the Toren nobles and their government be appointed. Though Hiddukel agreed to these terms, Averyll gave a public call for healing, and asked that Hiddukel be exiled, not executed. Fisc agreed to these terms, as did Hiddukel.
Fisc and Hiddukel then jointly ordered the rebels to disband their units, ending the rebellion.
Fall From Grace
A major defining point in Fisc's life came as the dust settled following the rebellion. After another election victory for Fiduciary, he ordered his men to stay in Kail and provide civil defense, while he traveled to his home region of Dakan. Toren was in desperate need of new recruitment centers, so Fisc went to Dakan and immediately invested his own family's money in the creation of a new recruitment center. The Dakan Omega Force Special Forces center was erected quickly, and it began recruiting men right away.
After its construction, Fisc immediately headed back to Toren Stronghold to recruit a new group of soldiers. What he did not know was that the Taselak army had somehow obtained intelligence stating that the Fiduciary of Toren was traveling from the northern regions to Toren Stronghold, and had no unit to protect him. They immediately set out to intercept him, cornering him in Kail.
Fisc was taken prisoner immediately and brought to Taselak. His absence from the realm necessitated an election for a replacement Fiduciary. Phettish, who Fisc had handily defeated by over 40% of the vote just days before won the election, and controversially announced that he would not abdicate the position of Fiduciary after Fisc returned from prison.
The announcement infuriated Fisc, as well as a great deal of other nobles in Toren. Fisc had bribed the guards in his prison cell, and had received word of Phettish's decision and immediately spoke out about his belief that Phettish was acting dishonorably. He accused him of opportunism and blind ambition, using a brief incarceration to usurp authority that he had been denied by a wide margin only days prior. Phettish responded with harsh criticisms of Fisc, creating a massive personal divide among the two men.
After an aggressive public debate, Fisc pledged that he would not put the realm through a power war with Phettish, and would instead concede to his power grab, and spare the realm of a public argument over the position. He then further announced he would not seek re-election as Fiduciary, being completely disillusioned with the democratic process in the realm of Toren, no longer wanting to be any part of it.
As time passed and Fisc began to quiet his dissension, Phettish began to stumble, collecting a paltry tax and doing little more than making an announcement that Toren needed more regions to collect more gold. Fisc was continually disgusted with Phettish's behavior and now his performance, and decided to privately write him to prod him into acting more appropriately.
Unfortunately, Phettish was in no mood to be questioned, and wrote an insulting letter back to Fisc. Making one last attempt to plead with Phettish for reason, Fisc wrote yet another letter to him, calling him to task and demanding he modify his behavior. In a final insult to Fisc, Phettish did not even open his letter, rather crumbling it and ordering it sent back.
It was clear to Fisc that Phettish was wholly concerned with his own rise to power, and not about the good of the realm, or the honor of the nobles in the realm.
It was at that time that Fisc decided he would not stand for it anymore. He had been slighted enough. He had been lied about enough. He had witnessed enough slippery political maneuvering. Fisc no longer cared about his own power, or even his own life. Despite his frail body, still throbbing from the multiple injuries he suffered in a Taselak prison, he was going to satisfy his own personal honor, and challenge Phettish to a duel.
Phettish was an excellent swordsman, this much he knew. His youth and inexperience meant he was aggressive, powerful and he didn't know any better. Fisc's poor physical condition meant that he would be at a massive disadvantage in the fight, but he did not care - someone had to stand up to Phettish.
The two men gathered in the main square of Toren Stronghold and commenced with their battle. It raged for what seemed to Fisc like days - his experience (and Phettish's youth) and the adrenaline had helped him survive when in reality he should not have been fighting at all. Unfortunately as the battle wore on, Phettish gained the upper hand. His last memory was collapsing to the ground, and hearing Phettish order his revival at his tent. Fisc did not understand, Phettish should have killed him - it was a duel to the death.
Reemergence
After the duel, he couldn't help but soften his heart, and let go of the hate he had for his opponent. He did not fully trust Phettish, nor did he like him - but for the first time in a long time, he respected him. In a way, he owed Phettish his life - and could not let that debt remain unpaid. As he healed, Fisc made a critical decision that he would remove himself from public life - he was shamed, beaten and demoralized, and felt that he no longer commanded the support of everyday nobles in Toren.
Now retreated from public life, Fisc became consumed with learning the intricacies of Marshaling soldiers - it was now his intention to abandon politics and devote himself to a purely militaristic life. As his studies progressed, a vacancy in the Marshal of the Army of Tor presented itself, and Fisc was chosen to take over the army. This presented Fisc his first real opportunity to command large groups of soldiers on the battlefield.
