Myharl (prime)

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Shadow-wreathed, cursed, and exiled Maeraka Firewalker kindred, bearer of the Eye of the Drake, wyrmslayer of the Hinterwilds. He tries to be a good man, yet struggles against his own darkness.

Myharl the Dark Tower
Myharl GS4 Realism Portrait 2024.jpg

Pronounced: ˈmī-ˈ(h)ärl
(Formerly Myharl Gryphonwind)
Born Eorgaen 18, 5079 M.E. (Age 44)
Elanthian Astrology: Paladin Descending (Hour of Ronan)
Portrait Generated by Player of Myharl with Stable Diffusion
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Race Giantman
Culture Maeramil Wind Runner Clan
Firewalker Tribe
Hometown Cold River (adulthood) / Wehnimer's Landing (for his shop) / Southron Wastes Nomad (childhood)
Class Merchant / Former Morganatic Noble
Profession Warrior (Wyrmslayer)
Religion None
----
Previously: Koar (The Great Drake), Kor'thriss (Guardian of the World), and the Champion Voln
Affiliation(s) Master at Arms of the Warrior Guild, Master in the Order of Voln, Member of: House of the Rising Phoenix, Officer of Fenog's Regulars, Honorary Officer of Regulators of the Northern Frontier, The TownCier Correspondent Team
In-a-Word Large
Disposition Generally friendly and warm, but more recently sometimes distant and grim. Embraces the Rule of Reciprocity
Alignment Equivalent: Neutral Good ]
Demeanor Cognitively: thoughtful and respectful, Instinctively: feral, wrathful, and bloodthirsty (particularly towards wyrms)
Primary Trait Exceptionally tall (10' 5"), Kroderine Soul
Secondary Trait His towering height and hulking frame cause him to get in the way a lot
Flaw Propensity to be a loner that is growing more prevalent
Greatest Strength Berserking
Greatest Weakness Berserking
Habits Frequent whiskey and pipe-weed, occasionally opium. Favored Drink: Erithian sake (rice wine)
Hobbies Master crafter, master forger (all weapon types), sheath maker, shop owner [Gryphonwind Ventures], and avid wyrm hunter
Soft Spots His wife Jastalyn, children, and Aurora, his arctic lemming. His disposition tends to be more favorable towards dark elven women.
Likes Testing his mettle
Dislikes Slavery, zealots, tyrants, dishonesty, and overly-crowded rooms
Fears Dishonor to himself, Disappointing loved ones
Loyalties His family, The North
Spirit of the Forlorn Maiden
----
Previously: Lumnis, Lorminstra, Phoen, and Ronan (By association to Koar)
Best Friend (Alphabetical) Aerelean, Archean*, Dallinn, Geijon*, Ibar, Jastalyn, Laelithonel, Leff*, Lilanna, Lithyia, Nephtyris, Ralkean*, Yardie
* Wyrmslayers
Spouse Jastalyn; Married 5124
---
Divorced; Previously Married 5110-5122 to Ladies Aurla, Psyryn, Yterria, and Yieshia
Loved One Jastalyn Dragorth
(Beloved Wife)
----
Lord Nephtyris Malwind
(Brethren & Lifelong Comrade)
Children Daughter, Jaliyah
(unborn, due in Eorgaen 5124)
CHE and MHO Membership
CHE House of the Rising Phoenix
House of the rising phoenix.jpg
CHE Rank Active Member
(Member since 5109)
CHE Position Former Functional Officer (5110-5111)
(Event Runner)
MHO Affiliations ----
Fenog's Regulars
Officer
(Member since 5124)
----
Regulators of the Northern Frontier
Honorary Officer
(Member since 5124)
----
The TownCier
Correspondent Team
(Member since 5124)
----
House Daingneach Onoir — Former Lord Sage, Guildmaster of the Order of the Quill, Former Head Squire appointed by the Lady Paladin, and Bearer of the Oriflamme
(Member 5109-5111; Resigned 5111)
----
Greater Elanthian Merchant Society
(5109-5111; MHO Defunct
Still adheres to the Merchant's Charter
)
----

Clan Snar
(5114-5117 MHO Defunct)

Pictured: Crest of the Dark Tower. The personal seal of Myharl the Dark Tower. A signet depicting a dark tower beneath an eclipsed moon borne upon a starless night sky stationed central on a crest depicting two opposing rampant wyrms. AI artwork based on the original graphic design by player of Myharl. Graphic generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.
Pictured: Shadow Cursed Kindred, Myharl the Dark Tower (photo-realistic render). Graphic generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.



Myharl's Theme Song


"Myharl the Wyrmslayer" is the official theme for Myharl and was composed by the player of the character and created with the assistance of AI and compiled utilizing Adobe Audition, Udio, and BandLab Cakewalk. The track begins with a short spoken word introduction and leads into an orchestral arrangement inspired by the experience of Myharl hunting wyrms in the Hinterwilds.


A Brief Introduction to the Dark Tower


The Man —
Shrouded in darkness and umberal shadows, beckoning the frigid aura of winter's bite, there is a cursed kindred, a flameless one long ago exiled from his desert home in the wastes. Myharl is his name. A berserker and famed wyrmslayer, the Dark Tower, who now hails from Cold River, a hibernal village sheveled beyond the Long Snow, deep in the nival heart of the Hinterwilds.

His extraordinary height and a battle-forged mettle have earned him the moniker Dark Tower, though many have taken to simply referring to him as the Wyrmslayer. He bears loyalty to no kingdom or empire, bends a knee to no ruler or sovereign, and lends no sworn faith to the divine. He is a free citizen of the North. His allegiances are to his friends, those he considers family, and the ideals of a Free North. To them his dedication is unwavering.

Myharl is loving husband to Jastalyn Dragorth who is presently a member of the Icemule Trace Town Council. When he is not delving the wintry gale of the Hinterwilds, he spends a substantial allotment of his time in and around the glacial town to be nearer to his lover.


The Curse —
His soul is bound to the Eye of the Drake, an ancient and mysterious artifact in his possession. Dating back to the era of the thousand years war between the Great Drakes and Ur-Daemons, the Eye has bestowed upon him a lifelong plague of draconic visions, prompting the kindred to seek out any and all knowledge related to dragons. The artifact is also the domain of a mysterious dark shadow entity who has secretly manipulated pivotal moments in Myharl's life, honing his wrath and rage and driving him ever northward.

Though oblivious to his curse and misled about the nature of the Eye for most his life, the truth was recently discovered by his friend, a learned scholar, who had a direct confrontation with the dark entity when researching the artifact. It was learned that it has spent a lifetime grooming the giantkin to become its Destroyer.

Despite now having knowledge of this deception and his intended fate, the curse continues to compel Myharl to dwell at the wintry edge of the world and to hunt and destroy its most dangerous creatures, ever seeking stronger and more deadly wyrms to fell. With every passing day the combined dark magics of the Eye and the Hinterwilds wear upon his spirit, slowly pushing him further into a grim darkness.



Appearance

Combat Appearance (Primary Appearance)

You see Myharl the Dark Tower.
He appears to be a Giantman of the Maeramil Clan.
He is of an extraordinary height, even for a giant and has an oversized, hulking frame.  He appears to be in the prime of life.  He has darkly rimmed, piercing tenebrous black eyes and deeply coffee-hued skin.  He has a bald head.  He has a well-defined face, a broad and strong nose and a sloe black silver-touched beard pinioned into a single elaborate braid by a dark wyrm's-eye aetherstone.  His features have a firm, statue-like quality to them.  The feral, snarling visage of a wyrm glares from the black alloy battle mask he wears.
He has a set of five lustrous onyx rings in his left eyebrow, a silvered ebon tattoo depicting a wyrm's talon descending from beneath his left eye, a lustrous onyx ring in the upper ridge of his left ear, and a small dark shard-shaped mark on his neck.
Dark shadows twist and swirl around him.
He gives off a fierce demeanor.
He is holding a helically gnarled ko'nag staff vaunting a carved horaltic wyrm in his right hand.
An imposing fuliginous raven alights upon his shoulder, extending its tapered wings to frame him in shadows.
He is wearing a slit-visored black alloy greathelm crested with shining disir feathers, a mesh black alloy aventail, a pair of black alloy pauldrons, a deeply hooded ebon shadowsilk robe mantled in lightless valravn quills, a shadowy black rune, a black alloy neckchain suspending a shard of rime-shrouded everfrost, a full suit of black alloy platemail with a mesh black alloy arming coat underneath, a krodera-bound black alloy tower shield slung over his shoulder, a pair of black alloy vambraces, a pair of scaled black alloy gauntlets, a platinum-inlaid polished onyx wedding band, a tower-ensigiled onyx signet ring worn on the right middle finger, an ancient wyrm talon bound in arabesqued balenite, a wide stygian leather belt draping a pair of trio-tiered black alloy chains, a sturdy ko'nag case, a frostworn hinterboar hide satchel, a boreal hinterboar hide kit, a shadowy ebon zunnar, a tightly woven shadowsilk sash with a glowing white sacred warsword and a battle-worn sword hanging from it, a kilt of shadowy valravn quills cinched by a silver-shot wyrm's talon sporran, a pair of black alloy leg greaves, and a pair of segmented black alloy boots.

Myharl has hints of musky amber clinging to his skin, the dark fragrance laced with the feral scent of untamed wilds.

Casual Appearance

You see Myharl the Dark Tower.
He appears to be a Giantman of the Maeramil Clan.
He is of an extraordinary height, even for a giant and has an oversized, hulking frame.  He appears to be in the prime of life.  He has darkly rimmed, piercing tenebrous black eyes and deeply coffee-hued skin.  He has a bald head.  He has a well-defined face, a broad and strong nose and a sloe black silver-touched beard pinioned into a single elaborate braid by a dark wyrm's-eye aetherstone.  His features have a firm, statue-like quality to them.  
He has a set of five lustrous onyx rings in his left eyebrow, a silvered ebon tattoo depicting a wyrm's talon descending from beneath his left eye, a lustrous onyx ring in the upper ridge of his left ear, a small dark shard-shaped mark on his neck, a caliginous shadowy drake tattoo on his arm, and a sinuously coiled abyran'sa tattoo on his arm..
Dark shadows twist and swirl around him.
He gives off a fierce demeanor.
An imposing fuliginous raven alights upon his shoulder, extending its tapered wings to frame him in shadows.
He is wearing a deeply hooded ebon shadowsilk robe mantled in lightless valravn quills, a black alloy neckchain suspending a shard of rime-shrouded everfrost, a half-buttoned umbral silk shirt with rolled sleeves, a platinum-inlaid polished onyx wedding band, a tower-ensigiled onyx signet ring worn on the right middle finger, a kilt of shadowy valravn quills cinched by a silver-shot wyrm's talon sporran, and a pair of sable leather boots bound in numerous buckled straps.

Myharl has a distinctive but mild scent on his skin.  Foremost are chilled chords of sap-rich fir and cedar that are grounded in notes of fine leather and warmed with a splash of whiskey.  As the warmth of the heart notes recede, a hint of dark musk is left in its place.

