Talinvor (prime)

Talinvor (Tah'lon Vorrith) As rendered by Divone Lerade Race Dark Elf Culture Dhe'nar Class Loremaster Profession Bard Religion The Way Affiliation(s) Officer of The Obsidian Tower, Proprietor of Black Iron Chalice, Member of Moonshine Manor Disposition Narcissic, perfectionist, artistic Demeanor sarcastic, easily amused, flirtatious Flaw what? Greatest Strength confident, high expectations for himself Greatest Weakness looks for challenges to thwart ennui, sometimes getting himself in awkward situations Habits drinking wine Hobbies writing prose, performances, teaching Likes Bloodwine and bacon Dislikes toxic people, over-emotional displays, whining, Akenna's tea kettle, Socius Fears failure Loyalties Surion, his twin Best Friend The closest currently he trusts are Debia, Berkana, Sweetsin, Landrai and many he's encountered at Moonshine Manor Spouse what? Loved One His Star of Sharath (unnamed) (deceased)

Tah’lon Vorrith, or otherwise known as Talinvor, is a Dhe'nar bard and Lorekeeper of the noble Warlock Caste in his home city of Sharath. Named in honor of Tahlad, he is a follower of The Way, a faith that reveals that the Arkati were teachers, and like his forbear Noi'sho'rah – that all elves are welcome back into the fold. He currently resides in Ta'Illistim, where once he was paying the coffee shop owner for the use of her couch. Due to the city's former dark elf restrictions, he was more often found sleeping under the stars or other clever places in the city where he could find lodging and how he learned to appreciate it's beauty. Only recently has the elven cities begun to open up to his kind and he believes he may be personally responsible for pushing the Argent Mirror, Myasara into taking more grounded action in this regard.

He is known more popularly by his stage name of Talinvor, which he claims is easier to pronounce for the elves. It is a portmanteau of his first name and his bloodline. He still spends most of his time in Ta'Illistim, where he had taken up a role as a delegate to the Argent Mirror's court. In Koaratos 5119, he was recognized for his assistance in an alliance (see: Valley of Gold) between the Argent Mirror and the Tamzyrrian emperor, Aurmont Chandrennin Anodheles and awarded a blue ribboned blooming vaalin rose medal (see: Ta'Illistim Awards) in recognition of his efforts. While not particularly of a political nature, Talinvor recognizes the opportunity to continue to demonstrate his bardic talent and otherwise enlighten the elves to his faith. Other times, he can be found among the members of Moonshine Manor in Wehnimer's Landing, or performing with The Black Iron Chalice in Solhaven.

Talinvor is often critical of his own work, as most artists are and he complains quietly of not having the dedication and time for him to maintain his attention on his prose. As a bard, Talinvor's specialty is in matters of the heart – where the strongest strings can be cut or tied. Quite vain, he uses his charm and wit quite often. He usually attempts to see the bigger picture, and like chess – is always trying to determine who will win. He is typically bored easily with emotionally driven people, as they often put their faith in fickle things and stubbornly cling to their own skewed perceptions of the world.

History

Born in Sharath, he doesn’t know his true year of birth as such things are not celebrated by his people. He is a blood twin to Surion, a Duk’sa of the Warrior Caste. (see: Origins) In demeanor, they are complete opposites. While Talinvor enjoys attention, revels in social affairs and glories in the spotlight – his brother shuns them; finding the comfort of the wilds and the company of creatures to be more reliable and honest in intent. They are stereotypical Dhe'nar for their noble castes.

The two of them have a strained relationship though. Although it is Surion's duty to support Talinvor, he feels the long shadow cast by his more charismatic brother. He has grown resentful despite (or maybe because of) the many times Talinvor has manipulated circumstances to protect him during the various trials and tribulations forced by the castes. Surion has since isolated himself, with only the company of his black panther, Khadesh.

