The Twins

(a.k.a. Holister & Kendoss)

Unlikey Masterpiece

The Twins, Holister and Kendoss are an extremely unique pair of bards known across the Tarsis Empire. Their unusual performances defy most aspects of what we would expect from elves and dwarves, while still drawing the crowds and selling out.

This unlikely duo represents one benchmark for entertainment throughout the empire. What is not clear is how this blending of opposites actually achieves their level of success and fills the seats. Rulers, royalty and cities desire them, knowing they bring fans and coins with them.

Holister and Kendoss both met in Ptolus City at the Jodan Templehall, becoming Delvers and Knights of the Chord for very different reasons. By all accounts, they are the only remaining members of their original party captured by dark elves when they accompanied the delvers below. They were held captive and tortured while witnessing events that would break many. They spoke of warring dark Elf families in service to their evil goddess Gorgoth-Lol, with a heinous amount of life being thrown at their internal conflicts and pursuit of power. Warring dark Elf families in service to their evil goddess Gorgoth-Lol were spoken of having no regard for the sanctity of life. They were said to sacrifice any lives necessary in their hunt for power and dominance in internal conflicts. No act is too heinous in their pursuit. Only their unique talents combined saved both of them while forming a bond as strong as brothers.
Shortly after their return, it became obvious they would require time away from their trauma and space beyond the walls of Ptolus to heal together. It was mutually decided that they could keep an honorary membership but without participating in official duties. However, this is where their journey together began and their adventures together continue to this day.

Head - Torbran, Thane of Red Fell MtG Art from Throne of Eldraine by Grzegorz Rutkowski - Wizards of the Coast

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Holister

Holister is a Grail Warden Dwarf born in Grail Keep of the Hotash Mountains. As a young dwarf, nothing in dwarven society made him happy except tales of other places, people, cultures, and legends. His family had concluded there was something wrong with him, Kendoss would glady confirm that they were correct. Holister refused to settle for a mediocre life in the family leather trade, giving up clan and family to see the world and chase the legends.

As far as Holister is concerned, he is the “heart” of the duo and they would never have been successful without his flamboyance and gravitas, saving the crowds from Kendoss’s mediocrity. When he upset or needing a jibe, he curses Kendoss as a dwarf reincarnated within an elven body. “Hey Ken, I’m sorry you’re screwed. The Elven Kingdom sent a message. Your lease is up and they want your body back.”

Holister is known foremost for his comedy and stories. He is an energetic and witty, often involving the audience, especially attractive ladies. He is famous for pulling pranks and roasting hecklers or Kendoss if none are brave enough. He derives pleasure from verbally sparring with nobles and royalty, especially if they will spar back. “Oh, we have a live one, a noble with courage and complete sentences.” His comfort instruments are drums of every shape and size but specifically portable hand held drums. Horns, long horns, curled horns, short horns and lastly wind instruments follow these.

Holister is fond of a good solid tavern brawl to get the juices flowing. He does not enjoy the use of weapons, except maybe an empty tankard. He has been known to dress down and walk into a seedy hole-in-the-wall hours before a performance. “My friend, we have wine, ladies, and music. There is no need to fight, unless a half-orc blooded idiot bastard like you really wants to”. When on the road or among dangerous areas Holister hefts two hammers, one a long hammer as tall as himself named Lag Vreg, which roughly translates in Dwarvish to Long Road, and the other a work hammer of no name with much use.

Kendoss: Oh and how about the City of Nelaster in Uraqi?
Holister: Kendoss really, it was one word in ancient Kellisan.
Kendoss: The Sultan and his daughter were deeply insulted.
Holister: How was I supposed to know that word has more meanings?
Kendoss: We barely made it out alive and now we are fugitives of the south!
Holister: Did you save the wanted poster?
Holister: Proof we are famous!

Ezuri, Renegade Leader by Victor Adame and Wizards

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Kendoss

Kendoss is a Shoal Elf born and raised in the Moonsilver Forest. Kendoss is known as the serious one which flies in the face of his Elven brethren. He learned to fight at the young age of 40 in the exotic Snow Leopard style. The Snow Leopard style relies on the speed of swift claws “knives” combined with cat like dance where every step and move flows into the next, each with battle purpose. He took to the dance of knives in equal measure to the music of life until the two sides needed more, with one destined to win and the other fall away. Kendoss left the safety and community of the elves to pursue the song and the sound of music moving his heart wherever in the world it was to carry him.

As far as Kendoss is concerned, he is the “brains” of the duo and they would not have been successful without his planning and saving them from Holister’s reckless nature. Kendoss accuses Holister of being as reckless as a short-lived human.

Kendoss is by far the stronger musician of the two, trained in a variety of instruments. He favors stringed first, allowing his nimble Elven fingers to dance across their strings, giving him the greatest of joy. When playing his Moon’s Breath, he will lull an entire audience into rapt attention, which is only broken at the end by the sound of Hollister’s snoring, a planned sneeze or other egregious noise to signal the next act.

Less well known is Kendoss’s masterful skill as a knife dancer. The few times this has been witnessed, it is said to have been such a seamless blending of battle and dance that could only be described as art. Kendoss will never comment on his battle style or show it as entertainment. “Some lines are not to be crossed, and death is not entertaining.”

Kendoss: Ya like the time we were at the Pink Unicorn and you needed extra gold.
Holister: But Kendoss she asked if I wanted her to keep dancing.
Kendos: This is why I don't trust you with gold or complicated situations.
Holister: She didn't mention she would keep charging.

of Music & Moon

Moon's Breath

Moon’s breath is a mandolin touched by the breath of Ardaen, a fallen elven god of moonlight and music. The body of the instrument is one solid piece of wood sung and shaped by a master Elven tree-singer. It is adorned and trimmed with moon-silver, including ancient Elven music notes that shimmer and flow during a performance. Finished with dweamors for an age long forgotten, Moon’s Breath is one of the finest musical instruments to grace the land.

While Holister weaves a tale of gallant adventures or Kendoss sings a tale of far-away lands, in his hands Moon’s Breath sets the atmosphere, ambiance and transports the audience within the tale just a breath away from really being there. Such a performance always has a bit of moonlight and a sense of the divine in the background. Audiences have exclaimed, feeling the wind and water of a sea voyage on their face, the taste of wine lingering from a masked gala with memories and sense long after the performance.

Kendoss never speaks of how he came to have Moon’s Breath. One story told has Kendoss saving an elven princess, and as his reward was the twice over rare instrumentalongside her hand in marriage. As the story goes, he declines the offer and leaves to travel the world. Kendoss shrugs, “that’s a great story, can I use that?”

Ptolus City

Proudly Presents

The Twins

Holister & Kendoss

Crown Theater

Cloud Theater

Shadow Theater

Darnum Traveling Menagerie

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Holister Bio

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Kendoss Bio

Current Location

Ptolus City

Professions

• Bard

Currently Held Titles

• Knight

Other Affiliations

• Knights of the Chord