Origins: Tale of the Twins

Not that long ago by elven standards, a remarkable event occurred. Twins were born in Sharath under a starless sky. Born of a mother of the Priest Caste, and fathered by one of the Warlock, brothers were born that held the magic of both. While not masters of their spheres, they each held power nonetheless. One gained affinity to magic of the spirit from his mother and the other an affinity to elemental magic from his father.

As the brothers matured, they found themselves talented in other skills as well. Surion became attuned to the shadowed forests of Sharath, his desire to be Duk’sa shone in his heart as he pressed himself harder to challenge his skill. Tah’lon on the other hand, became more involved in social affairs. His keen wit and suave demeanor were often helpful to the Lorekeepers who found his talents led him many times to the steps of the Shialos du S’karli, the Library of The Way.

Many tests they endured, but often they found themselves side by side assisting each other to obtain their goals. This camaraderie intrigued the Priest Caste. Most who passed the grueling tests did so on their own, but these two assured themselves an easier victory by working together. It was decided then, that there was a greater potential for the pair, but in order to achieve it – they would have to be separated in order to enhance their own skills. The hope of the Priest Caste, was that if they survived, the brothers would not only be deadly on their own, but together they would be lethal.

So it was, that the Warrior Caste took Surion and sent him northward, to test his skills. His task: to consistently prove his leadership skills in battle and earn merit from the Family. In this, he would learn the value of strength and power. The Lorekeepers took Tah’lon and sent him northeast to the elven lands. There, he would be required to publish research and teach those that would otherwise be lost to The Way. In this, he would learn the value of charisma and knowledge.

Ten years they would be given – an eye blink in the age of an elf. When they had completed their goal, they would then find each other to serve the interests of Sharath in the North. If they met with success, Tah’lon would then be of the Warlock Caste  – a lorekeeper in his own right, and would remain in the north as liason. Surion, who would be of the Warrior Caste, would be given the responsibility of protecting his brother with his life.

Knowledge oft intrigued Tah’lon, and he found himself wandering to the gates of New Ta’Faendryl and eventually to the Library Aies in Ta’Illistim. There, he studied the lores, cultures and religions of Elanthia. Here too, he taught the lore to the few Dhe’nar he found questing for their own identity outside their home. Tah’lon took the pen name, Talinvor, as an elven sounding name became key in acquiring information he would have otherwise been denied, his silvered tongue getting him into places he wished to go and his honeyed voice gaining him trust where his brethren could not.

Surion found himself wandering far from civilizations, to better understand the nature of the world. His strength drawn from the shadows of trees, the black soil and the shrill winds. He traveled over the mountains far from his homelands to what civilization would consider wild. These lands, unfettered by law, gave Surion the perfect environment to further challenge his skills against nature… and against man.