Soon after taking command, Fisc unofficially dubbed the army under his command the "Phoenix Guard" - a nickname intended to subtly indicate the army's rebirth from the ashes of the civil war, and its mission as the guardians of Toren holdings on the island. The Phoenix Guard henceforth became known for being fierce defenders in the face of overwhelming odds. The legacy of that army would eventually be so great that it would transcend continental borders.
Shortly after Fisc began to command men on the battlefield, he saw great success. His reputation, previously in ruins, began to reassert itself, and the nobles of Toren once again began to view him in a positive light. Ironically, a battle in Toren's southern lands that Fisc himself commanded saw Phettish captured by enemy soldiers, forcing the position of Fiduciary to once again stand for election. Fisc was uninterested in seeking the position once again, and actively stated to the realm that he had no desire to serve in that capacity. However, when the election came to pass, Fisc learned that he was yet again chosen to manage the realms finances, despite his own objections. He took it as a sign that the realm desired his leadership, and he pledged to fulfill the role.
He immediately began going to work for the realm, and given their support for him, he felt as though they had forgiven him for his duel of honor with Phettish.
The Betrayal of Ikalak
The amended agreement with Ikalak had paid extreme dividends for Toren. It had freed them to focus on their southern border, retaking stolen lands, and expanding their realm right up to the borders of Taselak City.
Toren had made a fatal error, however. While they were taking regions from Taselak, they had given Ikalak free unfettered access to the south-east of Taselak, not reconquoring the lands that were to be given to Toren by treaty. That gave Ikalak a tremendous amount of land, money and people to command, and it became too much of a temptation for them to give up.
Ikalak pressed on into Belus, and then into Taselak City, initiating a takeover of their foes capital. Toren ordered them to retreat, but they did not comply. The Prime Minister of Ikalak, Maximus the Betrayer, informed the ruler of Toren that they intended to break the treaty.
Dakan Invaded
After the betrayal of the oathbreakers began, Ikalak decided to move north, and attack the northern territories of Toren, as a path to the Stronghold itself. Dakan, being Toren's northernmost region, bordering Ikalak City itself, was the newest target of the oathbreakers. Immediately, Ikalak hordes began pouring into Dakan, attempting to take the region by force.
Fisc's long rule in the region, and its staunch, pius loyalty to the realm of Toren proved to be the greatest obsticle to the Ikalakian hegemon. Initial takeover attempts were immediately rebuked. Fisc, far from his homeland was unable to return to defend it, but he was not needed - the peasants of Dakan threw off the shackles of the invders quickly - rejecting those who lie and betray their word.
And so Ikalak pressed on, determined to take Dakan. With outstanding brutality, Ikalak again tried to take Dakan by force. They killed, raped, pillaged tax gold, and even desecrated Arylon Manor to show the people of Dakan that they intended to take the region, regardless of the sentiments of her people.
Once again, the brave peasants, showing loyalty to Fisc and to Toren, threw off their invaders once more. Ikalak had twice failed to take the humble rural land of Dakan - and the anger of the mighty realm became increasingly dangerous to Dakan. For a third time, Ikalak began a political takeover of Dakan.
Fearing for his peasants safety, and knowing that it was only a matter of time until Ikalak was able to hold the region - Fisc sent word to the leaders of the resistance in Dakan to lay down their arms. In a letter to the council, Fisc asked that resistance change, to no longer be that of active physical resistance, but instead changed itself to that of subterfuge, spying, undermining their new masters at every turn. He ordered Dakan to surrender to the invaders, so that countless peasants would be saved, and to ensure that if Toren was ever able to push north again, it would have a base of loyal subjects willing to do anything to see Toren achieve victory again.
So, with a heavy heart, the long held region of Dakan fell to Ikalak, and Fisc's title of Lordship was gone. He would not forget his home, however - and Ikalak would soon hear from him again.
Paladin Primus of Toren
Fisc had long stated that he did not desire to General the armies of Toren - he only wanted to Marshal a small force and turn them into an elite fighting force that Toren could depend on. His aspirations for higher office did not include Paladin Primus, even though it was becoming increasingly obvious that he was well suited for the position.
However, as is often the case - leadership was thrust upon him. Gaius Julius, then Paladin Primus of Toren, was captured during an ill advised sally of Toren Stronghold into Kail, and a replacement was needed. Fisc reluctantly realized that if he did not step forward, Toren would suffer from a lack of strong leadership, in a time when she needed it most. The next morning the voice of the people was heard, and Fisc was elected the next Paladin Primus in a landslide.
