Taniesa Il'Pharin
Contents
Summary
Appearance
Growing Up In Tashmine
Of Mar'Kashyk and Her Travels
Before the coming of the Dread Necromancer, Taniesa had become a Sage Witch, operating out of a small hut near Stengrad, Naltronia. Many of the locals steered clear of the elf, believing that her works were tied in with the evil gods. Those others who chose to come to her were looking to be told fortunes, turn away the fates, or were seeking a fight. Taniesa dealt with each in stride until a wide eyed young human with wild black hair darkened her stoop one morning. His long gray robes covered his left arm, leaving the other free to gesture about wildly which he seemed to do frequently.
The young man explained that he was Mar'Kashyk, a student of the Council of Magi trained in the Necromatic arts. He was a scholar, delving into world history by calling upon the spirits of the dead to help him. He said he had been to the Hand of Death where none were allowed to go, and told fascinating stories to the elven woman who quickly became enamored to the passion of the young man. The two set out to learn more of the world.
For 8 years they traveled together, working their way around the world gathering tales and friends along the way. Taniesa was impressed with the ease that the young man had around others, and how well they responded to him. Yet she could see a darkness brooding in his interior that seemed to grow over their years of travel. He had become less passionate and more calculating as they journeyed, often prone to using his magic to get what he wanted rather than to help. When they returned to Naltronia Taniesa told him that she was going to return to her hut and live on her own once more. Annoyed and hurt, Mar'Kashyk bid her farewell and went on his way. Taniesa returned to the simple life, one that would come to an end sooner than she hoped.
The Plagues and the Necromancer Hunts
The first plagues began with adventurer's from Fool's Run stumbling back from the mountains to the town. Attacks deep within the mountains had increased, and many people were hoping to make names for themselves on those treacherous proving grounds. Most did not return. Those who did said the dead walked in the hills, shambling bone structures that were neither animal nor man. The bones stank of petulant meat and molding roses. Those who had been struck by the creatures saw boils appearing on their skin only hours after contact. Within days the boils would crack, oozing black bloody goo that infected whatever it touched.
Clerics were baffled by the illness, which refused to heal by divine magic. It seemed that the disease absorbed the healing energy, invigorating the illnesses incubation causing death far quicker. Bodies could not be burned, for the ash seemed to let the disease move through the air. The Naltronian military moved quickly, sending in troops and Templar to quarantine the roads, but it was already too late. People had fled the city, bearing the disease with them as they went.
Templar began closing off the cities, preventing people from leaving or entering the city walls in the name of slowing the spread of the illness. The citizenry became agitated, their annoyance growing greater by the day. Then came the riots. Stengrad saw the worst of it as the people rose up and began attacking guards, military, and Templar alike. Fueled by panic of an incurable plague they wanted something done but little progress was being made. The riots grew so quickly that soon the Templar tower was surrounded. The Templar responded with the only option left available to them, Templar Surgeon.
Resurrection and the Return of Necromancy
After her death her soul could not pass on, it had become anchored to her body. The Heroes bore the body to Ausberg for a cleansing ceremony. During the ritual that would destroy her body and force her soul into the beyond, Janus Vhan, cleric of Pasquirn removed a finger and slipped away. The remainder of her body was purified and ground into dust so it would never rise. Had it not been for the piece Janus had taken she would have been lost forever.