The Rahl Family History

[gabriel]

The Rahl Family

Name - Kingdom of Birth, Relation
Shane the Destroyer, Brother of Ranger
Phonte Rahl - Dainan, Cousin of StD
Ranger Rahl, Brother of StD

Bastian Rahl - Hassen, Friend of StD

Shane Rahl, Son of StD
Javen Rahl, Son of StD
Darken Rahl, Son of Std

Aragorn Rahl, Son of Ranger
Tanner Rahl, Son of Phonte
Balorth Rahl - Lirea, Son of Bastian

Treize Rahl, Son of Javen
Sebastian Rahl, Son of Javen


The Rahl Family dated back to the days of Ruoze when they were known as De'Rahl. They were an upper middle class family which made their money from trade. In 296 N.R. The De'Rahl family was amongst the families that moved to the modern day Lirea. They still kept a watch on their history and will always call themselves citizens of Ruoze.

The families’ notoriety first started with two brothers, Shane and Ritsbin. At this time the De'Rahl family was still living in Lirea but had one family relocate to Dainan. The Rahl family was not big, only having two households. Shane, the older of the two brothers was quickly becoming a thief of note in the kingdom of Lirea. He was always accompanied by his brother, Ritsbin and their cousin El'Phontes of Dainan. The three boys fell in with the wrong crowd early on. They were often in trouble and were doing all kinds of things for money. The fathers of the three boys were asked to help with investigations of the Hunting Grounds but they declined. These men were family men with no interest in risking their lives. The three boys were adamant about going to help because of the potential riches they could find. The family had huge arguments about this. The boys all walked out of their families, even going so far as to change their name. The names they are now know as are Shane Rahl, Ranger Rahl (Ritsbin), and Phonte Rahl.

The boys adventured far and wide and were very good at what they did. Shane's skill with a dagger became renown and he was dubbed Shane the Destroyer. That name had a double meaning as he was the 1st one to walk out of his family, destroying the last generation of De'Rahl's. After many years of successful adventures in Southern Skure, Shane and Ranger settled in Anara. Phonte went back to Dainan and at present still resides there.

In the year 572 N.R. the king of Anara approached the Rahl brothers (both fathers at this point) to join the expedition to the Pits of Pain. Shane agreed while Ranger decided to stay and watch over the 2 house holds. Shane made it very far with the group of people who are now known as the Enlightened. They reached a Monastery of Nexus deep into the Polar South. Shane was badly wounded and resting there when he heard a call that chaotics were coming out of the Ice Caverns. He quickly ran to help his friend. He perished when he jumped on the back of an Ice Dragon. The beast threw itself into the cavern wall crushing Shane. His body was carried back to the Monastery but the Followers were not able to help him, and he was buried in the small graveyard along side.

Word of his death eventually reached his grief stricken house. His two sons, Shane Jr. and Javen took it upon them selves to exact revenge for their father. They were successful in their adventure. In Hassen they ran into an old friend of their father, Bastian. With his help they were able to reach the Pits of Pain. As a sign of gratitude they bestowed Bastian with the Rahl last name. Upon them reaching the Pits Javen accompanied his brother to see Nexus. As they both walked forward Javen suddenly stopped.

"Shane, I cant go any further. You being the eldest and carrying fathers name go and help rid the world of this evil. I will return to the Monastery to make sure father’s fate doesn’t befall any other person." The brothers both spoke to Nexus when after Javen returned to the Monastery. Shane often ventures back to give his brother supplies and to talk of old time. Shane felt the loss of his father so much he doesn't step foot in the Monastery. If you look around you may see the Rahl brothers standing between the Ice Cavern and Monastery.

Shane the Destroyer had a 3rd son, born shortly before his death. This child was named after Shane's father but he refuses to be known by that name. He is walking in the footsteps of his father perfecting the craft of the dagger and the skill of the shadows. Darken Rahl is the name he wishes to be called. He is not the smartest of the Rahl's with his intention of starting a Darlow wide thief’s guild. What he lacks in common sense he makes up for on the battle field. Ranger has been quoted to say this boy may surpass his father’s abilities.