The Warlock Caste of Sharath ordered Talinvor to travel north in order to keep an eye on a rogue branch of Dhe'nar, that left their designated caste duties. While the Obsidian Tower is a mere outpost, and of little influence at home, the word of Noi'sho'rah and enlightenment of the masses was the shouldered burden assigned to him as one of the most talented Lorekeepers of the current age. While still affiliated with the Tower, Talinvor has decided to press his influence on his own merits, so as not to be overshadowed by the actions of others.

Relationships

It is hard to imagine that Talinvor was once in love. A Dhe'nari woman of the Warrior Caste was to whom he had given his heart. This coupling was unapproved by the priestesses of the Temple Caste, who rule the Dhe'nar bloodlines. Whether offspring would have been magically inclined or not, didn’t matter. The fact it was not sanctioned, gave the priestesses the opportunity to put both through a series of tests that were designed with a purposeful high chance of failure for the sake of disobeying. (see: The Star of Sharath (poetry))

Talinvor was sent to Ta'Faendryl, to masquerade within the courts and survive their dangerous political rivalries. (see: Tales of a Dhe’nar Bard and Her Eyes are Pools of Liquid Night (poetry) ) His love, was sent to the Sea of Fire to acquire an object of legend, thought to be a source of power in Bir Mahallah. With his task ultimately successful, news reached his ears that hers was not and that her body was lost to the sands. Thereafter, he styled himself a dirge-singer and wandered the world in his anguish. (see: Black Ash Tree (poetry)) After many years, and after a renewed application of 'skill training' in Sharath – he reapplied his talents not only in service to his city, but mainly to himself. He became hedonistic as a result – enjoying what the world offered while he still existed within it. (see: Dissemblance (poetry), Night's Symphony (poetry) )

He has had shira'qa, which means “pet” in the Dhe'narsi language. These non-dhe'nar servitors learn to take on the role of companion, hunting partner, muse, servant and entertainer for a time. He's had many over the long lifespan of an elf, most notably he’s possessed the collar of Raziya, an elf he met in River’s Rest (circa 5103); Kayse (prime), an aelotoi - whom he possessed twice (circa 5104 & 5115) and Sylverose, a sylvan who was literally handed to him to help protect her from herself (circa 5116). He has also possessed the Faendryl Berkana (prime) who was quite the prize and whom he enjoyed the company of for several years (circa 5116-5118). For two years afterwards, he did not have a shira'qa, thinking he was finally done with the effort of training another. It was not until he met the bardess Landrai, a Loenthran elf that he attracted the attention of in the Ta'Illistim court that this changed, and who has been his constant companion since late 5119.

His first-born attitudes have made traditional relationships impossible. He finds Dhe'nari women so cold and resentful in life that he finds them depressing. Other races have demonstrated a liveliness that he enjoys as a bard, but the inbred sense of superiority he possesses – disallows relationships of equality and the devastation of losing his first love has deterred him from allowing himself to truly fall in love once again. Instead he embraces his hedonistic tendencies, which often raise an eyebrow in certain companies that still cling to social moralities.

Academics, Poetry and Songs

Lessons of Sharath

• The Circle of The Way (log)
• The First Manifesto (essay)

Lectures

• Mist Harbor Library Lectures - 2021-05-22 - Understanding Power (log)

Poetry

• The Star of Sharath (poem)
• Black Ash Tree (poetry)
• Guile (poetry)
• Her Eyes are Pools of Liquid Night (poetry)
• Dissemblance (poetry)
• Night's Symphony (poetry)
• Shira'qa's Kiss (explicit innuendo content)

Songs

• Rise (song)
• Bloodline (song)

Songs for the Elven Court The Argent Mirror

A quick poem on the spot, as the Argent Mirror requested poetry

The peacock throne, wondrous beauty does rule

The Shining City, Elven Jewel

Sunset colour her hair

Eyes of heaven's gaze

Her voice like whispered musical array

May I see this sight once more

Another gift of words from this troubadour

~Talinvor

Myasara

A poem given to the Argent Mirror, to better fulfil his earlier promise.

