Galadriel Ariquis, a paladin of Larini, stands as a testament to the enduring strength of family ties amidst the ever-changing tides of destiny. The legacy of the Noble House Ariquis, marked by turmoil, betrayal, and redemption, continues to unfold against the backdrop of Arethane's landscapes. Born the heart of Retheme, to the noble House Ariquis, Galadriel would bare witness to a tragedy that would shatter the house’s once-stellar reputation. When she was a young lady new to her service with Larini her brother Trystan and his wife gave birth to two twin boys. However, the occasion was marked by profound tragedy. Ilestealle, died giving birth to the babes. The circumstances surrounding her death were shrouded in mystery. Whispers of foul play lingered in the air, yet no evidence ever surfaced to reveal the true cause of her untimely demise. This loss cast a long shadow over the family, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of the newborn twins. The death of Ilestealle left Rhysanus and Jharoquen to be raised by their father with the help of Galadriel, who even at a young age was held with great renown and reverence within elven society. She was the epitome of elven grace and strength. Her presence brought a unique blend of maternal care and martial prowess into the boys' lives. Under her guidance, they were nurtured with a combination of stern discipline and unconditional love. Their father assumed the role of both father and politician, guiding the household with a firm yet gentle hand. Trystan was 3rd in succession for the Throne of Retheme. He was handsome, intelligent, and extremely popular, but he was Elven in a predominantly Human kingdom. Galadriel’s and Trystan’s lives became subject of much talk and then slander. The Human Nobles could not understand the Elven bond the two siblings shared and so dirtied and sullied it accusing them of incest and worst. This was not the case. Besides the fact that Trystan had been married and had 2 sons with his late wife, Galadriel was sworn to a vow of Celibacy due to her service as a Bonded Unicorn Rider and Paladin to Larini. However, the stories and rumours spread. These insidious whispers painted a picture of a man capable of betrayal, deceit, and perhaps even murder. Unknown to anyone, a Direct rival to Trystan’s claim to the Throne was a changeling in Human form and was the principle architect of the rumors in an effort to destroy Trystan’s reputation and family, and was the true cause of Ilestealle's death. The changeling's machinations were so skillful and subtle that the foundation of trust surrounding Trystan began to erode, bit by bit. The seeds of tragedy and conflict had already been sown, just waiting for the right moment to disrupt their lives. The changeling, whose identity was hidden behind a mask of deceit, harbored a deep-seated envy and ambition. This creature, endowed with the ability to assume any form, saw Trystan's esteemed position and noble lineage as obstacles to its own dark aspirations. Its cunning and malevolence knew no bounds, and it was willing to employ any means necessary to dismantle Trystan's life and seize power. The changeling's next move was to sow seeds of doubt and discord. In a calculated strike, the changeling, disguised as a servant of the house, kidnapped Trystan's eldest son, Jharoquen. This was no ordinary abduction; the changeling replaced Jharoquen with one of its own kind, a changeling child capable of mimicking the boy's appearance and mannerisms perfectly. This sinister swap was the linchpin of the changeling's plan, designed to inflict maximum emotional and political damage upon Trystan. The fate of young Jharoquen remains a mystery to this day. With Jharoquen replaced by the changeling imposter, the true extent of the changeling's plot began to unfold. It used the imposter to further undermine Trystan, committing heinous acts in his name. Disguised as Trystan, the changeling imposter committed a series of atrocious crimes, including theft, assault, and even murder, always with witnesses. These actions were carefully calculated to sully Trystan's reputation beyond repair. The people of Raithaeme, once loyal to their noble leader, were horrified and bewildered by the seemingly sudden transformation of their beloved figure. As evidence of these crimes mounted, it became clear that Trystan would face arrest and execution. The changeling's plan was succeeding. Trystan was being framed for unspeakable deeds, and the trust and respect he had painstakingly built were crumbling to dust. In a desperate bid to protect his sons and salvage what remained of his legacy, Trystan made a fateful decision. Falsely accused and now hunted, Trystan took refuge in the shadows first by faking his death and then by travelling to other lands, leaving behind his young sons, the False Jharoquen and Rhysanus, in Galadriel’s care, who unbeknownst to him, would ultimately place them in the custody of a state orphanage to face an uncertain fate in the confines. Galadriel remained haunted by the specter of injustice that tainted their family name. Determined to unveil the truth, she embarked on a tireless quest to expose the conspiracies that had torn their family asunder. Little did she know that the key to their redemption lay in the hands of her young nephew, Rhysanus, a child oblivious to his powers and the dark forces that lurked in the shadows. Over the years as Rhysanus navigated the challenges of the orphanage, the tendrils of conspiracy tightened their grip on House Ariquis. Unbeknownst to him, he harbored within himself a secret that could alter the course of Elven history. Although he has not put the pieces together as he grew up with him deep within, he knew his “brother” was not like him. Meanwhile, Galadriel's tireless pursuit of justice unearthed the convoluted web of deceit that had ensnared her brother and tainted the honor of their noble house, and the years passed, and the boys grew. Rhysanus became a Ranger and Fire Warlock, He know of his special abilities but kept them a secret because he did not