User:Redhame/Lore

The Redhame family name extends back, through history as far as humans can remember. The Redhame clan, though not extremely numerous, have spread to every corner of human habitation. The ancestral family home is believed to be Ascalon, in Tyria, because Redhames are more numerous there than elsewhere. However, clan members can be found in Kryta, Cantha and Elona.

History records several notable Redhames: Radagast, a contemporary of King Adelbern, who abandonded the life of an adventurer and his early Elementalist training to settle in Lions Arch where he made a small fortune as trader. Rosmerta Redhame of Cantha, who, because of her great height, was encouraged to study as a Warrior at Shing Jea. Rosmerta became a great traveller, running widely across Cantha, Tyria and Elona. There was also Roxanne Redhame, a Paragon, who rose to prominence among the Order of Sunspears and helped bring peace to Elona after the fall of Varesh Ossa.

However, most famous among the Redhame clan was Rosalind. Known as Rosa, she was celebrated even as a child. For the Redhames thought her marked by her flaming red hair, as the embodiment of ancestral powers. "In her, the blood of the Elders runs true."

Born in Ascalon, Rosa was but 17 years old at the time of the Searing. She survived, and joined the Ascalonian forces resisting the Charr invasion. Rosa's early mastery of Elemental magic made her a hero among the resistance. She joined Prince Rurik and the refugees going to Kryta and fought to establish the Ascalonian settlement there. After that, there is little record of Rosa for some years. She is mentioned again as a recipient of an Imperial Commendation from Emperor Kisu for services to the Canthan Empire resisting Shiro The Betrayer. The Commendation mentions Rosa's almost peerless mastery of all forms of magic - not just Elementalist, but Monk, Mesmer, Necromancer and even Ritualist. Since the Ritualist school is unique to Cantha, we can be sure that Rosalind spent a considerable time in the Dragon Empire.

The more detailed records of the Sunspears give a picture of Rosa's time in Elona. Roxanne recognized a distant relative and recruited Rosalind to the struggle against Varesh in Kourna. Unlike Roxanne, Rosalind had no interest in organizing or command among the Sunspears. However, Roxanne's written reports depict a blazingly powerful fighter. Rosa was a leader in the final assault on the Fortress of Jahai and one of very few among the first wave of attackers to survive.

Rosalind eventually made her way into the far North where she encountered the Norn. The Norn still speak of her. Once, at a tavern, a drunken reveller said, "I pity you, you were not born a Norn." Rosa raised her voice above the background din and replied, "I pity you, you were not born a Redhame." She banged her mug on the table for emphasis, but overdid it, broke the mug and showered those nearby with ale. The Norn say that no human has ever made them laugh so hard since.