Illian, NPC

Illian was born on the 3rd of Larane (698TR) in the city of Dyrisa in the kingdom of Kanday. Illian's father (Andernic of Andrin) and elder brother (Andernas) worked as pilots on the Eryn River between Dyrisa and Aleath¹. Although well-acquainted with the riverboat business, very early on Illian showed a greater interest in life in the wilds. Shortly after arriving at the age of maturity (15 years old), Illian left home (against his father's express wishes) to join one of the many mercenary companies that continually ply their trade along the borderlands between Kanday and its northern neighbors Rethem and the Thardic Republic. After several productive years of training, and occasional battle, Illian sought more prestigious (and challenging) service in King Andasin's Royal Foresters², distinguishing himself as both a hunter, tracker, and small unit leader. Soon, however, he came to find service in the King's companies to be too stifling and restrictive for his own maverick personality.

After leading subordinates in one too many unauthorized "covert actions," Illian was brought up on charges by his unit's commander. Before any trial or sentence could be carried out, however, several of Illian's comrades arranged for a daring midnight escape. Although pursued for several weeks Illian managed to flee to safety in the Thardic Republic, where he has been able to make a fair living working as scout and guide for the various caravans which travel along the Salt Route between Tharda and Kaldor³. He is a frequent sight at Trobridge Inn, and is on reasonably friendly terms with a few of the tribal chieftains and warriors of the Chelna Gap. During one of his more recent stays at Trobridge, Illian had a minor "misunderstanding" with some of the local "toughs" who work for the bandit, Kurson of Ondailis, which left one of them dead and two others severely wounded. Although his skill with a sword has kept them at a distance, Illian realizes that it will only be a matter of time before Kurson and his boys decide to attempt their revenge. This fact, coupled with his desire to track down the two swindlers who relieved him of several valuable items in a rigged dice game, has lead Illian to take up with a small party of well-armed and like-minded adventurers.

Among those who know him Illian has a reputation for being a resourceful and determined leader, a fierce and competent warrior, and a very skilled tracker. Although Illian recognizes that he seems to have a special gift for quickly "sizing up" tricky situations and determining the most appropriate course of action to take, he is nonetheless often plagued by self-doubt and a lack of confidence in his own abilities. He also recognizes that his constant desire to see new things and have new adventures has -- on more than one occasion -- gotten him into some very difficult and embarrassing (not to mention life-threatening) situations. Overall, Illian is an easily-liked fellow and quite able to win the trust of others and inspire their confidence. Although not given to deep or reflective thought, he possesses a keen insight and understanding of both people and situations; and he is not above using his insight and understanding to "persuade" others into doing things his way.

Notes

1 -- Illian has two younger sisters (Oleana and Yrisane). The elder is a priestess of Larani (Order of St. Jhurich of Dyrisa); while the other remains at home caring for the father and eldest brother. Illian's mother died in childbirth when the youngest daughter was born (705TR).

2 -- This special military unit is an idiosyncratic feature of my version of Hârn. They specialize in border skirmishing and in guerilla warfare. They tend to be comprised of very elite and skilled warriors.

3 -- Until recently Illian had not attempted a return to his homeland, having heard that a 200d (dead or alive) bounty had been levied on his head by the King's Foresters.