The Grey Sage
(a.k.a. The Archwanderer)
The Grey Sage is a mysterious figure in the history of Helaeron. Seemingly a Human man of no noble blood. Ever dressed in road-ragged grey garb, armed with odd or eldritch items and weapons. Gifted or perhaps cursed with supreme knowledge in every art and skill under the sky. Knowing the greater truths of the world unabridged and unedited. Whether those truths are forgotten, or buried forever more by those hearts and minds too weak to bear their weight.
He appears in every legend in varying capacities. In some tales, he comes as a hooded messenger bearing dire news both good and ill. In others, he takes up the role of a leader, a warlord, a general even. With some stories from even The Third Aeon recalling the exploits of a Mage adorned in full armor leading an entire legion to victory and disappearing just as quickly. But certain details of the man seem to persist. Different color eyes, tattered or dirty grey robes, with items and weapons from far flung corners of the world.
Many scholars across the years have nearly lost themselves to academic madness in a stubborn attempt to unmask this hermit of history. With not a one of them finding any success anywhere they've searched. Be it ancient archives, or newly discovered ruins. The Arch Wanderer will seemingly remain veiled by the fog of history. Yet the Grey Sages influence endures in many academic and military circles. The University of Arcaena even holds a title named after him. The Grey Sage status going to those educated mages who seek their own paths, yet wish no ill on others.
In this, the argument can be made that the legend and legacy of the Grey Sage is one of eternal learning and enduring bravery in the face of histories darkest moments. Though one may hold great power in this world, greater still they may be if they use that power in the name of others. Such is the example of the Grey Sage.
He appears in every legend in varying capacities. In some tales, he comes as a hooded messenger bearing dire news both good and ill. In others, he takes up the role of a leader, a warlord, a general even. With some stories from even The Third Aeon recalling the exploits of a Mage adorned in full armor leading an entire legion to victory and disappearing just as quickly. But certain details of the man seem to persist. Different color eyes, tattered or dirty grey robes, with items and weapons from far flung corners of the world.
Many scholars across the years have nearly lost themselves to academic madness in a stubborn attempt to unmask this hermit of history. With not a one of them finding any success anywhere they've searched. Be it ancient archives, or newly discovered ruins. The Arch Wanderer will seemingly remain veiled by the fog of history. Yet the Grey Sages influence endures in many academic and military circles. The University of Arcaena even holds a title named after him. The Grey Sage status going to those educated mages who seek their own paths, yet wish no ill on others.
In this, the argument can be made that the legend and legacy of the Grey Sage is one of eternal learning and enduring bravery in the face of histories darkest moments. Though one may hold great power in this world, greater still they may be if they use that power in the name of others. Such is the example of the Grey Sage.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Correlating descriptions say the Grey Sage is lean muscled with wide shoulders and a just slightly bigger head than the average human man. One normal oak brown right eye and a luminescent ice blue left eye that seems to glow dimly or brightly with the swaying weather of his mood. Though in nearly every story, he is always dressed in a fur mantled grey long coat over a cold blue shirt with dark riding pants. Carrying himself from one place to the next in leather knee high strap boots. Tapping flag stones and dry dirt with an ashwood staff headed with a sapphire held by hands dressed in raw hide gloves.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Far too much is not known of the Grey Sage for him to be considered a real person by scholars and academics. He's widely considered a sobriquet for mages longing for prestige or warlords with magic items and weapons. Nothing more than an alias taken up in order to step into a prolific mystique. Yet the common descriptions across his appearances in various events of history cannot be shaken.
The Grey Sage first appears in the Greithullrsothr myth from the Sagas of The Skaari in the later end of The Second Aeon. The tale speaks of an oak haired warrior who emerged from beyond The Fangs of the World, ranting and raving in rabid madness. Hunters would later find him and attempt to calm him down. Managing to bring him to the comforts of a roof over his head and a well fueled fire. After finally eating a thick stew and drinking clean water, he would only speak vaguely, and ominously. "My eyes are shared. I share them with the first flame. And the first burned." He would then tell the hunters of their fates in the wilderness at the hands of monsters and honorless cutthroats. The hunters demanded elaboration, but the madman fell into an unbreakable slumber. The next morning, the madman was gone. Though this would not be the only story the Skaari have of him.
