PCs:Thaylis Beign
Name: Thaylis Beign
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| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; line-height: 1.25em;" |  Brigadier Sir 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 | Numerous - See Below |
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:
- Blade 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, an 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, wood-lore, and scouting techniques. The old ranger was a firm believer that any Hunter should be comfortable enough to wield 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 morning, 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 little 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 extravagant 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 soon after the Blackhawk Company was increased to Battalion size.
Rise Through the Ranks
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 officer's commission, which I readily accepted. I continued to gain rank and responsibility within the unit. With the death of Major Fyne and Captain Weller's re-assignment within the battalion, I assumed command of 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.
Command of a Brigade
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 assumed the name Blackhawk Brigade.
After a successful recruiting campaign, the Blackhawk Brigade continued to spearhead a number of aggressive tactical operations against the Drotid. Elite members of the Brigade were responsible for denying the invaders use of the iron mines located east of Derrington Castle and disrupting the alliance forged with the Bugbears in the region.
In an act of unity and defiance the naval fleets of M’Chek and T’Nanshi joined forces. Supported by the select members of the Blackhawks and T’Nanshi’s 6th Division, the allied forces conducted a series of coordinated attacks along the eastern coast, targeting Drotid naval forces and land based targets. This operation resulted in the Drotid no longer having a viable presence in the Eastern Seas, as several warships were captured or sunk, and numerous land installations were destroyed.
In the final stages of the War, Fort Msaelifriss was besieged by M’Chekian forces. A small group of members of the Blackhawk Battalion, commanded by Lt. Colonel Fox, successfully breached the fortress’s gate. Soon thereafter in a climatic battle, Fort Kasslesstha fell, their Warlord slain in the shadow of Chasworth Keep.
M'Chekian Victory and Accolades
With the defeat of Warlords Msaelifriss and Kasslesstha, and the Drotid forces broken and scattered, victory over the invaders was declared. A large celebration was held in Mikona to honor the brave men and women who gave their best in defense of our great nation. To my surprise, I was one of 5 officers named Hero of M’Chek and knighted into the Chivalric Order of the Balance.
I take pride in the men and women under my command and feel honored to have led these capable and competent soldiers against the Hissers who invaded M'Chek.
Struggle Against the Drotid Outside the M'Chekian Borders
Shortly after M’Chek’s victory over the Drotid, I lead an elite force of approximately 200 Blackhawks to aid the Elysian Resistance in their efforts to reclaim their city from the Drotid oppressors. Joining forces with the T’Nanshi military and Le’Megen, the joint forces were successful in eradicating the Drotid from the city.
Soon after this victory was won, High Command presented me with orders to assemble the Blackhawk Brigade and combine it with General Matherson’s 3rd Brigade, with overall command of this amalgamated unit falling upon my shoulders. Numbering just over 6,000 men and with Brigadier Lambert’s 5,000 soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, we rendezvoused in Port Nireth and joined forces with the T’Nanshi and the Le’Megen. With this allied army assembled we sailed north to Grantir, with the intentions of striking at the heart of the Drotid forces. Intel reports had indicated that Voivode Kasseshisrath had taken the field with a large army with plans on retaking Elysia.
Intercepting the Drotid Army in Grantir, a large and costly battle was fought. A small, elite strike force was formed and flanked the Drotid's Army left side, fighting its way to a ruined fortress in which the Voivode used as his command post. During the height of the battle, the last desperate prayer to Pelar by His Chosen, Kahas, was answered by the God of the Hunt and brought Warmaster Kiff and I within the Voivode’s inner defenses. Together, we ended the reign of Kasseshisrath in a brutal fight in which quarter was neither asked for nor received.
It was for this battle against the Voivode that I was named "Blade of Pelar" by Kahas.
Hel'Byssia
With the growing threat of an ancient evil within the Gates of Hel'Byssi I received permission from High Command to march two heavy infantry company's of Blackhawks, numbering just over 250 officers and soldiers, to that peninsula and joined forces gathering under Warmaster Kiff's banner.
Shaelth
I participated in what can only be called the greatest Hunt I could ever hope be part of. A Hunt which truly Honor’s Pelar.
Shaelth, an Ancient Lycanthrope of immeasurable strength, power and agility terrorized the mountains in Deglos, she herself Hunting someone or something. If left unchecked the fear was that she would continue to move south, eventually entering T’Nanshi lands and would continue to terrorize the citizens of that nation.
Alain, a Tydeun ranger had hunted her for some time, and together with Kice Ansu, coordinated the efforts of concerned citizens of many nations to draw her into a steep and narrow valley high in the Delglosian Mountains and ambush her there. Specialized ballistae bolts were crafted of silver and mithril, and the volunteers manned the siege weapons in order to bring Shaelth down.
When all was in place, I was able to draw Shaelth to the valley by creating a scent trail from the bloody hide of her most recent kill; that of a fellow Ancient Lycanthrope named Chlyros. I was successful in drawing the Ancient One into the valley, though to my dismay, Tem, the sand dragon at my side, was slain at Shaelth’s initial onslaught.
The battle was long and bloody, though neither side seemed to be able to gain an advantage. In the end, it was Shaelth’s own offspring, Xira, which brought her down, a Lycanthrope who followed Pelar’s Old Ways of the Hunt. Their battle was fierce, yet in the end Xira prevailed.
Presence of Marko and his Undead Minions
Titles and Awards
- Hero of M'Chek
- Knight Companion of the Chivalric Order of Balance
- Service of Plate presented for actions during the War against the Drotid
- Gold Lion Medal
- Silver Unicorn Medal
- Copper Eagle Medal
- Victory Medallion
- Eastern Seas Medal
- Derrington's Medal
- Serpents Tail Medal
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 judgment and follow his orders unquestioningly.