Axantheas

AXANTHEAS

Real Name: Axantheas

Class: Minotaur

Occupation: Military commander

Group Affiliation: None

Known Relatives: Cantavian (cousin, deceased)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Taladas, Krynn, Earth-TSR

First Appearance: Dragonlance #22 (August, 1990)

Powers: Like all Minotaurs Axantheas was a fierce warrior that was half-man and half-bull. He wore armor, wielded spears and rode a dragons. Axantheas was missing his left hand.

History: (Dragonlance #22, 23) - Axantheas was the commander of the League of Minotaurs, who served the imperial emperor. Axantheas made a deal with Erestem, the Queen of Darkness, who gifted him with the black dragon and the fabled Dragonring. He was planning on turning on the League’s emperor and taking control of the capital Kristophan. His soldiers Griffin and Skrum learned of the plot, and knew that if the emperor discovered his treachery it would mean the death of them all. They attacked Axantheas, severing his hand and stealing the Dragonring. They were viewed as traitors, and needed to reach Kristophan to present the emperor with the Dragonring to prove Axantheas was working against them. They were pursued by Axantheas and the League, but were saved by Riva Silvercrown, a hero sent to Taladas by the great Paladine to bring justice and order to the land. She used her Dragonlance to kill Axantheas’ dragon, giving her new friends time to flee. They escaped to an underground cavern, but when they emerged they were captured by the League. Axantheas’ general Tyche informed them they were being taken to Kristophan where they’d be executed as traitors. As they approached Kristophan Tyche announced that Riva and company might have co-conspirators in the city and ordered his soldiers to fan out. He kept behind one man, Rangor, behind and fatally stabbed him. Tyche didn’t want his prisoners blabbing to the emperor about Axantheas’ plans, so he intended to kill them then and there, using the cover story that they tried to escape and killed his soldier. Riva hit him over the head with a stick, and went running with Griffin and Skrum. Griffin was sure they were going to die, but said they’d at least put up a fight. Skrum figured out how to use the Dragonring and summoned a Red Dragon to fly them away. Riva was hesitant, saying Red Dragons were evil and allying herself with one would betray her knightly oaths. Tche caught up to them, and after Riva stabbed Tyche she decided to swallow her pride and fly away on the dragon. Skrum found his control over the dragon was tenuous, forcing a landing, and he dismissed the beast. Axantheaswas in Erestem’s temple, and the priests spotted the dragon, saying it was a sign that Axantheas was still in the goddess’ favor. Axantheastold the priests that id they even hinted at doubting him again he’d kill them, and told them to rejoice with him in Erestem’s evil and rejoice in the deaths those who mutilated him would soon suffer. Griffin suggested that instead of handing the Dragonring over to the emperor maybe he should keep it for himself, and scuffled with Skrum over it. The fight was interrupted by Maraghiz and Sulai, elves from the Tiger-Clan. Their clan’s spirit animal Quoyai sent them to Taladas on a mission to find good and make it grow. They were led by their Quoyai to seek out Riva, who was a lone bit of goodness in an otherwise corrupt land. The group knew they were in trouble when they saw several Red Dragons flying overhead.

(Dragonlance #24, 25) - Axantheas summoned the other champions of Erestem, including a Traag Draconian, a Hobgoblin, a Glass Sailor and a Thenolite. Axantheas learned that the Thenolite still served Lord Hoth, evil god of the Thenol and immolated him with a flame spell. Riva and company located the emperor of the Minotaurs, who was already aware of Axantheas’ schemes and didn’t believe Erestem to be a threat to him. Skrum had had enough and used the Dragonring to summon a horde of dragons who routed the emperor’s troops. The company debated going after the emperor, who’d been put to flight and Skrum, corrupted by the ring, declared that he’d be the new ruler of Taladas, and a loyal servant of Erestem. The dragons scooped up Skrum’s companions, and Riva lost her Dragonlance. Skrum said he was taking them to meet Erestem, who was aware they were plotting against her. They arrived at a lavafall, where Erestem created an avatar of herself from lava and fire. Erestem boasted that Riva’s plan to spread goodness throughout Taladas was doomed, and no one in the land worshipped Paladine. Sulai summoned an icestorm that allowed them to flee from Erestem. Skrum caught up with them and demanded they submit to Erestem. Griffin knocked him out, but was unable to pry the Dragonring from him, saying it was as if it was grafted to his hand. Axantheas arrived, riding a Red Dragon and threatened to kill the company. They were saved by Riva’s dragon Ktarrh, who’d been sent by Fizban to aid her in her quest. Riva and Axantheas had an aerial duel over a lavafield, and Axantheas called out to Erestem for aid, so she reformed her avatar. With Erestem distracted Maraghiz removed her control over Skrum, causing the Dragonring to slip from his hand. The fight started going against Riva, so Griffin risked possession by Erestem to summon a dragon to help her in her duel. He was no match for Axantheas, but when he tossed the Dragonring in the lava Axantheas dove in after it, incinerating himself and his dragon. Erestem was disgusted that her champion had failed her.

Comments: Created by Dan Mishkin & Ron Randall.