He inherited a tragically dangerous situation. Ikalak had pressed into and taken over most of northern Toren - including Dakan, Barakor and Riakond while attempting a takeover of Jerelin. In the south they had taken the crucial territory of Cave of Guilt, and the resurgent Taselak had pressed into Neralle, smelling weakness in Toren. Toren was losing ground quickly, and something had to be done, or the realm would not survive.
With the help of a small braintrust of Toren elite, Fisc initiated a bold new plan. Faced with a military that was unable to take on anyone in the open field, Fisc decided to change tactics.
Immediately he ordered nobles who had small units to drop their men as militia in critical areas, and move both into the deep north, and the deep south, to provide advance scoutings - giving a window into the enemies plans DAYS in advance. Additionally he ordered the Army of Tor and Tor's Retribution south through Falens into Ikalak territory. Both of these armies were converted into mobile marauding units, whose sole purpose now was to do as much critical damage to Ikalak as possible.
This new strategy paid massive dividens. The Army of Tor pressed into the deep south, causing three regions to be so hurt that they went rogue and defected from Ikalak. At the same time, the tax cofers of southern regions began to dry up as more and more gold went into the hands of Toren nobles, significantly hurting Ikalak's war effort. Given the scoutings being provided in deep areas in the south, the armies were able to stay one step ahead of Ikalak, and had free reign over the area.
In the north, Fisc ordered the Black Knights to defend Toren Stronghold - providing some measure of protection against a thirsty enemy wanting to stretch itself too far. The Black Knights valiantly were able to not only protect the stronghold, but keep the invaders from taking over Kail, which was their next step. Though it eventually did fall, Fisc and the fine soldiers of Toren were able to hold it off for quite some time.
Given his promise that he was not interested in serving as Paladin Primus for his own personal gain, Fisc abdicated the position at the end of the month - allowing a new general to be elected to lead the armies of the realm. His southern slash and burn campaign had been a wild success, and had sown some seeds that would see rewards just weeks later - but had also earned him a rather dubious nickname - "The Slayer of Ikalak". Fisc welcomed the name, as he felt that slaying oathbreakers was not anything to be ashamed of, but rather a public service to the South-East Island.
Revenge
Ikalak's arrogance had grown beyond control. Kail had fallen, and they were on the doorstep to Toren Stronghold. Drunk with power, the hordes of mighty Ikalak set their sights on the walls of Toren Stronghold, convinced that all that was needed was a desire to conquor - and that would be enough to overcome Toren's defenses. Alas, overconfidence was their greatest weakness, and Ikalak marched on the Stronghold.
After retiring from the position of Paladin Primus, Fisc had gone south to join in the marauding with the rest of the Army of Tor. After a great deal of time personally overseeing the rape of many of the southern regions, Fisc was forced to withdraw to repair his equipment, pay his men and take care of several other affairs. His return to Toren Stronghold, as luck would have it, coincided with the oathbreakers foolheardy assault.
He arrived just in time. As he raced up the mountains into the Toren Valley, he could see Ikalak marching. He couldn't help but laugh to himself as he surveyed the attacking army - they were the superior force, but only on an open field. They didn't have the necessary strength to take the stronghold - they had too few seige engines, and far too much cavalry. This battle, it would seem, would actually be fun to fight.
Fisc positioned himself in the very front of the defending army - insistant that he kill as many Ikalakians as possible. It was he afterall who had negotiated the treaty amendment with Maximus on Averyll's orders. It was he, more than most nobles that burned with that betrayal. He was consumed with hatred, and a desire to exact his revenge on Ikalak.
That revenge came swiftly. The battle of Toren Stronghold ended quickly and decisively. Ikalak's entire northern army was smashed - annihilated to the point that send what soldiers they had screaming back to Ikalak City. The defenders on the walls roared and howled with delight as they saw the cowards retreat.
And then, only a day afterward, word was sent to Toren Stronghold that the Duke of Sandalak City, formerly the capital of Ikalak, was defecting to Taselak. He cited the breaking of the agreement, the arrogant and foolish attack on Toren Stronghold, as well as his southern regions being burnt to the ground with no help from the north as the major reasons for his abandonment of the formerly dominant realm. Fisc couldn't help but smile at the only honorable men in Ikalak now leaving it, and how he had a small part in that action.