Formal Appearance

You see Myharl the Dark Tower.
He appears to be a Giantman of the Maeramil Clan.
He is of an extraordinary height, even for a giant and has an oversized, hulking frame.  He appears to be in the prime of life.  He has darkly rimmed, piercing tenebrous black eyes and deeply coffee-hued skin.  He has a bald head.  He has a well-defined face, a broad and strong nose and a sloe black silver-touched beard pinioned into a single elaborate braid by a dark wyrm's-eye aetherstone.  His features have a firm, statue-like quality to them. 
He has a set of five lustrous onyx rings in his left eyebrow, a silvered ebon tattoo depicting a wyrm's talon descending from beneath his left eye, and a small dark shard-shaped mark on his neck.
Dark shadows twist and swirl around him.
He gives off a fierce demeanor.
He is holding a helically gnarled ko'nag staff vaunting a carved horaltic wyrm in his right hand.
He is wearing a side-swept dark sagum cloak bearing the Warrior Guild Master at Arms crest, a formal dark grey moire silk shirt with ashen ebonwood buttons, an angular folded regalia sash, a gold Warrior Guild Master pin inset with six diamonds, a gilded eahnor campaign pin, a white diamond phoenix pin, a diamond inset wolf-shaped pin, a merchant's guild official insignia of certification, a set of TownCrier credentials, a silver merchant ship insignia, a vaalin Clan Snar pin, a gleaming gold medal illuminated with a giantman standing over a slain wyrm, an arctic blue armband with crossed ivory tusks, a platinum-inlaid polished onyx wedding band, a tower-ensigiled onyx signet ring worn on the right middle finger, a shadowy ebon zunnar, an ancient wyrm talon bound in arabesqued balenite, a reinforced blacksmith's kit, rugged old merchant's satchel, a dark ashen kilt cinched by an eclipse-motif ebony leather sash, and a pair of night black boots.

Myharl has a near smothering veil of hardwood smoke about him, darkened by black musk and redeemed only slightly by a lucent ember of heliotrope burning in the background.  From beneath the soot of the head notes rise strains of cassis and bitter-green inclusions of wormwood.

Tattoos & Visible Markings

  • a silvered ebon tattoo depicting a wyrm's talon descending from beneath his left eye

  • a small dark shard-shaped mark on his neck (Branded by the hand of The Exiled Nexur)

  • a pair of knotwork wyrm tattoos unfurling from over his shoulders to lock gazes on his chest

  • a sinuously coiled abyran'sa tattoo on his arm
Depicted inward-stationed upon his right forearm in graceful repose, the feminine abyran'sa has been inked in detailed shadowy umbral linework.  She bears striking dark elven features scarcely concealed by a clinging shroud of moonflowers that spills down over her curvy body.  Her complexion is shaded in pallid hues accented by fair hair that falls riotously from a sharp widow's peak to frame her aristocratic features.  Her serpentine tail coils tightly around his arm, terminating just above his wrist.

  • a caliginous shadowy drake tattoo on his arm
Inked in dark ebon hues, the fierce drake is depicted inward-stationed upon his left forearm, its wings extend behind its fierce, scaled figure in partial horaltic pose to appear as if about to take to the skies.  The draconic creature's fierce visage gazes upwards, bearing what seems to be a longing gaze, its eyes fixed upon a selenic crescent suspended above the backdrop of a dark tower.

  • a pair of flaming drake's wings tattooed on his back
Stretching from shoulder-blade to waist on either side of his spine, the tattoo is an excellent rendering of a pair of inferno-wreathed drake's wings that lay furled and quiescent.  Ebon inks create the delicate boning, while sanguine hues limned in plum create tiny veins.

Crest of the Dark Tower

The Crest of the Dark Tower is Myharl's official seal. It is used as a signet on all corisponances composed by the kindred. The emblem dons his shield and standard during tournaments and contests. He wears an onyx signet ring bearing the crest proper.

a tower-ensigiled onyx signet ring worn on the right middle finger

The elaborate sigil upon the stygian onyx ring depicts a shadow-shrouded dark tower beneath an eclipsed moon borne upon a starless night sky.  The ovular signet is bound to the band by two opposing ardent rampant wyrms.

The symbolism of the crest is as follows:

  • Central dark tower — represents Myharl himself and his moniker The Dark Tower.
  • Eclipsed moon stationed above the tower — represents hidden truths, his shadows, and the belief that light will one day return to his darkness.
  • Starless night sky — represents the starless skies of the far North, his domain, cloaked in the aurora of endless night.
  • Rampant opposing wyrms — a reminder of his mortality, the two wyrms represent the first and last wyrm he will ever slay.

The three tiers of the tower represent the three major arcs in Myharl's life. The foundation being his youth as a nomad in the Southron Wastes and his exile, the middle tier being his life in Wehnimer's Landing as a morganatic noble and champion of Koar, and the top tier being his ventures beyond the Long Snow where his draconic visions were finally realized. With each tier the tower rises toward the eclipsed moon, bringing Myharl closer to uncovering his truth.


Roleplaying

Current Sate of the Character

Currently, Myharl is experiencing a major shift in his story line—a new, darker chapter.

New visions, prompted by the Eye of the Drake, set his path to the edge of the world, beyond the Long Snow and into the Hinterwilds. Soon upon arriving, merit was given to his foresight as a fierce dragonic figure soared overhead beneath the dark skies and glowing aurora. This was the place of wyrms in the long-ago dreams which led him from the desert wastes. It goes unquestioned that his fate has led him into the endless winter, a place tainted by dark magic. Ancient magic. A force that relentlessly wears away at his soul. Day-by-day he grows distant, darker—more grim. The once joyful, fun-loving giant has grown starkly cold and notably more bloodthirsty (even for the berserker that he is). However, something draws him back from the edge of darkness after each trek into the long night.


Important Shifts in Narrative with this Chapter


  • Shadows Manifest — Dark shadows have manifested and constantly swirl around Myharl. He has discovered that he can somewhat control the umbral maelstrom; a skill he continues to hone as the effects of his curse intensify. They have become a sort of physical representation of his grim state and the darkening of his soul.
  • Arkati Forsaken — Having spent most of his adult life as a devout servant of Koar, the discovery that the Eye of the Drake is the source of a curse he bears, rather than a divine artifact of the Great Drake, has driven him to forsake all Arkati. Now understanding the nature of his visions and unyielding pull to the North, he feels the deception he has been ignorantly living for decades reflects on the dismissive and apathetic nature of the divine. He's just another pawn in their game.
  • Light of the Disir — As his soul darkened and his curse drove him further into the depths of endless winter in the North, the distancing of Myharl from his once steadfast connection to the Arkati drifted yet further, for when he falls in battle no longer does he find himself confronted by Lorminstra at the threshold of the Ebon Gate, but instead his soul is ascended into the heavens by the disir, always returned to the nearest shine or holy site to fight another day. Heavenly beings of golden light, massive gigas shieldmaidens held aloft by vast angelic wings, their divine brilliance seems to cast the shadow of his soul, which manifests in the physical realm as a maelstrom of darkness that writhes about his massive frame. While he doesn't understand why his soul is bound to Elanthia by the light of the disir, he knows it is somehow tied to his connection with the Hinterwilds and the curse which has driven him ever northward.
  • Gryphonwind No More — Since the time of exile from his tribe in the Southron Wastes, Myharl had taken the surname Gryphonwind to pay homage to the woman who sacrificed herself to save his life during the wyrm attack on his encampment the night the Eye of the Drake came into his possession. He has distanced himself from the name after uncovering the truth that Gryphonwind was actually a manifestation of the dark entity bound within the Eye, made material by the powers of two corrupt Ishan from Kilanirij, who had intentionally delivered the artifact to bind his soul in curse. The motives of the dark entity remain a mystery to him beyond the being's desire to hone his Wrath and bend his will to become its Destroyer.

Current Events & Storyline

Lormesta - Charlatos 5124 M.E. (Quarter 1, 2024)

After victoriously fighting in the Battle of Beserker's End and witnessing the awakening of the V'tullian Avatar, Zerroth, Myharl rushed south beyond the Long Snow to warn the town council of Icemule Trace of the potential threat. While there he learned about other ill omens befalling the town, including a dark cult known as the Dusk Coven. Concerned that all the "shadows moving in the North" may be connected to his own dark curse, he remained in Icemule Trace to assist in investigations related to the Coven and a mysterious orb of power the cult was searching for in Northwatch. During the months of investigation in Icemule, in tandem with councilmember Jastsalyn, the two fell in love and became a couple. On Fashanos 22, 5124 M.E. Myharl proposed to Jastsalyn and they became betrothed. Three weeks later the couple was further blessed upon the discovery that Jastsalyn was with Myharl's child, determined to be a daughter via ancient folk methods utilized by her family nurse, Kearstan. They decided to name the unborn child Jaliyah. As the investigation for the orb of power continued, conflicts between the town and the cult of Lornonites intensified. Myharl became further embroiled in the Northern political conflict centered around the Dusk Coven. With growing disdain for the general discussions regarding the formation of Northwatch, Myharl penned his own perspectives on the matter and submitted his proposal for a Northwatch Alliance focused on decentralized governance and member autonomy and sovereignty.
Olaesta - Lumnea 5124 M.E. (Quarter 2, 2024)

