Bio Info:

In the woods of Ashlean, near the river of Amatar, there resided two elves of the race of the Laiquendi (green-elves) named Hurin and Morgwen. These elves were farmers by trade and worked their land, which they called Gelion. They called their farm "Gelion" (which means, "double river"), for they built their farm along the joining of the tributaries of the Ashlean.

Now, it is told that Morgwen, daughter of Baragund, gave birth to her first-born son and named him Turin. Four years later, Morgwen gave birth to a daughter and called her, Lalaith (which means "laughter") for it was a time of great rejoicing and good fortune. Then times began to change and the world with it. Elves, who had once made firm alliances with each other, were now bickering and quarreling over land. The quarreling became so bad, that a war broke out between the Moriquendi (dark-elves) and the Laiquendi. This battle, they called the Kin-Slaying.

The Moriquendi were jealous of the good fortune of their cousins and sought to enhance their own meager holdings with the land of the Laiquendi. The war lasted for years until the battle began to poison the air itself with the stink of death. This foul air soon made it to Gelion and infected Lalaith with a disease and she died.

The war ended a year later, and the remnants of the Laiquendi scattered and took refuge in the woods. The Moriquendi were not content to simply live at peace with the remnants of the Laiquendi, but took them as slaves instead. Now, Hurin was maimed during the Kin-Slaying and five year-old Turin was forced to help as much as possible. The Moriquendi did not enslave the House of Hurin right away because they were already doing a service to the community by providing food from the land. The Moriquendi took 60 percent as their share in tribute.

Two years later, Morgwen gave birth to yet another daughter, and she was named Nienor (which means "mourning) because there was a draught and the crops were not doing well this year. The Moriquendi sent one of their champions named Paladyr to collect tribute and ensure the loyalty of the Laiquendi.

A few months later, Paladyr visited Gelion to collect his tribute. Hurin gave Paladyr all but, what his family needed to survive, but Paladyr flew into a rage, accusing them of hoarding food during a famine. The tore the farm apart looking for extra food. When he did not find what he sought, he arrested Hurin for hoarding food and drug him into town. Paladyr was humiliated by not finding the food and, when out of sight, beat Hurin until his organs spilled from his body. Paladyr then left the body on the side of the road and claimed that a wild animal killed Hurin.

Without a husband to protect the farm, it would surely fall into the hands of the Moriquendi. Therefore, Morgwen secretly schemed with her sister, Aerin (whom a Moriquendi had taken as a wife) as to a way to send Turin away to a safe place in Bardston before he was enslaved. A warrior named Borri was found and charged to protect Turin with his life and to find a good home for him in Bardston.

Borri and Turin traveled many days through the woods and Borri taught him some basic lessons in tracking and hunting. The two quickly became friends. Two weeks later, they arrived at the river Woodsong. Borri cut down a tree and let it fall across the river. Borri crossed first, to secure it on the other side, when an ill-fated wind caused him to lose his balance and drown. Eight year-old Turin was all alone.

Over the next 10 years, Turin wandered the woods, hunting and fishing. He fashioned his own bow, carved his own arrows and created his own fishing poles. He wore clothing of bear hides and his hair was long and unruly. Any one passing him buy might have mistaken him for a bear. He lived at peace with the creatures of the Forest and protected them from poachers if he could.

When Turin was 16, he chanced to meet a mongrel pup that was half starved. Turin had been sitting in front of a fire, roasting a rabbit he had killed when he saw the pup's face silhouetted against the fire. He immediately grabbed a dagger he had stolen, a few years back, from an unlucky Moriquendi guard who was bathing outside of the city. When the pup came into the light, Turin lowered his dagger and offered the dog some of the meat.

The pup, in his rush to eat the food, almost took Turin's hand with him. "Twych!" Turin yelled, "Wait until I get my hand away, or you shall have no more of my food." The pup, sensing he had acted improperly, hung his head and whimpered softly. Turin comforted him and gave him more meat slowly until the pup learned to trust him. He began to think what he would call him, when he realized, he had already named him. TWYRCH. The name meant "boar" in the human tongue. He would call him Twyrch.

Over time, he found his way back to Ashlean and watched from the safety of the trees, the backbreaking labour of the Laiquendi. He often wondered what would have happened if he had stayed, but soon would find himself distracted by the antics of Twyrch and would leave his watchful place to play with his new friend.

Two years later, Turin was watching a buck eating grass by the river. Just as he was about to loose an arrow into the great beast, he heard a great commotion in the woods and knew it had to be men, because elves were not that loud. He crouched behind a large shrub and watched as they passed and recognition came to him. These were elves, Laiquendi, who had escaped from the forced labor camp of the Moriquendi. Excitedly, he stood and greeted them.