The Rahl family does not end with Shane and his descendants. Both Ranger and Phonte had children; Aragorn and Tanner respectively. These cousins are also accompanied by the son of Bastian Rahl, Balorth Rahl. Balorth is actually a blood relative to Aragorn and Tanner. When Shane (the son) and Bastian wanted to survey the world again they stopped in Lirea. Shane made peace with his grandparents while Bastian ended up having a child with one of Shane's cousins. Balorth took the name Rahl to honor his father. He also follows the trade craft of the original Shane.

Not all Rahl's have done as well. Treize and Sebastian, sons of Javen have been reported missing. They were last seen entering the Death Mountain on a trip to visit their Lirean family.

The Rahl family also has at its disposal chests of gold. When Shane, Ranger and Phonte parted ways the three men were richer than they could ever imagine. They always share their wealth with their family. The Rahl bloodline still has a way of always having a lot of money at access. Shane (the original) was once able to back the Bank of Anara on purchase of a boat to Hassen. Despite the riches the family has, the men will always say they need more.

At this time this is all that I can put into words as I don’t know what the future holds for my family.

Forever,
Shane Rahl the Second

[gabriel]

Dear Shane,

The search continues for Treize and Sebastian. I have scowered all of Dainan kingdom looking for them. The last clues were from a guard working the entrance to the Death Mountains. He saw them both enter and leave many times. He last saw them with a lot of supplies and they mentioned they were headed to Lirea. Shane, I am looking as hard as I can and have searched every nook and crevice of these damn mountains and can't find them. I spoke with some Lireans coming over the mountains who said they did not see either of them enter the old family house. I am not able to reach Lirea because of this annoying bridge troll.

I don't know when I will see you or Javen again so I think this will be the best time to tell you something. Our father was not honest with you two. You two were out with Ranger during mom's pregnancy and when I was born. The reason father left after I was born was due to his shame. I am not your full brother. Father had an affair, I am the product of that. I will tell you more another time, this is enough of a shock to you.

I must say, you and Javen left a huge impression. When I mention my name they always ask if I am related to either of you. People are very free with help because of you both.

Your brother,
Darken

[gabriel]

Dear Javen,
I am glad to hear word of your health, as well as Shane's. I am still unsure of what has happened to our family. People have forgotten our names and at present I believe us three are the only living members of our family. Everyone has died, everyone. I heard that Bastian and Balorth are around somewhere but I have yet to meet them. Hearing of you and Shane doing well I decided to retire and help train all these new investigators. The stories I am hearing do not bode well. There is word that the Vampire Lord has somehow increased his power despite being dispatched by so many adventurers. The bridge troll has also risen in power to a level that is almost unimaginable. I fear that the chaotics are all increasing in power through out Darlow.

I have begun to gather supplies to start a trek across Darlow. I need to find out what has happened to our family. There has been no word out of Lirea or Anara. People look at me with blank stares when I mention my family. On occasion some may remember you or Shane but everyone else seems to have never existed. Our house in Dainan has not been as devastated, in contrast I have laid eyes on who I think may be the savior of our family. My son, Jaime Rahl. He has showed me how I should have approached everything. He spend the early years of his life in the local tavern as a serving boy. He would speak with all the old grizzled veterans, ask them questions about life past the bridge. He has developed into quite the tactician. His younger brother Sylar is as versed in tactics tho I do see he often has to follow Jaime's lead.

Jaime and Sylar have already begun to traverse the lands below the bridge. At first I worried for them, but seeing how they come back, often tired more than injured, I know have the utmost faith in them. Hopefully we will regain contact with our family and figure out what has happened in the past year.

