An introduction to the characters; or, A brief history of Tyren

Tyren-The world on which this story takes place. It's similar to Earth during the medieval era, but a bit more modern as well. Machines are common, though computers are very rare. There are many sorts of towns and landscapes on Tyren of varying cultures and populations, but there are also darker places unique to each region of the world. These will be explored later.

Sagus Bolinheim (black hair, eye color unknown, cloaked in black)-The primary protagonist. An accomplished wizard at merely 23, this man's name and face is still largely unknown to most of Tyren. While Sagus resents this somewhat, it also works to his advantage since he can claim to be any number of infamous conjurers and outlaws. Basically a peaceful man, Sagus is willing to fight when doing so will end a conflict with fewer deaths and less damage to the area. His companions are important to him, but his slight goof-ball side won't let him say just how important. While the others in the group have titles, or nicknames, Sagus' is never used while he's around. He doesn't even know he has one. His companions call him 'Sagus, the hope bearer', because two of them believe only he can beat the demon Arakarin while Rebecca believes it will take both him and herself to do the job. Sagus' eyes are covered by a black bandanna, which he claims was blessed by a mage of reason. It allows him to compensate for the Curse of Falsehood placed on his eyes, which makes his bare eyes see things as opposite their real form. He searches for the one who cursed him, the demon Arakarin, to take his **** and end his brutality against Tyren.

Sophie 'the Reformer' Zalin (blond hair, blue eyes, pretty in every sense, cloaked in green)-One of Sagus' followers. At only 19, Sophie has already learned and memorized the molecular structure, elemental content and atomic volume of nearly every substance on Tyren. She applies this knowledge through her craft, alchemy. Although her abilities would be impressive if allowed to flow freely, on her journey with Sagus, she mostly uses it to create and hone weapons and to make medicine from herbs. She may not have an impressive-sounding place in this tale, but the journey would've been over long ago if not for her. Her skill in combat is average, but her alchemy can be almost instant. Assuming, of course, that she has the right materials, and the right alchemical catalysts with her. Her alchemy is done by applying one of the chemicals fastened securely to the inside of her cloak to a substance, which then alters it as needed. Not flashy (like some other alchemist...), but effective. Her search for the demon Arakarin began the night he burned her home village, Senhopen, to the ground. She was the only survivor. Because of this, a famous alchemist, Zurensten, allowed her to become his apprentice. She has since 'graduated', and has joined Sagus, since their goal is similar.

Marianne 'the pure-hearted' Valengard (black hair, brown eyes, very cute, cloaked in deep blue)-One of Sagus' followers. Despite her kind, sweet demeanor and generally outgoing personality, Marianne is in some respects a mystery even to her companions. Although it's obvious that she has training in the mystic arts, exactly what her discipline is, she's never told anyone. She is, in fact, a necromancer, though not a master yet. She is hesitant to use her skill because when she was very young, a wandering blind oracle told her that she would one day lose control over her power and that it would bring about disaster. Since then, she has gone to great lengths to gain control, while at the same time keeping it secret. Necromancers are generally seen as heretics who meddle in Utoness' plans for the souls of the dead by those who listen to rumors. This has caused Marianne to lose friends and to loosen her ties with family. Because of this, once she had formed bonds with Sagus and his companions, she vowed to stay by them forever. Fellow mages will understand her, she believes, if she can prove that she's not evil. She suspects she's falling in love with Sagus, though Sophie and Rebecca already know it to be true. Even so, when Sagus pays her more attention than the others, she reacts like a love-struck schoolgirl, falling all over herself and accidentally saying things she instantly regrets. The main manifestation of her power comes in the form of visions of the dead, who either advise or torment her, at their whim. Marianne has seen in visions that if she can gain enough control to face the demon Arakarin that she need no longer fear her power, despite the warning of a wandering oracle. Which of these visions is correct has yet to be seen...

Rebecca 'the sure-shot' Oswin (brown hair, one brown eye, one colorless eye, pretty, though unnerving close-up, cloaked in gray)-One of Sagus' followers. While not a magician, Rebecca's skill with a bow and arrow has led many to think she has the wind as an ally, and she doesn't tell them otherwise. Having spent her life up to this point (17 years) in training only, she yearns to prove her ability in real combat, where it counts. Her time with Sagus has more than proven her a capable combat archer, but it isn't enough for her yet. Despite her drive, and how well she hides it, being in real battle scares her badly. Though not badly enough to hinder her ability to shoot with speed and uncanny accuracy. When her mother, a mage of light, died, she left Rebecca a single arrow. She claimed that she and many other mages of light had poured all their skill and knowledge into that one arrow in hopes that it would be able to kill the demon Arakarin. Rebecca vowed that she would use it to end the demon's spree of terror and bloodshed. Rebecca is not a cold or mean woman, but she speaks as she shoots: with precision and without wasted energy. Some take this as indifference, or disgust, but she prefers to think of herself as succinct and verbally efficient. She learned the value of cutting unneeded effort while in archery training. In combat, the difference between an arrow finding its mark and missing, between life and ****, is decided within a hummingbird's flap. Rebecca carries a benevolent virus known as the Eye of the Arrow, which enhances eyesight, allowing for unrivaled accuracy with a bow, as well as in general.

