Telion Tarnishield
Former Chief Inspector, Artificer, and Wandering Craftsman
Telion Tarnishield is a human artificer with brown hair and a well-kept brown beard. Once the Chief Inspector of the Waterdeep Guard, Telion was known for his expertise in arcane-related crimes, particularly those involving soul-capturing magic. His studies into these forbidden arts were initially meant to better understand criminals, but over time, he became a skilled artificer in his own right.
The Fall from Grace
Tragedy struck when Telion investigated reports of lizardfolk activity. His loyal K9 companion, Rigby, was slain in the encounter. Desperate, Telion used the very magic he had studied to trap Rigby’s soul in a coin, later forging the first of his mechanical creations—a steel defender bearing Rigby’s essence.
Later, Telion failed to stop a Redbrand plot to bomb a town festival. His discovery of the plan came too late, and the explosion claimed hundreds of lives, including that of his wife. Though Telion bore the burden of his failure, the Waterdeep Guard placed the blame solely on him, branding him with the name Tarnishield and exiling him. Before his departure, he managed to capture his wife’s soul in a coin, hoping to one day restore her.
A Wanderer’s Redemption
Telion wandered as an artificer for hire, eventually being contracted by a town to escort a group of adventurers—who would later be known as the Moonlight Vigil—to Wave Echo Cave. Knowing the cave housed a legendary forge, Telion sought to craft a Rod of Resurrection to bring back his wife.
Upon returning to Waterdeep, Telion attempted to revive her, only to realize it was not what she would have wanted. He was granted one final moment to speak with her before her soul peacefully departed.
Personality and Struggles
Telion’s trauma left him with a dark, sarcastic, and sardonic personality. His bitterness and cynicism often put him at odds with those around him. Additionally, both he and Rigby harbored a deep distrust of Jorm, solely due to his being a lizardfolk, a prejudice born from the tragedy of Rigby’s death. This tension created rifts within the party, especially with Gregory, who refused to tolerate such biases. To confront Telion’s racism, Gregory forced him to experience the horrors of his own plane, a realm riddled with war, oppression, and pain. This harrowing experience ultimately led to Telion and Jorm setting aside their differences, eventually forming an uneasy yet genuine alliance.
Retirement and a New Purpose
After aiding the Moonlight Vigil in their battle against Dirge, Telion was gravely injured. Following the aftermath of the tavern conflict, he chose to retire, opening a shop in Waterdeep, where he hoped to put his artificer skills to good use. Though his past still haunts him, he remains ready, should his new-found friends ever seek his aid once more.
Alternative Versions
The Sethverse
In an alternate timeline known as The Sethverse, Telion’s life took a different yet equally tragic path. While his backstory remained largely the same, he was close friends with Jorm rather than harboring distrust for him. Unlike in the prime timeline, he was framed for the explosion that killed his wife and the townfolk, making him a fugitive rather than merely exiled. This version of Telion is even more deeply traumatized, suffering from severe PTSD due to the injustices he faced and the loss of everything he held dear. Despite this, he remains a formidable artificer, always teetering on the edge of despair yet refusing to fully break.
Good Ol Rigby
Retirment becomes a plausible option
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