After 10 years, his voice had grown as rough as the clothing he wore. The elves, already scared that they would be captured and killed, lost all colour in their face when they saw Turin rise from the bushes. Turin, trying to remember his former language, greeted them with the first word that came to his mind, "MELLON!!" (which means, "friend")

The Elves cautiously crept closer to see this marvel, have elf, half bear. Nevertheless, like anything once learned, Turin began to remember his native language. He conversed with the men and found them quite genial when they had overcome their fear. Turin found that they had been taken to the camps about the time he had left the land and had just now found freedom.

Turin offered to teach them how to survive in the wild and, having no other alternative, they accepted. For 2 years, this band of unlikely companions tamed the wild and brought order to the forest, which they called Taur-im-Duinath (which means "forest between rivers) and had chosen to call themselves the Taurons (or foresters). One day, a group of warriors left the city to prepare a raid on a neighboring kingdom. The Taurons, sensing an opportunity, ransacked the city of clothing, food, and weapons. Turin shaved for the first time in his life and dressed himself in green coloured clothing for camouflage.

After this invasion, the Moriquendi feared the forest and would not venture past its edge. They called Turin's group the Taur Draugs (which means "forest wolves"). The Taurons thought this a good name to keep the Moriquendi afraid of their land, so they called Turin the Beleg Draug (which means "mighty wolf"), for he could outsmart the Moriquendi without really trying.

During the next 2 years, the Taurons grew in numbers slowly. Many of the Laiquendi tried to make it into Taur-im-Duinath. Those who succeeded were welcomed into the pack, while those who did not were killed as examples for the rest of the Laiquendi. And so the life of the Taurons was eventful as they waited for the best time to strike the Moriquendi and take back their land.

Turin and his wolf pack split company then, in search of people to help with their cause. Turin entered a city called Feenix, when he found a troupe of people leaving a temple. There were 5 humans and 4 elves. They traveled to different area of town, talking to people. They talked to a mill master, who became angry with them. When they left, two of his men followed. Turin stayed clear of all of them and followed the company.

The went to a store then and bought some grain. When they left, they had a cart, filled with grain and a human-sized bag below. The leader, a man Turin described as a Moriatan (dark man) forced the 4 elves to pull the cart. They got to the temple, and dumped the man out of the bag, dragging him into the temple. He ran in and out of the temple three times, before calming down.

A few minutes later, Turin saw a creature jump to the room of a building behind the temple and fireballs shot at it. The vampire fell to the ground and Turin crept closer for a better look. The Moriatan saw him and ordered him brought onto holy ground. When he didn't die, they let him go.

That night, he went back to get Twyrch. He saw a chewed through rope and blood. He followed the blood into a cave and found a dead Moriquendi there. Turin rummaged through his pockets and found ten gold coins, pocketing them. He dumped the body in the river and left. Apparently, Twyrch had been provoked, attacked the man and had lost his way. Turin was sure he would come back again though.

Turin spent time with the group at the temple. They call themselves the Corleone. They do not know what that means though. There is the Moriatan, who Turin found to be called Dracneere. Most people call him Drac, though. Then there is his sister, Oniasis. She dwells in the village with her parents.

Drac is apparently the leader of this group, or at least the one they look to for guidance. They all went to the house of Oniasis' parents and took them back to the temple. What they found was that during the night, demons of some sort, came from the sky and killed everyone in each third occupied house.

When Drac and Oniasis' parents were safe at the temple, four other elves and Turin decided to check out the forest. As they were searching, a man named Tom joined them and forbade them to investigate the woods beyond him. He could not explain anything about last night, but he helped Turin find Twyrch again.

The elves, Twyrch and Turin went back to the temple. They decided to talk to the priestess. Wouldn't you know it? She was a vampire. So of course, there was a huge battle again. Turin shot his bow, Twyrch bit people and everyone else either hid or used magic. Tom showed up near the end and killed some more of them. When it was all over, they returned to the temple to rest and heal their pride and their wounds.

After resting a bit, Turin locked his gold in a chest and took Twyrch for a walk in the woods to relax. Their paths led them to the place where they had earlier met Tom. Turin decided to investigate that area. He heard sounds of merry making and saw a campfire in the distance. As he crept closer, he saw their faces. Moriquendi.

He crouched at the edge of the clearing. There were five Moriquendi, each had their horse tied to a tree and were enjoying a leisurely lunch. They were obviously scouts, searching the weaknesses of the lands. It seemed the Moriquendi were searching for more lands to annex. Turin decided to try to slow their scouting for a while by chasing off the horses. He told Twyrch to wait for him as he crept near the horses.

