Brianus Linenum

Brianus Linenum


Lord Brianus's Bio

The following has been dictated and transcribed from my own words into clearly understood common.

I am Brianus Linenum, half-elven rogue. This is a recollection of my life up to now.

I was raised by a tribe of dwarves who lived in an intricate web of caves among the highlands Northwest of Darkstone Castle. Why this was I cannot say, except that two different stories were later offered to me. One says that I, as a baby, was the sole survivor of a dreadful flood that ruined an elven village on the surface near the dwarves' dwellings, and from which the dwarves themselves barely escaped. The other suggests that my mother was a nomadic elf with little means of support and no reputation to present in polite company, and that my father was a dwarf from a village numerous miles separated from my own. I would suppose that the truth is less dramatic than either story, but I shall never know.

The dwarven upbringing was a tough, laborious and basic existence, but also calm and secure, with a sense of brotherhood and great pleasure in nature. I learned of the qualities inherent in animal, vegetable, and mineral, and how to make use of each without being destructive. I was taught in the ways of Phoen and Kai, learning of the sun's powers over nature and nature's benevolence to it, and of the defensive and offensive arts of battle. To my dismay, I never managed to hold my own in unarmed combat with the others of my age. I had thought early on before I realized my heritage that this was due to a defect on my part, but I later realized it was simply that I hadn't the bodily power or leverage that the dwarven frame provides. Although I was far quicker and more agile, the lack of brute strength kept me at a disadvantage. I was also taught respect, honesty and politeness, and decency in all matters concerning ladies. All these lessons came more through deeds than words, as our tribe had a very limited language.

The inevitable time came when I realized I wasn't a dwarf, at least, not a full-blooded dwarf. The signs became more and more obvious as I grew upward rather than outward, including my ears, and that I had not by the age of eighteen grown a thick beard. That was when my dwarven foster parents and others began to tell me the stories of my earliest days. After a period of adjustment to my confirmed sense of not belonging, I was packed up with a pocketful of silver and sent to learn my trade in the town of Wehnimer's Landing.

Having chosen the ranger's lot, I took my meager allowance and wandered through the gates of the town, found an inn that offered professional training and checked in. After those initial lessons, I found myself disoriented. No, I should say lost. Not one to panic, due to my dwarven upbringing, I strolled about the side streets trying to get a sense of where things were. A great ornamented dome standing well above most other rooftops served as a guide, and finally I arrived at Lorminstra's Temple. Out of curiosity, I entered and began searching rooms. If I were to be a ranger, I reasoned, then exploration was necessary. Creeping up a staircase, I discovered the temple storeroom. As quickly as I realized this, I was also aware that I wasn't alone. Two men later known to me as Nagaraja and Baalor, dressed in embroidered robes and speaking in strange words were waving their arms about, apparently casting spells on themselves in preparation for facing some foe. Also in the room was a half-elven lass with piercing, clear grey eyes and hair like flames wrapped over her shoulders. She was sitting quietly off to one side, carefully inspecting a locked trunk.

She must have sensed that someone in the room was, as you say, out of place, because she suddenly looked up from her task at me. She smiled at me with the biggest smile that I had ever seen, and cheerfully said, "Hi! I'm Cass. Looks like you're new around here, aye?" I introduced myself as best I could and agreed that I was indeed a stranger to these parts. You could never imagine how overjoyed this made her. She had someone to show around, and it thrilled her. I had never been touched by a female of less than 70 years, and surely never by one so tall, slender and gorgeous, so when Cassundera clasped my hand to start showing me around, I am certain the color of my face quickly matched that of her hair. After a whirlwind tour of the Landing, during which I met the Raging Thrak, learned to work for the town clerk, and saw the good and bad parts of the town, she had to leave for a time. I was again alone, but no longer lonely or afraid. I knew I had a friend, and I had gained some knowledge about my new hometown and life in the Landing.

