Vinok Darksong Anakalathai

Vinok Darksong Anakalathai is a character played by Ryan Neenan. A stalwart defender of nature, he is a Goliath warden who looks to right himself in the world after being outcast in Lost Control, The Shears are Forged. He has continued this quest in Seeking Control, The Restraints Become Loosened and has accepted the challenge of saving the world and becoming Moradin's Champion in Chaos Unbound, Control Lost.

Themesong: Crawling in the Dark by Hoobastank

''I will dedicate, And sacrifice my everything, ''for just a second's worth Of how my story's ending ''And I wish I could know if the directions that I take, ''And all the choices that I make won't end up all for nothing Show me what it's for, Make me understand it I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer ''Is there something more than what i've been handed? ''I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer ''Help me carry on, Assure me it's ok to use my heart and not my eyes, ''To navigate the darkness ''Will the ending be ever coming suddenly? ''Will I ever get to see the ending to my story? ''How much further do I have to go? How much longer until I finally know? Because I'm looking and I just can't see what's in front of me...In front of me Show me what it's for, Make me understand it ''I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer ''Is there something more than what i've been handed? ''I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer

Description
Darksong has gray skin, mottled with dark and light patches, much like the typical goliath. Lithoderms – coin sized bone and skin growths as hard as pebbles – speckle his arms, shoulders, head, and torso. He has a wide jutting eyebrow ridge, and a stern and large jaw. His body is hairless except for a few strands on his arms. His eyes are a brilliant blue, once said that matched the color of a clear sky viewed from the mountain tops. Darksong has a brow piercing, and when not in armor, is usually seen in as little clothing as is polite in “down-lander” society.

Since his adventures and his connection to Moradin, he can be usually seen wearing the Dwarven God's symbol. Those that meet him also get an innate sense of "dwarfness" from the rather huge goliath; something that is so contradictory but still seems to make sense.

Personality
Darksong is a bit unusual for a Goliath, but as many have never met one before, this mostly goes unnoticed. He is extremely confident in his abilities, is honest, and one of the first to act when there is trouble, or a wrong to be corrected. He is the first to defend those that are wronged, and the sanctity of nature is the utmost of importance to him. Despite his size, Darksong acts as though he is one of the “small ones” and is sociable and pleasant around other people. Brought up in a tribe culture, he sometimes does not understand the social structure of the down-landers he stays with – often times he sees them as petty and self centered, not taking turns at leadership or other important positions in the city and often thinking too much on things that they shouldn’t waste their time on. Anyone who cares more about themselves and what they have, rather than what their tribe has, is a stain on the tribe. Darksong still is a true Goliath at heart. He takes physical risks others wouldn’t dream off – others marvel at his jumping abilities - and he can be extremely annoying in the way he seems to keep score at everything he does. Those who get to know him, however, learn that this is not a product of his arrogance, but just a natural way of looking at things – the idea that everything is competition to test one’s abilities. To Darksong, a fair competition is really what life is all about, and he rarely enters any kind of test when he has an unfair advantage. He angers quickly when the strong take advantage of the weak, disapproving of battle tactics that do so as well. When not working, Darksong spends his time on his few enjoyable hobbies. Hunting is one of them. He has tried to teach those that would listen the sport of goatball – but most are either too frightened of the game or bemoan that they do not have room to construct a proper field. Another simple game, Stubborn Root, is also a favorite of Darksong, but most realize that they have no chance at beating him and have given up. Darksong also has a daily ritual to pay homage to the spirits of Nature that have guided him thus far in his life. He prays each morning, using incense when he can, for guidance in whatever lay ahead of him.

Darksong talks little of his past, and embraces the future – he has put all his energy in following what the spirits have told him. It is clear to those that get to know him that he misses his kind and his time in the mountains, and would like to make contact with others of his kind at some point in the future. He remains rather aloof about the goals in his life, save those to protect the world around him.

Since "saving" the world and ascending to become one of the most powerful people in Faerun, Darksong (usually calling himself Skychild now) has continued his good natured and open personality. However, the price of his role in becoming Moradin's chosen has started to tax him somewhat: never before have people forgotten such a creature, and he still cannot get used to memory charm that is placed upon him.

