Taeral Ayduin-Rezuraia

Taeral Ayduin-Rezuraia was the founder of House Rezuraia nearly 5000 years ago. She is considered the Mother of the house as it was from her lineage that the dynasty was descended. She is famous amongst Arternaian worshippers due to her connection to the all-father Azeras with whom she is said to have had a son Elzar Azeras-Rezuraia. Her reign as leader of Rezuraia lasted from around 500LT to 700LT until aged 220 she decided to pass the reins to her son. Taeral is of Yirsi heritage, this heritage is displayed in his lightly blue coloured skin and hair of a deeper shade of blue. The story of her life is detailed in The Chronicles of Taeral.

Early Years
Taeral's life began in a small village near Mount Arros, in the vast tundra province of Yirsaad which is located in modern Anglunia. It was a difficult life for those in the region, with the barren and infertile land providing little sustenance for the destitute peoples that inhabited them.

Taeral's family was from on of these communities found along the river which runs beneath the great mountain. Born to Ayduin and Yaelia she was the daughter of a shepherd of goats.

The Tree and the Man
Taeral had always been captivated by the towering, unconquered mountain that loomed in the distance each day as she tended her animals. Until one misty evening, where following an elusive goat she found herself scaling the great mountain. On her journey she was attacked by a snow leopard. This encounter left her injured, but she managed to kill the animal. Seeking refuge in a cavern aglow with an otherworldly blue light, she stumbled upon three vulnerable snow leopard cubs, likely the offspring of the snow leopard that had attacked her. In the days that followed, her determination to survive and the nurturing instinct that emerged not only healed her own wounds but also cemented an unbreakable bond between her and the cubs.

She returned to her family with the cubs, but she could never forget the experience of the mountain. Eventually being unable to avert her curiosity any longer she climbed the mountain once more, this time with her snow leopard companions at her side. Upon reaching the summit she found a small sapling and a unassuming man named Azeras who would lead her down an unforeseen path of enlightenment and transformation. Venturing back up the mountain, Taeral's encounters with Azeras brought about profound conversations that spanned from twilight to dawn. With an air of mystique, Azeras imparted enigmatic prophecies, insights and blessings.

She returned to the mountain several times and her bond with Azeras grew. As she returned to her village time and again, Taeral began to share her newfound insights, bringing hope and a renewed sense of purpose to her people as well as the blessings that Azeras had given them. On the fifth time she climbed the mountain a war was on the horizon. Having spent much time in one another's company Taeral and Azeras' bond had grown past that of a simple friendship and Azeras comforted her. Under the icy leaves of the large tree, they lay with one another.

The Warlord and the Storm
A formidable warlord named Ballambor terrorised Taeral's village, demanding tribute under dire threats. In response her village as well as neighbouring ones allied to face the threat of the warlord.

As Ballambor's forces closed in, Taeral's village, armed with bows, ambushed them from rocky vantage points. But the warlord's disciplined ranks retaliated, forcing the villagers to retreat into the mountains. Amidst the chaos, Taeral's father, Ayduin, sacrificed himself to save her from an arrow. In her despair, she invoked Azeras, a mysterious figure she'd met atop the mountain. Empowered by an icy energy, her sword ignited with blue flame. With newfound vigor, she rallied the villagers, charging into battle.

Taeral's resolve inspired a fierce counterattack, pushing back Ballambor's forces. She cut through their ranks, inching closer to the warlord. She confronted Ballambor in a climactic duel, his threats falling on deaf ears. Wounded and desperate, he fell to her blade, and her radiant eyes silenced his soldiers. The once-feared warlord's forces knelt in submission as Taeral emerged victorious, her glowing eyes capturing their surrender.

Taeral's heroics earned her the name "Blizzard-Warrior" (Rezura-Raia in Yirsi'tal), as chants of "Rezuraia" filled the air. She commanded Ballambor's defeated soldiers to leave, invoking Azeras' blessing, and they departed, humbled by her divine power. In the aftermath, Taeral's village celebrated her as a guardian, strengthened by her connection to Azeras.

The Child and the Order
After defeating Ballambor and revealing the favour of the Gods, Taeral's status soared, becoming a revered figurehead not only within her village but among neighboring settlements as well. The region surrounding Mount Arros began to flourish; water from the mountain's peak turned barren land fertile, leading to bountiful harvests. Taeral's village thrived, and her fame attracted Yirsi from distant areas. As a consequence of her divine connection, rumors of her impending child's miraculous origins spread, solidifying her reputation as a spiritual leader.

Taeral's baby, believed to be Azeras' child due to her encounter atop the mountain, was met with awe and anticipation. When the child was born, Taeral embarked on a journey to the mountain's peak, where she met Azeras once again. Conversing about her newfound status, she learned that her lineage would navigate both prosperity and adversity. Naming her son Elzar, Taeral accepted the responsibilities set before them.

Azeras' departure loomed, a bittersweet moment that stirred emotions within Taeral. He assured her of his eternal watchfulness over her and her descendants. Tearful farewells were exchanged as Azeras transformed into a majestic dragon, soaring into the sky and disappearing from view. Taeral descended to a gathering crowd, sharing the tale of Azeras' departure, which further elevated her legend. The dragon symbol on the Arternaian crest became a testament to this extraordinary encounter.

In the years that followed, Taeral and her son Elzar ruled the region, leading it to prosperity. Their village grew, facilitating trade with neighboring settlements. Elzar embarked on a monumental project, constructing temples within Mount Arros, providing a place of pilgrimage and healing. The influence of Azeras' pantheon spread, shaping the region's spiritual landscape. With their connection to the divine, Taeral and Elzar guided their people through both triumphant and challenging times, leaving an indelible legacy that etched their names into the annals of history.

Personality
Little is known of Taeral's personality as her life was lived so long ago. But from the stories detailed in the Chronicles of Taeral she is known to have been a brave and adventurous individual. Courageous in her defence of her town and peoples and inquisitive in her desire to explore.