As I grew a little and gained confidence, I dared to take my dwarven handaxe outside the town walls and hunt for skins to earn my way. Often, as I would sell skins and pelts to Dakris, others would be offering to buy them as well. Since I knew of nothing else they could do with them but turn around and sell them at a loss, I asked what the purpose was. Most didn't care to answer, which only caused me to wonder more. One fellow not much older than I was finally agreed to show me of the secret society he had become apprenticed into. He even gave me a crystal amulet and taught me how it was used. He asked for nothing in return, and I joyfully followed him to Cholgar's Bathhouse. Not the sort of place I would normally have gone into, but I felt I was there for something larger than a moment's pleasure. Without speaking in any detail, I learned after a time that what I had gladly entered into was not a society that considered honor of great value. In fact, the behavior of the "mentors" was ruthless and derisive towards initiates. My dwarven family would have been appalled and grief-stricken. I felt terrible, guilty, and trapped. The next time I ran into Cassundera in town I mentioned this to her, and asked her if my concerns were valid or not. Her face became ashen, and said she was going to get someone to help me get away from "That demon-ruled society". Now I was scared, but within a few hours I had managed to resign my membership, although I continued to suffer feelings of anxiety for several days. Now Cassundera had rescued me twice, and I wished for a proper way to express my gratitude. At the same time, I did not wish to appear flirtatious. I was extremely shy, and had no wish whatsoever to seem as if I were seeking romance. She, on the other hand, was carefree, boisterous and seemed to know everyone around her, or at least they all wanted to know her. I had been taught in nearly a monastic manner about life, and behaved likewise. Two folks could hardly be found that had less in common.

I soon learned that both kind and wicked folks inhabited the lands, as I lost nearly half of the money I had earned to a pickpocket. A harsh lesson, one I would surely never forget, nor require to be repeated. Perhaps I took from this experience more than I realized, considering what my future held.

As a young ranger with limited skill and only the language I was taught in the highland caverns, I soon realized I was at a great disadvantage in a town of far more learned folk. I sought out a tutor and began to learn a more acceptable form of the common tongue, though I never did part with the dialectic of my youth. As a result of this learning, I began to increase in curiosity about all manner of knowledge and wisdom. While listening to a storyteller standing at the North Gate I learned who Lady Lumnis was, and just knew I had to find out more about this goddess.

During this time, I became aware of the Order of Voln. After my previous experience, I was quite wary about casting my lot with any group I didn't fully understand, and so cautiously asked about. To my relief, there were no secrets, no special signals, no hidden plans. Only the dedication to keep the lands free from the onslaught of the undead and aiding the unfortunate cursed ones to the freedom offered by Lorminstra. I took the short walk to where Voln's monastery is located, and immediately became awestruck with what I observed.

There were folk appearing out of nowhere, holding onto injured or fallen comrades. Others, empaths, sat in the courtyard busily keeping up with the arriving wounded and preparing them for restoration of life. The clerics were the most impressive, however. It seemed they tirelessly went out after unfortunate adventurers just as quickly as the victims must have fallen, and many times when the dead were raised and offered gifts of thanks, the "rezzers" turned them down. My attention was drawn most heavily to one human priestess, who seemed to me the very image of kindness and friendship. Quickly I learned that she, Lady Kate, was among the most admired and respected rescuers in the lands. I felt a sense of annoyance at the constant stream of selfish requests she received for spells, weapon blesses, and other assistance, but was amazed at how calmly and pleasantly she dealt with it all. To this day she remains among the strongest examples of nobility and honor that I have ever met. I knew I must join this brotherhood as quickly as possible. Lady Kate must have taken notice of the inexperience in my face, as she always seemed to have sweet and encouraging greetings, and regularly offered all manner of assistance to me, including zipping through the ether whenever I misplayed a battle and bit the dust. It was she who offered to hold my belongings when I donned the white robe of an initiate and first entered Voln's Monastery.

In the days that followed, I learned to battle the undead, and learned more about my own talents and abilities. I spent more and more time with Cassundera and her friends, hunting and wandering and simply enjoying life. I learned of a noble house in the Landing that took a stronger stand against the unlife even than the Voln order, and soon became a member of the House of the Rising Phoenix. I met many new friends, enjoyed increased camaraderie, and especially the regular house hunts, which I initially joined in as a participant, then later leading the hunts for younger folk.

One of the many good folks I met after joining Phoenix was a man who could only be described as determined. A huge fellow with a heart to match, but who I was initially quite afraid of due to his size, his countenance, and his intensity. He spoke with just about the thickest brogue I'd ever heard, and after listening for awhile I began to recognize that his intensity was born of purpose. He spoke of honor, of truth and loyalty, and seemed bent on making such the way of everyone he came into contact with. He was also quite generous. I watched him hand out wands to young wizards, equipment to those in need, wisdom and knowledge to any who would listen. Lord Aonghus MacGreghor was as noble as any barbarian you ever met. He earned my admiration and respect as quickly as any in the lands ever had, and in all the days since that admiration has only grown.

Then one day, there was news from the west. A Krolvin raiding party located, sacked and destroyed the dwarven caves I grew up among. No survivors were left, and everything of value had been taken. I was numb and silent for nearly a week. I continued to hunt out of a sense of service, but my heart wasn't in it. Cassie tried her best to comfort me, but I wouldn't or couldn't accept it yet. She stood with me though, making sure I didn't hurt myself or get myself into trouble while in this state of shock.

