Lords of Radzyn Keep
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The Lords of Radzyn Keep are characters in Melanie Rawn's two fantasy trilogies Dragon Prince and Dragon Star of the Dragon Prince series. The Lords of Radzyn Keep consist of the current Lord, Chaynal, his Lady, Tobin of the Desert, their children, and their grandchildren.
Radzyn Keep guards the largest and most prosperous port of the Desert. The Lords of Radzyn Keep had 'earned' the money to build their eight towered fortress through ten generations of piracy; today their ships patrol the waters to keep the coast safe. These Lords are held in the highest esteem by their Princes and are trusted beyond measure with their lives, their guidance, and their friendship. In fact Chaynal, the current Lord, was the first athri to bear a banner with his own emblem. The colors of Radzyn Keep are red and white; the banner is of a silver sword on a red field bound in white, then bound in the Desert blue.
The Lords of Radzyn Keep also raise the finest horses in the Desert and arguably on the Continent. The Radzyn horses are in such high demand that the Isulk'im often 'borrow' some to breed with their own horses.
Along with the large stables and vast paddocks, Radzyn bosts a flourishing port, through which all the Dorvali silk arrives on the Continent. The Keep itself stands on a cliff overlooking the sea. It is large, with eight towers, formal halls in which to conduct business, private halls for the family, and a garden filled with herbs, trees, flowers, and the sound of the sea's eternal life.
| Dragon Prince place | |
| Radzyn Keep | |
|---|---|
| Colors | red and white |
| Banner | silver sword on red bound in white and blue |
| Princedom | The Desert |
| Jewels | rubies and diamonds |
| Trade | horses, silk trade rights, shipping |
Contents |
[edit] Chaynal
| Dragon Prince character | |
| Lord Chaynal of Radzyn Keep | |
|---|---|
| Race | human |
| Birth | 668, Radzyn, The Desert |
| Colors | ruby, emerald, and sapphire |
| Titles | Lord of Radzyn Keep, Battle Commander of the Desert |
| Princedom | The Desert |
Chaynal, Lord of Radzyn Keep, Battle Commander of the Desert , was born in 668. He was strong, capable warrior and quickly proved himself to his Prince. Fostered at Stronghold, the seat of the Desert, he earned his knighthood and the regard of Prince Zehava's daughter, Tobin. With the aid of Rohan, her younger brother and heir to the Desert, the two met in secret and fell in love. They were married 690 a year after Chay had become Lord of Radzyn Keep. Three years later they had twin sons, Maarken and Jahni, and two years after that Chay was made Battle Commander of the Desert after a battle with the Merida.
In 698 Prince Zehava received mortal wounds during a dragon hunt. Chay was able to reach his Prince before a death blow landed, but the man died a few days later. Rohan, Chay's brother-in-law, became Prince of the Desert. Chay remained Battle Commander and aided Rohan in his endeavors at the Rialla, which included a plan to bring peace to the Continent. At first Chay was somewhat wary of the new Prince's dream of peace. He was a warrior and knew no other life; however, under Rohan's reign Chay came to see the benefits of a peaceful land and supported his Prince unfaillingly.
A year later Chay and Tobin had another set of twin sons, Andry and Sorin. Two years after that the plague struck; it claimed Jahni's life. Not long after a war broke out between the Desert and Princemarch, and Chay was called to lead the Desert army in the south, while Rohan was held captive in Feruche. During this time, Chay's heir, Maarken, was sent to squire for him. Maarken was faradhi gifted, something that bothered Chay, though he loved his son dearly. Ever since Tobin had nearly been shadow-lost at Zehava's funeral, Chay had been wary of Sunrunner gifts. He was also deeply concerned for the choices his sons would one day have to make, as was illustrated when Maarken first offered to burn the Faolain RIver bridges with Sunruner's Fire - while the enemy was still on them.
After Rohan was released from Feruche, Chay continued to fight and strategize for his Prince, but he was the person to whom Rohan unburdened his soul. Chay was able to snap Rohan into focusing on the war, and then later to pull Rohan out of the impassive shell the Prince had created. By seeing Rohan's doubts, seeing how the Prince questioned everything and always tried to make the right choices, Chay stopped comparing Rohan to Zehava; he did not see Rohan as lacking any longer. In fact, Chay began to believe in Rohan's dreams of peace and law. He did not want his other sons or grandsons to go to war, when they were barely twelve as Maarken had.
