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Erian's Errantries

Erian El ranelen of Keeper s Pass
Erian El'ranelen is the only son of Sevren El'ranelen, a cartographer of no small reputation due to his extensive work mapping out the hidden places of the Inner Sea. Sevren explored the length and breadth of Avistan and Garund for decades (with more time to do so than his human companions, thanks to the elven blood flowing through his veins), from climbing the heights of the Crown of the World to sailing the Obari Ocean. Roughly two decades past, Erian came into the explorer's life. None knew of the boy's mother, though considering the child's obvious human traits it was easily speculated she was likewise human. Sevren never spoke of her. The boy immediately became inseparable from the man in all his journeys. While many might say putting a child into such a life was cruel, Erian would vociferously disagree. His classroom was the world, his teachers the places and people met during his father's work.

Erian grew up learning the ways of the cartographer from his father–carefully studying the lay of the land, crafting maps of both beauty and function, and learning how the terrain itself gave hints as to what lay over the horizon. However, his time was not spent just in surveys and drawing. Erian loved to watch his father's guard in their drills, and on coming of age enough to lift a weapon he began training with them as well. His father, of course, encouraged use of the longsword as the traditional weapon of the elves. Erian however had taken a strong liking to the Shoanti tribesman that served as sergeant of their troops. While putting some time into the sword, he would often sneak off to watch his friend wielding a mighty Shoanti earthbreaker. Erian would mimic his movements with a club, as the boy was barely strong enough to even lift the heavy Shoanti weapon. Erian also spent time with the huntsman, tracking prey for the night's meal, learning the way of the bow and how to move without being seen or heard. However, in all this his father always cautioned, "Not all creatures of a race should be judged based on the actions of their kin. If this were not true, the elves would surely have wiped humans from Golarion long before Aroden ever walked this land…"

On Erian's 15th year, Sevren determined to send his soon to Absalom for a "proper" education. Erian took to his studies in the classroom as readily as he did exploring, though it was no secret that no matter how great the building he preferred the open lands to being inside. He learned the basics, of things mundane, arcane, and divine, but never took to anything so much as he did his studies in history and the development of nations. While he could not hone his skills through experiential learning, Erian availed himself of every book on history, geography, and commerce to be found in the great libraries of the city. On nearing the beginning of his 6th year of study, news came of his father's latest exploration–Sevren was commissioned to travel into the tangled jungles of the Mwangi Expanse and learn its dark secrets in order to finally produce a proper map of the region. Erian longed to go with his father, but Sevren argued that it was time for the boy to become a man, to finish his studies and begin his own explorations. And so Erian stayed as his father left for the south, leaving behind his heirloom bow and elven armor. Sevren left these gifts with the following words, "Use these only when you must, favoring tongue and pen over blood and pain."

Now Erian finds himself answering the call for those brave (or foolhardy) enough to risk the dangers of the River Kingdoms. He plans to make his father proud. Now if he can find that bardic college rumored to be somewhere in the region…
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Why do I support non-aggression? (
Erian El ranelen of Keeper s Pass
Why Non-Aggression

(A note for all, this is an entirely in-character post for Erian’s motivations. For those not familiar, I am the Guardian of Gold for the Keepers of the Circle company in Keeper's Pass. I don't see a more appropriate place to put this, and it somewhat serves to let folks know about Erian better than any introduction might. I will note that the below mirrors my own personal feelings from reality, and indeed his travels mirror my own across five continents over 3 decades. However, I don’t intend to get into any real-life discussions here. I do, however, welcome such discussions for any interested. You can always find me at the Keeper of the Circle GuildLaunch site if you so desire.)

As I talk with folks in our little part of the River Kingdoms, a question is often looming in their minds. Sometimes it is given voice, and at other times I can hear it behind the conversations. Simply put, “Why non-aggression?” This is the River Kingdoms after all, a region renowned for conflict. If we’re seeking to avoid aggression, wouldn’t it make more sense to go somewhere less aggressive (I hear the weather is lovely in Hermea)? Well, I cannot answer for my compatriots on this one, although I would hazard a guess that they might have similar answers.

So then, for myself the answer is this—I do not seek to avoid aggression. Rather, I seek to enlighten others that conflict is not the only, and rarely the best, answer to problems. Some would say the very gods drive us to conflict for their own purposes, whether to further their own aims or even to force us to grow stronger. I reject their authority to do so. Understand, I am by no means delusional enough to believe that I as an individual, or even we as an entire group, can cause the end of conflict everywhere. But if my efforts lead even one person to see there is a better way than aggression, then I am successful. So then, the River Kingdoms are indeed the perfect place for me.

What then is the root of my desire to support this message? I have traveled the world over, seen many great and wondrous things. But I have also seen terrible things. I have seen the mansions of drug lords in Katapesh that thrive off the pain and addiction of their “lesser” neighbors. I have walked through slums of grand cities, where the forgotten people literally live in the trash of society. I have held orphans that are hungry and sick, hearing that after my visit their orphanage was attacked by others seeking to steal their meager food and supplies. I have seen the fear in the eyes of families taught through generations of oppression by their own government that they are little more than property, and that their neighbor, parent, or child can readily turn them over to authorities as “law breakers” for a chance to further their own goals. I have seen masses of refugees, living in ramshackle huts huddled on the borderland of homes they can no longer claim. I have seen nothing of true, lasting value come from aggression and conflict. Only pain, suffering, loss.

My father once told me, “A fight not fought is a battle won.” And indeed that is probably the root of all my current goals. Show me why you think you must fight, and I will show you a better way. Pharasma has blessed us with an opportunity to live beyond our deaths (though I am certain some would call it a curse when you must listen to me prattle on…). I will use that blessing to its fullest extent to further the purpose of the Keepers of the Circle. If you find value in our purpose, join us. It is not an easy path. Indeed, we likely have the hardest road to travel of any group now in the River Kingdoms. But it will be rewarding in ways that no territorial control, mountain of gold, or fancy trinkets can ever match.

And this is why I always say, in closing…

Squaring the Circle,
Erian El’ranelen
Guardian of Gold

Why do I support non-aggression? (
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