Family & Relationships
Darksong's parents are both dead, his mother in an accident, his father to old age. His only surviving relative is his brother Wolfkiller, the leader of the Othkavo tribe. Due to his shunning however, he has not spoken to him since he left in 1474.

He has had little time to make relationships in the 5 years he has been traveling. He views all races with equal regard, save those he knows to be evil at heart, such as the Drow. He is drawn to anyone else that has a connection to nature such as he has.

Now that his memory charm has taken effect, he only holds true relationships with the three people who can remember him: Joseph, Iris, and Ferralnoc.

Early Years
Vinok was born near the peaks of the Thesk Mountains at the beginning of Leaffall in 1452, the youngest son to the chieftain of the Goliath tribe Othkavo. The Othkavo were a large, old, and respected tribe that roamed the mountain range throughout the year. Vinok was raised in a typical Goliath society, and prospered at a young age, true to his lineage. At the age of 7, Vinok was assigned his honorific name by the Chieftain Cliffseaker, his aging father. The name that was chosen was Skychild – for Vinok’s view of the world around him.

His father died a few months later, and his eldest brother, Wolfkiller, was acclaimed the new Chieftain, even though the position by no means had to stay with his family. Skychild was saddened by the loss of his father, but like all true goliaths, knew that the weak and old had to die for the good of the tribe, and that this was a better fate than leaving the tribe due to age’s wrath.

Years passed for the tribe Othkavo, and Wolfkiller proved himself to be an effective leader. Skychild, often a daily captain, emerged as a leader in his own right, winning at goat ball, the daily hunt, and his ability to herd the tribe’s goats. It was during this time that Skychild made his connection with the primal energy that surged through the mountains. With some of the elder’s guidance, Skychild saw his future in protecting the natural beauty he saw from all who would ruin it. It was not long before some of the tribe elders proclaimed Skychild had the gift of the nature spirit, and that it would be he who would eventually help in defending the Othkavo from those who would threaten their way of life.



The Dark Elves' Fury
Change came to Skychild’s life in his 22nd year, 1474. Though the tribe had been bullied by the local hill giants and orcs, nothing posed as much as of a threat as the rumor of Dark Elves nesting at the summit of Mount Nirg. The Thesk Mountains were a dangerous place for those who were not native, and Mount Nirg was no better. Rumors of the Drow’s actions on Mount Nirg had started to filter down to the tribe, and supposed sightings and stories from other races in the mountains all pointed toward one thing: The Drow were powerful, very much valued their privacy on the mountain, and inhabited the mountain much like bees in a honeycomb. But it was another rumor that caught Skychild’s ear: that of unnatural magic, and even worse crimes against nature and those who dwelt nearer to the mighty crag.

Wolfkiller was very direct: the Othkavo would not interfere in the Drow’s actions. The tribe would alter their yearly move through the mountains to avoid the Dark Elves. To Skychild, this was not an acceptable strategy. He could not sit by and ignore what the Drow were doing to the life on the mountain. He needed to know more, and he made a decision that would change his young life forever: he would go and investigate Mount Nirg for himself. He left in the veil of a moonless night, telling no one.

Though he saw little as he traveled carefully up the winding miles of old trail to the top of the mountain, he saw enough to be wary. The plants seemed to shrivel as his elevation grew. He saw signs of destroyed and cut trees, burned. Any animal life he saw was hostile and filled with rage. As he neared the top, he came across one of the many ruins on the side of the mountain. It was here he was not careful enough, making enough noise that several Drow spotted him. Knowing he could not handle a fight, he withdrew down the mountain. Convinced his slow and encumbered legs would fail him, he was surprised when the Drow stopped following him.

He returned to the tribe at dawn, out of breath and scared. He knew in his heart that something must be done; that the Drow were an unnatural presence in the mountains. His mind told him, however, that he was powerless to stop it without the strength of the tribe. He passed the next few days in solitude, not telling anyone of his travels.