The war ended in a duel between Rohan and High Prince Roelstra. Rohan won and became High Prince and his Sunrunner wife, Sioned, the High Princess. After the long absence, Rohan also had an heir, Pol, who would become Prince of Princemarch once he grew to manhood. Chay was one of the few to know Pol's true heritage: he was Roelstra's grandson.
Over the years there were various attacks, one of which claimed the life of his son, Sorin, but for the main there was peace, and Chay stood by his Prince, protecting the Desert and relishing in the newfound peace.
In 737 the peace was shattered. The Vellant'im, a new, outside threat attacked the Continent intent on destroying the Desert. Chay was called once more to fight a war at his Prince's side as the Battle Commander, this time with his son and heir, Maarken, at his side. Chay had to watch as Radzyn was burned and the Desert forces retreated to Stronghold. There, his beloved Prince and brother died. Sioned set the mighty keep ablaze for his pyre. Grief striken, Chay followed his new Prince, Pol, but retired his position as Battle Commander to Maarken.
Chay survived the war, fighting by his Prince's side, but lost another son, Andry. After the gruelling victory and the restoration of order and peace, he and Tobin were going to return to Radzyn Keep and restore it to the home and grand port it had been.
[edit] Tobin
| Dragon Prince character | |
| Princess Tobin of the Desert | |
|---|---|
| Race | faradhi |
| Birth | 671, Stronghold, The Desert |
| Colors | amber, amethyst, and sapphire |
| Rings | three |
| Titles | Lady of Radzyn Keep |
| Princedom | The Desert |
Tobin of the Desert, Lady of Radzyn Keep , was born in 671 to Zehava, Prince of the Desert, and Milar, twin sister to the Lady of Goddess Keep. Tobin was born with the ability to become a Sunrunner, but, due in part to her royal birth, was not sent to Goddess Keep for training. In those days Sunrunner Lords and Princes were unheard of, so she was trained instead as a noble Lady. Her temperament was more fit to a warrior, as her father often dispaired, when comparing her to his younger son and heir, Rohan.
She met Lord Chaynal of Radzyn Keep while he was fostered at Stronghold and through their boisterous rows, the two fell in love and were married in 690. Three years later she bore twin sons, Maarken and Jahni. Motherhood tamed Tobin's temper somewhat, but she remained as fierce as ever - her disputes with Chay became legend, after all not every man needs a marriage clause stating no knives in the bedroom for fear of a gutting. When her father died and Rohan became Prince, Tobin supported him and his dreams of peace, but she was quick to point out flaws in his schemes or arrogance in his plans where it warrented. He wouldn't have had it any other way. Shortly after Rohan became Prince, the Sunrunner Sioned arrived to be his bride. The two's affection for each other was obvious to Tobin even though they tried to hide it, but Tobin became forever fond of Sioned, when the woman saved Maarken and Jahni from being eaten by a dragon hatchling. Sioned had also saved Tobin from being shadow-lost, a Sunrunner's worst fear, when the princess had followed the faradh'im on moonlight during Zehava's funeral - something that had scared Chay to his wits end and made him wary of her and their sons' Sunrunner gifts for years to come.
Some years after Rohan and Sioned married, Tobin again gave birth to twin sons, Andry and Sorin. Then the plague struck; Jahni and Milar died. A war broke out between the Desert and Princemarch, during which Tobin fought to defend Stronghold from the Merida. She was injured in battle; an arrow scourged her thigh, giving her a permanent limp. Rohan and Sioned, both of whom had been held captive in Feruche, appeared in time to defeat the Merida. After the battle Sioned told Tobin what had transpired during her captivity. Eight months later Tobin, with Ostvel, accompanied Sioned back to Feruche and helped her claim Rohan's son by Ianthe, whom Sioned Named Pol. Tobin kept the secret of Pol's birth.
As the years passed Tobin watched as her eldest son, Maarken grew into a strong Lord and Sunrunner and Pol's Champion; Andry became Lord of Goddess Keep and estranged from the rest of the family; Sorin became Lord of Feruche only to be slain by Pol's half brother. Maarken married Hollis, and they gave Tobin two lovely grandchildren, upon whom she doted.
Then war broke out. The Vellant'im attacked. During the war, tobin had a stroke and lost control over one side of her body. She could speak using her Sunrunner gifts and eventually regained her ability to move. Tobin had to watch as both of her homes, Radzyn Keep and Stronghold - which had never before fallen - fell, as her brother and Prince died, and as she lost another son, Andry. One blessing in this war for Tobin was that she got to meet one of her granddaughters by Andry, Tobren. After a year long war, High Prince Pol and his allies were able to drive the Vellant'im from the Continent, defeated. As order and peace were restored to the land, Tobin and Chay were going return to Radzyn Keep and restore it to the home they had known.