The mysterious orb of power, rumored be known as the Orb of Kai, remained elusive. When the Dusk Coven directly threatened Icemule Trace and used dark magic to search the homes of the town, Myharl assisted Jastalyn in organizing a communion with Kai. In a ceremony lead by Evii, a high priestess of Kai, the Arkati made his presence known at the temple, speaking with those in attendance and expressing his hatred of the Dusk Coven as well as lending several cryptic hints regarding the orb of power. With members of the Icemule Trace Town Council and other concerned citizens, Myharl accompanied Mayor Talliver and the artifact hunter, Prinn, in a delve to Thurful's Island deep beneath Icemule Trace where her dreams had caused her to suspect it to be the location of the Orb of Kai. Recalling how Myharl and Prinn used his mirror to discover her reflection seemd to have a mind of its own, the kindred suggested they try the method once more. The attempt was successful, and using his mirror, Prinn's strange reflection lead the party to a hidden passage magically bound by crocodile-shaped seal. As investigation continued, in tandem with the mayor, Myharl presented Icemule Trace with an additional ten-million silver bounty for the orb, adding the sum to the town's coffers and effectively doubling the reward offered. Myharl spent the following month scouring the north for artifacts shaped like the seal upon the outline, turning dozens of relics over to Icemule Trace officials. Amidst the turmoil, a brighter moment came on the evening of Volnes, day 22 of the month of Olaesta in the year 5124, when Myharl and Jastalyn became husband and wife. The ceremony, blessed by Jastalyn's goddess, Oleani, was held in the Garden Sanctuary and attended by their family, friends, allies, and dozens of prominent figures. Delving deep into the mysterious clue that Kai seemed to bestow upon the people of Icemule Trace during the communion, Myharl spent late evenings studying the symbolic meaning of every vision bestowed to the masses. Pondering the strange reflection of Prinn and the iconography of the Arkati brothers Jasev and Cholen, Myharl reversed and transposed the street leading to the Icemule Trace temple, named Cholen Lane, over a map of the town. Following this imaginary road lead the kindred directly an obscured abandoned manse on the northwest side of Icemule Trace. He staked the location out for weeks, witnessing many known Dusk Coven members exiting (never entering) the structure, and came to realize that it was the location of a portal used by the Coven to bypass all the walls and defenses to enter directly into Icemule Trace. This information was reported directly to Mayor Talliver along with a call to burn down the mansion and place wards to seal the portal housed there. Fearing rampant corruption in Northwatch and the lapsing resolution of Mayor Talliver to retaliate against the Dusk Coven, Myharl became more vocal in his protest of their presence. When the Mayor failed to make good on his ultimatum to Dusk Coven members who had integrated themselves into prominent governmental positions, and then later led failed peace negotiations with the Coven in Sablecross, the kindred decided to take action. On Niiman, the 30th of Ivastaen, 5124, Myharl established the Northern Dawn resistance movement, and soon many locals, including Ellusine Lighthollow the High Priestess of Lumnis, joined the movement's rally. News spread quickly. Anti-Dusk Coven propaganda pamphlets disseminated throughout Northwatch in tandem with frequent public postings calling for "The Dawn to vanquish the Dusk". On the evening of Feastday, day 1 of the month of Lumnea in the year 5124, a krolvin ship was seen sailing towards the Frostmain docks in Icemule Trace when rough waters crashed the vessel upon the cliffs sinking it at sea. Jkarog the leader of the krolvin aligned with Northwatch received a message by avian carrier, sent moments before its demise. It was a call for aid in Glaoveln. Despite the destruction rendered there, parts of the city of Glaeve remained in tact and were now occupied by the forces of the Dusk Coven-aligned Iron Harpy. Myharl searched the Frostmain shores until dawn, lighting several beacon fires along the ridge in fruitless hope of finding survivors from the shipwreck. Four days later, during a subsequent public meeting between Jkarog and Mayor Talliver, the aid of Icemule Trace was requested in liberating the krolvin city from the clutches of the Iron Harpy. Many present felt this was a trap. Myharl also suspected it may be, but reminded the Mayor that regardless of the risk, Northwatch has an obligation to help defend its allies. Ultimately, it was decided to ready Icemule Trace's airship, the White Wyrm, and lead a rescue mission to Glaoveln. The battle for liberation of Glaeve occured on Feastday, day 8 of the month of Lumnea 5124. A militia force formed by Icemule Trace made way for the isle soon after sunset. Mayor Talliver had the White Wyrm outfitted with balefire bombs, and sent the airship to scout the seas ahead. The Icemule militia sailed across the waters of the Frostmain aboard three ships. One ship captained by Leafiara took half the force, while another ship captained by Loralaii took the other. The third ship, captained by Jastalyn sailed ahead of the fleet alone with Myharl to scout the Glaoveln shores prior to landing. When the forces regathered upon the isle shores, they were engaged by a veritable army of krolvin warriors in the service of the Iron Harpy. As the battle raged outside the sealed city walls of Glaeve, Myharl utilized the light of the disir to infiltrate the walled city. He scouted locales throughout the city ruins, and stood alone as he struck against the heart of the Iron Harpy's forces within the city. The kindred mowed down dozens of the Iron Harpy's warlords before the White Wyrmm bombarded the locked city gates with balefire. As the walls of the occupied city crumbled, the Icemule militia overwhelmed the last of the Iron Harpy's forces. With victory in hand, Glaeve liberated, and the Iron Harpy's forces driven farther north on Glaoveln, it was decided by the Northwatch allies to place Jkarog in charge of the city. In the weeks to follow the White Wyrm was conscripted as a transport, providing safe passage between Glaoveln and the Northwatch mainland.

Vignettes & Short Stories

Serialized Vignettes for The Watchfire Pact Storyline


  • #2 — A Tale of Two Towers — An entry in a serialized series. A vignette about Myharl's continued investigation into the Dusk Coven and dark dealings going on in and around Northwatch. Takes place late evening on the back porch of Twilight Hall in the company of Jastalyn on Leyan the 7th of Fashanos in the year 5124 of the Modern Era.

Serialized Vignettes for The Twilight Stratagem Storyline

  • #1 — A Hymn for Warriors — a vignette reflecting upon events from the perspective of Myharl while investigating the Orb of Kai with his wife and others. Events take place in inside the arcane study within the Fenog's Regulars lodge located on the outskirts of Icemule Trace on the evening of Day of the Huntress, the 23rd of Phoenatos in 5124. (audio-vignette)
A Player Note About Abandoning Storyline in Icemule Trace

After eight months of heavy investment, encouraging folks to be involved, and trying to maintain an inclusive and fun environment into the ongoing storylines revolving around Icemule Trace, the player of Myharl made the decision to withdraw his involvement in the active community storylines in Icemule Trace and re-focus on the character's ongoing story in the Hinterwilds. While this makes little sense as it is completely "outside" his character demeanor, there are enough dominant players in the Icemule Trace community who are exceptionally demeaning, aggressively belittling, and intensely unwelcoming to ensure the experience isn't fun. I advise anyone who avoids such environments also avoid Icemule Trace in general when it comes to roleplaying.

Exile from the Firewalker Tribe

Born as a Firewalker of the Maeramil Wind Runner Clan, Myharl was exiled from the Southron Wastes tribe when he was seventeen years old. A fate that was cast upon him after he was cursed, and a hoard of wyrms borne from a storm of dark shadows attacked his tribe's encampment, slaughtering many (including his own family). His exile was rooted entirely in the superstitious inclinations of the tribe elders rather than as accountability for any actual guilt.

The ebon zunnar that Myharl sometimes wears denotes his exile. Firewalker Tribe tradition dictates that he must wear the sash whenever traversing the tribe's ancestral homelands so that he is recognized as a Flameless One to be shunned. Punishment for a Flameless One not wearing the zunnar can arbitrarily range from public humiliation to execution.


Political Perspectives - The North

Myharl is an advocate for the North, which includes Northwatch (as a whole), Icemule Trace, Pinefar, and Cold River among other northern outposts and villages. He is inclined to be nomadic and bears allegiance to no specific kingdom or nation, but rather heralds himself a free citizen of the North. If asked specifically where he calls home, his answer is most often Cold River. When conflicts of interest arise among the northern powers he allies himself with, the side he chooses is defined wholly by his own perspectives, but his inclination will always be to maintain peace, freedom, and unity in the North.

He takes an ardent stance against slavery and maintains a great disdain for rulers he believes to be tyrannical and antithetical to individual freedom. His social theology leans deeply into the Rule of Reciprocity: One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself, drawing a distinct line between the right to free will and the intent to oppress others.


Northwatch Perspectives

Presently, the concept of Northwatch remains amorphous. Some wish for it to become an empire unto itself, calling for a King of the North. Others wish to see it become a governing body with vast authorities over federated nation-states that make up the region. As a free citizen of the North, Myharl adheres to the belief that the right of regional autonomy is imperative to survival in the frozen frontiers, yet he also sees the need for unification as a means of preservation—particularly in regard to repeated incursions and threats levied by foreign nations and entities. It is Myharl's hope that Northwatch can become an alliance of sovereign states with all signatories bearing equal representation as arbiters in pact with the sole purpose to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. It is his hope that Northwatch will promote democratic values, individual freedoms, and provide the nation-states of the North a reliable platform to consult and cooperate on defense and security-related issues, foster trust, and mitigate internal conflicts.


Notable Achievements

Wyrm Slaying

Pictured: Wyrm Encounter, Myharl the wymslayer wielding Forlorn Maiden in the Hinterwilds. Graphic generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.

Dragons, Drakes, and wyrms have been a central theme for Myharl throughout his adult life. His journey thus far has taken him from one side of Elanith to the other in search of their kind. Beginning in the Southron Wastes where his family was slaughtered by shadowy wyrms; where he came into possession of the artifact known the Eye of the Drake. To his time in Kilanirij where a life-long plague of draconic-themed visions began—dreams that drove him ever northward. His travels through the Turamzzyrian Empire that prompted his once devout service to Koar, the Great Drake, and guiding his path to the frontier in search of Kor'thriss, the shadow dragon. His pilgrimage beyond the great glacier to the summit of Mount Aenatumgana to visit the Drake's Shrine in search of truth, and his eventual geas into the Hinterwilds to become a wyrmslayer. For better or worse, the winged reptilian beasts have always driven the narrative of his life's story.


Wyrm Encounters

First wyrm slain on Restday the 30th of Jastatos, 5122
Most recent wyrm slain by Myharl on Leyan the 25th of Imaerasta, 5124
Myharl slayed his 100th wyrm on Tilamaires the 27th of Lumnea, 5123 at the Gigas Runestone on the outskirts of Fjallarhaart in the Hinterwilds; Under the Drake constellation


An umbral nightwillow pipe carved in the shape of a wyrm (Magic Pipe)

A gift from a dear friend of Myharl's, it has become a ritual for him to smoke the pipe after slaying a wyrm. If you ever see the kindred smoking his nightwillow pipe, it signifies his recent return from a successful wyrm hunt.

Night of the Wyrms

On Feastday, the 7th of Imaerasta 5124, a plague of wyrms fell upon the icy, gale-battered Hinterwilds. Seemingly prompted by mysterious actions of the gigas wyrmcult, the skies filled with the silvery blue gleam of wyrmscale. Throughout the night dozens of the fierce scaled beast took to wing, the invasion prompting responses from the trio of gigas villages, each unveiling a series of massive mobile ballistae to defend against the flying menace.

To secure the safety of the denizens of Cold River, a ragtag party of wyrmslayers lead by Myharl took up arms, marching to stake claim over each ballista for themselves. Using the devices to fire gargantuan harpoons into the aurora-strewn skies, they provoked the wyrms to take to ground for more direct engagement.

Throughout the evening the adventurers risked life and limb to fell wyrm-after-wyrm in a grueling onslaught lasting well into the witching hours of Restday morning, yet the brave wyrmslayers were victorious.

When the last of the swarming draconic monsters shuddered in its death throes, life seeping from its writhing scaled figure to transform into a towering stone monument, those who dwell beyond the Long Snow all knew something had changed. The ever-lingering sense of dark magic and ancient threat emanating from the Boreal Forest seemed heavier and more foreboding.

Some set to honing their blades in preparation for the next wave. Others steeled their resolve to hunt down the wyrm-bound mutants to discover the motives of their wyrmcult. All breathed a sigh of relief as the chaos of the evening faded to the stillness of wintry snowfall.


Wyrmslaying Notoriety

Unexpected and incredibly thoughtful commemoration from the TownCrier Team 

A gleaming gold medal illuminated with a giantman standing over a slain wyrm
A deckle-edged gilded ivory certificate The page, written in Common, reads as follows: CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION Awarded to Myharl 27th Lumnea 5123 at his Momentous Milestone 100 Wyrms Slain Signed, The TownCrier Team

Wild and Free


Leafiara's song about Cold River and the Hinterwilds with mention of Myharl as a wyrmslayer, a Revelia Carnivale 5123 performance.

Song Lyrics

Visual Vignette: The Hinterwilds is an animated visual vignette created in Lormesta 5124 by the player of Jaysehn introducing the Hinterwilds in which Myharl, the wyrmslayer, is recognized. 

Notable Battles


Historical Encounters

The Encounter (Restday the 2nd of Lormesta, 5111)


Community Service


Social Event Attendance

As of the year 5124 of the Modern Era, Myharl has maintained a detailed log of his attendance at various social events organized by Meeting Hall Organizations and the Cooperative Houses of Elanthia.

Guilds, Societies & Trained Skills

Adventurer's Guild Information (as of Restday the 10th of Charlatos, 5124)

Victories

Note: Duskruin Endless Arena victories have been intentionally excluded.


Big Game Hunter

  • Silver-Scaled Cold Wyrm Kills: 114
  • Azure-Scaled Cold Wyrm Kills: 33
  • Snowy Warg Packmother Kills: 145
  • Cinereous Chthonian Sybil Kills: 4
  • Total Big Game Kills: 296

Awarded Unique Titles

Pictured: Wyrmslayer Myharl the Dark Tower posed standing before the Gigas runestone on the outskirts of Fjallarhaart in the Hinterwilds in 5123 of the Modern Era. Commissioned artwork by Mates Laurentiu to commemorate the 100th wyrm slain by Myharl.
Pictured: Lord Myharl Gryphonwind (before his 'darkening') in 5110 of the Modern Era, then decked in golvern platemail, locked in battle with an invading demon as Wehnimer's Landing is engulfed in flames around him. Commissioned artwork by Mates Laurentiu to commemorate Myharl's single-handed victory in battle against four vathors at once.