On the third night after he returned, Skychild’s world shattered. Screams awoke him in the night. Sounds of battle were heard. Skychild immediately assured himself it was just the local Ogres – but he knew that to be wrong even as he thought it. He emerged to see half his camp in flames. A few feet away, an axe through his head, was a Drow.

Skychild does not remember the next few hours. The Drow were repelled, somehow, but they had done their damage. Dozens of Goliaths were dead, and worse, so were many of their livestock. Wolfkiller himself had been very badly injured, and had lost an eye. The Othkavo leader knew that something had angered the Drow, but had no time to figure out what it was at the time.

The tribe packed up and moved, further away from Mount Nirg. Skychild could not take the burden of shame for very long, and confessed his midnight trespassing to his brother the night the tribe was settled in their newest home. Wolfkiller lowered his head, stood up, and turned his back to his brother.

The Outcast
By the next morning, the tale of what had happened had spread. Immediately, Skychild felt the reaction of shunning. He knew he had acted incorrectly, breaking the one and only law – do no harm to the tribe. Days passed in which Skychild struggled to live in more or less forced solitude.

One week after the attack, an announcement was made that the tribe was to leave the Thesk Mountains for good, and travel south to the Dragonjaw Mountains – a hard and long journey through the plains of Thesk, but one to a place devoid of Orcs, Orges, Giants, and Drow.

Another week went by, and Skychild was nearly mad with the shunning. He had never seen his tribe hold a shunning this long. Then, one night, he was visited by what could only be called the Spirit of the Land. It told him that his time in the mountains were over - he would not be going with the rest of his tribe to the Dragonjaw Mountains. It told him that he needed to leave, and that the north needed him to protect what was sacred against those that were intent on destroying it. He awoke the next morning shivering in the warm summer air. He knew that there was nothing left for him in the mountains, and he knew it was time to go. Within the hour, Wolfkiller was standing in front of him, and announced that his new name would be Darksong, for the sadness he brought upon his brother and those that fell to his selfishness. As he turned and walked away from his tribe, he knew that they acknowledged the voluntary exile, and a silent good bye formed on his lips.

The Path Not Traveled
A friendly Orc tribe had once told Darksong of the way of the down-landers. He did not believe much of what was said. Still, he traveled out of the Thesk mountains for the first time in his life in late 1474, traveling west and eventually reaching the city of Telflamm. Though accepting of all kinds of life, Darksong still fell out of place in such a city. He had little skills that were useful, nor did he understand the ways of the short folk. He stayed a few months in the city, but then heading his calling, he took a ship across the Sea of Fallen Stars, and then along a hard road north into Damara, all along the way hearing whispers of secrets in his dreams that were just barely inaudible. Moving only by intuition, he left Damara's capital in early 1479 and turned west, finding himself to be at the foot of a great mountain range. Trusting that the land would show him the way and let him through, he took to the mountains, not knowing there was a pass a few days south of where he stood. Five days later, he collapsed, near death, at the edge of a town called Talagbar in Vaasa.

Vaasa and a New Mission
Darksong was brought back to consciousness sometime later, thanks to a few buckets of foul smelling water. He was in some kind of cell, and several men, quite obviously the authority in the area, started to question him. It was quite clear that they had never seen one of his kind before, for they were clearly apprehensive. Despite his appearance, however, he was let go, but not without a strict warning: he would be watched, and he should not do anything against the authorities in the town, or he will be jailed and turned into a slave. Darksong agreed, and left the small jail.

What he found was a rather depressing village nestled between the vast and cold plains of upper Vaasa and the shadow of the mountains to the East. Knowing he needed to rest, Darksong ignored the stares he received and made his way to the closest Inn, where he stayed the night. He was not quite sure where he would go next, but he decided a short stay in this town was in order.

Lost Control, The Shears are Forged
The next few months of Darksong's life were frustrating at best. After meeting up with a group of individuals who seemed to be competent, Darksong and his group discovered several layers of trouble in Vaasa. After sorting through the troubles in Talagbar with the Warlock Knights, Darksong discovered a tribe of Goliaths in the southern hills, and agreed to stay with them if his group were left alone. Here, he uncovered a plot to destroy Vaasa - or at least, to encompass it in a ritual that would bar passage across its borders. The Goliath Tribe led by an obviously influenced Firmwill, a group of Outlaw Gnomes, the orc tribe of Storm Fury and even the seemingly good Holy Liberators all seemed to be working together to fell the evil that the Warlock Knights had brought to the land. Unfortunately, a lot of innocents were to die as well.