[edit] Maarken
| Dragon Prince character | |
| Lord Maarken of Radzyn Keep | |
|---|---|
| Race | faradhi |
| Birth | 693, Radzyn, The Desert |
| Colors | ruby, amber, and diamond |
| Rings | six, the first a garnet ring |
| Dragon | Pavisel |
| Titles | Lord of Whitecliff, Battle Commander of the Desert |
| Princedom | The Desert |
Maarken, Lord of Whitecliff, Heir to Radzyn Keep, Battle Commander of the Desert , was born in 693, the elder twin of Jahni and Chay's heir. One of his youngest memories was playing dragon with his uncle, Rohan, the Prince of the Desert. Another memory was of the time he and his brother had wanted to see real dragons. They climbed into a cavern in Rivenrock and found a dragon hatchery; they were nearly killed by a baby dragon, but Rohan and Sioned came to their rescue and chased the hatchling off.
Maarken was an unusual Lordling: he possessed the Sunrunner gifts. More to the point, he would be trained in them. His would test the path which his future Prince, Pol, also a faradhi, would some day take. As heir to the powerful and wealthy Radzyn Keep, Maarken was first fostered out to Greypearl in 702, a year after Jahni had succumbed to the plague. At first lost without his twin, Maarken eventually grew into a strong and capable young Lord. During the war against Roelstra, Maarken was sent to be his father's squire. By this time Maarken had been taught how to call Fire; he wanted to use his gifts to burn the bridges across the Faolain River, but as people would die, Chay forbid it. Maarken did not fully understand why he couldn't use his gifts to kill; after all, Chay killed in battle. Maarken would later learn the difference between his two types of power, and his life would be used as an example for Sunrunner Lords to follow. Rohan arrived in time to defeat Prince Jastri and drive the rest of Roelstra's army back across the river. Rohan then ordered the bridges - now empty of people - ro burn. Archers readied flaming arrows, but before the could shoot, Maarken raised his unfingered fists and called Fire. The bridges burned. Hid actions drove fear into the hearts of the Desert's enemies. Rohan awarded Maarken with the first of his Sunrunner rings: the garnet of Syr.
Maarken was knighted in 712. Only after earning his knighthood did Maarken travel to Goddess Keep to be trained as a Sunrunner under his great-aunt, Andrade. There he met and fell in love with Hollis, a fellow Sunrunner. After Maarken earned his first ring, Hollis snuck into the chamber for the Man-making ritual even though she had too few rings and wasn't supposed to be there. The Sunrunner who came to teach Maarken merely laughed and wished the two joy. The next morning Maarken was thrilled to see Hollis' face in the Fire, wearing the circlet of the Lady of Radzyn Keep.
Upon gaining his fourth faradhi ring in the year 719, Maarken left Goddess Keep and became Lord of Whitecliff, the Keep of Radzyn's heir. He travelled with his parents, Prince, and Pol to the Rialla, where he acted as Pol's Champion against an impostor heir of Roelstra. During the challenge, Maarken was assaulted by sorcery. He saw demons all around him and couldn't make out the pretender, Masul. As he tried to battle the plethora of enemies, Masul toyed with him, lashing out, kicking him, and finally breaking Maarken's wrist. Maarken would have died had Rohan not ended Masul's life and had Hollis not killed the sorcerer, Segev, tormenting him. Maarken and Hollis wed not long after, and a few years later Hollis bore him twins, Chayla and Rohannon. Both had the Sunrunner gifts.
In 737 the Vellant'im attacked. Radzyn and Stronghold burned to the ground. Pol became High Prince and Prince of the Desert and Maarken became his Battle Commander in Chay's place. During a skirmish with the Vellant'im, Maarken's hand was cut off. Maarken showed his bravery by having Pol call fire to cauterize the wound and save his life. Even with only one hand, Maarken was a fearsome warrior and strategist. He helped Pol defeat the Vellant'im and drive them from the Continent. As peace and order were restored to the lands, Maarken and Hollis were reunited with their son, whom they had feared lost.
Maarken's dragon was named Pavisel.
[edit] Hollis
| Dragon Prince character | |
| Hollis | |
|---|---|
| Race | faradhi |
| Birth | 691, Goddess Keep |
| Colors | sapphire, pearl, and garnet |
| Rings | six |
| Dragon | Abisel |
| Titles | Lady of Whitecliff |
| Princedom | The Desert |
Hollis, Lady of Whitecliff , was born in 691 to two faradh'im at Goddess Keep. She began her Sunrunner training in 707. Some years later she met Maarken and the two fell in love. He asked her to marry him, but somewhat daunted by his lofty and royal background, Hollis said no. She wanted to at least have six faradhi rings and to have experience as a Court Sunrunner so as to have something worthy to offer his family. Maarken said that she was worthy now, but relented... for the moment.
