Those Two Men, They're... I Shan't Say

"Foul enemy of mine. Passing down Elnan's Needle, barring me from my true throne. The Order fights in Vain. My Acolyte Venvaris was a fool to let herself be defeated, but the legacy of her blood is just as strong as Elnan's and his ilk, who pace the pit and pour their blood as offering to the damnable Weave." - The Whispering Wyrm

The Planestitcher is the head of the Trenchkeeper order. The first Planestitcher was an elven man named Elnan. After the pit opened and the continent of Kadira was beset by monsters, he appeared with the magnificent and powerful Wyrmneedle. He weilded it and led an army of powerful mages called Planecasters to stem the tide of the monsters. Later, he was forced to open the trenches to contain the monsters. He did this with the power of Wyrmneedle, and also cast a powerful ritual to try and seal the damaged weave. This damage led into other plains like the Hells, full of monsters who lust for the surface and for power. Some monsters still slip through, so the Trenchkeeper order was formed to tend to the pit and to the trenches, as well as maintain trade, peace, and other relations between the four nations of Kadira. Their role keeps peace and order on the continent and the Trenchkeepers do not answer to any one governing body. The Planecasters remain as leaders in the order, answering only to the Planestitcher. The casters act as leaders and magical experts. They help tend to the pit and trenches, and form magical bridges that allow travel between the nations. Many also act as ambassadors between nations, viewed as unbiased parties. Planestitcher Elnan disappeared a little over 300 years ago. Since then, Planecasters took up the needle and took the mantle of Planestitcher. As the original planecasters died out, other means of finding a planestitcher were sought out. This also came amid fears that a Planestitcher from any one nation, with family or other connections may be swayed and biased to one nation, affording them more power on the continent.

The Order, along with leaders at the time, formed a new plan. The youth of Kadira would further its future, those with potential to wield powerful magic and withstand the danger of Wyrmneedle and the Pit would be given from their homes and their families, and raised by the Trenchkeeper Order for a chance to become the Planestitcher. Every generation of planestitcher, these apprentices are chosen and raised, mentored by influential Planecasters with important knowledge and experience. Along the way they are trained harshly and tested. those who fail early return to their families. Those who fail later might return to their families, but often join the ranks of the Planecasters, as they are still formable spellcasters. When the time is right, one apprentice is chosen above the others to fulfill the role as the next planestitcher. They are often trained under the planestitcher before the current one retires, but previous planestitchers sometimes die before this secondary training is complete. Each apprentice is also mentored by a Planecaster through their youth, another important role that they fill. The current planestitcher is Planestitcher Adrienne. He took up the mantle in 423 Post Siege, after Planestitcher Thealace sacrificed her life at the pit. He is the first tiefling Planestitcher, and one of the youngest planestitchers to take up the mantle. He is currently 28 years old in the year 427 Post Siege. There was some concern across Kadira over his infernal heritage, but the Trenchkeeper Order has assured the populace that he is trustworthy and no less holy than any Planestitcher before him. He has already made many strides, as he is powerful and skilled with Wyrmneedle.

"Little adventurers skitter along the surface. I watch them skulking along the corner of Epireon. Shifting in the trenches, my scales will devour the sun again." - The Whispering Wyrm Ambrose A tiefling sorcerer of mysterious origin. he seems kind hearted, if a bit directionless in his travels. Brilliant Boltz A tiefling artificer, hailing from the militaristic land of Lidor. He seems to be on a mission of vague detail. Skree A'Roo A steadfast Aaracockra warrior from the Ameridan Jungle, question through the Epireon Countryside to hunt monsters.

Ok, it's finally done. Home is a place, home is a person.

This story is my first major piece after several years of art block, and I'm so glad I could finally get back to drawing.

Pride Month PSA: these images are all free to use! I always get asked around this time of year so I thought I'd make it clear in writing! Feel free to download, post them around, make them into profile pics, banners etc.