Eventually, despite his reservations, Darksong followed the guidance of a lizard-dwarf named Dorien, and with the help of the Warlock Knights hatched a plan to diffuse the ritual. While they partially succeeded, the results of the long confrontation brought many questions. More than anything, Darksong knows that the spirits need him here, and whatever Dorien, those blasted stuck-up Eladrin, and that annoying little lizardman plan to do, Darksong intends to make sure he is there to make sure it is the right thing being done.

The Path is Lost, The Way is Shut
Despite their efforts, Darksong and his companions did not stop the erection of the bubble around Vaasa. Though Poorag was killed, the questions that remained where unsettling at best. It was decided that the group should split up for awhile, and find out what they could. Darksong and the gnome Zeke decided they needed to find out more about their people. They headed to the only hole in the bubble they could - through the Orc lands. They managed to make their way through, using sword and stealth. What they found at the goliath tribe did little to settle their fears: Firmwill was still in charge, and he was now using Ironfell metal golems. Later, Darksong found that Firmwill could control the bubble entrance. Even worse, they found no evidence of Zeke's former band of gnome thieves. Lost as to what to do, the duo headed back the way they came, hoping to gain some insight from the rest of the group.

When they returned, they received worse news: Estel and Azurra were most likely dead, tried and convicted as being Holy Liberator conspirators. Joseph and Iris had little news on anything else. Darksong felt lost and confused. Over the next year he spent most of his time going in and out of Palischuk, seeking guidance from the spirits. The confusion only deepened, and Darksong seriously began to doubt his presence and reason for being in Vaasa.

Things changed quickly, however. On one of his usual trips outside of Palischuk, Darksong and his wolf ride took note of an usual wind. It seemed colder than normal - even for the coming winter - and it came from the north with what seemed a purpose. That night, as Beefy Wolf sat and gnawed at a bone by the fire Darksong had created, the wind picked up again, and through the smoke of the incense, Darksong had a vision. He saw Stormhawk - he was riding the great spirit, actually - over the lands of Vaasa. They were coming from the north, riding the wind. Through Stormhawk's eyes, he saw the great land of Vaasa, spread out before the great bird's wings by the wind beneath them - the north wind, the parent of life on Faerun. Yet, Stormhawk also showed him that Vaasa was not right - something was going wrong here. An unspoken truth passed to Darksong at this moment - he must remember that the natural world can stand against anything, even the might of gods. It was Darksong who needed to stand against whatever was happening here, and it was he who needed to protect nature from the evil that hoped to ruin it. With Azurra gone, Darksong alone could harness Nature's power. The answers will come, and the wind will carry them to him.

The wind rushed up on Darksong's back, and he drifted down off the mighty spirit, down to where his camp was. As he fell, he began to smell the incense once again. His eyes finally opened, and Beefy Wolf gave him a very curious look. The next morning, he returned to Palishuck. It was that night when one of his new companions - Tycho - told the group that they were going to help move against Firmwill and his followers.

Seeking Control, The Restraints Become Loosened
Darksong and his companions spent the next year continuing on their quest to rid Vaasa of its problems. After moving against Firmwill, and involving themselves in some Human affairs, Dorien led Darksong's group to an ancient citadel and an airship. Though the ship was eventually lost, it would serve well and later would be needed again. The group dispatched of Yuan-ti cultists trying to help resurrect the primordial, and discovered a horrible monster ruling the air named Doomgaze. The group got involved with Galvin Hildenoth once again, along with the Holy Liberators. A botched assassination, a wedding, and kidnapping later, Darksong found himself helping Galvin take over Palishuck.