Stradi the Genocidal (appearance unknown, believed to be human)-Dark mage. Stradi is one of the most evil dark mages Tyren has ever known. He is said to have earned his title by annihilating the entire elf race, though everyone who says so within his earshot sees that the rumor makes him angry before he slays them. He is largely a mystery, since few who see or hear him survive. Stradi's mastery of the dark arts gives him the ability to wield darkness itself as a weapon. In what capacity is unknown, the only clue being a farmer's account of working outside of a town called Riverville. He claims to have seen a winged suit of armor wielding Stradi's axe fly toward the town and be consumed by blackness. When the dark cleared, Riverville had become a flat, barren field of corpses. This rumor, Stradi would attest, is quite factual. Many whisper that if Stradi were ever to face Arakarin, the world would end.

Mahkalor (dark green skin, four red eyes, humanoid, with some wolf qualities)-Arakarin's second-in-command. He stands upright usually, but his build has some features of a wolf. Most notably, his fang-filled muzzle, which can tear through a human limb with little effort. Mahkalor is the soul of a werewolf who was killed a long time ago and brought back from hell by Arakarin when he escaped to serve him. While his time in hell has made him strong and highly-resistant to pain, it also means he lacks a soul's incorporeal qualities. In other words, he can be harmed, though doing so is a difficult task. He is fearsome in battle and his scythe has become a symbol of despair and wild aggression.

Sharcha the Serpentine (silver scaled skin, gold snake-like eyes, streched-human appearance)-Arakarin's third-in-command. Sharcha is a chimera made by the demon Arakarin out of three of the deadliest snakes on Tyren and one man, a brutal outlaw known for his sadistic ways. The kind of man who draws a demon king's attention. He wields two daggers coated in his own venom. Even the slightest cut from them causes the victim's organs to liquefy. He takes a deep pleasure in killing and does so whenever his boss allows it. Or when he hasn't been specifically told not to. Or when he has, but believes he can get away with it. The rush and joy of **** is simply too strong in him to resist for long. Sharcha's ****-lust is what led him to wipe out four entire towns. He can't wait for the order to make it five.

Santonus (a giant, stone-skinned humanoid, no eyes)-Arakarin's ****. Santonus was long revered as a legendary agent of the gods, a protector against threats of any sort for those who put their faith in his creators. Although the old gods made him with good intentions, they did not make him with humility. They were so certain that no being in the universe other than themselves could overpower their massive stone golem, that they offered his service to any who could do so. His subservience was to be so absolute, the gods promised, that he would lose even his ability to object or regret the actions his new master would have him take. Being their guardian, the people of Tyren had too much respect and adoration for Santonus to make such an attempt. But the demon king Arakarin had both the plan and strength to claim the giant as his ****. The gods could never have imagined that a demon could accomplish this, could make fools of them, but they could not go back on their word. Santonus belonged to Arakarin and ever since, his reputation has slid from benevolent guardian to destruction itself.

Arakarin (humanoid, shadow-skinned, bright silver eyes)-The shadow darker than the night. The plague of blades. Hell's retribution against the innocent. The demon king of Tyren. All names which belong to Arakarin, all names he has earned. Perhaps he'll earn another, once the number of his victims can be confirmed or even estimated. Towns become massacres within minutes, if he wants them to. But even the largest city to have fallen by his shadowy hand was no challenge at all, compared to his escape from hell. Thousands of demons, including former demon kings, fell by the Cerberus Blade, the weapon given to a ruler of hell, and stolen by Arakarin. His escape led him to Tyren, where he resumed his grim hobby: Destruction. Genocide. Bringing about the downfall of the gods and of the world, itself. Motivated only by his own sadistic tendencies, Arakarin will not stop until every living thing on Tyren is lying dead at his feet. Those he doesn't kill he curses to horrific fates. His shadow-skin lets him move freely, into any position instantly, as well as forcing any weapon or object to pass through him harmlessly, when he needs it. His own weapon, the Cerberus Blade, can take the shape of any melee weapon he desires, from knife to hand-held cannon. Arakarin is a skilled mage and has mastered nearly every magic discipline. His body is untouchable and his heart unreachable. He is the most feared thing in this world and his potential for destruction is still unknown to all but a few beings.

Phoebe-A siren **** into a mundane life in order to get back something precious to her.

Marcellette-Someone Sagus once knew...