As he got within distance, a carefully concealed trap caught him. A rope, buried under the brush, pulled him off his feet and pulled him up, dangling in the air. The noise brought the Moriquendi running towards him. They cut him down and lashed him to a tree. When Turin looked up, he was looking into the face of Paladyr.

Paladyr recognized him as a Laiquendi and surmised that he was the notorious Turin AP Hurin. One of the other scouts remembered seeing him with the group of Corleone that had been roaming the city for the last few days.

As they were debating what to do with him, Twyrch sprang from hiding and killed one of the scouts. Two of the other scouts captured him and muzzled him, receiving gashed wounds to the arms. As they bandaged their arms, Paladyr and another scout threw ropes over some high limbs, tying one end to Turin's wrists and the other to stakes, hammered into the ground. They preformed a similar procedure to the legs, until he was hanging suspended between the two trees.

Paladyr then retrieved a pen and parchment from his saddlebag and wrote a ransom letter to the Corleone. When he was done, he secured the note to Twyrch and sent him off to the Corleone.

After stretching and loosening up his muscles, Dracneere decided to get a group together and search for the townspeople. After remembering that Twyrch found the sewer, they decided to check that out first. While we were there, we found a little girl hiding in a house. Oniasis and some of the other elves took the girl back to the temple. Turin suggested that we leave the girl, but he was out-voted.

While we looked around, we found a trap door to the cellar. When Oniasis returned we headed down into the basement. The basement became a labyrinth of tunnels. We chose the left and found nothing but supplies. We then went on the right and found a gnome carving a statue. As soon as he saw us, he put out the light.

Drac decided to go check it out and told us to wait for him. After a while, Turin decided he should not get all the fun, so he crept away from the group. This turned out to be the wrong move. Drac thought he was a vampire and the group would have killed him if they had not noticed that Turin was missing.

We chitchatted with him a while and bought some of his worthless statues, more as a bribe I think. Turin did not trust him, but everyone else did, as usual. This group gets into more trouble trying to be nice than just protecting themselves… Turin thought he has magic about him and was turning people into wooden statues. He had heard of it done by witches. No one would listen to him though.

We entered a room containing about 400 crates. Some were empty, some had bodies. Turin thought they should burn the whole area and leave, but like a saint, Drac decided to help them all. Star opened a gate and sent them to the priestess. We backtracked and found a room we completely missed. Of course, it would have a monster in it.

The thing was not too coordinated and we destroyed it. Star opened another gate to the Temple and everyone stampeded out of the room. We finally got everyone out and back to the temple. Then Star opened a gate and sent everyone to the priestess.

Turin, tired of always fighting people, took Twyrch on a walk around the inside of the temple. When they reached the basement, he spent the rest of the day teaching Twyrch some tricks. Turin set up an obstacle course and had Twyrch run it. Twyrch finally learned how to anticipate what was needed to complete the course.

Knowing that we had ticked off the Vampires, everyone began to discuss how we were going to stand up against them because it was a forgone conclusion that they would attack us. We decided that the sanctuary was the best place to take a stand, but we had to discover their plans before we knew what to do. It was decided that Vaden and Turin would go back to the house where we found the little girl.

Star made us invisible and we went out. Turin was so nervous; he bumped into a trash can and nearly wet my breecs right there. We came to the house and heard discussion inside. He crept to the door to listen and heard two men talk about "she" was stolen and they didn't want to get in trouble for losing "her" and that "she" was special. Immediately, we thought about the child of darkness. One of them said he was going to leave town.

Turin crept to a window to get a closer look. It was there that he saw one man packing and the other slit his throat and drank his blood. He then went into a trance. Apparently, Drac was in contact with me and saw this happen and was intoxicated by the blood. He saw the vampire throw the dead man over his shoulder and walk towards the door. Turin went to follow him and knocked over the crates near the door. He looked about, but didn't see me. We followed him to the Town Hall.

It was completely dark inside, so Vaden and Turin decided to go back before the invisibility wore off. We made it back to the temple with minutes to spare. He tapped people on the shoulder for fun until he became visible, then he related the events. Grandar went outside to look for vampires. He saw 15 vampires and 10 bats coming our way. We fortified ourselves and fought for our lives. Star opened a gate and Afena and Oniasis went through to New Bridgeton. The rest of us fought. Drac succumbed to the vampire blood and had to go through the gate.

The rest of us fought for our lives. Twyrch killed a man, and so did Turin. It took a long time. Vaden killed three and Star killed three bats. The rest were killed by others I couldn't see. It was a horribly long battle, but we all made it out alive. That night, Turin began thinking of ways to improve myself against vampires.

