Balrose Demisaga, the Lord Taleteller

Balrose Demisaga otherwise known by his titles; the Lord Taleteller, the First Listener of the Magistrate, Headmaster of the College of the Shattered Light and the Prophet of the Óhin. Balrose is an Arkey Immortal, the only one of his kind who is technically not a mortal yet looks like one. Balrose Demisaga's life and history has always been surrounded by mystery and questions, questions he never answered himself nor ever intended to.

Origins

Allegedly born just before the rise of the First Draconic Empire, Balrose emerged as an atypical being during Year 1, purportedly among the first adult-born Dragons before the Slumbering. Despite his distinctively Draconic traits, Balrose is not a dragon, yet was made to exude an aura and presence that commands the respect of these majestic beings (or more like it was supposed to). Positioned as a mediator by Kalzamaath, Balrose's role was intended to bridge the gap between Dragons and the Lesser Beings of the future.
However, history's perspective paints a different narrative, contradicting the Paragons' story of his benevolent mission. The rise of the Draconic Empire, marred by inequality and slavery, stood in stark contrast to Balrose's intended role as a mediator. Though he attempted to instill humility in the Dragons, his efforts could not prevent the eruption of the Wyrm Wars (Year 74-76). Balrose contends that without his mediating influence, Aesor would have succumbed to utter destruction under the Dragons' wrath, a destruction far greater than what the Wyrm Wars eventually lead to.
Victorious in the Wyrm Wars, the Draconic Empire's triumph heralded a new threat to Aesor—the Ihn, otherwise known as Monsters. Despite Balrose's involvement, details surrounding the origins and fate of the Ihn remain shrouded in mystery, a deliberate omission perpetuated by both the Dragons and Balrose. Their silence on this matter fuels skepticism among independent academics, casting doubt on the authenticity of Balrose's accounts, particularly his Tome of the Kingdom—considered by many as biased Abbey propaganda, covering the unanswered questions about Aesor’s past with legends and fairytales.
Over time, Balrose's relationship with the Dragons soured, marked by distrust and a palpable coldness. Dubbed "Aesar" by the Dragons—a derisive term of stupidity, referencing Balrose's position as "the man that tries to play god on Aesor”—Balrose endeavored to transform the nickname into a symbol of valor and heroism. This symbolic shift became part of Abbey propaganda, later influencing the perceptions of adventurers across Aesor.
Despite his pivotal role in ancient history, Balrose's active involvement diminished with the Dawn of Creation. Curiously, his participation in guiding and nurturing new races, apart from the Arkey—a race that curiously bears resemblances to his own traits—was notably scarce, raising questions about his intentions and motivations during such an important era in Aesor’s history.

The First Listener of the Magistrate

In the Year 141, Balrose officially established the Magistrate of Aztheon—back then, the first mortal establishment and institution in Aesor dedicated to the study of the intricate marcritic arts. At first functioning not as a nation but rather as a research-centric facility, Balrose only pursuing nation-founding objectives once their society grew exponentially and was basically forced into (while he would never decline the honors) declaring it an independent nation.
Crafted with a motive to unravel the secrets of Marcry arts, the Magistrate's primary aim was to delve into thorough exploration, uncover mysteries, and harness the Marcry arts for the betterment of Aesor. Crucially, Balrose harbored a deeply rooted desire for Aesor's emancipation from the clutches of the Dragons, marking a time when their once-tight alliance had dwindled. Balrose truly believes that only by experimenting with the unknown, will they ever find answers to their questions, potentially solving all the problems that  Kalzamaath’s world is facing since its birth (for example, the Scions of Vals). This way of thinking is what he sowed deeply into his Arkey society and what made the Magistrate of Aztheon what it is today.
Elevating himself to the distinguished role of the First Listener, Balrose's title carried a weighty significance, speculated to embody a close relationship between the Arkey race and the divine will of Kalzamaath (meaning: he and his chosen ones are the only ones that truly listen to the Óhin’s words). By assuming this title, Balrose appeared to assert that he and his people were the sole entities truly attuned and devoted to the demands and assertions of the Prophecy. Meanwhile, Balrose depicted the Dragons as having strayed from the Prophecy's path—a theory that was never openly deliberated upon.
To this day, Lord Balrose retains the mantle of the First Listener, maintaining the nation’s leader role within the Magistrate's structure. His authority is complemented by the Second and Third Listeners, serving as his trusted advisors and wielding substantial governmental voting power within the Magistrate's hierarchy.

