Aragir Norde/History

= DETAILS =

Illerius, the city where Aragir grew up, is one of relative wealth. Clean and pleasing to the eye, with architecture that implements both arches and contrasting angles. Yet there is also space for nature, that seems to blend into it seamlessly, yet controlled with sculpted trees. Decorations are inspired from nature with designs that resemble leaves , vines and branches.

Though they were typically wanderers, the city was founded and mostly filled with moon elves after they distanced themselves from the rule of their old nation. There were a few other kinds as well, as was evident from the city's aesthetics, though they mostly isolated themselves to somewhat higher grounds. Unlike in many other moon elf communities, there are not many other races there, as it is mostly surrounded by thick forest land and rough terrain.

The only exception to this are the Ado Fields to the south of Illerius, which are generally described as vast open fields from which one can see the adjacent sea. Through these fields, one would find portal-like structures made from both marble and sculpted trees, characteristic for the city itself, that loosely form a pathway from Illerius to the open sea and ocean. Along the coast, four statues depicting the three Goddesses and their composite form Angharradh stand on the cliffside. With the Goddesses looking over the field, and Angharradh herself looking over the sea.

When a citizen of Illerius returns to spend their remaining days in their home, it is believed that when they pass their spirit will follow the path, where Angharradh will receive them and lead them back to their spiritual home past the Storming Expanse. There they will stay among their patrons until they are reincarnated.

The moon elves of Illerius tend to stick to a mostly pescetarian diet, where they live off what the land and sea provides them. This they believe to be the blessings of Angharradh.

Among most of the moon elves, including Aragir's family, the city was a safe haven to return to when one sought some familiarity in their adventurous lives. And thus the city has not changed in millennia.

Aragir's family, Ilphelnodel (Moonblossom), is comprised of humble but strong-willed individuals. He has two brothers named Erevan and Druindar and one sister named Gaelira, who is the youngest of the four.

Raised primarily by their father, Laucian, after their mother died during childbirth, the siblings lived a life of relative comfort. Through many stories of adventures and heroism, most of them were motivated into becoming the travelers they are today, just like their parents were before they settled to raise a family. However, Aragir was not one of them.

Born as the second-eldest child, Aragir's reclusive and shy nature formed a stark contrast with the excitement of his siblings. Where they enjoyed the occasional rough-play, playing of joyous music and challenging each other with bets, he mostly enjoyed reading, writing and sculpting and caring for the trees that surrounded their home. Laucian often thought this to be the result of the loss of his mother, to whom he was very close, but Aragir has always dismissed this notion.

Despite his personality traits, simple sibling rivalry and encouragement from his father helped him hone his fighting skills, among other skills that were essential for traveling.

Though emboldened by age and his successes in later years, Aragir is ever drawn to the calm and quiet, where he can put his energy into whatever new read he is drawn into. He is mostly withdrawn and quite horrible at small-talk, though his interactions can also be impulsive and come off as unintentionally rude. Especially when excitement of a new discovery or the thrill of an unsolved mystery gets the better of him. When he is not engulfed in research of some kind, he might toy around with sculpting plants through the use of magic.

He is not fond of fighting, and the sight of blood repulses him even when he does not show it. He can eat meat, but like his kin in Illerius he mostly sticks to a pescetarian diet. Good-quality fresh water reminds him of the sparkling, crystal clear creeks that ran just outside the borders of his home-city. He can also enjoy the occasional mead.

The Start of an Adventure

It had been confusing indeed. One moment he sat quietly, peacefully, observing this strange new artifact that a retainer had brought back from his journey, and the next moment he found himself on the cold stone floor of what looked like a palace. And if that was not enough, its guards found him soon after.

Three of them were dwarves, and one looked human. Perhaps they had ties with the royal army, then. Though such a conclusion was rather brash and would be better left unspoken.

His initial questions only met with snappish replies, Aragir remained silent as the guards were about to escort him to the nearest dungeon for further investigation.

But then a familiar voice called out to him; Between the threatening gazes of the men that surrounded him, stood his older brother Druindar, officer of the Golden Garde. This all but confirmed that the royal family was in some way involved.

Druindar quickly bade the guards to resume their stations, and took it upon himself to lead Aragir back outside, where they spoke about what had happened.