Then her father, the fine cleric Jonate, offered to adopt me into his family. My immediate reaction was one of intense gratitude. Then suddenly, and as much to my surprise as those in the room, I told Jonate that I was honored beyond words at his offer but that I just couldn't accept, and with that I rushed from the room, my heart racing and my breath erratic. I found myself a few moments later sitting in the garret upstairs at Wayside Inn, still shaking and not quite understanding why. Then the realization hit me. Had I accepted Jonate's adoption, I would have become Cassundera's brother. And this I could not do, for I was in love with her. I moved and spoke very carefully over the next day, then finally went to Cassie and explained. I knew that she couldn't possibly share this feeling, and I prepared myself for those kind words of "friendship" I knew would come. Instead, she once again took my hand, looked into my eyes and told me of her own love for me. Yet again I was numb, but this time with joy.

This joy was tempered, however, by the knowledge that Cassie already had a suitor, and out of a sense of respect for his position I refused to act upon my affections. Cassie was quick to tell me that she couldn't possibly consider his courtship now, but that she felt like it would break his heart to 'dump' him. Now I was in a dilemma. My spirit was lifted to the heavens knowing that I was loved, but on principle it was wrong unless or until her relationship with the existing suitor was concluded.

The sense of honor with which I had been raised demanded no less, even to the point of leaving the Landing for unknown parts forever rather than intrude upon another man's intentions. I made this point clear to Cassundera, and her reaction was that such a selfless decision on my part made her desire for me all the stronger.

A few of her friends believed that I had actually played this part as a bluff to win her over, and they let me know in no uncertain terms the loathing they held for me, because they saw me as being devious instead of honest. As if to prove my purpose was based on principle, I did indeed go away for quite some time.

When word was sent that Cassie had let her man friend know his courtship was to be unrequited, I determined that I must face him and explain myself, and beg his forgiveness. I should have waited a bit longer, as his emotions still had the rule over him, and he did not hear me well nor accept my words. A very wise friend I had recently met, a young cleric named Hyssopp, advised me that I was not responsible for his feelings, that I had done more than could have been expected in honoring his position. She was right, and it was time to let it go. I went to the table Cassie and some friends were sitting at, and made sure she had no second thoughts about her choice. Her reaction was one to make me blush as she so often loved doing. I excused myself for an errand, withdrew most of my savings, and purchased an engagement ring from the jeweler's shop. I returned to the table, dropped to a knee and took Cassundera's hand, and while slipping the ring on her finger asked her to be my wife.

Well it seemed the entire Inn was suddenly listening in on us. My heart was pounding like never before, I was dizzy with anticipation, not really knowing if she'd be mine or if she'd turn and run. She stared at me for what seemed an eternity. When she accepted, I nearly floated off the ground in pure joy. Had someone barely a month before told me that I'd have even a close female friend, much less a fiancé, I'd have laughed them off as a fool. Now here I was engaged to the most beautiful and carefree roguette in the lands. Phoen was certainly watching over me. As if my good fortune had no limits, just a few days later, while hunting in the wolve's den, I met a wonderful healer named Lady Brionie. Not the most pleasant of circumstances, my spirit was clinging to my prone corpse by a thread of ether, and she mended my battered body. Then who should answer the call for a cleric to reunite my spirit to my flesh, but my friend Hyssopp. She greeted Brionie as her mother, and introduced us formally. Having heard a bit of the story of my youth, Lady Brionie took me by the hand and told me she would love to take up the task of raising me as her son. And just like that, I had a new family.

I continued to grow, to learn, and to understand more of Lumnis' influence upon the lands. I read as much as I could when the opportunity presented itself. I also dabbled in other manual skills, such as lockpicking. I gained a confidence I had never known possible. My dwarven parents, however, would have been displeased at my cavalier attitude. I had become not simply carefree, but careless. After one particular meeting with my trainer, he looked at me with a stern face and informed me that my side studies and hobbies had caused me to fall seriously behind in the more important skills of my profession. It seemed I had spread myself too thin, and had much to learn yet about life. I was certain I could overcome such a minor deficiency with more intensive training in the future, and didn't worry about it very much. I had my great confidence now, and was hunting well over my head, as a 15th trained ranger battling dreaded tree spirits. Of course, in those days tree hunting groups often numbers in the twenties in size, with powerful folks leading them such as Capriellia, Jenissaelle, Jecquellyn, Blackjack, Vindicate, Shoshonna, Borsan, Kevra, Galyden, Montro, Arshwikk and many others, so my confidence was a bit misplaced. As I neared title age, it became painfully obvious that I had not followed up on the advice of my trainer, but had squandered yet more critical training opportunities on non-essential skills. I was barely able to face monsters of a like training to me one-on-one, and it seemed I was doing more for the advancement of the town's clerics and empaths than for myself.

