Barzillia Stormshadow

Great Lord Barzillia Stormshadow

The Tale of Great Lord Barzillia Stormshadow of Icemule Trace
Master Explorer
Master of the Guardians of Sunfest


The day was Leyan, the 11th day of Eoantos, in the year 5109, that I was born to human parents, who till this day, have not seen fit, nor found reason to reveal to me their identity. Had it not been for Lord Loruhama, a certain Ranger of Sylvan-kind descent. I would probably have been devoured by the animals or froze to death in the environs surrounding Icemule Trace, the place of my nativity.

Loruhama was a skilled, yet modest hunter who came from an earlier generation of Elanthians. While serving a Taskmaster’s Bounty, he rescued me from a den of silverback orcs. What he did or did not know about my family and birth, he chose not to reveal. Whenever I felt courage enough to question him on the subject, he’d look at me steadily in me eye and say, “My young Barz, the unknown things belong to Voln, himself.”

Loruhama disappeared from my life as swiftly and mysteriously as he had appeared. I began my life as a young rogue and made many friends in Town Center. I recall those early days with Lady Sharanna, and Lord Friendly, and his sister Lady Ashley. I soon met my first and lasting mentor and friend, Lord Ohnus. We sat for many evenings at the well as he taught me the fundamentals of being the locksmith. Both he and one of my first close friends, Lord Togomu gave me the foundation I still build upon today.

But being a young rogue brings many roads and reputations with it. I was drawn to the many young ladies around Icemule, and I soon bought myself a lifestyle and a name. People liked Barzillia, I had many friends and there was always noise around me; I soon found myself becoming someone that no serious minded woman would build relationship with.

As far as my locksmith trade, I decided that I would be an honest rogue, and not seek to rob folk nor manipulate them for greed or advantage. My goal would be to live up to my name. “Bar + zillia” comes from two words. The first, “Bar” meaning ‘son of’ or “out of”, and the second word, “zillia” meaning, ‘iron”. So, quite literally the name means ‘out of iron’. And so, I aspired that my work and hunting,,,,,my reputation would be that ‘My Word Was Like Iron’. Not an easy goal.

I soon became known as a skilled and honest locksmith for my age, and soon folk were seeking me out. On one evening much like any other, as I sat plying my trade, I was immediately captivated by the entrance of the loveliest creature I had ever laid my eyes upon. She literally lit up the pathway as she walked so gracefully, carried gently by her sweet little elven feet; almost floating.

I was looking upon the Great Lady Roelaren, the Elven Empath. My eyes popped, and my jaw dropped. Her red hair flowed down in gentle ringlets over her shoulders, highlighting her alabaster skin. Her sparkling jade-green eyes softly smiled at me as she spoke ever so softly to me. “I am Lady Roelaren.” To say that I found her to be a slight distraction would be an understatement; I nearly tripped the trap set by the vermin critter. Handing the now opened box back, I said, “No charge, m’Lady!’.

Rising to her feet, Lady Roelaren graciously curtsied and prepared to go. As she did so, she turned back to wave. Flashing a mischevious smile, I lifted my satin black eye-patch, winked at her, and said, “I do hope we have opportunity to meet again.” Miracles do happen! Lady Roelaren giggled the most beautiful, cute and girlish giggle. That moment was the start of a friendship would become a wonderful courtship. In the days ahead, we spent countless hours chatting over grog and winterfrost ale at the Pub. We hunted and played, he walked and talked, and soon, we were falling in love.

There were, however, still rumors abounding about me and what kind of rogue I was known to be. Friends told me that I would never be a ‘settle down and get married’ kind of rogue. Some Ladies told me that I needed to remain a bachelor; that I was too young and would not be able to be faithful to one woman. As a young rogue, I was captured of a young and foolish heart. Some mused that I would never marry. Many things, of which I have freely shared with Roelaren, haunted me like specters in the night. But here was an Elven Lady, many levels above my training who, somehow looked beyond the outward appearance of the rogue, and she loved and cared for me as none other.

One night as I lay awake, I had a vision of beautiful Roelaren coming to me. One single question came, ‘Barzillia, who is it that alone seeks you out? Who cares for you and gives herself selflessly, asking none in return?”

