Baxtorian

Baxtorian was a powerful Elven king of the Fourth Age. He was responsible for leading an elven expansion that stretched as far east even as modern-day Misthalin.

Background
Baxtorian was amongst the first elves to arrive in Gielinor. He was amongst the eight elven leaders brought to lead Prifddinas by Seren, the goddess of the elves. He led the Cadarn Clan, the elves' primary military clan. For some 6,000 years the elves prospered, Baxtorian leading them to peace and security. The Cadarn Clan later fought to protect Tirannwn during the cataclysmic God Wars, fighting off the few enemies that overcame the mountain range that divided Tirannwn and modern-day Kandarin.

When the God Wars ended and the Edicts of Guthix put in place, the elven goddess Seren was forced to leave Gielinor and speak only through the Tower of Voices in central Prifddinas. Despite this loss, the elves now saw an opportunity to expand their domain. With the Western sea to the west and south, the only way to expand was east, into a land that was still recovering from the God Wars.



Travelling through the newly constructed Arandar Mountain Pass, elven settlers began to settle all throughout Kandarin, although they may have settled at one point even as far east as Misthalin and Asgarnia.



Baxtorian Establishes a Kingdom
Baxtorian was the leader of the Cadarn Clan, who were dedicated to protecting the rest of the settlers. Although they were strong, the conflict that still engulfed Kandarin threatened to defeat them.

Baxtorian soon established alliances with several of the local races. The gnomes, who had only recently returned to the surface, were more than happy to re-establish ties that had been lost for over 4,000 years. The human tribes, who were much more divided, eventually agreed to a treaty. The ogres and Thorobshuun goblins that inhabited the Feldip Hills, however, were now locked in a bloody civil war due to Bandos's departure. Deciding that two out of three alliances was enough, Baxtorian soon established the elves as a powerful but peaceful force. For almost 1,900 years his kingdom prospered.

Fall from Power
Even as Baxtorian's kingdom reached its peak, disaster struck. All contact with Tirannwn ceased; none sent to the Arandar mountain pass returned, and efforts to scry beyond the mountain range were blocked by an unknown darkness. The mysteriously sealed Arandar pass left the settlers with only one feasible route; the Underground Pass, a long-forgotten series of tunnels that had been built by the first elves as a means of transport via the Well of Voyage.

Baxtorian sent five of his best scouts through the pass; only one of which would return. Adwr, the sole survivor of the scouting mission, told the settlers of what had happened in the capital city of Prifddinas. The Iorwerth Clan, knowing that most of the elvish military had left the city, seized the city, a bloody act that left thousands of elves dead and the city in Lord Iorwerth's hands.

This news caused a massive uproar amongst the settlers. Many ideas were put forward, but ultimately Baxtorian decided that the Iorwerth Clan must be forced from the city at the point of a blade. Baxtorian led a five year campaign into Tirannwn, where he attempted to defeat the Iorwerth Clan. Although known details of the campaign are few, the attack ultimately failed. Furthermore, when Baxtorian and his decimated forces returned to Kandarin, he found his kingdom had been all but obliterated. Most devastating for Baxtorian, though, was the fate of his wife. Taken by hostile forces, he was unable to find her, and was forced to accept her probable death.

Legend says that Baxtorian's grief was so great for his wife that he would not live without her. After building a monument to Glarial east of Baxtorian Falls, it is said that he travelled to their home under the falls and sealed himself within a room. Baxtorian performed his own burial within the chamber, sealing himself with his wealth and a monument to Glarial.



Aftermath
With Baxtorian dead and enemy forces continuing to attack, the elven settlers were forced to retreat to their kin in Tirannwn. Here they reunited with the survivors of Iorwerth's betrayal. Even today they still wander Isafdar, fighting against Iorwerth at every turn.

Even today, Baxtorian Falls retains its name to honour him. Legends of his treasure have only grown, prompting many to travel to the greater Falls area in search of it, although rumours suggest that the treasure was found by dwarven miners some years ago. Others travel to the area simply to admire the beauty of the area that still lingers.

During the Waterfall Quest, players rediscover Baxtorian's tomb. His only known descendant that is currently living, is Islwyn Cadarn, an elven bowyer, whom starts the Roving Elves quest when spoken to.

Abilities
Baxtorian and his wife, Queen Glarial, were famed for their control and understanding of nature. Legends state that they had the ability to control the elements, creating hills, rivers, and trees even as they walked.

Baxtorian was also a poet, as is evident in a poem he wrote to mourn his wife. The following is an extract from the biography Book on Baxtorian.

Trivia

 * Baxtorian had a beard, unlike most Elves.