As if the prospect of a lifetime of weakness compared to my peers wasn't hard enough, Cassundera suddenly took ill. She fell into a coma, and for what turned out to be nine months she was kept in a back room at Lorminstra's Temple in quarantine. I spent great amounts of time at the altar praying for her restoration. My own petty worries were completely unimportant beside the prospect of losing the love of my life.

I began to spend sleepless nights and weary days in the lands, continuing to grow and advance, but more to keep up with friends and folk I had hunted and trained with most of my life than for any other reason. During this time, I was granted my title, and while that was still a time in the lands when such an advancement held great significance, I took no special excitement in the event. I was not unhappy, neither was I joyful. I would spend time in the graveyard crypt talking to and helping younger adventurers, offering blesses of weapons and minor spells for safety. I also put to use my meager lockpicking skills. I figured that as long as I had weakened my other skills so, I just as well use what I had learned. To my surprise, I found that I enjoyed the intricate and challenging work of disarming and opening boxes. Not a professional by any stretch of the imagination, I refused all tips, enjoying the mildly amusing reputation of a box opener who worked for free.

Meanwhile, other rangers who had begun their training much later than me were progressing very well, and some of those who were my contemporaries were already nearing legendary trainings. It seemed as if I had fallen out of favor with Lord Phoen. In any case, I grew increasingly disappointed in myself, not even interested in advancement any longer, taking my only pleasures from aiding others with Voln tasks, leading group hunts for Phoenix house, assisting in rescues from the courtyard, and watching over younger family members as best I could. During those times, my greatest comfort came from Triiste, a cleric who's father was once very close to our family, and who associated so closely with Cassundera that she called her grannie Cassie. It seemed as if the very purpose of her life was to cheer me up at times. I shall never find a proper expression for my gratitude to her gentle and kind spirit.

While I was not growing in trainings, I still sought advancement in Voln, and although I was prone to use my favor for blesses and such, I did reach the upper steps of the Voln brawling skill. I had anticipated this point for a great while, had even devoted what little training a ranger is allowed for brawling so that I might gain a new and powerful weapon against the undead. How great my disappointment when it became clear that a ranger needed to have trained more consistently in brawling to have this gift from Kai and Phoen be very effective, and I was badly lacking. I spoke with many others who seemed to use the Voln Fu effortlessly, and it turned out all were either rogues or warriors. My favorite activities of late all seemed centered on Voln and Phoenix, and I desired every method of battling the undead that I could use. And this one remaining hope for me now seemed unavailable.

I spent several days in solitude, meditating and considering where my path was leading me. I began a walking journey, and found myself at a hilltop, one I recognized from an earlier task to seek Lord Kai's favor. It was the place of his arena. What I hadn't paid attention to before were the stone talismans standing sentinel about the entrance. I went to each in turn and read the inscriptions. Then I fell on my face and begged for Kai's direction. Surely the words engraved in those stones were wisdom itself, and to me it seemed that both Kai and Lumnis were at work in my heart. I knew what I must do. Running back to town, I flew past the gates and between folks, and rushed into the Temple. There I stopped and offered new prayers for Cassundera's soon return, and that she might accept what I was about to do. Then off to the check in desk at Frith's, where I spoke briefly with my ranger trainer, only long enough to resign my title, apologize for my lack of discipline and thank him for his efforts. Then I visited the rogue trainer and humbly asked to be taught as a new apprentice.

Almost at once, I felt more at home than ever with my new training. As soon as I was able, I returned to Voln and began the path anew, and without regret. An interesting aspect of all this was that I had the opportunity to meet many youngsters just beginning their adventure as their peers rather than an elder. It was a great joy to be able to show others the things I had been taught while standing on equal footing, not seeming as though I was being charitable.

Advancement came swift, and soon I felt sure enough in my lockpicking skills to offer services at the East Tower Office. I felt truly in my element, but I also began to witness more closely the worst side of being a rogue. Pickpockets and thieves have a myriad of methods, and with the greater perception I was learning I could watch much of it happen. This brought a new dilemma. Was it my responsibility to inform a victim of a theft, or was it their bad luck and none of my business? I struggled with this for some time, and then arrived at the following arrangement. If I witness a thief dipping into the pockets of my customer, I make it very clear it's a mistake and also inform the customer. If I see another person being robbed, I excuse myself after my current customer and go accuse the thief to the West Gate Guard.

