Halaimon

In the illustrious annals of the Circle of Masters, Halaimon once shone like a beacon of wisdom and arcane prowess. His element, Fire, was not merely the subject of his scholarly endeavour but the embodiment of his spirit, a connection he held with the ancient Column of Taharjin. Yet, it was an ember in his soul that led him down the path of curiosity, a path that veered towards the shadowy realms of Exiled magic. Whispers of extended life and uncharted realms of power lured him, as a moth to flame, into its enticing mysteries.

His insatiable curiosity was not without its dangers. It ensnared him in a web woven by clandestine figures, their faces hidden in the dim light of the underworld. These were not common thugs, but sorcerers operating outside the established traditions, lured by forbidden magics that went against the very ethos of The Council of Landezon. Just who these figures were, remained a question that danced in the shadows.
Once a distinguished scholar revered by his peers, Halaimon found his reputation tarnished by his association with this nebulous group. The Circle of Masters had been a second home to him, his students the spiritual offspring of his intellectual endeavours. Yet, upon discovery of his illicit dabbling, all he had nurtured was subjected to the harsh scrutiny of a rigorous inquisition. His apprentices, innocent in their own right, were not spared the chill of the interrogator's gaze.

Throughout his travels and investigations, Halaimon was seldom alone. A retinue of loyal retainers shadowed him, their duty to shield their master from harm. Among them was Davina Antistia, a veritable tower of strength. Born and raised on the fertile soils of a humble farm in Jitaˈi ˈliklo, her roots were humble, yet her spirit was as vast as the open fields of her homeland. Her striking stature and auburn hair marked her as a distinct presence, but it was her unwavering loyalty and plain-spoken honesty that set her apart. Her Bonneru heritage was a mark of disgrace in the eyes of the Drakoyan world, yet Davina bore it with a quiet dignity that commanded respect.
As a woman warrior in a nation that favoured the strength of men, Davina was a rarity. She was a silent sentinel, always by Halaimon's side, a guardian against the visible and invisible threats that lurked in the shadows. Her duty took her into the heart of the Council, an experience both awe-inspiring and intimidating, yet she shouldered her responsibilities with an unwavering resolve.
It was her loyalty to Halaimon, and her proximity to him, that led her to unearth the secrets he had buried deep. A sense of duty urged her to bring these revelations to the attention of the Elders, yet doing so was fraught with risks. Despite the political tumult that her revelation stirred, her dedication to truth prevailed. The revelation of her Master's transgressions led to a swift and unforgiving response, and she was dispatched to a distant outpost at Sewca, in the land of Mador, a silent punishment for unearthing the truth.

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Note: This article is the result of a creative collaboration with Thiel.