The Lord Taleteller

Initially, the title of Lord Taleteller was but a nickname bestowed upon him by the Abbey, stemming from his authorship of the Tome of the Kingdom—the “official” history-ethics book of Aesor. Over time, this title was officially included among his collection of titles, leading to a narrative of his surname being affiliated with his role as the “world historian”. Balrose himself claims that his surname, Demisaga, was derived from his role as the Lord Taleteller. However, conflicting narratives soon rose, with independent academics asserting that Balrose was addressed as Lord Demisaga of Aepollum during the Draconic Era, a stark contradiction to his recent claims. These scholars rely on Balrose's past statements, which have seemingly shifted in more recent times. This discrepancy creates a puzzling duality in the understanding of his origins raising even more questions about Balrose’s identity.
However, the main reason to why Balrose is the Lord Taleteller is still the Tome of the Kingdom, despite many that question his surname, the book regarded as the authoritative history book of Aesor despite facing vehement opposition from numerous scholars and academic institutions. Criticized as Abbey propaganda, the Tome's credibility has been scrutinized, with many scholars contending that its historical claims are modified to align with the Abbey's narrative. Despite this backlash, the Tome has found widespread acceptance as the official historical-ethic document of Aesor, albeit excluded from numerous academic facilities due to its contested authenticity. Rumors abound that the Abbey's global influence and substantial monetary contributions have solidified the Tome's status as the “one and only” on Aesor across many nations.
Beyond his written work as Lord Taleteller, Balrose Demisaga appears in various and sometimes unusual locations, often undertaking the role of an educator imparting historical teachings. Those who have encountered him claim that Balrose seemingly embodies multiple personas. As the First Listener, his demeanor is strict, at times authoritarian, and even perceived as harsh or malevolent toward those that make mistakes. However, for example as the Prophet of the Óhin, he presents himself as a sagacious, infinitely patient figure—a compassionate Arkey seeking the common good of Aesor's populace.
The Lord Taleteller assumes a proactive role in disseminating knowledge, appearing before those in need to impart lessons from Aesor's history, enabling them to glean insights and avoid repeating past mistakes. His presence extends to educational institutions, where he willingly shares his wisdom and teachings with students of all ages, thereby strengthening his role as the dedicated loremaster of Aesor.

The Prophet of the Óhin

Balrose Demisaga apart from his various roles in Aesor's world, religiously, one of the most important yet sometimes completely ignored is his role as the Prophet of the Óhin. Public opinion surrounding Balrose's prophetic status is evenly split, with a significant 50-50 distribution prevailing among the people of Aesor. Half of the populace wholeheartedly believes in Balrose as the one true prophet, while the other half acknowledges his visionary persona but refrains from attributing divine status to him, viewing him just as a powerful Ancestor instead.
Regardless of this divide, Balrose remains motivated in fulfilling his ultimate objective as the Prophet—uniting Aesor and establishing the Kingdom of the Prophecy advocated by the Óhin during the Slumbering, over a millennium ago.
In his role as the Prophet, Balrose usually is the perfect idol of kindness and humility. Often traversing various cities, regions, and nations of Aesor, he engages with the common people, exhibiting acts of charity, bestowing blessings upon the downtrodden, and offering solace to those afflicted by misfortune. Clad in poor and simple garments adorned with the Abbey's sigil, Balrose appears to the masses as a symbol of simplicity, hope and benevolence.
Balrose Demisaga was selected as the Prophet of the Óhin by both the Five Houses and the Paragons, tasked with becoming the prophetic figure required to fulfill the Abbey’s longterm goals. His unique status as the only mortal-like being on Aesor, having experienced numerous ages of Aesor’s evolution, deemed him the most suitable and only candidate for this role.
However, the extent of the Prophet's influence over the governance of the Abbey remains a big question. The true magnitude of Balrose's authority within the institution—a seat of power he presumably occupies—remains an mystery. Whether he is a guiding force in critical decisions or merely a symbolic figurehead to the masses remains a subject of debate, one that may never be definitively answered.

The Man, the Myth, the Legend

Balrose Demisaga, a man covered from head to toe in responsibilities, devotes his days ceaselessly to a multitude of roles and obligations. His life is one perceived to be among the most stressful in all of Aesor. Juggling multifaceted responsibilities—from his positions within the Abbey as the Prophet and Taleteller to his leadership role in the Magistrate of Aztheon and being the headmaster of the College of the Shattered Light—Balrose shoulders the weight of numerous tasks and every day challenges.
His daily routine is a whirlwind of activity, orchestrated across multiple fronts. Whether deliberating on strategies to achieve world peace or seeking remedies for pressing issues plaguing Aesor, such as the Aria menace, the subterranean Mordheir army of the undead, or the looming threat of the Mystrisen, Balrose is tirelessly engaged in the pursuit of solutions.
To navigate this demanding life, Balrose relies on a trusty companion: Onx, his personal attendant and confidant. Onx is an an intelligent, fully conscious elemental, crafted from dragonstone and powered by a Marcry core. Despite its diminutive stature, Onx assumes a gargantuan role in Balrose's everyday life. Tasked with handling the mundane aspects of Balrose's obligations, from managing correspondence to drafting documents and even writing on Balrose's behalf, Onx is entrusted with even the deepest secrets harbored by the Lord Taleteller. Onx is said to be a mute, however many claim that the little companion is only mute to the public, and talking to others than Balrose is forbidden to the elemental. However, these are only rumours, for now.

Balrose's daily endeavors unfold primarily within his private tower in Aztheon, where he immerses himself in Marcry experiments or undertakes his duties as the First Listener. When not engrossed in Aztheon's affairs, he dedicates his time to the Abbey's operations or ventures across the expanses of Aesor, extending his wisdom and guidance as the Prophet or Taleteller to aid the mortals of the world.

General Information

Aliases - Lord Taleteller, Prophet of the Óhin, First Listener, Headmaster of the College of the Shattered Light
Home - Aztheon, Magistrate of Aztheon
Age - approx. 1273 years old
Sex - Male
Race - Immortal (Arkey)
Loyalty - Magistrate of Aztheon, Abbey of the Óhin
Power Group - None
Religion - The Abbey of the Óhin