PCs:Thaylis Beign

Name: Thaylis Beign

class="fn" colspan="2" style="background: lightsteelblue; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"	Thaylis Beign
colspan="2" style="background: lightsteelblue; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"
colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; line-height: 1.25em;"	Brigadier Thaylis Beign, 12th Infantry Brigade (Blackhawk Brigade)
Allegiance	Nation of M'Chek
Service/branch	M'Chekian Army
Rank	Brigadier
Commands held	* Commander of Blackhawk Command Company. * Executive Officer - Blackhawk Battalion. * Chief of Staff - 3rd Infantry Brigade. * Commander of Blackhawk Brigade.
Awards	Copper Eagle Medal Eastern Seas Medal Derrington's Medal Serpent's Tail Medal

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Age: Mid 20's

Deity: Pelar

Class: Ranger/Shadowdancer

Birthplace: Family farm, Nelthropian Lands, M'Chek

Residence: The Canvas, in the City of Mikona.

Affiliations and Titles:

• Hunter of Pelar

• Brigadier, M'Chekian Army. Serves as the Commanding Officer of the Blackhawk Brigade.

• Keepers of the Cycle - Member

Early Years

I was born to Cray and Thrella Beign, on a small farm near the Order of the Way, in northwest M’Chek. Cray farmed various things…wheat, cotton, hops…. Whatever brought the best price at the market. My mother worked hard beside my father, and together made a descent living. I was the only child born to them.

At age 7, disaster struck the Beign farm. The evening brought an evil from the south, a group of 4 or 5 undead roaming the farmlands. From where these creatures came from, no one ever knew for sure. They killed the cows, old Sally the draft horse, and chickens in the barn and pens first. Hearing the animals scream, father and mother ran toward the barn, while I watched in fear from the house, father yelling at me to stay inside. I never saw either one again alive. Minutes passed, and that’s when I saw them, shuffling out of the barn doors, sniffing the air, catching sight of me behind the window of the house. They were covered in blood and I froze there, as any 7 year old would do. Howling, they charged the house, and somehow was able to get my young legs moving. In fear, I ran out the back door, and into the root cellar, barely able to close and lock the large oaken door behind me. The undead clawed and beat at the door, but was unable to break it down. Their frustrations made them howl and groan and hiss louder. These screams and those of the animals warned the neighboring farm, and finally a group of men chased the undead away. They found me in shock at the back wall of the cellar.

After the attack, my mother’s uncle, Garrick, aa aging Pelarite ranger, took me in. He lived in a small cabin north of my parent’s farm.

Learning the Hunter's Way

Growing up under Garrick's tutelage can only be described as a never-ending lesson. He was a veteran the War with T'Nanshi, serving with distinction for M'Chek. As I grew from a small boy to a young man, he taught me all he knew of Pelar's Teachings, spending much time exploring the Wilds with him, learning the basics of tracking, woodlore, and scouting techniques. The old ranger was a firm believer that any Hunter should be comfortable enough to weild any weapon at hand, be it a simple club, iron sword, or farm tool. He stressed the importance of the bow and how the Hunt is the center of all of Pelar's teachings. I eagerly soaked in as much as I could from him.

By the time I had seen my 17th summer, I had a firm grasp of the basics of becoming one of Pelar's Hunters. Garrick failed to rise one moring, the grizzled Hunter heeding Pelar's call.

On 2 occasions now, I have met directly with the Breath of Pelar. I look forward to more meetings with this mystical Hunter.

The Big City and Finding Purpose

After Garrick's death, I took what lttle belongings I had and made my way south, to the city of Mikona. What drew me, I can't say for certain. Perhaps I was curious. Having very limited funds, I took up odd jobs for various farmers in the outlying lands surrounding the city, earning enough to keep me from starving. I soon had enough gold to rent a room at the Bored Gargoyle Inn. I preferred this inn to the others inside the city as the farmers were a friendly group and accepted me.

For the next few years I called the Gargoyle home. I did many things during this time, honing my Hunter's skills, learning a bit about carpentry and traveling to distant lands like T'Nanshi, Ferrell, Deglos, and Elysia. Currently, I have a room at the Canvas. Its a bit more extravegant than what I'm used to, but it does allow me access to Mikona's upper class.

The Art of the Shadow

Shortly after arriving to Mikona, I met a Master of the Shadows. As a teenager still under Garrick’s guidance, I had the chance to met one of his comrades from the War. This man was able to use Shadow in ways I could only imagine. Intrigued by these skills, he told me I too could learn the Art if I worked diligently and found a willing Master to instruct me.

Years later, I was fortunate in finding my Master when I did. I had made several naive inquiries in the city on finding a teacher who could teach Shadowdancing, as it is commonly called, and was approached by a group of less than honorable individuals that offered the training I was seeking. I turned down that offer. Later, I was approached by a Master near Mikona who offered to instruct me. I'm not sure why I was chosen by my Master but I was offered training with no concessions needed to be given on my part. I will always be grateful for that gesture and am thankful for the friendship that developed from it.

As I mastered the Shadows, I found I was in a position to no longer be an Apprentice, but that as a Master. I’ve instructed one already in the Way of the Shadow, a Blackhawk scout under my command named Paco Di Brancaleone, who shows promise in mastering the Art. I will continue to teach others, as I see fit.

The Blackhawks

Just shy of my 20th summer, I inquired about joining the Blackhawks during the time the Demons spread throughout south-western M’Chek, offering my services and skills as a tracker and scout to the Army. Captain Swift of the Blackhawk Company took notice of me during this time and offered me a position within the unit. I accepted, enlisted, and soon after the Demon threat was neutralized by M’Chekian forces. Shortly after these events, Drotid military forces invaded the eastern coast of M'Chek, gaining a foothold on our soil. War was declared by War Commissioner Lord Chasworth and shortly after, the Blackhawk Company was increased to Battalion size.

Under Major Fyne's and Captain Weller's watchful eyes, I rose rapidly, skipping several enlisted ranks in the process. To my surprise, Colonel-Commissar Brittain offered me an officers commission, which I readily accepted. I continued to gain rank and responsibilty within the unit. With the death of Major Fyne and Captain Weller's re-assignment within the battailion, I assumed command of the the Blackhawk Command Company, and also served as the Battalion's Executive Officer (XO) under C. C. Brittain. During that time, I've overseen several successful operations against the Drotid invaders.

I was reassigned by High Command to a Chief of Staff position of the 3rd Infantry Brigade under General Arthur Matherson. While I was reluctant to leave the Blackhawks, I understood the need of making personal sacrifices during this time of War to defeat the Hissers. As Chief of Staff, I oversaw then the needs of a much larger command element, consisting of 6 full Battalions.

In an unprecedented move following the infamous raid upon Fort Kasslesstha, War Commissioner Lord Tobias Chasworth promoted me to the rank of Brigadier, and ordered me to assume command of the 12th Brigade under Lord Derrington’s banner. He then tasked me with forging the Brigade with the capability to commence field operations against the Drotid invaders in eastern M’Chek. Consisting of the veteran Blackhawk Battalion and the remnants of the 12th Brigade, the 12th Brigade assumed the name Blackhawk Brigade.

I take pride in the men and women under my command and feel honored to lead these capable and competent soldiers against the Hissers who have invaded M'Chek.

Joining the Keepers

I joined the Keepers of the Cycle due to the incident on our family farm which took the lives of both my parents. The men and women who make up the group are dedicated in returning souls back to the Cycle. Ashanar is a good leader, as most trust his judgement and follow his orders unquestioningly.