Pictured: Grand Lord Myharl Gryphonwind (before his 'darkening') in 5119 of the Modern Era standing tandem with Forlorn Maiden, the released nedum vereri spirit he formed a pact with who haunts his sacred warsword. Posed standing before Mount Aenatumgana, wearing what was his typical light travel outfit before his travels beyond the Long Snow into the Hinterwilds. Pictured leaning on a keg of his personal home-brew cinnamon whiskey, Gryphonwind Special. Commissioned artwork by Mates Laurentiu to commemorate Myharl's achievement of '3x Capped'.

Creative Endeavors

Myharl has always been well skilled with his hands. Whether in martial practice, forming molten ore to gleaming blade in the forge, or expressing himself through various creative mediums. Delving into more expressive artistic platforms often lends him a sense of peace—a welcomed distraction from the rigors of battle and the weight of his curse. The following are several examples of his work created for various events and contests.

On Exhibit

a towering rime-shrouded rampant wrym ice sculpture

Wrought from magically preserved glacial ice, this sculpture depicts an immense wyrm rearing over a detailed boreal forest diorama. It bears a maw agape with vicious fangs as its wings are outstretched in a horal pose above a miniature, tiered ziggurat. Standing nearly as tall as three kindred, the icy scaled beast ascends from a jagged base of everfrost, the crystalized rhimar casting a wintry miasma that swirls about the statue and highlights its curvilinear design with nival traces of hoarfrost.
"Terror Beyond the Long Snow" by Myharl
Sculpture created for the 20th Solhaven Grand Art Exhibit; Ivastaen 9th-14th, 5124 M.E. (Won Frist Place, Best in Show)

Contest Entries


1. a vaalin-laced spun glass chaplet weeping a pendulous agate 2. a petite jade bijou gyved within floriated glaesine knotwork 3. a spiraled haon infinity ring traced in pellucid quartz
Three jewelry pieces created for the Jewels of the Sky Wares Contest; Fashanos 3-10, 5124 M.E. (Didn't Place)
a gold-crazed abstract painting framed in carved thrakwood

At first glance the painting seems to be a nebulous field of aural-laced verdant and crimson essence, but closer observation reveals subtle shifts in hues and tones in the mana flow that lace throughout the abstract brume to manifest an elaborately interwoven whole. From the seeming chaos a shining golden sunburst manifests. A small plaque affixed to the base of the painting reads, "From the Light of Many Shines One."
Painting created for the (Solhaven) Enchanting Frames Contest; Lormesta 15-30th, 5124 M.E. (Won 2nd Place)
a pale moonlit toxicologist painting

Trimmed in a pale haon frame carved with a twisting hellebore floral design, the painting depicts a pallid, white-haired dark elf woman bedecked in the accoutrements of a skilled forager. She kneels at the edge of a moonlit marsh near a ruined stone wall framed between a row of timeworn columns. Holding a slender branch trimmed from a black nightshade, she is depicted carefully placing its shooting star-shaped white flowers into a vaalin-limned vasculum. A small plaque affixed to the base of the painting reads, "Plucking Stars from the Night in Stoneharrow Swale."
Painting created for the (Prime) In Frame Contest; Phoenatos 18-31st, 5123 M.E. (Didn't Place)

Equipment and Assets

Primary Weapons & Armaments

Myharl invests primarily into a single set of gear that includes his glowing white sacred warsword "Forlorn Maiden" and His black alloy armor set. While he does purchase other non-combat equipment from time-to-time, the bulk of his fortune is spent on improvements for this, his 'end-game' set of combat gear. The following list will be maintained and updated as improvements are made to the items.


A Glowing White Sacred Warsword Bound by Ethereal Chains Around its Hilt — 10x (+50), T5 Ensorcell, S6 Sancitfy with Holy Fire, GEF + Unique Custom Fire Flares, Very Heavy Critical Weighting (11 CER), Very Heavy Damage Weighting (11 CER), Unlocked Lore, Perfect-forged, 5 lbs. (Max Light), Holy Bastard Sword crafted of White Alloy w/ Non-corporeal Undead Bane (+8 CER Damage Weighting), Legacy Permabless +5 against undead, 25% chance to treat non-corporeal undead as corporeal, anchors non-corporeal undead when slain, Lesser Moods (Fire and Holy), Fancy Stancing Flourish, Heavy Handed Sword Flourish, Stance Dancing Weapon Flourish, Thousand Cuts Flourish, originally named "Forlorn Maiden"; reforged in 2123 as "Maiden's Wrath", [1,108 difficulty], wielded by Myharl with Weapon Bonding and Tainted Bond.

Includes a matching 'Flame-Shrouded Maiden' unique legendary spirit beast.

Maiden's Wrath is a weapon central to Myharl's story. The blade is haunted by the spirit of a nedum vereri once released by Myharl in the Temple of Hope. She chose to sacrifice her place beyond the Ebon Gate to aid the kindred who had been overwhelmed by her undead sisters when the blessing upon his sword had faded. Her selfless act bestowed divine essence to the weapon making it permanently blessed and holy. The two made a soul-forged pact that together they would release countless souls from the bondage of undeath. Her true name is known only to Myharl, and the Maiden has been his loyal companion through countless battles. As his curse has provoked his Wrath, so too has it affected the Maiden, reflected in her fiery appearance. The maiden's sacrifice and his pact with her also acts as a conduit providing Myharl access to the powers of the Order of Voln even after the darkening of his soul and his rejection of worship of any Arkati.


Full Suit of Black Alloy Platemail — 7x (+33), T5 Ensorcell, S6 Sanctify with Holy Fire, Unbalance Flares, Fatal Afflares (Cold/Blizzard), Spiked, Very Heavy Critical Padding (11 CER; 18/30), Very Heavy Damage Padding (11 CER; 0/30), Unlocked Lore, 38 lbs. (Max Light), Holy Full Plate crafted of Black Alloy w/ 5% Resistances against Crush/Slash/Puncture, +4 Stamina Recovery Enhancive (25 Charges Max) [868 difficulty]


Krodera-Bound Black Alloy Tower Shield — 10x (+50), T5 Ensorcell, S6 Sanctify with Holy Fire, Fire Flares, Fatal Afflares (Cold/Blizzard), Spiked, Fully Unlocked T2 Shield Harness, Unlocked Lore, Max Light, Holy Tower Shield crafted of Black Alloy [756 difficulty]


Black Alloy Vambraces — Fully Unlocked T4 Brutal/Cunning Fancy Greaves (Switchable Lightning Flares/Fire Flares/Plasma Flares) with Ghost Flare Messaging, Spiked, S6 Sanctify with Holy Fire, Very Heavy Critical Padding (10 CER), Very Heavy Damage Padding (10 CER), Unlocked Lore, Max Light, Holy Arm Greaves crafted of black alloy w/ +10 Constitution (base) enhancive with Upgraded Charges (105 Charges Max). [391 difficulty] This armament can hold/equip/sheath two daggers.


Slit-Visored Black Alloy Greathelm Crested with Shining Disir FeathersAnfelt Armor Zested, Acid Flares, Fatal Afflares (Cold/Blizzard), Spiked, HDP/HCP, Unlocked Lore, Maxlight Greathelm (head/neck) crafted of black alloy w/ +8 STR enhancive (19 charges max). [61 difficulty]


Mesh Black Alloy AventailAcid Flares, Fatal Afflares (Cold/Blizzard), Spiked, LDP/LCP, Unlocked Lore, Maxlight Aventail crafted of black alloy w/ +6 AGL/+7 Max Stamina enhancives (53 charges max). [14 difficulty]


Pair of Black Alloy Leg GreavesAcid Flares, Fatal Afflares (Cold/Blizzard), Spiked, LDP/LCP, Unlocked Lore, Maxlight Leg Greaves crafted of black alloy w/ +11 DEX/+8 Harness Power Bonus enhancives (17 charges max). [18 difficulty]


Other Notable Items & Gear

Winter's Embrace

a black alloy neckchain suspending a shard of rime-shrouded everfrost
+6 Constitution Bonus, +5 Arcane Symbols Bonus, +1 Religion Bonus, +1 Summoning Bonus (Worn around neck, functional)

Suspended by a thick black alloy neckchain traced with faint verglas, the everfrost is pale and clear, but fingers of frost clinging to its surface suggest that it is no mere diamond, but a chunk of crystallized rhimar.  The jewel radiates intense cold, causing the air around it to puff into faint wisps of mist.  A blizzard of frigid blue and glacial green glints wink across its jagged facets.

Ambient #1: A frigid helical miasma of wintry mist coalesces around a black alloy neckchain suspending a shard of rime-shrouded everfrost worn by Myharl before condensing into hoary frost particulates that embrace its deep glacial facets. Ambient #2: Myharl exhales deeply, his breath condensing into wintry mist as the gelid aura surrounding the shard of rime-shrouded everfrost suspended by his black alloy neckchain freezes a miniature blizzard that evaporates while drifting slowly downward.
Ancient Wyrm Talon Bound in Arabesqued Balenite 
   Shadow themed premium teleportation device (Worn as a pin, functional)
Softly Lucent Pearlescent Scale Gilded in Starveil 
   +10 Edged Weapons, +5 Stamina Recovery, +4 Physical Fitness, +1 Mana Recovery enhancive (Worn anywhere, functional)
a deeply hooded ebon shadowsilk robe mantled in lightless valravn quills 
   Feature Concealing Hooded Cloak, Closes, Epic Deepened to Hold Gigantic Amount, 20% Weight Reduction (Worn over the shoulders, functional)

Kilt of Shadowy Valravn Quills Cinched by a Silver-shot Wyrm's Talon Sporran
   Kilt/Greatkilt zested, Holds Slightly Large Amount (Worn over the legs, functional)
Twisted Widowwood Band Grasping A Glowing Madstone — +6 CON, +1 Thrown Weapons enhancive, persists, huge number of charges (Worn on fingers, functional)
~~Sparkling Balenite Ring Crowned With A Wintry Everfrost Shard~~ — +7 DEX enhancive, persists, huge number of charges (Worn on fingers, functional)
Note: Myharl proposed to Jastalyn with this ring in Fashanos of 5124 M.E.
Radiant Phoenix Down Mantle Clasped by a Jacinthe-Flamed Arathiel Jewel — Holds Very Large Amount, Can be Tucked, Closes, Ethereal Flames Illusion Prop (Worn as a pin)

Pets & Animal Companions

Pictured: Aurora. Myharl's nival white arctic lemming with glowing azure eyes. Image generated by the player of Myharl using Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.
Pictured: Myrkr. Myharl's imposing fuliginous raven. Image generated by the player of Myharl using Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.
Pictured: Munin. Myharl's winged-wisp. Image generated by the player of Myharl using Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.
Pictured: Kruna. Myharl's muscular sable elk. Image generated by the player of Myharl using Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.