As the days wore on, and Ikalak panicked, Toren pressed north, pursuing the cowards, and retaking the former territories along the way. One by one, Toren recaptured what had been stolen from them. Kail, Neralle and Riakond all fell to Toren within a matter of days, and Ikalak ran home, unable to defend themselves. All the while, Fisc was on the front, helping retake the lands, and slicing through any Ikalakian soldier he could find.
The resurgent Toren then pressed to the doorstep to Barakor and Dakan, and Fisc has sent word to the leaders in his former home that he would be among them soon. He would keep that promise, soon recapturing Arylon Manor. This makred the satisfaction of revenge for Fisc, as all stolen territory had been recaptured and the oathbreakers were now themselves being betrayed by their own people.
The Fall of a Friend
Political change was not isolated in the realm of Ikalak - it would come for Toren as well. After almost continuous calls for her to give up power, Averyll's rule became increasingly threatened from within. As she saw her control over the realm crumble, Averyll began to make plans - her primary concern was keeping power out of the hands of Duke Cyperus Sarracenia, her main rival and a man she felt would drag Toren down into oblivion.
To stop him, Averyll engineered a puppet rebellion against her own rule and the Lady Gheros ascended to power. In so doing she changed the government of Toren from its traditional Theocracy into a Monarchy. This decision was wildly controversial, and would lead to the silence of Tor. She immediately began to negotiate formally with Taselak in an attempt to forge an alliance with them to finish off Ikalak together.
A problem began to arise, however. Fisc was hated in Taselak, blamed largely for being a defender of the Toren-Ikalak treaty when Taselak had previously requested an alliance so long ago. They viewed him as an obstructionist to Taselak desires, and requested that Fisc not hold any positions of power in order to cement the agreement.
Gheros was able to hammer out an agreement without that caveat - however, out of a desire to help smooth relations with the new allies, Fisc retired from the public life and decided to simply rejoin his comrades on the front lines without any title.
Political Strife, and a Campaign to be King
But despite the new alliance and calmed internal dissent, all was not right with Toren. Queen Gheros, and her appointed General Sianon both seemed distant, inactive - even absent at times. As more time went by, the nobles of Toren cried out more and more for action, and strong leadership. Those cries went unanswered, with both Gheros and Sianon seemingly ignoring the problems they faced. Toren's military struggled mightily. The lack of leadership and cohesion lead to poor movement, undisciplined armies, and poorly coordinated attacks. Time after time, Toren's armies would be slaughtered on the walls of Ikalak City, due to terrible planning and incompetent leadership.
These issues finally came to a head when the Arch Priest of Toren, Gaius Julius Danlawer issued a public call for Queen Gheros to step down. More nobles followed, and Fisc added his voice to the dissenters. He had simply had enough of Toren being embarrassed by the seemingly incompetent leadership that was making the entire realm look bad, and publicly protested the Queen.
The protests came to a head when Luna DawnStar took it a step further and called for an open rebellion. Soon, Gheros crumbled and abdicated the throne, giving Toren an opportunity to set right the problems that had plagued it for months. Fisc decided at that time that his time of isolation and removal from the public eye were over.
Campaign for King of Toren
The vacancy in the throne of Toren left a vacuume of power that had to be filled. In the time following Gheros stepping down, only two legitimate candidates emerged as viable options to ascend to the crystal throne of Toren - Fisc Arylon and Cyperus Sarracenia. Fisc was the man of the people, popular with the everyday noble fighting in the trenches and dying for Toren. Cyperus was the old guard, popular amongst the powerful elite of the country - the entrenched nobles who held great power and sway.
The campaign shaped up interestingly, with Fisc commanding a huge amount of support from the nobles of Toren, and campaigning hard for the empty throne. Cyperus consolidated support amongst his base of powerful nobles, and the two prepared for the vote. Fisc had expected a strong showing due to his overwhelming support from the nobles of the realm, but had made a critical error - the voting system in a monarchical realm are weighted such that much of Fisc's base did not have a significant number of votes.
When the election came, Cyperus was elected the next King of Toren. Fisc had a much higher number of nobles voting for him, however due to the weighted voting and the power of the supporters of Cyperus, he was crowned King. Though the weighted system cost him the throne, and troubled him deeply, he respected the system and knew that it was Tor's will that he not become King of Toren yet. There was a different calling that Tor wished Fisc to follow.
After the election, Fisc sent word to Cyperus that he would support his rule, and pledged to serve the realm wherever he saw fit. The two former adversaries dined together the night the election results were announced, and spoke of how to bring the realm together and move forward as a cohesive strong, but most importantly unified Toren. It was then that King Cyperus surprised Fisc, and asked him to serve in a role he had not expected.