After Hollis had gained her rings, had been a Court Sunrunner for a year, and Maarken had asked a third time, Hollis agreed to be his wife. In the meantime, she returned to Goddess Keep, where she met Maarken's younger brother, Andry. The two became close friends. Hollis also met a youth named Sejast, who seemed somewhat taken with her. Careful not to encourage him, but also not to hurt his feelings, Hollis befriended him. Sejast learned the Sunrunner arts at a remarkable speed and soon earned his first ring. The Sunrunner meant to guide him in the Man-making ritual had an injury the same evening and so the Lady of Goddess Keep told Hollis to take the woman's place. Hollis did so. Sejast gave her a drink of taze. She figured he was nervous; little did she know the drink was laced with dranath, a highly addictive drug, or that Sejast was really Segev, one of Ianthe's sons and a diarmadhi. Segev continued to drug Hollis, even after the delegation from Goddess Keep reached the Rialla. Hollis didn't realize what was going on until it was too late: she was deeply addicted. Ashamed, she tried to avoid Maarken and even attempted to call off their marriage. Eventually Hollis discovered that Segev was a sorcerer and that he meant to keep her - addicted - by his side; if she tried to leave him or betray him, she wouldn't get the dranath and she would die from withdrawal. When Hollis heard that Maarken was to duel the pretender, she went to seem him, grief-striken. Afraid she had done more harm than good in the visit, she went to find Segev; he was working sorcery against Maarken during the duel. Not caring if it meant her own death, Hollis killed him.
With the help and support of Maarken and his family, Hollis made a remarkable - and very lucky - recovery. (She was slowly weaned off the dranath.) She and Maarken finally wed. A few years later she bore twins, Chayla and Rohannon.
During the Vellanti war Hollis aided her family and her Prince as best she could, though without compromising the traditional Sunrunner mandate: do not use the gift to kill. Although this did cause some tension between herself and Pol, eventually Pol conceded to her and Maarken's honor. He used the Ros'salath to render the enemy unconscious instead of torturing their minds unto death. Hollis aided her Prince in doing this.
[edit] Rohannon
| Dragon Prince character | |
| Lord Rohannon of Whitecliff | |
|---|---|
| Race | faradhi |
| Birth | 722, Whitecliff, The Desert |
| Colors | amethyst, diamond, and garnet |
| Princedom | The Desert |
Rohannon of Whitecliff was born in 722 to Maarken and Hollis and was the twin of Chayla. He had Sunrunner gifts, but was fostered out to New Raetia/Zaldivar instead of going straight to Goddess Keep. This was following the tradition his father had started for future Sunrunner Lords. Before Rohannon's fostering had been completed the Vellant'im attacked.
During the war, Rohannon had to act as a Court Sunrunner for Prince Arlis of Kierst-Isel even though he hadn't really been trained yet. To augment his abilities and fend off seasickness he took dranath. Like his mother, Hollis, he became addicted. His addiction was discovered by a 'lad' from Yarin of Snowcoves' household. This 'lad' had to nurse Rohannon off the drug and quickly. Unlike his mother's slow weaning, Rohannon almost had to go cold turkey. Though he almost didn't make it, Rohannon eventually pulled through his addiction. It was then that he realized that the 'lad' tending him was really Aldiara, a sorceress his own age and a distant cousin of Yarin's, dressed as a boy. Together he and Aldiara found sorcerers ready to rally to Pol's banner and also helped Arlis and Laric root out the traitor Yarin.
At the end of the war, both Rohannon and Aldiara were honored for their bravery and their tale was put written into a song by Ostvel. "Rohannon, Rohannon the Sunrunner lad!" Rohannon was also reunited with his parents and sister. During the victory celebration, Tobin tripped Aldiara and caused the girl to tumble into Rohannon - Tobin was sure the two would one day marry and was glad to help the couple along. Being his grandather's grandson, Rohannon smoothly asked Aldiara to dance.