Aurora — a nival white arctic lemming with glowing azure eyes

Myharl discovered the nival arctic lemming trapped in the nebulous void of the River of Color. She had apparently been there quite some time, weak, unmoving, and unable to escape. She managed to subsist as long as she had by consuming the motes floating among the spilling brume of color. Eating the particles of essence caused her eyes to glow with swirling hues of azure; a feature that seems to be permanent. He rescued her, returning her to the Boreal Forest, but the little creature refused to leave his side. So, he instead named her Aurora as her lucent eyes reminded him of the shifting hues of the aurora in the Hinterwilds. She's quite the nuisance, but her presence has grown on him.

Myrkr — an imposing fuliginous raven

The unusual shadowy raven was acquired by a friend during her research into Myharl's curse, selected due to its similarities with the shadows that writhe around the kindred's figure. The giant and the avian took an immediate liking to one another when they first met in her laboratory. When her research utilizing the raven was completed, she bestowed its safekeeping to Myharl, and he named him Myrkr, which is the Gigas word for 'Darkness'.

An imposing fuliginous raven alights upon his shoulder, extending its tapered wings to frame him in shadows.

Munin — a winged-wisp

The tiny wisp looks like nothing more than a glowing cerulean spark.  Peering closely, you can barely make out a pair of miniscule wings, beating so rapidly it's almost impossible to see much more than a blur.  The creature is otherworldly, something rare and mysterious, and it possesses a mesmerizing quality of immortality.

How Myharl came to be in the company of Munin remains a mystery, but the otherworldly mote of light was only seen in the kindred's presence soon after he ventured beyond the Long Snow into the Hinterwilds. He refers to the wisp by the Gigas word for 'Memory', though it seems to be more akin to a title than an actual name.

Kruna — a muscular sable elk

A massive black elk standing six-feet tall at the shoulder. It bears an excessively muscular physique and dons a crown of massive dark antlers. The beast was a gift from Myharl's wife, Jastalyn, to serve as a mount to aid in his long journey's beyond the Long Snow. Admiring the massive caliginous antlers hoisted by the creature's muscular neck, he named him Kruna, which is the Gigas word for 'One Wearing a Crown'.

He is riding a muscular sable elk.

Dark Tower Imports & Myharl's Office

Dark Tower Imports is Myharl's shop.

The shop is located in Wehnimer's Landing at the first block of Ebonwood Way (Lich# L337) inside the hexagonal stone building. Before Feastday the 15th day of Lumnea in the year 5124, the shop was known "Grphonwind Ventures" (a reference to his previous surname "Gryphonwind" which he had taken as his own but later denounced). The shop title was maintained due to the slow-moving bureaucratic nature of the merchant guild, but the request to rename it was finally fulfilled and it is now officially registered as "Dark Tower Imports".

The shop was established by Myharl in 5109 and the business began as a quaint single-room antiquities shop specializing in veil iron rarities and relics from ages long past. This early venture was highly profitable and the selection of wares quickly expanded as did the storefront. In 5110 "Gryphonwind Ventures" was founded.

The shop was officially registered with the Wehnimer's Landing merchant guild, and Myharl founded his personal office in the west wing of the establishment. The location is as much a base of operations as a functional storefront, and when he's in town, Myharl can most frequently be found loitering within.

In 5113, Dallin Proudmire, a professional bard and scribe, was hired to verify new wares to be displayed and tend to the shop while Myharl was away on his adventures. He has since become a silent partner in the venture.

The success of the iterations of his shop have made Myharl an independently wealthy man. A fortune that benefits his tendencies towards distant expeditions northward as well as a wide array of philanthropic work ranging from providing food and clothing for orphans at Wellington Home to investing into the renovations of Wehnimer's Museum.

OOC Note about Citizenship: Myharl doesn't consider Wehnimer's Landing his "home" any longer, his curse beckoning him ever Northward, but due to the limitation of game mechanics, he must have citizenship there to maintain his shop. The shop has been his since 2009, is integral to his character history, has been highly customized, sits on the first block in the Landing player shops neighborhood, and is often the very first shop in the directory. For those reasons, I have no intention of moving or transferring the shop, so Myharl's citizenship remains tied to Wehnimer's Landing for the foreseeable future. 

Open Sea Adventures

Ranks: Master Navigator

The Frigid Argent Wanderlust

The Frigid Argent Wanderlust is a sloop Myharl purchased to assist with importing various wares to sell in his shop, Dark Tower Imports. It can usually be found docked in Wehnimer's Landing when not pressed into service. He doesn't regularly participate in Open Sea Adventures because his goals and interests are focused elsewhere. Though from time to time he will sail with friends and associates.


Gryphonwind Special Cinnamon Whiskey

Gryphonwind Special is a home-branded whiskey distilled by Myharl. The grains he uses are flavored with a hefty amount of fiery cinnamon and sweet amaranth greens, and lightly infused with hints of ground bitter delphinuris (delphira) leaves and sweet salorisa (saloryss) flower petals.

He distills a new barrel every year, and ages the spirits for five years in sephwir kegs which he keeps stowed in the back room of his shop, Gryphonwind Ventures in Wehnimer's Landing. In the shop Foyer, he usually keeps a small stock available to purchase at a cost of 1 silver. He sometimes will provide a keg and free drinks for a special event he is attending if such offering is appropriate for the event protocol. The drink is served in wooden flagons, which he insists is integral to drawing out the the true flavor of the whiskey.

A Veniom-Bound Silvery Sephwir Keg (an oversized carved wooden flagon of Gryphonwind Special)

Fun Box-Found Unique Items

Here you will find a running log of fun box-found unique items I've come across over the years. Still in progress since I need to review logs to find the ones from the distant past.

• a wild-looking stuffed nedum vereri holding a tiny mirror [Found: 01/12/23, Hinterwilds] (old style scripted toy)

• some canvas suspenders woven in a rolton-print design [Found: 07/24/23, Hinterwilds] (scripted suspenders, pinworn)
• slender hazelwood case spiral-bound in alexandrite ivy [Found: 09/25/23, Hinterwilds] (belt worn, medium amount)
• a set of alum floral filigree anklets set with a gleaming opaline crystal [Found: 07/01/24, Hinterwilds] (ankle worn, crystal holder, 8 charges of Bravery, rechargeable, persists)
• a marred vultite shield — Expertly crafted, this vultite shield has obviously withstood the test of time. Deep pits and scars mar the surface of the shield and several studs along the perimeter have long since been lost, attested to by the wear where they once were placed. The sweat stained leather straps on the back of the shield have dried and cracked in several places, though they remain usable, if only just. [Found: 08/03/24, Hinterwilds] (4x tower shield) *
• an oval-lensed jade-handled lorgnette accented with onyx teardrops [Found: 08/04/24, Hinterwilds] (T2 Lofty Lorgnette) *
• some tattered blue cotton pants patched at the knees with raw leather [Found: 08/07/24, Hinterwilds] (pants, holds 2 items up to 2 lbs.) *
• some black twill trousers laced with ivory ties [Found 08/08/24, Hinterwilds] (pants, no pockets) *
• an ale-stained white maple case (small container, 10 lbs.) [Found 08/14/24, Hinterwilds] Inside: an iron-studded shagreen belt with a plain iron flask hanging from a small pouch on the side (flask, and Flask Belt) *
• a midnight blue silk shirt with a high stand-up collar — This exquisite shirt is tailored from the finest midnight blue silk, each thread shimmering with a subtle luster under any light. The shirt's design features a high, stand-up collar that adds an elegant structure to the otherwise fluid silhouette. Tiny, intricate silver buttons fasten the front, each engraved with the faint outline of a crescent moon. Ideal for nocturnal gatherings or quiet evenings, this shirt combines the serene beauty of the night sky with unmatched craftsmanship. [Found 8/15/24, Hinterwilds] (shirt, no pockets) *

* found during a "feeder frenzy" run.


The Story Thus Far

About the Dark Tower: General Information & Life Story

Myharl is a berserker and noted wyrmslayer who frequently hunts beyond the Long Snow in the Hinterwilds near Cold River village, a place he considers a second home. When not braving the wintry wilds, he can usually be found either warming himself by the hearthfire in Rawknuckle's Pipe Den or taking refuge from the frigid galewinds beneath the ancient pine tree in the village center. He is frequently in the company of Kestrel, the village lookout, as the two share many late night watches together. When outdoors in the Hinterwilds, his eyes are often scanning the aurora-illuminated skies as he awaits sighting a wyrm aloft over the Angargreft or Boreal Forest locales.

He is also a citizen of Wehnimer’s Landing where he is known as a bounty hunter for hire and long-time merchant. He is the proprietor of Gryphonwind Ventures (established in 5110 of the Modern Era) [External link: Shop Listing ] which is located at the entrance to the Wehnimer’s Landing shopping district. He is a registered guild master and Master-at-Arms of the Wehnimer’s Landing Warrior Guild, a master in the Order of Voln, and member of the House of the Rising Phoenix. His moniker, "The Dark Tower" originated as a nickname from his years training at the Warrior Guild. The name began as a playful jest about his unusual height, but later—through trials and tribulations with his brethren—became a title of honor and respect.

He was born in the hour of Ronan on Tilamaires, Eorgaen 18th in the year 5079 of the Modern Era, under the sign of the Paladin, into the Firewalker tribe of the Maeramil Wind Runner Clan. He is the youngest of three children and the only son of giantman nomads Lokran (father) and Maeralea (mother). His eldest sister disappeared before his birth (lost in a sandstorm and presumed dead). His other sister and parents were all killed in 5097 when his tribe's encampment was attacked by wyrms. His name is an amalgamous play on multiple giantkin words which can be roughly understood as "gift of the feast" and was bestowed upon him in celebration of the massive white sandworm the tribe hunters, including his father, fell on the day before his birth.

Myharl’s appearance is noticeably different from most other giantkin whose clans and tribes have been long-established in the regions surrounding the northern reaches of the Dragonspine Mountains. He is unusually tall (towering well over ten feet) and bears deeply ebon-hued skin. This appearance, while atypical for highmen in Northern Elanith, isn't uncommon among members of his tribe.

He migrated to the northern frontiers during the third decade of his life, but hails originally from deep within the desolate barrens of the Southron Wastes. Nomadic like most giantkin tribes, his family was one of many comprising a wandering desert tribe of highmen that have traversed the wastelands for countless generations. His youth was spent as a shepherd herding goats as his tribe migrated across the wastelands. His journey as an adventurer began when he was exiled from his tribe after inadvertently activating an ancient and mysterious artifact he refers to as the Eye of the Drake.

Family names are not a tradition practiced by his tribe, yet are often necessary for business matters in the Empire and its holdings and frontier outposts. Gryphonwind is the name of a long-ago friend who sacrificed her own life to save his. The name was adopted by Myharl as his surname to honor her memory. However the surname was later forsaken by Myharl upon his early adventures into the Hinterwilds when, through a vision and spirit journey, Myharl learned that Gryphonwind had actually been a manifestation of an ancient evil entity bound within the Eye of the Drake. An entity who placed a powerful curse upon him in his youth and has since carefully guided his life's path northward to "hone his Wrath" and "awaken the Drake" within him. He now simply goes by his name and moniker, Myharl the Dark Tower, though many have taken to simply calling him Wyrmslayer.

The elders of his tribe profess that they are the descendants of survivors from a once magnificent giantkin kingdom far to the north. A nation that fell in ancient times during a war against a great evil. Their predecessors, forced from their homeland and driven south, adopted the practice of unending migration in lieu of founding another homestead. Though unsure whether the story of the tribe's ancestral origin has merit or is nothing more than fanciful folklore, later in life Myharl did find what appears to be the remnants of just such an ancient highman kingdom. Located deep in Stoneharrow Swale between the port city of Solhaven and the frontier surrounding Wehnimer’s Landing, within the ruins is even the visage of crowned giantkin king worked into stone. He sometimes wonders if this place could be the forgotten lands mentioned in the myths of his former kin.

