Eulogy to Breanard Fyneman

It was quickly realised that Braenard has a natural and unquenchable curiosity, which the brothers forged into an aptitude for devices, constructs and mechanisms, as befits a follower of Gond the Wonderbringer. Braenard proved to be a quick study, energetic, skilful in the craftsman's arts and devout in his beliefs and followings. In coming to terms with the loss of his family and subsequent adoption by the brotherhood, he can be introverted, pensive and a little unpredictable. He displays wisdom beyond his 21 years, but this is balanced by the regular manifestation of rashness characteristic of inexperienced youth.

Followers of Gond live by the paradigm "actions count". In the frustrated (and closeted) view of his superiors, Braenard has tended to be overzealous in the application of this however, leading them to the conclusion that a life of holy seclusion and artificing is not the purpose, which Gond has designed for him. To this end they have helped him develop his physical skills alongside his holy creative ones, fitting him better for the role of a travelling and bringing the benefits and beliefs of Gond to those worthy of the gift. Braenard believes that a suitable balance can also be constructed by extending this principle, especially by offering timely (and generally permanent) retribution to those ungrateful or unworthy of the gift.

Equipped with knowledge of metals and wood and of herbs and healing Braenard was sent out in to the great land of Faerûn, with a request to ultimately convey greetings from the Brothers of the Maker of All Things to the holy followers on Lantan - off the northern coast. The brothers prayed that he would not meet a fate, which would be fatal, or permanent, before his works were completed.

Braenard quickly worked his way as far as Shadowdale, earning a living through his knowledge or strength of arm and bravery. A chance meeting at the Old Skull Inn - an incredibly old and well constructed tavern in Shadowdale - and subsequent adventures allowed him to survive many dangers and trials with the Company of the Righteous Fist.

Various brushes (and one uncomfortable intimate contact) with the "harvester of souls" had started to temper his oscillation between blind action and ponderous consideration of a situation, but had earned him a reputation for erratic and ill-considered heroism. He endeavoured to tolerate the party's humour with fortitude, if not good grace. His naïve distrust of elvenkind gave way to an unexpected appreciation of their grace and subtleties through his emerging friendship with the enigmatic Arakel.

It was during an ill-timed, if courageous, assault on the stronghold of the evil mayor of Tulbeg (to rescue the mighty Rufus, who had foolishly allowed himself to be captured by the town guard), that Braenard's career collapsed. After scaling the walls Braenard held off the defenders until his companions could reach safety. A mighty battle between The Fist and hordes of undead, evil footmen and magic users ensued - powerful magics charged the air as the conflict swung one way then the other. Eventually both the party and the corrupt occupants of the castle fought to a standstill, until a cowardly fireball attack felled all but Arakel and Braenard. Braenard kept the remaining foe distracted until the fallen party members could be dragged to safety, then he and Arakel staged a daring counter-attack, which disposed of their assailants. Drained of magic, and bruised and bloodied, the pair swept through the castle looking for Rufus, who might yet be alive and able to provide defence while they rested. While entering a room, Arakel inadvertently set-off a guardian spell, causing a pair of leopards to appear and attack. One leaped unexpectedly on Braenard, tearing out his throat and disembowelling him in one action - while Arakel fought, Braenard's life trickled away into the dust of the castle floor.

Rumour has it that Arakel himself fell, minutes later, to another arcane trap. In the harshest of ironies, those who had succumbed to the fireball (and whom Braenard and Arakel rescued) survived to tell the tale - while the two heroes of Tulbeg were buried in that town, where their bones lie to this day.