Ten and five years ago, reflections upon the deed

Of a peoples recompense of need

Tradition holds to charity

Giving peace and clarity

Shining city, brightly glows

Amid the ladies talk of clothes

Acceptance has granted knowledges' bloom

Even in the darkest gloom

Despite the cries of faithless souls

Has not kept her from her goals

Once again to see beyond

What hate and prejudice has spawned

Jewel upon the crown of lore

Fearful of a state of war

Grants an equal measure of

Support for those she stands above

For in the mirror her reflections gaze

Judges all at the end of days

History remarks in remembered lore

Myasara,

Keeper of Elanthia's accord

~Talinvor

The Ballad of Ta'Illistim

Set for a challenge to sing about the language of flowers (set by the handmaidens) and a positive city viewpoint (by Myasara). Talinvor discovered all the handmaiden's preferred flowers, but instead focused on a song for Sayilla, whose flower burdock/thistle he picked for her. Her uncle was displeased with Talinvor's attention to her, and drawing out her desire to see the world. This song was performed in the Elven Court for Sayilla's departure to Ta'Loenthra, as her very first venture outside the city walls where she had always been cloistered. He admitted that he would not forget her, even if he couldn't see her again.

I walked along the moonlit streets

The stones a’glowing pale

Icons of the artistry

Delicate and frail

The shining spires, city-scaped

Had caught my storm wrought eyes

Wanderer to gaze upon

Learn’ed elven prize

The stories of such far-off lands

Were rarely ever spun

Iconic Ta’Illistim

Sapphire of the sun

And center to it all I found

Amid the em’rald green

Maidens and the ladies of

Quality esteem

Their silks they ruffled as they came

And gathered all around

Engaged in a careless chat

To my ears confound

They spoke of such favors given

By courtly gentle-men

Messages in the flowers

And if genuine

I listened with an idle ear

To giggles and the sighs

I barely understood it

Then I rolled my eyes

In my mind I wished to confirm

If words were better sought

In prose or soft serenades

Or feats were for naught

And so my ego boasted of

My skills to match the two

Language of the flowers

To maidens and to you

Days to weeks they lingered

Maidens' flowers I forgot

But yours I did recall

Chosen with little thought

The purple flower blossoms

Upon the thorn'ed spheres

I thought it was your nature

Raillery of peers

It was not the burdocks sharpness

For that is not the pain

Instead you adhered yourself

A captured refrain

The softest touch and concerned gaze

You have for those you know

Captured your sweet memory

While you’re off to grow

~Talinvor

Vignettes

Mist Harbor
Clipped Wings

A Morning After Dawn (Player Vignette) (01/11/2020)

Originally posted on the official forums by INSPADES on 01/11/2020 at 03:39 PM CST. The sun was already up, the annoying brightness waking him for the third time already this morning. He yawned and stretched, his muscles thanking him as he turned to thump his feet to the floor. A sleepy figure shifted next to him, pulling the blankets back over her head. He turned briefly, his lips quirked into a wry grin. Standing up with his eyes half closed, he swaggered over to a small room adjoined to his bedroom with a gait that was anything but straight. Closing the privacy curtain behind him he gazed out one of several small windows that were open. Despite the glaring light he was afforded a tranquil view as thoughts drifted to the previous night’s pleasantries.

The serenity of the moment was lost as the sound of a tea kettle whistled next door - his neighbor. Groaning, his eyes closed shut and rolled in his head as he began to relieve himself. The force of the stream hit the back the chamber pot with the urgency that only a late night of drinking could summon. The tea kettle’s insistent cry continued as he shifted, sustaining his pent up stream. Dismissing the irritation of the kettle, a wave of relief washed over him as he opened his eyes and his wry grin returned. Looking down he seemed impressed with himself for the persistence of his stream. All good things coming to an end, and with both hands he put himself away.