In his early twenties, during the years immediately proceeding exile, Myharl found work with an Issimr merchant caravan which plied their trade by transporting goods across the wastes between the Grot'karesh fortress city of Kilanirij and the Turamzzyrian Empire. Frequent visits to Elstreth and Idolone, as well as the occasional long haul to the grand city Tamzyrr, slowly introduced him to the common cultures of North-Western Elanith. His interest and curiosity about those cultures would grow until he eventually parted ways with the Issimr merhcant caravan to explore the northern bounds of the Empire for himself.

Relationships & Marriages

Pictured: Myharl and Jastalyn at their wedding in the Garden Sancturary. AI painting generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.
Pictured: High Lord Myharl Gryphonwind (before his 'darkening') in the company of his four former wives (5110-5122) at his Wehnimer's Landing shop, Gryphonwind Ventures, in 5115 of the Modern Era. From left to right: Grand Lady Psyryn, Myharl, Grand Lady Yterria (seated), Lady Yieshia (kneeling), and Renowned Lady Aurla. Commissioned artwork by Mates Laurentiu to commemorate Yieshia joining her three sisters in union to Myharl.
Pictured: A very young Journeyman Myharl Gryphonwind in the company of his then fiancé Velona in 5109 of the Modern Era. They are seated in repose inside the garden of the Voln Monastery near Wehnimer’s Landing. Comissioned artwork by Mates Laurentiu to commemorate Myharl's engagement to her.

The early years of Myharl's adult life, proceeding his exile, were spent in the company of a cafila of Issimir merchants who had employed the aimless kindred. As a caravan worker transporting goods between Elstreth, Idolone and Kilanirij, there was little time for companionship beyond the occasional noncommittal tryst on the road. It wasn't until he parted ways with his Issimir friends to venture northward that opportunity for love presented itself to him.


A Gift with Thorns

He had travelled north towards the frontier regions of the Empire upon having a vision of a shadowy dragon erupting from the Dragonspine Mountains. As the southern lands waned in his journey, there were rumors that the dragon he had foreseen actually dwelled in the locales near Wehnimer’s Landing. He would find the city welcoming and come to call it home. It was in those early days, adjusting to idiosyncrasies of frontier life, that he met and courted a young elven woman named Velona. She was the granddaughter of Demetria, second wife of Demyse, the head of the Faendryl Ta'mori house. Myharl and Velona were engaged to be married, and immediately this caused problems. The potential union was frowned upon and eventually forbade by the Ta'moris; of particular interest was a brilliant eahnor rose that Velona had bestowed upon Myharl as a token of their impending union.

The significance of the affectionate gesture always remained a mystery to Myharl, but it was enough to prompt house Ta'mori to hunt Myharl when he refused to break his engagement to Velona. Several assassination attempts were made by Ta'mori operatives, but Myharl managed to elude every attempt on his life. Eventually Demyse himself approached Myharl with demands. Demands which the kindred laughed at. Myharl's dismissive response to their head further intensified Ta'mori harassment placing great strain on his relationship with Velona. As time passed she seemed more and more inclined to acquiesce to her family's demands. Myharl's disposition leant great disdain of the controlling nature of the Ta'moris, and it was during these struggles when Myharl met another.


Flame on the Frontier

A dark elf woman who was herself at odds with the Ta'moris. She had once been employed by the house, but had since earned its ire. At first Myharl suspected her of being another assassin sent to claim his head, but the two quickly connected and soon most of their time was spent together. As Velona and Myharl drifted further apart he found companionship with his new companion, and eventually he would return the eahnor rose and send missive via Demetria that he was dissolving the engagement. He would never see Velona again, her disappearance he suspects was a result of her being reined in by house Ta'mori.

With their respective troubles with the Ta'moris behind them, Myharl and the dark elf established themselves as a couple and enjoyed their newfound peace together. Their relationship was fiery and intense, but eventually became complex and convoluted. Her work, shrouded in mystery, and Myharl's frequent time spent away procuring rare veil iron artifacts for his newly established shop left the two often parted. The frequent physical distance soon gave way to an unattentive nature in their relationship. Gradually their flame fell to embers and the two amicably parted to walk different paths. There was never animosity between the two, to the contrary, in the many proceeding years Myharl would often speak fondly of her.


Four Pillars & Foundation

Then upon the fourth decade of his life, after establishing himself with the Wehnimer’s Landing merchant's guild and officially founding Gryphonwind Ventures, Myharl discovered opportunity for more permanent companionship. He was married to a quartet of dark elf sisters who bear estranged, rarely discussed, ties to Faendryl nobility. Of the four, the eldest sister is Renowned Lady Aurla (Magess of the Flame), followed by Grand Lady Psyryn (Master Healer), then Grand Lady Yterria (High Priestess of Koar), and lastly the youngest of the four, Lady Yieshia, who Myharl affectionately referred to as his "little magess".

In addition to becoming certified by the local merchant's guild, Myharl had become involved in the politics of Wehnimer’s Landing serving leadership roles in several local organizations, including the Great Houses of Elanthia. His relationship with the sisters began with meeting Aurla during a Co-operative House event called the Unity Festival. As a functional officer of House of the Rising Phoenix, Lord Sage of House Daingneach Onoir, and event planner for the Greater Elanthian Merchant Society he had been put in charge of organizing and managing the event. Aurla was an officer and secretary of House Phoenix, and the two spent much time together and connected during the months invested into planning the great event.

As he spent more time with Aurla, he also came to know her three sisters. The five of them found they shared a unique chemistry and their individual relationships soon coalesced into an acknowledged shared romance. With none of the lovers willing to constrain the relationships to traditional boundaries, the sisters approached Myharl with a solution: they would all be with him. As they explored the complexities of polyamory, they would all become his wives. A solution that worked surprisingly well for all of them.

Myharl and his former wives made their home at the private suite on the second floor of the Raging Thrak Inn in the town square of Wehnimer's Landing. In the summer months they could frequently be found relaxing in the suite's private bath and in the winter, warming themselves by the massive hearth in the living room. They spent many happy years together involved in local politics, helping to defend the town in times of need, and working for the Adventurers Guild to mitigate bandit activity in the surrounding regions.

However, after nearly a decade and half, the sisters suddenly received a missive summoning them for business back in their homeland. Afterwards, much of their time was spent away tending to family matters. Meanwhile, Myharl's treks beyond the Long Snow became more frequent and sustained in pursuit of hunting wyrms. Over time, the sisters and Myharl grew apart and rarely spoke. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months between seeing one another. Finally, the sisters departed a final time, cordially with nary fanfare. After months without word, Myharl accepted their companionship had faded away. In the winter of 5122, after having requested and receiving word of their welfare, Myharl dissolved the marriage, finalizing the divorce with town officials.

Upon marrying into dark elf nobility and becoming a morganatic noble, Myharl had donned the title Grand Lord, which he maintained until their divorce.

Light in the Darkness

By pure happenstance in early 5123, Myharl's path crossed again with the dark elf woman from from his past, nearly two decades after their long-ago romance. In the following weeks they quickly rekindled their friendship, realizing that over the many years they both had retained a quiet and mostly unspoken admiration for one another. Their two souls, so altered during their time apart, re-forged a connection, though one that was vastly different than what they once shared. Though they could often be found sitting side-by-side, they wouldn't have been mistaken for more than very close comrades.

The dark elf woman was his closest friend during his darkest hours: when his soul was overwhelmed by the dark magic cursing him, his faith was shattered, and he was a man lost in darkness. It was through her dedicated research and stalwart companionship that Myharl learned the truth about the Eye of the Drake, and with significant self-sacrifice, she stood with him against the dark entity bound within it to help Myharl reclaim his identity as master of his own fate.

While his curse will always remain, it was her who helped him to first find the will to resist its evil. During the proceeding year, the two souls grew incredibly close, but a time would come for their paths once again diverge. In early Lormesta in the year 5124 she approached Myharl as he sat on the shores of the Issenflow near Cold River to bid him farewell. Fate had called her towards the Black Gate, and her destiny beckoned to her from the mysteries beyond. The two spent their final night together embraced near the warmth of his campfire. When Myharl awakened the next morning she was gone. Though their paths were no longer shared, her influence upon him forever changed the kindred's story, and in many ways the woman would always remain by his side.


Love of the North

After fighting in the Battle of Berserker’s End at the ruins of Angargreft in the Hinterwidls, Myharl’s priorities shifted south of the Long Snow. He knew that Icemule Trace and all of Northwatch had to be warned of the V’tullian incursion and the awakening of V’tull’s gigas avatar and high priest, Zerroth.

He travelled to Icemule Trace to meet with members of the Town Council to discuss the matter where upon he learned of other ill omens befalling the North: a dark cult calling itself the Dusk Coven with ambitions to locate an orb of power rumored to be located near the city.

With growing concern that the shadows moving across the North may be related to his own curse and the Eye of the Drake, Myharl committed to assisting the Icemule Trace Town Council (and concerned citizens of the town) with investigating the Coven. It was his belief that locating the orb before the cult was in the best interest of the North.

Among the councilmembers he joined in the search was Chairwoman Jastalyn Dragorth, a friendly associate he had been well acquainted with over the years. Though their approach to politics bore vast differences, the two shared a fierce passion for the North. It was upon that commonality that they focused their intent.

When the search of the city was unsuccessful in locating the orb or uncovering any additional information about the artifact, the two met in private to discuss matters further. Their evening discussions quickly became a regular occurrence, and soon, a fond expectation. Over the coming weeks the two would spend an increasing amount of time together in their investigation, eventually even leading their own expeditions to search surrounding locales for the mysterious artifact the Coven sought.

Neither seemed to be sure exactly when friendship and camaraderie shifted to a deeper connection, but as their research continued, they both realized they were falling in love with one another. With varying obligations, they resisted the inclination for a while, but as their fondness fell into passion, neither wanted to deny the truth. Myharl and Jastalyn embraced one another as lovers and partners. Both agreed their dedication to each other ran as deep as their commitment to the North. They were stronger in tandem, and whatever the future may hold, they promised to face it together.

On Niiman the 22nd day of Fashanos in 5124 during the Hour of Tonis, while having a picnic in the lush garden at the temple of Oleani in Solhaven, Myharl proposed to Jastalyn and they became betrothed. On the evening of Volnes, day 22 of the month of Olaesta in the year 5124, in the company of many of their closest friends and comrades, Myharl and Jastalyn became husband and wife. They were married at the Garden Sanctuary in a ceremony officiated by a high priest of Oleani.


Part I: Acquisition of the Eye & The Journey Begins (5097 Modern Era) [Backstory]

Pictured: The Eye of the Drake (so named by Myharl), an ancient artifact from the era of the Drake and Ur-Deamon war. In possession of Myharl who has been bound by curse to the artifact as well as the shadowy entity that resides within. Commissioned artwork by Mates Laurentiu.

Graphic generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.

Eye of the Drake

a shadowy crystal ball containing a mysteriously shifting eye blazing with an unknown power

Myharl's tribe, known by many as the Firewalkers, were not the only kindred who made the wasteslands their home. Another, more ancient group of giantkin migrants were those who the tribe elders called, "the cursed." They had arrived in the Southron Wastes likely thousands of years earlier. The tribe's migration routes always steered clear of the mountain stronghold of their clan. A dark place called Kilanirij. For the most part the cursed had likewise avoided the tribe, seeming more interested in maintaining their fortress city than the activities of nomadic goat-herding peoples eking out a living from the harsh lands. That was until one day, a cafila of three cursed approached the tribe's encampment at sundown.

