Thergrin Cannith
Born in Kalazart, way before the Mournland came to be, from Thorin Cannith and Sadrula Cannith, Thergrin was a creative child. Brought up to be a crafter, his father being a respected member of House Cannith - not a master craftsman like the head of the house, but a good craftsman nonetheless. Thergrin grew up to be a big dwarf - above the average height - he commanded respect by physical stature alone. Always one to find new ways to improve his everyday life, Thergrin didn't make many friends, spending most of his time working on a new invention. Throughout his upbringing, he made his way through the ranks of House Cannith with superior artisanship.
The Last War
House Cannith, forced in a rather supple neutrality during the war, was the perfect place for him. Thergrin did not like the war and never took pleasure in it, but the recognition of his work felt good. At this point, he already had made a name for himself with his numerous creations that saw mass production, like the Levitating Horse Cart and the Swiss Arm, but this was far from his ultimate master piece. In these times of war, his purpose was clear: save everyone and become famous for it. Make the perfect, soulless soldier, the hammer to bludgeon evil in its place. Thergrin was blinded by the ambition of making the perfect automaton, the perfect warrior, the perfect Being. No need for sleep, always standing vigil, unaffected by age - their experience would last forever. Nothing else counted more than his work: making the long-lasting peace that everyone dreamt of.
The combats were inevitable; why not avoid the bloodshed by making automated soldiers fight instead? He received mystical directions and schematics through visions and dreams. Being a member of the House Cannith, Thergrin wasn’t the first to work on the Warforged. While the prior constructs were mindless automatons, Thergrin dedicated all his genius into improving these steel soldiers. Guided by these divine visions, Thergrin produced the first living, intelligent Warforged in the year 965 YK. His first creation was famous as it bore Thergrin's mark on its plated body: a silver head with a gold, dwarven rune on the forehead. His work was revolutionary for some, a nightmare for others. He traveled far and wide as a representative/celebrity of House Cannith to get the best material and prime crafting locations. His father could not be prouder, or so he cherished the thought.
Thorin always had been supportive and even obsessed with Thergrin’s work and success, sometimes to the point of fanaticism, even though never really had the time to see Thergrin in the prime of his fame. A few years after the beginning of the war, an assassination attempt against Starrin d'Cannith, the ruling House leader at the time, was foiled by Sadrula and Thorin. Thergrin came home to a patrol of guards that claimed that his parents were cut down mercilessly while protecting the housemaster. His parents weren’t soldiers, but they had honor. Even if they never stood a chance, they gave enough time to the house guards to repel the assassins and save the housemaster’s life. These criminals were never brought to justice. Unable to put a face on his parents' killer, Thergrin directed his anger at its job.
House Cannith was quick to reproduce Thergrin’s creation, generating a second wave of Warforged. Only this time, these new weapons were obedient warriors. What they lacked in self-consciousness, they gained in martial skills. These complex metalic fighters were sold to all the Nations.
Thorin always had been supportive and even obsessed with Thergrin’s work and success, sometimes to the point of fanaticism, even though never really had the time to see Thergrin in the prime of his fame. A few years after the beginning of the war, an assassination attempt against Starrin d'Cannith, the ruling House leader at the time, was foiled by Sadrula and Thorin. Thergrin came home to a patrol of guards that claimed that his parents were cut down mercilessly while protecting the housemaster. His parents weren’t soldiers, but they had honor. Even if they never stood a chance, they gave enough time to the house guards to repel the assassins and save the housemaster’s life. These criminals were never brought to justice. Unable to put a face on his parents' killer, Thergrin directed his anger at its job.
House Cannith was quick to reproduce Thergrin’s creation, generating a second wave of Warforged. Only this time, these new weapons were obedient warriors. What they lacked in self-consciousness, they gained in martial skills. These complex metalic fighters were sold to all the Nations.
Postwar
Now that the war is over and Warforged creation is strictly forbidden, Thergrin lives in the former glory he once bathed in. Reactions of awe and disdain follow him wherever he goes. As an artisan of war in a world at peace, he makes his way making weapons and armors, trying to find comfort in his work, knowing his real talent is going to waste.
About the Author
Dael Syke is the #1 best-selling author of such acclaimed works as the Chronicles of War series and the Dragonmarked for Glory anthology. 3-time winner of the Aundair excellence in history writing “Damien ir’Wynarn” award, Syke spent his youth at the Arcanix Arcane Academy specializing in War magic and transmutation. He spent the war following the great figures of Aundair from battlefield to battlefield, including Alarstar Wynarn himself.
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