Ascention to High Marshal of Toren
The new King of Toren felt that to bring the country together, and to solve the problems in the military heirarchy that an active, strong military leader should be appointed, and for that role he chose Fisc. Humbled by the request, he decided to agree to become Cyperus' General, and lead the armies of Toren.
Immediately he set to reforming the way the military conducted its business. His first order of business was to officially disband the Military Council. In his time in the realm, Fisc had sat on that council for a great deal of time, and it was clear to him that it was useless. It was bloated with too many members, and the members it had weren't very active in their advisement or very insightful in their analysis. It needed to be reformed, and quickly.
In its place, Fisc instituted what he called the Martial Assembly, which was to be what the Military Council should have been all this time - a very active, responsive and insightful body of military advisors for the Toren General. He instituted seven "seats" for the Assembly - one for the King and High Marshal, one for each Marshal, and two seats for military advisors. Each of these seats would be occupied at all times, and would be active, or be replaced.
Additionally, Fisc decided that communication was the major thing that was missing in the past from the Toren Generals. The nobles were confused, they were uninformed, they didn't understand the goals or the strategy - and as a result morale suffered, and army cohesion was non existant. So Fisc instituted an "early and often" policy of communication with the nobles of Toren - informing them of their orders early in the day, and making certain they were aware of what they were doing and why.
But most importantly - Fisc came to the realization that the basic fundamental strategy of the Toren army needed to be changed. He immediately began to communicate with the High Marshal of Taselak, working on a strategy to end the conflict with Ikalak. After a short time weighing their options - Cronos and Fisc arrived at a detailed and bold strategy that they believe could end the war within the month. The exact details of that plan are still classified - however it appears clear that the Toren military will be doing "something big" quite soon.
Heading into the Future, Fisc's entire focus is on obtaining Toren an additional city, and expanding their territory into everything that is today Ikalak.
Marriage to Luna DawnStar
In the time after the rebellion, Fisc and Luna spent a great deal of time together. As the days passed, they grew closer, Luna often finding time to walk amongst the city with the High Marshal, or visiting him late at night in Toren Stronghold or Arylon Manor. Whispers began to circle around Toren that the two were intimate.
Prior to a major assault, Fisc went to Culture Square in Toren Stronghold to purchase Luna a gift to signify his feelings for her. He chose an elegant emerald green cape for her - emerald was the color Fisc had adopted for the standard of his banners, and had long since been associated with him. The gift was a subtle way for Fisc and Luna to declare their pairing to the world - she would be wearing his colors.
Luna, however seemed to be distant from Fisc, she seemed hesitant to get close. Fisc became increasingly frustrated with this behavior and began to openly wonder if Luna was truly interested in him or not. In her, he had seen somebody he felt he had a future with, but she seemed to be perhaps having second thoughts about their relationship.
That was when Fisc met Saccharine de Nada. She was a new noble to the shores of South-East Island, was extremely young and strikingly beautiful. Immediately Fisc's eyes began to wander to the beauty of Saccharine, and he began something of a courtship of her as well. In the next month, Fisc and Saccharine became extremely close - openly flaunting their lustful relationship in the open. Rumors even circulated that Fisc ordered a blacksmith (apparently working for the esteemed noble Tyrion) beheaded because he made a lewd comment to her as they walked through the capital.
Word got back to Luna that Fisc and Saccharine had become close, possibly intimate - and she flew into a jealous rage. Unbeknownst to Fisc, Luna had retreated from his company not out of disinterest, but out of fear. She was a hardened warrior, fresh off leading a rebellion against Queen Gheros, being crowned Queen, and abdicating the throne to allow free elections to take place - she needed time to rest and consider what had become of her life, and what her true feelings for Fisc were. Feeling so strongly - truly being in love - was something new to her, and she was not equipped to deal with those feelings.
Things came to a head one night when Luna went to Fisc's Mansion in Toren Stronghold to meet with him and talk about their lives together. As she approached, his personal guards recognized Luna as a consort of their master and let her pass. She silently slid into his bedchamber and found the young Saccharine nude, laying in his silk sheets. Fisc was nowhere to be found, but clearly he had been with her that night. Enraged, she stormed out of his Mansion.
For some time the relationship between Fisc and Luna remained cold. Fisc, however, was still in love with Luna - even despite his strong feelings for the young Saccharine. He sent her an invitation to dinner, hoping that Luna and he could mend their relationship. Initially she refused, but as time went by her heart softened. She loved Fisc, even despite his brutish behavior. On top of that, Fisc was planning a massive joint assault against Ikalak City with thousands of troops from Taselak joining in, a battle that had the potential to kill Fisc. The thought of this troubled Luna, forcing her to accept his invitation.