After the battle, Turin went upstairs and fell asleep. When he awoke, he ate quickly and took Twyrch for a walk. Their walk led them through the woods, but Turin kept a better watch for Moriquendi this time. Drac had made it clear to him that IF there were a next time; he might be left with the Moriquendi.

They walked downstream and past the caves that he and Twyrch had discovered earlier. About a mile later, Turin found a shady spot, near a small pond, where he could sit and think. He leaned back against the Ash tree located there and closed his eyes in deep thought. Twyrch chewed on sticks nearby.

WHY AM I STILL WITH THEM? Thought Turin, I HAVE NO ALEGANCE TO THEM. THEY DID SAVE MY LIFE THOUGH… I'M A GOOD HUNTER BUT VAMPIRES ARE A LITTLE OUT OF MY LEAGUE. MY SKILLS ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO THE OTHERS. I DON'T HAVE ANY MAGIC AND I CAN'T RIP APART THEIR 'HOLY OF HOLIES' LIKE TWYRCH. IT'S JUST ME AND MY BOW.

While Turin sat brooding, he didn't notice the pond begin to bubble. All of the sudden, a pillar of water shot up from the middle of the pond and took the form of Turin. Greetings Turin son of Hurin. I have awaited your coming for a long time.

Who are you? Asked Turin.

Isn't it obvious little man, the shade sneered, I am you?

Immediately, Turin's defenses went up. What do you want with me?

The shade laughed a harsh and mocking laugh. You. It's always about you isn't it? How small of you, to think the world revolves around you. I should have expected so much from such a limited creature. The shade then grew serious. I'll tell you what I want. I want to help you.

Help me? Turin said, I doubt that. What would you help me find?

Why yourself of course. Replied the shade.

I didn't know I was lost, replied Turin.

The shade simply smiled a cold smile. You didn't? Then let me refresh your memory. You believe yourself inferior to the others because you can track a rabbit to it's nest and kill a deer with one shot, but you barely scratch a vampire with your shooting. You lack something the others lack. That something is magic. I know of a magic that would help you regain your confidence, but that magic would come with a price.

Turin began to grow impatient. And that price would be?

That price would be yourself. The shade smirked; You would believe yourself to be learning to use the magic, when the magic is using you. The magic will consume you and fill you to the point where you can do nothing without it. The use of magic always comes with a price. Do you wish to find this magic?

Turin simply nodded, trembling with a combination of fear and excitement. What is this magic?

Let me just say that this magic is a part of your family's history from the Third Cycle. The shade said mysteriously, I can't tell you where it is but there is a place further down river called Hearthstone where you will find a man named Cogline. Tell him the Grimpond sent you to search for yourself and he will help you in your quest.

With those last words, the Grimpond began to fade and become a mist that rose from the water. As he was fading, Turin thought he saw the Grimpond smile. Twyrch lay asleep near the tree; apparently he had slept through everything. Turin woke Twyrch and together they followed the river south, as the Grimpond told him. A few miles later, he came to a place which looked like a garden out of legendary times. He crossed a small stone bridge and headed for the cottage he saw in the distance. As he approached, he grew sleepy and simply collapsed.

When he awoke, it was dark outside. Twyrch was sleeping at his feet and he was in a feather bed inside a fair sized cottage. As he looked around he saw an old man sitting by the fire, reading a large book. Where am I? Turin asked.

The old man turned around and smiled at him, Why, you're home.

Turin's confusion showed in his face, so the man got up and sat on a stool near the bed. I didn't know it was you or I would have lifted the sleeping spell from my gardens. It's no good building gardens when Goblins and Orcs destroy them all the time. Do you know who I am child?

Turin resented being called a child, but answered anyway. Cogline? The Grimpond told me I would meet a man named Cogline and that I was to tell you that 'The Grimpond has sent me to find myself'.

This caused Cogline to laugh outloud, Did he now! Well, how about that… I trapped the Grimpond there during the Third Cycle for spurning the offer of help from your ancestor Julian. Cogline saw the confusion begin again with Turin, so he helped him up and said, Here, here. Sit at the table and drink some ale while I tell you about your family.

Turin nodded, How can you still be alive?

Through the sleep of mages, Cogline said. I think I can guess your next question. You would like to know about the Elfstones, right?

Again, Turin nodded.

Cogline rested his hands on the book he had been reading. This book reminds me where and how to find them. But enough of this for today. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Eat some supper and get some rest, we leave at sunrise tomorrow.

