Theodore Rhodes

Theodore Rhodes was the Duke of Lynnmore. During his rule the city of Tarnwick abandoned its ancient policy of total isolation, being subjugated by Theios-Essukdal, later Yimmu-Audal, after making its presence known. He was appointed as Free Count of Haz-Arkano and quickly became an influential figure in Audalad politics, eventually becoming Grand Bashar of Yimmu-Audal before his death in the Battle of New Dorasterrock. He was succeeded by his only daughter, Ardamine.

Early Life
Theodore was born early into his father’s reign, who maintained his ancestor’s policy of total isolation, keeping the city’s existence secret with no interaction with the outside world. He grew up with the next generation of the nobility, particularly Eleanor Oakes, who from a young age expressed dissatisfaction with the city’s wealth and stature. The budding rulers dedicated their adolescence to training in swordsmanship and befriending local minor nobles in preparation for the day they inherited their father’s titles.

Theodore’s father passed away a few short years into his reign, mistaking some poisonous berries for edible ones while out seeing the countryside. Theodore then became the Duke of Lynnmore and, with the help of Eleanor, began planning for the opening up of the city for economic growth. Theios-Essukdal was not yet aware of the city’s existence, even as the new Duke spent his young adult years building the wealth of the nation, eventually commissioning the House of Vitruvi’s new head, Andrea Vitruvi, to begin construction of several public works projects within Tarnwick. Additionally, he welcomed an archaeologist, Lukaerys, who was excavating the nearby ruins of Bethenk-dum. Lukaerys eventually returned to Tarnwick with the Arkenstone, a Khazad artifact, and donated it to the Grand Library in Lynnmore for the city’s hospitality.

It was around this time after acquiring the Arkenstone that Theodore became a host for the Fungus, becoming Sporeborn. This began the several years process of his body transforming from its original Savonne form into what eventually became a fungoid mushroom humanoid one.

War for Sovereignty
Following a decade of uninterrupted economic growth and militarization, Theodore assembled an entourage of his most trusted advisors and companions. The new Countess of Ebenmire, Eleanor Oakes, joined for her ability as a negotiator and interpreter. She was accompanied by Sir Courtland, a foreign soldier who quickly rose through the ranks of the nobility for his prowess in combat and as a knight of the realm. Yeomen Alistair Aynes and Norville Rogers, servants who had distinguished themselves in matters of trade and architecture, respectively, as the city first opened its doors to the outside world, were invited for their loyalty to Tarnwick. Chester C. Chaldecott, the first head of the region’s youngest noble house, accompanied Theodore as his personal guard for the immense strength of his species. Theios-Essukdal had long claimed the region of Lynnmore as its own, and so they departed for the nearest city to attempt and negotiate their continued existence as an independent state.

Eventually communication was established between the Ningal of Theios-Essukdal, Mistic Audalad, and Theodore. Negotiations proceeded for weeks, with the Ningal visiting Tarnwick to discuss a potential agreement. Eventually talks fell through, and Theios-Essukdal prepared to invade the city. Prepared for this possibility, Theodore summoned the knights of the realm, organized retinues of yeomen, and armed peasant soldiers in preparation for the coming battle.

When Theios-Essukdal arrived in Tarnwick, the city’s residents had taken to Fort Oakcrest, hoping to defend against the numerically superior force. The invaders bust the gates of the fort down and proceeded up into the castle’s interior where Theodore and his forces were waiting. The forces of Theios-Essukdal were struck down with ease by the better trained and better equipped forces of Tarnwick, with Theodore personally defeating several of the invaders. As the pitched battle was occurring in the fort, Chester Chaldecott, who was defending their supplies, was set upon by a force of invisible soldiers. The friend of the Duke was slain, and the invaders had sabotaged their supplies, making the defense of the fortress untenable. Theodore called for his forces to lay down their arms, and he signed the Treaty at Oakcrest, integrating Tarnwick and the surrounding territory into Theios-Essukdal.

Free Count of Haz-Arkano
As part of the Treaty at Oakcrest, Lynnmore was permitted to keep its form of government, often causing confusion in Theios-Essukdal over shared titles.

Dispute with the Eccumenical Patriarchate
The Treaty at Oakcrest required that the people of Lynnmore submit to the Eccumenical Patriarchate, the organizers of mainstream Theiosism. After a period of silence from the Patriarchate, in the interests of adhering to the treaty, Eleanor Oakes drafted a letter requesting that holy texts and other pieces of relevant theological literature be delivered to Tarnwick. The Bophan language, however, although mostly intelligible with the languages of the region, was difficult for the Patriarchate and others in Theios-Essukdal to decipher. They interpreted the letter as a threat to revolt, and so the Patriarchate threatened to send Inquisitors to the new city.

Confused at this response, Eleanor and other scholars in Lynnmore dismissed it and drafted their own, after which the Patriarchate delivered the requested documents. The incident created an initial sentiment of distrust between the citizens of Theios-Essukdal and Lynnmore.