Forever,
Darken Rahl

[gabriel]

Dear Javen,
I have some unsettling news. Jaime has crossed over the Death Mountains and has been to Lirea. We have no family there. During the past year Phonte had moved his family across the mountains to live in Lirea with Aragorn and his own son Tanner. Aragorn picked up 7 months ago and moved to Anara to live with his father Ritsbin (Ranger). It was 5 months ago that Phonte and Tanner spoke of finding an old town along the western coast of Southern Skyre. They made many adventures there but never revealed what they found. They only said that it was about the history of our family and they must contact Shane or yourself for more information. Phonte and Tanner left money with their family and said they had to reach Anara to speak with the other members of the family.

As of this writing no contact from Anara has reached Lirea. Not that it would have mattered. The family we had living at the Port of Lirea was going to move to the Stronghold for fear of their lives. They never made it to the Stronghold. Along the way they were murdered and left outside the Ranook Graveyard.

Jaime was able to find some veterans in the Stronghold who had adventured with our family. They knew of a cave that many people used to store supplies while in Southern Skyre. They were able to give them a map to the general vicinity of the cave and the possible fallen town. It took many weeks but Jaime and Sylar have been able to find the town and the cave. The cave was abandoned except for the dead bodies of a father and son, Phonte and Tanner. What they found in the town did not make sense until they looked into the murder of their family.

The Ranook Graveyard has a very dark history to it. I can not put into words what you will find in there but I am certain you have already been there in your travels. I fear this information getting into the wrong hands but you must know the truth of all this. Jaime contacted me and it was at this point I was able to come across the mountains to help solve this mystery. We all ventured into the Graveyard with the initial intent to bury our family but when we saw the dead rising as chaotics we chose otherwise. After this letter is sent I will procure a ship to Dainan and lay them to rest. The true purpose of the Graveyard is for one specific tomb, that of Zathar of Rouze.

Our adventure to Anara was an interesting one. The chaotics as always seemed to spring up everywhere but we had this feeling that something about us was drawing them to us. The feeling of being in front of that tomb never quite left us, it is almost like a taint.

Upon reaching the Castle of Anara we found out that the members of our family here had also had attempts on their live. Ranger and Aragorn had moved to Hassen. Ambassador Rulkar was able to open the royal library for us to do some research on this Zathar of Rouze. We found his family line had traces back to Rouze, specifically the De’Rahl family.

Javen, the person that has caused all this chaos is a member of our family. We may be responsible for the wounding of Nexus. Jaime is going to head to you as soon as he can. During that time can you see what information you can learn? I will not let Shane know just yet. I fear what he will make of this situation, especially with his new enlightenment and abilities.

There was one piece of very unsettling news. There was a note left with the bodies at the Graveyard that also appeared in the archives at Anara. Maybe you can make more of this than I did.

Forever,
Darken

"May those who sentenced me to my misleading doom suffer the fate they so deserve, and may Nexus punish them for their ignorance and folly. I have no sympathy."

[gabriel]

Dear Shane,

We have ourselves a huge problem. I believe that you and I are in danger. Darken has sent me a letter about an investigation he has been leading to try and find out what is happening to our relatives. I have not heard any reply from him so I had commissioned some people to head to Dainain and see whats been going on. Last night they reached here with some very unsettling news. Darken has been killed. His body was found outside the Tower of The Brotherhood. Any attempt to bring him back to this world has failed.

If that is not enough bad news here is the worst of it. I went to visit fathers grave outside the monastery and saw his grave was vandalized. I spoke with Brothers Wytnunmo to see if they knew anything of this. After he saw the grave he quickly started digging and emptying all signs of its use. He did not speak a word but I could see the look on his face was not that of peace.

Later he told me he wanted to venture into the Ice Caverns to seek out any possible adventurers and ask that I assist him. We never made it to the caverns. We spoke to Brother Neshira and were transported to an area I have never seen before. It was a deserted town in what looked to be Southern Skrye. There he told me that my fathers grave was not vandalized. At least not how I thought. Someone had not dug their way in, but rather out. Nexus has revived our father.... as well as Zathar. We are not sure if this was the exact work of Nexus but we fear if it is not.