The meeting happened the night before the great assault. Luna initially met Fisc with hostility, but she eventually softened. It was clear Fisc had not treated her as he should have. They talked for hours, most of which Fisc sat and listened - and eventually began to come to a resolution. It was that night, after the truth of their feelings finally being revealed, that the two decided to officially marry.
The ceremony was held the following Wednesday, in front of the Royal Palace in Toren Stronghold. Prior to the ceremony, Luna sent Fisc a gift - a necklace containing a small peice of the crown of the last ruler of Sandalak. It was meant to signify an accomplishment that no one thought was possible, as a symbol for the union of their two houses.
That afternoon, an official Toren Wedding was held, and nobles from all over the South-East Island were in attendance. Fisc and Luna gave their vows and were officially married. Afterward they retreated back to Fisc's mansion, to enjoy each other's company before returning to active duty.
The Death of Toren, Fleeing to Dwilight
In the early winter of the Last Era (winter 2007), after a failed attempt to capture the city of Taselak Fisc was marching back to Toren Stronghold. Upon approaching the jagged mountains of the capital, he noticed a luminous glow coming from the Cave of Guilt - something he had never seen before. The High Marshal ordered his men to remain behind, and he entered the mysterious cave to investigate what he had seen.
It was there that for the first time since the overthrow of Pontifex Averyll Arete, Tor communicated with man. Fisc and two of his captains witnessed him, as he spoke a prophecy regarding the fate of the south-east island. The essence of Tor revealed that the continent would be destroyed, and all people remaining on the island would be killed. He spoke angrily, expressing his revulsion at the petty bickering, politicking, dimplomacy and lack of action from warriors that had supposedly dedicated their lives to conflict. He expressed contempt for the secular Toren government, and a desire for it to be wiped out. Additionally, he spoke of hope for redemption - commanding Fisc to lead a delegation away from the continent to a new world, known only as Dwilight. Here, Fisc would found a kingdom, a religion to honor Tor, and he would fight. In the presence of his living god, Fisc could not refuse.
Fisc brought this prophecy back to the people of Toren, telling them of their impending doom and asking them to accompany him to Dwilight. As the days crept by, Fisc heard word that similar experiences had been seen in isolated corners of both Taselak and Ikalak - Tor had revealed himself to more than just Toren. The members of the other two realms had long scoffed at the idea of Tor, and many were hesitant to believe that south-east was truly about to be destroyed.
The adherents of Tor believed - including some converts from the other realms. They began to plan an exodus to Dwilight together, where they would form a new realm, (what would eventually become Everguard). To do this they had to initially settle in a central spot - after much debate and speculation, the delegation decided to flee to a realm known as Springdale - based only on a hint of a whisper that such a realm existed in the northeast of the continent.
And so one by one they boarded ships bound to the extreme west of the known world, and attempted to cross the great ocean and settle in a new home.
The High King of Everguard
Upon arriving on the shores of Dwilight, those who had departed the South-East Island found that many who had tried to make it to those shores had been shipwrecked in other locations, lost at sea, or otherwise not made it. Only a handful of men and women from Toren and Ikalak arrived as planned in Springdale, and they quickly attempted to secure protection from that land as refugees.
After settling in for a short time, Fisc began to seek out the other refugees. He first encountered Henk Van Hoensbroeck, his old friend Mosious Alfjoi Suaht, Hackem de Struct and the Ikalakians Jack Carnes and Lestat Corax. These men gathered together in the capital city of Springdale City and formulated a plan to join together in friendship, strike out to the frontier and attempt to found a realm of their own, to carry on the legacy of the South-East Island. Together combining the strengths of each of their respective deceased realms, they did plot to craft the realm of Everguard as the jewel of the west, and stronger than any realm previously known.
Just as they began to formulate their plans, a rebellion struck Springdale, throwing the realm into chaos. Immediately, Fisc began to negotiate with the rebel leader - Neel Arya - a man who would soon be King. As time passed, Fisc was able to secure support from Neel for the formation of Everguard to the north of Springdale.
Weeks passed, and more people began to hear about the realm ready to leave Springdale. More Torenites and Ikalakians approached Fisc asking to join the delegation - as did many native Springdalians, and even some nobles from other nations such as Morek. Together, seventeen nobles had gathered together, recruited troops and set off for the unknown land of the north. The settlers originally planned to settle in the region of Nifelheim, to the north of Springdale, however objections from Neel regarding claims to that city led the founding delegation to instead set off for Valkyrja.