The next appearance of the Grey Sage is in The Third Aeon, 46 A.K. This account is written by Animar The Honored himself in the earliest of his memoires. In which he tells of the visitation of a man with dark oak colored hair, dressed in grey and foggy blue garb, with a dark oak brown right eye and a luminescent ice blue eye. The uncommon vagabond came to offer condolences and council in the wake of the death of Animars oldest son, Agrimar the Brave. The grey clad wanderer gave wise council to a grief shaken Animar. He advised that Animar seek allies in unconventional places. Directing him to the narrow trails leading up into the heights of what would come to be known as The Dragonsong Mountains. Where the last population of Dragons had fled to following the chaotic end of the Second Aeon. And according to the myth of The Dragonheight Covenant, it was this appearance that led to the Covenant of fellowship and kinship between Dragons and Humans. Which would, according to myth, lead to the inception of The Ellician Empire.
The Grey Sage appears again in several of the many stories surrounding the fall of The Akiiri Empire, and the joining of the Ammul and Obuntai peoples to the Ellician Empire. Where in, he is described as a leader of newly liberated slaves. Guiding them to places of sanctuary. Most notably, the location that would become the site of The City of Abkar Bijan. Where the Ammul and Obuntai led their guerilla resistance against their Akiiri slave lords, and would reestablish themselves as the many kingdoms, princedoms, and free cities of The Abkari Federation.
Many other such stories reference the Grey Sage. Apart from the mysterious figure himself, and his conduct upon arrival in the tales, their most common feature is their telling. Merely tales, stories, or very vague historical mentions. Always functioning as a kind of nudge or catalyst for others to launch the more note worthy episodes of history into motion. Standing adamant as a constant frustration for scholars, and a written feast for romantic poets.
The Grey Sage first appears in the Greithullrsothr myth from the Sagas of The Skaari in the later end of The Second Aeon. The tale speaks of an oak haired warrior who emerged from beyond The Fangs of the World, ranting and raving in rabid madness. Hunters would later find him and attempt to calm him down. Managing to bring him to the comforts of a roof over his head and a well fueled fire. After finally eating a thick stew and drinking clean water, he would only speak vaguely, and ominously. "My eyes are shared. I share them with the first flame. And the first burned." He would then tell the hunters of their fates in the wilderness at the hands of monsters and honorless cutthroats. The hunters demanded elaboration, but the madman fell into an unbreakable slumber. The next morning, the madman was gone. Though this would not be the only story the Skaari have of him.
The next appearance of the Grey Sage is in The Third Aeon, 46 A.K. This account is written by Animar The Honored himself in the earliest of his memoires. In which he tells of the visitation of a man with dark oak colored hair, dressed in grey and foggy blue garb, with a dark oak brown right eye and a luminescent ice blue eye. The uncommon vagabond came to offer condolences and council in the wake of the death of Animars oldest son, Agrimar the Brave. The grey clad wanderer gave wise council to a grief shaken Animar. He advised that Animar seek allies in unconventional places. Directing him to the narrow trails leading up into the heights of what would come to be known as The Dragonsong Mountains. Where the last population of Dragons had fled to following the chaotic end of the Second Aeon. And according to the myth of The Dragonheight Covenant, it was this appearance that led to the Covenant of fellowship and kinship between Dragons and Humans. Which would, according to myth, lead to the inception of The Ellician Empire.
The Grey Sage appears again in several of the many stories surrounding the fall of The Akiiri Empire, and the joining of the Ammul and Obuntai peoples to the Ellician Empire. Where in, he is described as a leader of newly liberated slaves. Guiding them to places of sanctuary. Most notably, the location that would become the site of The City of Abkar Bijan. Where the Ammul and Obuntai led their guerilla resistance against their Akiiri slave lords, and would reestablish themselves as the many kingdoms, princedoms, and free cities of The Abkari Federation.
Many other such stories reference the Grey Sage. Apart from the mysterious figure himself, and his conduct upon arrival in the tales, their most common feature is their telling. Merely tales, stories, or very vague historical mentions. Always functioning as a kind of nudge or catalyst for others to launch the more note worthy episodes of history into motion. Standing adamant as a constant frustration for scholars, and a written feast for romantic poets.
Gender Identity
Male
Alignment
Unknown
Current Status
Unknown
Species
Conditions
Age
????
Children
Current Residence
Unknown
Pronouns
He/Him
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark oak brown right eye and a luminescent ice blue left eye
Hair
Long dark brown with shaved sides.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale with a homeless tan
Height
5ft. 10in.
Weight
200lbs
Elder Common
Sehnvoaxi
Skaadic
Bannish
Old Artean
Old Ellician
Vyric
Orkhuhluh
Laeth Aerda
Laeth Ceann
Laeth Dora
Laeth Faeian
Ammulhad
Durahbas
Dekspeas
Esterassi
Tarzeiqueim
Wunic
Waeldance
Xhobi
Xixa
I liked the idea you have here. I like the character and especially how he is presented here.
Thank you! I wanted another vague figure in my worlds history. He's also how I wrote myself into the world. haha