That night I went to sleep and a dream that felt very real. I saw Darken being killed. He was attacked by 2 undead creatures. One wore very old clothing, with Lirean colors, and wielded black magic. The other looked exactly like our father. He was even wearing our old De'Rahl family crest. Unlike during his living years he did not use a knife. He was assaulting Darken with his bare hands. Shane I have seen you fight and id wager you would have a hard time defeating this evil clone of father. Darken put up a fight and was able to hurt both of them but in the end they killed him. No sooner had Darken fallen both of them turned directly to me. Before they could move I awoke in the Monastery. Brother Wytnunmo told me to never speak of what happend.

I hope to receive word from Jaime or Ranger. Their lives are obviously in danger and I can't be certain how to stop this.

Your Brother,
Javen Rahl

[gabriel]

Shane couldn't stay awake. The past few days the dizzy spells were coming more and more frequent. He didn't even bother to get out of bed yesterday. When he awoke he was going to speak with Nexus for the first time about his family. He knew that all would be revealed to him, but was he ready for it? His hand made a move for his blanket when sleep hit him, and the dream started.

Jaime and Sylar keep their bodies low to the ground as they inch toward the tent. For the past weeks they have been trailing these two people and all their patience has paid off. As they had practiced Sylar made for the dunes to gain a better vantage point. With a better view his spells would work to their maximum ability. They had planned as many possible outcomes as they could fathom but as always nothing every pans out how you plan. Jaime recalled all the information his late father had taught him. Using shadows to your advantage, and how to use the terrain to your advantage when running to, or away, from targets. Hidden in the shadows his ears perked up to over hear the conversation.

Shane could feel the heat of the desert in his dream.

"These gifts," spoke Zathar "will not last long. I am still unsure of how we came to attain them but I have learned to what extent we have them. We are on the border between mortal and chaotic. Make no mistake of it, Nexus was not behind you and I being bought back. The armies of Nexus are growing great in number. Voleron feels that you and I could become the next line of defense."

Shane was able to move about freely in this dream. This nightmare.

Zathar continued, "Our ties to mortality means we are like the other investigators and regain our knowledge by normal means of trial and error. The advantage we have is in our blood. You have already started on that one."

"I have."

Shane felt shivers down his spine. It was not fear of Jaime getting caught, nor the desert wind. The person who has been killing his family was the man Shane had spent his life trying to be, his father.

Zathar waited for his companion to continue. The silence was broken by Zathar. "I will trace what members of my family I have left. May Nexus have mercy on their souls when I find them. They die and I grow stronger. It suits them! At daybreak I am headed to Dainan. When you get to Hassen, wait for me there."

The desert heat hit him instantly and Shane fainted. He awoke in his bed, covered with sweat. Catching his breath was a labor, impaired by him coughing up sand mixed with blood. He moved off the bed and glanced at the desk near his feet. On it was his last letter from Javen, still left without a reply. he extended his arm to read the note when the dizziness overtook him again.

Jaime and Sylar were at the gravesite of Darken. Behind them was their grandfather. Jaime spoke. "Are you sure our plan will work? I can see why we need to keep an eye on Zathar. I will keep you both posted as to our whereabouts. Train hard grandfather, we need you. The family needs you."

None of this made any sense.

"Grandfather, I am sorry about what happened to you. This curse will be lifted I am sure of it. I am not sure what I should call you? Everyone who knows of our family knows that you are suppose to be dead. I don't think using your first name is a good idea either. What should we call you?"

Jaime left to follow behind Zathar while Sylar and his grandfather headed back to the Death Moutains.

Shane awoke. His eyes opened to the majesty that was Nexus. Nexus echoed the last word of Shanes' dream.

"Rahl"