Blademaster Linyarra

"The war is only over once I am dead."

Written by: jester2b

Cover Art by: Rafael Sewa

The Silver Blade of Rocturra

Rocturra has been the birthplace of many great warriors. None of the great generals, dragonslayers, and master hunters compared to Rocturra's greatest champion, Linyarra. She has stood victorious over beasts, elves, gods, and seemingly, death itself. The great Blademaster stands as a symbol of the power in all Roctane and dutifully serves as a protector and leader for her homeland.

Early Life

The great blademaster was born in the town surrounding Tolmr Komgor, the largest military garrison in Rocturra. From a young age, Linyarra was fascinated by the art of swordsmanship. In her eyes, the sword was not an instrument of war but rather an instrument of expression. The wielder was an artist who expressed themselves in a deadly dance of clashing blades. The young girl dreamed of becoming a master of this elegant dance.
The young Linyarra found her chance to achieve her dreams when an old weathered swordsman called himself Yarin the Wanderer arrived in Tolmr Komgor. The old man had traveled almost everywhere he could in Stelwen and wished to settle down for once. It seemed fate would have its answer for him when Linyarra approached him seeking his guidance. Finding his reason to settle down, Yarin began training the ambitious young girl. He was impressed by the speed at which she learned his techniques and her ability to wield a blade as if it were an extension of herself.
By the time she reached her late teens, Yarinhad taught Linyarra everything he knew to the point that she had surpassed him. Seeking to put her skills to the test, Linyarra began offering her skills to those who needed them. Her accomplishments, including hunting an infamous crime boss and slaying a Lichspider single-handedly, made her a local icon in Tolmr Komgor. For Linyarra, however, it wasn't enough.

Clash of the Unbreakable

Tolmr Atrak, a fortress built right on the border between Rocturra and Derraken, hosts the Sulla Artal Festival every five years. Fighters from all across the two nations join together to celebrate the warriors of today and those of the past. For the next month, festival-goers represent their homeland through competitions testing their combat skills and physical ability. The festival is overseen by two Masters of Ceremonies representing each nation; Derraken's military master Calvila Dreddar and a chosen Marked Defender from Rocturra serve as the overseers.
The Sulla Artal Festival of 50 2E had Linyarra's first time attending the event, to which she quickly became well known to spectators. No challenge seemed impossible to her, and no opponent was strong enough to defeat her. In the closing days of the festival, a selection of warriors chosen by two Master of Ceremonies competes in a two-day-long tournament to prove their might. As she had before, Linyarra cleaved her way through every challenger who stood before her until she stood as the champion of 50 2E's Sulla Artal Festival.
The tournament's victor would be rewarded by being granted one wish from the two Master of Ceremonies, as long as it was within reason. Linyarra didn't find the common wishes of wealth, power, or fame suitable. Instead, she wished for a chance to test her mettle in a way that would silence the voice of doubt in her head for good. Her request was simple and straight to the point.

"I wish to fight Calvila Dreddar." - Linyarra

The spectators were awestruck by Linyarra's brazen request. The Marked Defender overseeing the event was ready to deny her wish but was stopped by Calvila, who couldn't have been happier. The festival was extended by a day to allow Linyarra to rest and prepare for the greatest fight of her life.
The next morning, Calvila and Linyarra exchanged greetings on the tournament grounds, surrounded by boisterous crowds waiting to watch history. Calvila, strengthened by the mystically powered blood of the Dreddars, did not go easy on her, and Linyarra wouldn't have it any other way. The two fought in a mystifying display of swordsmanship between two masters the likes Stelwen had never before seen. This battle between a god and mortal lasted nearly two hours, with both women perfectly matched with each other. The battle ended when Linyarra managed to disarm Calvila and knock her to the ground in one elegant motion. Disarmed and pinned to the ground, Calvila had been defeated by the young swordswoman. As a token of her victory, Calvila asked the victorious Linyarra to slash her on the cheek, forever marking the historic event on her flesh.

"One would think someone who thinks of themselves as a god would be offended by what happened. Thankfully, Calvila is the best of her family, and accepted her defeat with grace" - Festival Spectator

Warrior's Mark

After her historic victory over the previously unbeaten Calvila Dreddar, Linyarra was unanimously chosen to become a Marked Defender for Rocturra. Seeing no greater honor, Linyarra excepted, forever dedicating herself to protecting the Orkina Temple and her homeland. She would be adorned in a light silver armor to denote her position as a Marked Defender and stand in contrast to Calvila's golden armor.
In 55 2E, five years after Linyarra's historic victory, she would serve as a Master of Ceremonies alongside Calvila at the Sulla Artal Festival. This year would be special, as the closing event would be a rematch between the two swordswomen. This occasion was perhaps the biggest draw for travelers, as nearly double the number of people came to witness the event. At the festival's closing, the two women faced each other on the festival ground as they did five years before and clashed blades. The two fought with far more intensity than before, making the spectacle one for the ages. The two women, clad in silver and gold, gave it their all, but only one could be victorious in the end. With a swift slash with her blade and a well-placed kick to the chest, Linyarra would stand victorious once again, marking her victory with a second slash to Calvila's cheek.

The Concoction

Four years after her second festival appearance, Linyarra discovered a strange tumor on her chest. As the weeks went by, Linyarra would grow weak and ill as the disease took over her body. Despite the temple's best efforts, the news of Linyarra's illness broke out across Rocturra as the nation braced for the potential loss of its greatest hero. The disease acted quickly, pulling her to the brink of death faster than any healer could fight it. For everything she had accomplished in her life, this wasn't how she would've wanted it to end. Try as she might, this looked like a fight she couldn't win.
When Linyarra was at her weakest, bedridden and waiting for death, a strange hooded figure snuck into her chambers. This mysterious individual carried with them a vial of an unknown concoction. The stranger did not speak a word to the dying Linyarra as they held her firmly while making her drink the mysterious substance. As quick as they came, the stranger disappeared, leaving the concoction to take effect. Linyarra would fall into a deep slumber for three days, but when she awoke, she felt stronger than ever. The concoction had completely cured her while also making her stronger and faster than before.
To celebrate Linyarra's recovery, she and Calvila would host the Sulla Artal Festival for a second time. As with the last festival, the two would duel again; Calvila would leave with a third slash on her cheek.

Undying Legacy

Little did Linyarra know, the concoction had another side effect; it had stopped her from aging, effectively making her immortal. Untouchable to the everlasting march of time, Linyarra continued on serving the Orkina Temple and Rocturra. Her undying visage and silver armor would serve as a symbol of inspiration for Rocturra as she led her forces against any threat to her homeland. During times of calm, Linyarra founded the Yarraken, an order of elite swordsmen who trained in the ways of the Silver Blade of Rocturra. Her immortal legacy has made Rocturra stronger as she leads her people into a new age.

Current Status

Overseeing the Yarraken

Species

Roctane

Date of Birth

28th of Winter's End, 25 2E

Birthplace

Tolmr Komgor

Current Residence

Mor Lakatar