Darksong briefly left the party to help the goliaths in the mountains: Firmwill was still alive and the clan needed help. He found the clan and went to confront Firmwill, while some members distracted his Ironfell Golem guards. Firmwill had a guard with him though, controlling it with the heart of Telos, and he proved very hard to hit. Uninvited guests Alexander and Sevarius complicated the situation, but in the end Firmwill ended up dead, and Sevarius took the heart. The goliaths nominated Darksong to lead their clan. He promised he would once his quest was done and returned to the group.

This time of his life ended as he returned: his group informed him they would be marching on Castle Perilous to hunt out and kill Mansard, who was trying to become the new Witch King of Vaasa. Though difficult, the group was successful, though with a cost: Zeke had killed a close friend of Galvin in the castle to get at Mansard. Breaking ties forever with the new ruler of Palishuck, the group went north to meet with Dorien. When they arrive, they found him dead, attacked by members of the Thunder Temple. Merran filled them in on some details, but they decided they needed to strike back. The first step was finding their lost air ship: that could take them to the heart of the Thunder Temple - the Elemental Chaos.

Though the year was filled with difficult trials, Darksong managed to survive most of it. He found his companions increasing annoying to deal with. By the end, Zeke's evil tendencies had seem to overcome him. Joseph's pacifism and idealism grated at Darksong's realism. Iris had kept secrets, couldn't make a decision, and nearly back-stabbed the party. Gavirello, though admirable in his bravery, was no warrior and talked too much about stuff that wasn't important. Darksong found it hard to stay with them, but realized that they were the only way he could achieve what he knew he had to achieve. He was their protector, and he knew they would be doomed without him.

Strike at the thunder temple. Keep them from bringing back the primordial. Destroy them so they may never try again. Destroy the heart of Telos so he may never return to power. Free the people of Vaasa from enslavement. Destroy Castle Perilous, Doomgaze, and the unnatural influence it has on the land. Free Azurra from his undeath. Free Joseph from his Idealism, Zeke from the darkness, and Iris from her inevitable destiny.

It was a long list, but he would not rest until it was complete.

Chaos Unbound, Control Lost
''...the sun glistened off the sword in his hands. He swung yet again, another falling to his feet. They kept coming... they had no idea there would be this many. His allies, his friends... they were weaker than him... they would not last... none of them would if they stayed. They must retreat - they had to live to further their cause.

''He gave the order. They resisted. He almost had to throw the halfling out the door. He turned, and planted his feet in the doorway. They must get away. They must continue the fight. He swung again. The bodies piled up, and soon his own blood joined his enemies. He swung again, striking true... And again... and again...''

Through difficulty, Darksong and his companions managed to retrieve their airship. Realizing the visions he has had as echoes of his past, he embraced his epic destiny - he will protect his allies, and nature, against the Thunder Temple and the primordial Mualtar. He is the sentinel, the line of defense that no one will pass. Though his allies may be enemies when the primordial is again chained, today he will keep them alive as he has always done.

Darksong and his group, through many trials and with much help, realized their destiny. They retrieved the lost chains from Moradin's realm. He met the troublesome Guranchuk in battle, and in doing do was chosen by Moradin as his champion for the battle versus Mualtar. The journey to the elemental chaos was nothing but monumental, but in the end he was able to bind Mulatar to his prison, and end the Thunder Temple and Dorien's evil plans. Faerun was saved.

However, it came with a price. With Mual-tar bound once again, the memory of the beast had to be lost. The champions of the three deities too must be forgotten. As a result, a memory charm was placed on Darksong, so that all that meet him are destined to forget him. Only the other two champions - Joseph and Daarkonthis - and the key to his prison, Iris, remember him and his role in saving the world. Ferralnoc too, due to his spiritual connection to the land, remembers Darksong. The rest, however, will forget who he is (and everything he tells them) days after meeting him.

Current Whereabouts / Activities
Darksong, now using the name Skychild again, stays in and around Vaasa and his adopted tribe in the Spiritlands. Although he no longer controls Moradin's hammer, the dwarven god has blessed him with other powers that lets him help Faerun in times of trouble. He awaits the call to serve and protect Nature, and continues to look to help the Goliaths and Dwarfs of Faerun.

4E Character Sheet
Darksong will no longer be updated here, as his epic stats are kept on Character builder

Powers
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