Washing and drying his hands at a nearby washbasin to complete the morning ritual, he returned to his bedroom. Glancing over at the feminine curve of the sheets as they clung to his bed’s occupant, he considered returning. Being already awake and fighting off the urge, he drifts over to a large desk laden with papers: Mostly half written song lyrics, epic tales in the works, and the occasion purchase for the Chalice. Slumping into the chair he pours himself a glass of blood wine and begins sifting among the papers. Retrieving a small notebook, and leafing through the pages he noted several events, meetings within the Elven court, and even the occasional gig. Stopping at today's date he leans back in the chair contemplating the bold word written in red ink.

His lips pursed to a thin line, and he nodded to himself. "So it shall be done," he whispered to himself, as it was indeed time to get on with it. As soft murmur coming from his bed's occupant enticed him, calling him back. Musing to himself, “surely there is time for a quick dalliance before business” as he strides back to his bed. Collapsing upon it, the figure beside him stirred seductively, rolled toward him and snuggled against his bare chest.

The Arrival of Children (Player Vignette) (01/12/2020)

Originally posted on the official forums by INSPADES on 01/12/2020 at 07:19 PM CST. The last few days had been busier than usual, coordinating on behalf of the Flock the necessary supplies to run this boarding school. It rather jumped being a simple orphanage, once education was required. He admitted he was probably the best qualified, and despite initial grousing about dealing with whining children - he acquiesced. After all, he was expected to contribute - and he was an expert. He’d lost track of how many Dhe’nar students he’d had over the years, and if anyone could deal with discipline, it was him.

His orders for food from the cafes and diners were off schedule, but the owners were happy for the extra business he brought regularly and the coin he brought. He paid them extra for their discretion, having the goods shipped to his shop and transported from there. The staff at Luna’s Rest were particularly pleased to see him, as he put forth his regular purchase of bloodwine from the backroom by the case. He was pleased that his arrangement with the owner was finally able to import one of his favorite labels and he always made sure he did not let that convenience go to waste.

He’d been given specific instructions on the delivery of the children. He had to wait. Which he did, to his irritation. He paced back and forth wondering what the Flock had done to finally convince Greth and Penre to relinquish them. Despite every single reason to remind them they were not safe - they were both stubborn in their desire to help.

Talinvor shut his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his fingers. A wagon had arrived with more than a handful of children and several brutish looking individuals. It wasn’t yet dawn, and looking up at the sky for a moment - seemed like it was still a few hours away. He stifled a yawn, and masked his irritation of having to deal with this at such an early hour.

Striding up to the contingent, he could see the children were afraid - and he flicked his grey eyes at the largest of the men. “How incompetent,” he glowered. “By the looks of it, you dragged them here.” Dismissing them, he knew immediately he would need to fix this. His eyes met on the spindly giantkin girl he remembered from before. The one that scooped up Faerinn’s socks and not candy. Smart girl.

Removing his hood, he smiled in the most charming way he could manage - which as a bard is quite good. He approached the girl and offered his hand. “I must apologize on behalf of these buffoons,” he crooned. “You should have been left to make you own choice, though since you are here, I encourage you to at least see what I have to offer - clean water, comfortable beds, new clothes and the best food to be found in all of Mist Harbor,” he added. “There was concern for your welfare, and you were indeed wise to not trust Greth.”

The girl clenched the hand of her sister for reassurance, but nodded. Talinvor grinned again, his words and reassurances putting them under his charm. He gestured toward the building with a grandiose sweep of his arm. As the children started to head toward the door, Talinvor bared his teeth and growled at the men as soon as the children were out of earshot. “You almost made my job harder,” he seethed but then caught himself. He began to hum between his words, “You should forget this place, what you did here tonight. Go back to your homes.” One after the other began to blink, but he continued his charm and humming as they each turned back the way they came until he could no longer see them. Turning, he jogged back to the children who were milling about at the door, and he captured the handle and opened it before them.