With that, Cogline went back to his chair and began reading again. Turin and Twyrch ate and then rested. Early the next morning, Cogline woke Turin. They ate breakfast and then went out in search of the caves. Twyrch was left behind because Cogline said it was too dangerous for a dog to go along. They walked back north until they came to the caves Twyrch found.

This is it? Turin said, deflated. I've already explored this cave.

Cogline smiled a mischievous smile, Have you now? Look around, what do you see?

I see a small cave with nothing in it except a stream running through the middle of it. Turin replied smartly.

Cogline simply shook his head. Turin, streams run south don't they? What direction does this run?

North, Turin said, I've seen streams run North before.

Cogline nodded, Yes, yes, yes… The wars changed even the flow of rivers, but where does this begin?

Turin looked and noticed the water coming from the wall, I thought the water came from a spring within the cave?

Cogline took his hand and lead him to the wall. Watch this. With that, he led Turin through the wall and into a larger cavern. Turin stared at Cogline in amazement. The mage simply said It wouldn't do for everyone to know about this would it? And walked on. They came to halt in front of a large doorway.

Turin nodded his assent and waited while Cogline wrapped his eyes. He was led through the Gargoyles and it was all he could do not to tear the blindfold free and look around. He kept his head about him though and made it to the other side. Once on the other side, Cogline took the blindfold and stuck the ends of it in Turin's ears to muffle the cries of the Banshees. The sound was horrible. Ghostly wisps of air flew in front of him, howling and screaming. Finally they reached the end of it and Cogline motioned him to stand near the middle of the room.

Cogline stood in front of it with his staff and motioned for Turin to proceed. He touched the emblem and pulled the cover open. As he jumped away, a snake leaped from the floor and it imbedded itself in Cogline's staff. Immediately, Cogline let go and the staff and snake both turned to stone.

Turin stared at what happened and his heart skipped a beat. What if that had been human?

Cogline grinned and said, Then we would have one more statue to add to the Hall of the King's Rest wouldn't we? He reached into the hole and pulled out a worn leather bag and dumped its contents into his gnarled hand. These Turin are Elfstones, and your birthright. Use them wisely for as the Grimpond must have told you. You do not use the magic; it uses you. Guard them well. You will need to practice though, so let's go back to Hearthstone and you can practice until you're heart's content.

When they got back to the cave entrance, it was already dark. Cogline swore to himself. Turin asked him what was wrong and Cogline replied that he forgot that the time spent within the Hall of Kings stood still while the world continued on. It is already well into the night. We must be wary of Vampires and Goblins.

Turin put the bag of Elfstones around his neck and followed Cogline. As they neared the gardens, Turin heard a growl and turned to see a white wolf standing behind him, his eyes glowing a menacing red colour. He felt the stones burn against him, and without thinking about anything else, grabbed the stones from their pouch. The wolf lunged at Turin, but the magic of the Elfstones responded to Turin's need to survive and green fire shot from his hand and into the wolf until it simply disintegrated. The stones then became their normal color and Turin, still shaking, put them back in their bag.

Cogline looked at him approvingly. Like I said, it is not you who use the Elfstones, but they use you. Come; let's get some rest. With that, they headed back through the gardens and slept the night away. Over the next four days, Cogline helped Turin learn what he needed to know about controlling the magic. Turin played hide and seek, using the stones to guide him to Cogline's hiding spot. He learned how to move objects and also how to cause his thoughts to become reality by creating a rain shower to water the garden.

On the fourth and final day, Cogline took Turin to a field and blindfolded him. He told Turin to clear his mind and let the Elfstones lead his actions. He stood away and threw a fist-sized stone at Turin. The magic responded immediately. Everything around Turin that had been darkness before turned a brilliant green color and it was as if he could only in shades of Green. He saw a black object hurtling toward him and before he could react, his body is flung out of the way of the stone. The Elfstones became silent again, his blindfold was removed and he could see normally again.

On the fifth day, Cogline declared Turin ready to return to the society of men. He led him to the river and spoke a final time to him. Turin, I am too old to continue on. Like the Grimpond, I will place my shade within the waters of this river. If you ever have need of me again, use the Elfstones to summon me, and I will appear to you as the Grimpond did. Farewell, my Elven friend. I hope you never need me again, but if you do, this river flows over much of the country and that is where I will be.

With that, Cogline simply disappeared into mist and returned to the water. Turin put he Elfstones in their pouch and kept it around his neck. He decided to wait to tell the others of what happened. WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE NEEDED, AND THEN EXPLAIN THEM. WHY RUSH THINGS. Turin thought. With that, he and Twyrch rejoined everyone at the temple.

Dracneere thought him dead or captured again. No one had expected him to return. He simply told them that he had to take a break from the demons and vampires and stayed with his godfather down the river.