NellensArtan/Candle

The Histroy of Artan with reference to Candle timeline. Events happen after the pre-history.

Artan is dispatched along with other dynast to join the Raven Legion (ninth legion) in the North. After a year spent working in and amongst the medium infantry and the Special Forces gaining promotion and skills the Ravens receive new orders. They are ordered south to Rubylak to help defend the city from an army of darkness. They were joined by some special forces from the Realm that included a large suit of power armour that ends up as Artans. Upon arrival many strange event ensue not least a small side trip to Yu-Shan and back and conscription by Sidereals into helping them.

[Note at this point Artan switches from an NPC to a PC as I joined the campaign this means stuff goes down hill rapidly :) - Tony]

The first battle of Rubylak begins with the Solar Circle, the forces of the Raven Legion and a Sidereal hit squad all combining to but major dents into Walker in Darkness's plans. Anyway much destruction occurs and in the end the city is saved Walker is killed and another steps onto his throne. For a time there is peace.

For a year peace prevails in Rubylak with an odd hiccup or 2 along the way. For the first time in years Artan puts down his blade and helps to re-build the city and save it from the perils, which threaten it. The secret service is formed and so from the shadows people watch and plots are foiled. After years of ignoring the lessons and knowledge that can be gleamed from what has gone before Artan begins his quest for knowledge of the wonders of the ages past. Within the confines of the academy of Rubylak under many tutors never before seem weapons are crafted to help in the fight.

However a year of peace was the mere calm before the storm. Again calibration comes and again forces mass around the city and the peace is rent asunder. Political madness on a vast scale with coup and counter coup occurring, it seems that every power now has an interest in this fair city. Well so be it my blade has been restless for too long it is once more time to stalk the shadows and strike down those that oppose the will of this land.

Well before a battle u need a party and this was a great party for about the whole 5 minutes we got to enjoy it before the hoard of darkness appeared and then disappeared. God damm fake hoards of darkness. In the end a much smaller horde of darkness showed up and started attacking the city (budget cuts apparently). At its head were a new Shoat of the Mire with a very very big sword and another random abyssal. Well Shoat died unfortunately Shoat’s sword did see things my way and objected to being relocated to my armoury. The conclusion of the battle saw some fairly spectacular deaths and after Mighty Ray had mortally wounded himself, I decided to ensure he wouldn’t be getting up again.

However all was not over Se’ric was busy fighting and then running from the 2nd abyssal. Seeing a friends anima banner Se’ric headed towards Artan running at amazing speed he out passed the flying abyssal following him. Unfortunately the abyssal then swooped straight for Artan. Out of essence but uninjured from the previous fight Artan stopped and took the abyssal charge head on partially blocking his mighty blow. However a mere terrestrial exalt could not fully deflect the blow as it cut deep into his armour, for the first time since entering Rubylak Artans blooded flowed as his enemy stood. His blade pulsed with an inner fire and began to glow heeding it’s master call for vengeance upon his foe. Again the abyssal and Artan’s blade clashed but this time both stepped back wounded. Knowing at this rate he would not survive as his power had been spent earlier Artan prayed for help from his allies and prepared to stand toe to toe with creations enemy. However this time he was not alone as his fellow dragon bloods joined the combat. Taphiran rained arrows upon their foe but to no avail as the abyssal blade seemed to have a mind of its own, then Alica fell upon the anathema leaping from a nearby building. In a twist of fate the blade that had seconds ago protected its master slipped from the abyssal hand and fell to the floor. With out his blade the abyssal feel back from a renewed onslaught and eventually fell. Upon the spot where his sword a dropped to the ground there now stood a figure, seemingly undisturbed by what had happened. Weary, wounded and exhausted Artan approached the figure to find out what manner of foe would be the next to fall before him or to take his life. The figure turned revealing it’s demonic form, “Well-met master, I am impressed by your skills and over you my services”.

After the battle was over and the dust had settled Artan returned to his office in the palace. Treated from his wounds and with his essence regained ready to find out what that demon had meant. Behind his desk stood the same figure “My natural form is that of a blade and I allow my self to be wielded by only the finest of warriors, yesterday you proved your skill. Now I offer you the chance to have a blade to match your skill”. Knowing the dangers of dealing with demons had given him pause the other day, but the realm was crumbling and his enemies many both here and back on the Blessed Isle Artans choices were few. Smiling he extend his hand, “I accept, few now can stand against me”. Grasping the demons hand he watched as it reformed itself into a replica of his Diaklave. “And too you that are watching know this do not stand against me we have no cause to quarrel and many commen enemies”, at this the invisible presence left from the room, either agreeing or in fear it mattered not.