"A strange artifact," the older brother repeated after Aragir had finished, "It seems almost appropriate for you to meet me again this way."

"I suppose it has been a little while," Aragir responded, "How many years, exactly? Thirty or so?"

Druindar laughed and gave him a nudge. "Double that, and we're close. You stick your nose into your books so much that you forget to look up from time to time. Do you even know what year it is now?" He shrugged. "But at least you still write. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Is that so?"

"You do not belong down here, brother. This city may look warm and inviting from where we stand, but one need only take a short trip away from its center to see the reality that lies hidden underneath this veil of prosperity. This land, like many others, is troubled. Your talents are better spent within the safe walls of the Academy, where you might find the answers that the rest of us can’t reach."

"Yet I do not think I can forget the feeling I had when I first arrived here," Aragir said as he looked down the palace stairs and into the plaza. Though it had changed quite a bit over the years, some key elements remained. In his mind he followed the path he had once walked before, up until the wizard's guild. "My very own adventure."

"I believe I have spotted the wizard’s guild," He then added as he started his descent towards the plaza, "I will make sure to visit you again soon, hopefully at a more appropriate moment. Thank you again for saving me from those brutes."

"They are not brutes."

"Let's agree to disagree."

It was surprising to find that the wizard's guild let him in so easily, since his sudden displacement had left him woefully bereft of any documents. Perhaps it was the Academy symbol that he wore on the back of his coat, even though he imagined it could easily have been forged had he been an intruder.

On his way to the teleport chambers, the young mage that escorted him insisted on making small talk. Gods, but he hated small talk. Especially with strangers. They would ask about the weather, or about his day or some other trivial matter; None of which was not already obvious from observation alone. And they never truly wanted to hear the details. It was custom, if nothing else. He never quite found the right words in moments like these either.

But there was a particular string of words that caught his attention amidst this sea of trivialities.

"Are you here to follow Alduin's footsteps?"

Aragir stopped in his tracks, and finally looked towards the young man. "Say that again?"

"Alduin, sir," the mage answered, "Did you come here to visit the Adventurer's Guild like he did?"

Aragir's lips parted, but no words passed through. It was sudden that his mentor left, and no one in the Academy had ever seen or heard of him since. He had told himself that he was at peace with the knowledge that Alduin had made a conscious decision for himself, and that he was proud to take up his mantle as a leading scholar. But there was still something in him that yearned to know more.

"Why was he here?" He finally asked, "How long ago was this? Where did he go?"

The mage tilted his head slightly. "A good couple of years. Somewhere before my time. But with how well-known his name is within the guild... Of course people talk. All we know is that he went to the Adventurer's guild, so maybe their guildmaster could tell you more."

With a turn Aragir grabbed hold of the other man's shoulders, unaware of how it made him slightly uncomfortable, and grinned at him. "I thank you for escorting me, but I believe I will be staying in Brassdorf a little longer." He gave him a determined nod. "I will find my way out."

It was as if he had stepped into another world once he passed through the doors of the Adventurer's Guild. One parallel to his own; the same but different. Their logo, proudly hung from the ceiling in the main hall, depicted a hand that seemed to be surrounded by a circle of flowers. 

Around him were people of different kinds, some quite unique compared to the average citizen of Brassdorf or even those within the Academy. But they all worked to better the world they lived in, one way or another. The guild's judgement seemed to be one of principle; As long as one was willing to work with them and showed good character, looks or social standing did not matter.

Aragir found that there was honour in this, and for a moment he could feel a hint of excitement. One that felt almost nostalgic, for it was that same feeling he had felt so many years ago, when he first entered this city. Would Alduin have felt it too when he passed through these doors?

To his regret, the guildmaster was more difficult to reach than he had anticipated. The man had too much to do to be able to meet with just about anyone, or so he was told. But perhaps he could keep track of his availability if he established a connection with the guild itself. And the one surefire way to do this was to enlist.

He smiled as if he had just gotten the excuse he needed to examine the quest board. In his mind he pictured his mentor standing where he stood. Could there have been something that piqued his interest upon seeing it?

After a quick scan over the various advertisements, his eye fell upon one note in particular; There had been some strange activities in Whispertale, a rural village towards the east. He could recall there had been some interesting finds for his and his mentor's research from that area in the past.

Perhaps this could be his first step towards solving a new mystery...

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