After a long, dangerous journey through unknown lands filled with monsters, the delegation arrived at the white tower of the Stronghold of Valkyrja, and began to set roots, formally creating the realm of Everguard in the early spring.
Once the realm was founded, the nobles elected Fisc as the first High King of Everguard. Once donning the Emerald Crown, Fisc began setting up the kingdom, appointing a Royal Court, Dukes, Lords, and directing the expansion of the realm. His rule has seen the drastic growth of the infant realm, and a remarkable unity by the nobles calling Everguard home. At the time, with rapid growth, diplomatic leverage, and planned colonies, there was little doubt that Everguard would continue to develop and be considered one of the continents great powers.
And then struck the Twisting.
Illness and Abdication
Shocked news was delivered to the people of Everguard on May 7th of 1008, as word reached the people that their High King has been taken by a great and powerful illness. The sickness has actually been known to the local people of northern Dwilight, specifically the Dulesians, as "The Twisting", because of its effect on the apparence of the victim - it twists, warps and scars the skin to a great degree, massively disfiguring their body. Additionally, it has a profound effect on the mind as well, causing great memory loss, inability to focus, constant loss of consciousness, and a lack of logical processing. In other words, the illness warps the mind and the body, and leaves a human incapable of functioning in any realistic way.
Before the plague took his mind too much, High King Fisc Arylon called a meeting of his Dukes to discuss the situation, and to formally abdicate the Crystal Throne. In the last anyone has seen of Fisc publicly until his return to Everguard following his experience on the Mountain of Betrayal (see "Messiah of Tor", below), he collapsed on his council table, gripping the Emerald Crown in his hand.
Unfortunately, this action could not have come at a worse time for the realm. Still reeling from the mass kidnappings that left Everguard without three region lords (as well as Fisc's beloved wife), and seeing her regions invaded by hordes of monsters there was now no sovereign power to assign new lords, or direct a response to the crisis.
Initially, the three Dukes of the realm, Duke Jack Carnes of Eidulb, Duke Hackem de Struct of Gelene and Duke Lestat Corax of Valkyrja were all vying for control of the realm. The time spent squabbling over the crown cost the people of Everguard much, as her territory shrank, her influence faded and her star waned. Though as this happened, Fisc could hardly identify his own servents or remember his name, he seemed aware of the precarious loss of his once great empire, and it was as though on top of his plague, a knife were being twisted into his back as well. Eventually, Jack Carnes was chosen as the new High King of the realm, though he would soon befall a similar fate as Fisc.
Initially, it was believed that there would be no recovery for the former High King from this aggressive illness. Dulesians who had been consulted by the Royal Guard report that in 80% of cases, The Twisting becomes fatal. In the 20% who survive, at least half are permanently disfigured and never make a measurable recovery in either mind or body. In Fisc's case, it was believed that his disfigurement was so horrific, the illness so bad, that were he to survive, his body would barely be able to walk again, and his functioning as a normal human being was over.
Guardians from around the realm prayed to Tor for the recovery of their fallen leader. Little did they know that he would soon find deliverance from both his disfigurement and illness, but also the sickness that plagued Everguard as well.
The Messiah of Tor
In the fall of the early days of the resurgence of the realm of Everguard, Fisc Arylon - the overlord of the region of Ygg d'Razzhuul since his retirement from public life and the rulership of the kingdom of Everguard - was struggling to come to terms with what had happened to his previous life and beliefs regarding Tor, and how things had now changed since coming to Dwilight. He fully believed that it was a supernatural force that crackled from the heavens and doomed the island he had formerly called home, and felt that his mangled appearance as a result of the twisted disease that had forced him to abdicate the throne was Tor's divine will. He remembered his experiences in the Cave of Guilt, as well as those of others who had witnessed the same thing, but he was still troubled and was searching for answers. Why had Tor not spoken directly to the people of Everguard? They had devoted themselves to his directives, created a kingdom in his name and conquered territory under his banner. Tor seemed foreign to him, and he was having a crisis of faith. Part of him still had questions that he could not answer.
Late at night while sleeping, Fisc was visited in a dream and touched by Tor. A black veiled being of some kind spoke to him, and directed him to travel to the west and go to the great mountain ranges spoken about by the local peasantry. He was then to seek out the highest peak of the range - something known as the Mountain of Betrayal, where he would commune with the god Tor and receive the answers he so desperately sought after. Dishonor and betrayal was what men brought to Tor's name in the past, and the being in Fisc's dream made it clear mankind would have to do penance for those past sins, and they would do so at the aptly named mountain.