While I did indeed enjoy my time working for others as a locksmith, I found my greatest joy when I was able to begin using the Voln Fu that came so difficult for the ranger training that I had mangled. Here I was in rapture, as I catapulted through step after step of the Voln Path over the released souls of ghoul masters, wraiths, wights, and tree spirits. I approached both my title and standing as a Master of Voln, but those achievements still had an empty connotation for me without Cassundera by my side. And just as those feelings were at their strongest, There was news from the Temple. A stirring, nothing more. Not an awakening, but an improvement. There was new hope for my love's restoration.

Some time shortly thereafter news began to come to the Landing of an impending invasion from an immense force led by a power-hungry human baron. A call to arms, and the Landing began forming a militia. Seeking immediate enlistment, I was positioned as a junior lieutenant in the Holy Phoenix brigade under the leadership of Lord Truekillr. It was during this time I began to hear of a new prospective house, and folks who hailed each other as Paladin or Squire. Training, meetings, and field maneuvers took up large amounts of time, and as the weeks went past I hardly thought about anything but being ready to face the oncoming hordes. In the middle of a particularly arduous field hunt a runner came, not with word from the commanders, but from the nurses at the Temple. My prayers had been answered, Cassundera was back!

It was yet some time before she was healthy enough to leave the Temple, and it became apparent that during her nine month illness she had lost the memories of much of her life, and would require rehabilitation as if newborn. None of this mattered to me, only that she was again among the living. Her spirit was as strong as ever, and she shot through the remedial trainings faster than anyone could have thought possible.

One day while showing her about my work at the Tower, Lord Mustafo had been sitting quietly off to the side watching younger rogues work. After a time, he tapped me on the shoulder and asked to me about coming to the Porch at Hearthstone Manor and working there during times when he was otherwise occupied. His life had gotten to the point where folks expected him to be on the Porch at all hours waiting for their boxes, and although he wished to provide the best service possible he refused to give his entire life over to this. His reasoning for choosing me for this job offering was that he was pleased with my work ethic, that I always thanked folks for their tips, never badgered customers or other locksmiths about who was who's customer, and I tried to be pleasant as possible to all. I believe another motive was that my lack of the rogue's natural arrogance wouldn't steal any of his thunder on the Porch. His offer to me was a working shift for three hours in the evening five nights a week so that he could hunt and spend time with his wife, Lady Shoshonna. I gladly accepted his offer, and very soon began to be known by folks I had admired for a long time. It still amazes me to be greeted by those highly regarded folks as something more than an acquaintance. At the same time, the Porch was often inhabited by folks I would otherwise not care to be associated with. I learned to develop a careful balance between politeness towards strangers and friends while simultaneously ignoring those I didn't wish to deal with. For the most part, those folks didn't care to talk with me either, so this wasn't too difficult. As it turned out, I even began to gain a modicum of respect from the less pleasant Porch contingent. My only guess as to the reason for this would be that while I obviously didn't put any effort into communicating with them, neither did I project any negative feelings toward them, and there was some level of appreciation for my neutral behavior.

After what seemed like just a few weeks, Cassundera was now very near her title, and along with that was to come another important event. The grandest day of my life, when she would fulfill her promise to me and give me her hand in marriage. The date was set, the invitations sent out, and the accoutrements arranged for. Lord Wolv oversaw all of the arrangements, Lady Kate honored us as the presiding cleric, my most humble and loyal friend Gwildor stood by me as Best Man and Thistledove our adopted daughter was the Maid of Honor. The entire event was enchanted, being surrounded by such a throng of family and friends and finally cementing our relationship before Koar and for all time.

The time since that glorious day has seen this rogue grow and learn in many ways, not the least of which has been my induction to House Onoir. Invasions, the long-awaited opening of the trail to Solhaven, the discovery of Castle Varunar, and mystical changes to many things about the lands have all added to my experience and wisdom about life in Elanthia. Those who have called me friend, and so many that have seen me as something else, I have also learned from. The loss of many good and noble folks from this realm reminds me regularly that we who remain ought to continue in the path of right, that their passing be not in vain.

I presently serve the following:

Lord Kai with the weapons of battle, both flesh and steel Lady Lumnis with my mind and heart. The God of Gods with my soul and spirit. Lord Voln in his mission against unlife in favor of the cursed souls of the undead in Lorminstra's behalf Wehnimer's Landing as 1st Lt of the Holy Phoenix brigade within the Militia. House Onoir as one dedicated to proclaiming the standards of Honor, Loyalty, and Duty to all Elanthia. My fellow adventurers as a journeyman locksmith. The rogue guild as an apprentice

Very respectfully submitted,

Brianus Linenum