Patron of the Dhazad
In addition to domestic politics, Theodore, sentimental to the dwarves due to the Isidoran view of their role as their spiritual predecessors, actively sought out opportunities to invite dwarven scholars to share their knowledge and to guide pilgrims to the ruins of Bethenk-dum. As some dwarves chose to stay in Tarnwick and become Isidoran, Theodore began discussing their future, proposing the excavation of a new dwarven hold. The dwarves who went on to begin this project were referred to the Dhazad, who were dwarves of various old faiths and customs that assimilated into the culture of the Bophans.

After years of scholars verifying the authenticity of the Arkenstone delivered to them by Lukaerys, a breakthrough was made and it was determined to be the same artifact held by the old rulers of Khuzdurin. A proclamation was then made, declaring a cultural renaissance for the dwarves, which read as follows:" The Bophanites of Lynnmore, a territory of Yimmu-Audal, have long viewed the dwarves as their spiritual predecessors in faith, and, naturally, ourselves as their successors despite not being dwarves ourselves. The Isidorans of the Church of the Saints of the Sun and Moon have long made it one of our missions to preserve and protect dwarven cultural artifacts, viewing the relics as important to our faith. We have also made an effort to guide all dwarves in search of knowledge about their forebears in the right direction, whether that is pointing them towards the fallen capital of Khuzdurin or the Clerics of Saint Oakes educating them on dwarven history as understood by them. "" Some time ago an archaeologist arrived in the city of Tarnwick and delivered to the Church what he claimed to be the Arkenstone, a dwarven artifact carried by the kings of Khuzdurin up until their fall. The Clerics and scholars of Tarnwick toiled over the alleged artifact, ascertaining its legitimacy and condition. A few days ago, after receiving help from travelling dwarves, their old living allies, and a collection of anthropologic texts maintained by the Clerics, its authenticity was verified. "" Once initial word of this finding spread within Lynnmore, the remaining dwarven clans in the region converged in Tarnwick to see the artifact for themselves. There they were converted to the Isidoran faith and, in the name of the angel Isidor, set out to settle a new dwarven city. This city, Vudhaz-mun, is to become the center of a new dwarven, or Dhazad as they have taken to calling themselves, culture born out of these newly united dwarven clans guided by a shared history, faith, and renewed purpose. "" All dwarves across Rathnir are hereby invited to the city of Tarnwick and to contact the Isidoran Church. Those who convert and join the new dwarven settlement will be given food, supplies, and shelter so that they may contribute to the excavation and construction of Vudhaz-mun. Scholars and anthropologists are also invited to the city, as they always are, to peruse the Grand Library of Lynnmore and learn about the region’s history. "" May you walk always in Isidor’s Light. "

Audalad Regency and Grand Bashar
In Theodore’s later years, the Ningal of Theios-Essukdal, now Yimmu-Audal, was murdered at the Deadwood Hotel. A regency council was then established, which Theodore was not initially a part of. During this period of uncertainty, many Audalad citizens expressed concern at the absence of a military, and sought protection from bandits and looming Bardonian imperialism. With no member of the regency council stopping him, Theodore claimed the title of Grand Bashar and began reorganizing the nation’s military. After seizing control of the army, Theodore became a de facto member of the ruling regency council until the return of the Ningal as an immortal spectre, who allowed him to stay on as Grand Bashar, a position he held until his death.

Battle of New Dorasterrock and Death
As the Third Coalition formed aiming to neuter the Bardonian Empire, Yimmu-Audal, although supporting the Coalition in secret, wanted to appear neutral. Rather than declaring outright support, the Ningal declared that they would remain neutral. It was an open secret, however, that she had asked Theodore to join the Coalition’s forces with the army, which posed as a volunteer force. During the Battle of New Dorasterrock, the Audalad volunteers supported Auroran and Tortugan forces who assaulted the Bardonian capital.

After the battle, Theodore and a retinue of knights from Lynnmore remained to attempt to keep the city away from any Bardonian remnants seeking to reclaim it. During their patrols of the city’s outskirts, some of those remnants snuck back into the city and were fighting other Coalition forces who stayed behind. When engaging the Bardonians, Theodore and several of his knights were lured into a trap, falling into pits throughout the city, unable to escape. Theodore, Sir Courtland, and some yeomen were able to escape the bloodbath of the pit. While covering the yeomen’s escape, Sir Courtland was being attacked by the Bardonians. Theodore intercepted the attackers, keeping them occupied long enough for Sir Courtland to escape with the yeomen. The Bardonians, however, had pushed Theodore into one of the deeper pits, where he fought until he was slain.

Theodore’s daughter, Ardamine, was ruling as regent in Tarnwick while her father was participating in the battle. In the days following the battle, Sir Courtland returned home with the surviving knights and informed her of her father’s death. She then assumed his titles and inherited his lands, becoming Duchess of Lynnmore and Free Countess of Haz-Arkano.