Nikitas Terzo

Chronicler of Red Talon's Early Adventures

Perchance it is a story you wish to hear. Well then I am the man for the task. I have traveled far across Reluria. I have met all kinds of folk, from the fisherman upon the river to a god. Oh yes, I've met a god, quite a humbling experience, especially since I was the butt of his joke. Alas, that tale is one I will save for another day. Today, you shall hear about Red Talon and how she nearly lost her glorious axe. It was only the actions of a certain bard, that allowed her to keep the blessed weapon.

- An Introduction to the Song of the Lost Axe

Summary

Nikitas Terzo is often called the first human bard, and while there is some debate about that, he is certainly the best remembered from the end of the Second Age. His adventures with Red Talon and her battles against the The Chaos Elves are famous. He was the companion who brought humor and wit to many of the tales. He was also the main chronicler of her adventures in those early days.
Of course Terzo being a bard meant that there were plenty of tales about his own adventures. Of all the heroes of that age, Terzo pops up the most frequently (maybe even eclipsing Red Talon in that regard). His most popular adventures are when he encountered a Sakasta rogue that may or may not have been Emid. The two of them got into all kinds of mischief and it is said that only after the bard was nearly killed during one of these escapades, that he finally learned some humility.
There are at least three versions of Terzo's death, all of them grand and impressive. One his heroic in the extreme. One is tragic and sad. The final is hilarious. It is impossible to say which is true. But most agree that is just how Terzo would have liked it.

Historical Basis

Like all heroes of that age, very little physical evidence remains from that time. Many of his stories and the stories attributed to Terzo seemed to be passed down and changed over the centuries. So it is very difficult to identify any specific locations for the events of these stories.
It is said that Terzo was buried in a small chapel in Reluria, but it has never been found.

Variations & Mutation

It is impossible to list all the variations of Terzo's adventures. Even the Red Talon stories in which he features seem to vary wildly. Sometimes he is sound advisor. Sometimes he is the humorous clown. Sometimes he is the one who can talk down the mad king. Sometimes he is the one that heroically saves his companions. Sometimes he hides in a barrel of rotting fish to avoid getting hurt.
His personality is difficult to pin down, but the constant in all these stories is that they entertain the listener.

Cultural Reception

Nikitas Terzo is one of the most popular companions in the Red Talon cycle of stories. So his adventures are well known and related. Many songs are attributed to Terzo, and are some of the most popular in Reluria.