[edit] Chayla
| Dragon Prince character | |
| Lady Chayla of Whitecliff | |
|---|---|
| Race | faradhi |
| Birth | 722, Whitecliff, The Desert |
| Rings | none, will have ten as LoGK |
| Titles | Lady of Goddess Keep |
| Princedom | The Desert |
Chayla of Whitecliff, Lady of Goddess Keep , was born in 722, the twin of Rohannon and daughter of Maarken and Hollis. She possessed Sunrunner gifts, but wasn't sent to Goddess Keep, due in part to the estrangement between the current Lord of Goddess Keep, her uncle Andry, and her father. Instead, in 736 she was fostered out to Remegev Keep under Walvis and Feylin to be trained in the ways of a Lady. while at the Keep, she met Kazander, an Isulk'im or Desert Tribesmen, who had trained under Walvis in the past. The Isulki took a liking to her, and - although she wouldn't admit it - she slightly to him.
The war with the Vellant'im broke out before her fostering was over and Chayla found herself captured by them. She escaped, but was found by stray Vellanti warriors and raped. Kazander came to her rescue, killing the offenders, and returned her to her parents. She hid the truth of her capture from them, but soon found out that she was with child. She confided in Sioned and Andry. She wanted to be rid of the Vellanti and their memory. Though Andry strongly asked her to bear the child, she refused and, with Sioned's help, rid herself of it. through this ordeal she spent a lot of time with her uncle Andry, and, despite their differences, they grew close. Before he died, Andry had chosen her to be the next Lady of Goddess Keep. She accepted.
| Preceded by Andry |
Lady of Goddess Keep 737 - ??? |
Succeeded by ??? |
[edit] Jahni
Jahni of Radzyn Keep was born in 693, son to Chay and Tobin. He was Maarken's twin. He used to play dragon with his brother and Uncle Rohan, where he and Maarken tried to slay their uncle with wooden swords and he flapped around in a cape. On their first excurtion into Rivenrock, Jahni and Maarken got separated from the rest of the party and went exploring. They wanted to see real dragons. They found a hatchery full of dragon eggs. The twin boys were excited until they came face to face with a baby dragon. Terrified, they huddled together, but Rohan and the Sunrunner Sioned showed up to frighten the hatchling away. The boys were glad their uncle hadn't killed the dragon as they figured it had been just as scared as they were.
When he was eight years old, Jahni contracted the plague and died before the dranath cure was found.
[edit] Andry
Andry, Lord of Goddess Keep , was born in 699 to Tobin and Chay; Sorin was his twin. Andry was a Sunrunner like his older brother Maarken. As such he was fostered out to High Kirat. It soon became apparent, however, that Andry would not enjoy life as a Lord or knight. He asked to be sent to Goddess Keep and forego his knighthood. His request was granted and he was sent to Goddess Keep in 713. In 719 he became the Lord of Goddess Keep.
[edit] Andry's Children
- Andrev of Goddess Keep
- Tobren of Goddess Keep
- Chayly of Goddess Keep
- Joscev of Goddess Keep
- Merisel of Goddess Keep
[edit] Sorin
| Dragon Prince character | |
| Lord Sorin of Radzyn Keep | |
|---|---|
| Race | human |
| Birth | 699, Radzyn, The Desert |
| Titles | Lord of Feruche |
| Princedom | The Desert |
Sorin, Lord of Feruche , was born in 699, twin to Andry, and the son of Tobin and Chay. Unlike Maarken and Andry, Sorin was not a faradhi. Sorin never begrudged his twin the Sunrunner gifts he loved so much, in fact Sorin probably knew Andry better than anyone even after their time apart. Sorin was, however, his Prince's man through and through. He had been fostered to New Raetia, where he was knighted in 719 at the Rialla. He was also made Lord of Feruche, which had been abandoned since Sioned burned it down after Pol's birth. Sorin was given the task to rebuild the tower, a task he took to most readily. He enjoyed the planning, building, and the chance to be an architect. During this time he apparently had formed an affection for Betheyn, his chief architect's daughter, as she later claimed to be his unofficial betrothed.
In 728 there were reports of dragon killings in the mountains around Feruche. When Sorin went to investigate, he was met by Marron and Ruval, both sons of Ianthe and Sorcerers. They wanted revenge for the deaths of their younger brother, Segev (whom Hollis, Sorin's sister-in-law, had killed), Ianthe (whom Sioned had killed), Roelstra (whom Rohan had killed), and for Feruche itself. Sorin, they figured, would be a good place to begin their revenge. Marron killed him.
Sorin's death struck his family deeply. Had he lived, the course of history could have been greatly altered; however, after his death his twin, Andry, went on a diarmadhi killing spree and grew estranged from their parents and family. The breach was not mended - or did not begin to mend - until the Vellant'im war forced them all together and Andry was woven into the light.
