Vasana Ernaldoring is one of those who fought in the Hero Wars. We know of her largely through the saga about her life attributed to Sorala Tor, a scribe who followed Argrath into Dragon Pass. Unfortunately, the only known copy of that saga is badly damaged and incomplete, but enough survived that we can piece together much of her life from 1625-1632.
In 1625, Vasana followed Argrath to Prax and fought at the Second Battle of Moonbroth. Shortly after she fought in the assault on New Pavis, and was nearly killed in the process of killing a Lunar priestess. She and her sister returned to her mother’s farm to recover. After the Dragonrise, she joined Kallyr Starbrow’s army and fought at the Battle of Dangerford.
We have no information on her deeds for the next three seasons, and we next hear about Vasana at the Battle of Queens in 1626, where she was badly injured. She accompanied Kallyr’s funeral train to Boldhome and was present at her burning. There was a dispute between her and Queen Leika, and Vasana and her kin (Yanioth and Harmast) went to Swenstown, where they joined the caravan of Biturion Vorash.
Vasana traveled through Prax, fighting broo in the Devil’s Marsh and accompanying her sister on a pilgrimage to Prax When she arrived in New Pavis, she swore loyalty to Argrath and become one of his companions. Sorala Tor entered her service around this time. At some point she is known to have entered the Big Rubble and quarreled with the Star Lady Morgeneth. She fought several duels with the Rune Lady, and ended up with her enchanted iron cuirass.
Vasana participated in some dangerous Orlanth high holy day rituals with Argrath and his other companions. When Argrath announced that he would lead his host into Dragon Pass, Vasana joined the host.
She returned to Dragon Pass early in 1627, as part of Argrath’s army. She was elevated to Wind Lord and sent on a mission into the Caves of Chaos. Although she killed many broo and other monsters, her mission failed and she swore to return. Vasana fought at the Battle of Sword Hill and accompanied Argrath to Boldhome as a bodyguard.
Argrath sent Vasana to the Holy Country as an emissary to Queen Samastina. We know she and her companions went to the ruins of Whitewall and entered the Spirit World there, but lacunas in the saga mean we hear from her next in Storm Season 1627 while in Nochet. She and her companions seek some treasure on Frog Island but are ambushed by Gunda the Guilty and have to be ransomed. She returns to Dragon Pass.
In Sacred Time 1627, Vasana leads a heroquest into Snakepipe Hollow. Presumably it is a success as Argrath sends her back to Nochet in early 1628. The damaged state of the saga means we must rely on other sources for the rest of her tales. However, songs place her at the Battle of Heroes in Storm Season, at the side of Gunda the Guilty. Vasana is listed as one of those who accompanied Argrath and Harrek to plunder Muse Roost and was present at Gunda’s death at the hands of Sir Ethilrist.
Vasana is also listed as one of those who aided Prince Argrath in his contests with the Feathered Horse Queen, and was present when they were proclaimed the Feathered Horse Queen.
A manuscript from 1632 assigns her lands in Tarsh, a grant from the King and Queen of Dragon Pass. She is thought to be one of those who quarreled with Mularik Ironeye, who was the regent in Furthest.
One of the things I really enjoyed about running the games with Vasana and company is how well their character arcs really got to explore the first stage of the Hero Wars. And how well the setting works with many different characters doing “that kind of thing”.
Vasana et al were player characters, and their adventures give a good idea of what your characters can be doing in RQ.
I like to imagine that there are a couple dozen or more “adventuring parties” like Vasana and company that end up in the orbit of Argrath and make a big difference in the Hero Wars. These aren’t the big Movers and Shakers of the setting, although they are powerful and important, and so don’t need to be defined – except by YOUR games.