T'chour of the Raindancer tribe
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| The savage litorian as a diciplined martial-artist.
Picture from Player's Guide to Ptolus; artist Jason A. Engle
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Occupation: Monk, traveler
Description: Like most Litorians, T'chour stands tall and muscular, with lion-like facial features, and slight bent back legs. Some of his dark-brown mane is braded in warrior knots, to keep the hair from getting into his sight. Part of his chin beard is similarly knoted; he has no moustache. He has dark emerald cat-eyes and his cat-like ears are partially hinded by his mane. His skin/fur is a golden borwn, with slightly longer tuft on his forearms.
Although his features are slightly weathered from the traveling he has done, he is in physically fit condition, thanks to his monk training. He is usually dress with a thin sleave-less leather tunic, short trousers and sandals.
Dwelling: The Manes; formerly hailing from of the southern plains of Planish
Persona: Lawful Good. Like most Litorian, T'chour is strong and quiet. Reserved, but kind; offers assistance to those in need. Relies more on tact and diplomacy rather than direct confrontation. But when engaged in conflict, he commits himself fully, seeking to test himself and improve his skills. He does not loose himself to battle, becoming savage like most litorians, but he can be caught up in the thrill of combat. He has respect for planning and forethought, but beleives inaction is the most terrible waste.
Goals: To explore the many lands of the world he lives in. To complete the Trial of First Honor, searching for the Spear of Talon. Trial's true purpose: gain a greater spiritual insight in the world he lives in. The Trail is the greatest event in his life, one that he feels that he has been wanting to make for most of his life.
Notes: Despite his alignment, he abides, but does not understand civilization's need for laws. Believes order and harmony are natural in the world and does not need to be cotified in rules or get mired in litigation. To him law and order both achieve positive ends; but those who oppose goodness should be eliminated. New to Ptolus, he currently explores the vast city, making contacts with travelers, bards and storytellers. Interested in places of spiritual learning or with people who have insight into the world.
History: It is often strange how some objects can become the center of myths. These objects are not necessarily magical, but are still regarded with great importance. The Spear of War'ka'chour is one of them.
According to the myths of the Raindancer tribe, it was once held by a littorian named Talon, a strong capable warrior who always used the spear in the first hunts of the new year. He was very successful with it and eventually he and the spear became well regarded within the tribe. The spear was passed on through his descendants, when it was lost to "one who smelled of the west at war when the sun shone red in the morning sky, and the winds carried the cries of the lost and hopeless". No one remembers what the description means, but the story is always told with those words.
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| "...the one smelled of the west at war when the sun shone red in the morning sky". |
The spear was said to "carry the sent of the first rain of the new year, the wood notched with the ages of the world old yet harty, the top held within a shaft of light from the setting sun. When it flew, it was true like a hawk catching it's prey, swift like hard rain striking the the cold ground."
The great-grandson of Talon set out to find the great spear. He passed through many lands, saw many sights, and encountered many things. His travels became stuff of stories in the tribe. Sadly, he returned to the tribe many years later, having never found the spear. However, the story of his journeys became the basis of one of the Trials of First Honor amongst the tribe of Raindancers. The rite is where the young are given a task to prove themselves in some way of being worthy of being apart of the tribe. Sometimes the tasks are difficult, but the expectation is not to complete the tasks. Instead the task gives insight to the person, proving one's worth to the tribe.
T’chour had always been a different one, with strange notions about the world around him. He regarded honor as something that governs other rather than regarding it as individual honor. He would also have a spiritual side. Many times he would be lost in thought, wander off by himself in search of something he could not describe. So when it was time for his Trial of First Honor, the elders thought that the Journey of Talon would be a suitable rite. It was not known if he would ever return to the tribe, but clearly the young warrior yearned for a life outside the tribe.
On the advice to seek out the family of Herzi to help him start on his journey, he set on a journey to find them. The family’s name was held in honor amongst the tribe. Several years ago they had saved several children Littorians from a pack of beasts. The tribe honored them and the family stayed with them for several weeks. They became well known in the tribe.
As T’chour traveled, he came across a band of warriors that knew a strange method of fighting as well as a strange way to live. He felt drawn to them and traveled with them for many months, learning the ways of monks and their life style. He resided for a time in a monastery, but eventually his wandering heart called for the open road and he left the monk to continue his task for the Spear of War'ka'chour.
Associates: Carsten Herzi (family famous in Raindancer tribe), Monks of the Abbey of the Emerald Dawn, Marath (Litorian), Dessa (Litorian)