The three strangers spoke in a strange mesh of the Gaintkin language and another tongue foreign but very similar-sounding to Elvish. They referred to themselves as Ishan; travelers on a quest seeking to solve some ancient mystery. The Ishan called their paths crossing with the tribe's caravan, "a destiny".

The tribe elders were wary of the Ishan, but believing that all giantkin share an ancient lineage and acquiescing to nomad traditions, they cautiously invited the strangers to rest by the evening fires and offered them hospitality of food and water. Of the three, one was an older man with deep scars indicative of many battles, another was a younger man who seemed more learned than his company, and the last a young woman with an otherworldly air about her. It was the third who piqued the interest of young Myharl. She was several years his elder, yet still the youngest of the three Ishan. He found her form appealing and her forbidden moniker intoxicatingly unique. The interest of youth appealed for him to get closer to her, and so as the three visitors sat around the warmth of the camp fires, speaking to the elders, he lingered. He watched. He listened.

The eldest recovered an object securely wrapped in layers of canvas from their belongings as the younger man regaled the elders with a tale about ancient evils from the past reawakening. They were seeking a way to unlock an ancient puzzle. The old man unwrapped the object to reveal a veil iron ark crowned by a pair ornamental gold dragons, and the younger of the two pointed to six golden seals around the ark's lid explaining how no method or magic had been able to penetrate the box or remove its locks. They believed that within was a powerful artifact that could be used to fight a coming evil, and their quest was to liberate the vessel's contents from its prison.

As the two men continued engaging the elders with stories about ancient wars and forgotten times, the female Ishan took notice of Myharl's presence and seemed to immediately recognize his interest in her. She smiled softly, motioning him closer. He complied, and the two began a friendly conversation. She introduced herself as Gryphonwind, and explained she was a seer and diviner of the future sent to aid her fellow travelers in their quest. As Myharl and Gryphonwind shared food and drink, the legends and myths she told him summoned an even greater curiosity from within. Devoid of awkward banter, the demeanor of the conversation seemed as if the two were longtime friends. Her words seemed to be perfectly orated to captivate him, often answering his many questions even before he could ask them.

As the evening grew late, just as Myharl had worked up enough courage to invite her to spend the night with him, she abruptly interrupted to ask if she could divine his future. Tilted by the offer, he drew closer to sit at her side and agreed. She reached for a small woven basket worn at her hip and pulled out and handful of polished dark stones. Each was carved with a strange rune. She cast stones upon the sand at their feet. As the stones landed, Gryphonwind gasped startlingly before her breathing became shallow and near silent. Eight of the nine stones had landed with their runes facing downward in the sand, the ninth and solely visible rune bore a symbol that vaguely resembled a landslide.

As she stared at the runestone, it violently twitched as if taking on a life of its own. Suddenly, it began to draw a line in the sand as it danced its way towards Myharl. Glancing up to notice the look of abject horror marring Gryphonwinds visage, he leapt to his feet. The stone continued towards him across the sand, and he began stepping backwards. As he withdraw the stone gave chase wobbling frantically across the sand. Now frightened as well as startled, Myharl quickened his pace in reverse until accidentally stumbling into the older Ishan. The obstacle sent Myharl sprawling backwards as he fell over the seated man. In a bid to right himself, Myharl grasped for leverage. The stone stopped moving the moment his hand landed squarely on the veil iron ark. Quickly removing his hand from the artifact, its seals loudly popped open one after the other.

The stars seemed to vanish from the night sky as an unnatural shadowy black fog sped across the landscape to envelope the encampment. Tendrils of shadow seemed to grope and caress every surface accompanied by the sound of incoherent whispering voices. Then came an ear-ringing bestial roar so loud it seemed to shake the ground itself. Several massive winged draconic figures soared low overhead, their forms discernable only as their metallic scales reflected the carmine firelight below. A contrasting moment of silence followed until overpowered by a growing cacophony of anguished screams.

Seized by terror and unable to move Myharl watched as the beasts plowed through the gathered crowd of his tribesmen. Their massive razor talons shredding flesh and stripping bone as they belched caustic fluids that washed away flesh and muscle in an instant. Many of the giantkin drew their weapons, fighting back against the beasts, but others seemed statuesquely motionless, as if frozen in time, as they stared at the wyrms.

Gryphonwind cried out Myharl's name, which seemed to shake him from the unnatural paralysis binding him. She shouted, instructing him to open the ark. As he moved towards the artifact, one of the beasts shifted its stride and charged toward him. Rearing back to raise its fierce talons before striking, Myharl helplessly gazed at the wyrm sure that those were to be his final moments. They would have been, but with jarring impact, Gryphonwind's body slammed into his as she threw herself atop him like a shield. Pulling her weight away from him and rising again to her feet, she desperately pointed at the ark. In response, Myharl quickly crawled across the sand until his hands rest on each side of the unsealed vessel.

He strained to pry open the tightly closed lid, and his eyes shifted again to Gryphonwind just as a silvery talon violently burst through her abdomen from behind. The beast roared again, masking the words she screamed as blood erupted from her lips. The lid gave way and the ark was opened. A blinding flash of light from within pierced through the darkness. The beasts roars suddenly became high-pitched screeches as they withdrew back towards the shadowy fog. As the light spread across the encampment Myharl's last sight of Gryphonwind was life's light fleeting form her eyes as her impaled corpse was wrent into the evaporating darkness.
Instinctively reaching into the ark, Myharl pulled forth the shadowy orb from within. An otherworldly flame-filled eye gazed out from within the crystalline sphere, its focus seeming to be fixed on Myharl. Clutching the ball tightly, Myharl raised it overhead as he screamed out her name.

The sensation of a thousand winters wracked across his body with searing, frigid pain as the beasts continued to deafeningly shriek. Seeing dozens of bodies littering the blood soaked sands around him as Myharl turned his eyes to the orb as tendrils of shadow slinked from its smooth surface to entwined his arms. His gaze locked involuntarily with the fiery eye within and the violence around him faded into absolute darkness and silence. There was only the eye. It seemed to gaze into his very soul as an overwhelming fury welled within him. A feeling of anger and righteousness, of wrath and bloodlust. He was aware of nothing else except the fiery glow of the eye and the feral rage that now consumed him. However, soon he realized that he was not alone. As the eye shifted, it illuminated the massive shadowy figure that bore it. A great stygian dragon, much like the beasts from the shadows, but enormous beyond comprehension and surrounded by a writhing glow in hues that Myharl had never before seen.

For what simultaneously felt like an instant and countless eons, the dark draconic figure observed Myharl. Then with a rumbling deep voice it commandingly uttered a single word. A word beyond comprehension. Reality returned in an instant to Myharl's awareness just as an explosion of undulating shadowy thunder pulsed from the orb, the distortions of darkness consuming the the vicious wyrms.

Myharl fell unconscious. When he awoke, he found himself still clutching the eye, but surrounding by the warm glow of the campfire and the deep indigo of the star-filled night sky. The threat was gone, but the roars and shrieks had been replaced with the sounds of crying and pain-filled moans. He placed the eye back in to the ark, noticing the deep chill that seemed to embrace his figure as he weakly slid its heavy lid securely back on top. Among the dead nearby were the two male Ishan and a dozen of his tribe. Many more were grievously wounded. Gryphonwind's body was nowhere to be seen.

As the sun's light kissed the eastern skies and the last of the wounded had been tended to, those that had seen the events that transpired kept a wide birth from Myharl. He was confused by the look of fear in the eyes of his kin. Fear of him. They formed a circle around him, as if guarding a prisoner. Hushed whispers crawled through the crowd. The last of the slain were being wrapped in shrouds when the tribe elders finally approached. They were grim and hesitant.

Proceeding hours of silence, ignoring his every inquiry, the tribe's fiercest warriors cautiously approached him and elaborated... After discussing it with the elders, they had all agreed that whatever evil curse was lain upon the people of the Ishans had now been cast upon him. It was no longer safe for him to be among his kin. He was a danger to them. With hurtful disdain they exiled Myharl, demanding he return the artifact to Kilanirij and never again return to the tribe.

He protested, he demanded, and finally he begged the elders to reconsider. However, realizing there was no way to convince them otherwise, Myharl beseeched the elders to at least be allowed to bid his family farewell. Enclosed by a circle of warriors, he was escorted to the blood-soaked mass of shroud-wrapped bodies. He understood the implications. As his tear-filled gaze wandered across the pile, someone in the crowd angrily quipped, "You no longer have family here. Take your curse and be gone!"

Part II: Visions at Kilanirij & Travels to the North (5097-5104 Modern Era) [Backstory]

Graphic generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.

Myharl was allowed to attend the funeral pyres, and afterwards he accepted the small clay jars in which the ashes of his family had been gathered, along with two more holding the cremated remains of the Ishans. The contingent of armed hunters ushered him to his family’s tent and—with watchful eyes—they observed closely as he prepared to depart. Though he had not cognitively reckoned with the death of his sister and parents, he still felt a maelstrom of rage and sorrow swelling within, prompted by the detached indifference towards him suddenly bestowed by those who had always been in his memories. He felt betrayed. Abandoned. He was alone.

Entering the beit al-sha'r, he gathered the sparse belongings from within. Among them, his father’s jambiya which he secured at his side next to his own. Also, an assortment of travel gear, preserved goat’s cheese, and several waterskins filled by his mother the day before from the shallow sandstone well at the encampment. After dismantling the tent and neatly folding its black fabric into a parcel, he harnessed his father’s ebony wastesdrgon and laden it with the hefty pile.

Snugly tucking the funerary jars and veil iron ark within the goat fleece fabric, he then briskly mounted the lizard and yanked the reins, yawing the beast so its scaly tail dramatically feinted those gathered. Without words, recognizing it would be the last time he was among his former kin, he slowly and deliberately rode through the breadth of the encampment, searing his eyes into the elders as he passed. He rode away from his home, and into the darkness enveloping the setting desert sun—he road towards Kilanirij.

Writing Still in progress...

Part III: The Great Empire & Finding the Drake (5104-5109 Modern Era) [Backstory]

Graphic generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.

Writing in progress...

Part IV: New Home In The Frontier (5109-5122 Modern Era)

Part V: The Vixen & the Maiden — The Acquisition of Forlorn Maiden (5111 Modern Era)

In progress...

I am currently writing this section about how Myharl obtained his sacred white alloy warsword, previously named as "Forlorn Maiden", since renamed "Maiden's Wrath" upon the darkening of his soul beyond the Long Snow.