Then the final mission presented itself Syrtis was lost in the Labyrinth without means or hope of return. It fell to us few to rescue him and tread were few exalts dare go. After dealing with the Ghostly king of the Underworld city of Rubylak and plan was formed and deals were struck. Both cities of Rubylak would stand together from this point onwards. A force of Tiger Warriors and Exalts were gathered and ventured through shadowland to the Underworld and the location of the late Mighty Ray of the Jaded Sun’s manse. Here they gained access to the Labyrinth and began there quest. Leaving the Tiger warriors to hold the manse until their return they left into the darkness leaving a small hearthstone behind that’s tug they would follow to return. The journey was long and many trials were faced or avoided as was seen best, the Well of the Void was crossed and still we descended. Eventually an unholy Cathedral was reached guarded by powerful constructs. For the most part we ordered them aside and ventured forth into the building. Alas subtlety was not to be as Subtle Like a Brick entered and attacked these Guardians. Seeing him nearly killed by these beasts the party sprang into action and destroyed these enemies sustaining many wounds. This battle left Artan badly injured and worried even more the normal, he sensed his mortality and new the end could be near but would bow to nothing and no-one but the Elders of his once great house, not even death itself would shake him.

Into the cathedral and into the lair of what had gone before, the presence her was vast and powerful. At the foot of the throne was a figure dressed in blue robes similar to those that Syrtis would wear, some of the more foolish members of the party rushed forward eager to rescue the figure, Artan a man accustomed to plots and intrigue stayed in the shadows and watched picking out another figure in the darkness. As the shinning and now healed form of the lunar approached the throne at the centre of the room that looked out onto the void the shadows gathered. The darkness coalesced into a vast and deadly form, which met the lunar in mortal combat. Whilst this occurred the figures in the darkness met and Artan found the target of their mission Syrtis was in the darkness at his side. In the centre of the room Snow and his Captain watched the scene in front of them. With an amazing feat the Lunar survived for seconds against the terrible form. Finally in motion Snow and the mortal Captain charge into combat to save the lunar, Syrtis reveals himself from the shadows and helps protect those in combat. Knowing his plan foiled the figure on the floor release his death magic and shows himself to be an Abyssal.

Within the darkness a light shines out as the mortal cast’s his old self asides and rises in brilliant light of the Unconquered Sun, buying the party time to flee he beats back the Malfaens forms. Not forgotten in the retreat the Abyssal is cut down by arrows and blades from Tulas and her companion. Tranquility? finally shaking off her fear of the monster release a massive flow of power and will into an unstoppable display of archery helps our reckless new solar in his fight. But this was a battle we could not win a fighting retreat guarded our backs as we ran from the temple our mission achieved, behind us the many tentacle form of the Malfaen pulled down room after room at our heels.

Slowly we gather and find that we have suffered no casualties’ only wounds and have achieved our rescue of Syrtis. Our wounds treated and our breath caught Artan leads the party out towards home flowing the small thread of hope that is the tug of his hearthstone towards its mate. Emerging from the darkness of death of the Labyrinth the somewhat more welcome site of the Underworld greats them, the Tiger warriors had held and they have an exit. Returning to the lands of the living the weary band come home to Rubylak.

Artan, after six or so months shoring up the government of Rubylak and artificing in his spare time, suddenly sets his affairs in order and leaves for the Blessed Isle. He has finally been called home to serve the elders of House Iselsi. He has grown through the arrogance of his earlier years and has at last been given a second chance after the events of his betrayal. However the shadows of Rubylak occasional hide a benevolent presence and his past allies know that they are not forgotten.

The tales and deeds of Artan are far from over having fought and won against the Wyld and the realms of the dead he returns back to the heart of the world. Having faced every form of Anathema known and finished ahead and with allies he returns to face his peers and knows fear. For the games of politics played by the Dragon bloods nearly killed him once before now he has returned to face them once again.