Thei Linden is a
human warrior of
Elturel, a hero of the city's
damnation, and one of Elturel's most respected
High Riders.
History
Born in 1472 in
Elturel to a family of merchants, Thei had an unremarkable childhood, as his parents were well off from the rising influence of Elturel and
Elturgard as a whole. Like many in the city, Thei and his family were devout believers in the protection of the
Companion.
In 1497, Thei was in Elturel when the city was teleported to
Avernus, marking the start of the
Damnation of Elturel. Like many citizens of Elturel, Thei cowered from the devils and demons that stalked the city's streets, but he was not directly targetted by the
Hell Knights, as none of his family members were
Hellriders.
Regardless, Thei, like many others, noticed Elturel's slow descent into the
River Styx and assumed that staying in the city would only result in a delayed death. Thei joined a group of Elturians that created makeshift parachutes, and the group descended into Avernus proper, hoping to find salvation. Unfortunately, the lack of easily accesible food and water and the dangerous creatures inhabiting Avernus slowly wore away at Thei's group until only a handful remained.
That handful was further reduced when a colony of hellwasps spotted and attacked the travelers. Every member of the group died save for Thei, who was saved by pure happenstance by the
Lost Star Detectives, a group of adventurers that were attempting to free Elturel. Desperate and afriad of the Detectives' intentions, Thei attempted to steal their
infernal warmachine, the
Doom Buggy, and escape with it but was caught. Understanding his fear, the Detectives didn't punish Thei and allowed him to travel with them for his safety.
As the Doom Buggy was cramped, Thei was forced to sit on the floorboard and watched the warmachine while the Detectives fought in
Algoran's Arena, after which he had to share the floorboards with the rescued
githyanki Armag. The Detectives also gifted Thei an infernal iron sword for protection.
The group then traveled to the
Wandering Emporium and then back to the arena, where the Detectives freed the captured ki-rin
Enki. In thanks, Enki offered to fly to Elturel and help the citizens how he could, and the Detectives encouraged Enki to take Thei with him, as their quest would only get more dangerous. The two agreed, and Enki flew towards Elturel with Thei on his back. During their lengthy journey, the two bonded and grew to trust one another as they fought side by side against the devils that attempted to waylay them.
In Elturel, Enki settled at
Maiden's Leap, which was blessed by his celestial presence to begin growing fresh food and sprouting clean water, a much needed boon to the beleaguered people of the city. Thei, as Enki's friend and rider, was recognized as a folk hero, which Thei attempted to brush off to no avail. Nonetheless, Thei and Enki became the central defenders of the bastion growing around Maiden's Leap.
When the Detectives returned to the city shortly before the
Battle of Elturel, Thei greeted them warmly, thanking them for not leaving him behind and giving him the tools to find his place in the world. During the battle, Thei rode atop Enki and held off the hordes of demons that attempted to swarm into Maiden's Leap. Though both were wounded, they kept fighting until the battle was won, further enhancing Thei's prestige.
After Elturel's salvation, Enki remained in the city until the situation had stablized and his gift of fresh food and water were no longer needed. When he left, Thei gave him a heartfelt goodbye, knowing they'd likely not see each other again. After Enki left, Thei remained in Elturel, often around Maiden's Leap, which the people of the city had renamed
Enki's Rest.
Unexpectedly for Thei, his reputation propelled him into a leading position in Elturian socieety. Initially overwhelmed, he was able to rise to the challenge of setting a good example for the people of Elturel, continuing to serve and protect them as an independent warrior. When
Alcor Miursa, the High Rider of Elturel following the end of its damnation, retired in the early 16th century, Thei was the near unanimous pick for succession. Now a noble, Thei picked the ki-rin as the symbol of House Linden, and his reign over Elturel was instrumental in restoring the long sense of pride and steadfastness Elturians were known for. Though the nation of Elturgard had fallen apart as a result of Elturel's damnation, Elturel again returned to regional prominence and import under Thei's steadfast guiding hand.
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