Previous appearance of the sword and Maiden's spirit before Myharl's darkening:

a glowing white sacred warsword The hilt and quillons of the warsword are fashioned into the likeness of a gnarled and twisted corpse with its arms outstretched in ghoulish repose. A series fine chains drape from the extended arms in trio, and arc down to wrap around the torso, providing a secure grip for the weapon. The blade has been faintly etched with the image of a beautiful wisp-surrounded maiden, reaching up towards its tip. In relation, she appears to be rising from the horrid anatomy of the corpse beneath her. You notice a small enchanter's glyph and a crafting mark. A strange necrotic haze radiates from the warsword. A strong aura of holy light radiates from the warsword. There appears to be something written on it. In the Common language, it reads: Forlorn Maiden An Incorporeal Forlorn Maiden The young woman's figure is lithe and loosely garbed in a sheer gown as pale as fresh snowfall. A neck-strung key rests listlessly against her bust. In gentle disarray, her hair appears constantly windswept and wild in contrast to the expression on her face. Her features are steadfast, her lips pressed into a thin line, but her gaze is intense and tearful with almost palpable sorrow.
Current appearance of the sword and Maiden's spirit now altered by Myharl's Wrath:

a glowing white sacred warsword bound by ethereal chains around its hilt The hilt and quillons of the warsword are fashioned into the likeness of a gnarled and twisted corpse with its arms outstretched in ghoulish repose. A series of ethereal chains drape from the extended arms in trio, and arc down to wrap around the torso. The brightly glowing white alloy blade has been etched with the likeness of a beautiful wisp-surrounded maiden reaching sinuously towards its tip. In relation, she appears to be rising from the horrid anatomy of the corpse beneath her. You notice a small enchanter's glyph and a crafting mark. A strange necrotic haze radiates from the warsword. A strong aura of holy light radiates from the warsword. In the Common language, it reads: Maiden's Wrath • Emerging from Myharl's glowing white sacred warsword, a fiery spectral maiden coalesces and launches straight toward his enemy, engulfing them in a searing sphere of fire! A Flame-Shrouded Maiden The maiden's slender and lithe figure is loosely shrouded by a spiraling helix of ethereal flames. In riotous disarray, her blazing hair appears constantly windswept and wild, accenting her sinuous movements as her delicate physique gracefully dances, weaving through the flaming helix that spins around her. • A flame-shrouded maiden unfurls the helix of flames around her to lash out at her enemy. • A helix of flames spiraling around her lithe figure, a flame-shrouded maiden dances while summoning a fiery maelstrom to surround her enemy.
Click Here to view the full item details for Maiden's Wrath.

Part VI: Endless Winter: Shadows & Talons (5122-Current Modern Era)

Pictured: Myharl the Dark Tower at the Fjallarhaart runestone in the Hinterwilds.Also pictured: warg packmother, valravn, Gigas runestone. Graphic generated by the player of Myharl using a combination of Stable Diffusion (DPM++@M Karras sampling method) and Midjourney with post processing in Photoshop.

Writing in progress...

Note: Recent events detailed in this section congeal into Myharl's current story and are covered in the Roleplaying section within the subsections titled Current State of the Character and Current Events & Storyline.

Behind the Scenes

The player of the character Myharl first discovered GemStone III in June of 1996 during summer vacation from his sophomore year of high school. He played regularly for the next eight years and was active as the game world transitioned from GS3 into GSIV. He played only one character (name intentionally redacted) before going on hiatus in 2004. After a five year absence, he returned in 2009 and began his Elanthian experience anew with the creation of Myharl whom he has played exclusively since.

Myharl's date of birth (and even the hour of his birth) are exactly the same as the player's—relative to the Elanthian calendar. Perhaps a less than creative approach, but the idea was to keep the character somewhat relevant in perspective over the years. As the player has grown with time, that often gets reflected in aspects of Myharl's persona.

An OOC Glance at Myharl

There are several underlying concepts that create the framework of the character Myharl and his progressing story. These details that aren't necessarily known by anyone (including the character himself), and most will likely never be directly approached "in-character", but they are pivotal to ongoing development of the character and understanding who he is and the general demeanor and direction of the character's story. Many aspects push the shared setting concept to its limit, but I try to keep things in the margins of (or at the very least not to directly conflict with) official lore. These details are embraced as a framework for understanding the character more than definitive character details.

OOC Contacts

I don't publicly share my contact info, and don't normally share it directly with others in GS. However, if you need to get a hold of me OOC and cannot contact me in game, I have created a stand-alone Discord account @Myharl that is only used for the Official GemStone IV Discord and for direct messages regarding GemStone IV. Feel free to DM me there or send a friend request if it's regarding the game and I'll follow up when I have time.

Questions & Answers

These Q&A originated on the Official Gemstone IV Discord, in the #roleplaying channel. Conversations that I felt relevant enough to catalog are archived in this section. I've created this section in relation to the character because I think it will be interesting to see the gradual progression of Myharl as the character develops and his story continues since each answer is relative to the perspective present on the date in which it was prompted.


(12/07/2022) What are you looking for when it comes to roleplay in Gemstone?
(12/08/2022) What information do you put on your character's wiki page and what information, if any, do you deliberately avoid putting on there?
(12/10/2022) Without getting into basic vs premium or prime vs plat -- do you feel like your roleplay support/opportunities are a good value compared to what you pay? Do you think roleplay offers a fairly equitable experience despite the increased monetization of Gemstone?
(02/06/2023) We've discussed the tragic background story trope here a few times, so let's make that our next topic.  Do your PCs adhere to or buck the trope?  How so, and why did you make those choices?  Did you start off with that story, or did it evolve over time?
(02/06/2023) What's your PC's/NPC's relationship status?  Single, divorced, never married, throuple, it's complicated?  None of my business?  And as always, why?
(02/07/2023) Tell us about your PC's immediate family.  Are they close with their mother, father, and siblings?  How many of the latter do they have?  Are they an eldest, middle or baby in the family?  Where are they now, relative to your character?
(02/09/2023) Has your PC ever been accused, arrested, and/or convicted of a crime?  Through the justice system, in their background history, or during a story?  What were the charges, and were they innocent or guilty?  As always: why?
(02/10/2023) What questions does your character avoid answering?  Why?  Are they forthcoming, trusting, trustworthy, or introverted?  *OR UP TO SOMETHING?*  As always, why?

(02/13/2023) Are there elements of your character's nature, temperament and history that you have made changes to since you started playing them? Why did you make the change, and how painful and/or fun was it to do so?

(02/14/2023) What is your character *passionate* about?
(02/17/2023) How did you come up with your character's name?  Does it have a source in other fiction or the real world?  Or was it just a collection of syllables that worked for you?  Was it part of a family tradition?  Do they have any nicknames?
(02/17/2023) Have we had a question about how many times your characters have been married?
(02/20/2023) Does your PC have any leaders that they look up to?  Or hold as an example of what to be, or not to be?  Are they from your PC's culture, nationality, guild, circle of friends, MHO, etc?
(02/23/2023) Tell me about something your character wants.  It could be a title, a weapon, a skill, or a possession- even a goal- that's up to you.  Tell me about what they want for their future and how they'll go about getting it!
(02/24/2023) Another fun and oft-discussed topic:  What pet peeves or biases does your PC have?  Are they minor irritants like people chewing, or are they full-blown phobias about spiders?  Was this a conscious decision you made about your character, or did it come up because of an "incident"?
(02/25/2023) Do you have a song that makes you think of your character or the current state of your character?
(03/04/2023) What kind of season or weather do your characters prefer?  What do they not like?  Is it a preference or was there a specific incident or event that caused it?
(03/06/2023) If you found out today that your character is resigning/getting kicked out of their profession, what would they choose to do instead?  Or, if you could multi-class, what would you like to add to your character's abilities?  As always, why?
(03/07/2023) How old is your character, both chronologically, and culturally/racially?  Why did you choose the lifespan/birthday/age you did?
(03/08/2023) Explain to me your character's sense of style with examples.
(03/09/2023) Is there any possession, quality or ability that your character has *lost* that you still regret or miss?  Was it a choice you made, or out of your control? Or, if you don't regret it, why not?
(03/10/2023) How do people RP the aging aspects of youth and maturity for elves in Gemstone, what are some of everyones thoughts.
(03/15/2023) With so many new additions lately, where else would you like to be able to go?  And why?
(03/15/2023) Tell me about your character's pets! 
(03/21/2023) If someone was asked about one of your PCs, what do you think they would say to describe them?  What would you hope for?
(03/24/2023) Which society is your PC in and why did you choose it? If it was purely mechanical, what ways have you adapted it to fit your background?
(03/25/2023) How involved is your character in his or her guild? Is it mostly mechanical or do you incorporate guild work/status into your RP somehow?
(03/28/2023) Is there something unexpected your character came across that you never would have thought of for them yourself, but ended up being a PERFECT FIT? This could be an item, location, or event (or series of events).
(04/04/2023) What idiosyncrasies or minute details about your character manifested as part of your presentation of their persona or appearance?
(04/16/2023) Where is your character's ideal vacation spot? Why?
(05/04/2023) What makes your character so angry they lose control of their better sense? So happy they forget a bit of their dignity? So tired they ignore their obligations?
(05/08/2023) This is a new project of Alosaka’s, asking as many people as he can what they believe the most important virtue is. 
(05/09/2023) Why does your character live where they currently live?
(05/15/2023) What festival does your character wish were celebrated in their town? What would they like to see people spend a week relaxing, hustling, celebrating or fighting to honor?
(05/21/2023) Does your character have any animal or non-people friends - be it a pet, a specific familiar, an animal companion, a recurring spirit servant, a favorite mount, or a preferred demon?  What are they and what are their names?  Why did did your character (or you) pick that type specifically?  Is there a type that you really want but are missing?
(06/27/2023) What do you enjoy about / what keeps bringing you back to the character(s) you play?
(08/22/2023) What deadly sin best represents your character and why? (Lust, Glutton, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride)
(09/14/2023) What would you consider the biggest difference between yourself and your character(s)?  Feel free to answer for as many of your toons as you wish- and outside of the obvious, none of us (I think) are elves or dwarves or wizards.  Are you lawful, and they're chaotic?  Are you a follower and they're a leader?
(10/12/2023) What does your character think about death - and final death?  Are they surprised when they're able to be resurrected, or are they content in the knowledge that they know how to acquire a deed from Lorminstra?  What do they believe will happen to them when they run out of deeds?  How do they reconcile any of this with entering Naidem?
(11/13/2023) Out of all the areas described in Elanthia (or outside of Elanthia, for that matter), which would your characters and you be most excited about, if it were to suddenly become accessible, to live in, or at least visit?
(11/21/2023) In a world where the wiki and old logs are at every player's fingertips, are there times where you intentionally make the decision that your character wouldn't know or remember something?  How do you approach situations like this when they come up?  Do you ever have difficulty reining in yourself when your interests or background doesn't actually align with your character's?
(11/23/2023) What is something (or a few somethings) your character is thankful for? (Feel free to be serious or silly.)
(01/12/2024) Do your characters nap? How long do they sleep? DO THEY SLEEP?

Character Progress Logs


Year-End Progress Reports (2009-2023)

This section includes the year-end data for Myharl's character progression as recorded on the night of December 31st for every year since the character's creation. This report will be updated at the end of each new year. It's not particularly useful data, but it is a fun reflection of progress made over time. 


Requiem Request

While it’s certainly not a part of the plan, being involved as a part of an ongoing fantasy world that spans decades and includes multiple generations, it is inevitable that sometimes players pass away. Their characters too pass on, often leaving in their wake legends and legacies as well as heartbroken friends and loved ones. It is a morbid topic to be sure, thus my inclusion of this section at the very end of this character entry.

Over the years I’ve lost more than my fair share of old friends and great allies in the world of Elanthia. Some prepared the closure of their character’s story—others were taken unexpectedly. This section is to reflect on the potential that I, the player of Myharl, could one day meet my end before the grand stories of GemStone reach conclusion. I despise unfinished stories. And so, this section presents how I would want to envision Myharl’s stage-exit from an in-character perspective should the unfortunate unexpectedly happen.

If his story dramatically shifts, this section is maintained to express how I would desire closure to the character’s story in the present.

 

Contributed Logs

See Also