True Thomas, also known as Thomas of Ercildoune or Thomas the Rhymer, is the mortal Grand Bard of the fae.
Overview[]
Thomas was born a kinain over 600 years ago in the British Isles. A faerie queen became enamored of him and his skills as a bard and musician, and whisked him away to Arcadia on her milk-white steed. For seven years, he dwelt among the kithain, learning their lore and ways; upon returning to Earth, he was blessed (or cursed) with a tongue that could not lie. In his old age he returned to Arcadia, though his mortal peers at the time assumed he had died.[1]
In truth, Thomas remained in Arcadia, one of very few mortals allowed to remain in the Dreaming after the Shattering. He returned to Earth with the Resurgence in 1969.[2][3] Though he too passed through the Mists and lost his memories of Arcadia, he recalls much of what he learned over his long life, and is regarded as a great historian.[4][3]
Thomas became the guardian of a group of young sidhe during the Accordance War, in hopes of sparing them the effects of a protracted conflict. One of these young nobles was David Ardry. On New Year's Eve 1973, Thomas learned of a motley of redcaps coming to his home in upstate New York intending to do harm to his charges. He made the risky move of taking the children into New York City in hopes of hiding them among the holiday-making crowds. In the midst of the Battle of Manhattan, Thomas and the children were found by commoner forces, but David produced the sword Caliburn and helped Thomas defend the other youths. After this, Thomas took David and his sister Morwen to the safety of Queen Mab's court.[5]
Thomas mentored the future High King for many years, but eventually left Tara-Nar to wander the world he had been so long absent from. He is skilled with many cantrips and often travels in disguise. Even by the standards of one with fae blood, he has had a long life, and some whisper that he has become truly immortal.[3]
References[]
- ↑ CTD: The Enchanted, p. 90
- ↑ CTD: Nobles: The Shining Host, p. 23
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 CTD: The Enchanted, p. 91
- ↑ CTD: Noblesse Oblige: The Book of Houses, p. 60
- ↑ CTD: Changeling: The Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 38-39
- WOD: World of Darkness: Time of Judgment, p. 17-20