fully understand them or know how to control them. His Brother became a Mage and secretly was already a Mind Mage. Both grew up in the shadow of evil in the Orphanage run by the Changling adversary who was a follower of Agrick the blood god. Both boys were slowly over the years indoctrinated into the worship. When the boys aged out of the Orphanage then set to adventuring and not long after ran into trouble and as a result as the changeling brother met his demise, sending shockwaves through the young elf's soul as well as a mind bond revealing all to Rhysanus, including how to use his abilities. The revelation of his brother’s true identity marked a turning point. The shadows that veiled Rhysanus’s past began to dissipate, revealing a legacy marred by tragedy and manipulation. However, the revelation unleashed a malevolent force within Rhysanus sending deeper into evil and giving him a lust for revenge and power. Galadriel, meanwhile, having failed to exonerate her brother’s supposed crimes, returned to find Rhysanus and his dead brother. Fueled by a sense of duty and familial love, found herself caught in the crossfire of Rhysanus's descent into darkness. The aunt and nephew faced a growing divide as Rhysanus embraced a darker path, initially influenced by Agarik and later pledging allegiance to the malevolent Styphon. Rhysanus and Galadriel embarked on a shared journey, marked by the complex dynamics of thwarted avenging attempts and the unpredictable interplay of their opposing forces. As Rhysanus delved deeper into the shadows of malevolence, Galadriel struggled to undermine his evil designs. Rhysanus had now become a Mage of incredible power and had learned ways to cross dimensions to new worlds soon earning himself a nick name of World Walker. On one such world named Otara, in a land named Falanore, he married a Half Elf whom he had a child with and then later had to kill to prevent her from killing him. It was on this world that fate would step in. Styphon was much desirous of being First among the gods and thought that the elves were the key to this. Through the worship of all elves, he would ascend to the position of Supreme power. With the worship of Rhysanus he saw yet again a chance to accomplish this goal. Styphon was well aware of the magics cast so many years ago by King Rhysal Starweaver and of the prophecy of the dragon queen Alestria. Within Rhysanus he found his prophesized Elven King. Styphon brought Rhysanus to Otara along with much of the Elven lands Rhysanus ruled on another world and merged them with Arethane. Falanore was part of a land named Arethane and Arethane would set the stage for their familial drama, witness the clash of ideologies and the transformation of a once-innocent child into an even more powerful mage and conqueror. Arethane would become a battleground where the legacy of House Ariquis hung in the balance, and Galadriel grappled with conflicting loyalties. Styphon set Rhysanus with the task to overthrow the Shadow Elves and restoring the elves to grey elf rule, as well as the establishment of Dragonwright and the worship of Styphon as the principle god of the elves. Not long after Killing his first wife, Rhysanus met Silvarae, a Silver Dragon in Elven form. It was love at first sight. Rhysanus by now had gained enough power and magical knowledge that he was able to transform himself into a Dragon and then took Silvarae to be his bride. Not knowing two major things. First Silvarae was in thrall to Styphon and second that in the ancient past this meeting and marriage had been foreseen and that a series of event would unfold changing the destinies of all Elves. Rhysanus up until this time was a very devote worshiper and quite evil. He had already conquered several realms in his own right and was as said, an extremely powerful mage and warrior. When his lands were merged with Arethane by his God, he proceeded to do just as commanded, and in short order removed the Shadow Elves from Arethane. As the only surviving member of the royal house that could be found was a mere child and that Rhysanus was able to draw the Kingsword of the elves he was accepted as King of the elves of Arethane. Marriage had begun to change Rhysanus. He began to question much of what his God commanded, seeking out the hidden motives behind the commands, and becoming a force of good. Styphon was not pleased and took Rhysanus' wife Silvarae away from him. Yet, amid the tumult, Rhysanus losses served as a crucible for his soul. The loss of his wife to Styphon became a catalyst for self-reflection, leading him to question the malevolent forces he had once served. In a profound shift, he abandoned his allegiance to Styphon and returned to the worship of the Seldarine. Galadriel witnessed the transformation of her nephew from a pawn of darkness to a redeemed soul with a renewed sense of purpose. The legacy of House Ariquis, marked by turmoil, betrayal, and redemption, continued to unfold against the backdrop of Arethane's landscapes. Galadriel was named Duchess of Retheme and helped with the reestablishment of Larini’s Church in Arethane. Originally several decades older than Rhysanus, the vagaries of inter-dimensional travel have reversed that. She had a major problem with Rhysanus' choice of deity in Styphon, and it once coloured most of their interpersonal relationships. She has however acknowledged that of the nobles left to Arethane, after a fairly devestating war, Rhysanus is as eliglible as any to sit the throne, and best able to hold it; so he has her loyalty, though she won't admit any of it openly. Her relationship with Rhysanus has much improved since he ha been King but she keeps an ever cautious eye should he evr revert back. Although mainly focusing on her duties to Larini an a Paladin, she remains a mage of middle power, but with a fairly lengthy spell list, having at one time been able to peruse Rhysanus' spell book. She holds a relatively high position within her church, and is head of the Order of the Checkered Shield and the Order of the Dragon in the Knights of Mor`Kellos. |
