Known Relatives: Unknown
First Appearance: Adventurers Book I #1
History: In 3280, a child was born in a small village on the eastern edge of Greenwood Forest, a child with only one eye. As was the custom, the superstitious parents left the imperfect infant in the woods to be consumed by the wild beasts. But, before any hungry animal found the child, Ixion, the Wizard of the wood, heard the baby’s cries and took it to his cottage.
He named the infant boy, Tarrus, and taught him all that he knew of what it was to be a man in a hostile world. Tarrus loved the kindly old wizard and worked hard to please Ixion. He learned the arcade arts and to respect life. He learned the very secret of life and that greater power carries with it greater responsibility.
When Tarrus had grown and could learn no more, he left Ixion’s woodland home to find his place among civilized man. His journeys eventually led him to the city of Liam. Here he worked his magics to help the people and establish order in the impoverished town. His good will, intelligence and enthusiasm quickly made him head of Liam’s town council.
Granted the authority over the town with this position, Tarrus made the most of this opportunity to make Liam a more pleasant town. He built walls across the Pass of Liam, trained the jobless as soldiers and charged merchants tariffs for goods brought through Liam. The wealth that this created raised the living standard of the town and attracted new wealth. Tarrus had become a great hero and was granted full control over Liam.
As the years passed, differing factions fought for the right of succession to Tarrus’ position. Doubt the good will of these groups, Tarrus used his sorcery to prolong his life and remain in control.
This was Tarrus’ downfall.
The process that gave him longer life also took away a part of his humanity. He became exceptionally cruel and selfish. These traits only became worse as his mind was warped by the power of the Keys of Telku.
Tarrus hired a ninja from the Amita K’un by the name of Delia, who had gone by the mysterious name of Nightwind. Under the servitude of Tarrus, Nightwind had gathered several other adventurers: Argent – a young sorcerer; Bladehelm – a dwarven warrior; Tirian – a seasoned mercenary; Shadolok – a deadly archer; Dhakab – a desert warrior; Sultar – a cowardly fire mage; and Coron – a priest of the death go, Accuris.
Their first mission for Tarrus was to enter the ruined city of Tecumeth. Though they had successfully recovered the Key of Telku from there, it had come at a price. Tirian lost his life within the city walls, and Dhakab was gravely wounded.
Tempted with yet more promises of gold, the adventurers then journeyed next to The Crimson Giants, during a trade to secure and recover the second Key of Telku. They had succeeded thanks to Sultar igniting the entire giant fortress.
For the third Key of Telku, Tarrus had the adventurers enter an ancient burial mound where they encountered Anubis, Guardian of the Dead. It was there that they were forced to face the three tests of: Might, Loyalty and Fear. They had barely managed to succeed, but in the end did recover the third Key of Telku.
So close to his goal, Tarrus then offered the adventurers 7,000 gold for the fourth and final Key of Telku. The fourth and final key was located in Mount Galatia, within the ruined Dwarven Kingdom of Kragarak. A dwarven kingdom that was now home to the dreaded dragon, Belegard!
Having severely underestimated Belegard’s power, Argent lost his life as the dragon’s breath consumed him and Sultar was buried alive, beneath a rockslide. When Belegard had returned back to his home to deal with Nightwind, he was surprised to encounter Dhakab. The two engaged in a battle, in which Dhakab managed to destroy Belegard’s wing, forcing them both to plunge to their death. When the surviving members found the key and prepared for the long trek back to Liam, they were ambushed by Tarrus’ men. Tarrus had no intention on paying them for their services. Nightwind denounced Tarrus and swore to stop him.
Sultar appeared, having survived the rockslide and helped defeat Tarrus’ men. But Tarrus, with the aid of his winged creature, Kiri, had managed to escape back to Liam.
Realizing the horror of their actions, the adventurers sought a way to stop Tarrus before he could use the five Keys of Telku and open the Gates of Chaos. Coron called upon Accuris, and the adventurers were given a secret path called “The Grey Road” only accessible through Accuris’ blessing.
During the battle with Tarrus, Oneida, the demon who possessed Sultar challenged Tarrus and was soundly defeated. Tarrus summoned Uruthoth and was just about to seal the final words, when Nightwind threw a shield as Shadolok fired an arrow – knocking Tarrus into the arms of Uruthoth. The demon pulled Tarrus into the Chaos Gate. With Tarrus’ apparent demise, the main kingdom in Liam crumbled with its master’s fate.
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