Fisc then set off on a journey in line with what was directed to him by the essence in him dream. He spent the next several weeks hiking to the mountain range in the central portion of northimn Dwilight, seeking out the highest peak he could find. He arrived at the Mountain of Betrayal and climbed, despite the harshest of conditions, to the peak. By the time he reached the highest point, he had run out of food, water and was certain he was close to death. In addition, the journey had been especially hard on his frail body - which was still rotten from the inside out due to his lingering disease.
It was then that Tor revealed himself to Fisc. As he lay nearly dead from exposure to the elements, a black essence consumed him. The booming voice of an angry Tor pierced every inch of him body and commanded him to obey. Tor began to test Fisc in a number of ways, things no one but the Messiah himself knows were asked of him. The trials lasted for days, and when they were done, the god had affirmed his choice of a human to carry out his will on the earthly plane - and so Tor began to give him a new set of directives to follow. He was to be not just a prophet as he had once been - but was now a Messiah for the faith dedicated to Tor.
He was told to return to Gelene and preach the word of Tor and found a church in him name to spread the faith beyond those who had witnessed Tor's wrath in the past. He declared the holy obligations of the faithful and deemed the city of Gelene as the holiest of cities on the continent, and the Mountain of Betrayal the site of communion between man and the spirit of Tor. He had commanded Fisc to teach the directives of Tor to all mankind, and bring honor and justice back to the wicked race of men.
After the experience Fisc had on the peak, He then hiked several miles to the west and come to the great mountain Lake of Blood. There he sought water and perhaps some food, and in so doing he actually fractured a section of the ice in the lake, and was swallowed whole by it, plunging him into sub-zero temperature water. Through faith in Tor, He was able to survive.
When he emerged from the water, still damp and frozen to his core - he looked down at his hands and saw something that made him nearly pass out from the shock. His twisted, black fingers that had been so warped by his disease suddenly looked much like they had a long time ago, when he donned the Emerald Crown of Everguard and sunk his sword into the chests of his enemies. He looked down further, and his formerly curved, weak, concaved legs were again straight, tall and strong. He took a deep breath of the cold air, and his lungs were once again functional - able to pump the frozen air through his entire body and giving him a feeling of rebirth. Thus was the first miracle of Tor - Fisc's disease infested body, twisted and mangled was restored - his illness was gone, and he was again what he once was.
Once He arrived at the base of the mountain, Fisc began to feel the pain of a deep laceration to him left shoulder muscle. He removed him coverings and revealed that a bloody wound was present on him arm - it was two cuts, sliced in a stylistic shape of what looked to him like a mountain. Fisc dubbed thim the mark of Tor. He then traveled to his estate in Ygg d'Razzhuul and began construction on the first church dedicated to the new religion of Torenism. Once he was finished, he would travel to the four corners of Everguard and recruit priests, followers and church elders to run the church in its infancy.
The Destruction of The Emerald Kingdom
Chancellor of Averoth
Children
While serving as High King, the Queen Consort of Everguard, Luna Dawnstar, was confirmed to be with child. In a dream, Fisc experienced a vision suggesting that she may be carrying twins - a rather common occurence in the Arylon family.
In her fourth month, however, a rash of kidnappings took place within the realm - Luna was among those taken as she walked outside the Capital grounds late at night.
Fisc never saw his wife again. If she is still alive, it may be possible that she gave birth to the heirs to the House of Arylon, but at this time, no one knows that for sure.
Titles
- Chancellor of Averoth
- High King of Everguard
- Alaja Imjra of the Valkyrjans
- Di'Ayaui of the Dulesians
- Ky'pt'tox of the Eddo
Alteregos
- The Emerald Knight
- Fisc Silvertongue
- The Slayer of Ikalak
Publications
Fisc is a noted author. In his time observing the world, he has published a number of works that delve into subject he feels are essential to nobles attempting to live a good life. To date, he has written four such publications, each dealing with key philisophical epiphanies he has faced in his life.
- Primada - Leading History
- Torcival - The Warrior Code
- Politica - The Application of Power
- Extentia - Truth in Spirituality
Additionally, he has spent a great deal of time working on technical manuals devoted to training nobles of the world the art of warfare. His two greatest manuscripts of this kind deal with imparting knowledge about the world, and conflict management, while another deals with how to Marshal armies of a realm.
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