“Welcome to your new home, children” he replied, his voice dropping to a silken whisper that only they could hear.

Shattered Glass (Player Vignette) (01/17/2020)

Originally posted on the official forums by INSPADES on 01/17/2020 at 12:56 AM CST. Talinvor swept easily through the door of his home, closing it swiftly behind him. His grin was barely curled on his lips as he poured himself a glass of bloodwine and sipped. The coppery tang sweetened the sides of his tongue as he swallowed. His eyes closed briefly, and the semblance of a growl erupted from his throat.

With a roar, he hurled his glass at the wall where it left a white mark of explosion - the bloodwine spattered halfway across the room with the force of his anger. Stalking to his desk, he swept his carefully organized papers with his arm - scattering them in a whirlwind of aggravation. His favorite inkpot rolled onto the floor and under his bed, the ink trailing a line of red.

He punched the wall, yet the hard stone would not relent and he only managed to jangle the manacles that hung there. His eyes caught a glimpse of his reflection, and he strode over to the mirror with the intention to smash it too. His fist raised, he noticed the trickle of blood on his knuckles and paused to stare at his own reflection.

“What are you doing?!” the reflection asked. “I’m the one who loses their temper.”

“I know brother,” Talinvor muttered, shaking out his injured hand.

“Why are you angry?” the reflection asked in the voice of Talinvor’s twin. “Plans gone awry?”

Talinvor’s reply was a long drawn out seethe of words as he paced. His hands angrily expressing his frustration. “Eii. Children have been abandoned to my protection, The Flockmaster makes arrangements with Faendryl which seems to have backfired, the town is in turmoil that now I have to satiate. The Flockmaster reveals secrets which we are supposed to distract from, and he still seems to trust a woman who left him for dead.”

“It sounds as though your Flockmaster is a problem,” the reflection answered back.

Talinvor’s crooked grin returned, but slowly. “Eii, he is.”

Talinvor’s reflection grinned back, sharp white teeth behind black lips. “Something should be done, neh?”

“So it should, brother,” Talinvor replied, “So it should.”

All That Remains

Artifact Scar (Player Vignette) (05/21/2020)

Originally posted on the official forums by INSPADES on 0/21/2020 at 10:40 PM CST. For the third time, the needle prodded against the crystal embedded in Talinvor's temple and for the third time, his teeth attempted to crush the leather wrapped stick to stifle a scream of pain. The painstealer had been thorough with her preparation of her patient, buckling down his limbs so that he thrashed helplessly on the table as she tested the crystal's supposed magic.

"Now, now Tah'lon. You volunteered for this experimentation, remember," she consoles, even as she prods the crystal again - sending a shock-wave of pain through his body. "I think I am as curious as you now about what this thing is in your head. My theory was correct though," she continues as she gazes at him impassively and ignores the trickle of blood that seeps down his cheek. "It causes far more pain when I try to manipulate it while on Mist Harbor," she remarks almost teasingly. The painstealer grins, leaning over Talinvor's face and presses her fingers against his newly opened scar. He stares at her and curls his lips upward in a feral growl, knowing that she was enjoying every precious moment of this.

Turning away, the painstealer pivoted to the table and jotted more notes into a dogeared journal. His eyes flicked to where she stood, weighing her value on any further discovery. He had come to her, initially. His trip to Sharath after the betrayal of Selbi was meant to find the trigger to this newly gained magic. An Artifact, she called it. Selbi was plain on that word, and how she admitted to have powered it with emotion. The Flock's emotion, she claimed.

"Odd," he remembered suddenly. Socius' magic was also triggered through emotion - losing memory every time he flew into a rage. "I'm not sure he faked that,” he thought to himself. “But it doesn't seem to affect me the same."

"It's not affecting you the same, clearly," the painstealer remarked as if she'd heard him, but continued her train of thought. "You've mentioned that certain pitches can cause a wave of pain not dissimilar to literally touching it." Pausing, she lowers her voice to an almost conspiratorial whisper "Have you told anyone else about this?"