As I considered the many who claimed they wanted to know me and love me, the Answer rang loud and clear, and was without competition; it was Lady Roelaren. And so, as I awoke from my dream there was a settled conviction in my very being, and I said, "Boy, you had best wake up before the best thing ever happened to you slips through your hands."

I proposed to Lady Roelaren, and on the evening of Volnes, the 28th day of Fashanos, Lady Roelaren and I were wed in a Forrest Glade, before a company of many wonderful and trusted friends. We settled into life and I built my bride a home close to Icemule.

As I grew in skill and ability, so did my work as a locksmith. I loved working with boxes. Through my business, I began making some wonderful friends, and found myself walking with men whom I respected and I considered to be of stature in the Lands. There was Lord Fallenflame and Lord Murkshev; Javell, and the one who would become my closest friend on the Lands, Lord Middian – whom I dubbed – “The Middianite!”

From other members of my clan I had certain knowledge of a great fortress which lie out along the Coastal Cliffs, the Fortress of the House Daingneach Onoir. It was also around about this same time that I came into contact with Sir Tebon and Lady Cosannie of the House of Daingneach Onoir. I found in these two, and the company they led and kept, a genuine spirit of honor and sincerity. As I sat in the meetings and gatherings, there was none of the uneasiness or sense of being shunned I have experienced among some other Houses and groups in the Lands.

It was my honor to serve as Head Squire under my mentor, Sir Tebon. My very first task was to abstain from drinking any spirits or grogs while serving as Squire. He also sent me on Quests even as far as Ta’Vaalor of the Elven Nations. Each task helped in my growth and understanding of the Lands, and the ways and reasoning for the Codes. As my Mentor always taught me, “Tis better to live the Codes than to be able to quote them.”

After becoming a Full Member, I was honored by Lady Paladin Cosannie to serve as the leader of a Guild, and I was named Master Explorer, Lord Barzillia. For well nigh over a year now, I have enjoyed leading our House and those considering membership in our weekly Hunt on Volnes Eve. More recently, Lady Roelaren and I decided that, since most of our life and work is in league with House Onoir, and that we see our relationship and responsibilities within the House growing, we should move our home closer to the Landing; that’s exactly what we did.

In the days ahead, I have a great vision I have seen concerning our destiny as Husband and Wife.

First, I see my Lady Roelaren and I growing together in love and respect for each other. I can say confidently and with great thanksgiving, that we love each other and are more committed to each other than ever in our relationship. I see us growing in our service and ability together.

Second, I see us growing in our service to House Onoir. And though I am certainly open to growth and promotion, places or titles are not as important as our spirit and attitude; using our influence and resources as being forces for good and strength within the fabric of our House, and among the larger community. As one sage once said, ‘we are only as strong as our weakest link’. We seek to be sources of strength upon which our fellow members and friends can rely.

Third, I seek to become a Master Locksmith and a Rogue among Rogues,,,I seek to live my life in such a way that the Profession “Rogue” will come to be known for something other than some of the more negative and dark stereo-types it has carried for many years.

I am grateful for the many friends I have come to know as a member of the Onoir Family, and I am grateful to my Love, Lady Warlord Roelaren. Upon our wedding day, I sang these words which I penned for my Love not long after our engagement:

"Standing in Town Square one night, with nothing much to do
My Life and Destiny were changed when I laid eyes on you;
And as we walked and as we talked, the hours and days - they flew;
And every night we'd hate to say 'Good-Bye"

You are the warmth of Summer days, the brightness of the Stars,
Your smile and laughter warm my heart, keep from growing hard;
I stand amazed, in awe of you, that you have chosen Barz,
The Love reflected in Your Jade-green eyes.

You are my Lady!
You are my Lady!
You are my Lady with green eyes!
Lady Roelaren!


My Heart has found a harbor safe, a place where it can hide,
From frightful skies and stormy dark, right here by your side;
And in those days at time goes by, the days turn into years,
I'll cherish and adore you, Luv, there be free from fear,”



Submitted under my hand, this Feastday, this 28th day of Koaratos, in the year 5112.