Talinvor spit out the stick and it clattered to the floor. Stretching his jaw in a wide yawn, he grunted dissent. "Neh. If that got around, I'm sure there would be afternoon teas everywhere," he smirked - knowing that little tidbit would spread like wildfire. "And don't you dare tell anyone else," he growled.

The painstealer rolled her eyes, ignoring his threat. "Magic is often tied to bloodline," she lectured. "As Dhe'nar, you are well aware of this. Some things will be more effective or ineffective, depending on the purpose of the magical item, or in this case - an Artifact which was previously claimed to have tied specifically into Socius' power and the Island itself."

Nodding in his restraints, he added to the painstealer's theory. "So is it possible that Selbi may have just assumed it would be as effective on us? I've not heard anything from the elf or halfling, but the human certainly acts like he's gained power."

"Eii, it's possible - Socius was human also, so you say. And there may be some sort of connection between the two, even a faint one that could have tickled some latent power." The painstealer's eyes flicked to Talinvor's restraints and then back at her tools before sighing. "It's also possible that Selbi lied entirely about this crystal having any power at all, and it is just some geological anomaly. I ~could~ experiment more..." her lips curled back into a wry grin. "You did say that she's the one that likely arranged the children's kidnapping, and apparently worked with Socius to kill off the thugs that were likely bribed into the whole thing. It's possible this is just another elaborate trickery."

"Eii, no need to rub it in," he scoffed as he turned his head away from her. "I should have realized from the beginning. I was set on trying to discover whatever this new magic Socius seemed to have, and simply roped myself into mundane things in order to get closer to that goal. It was worth the risk to walk away with a fragment of what could have been, even if it wasn't the way I wanted." He shifted in his bindings, the metal of the buckles clacking against the wood.

"Can you remove it?" Talinvor's voice lowered to reflect his question as a demand, but halted the weave of compulsion behind it. The painstealer frowned, and shook her head. "I'm afraid, sho'nah* that this magic is human wrought. Given further study, and as far from Mist Harbor as possible - we can probably remove it. I do not know the long term effect though. At best right now, I can dampen the pain and gradually erase most of the scar. Your caste would have issues, if they found you permanently damaged."

Having lifted his head, while listening - he sighed in resignation and lowered it back to the table with an audible thunk.

---

• sho'nah = brother (a term of respect, not a literal brother)

Inevitable

• In Need of Sleep 2/4/2021
• Crackers and Teapots 3/5/2021
• Slaves of Survival 4/6/2021
• The Stage is Set - part I 6/5/2021
• The Stage is Set - part II 6/5/2021
• The Herald's Action - part I 6/6/2021
• The Herald's Action - part II 6/6/2021
• Saving Katillios 6/6/2021

Appearances

You see High Lord Talinvor the Loremaster. 

He appears to be a Dhe'nar Dark Elf. 

He is strikingly tall and has a hard-muscled physique.  He appears to be youthful.  He has piercing stormy grey eyes and ebon skin.  He has very long, straight jet black hair pulled into two chain-bound braids over each shoulder, the rest left loose beneath a blackened silver headband.  He has an angular face, a straight nose and strong, chiseled features.  He has a faded x-shaped scar on his right temple.

You see Grand Lord Talinvor the Loremaster. 

He appears to be a Dhe'nar Dark Elf. 

He is strikingly tall and has a hard-muscled physique.  He appears to be youthful.  He has piercing stormy grey eyes and ebon skin.  He has very long, straight jet black hair pulled into five asymmetrical ring-pierced braids with three over his left and two over his right shoulder, the rest left loose beneath a blackened silver headband.  He has an angular face, a straight nose and strong, chiseled features.  He has a faded x-shaped scar on his right temple.

Additional Art

Commissions by Farwin at https://farwinart.carrd.co/