Taern Hornblade

Taern "Thunderspells" Hornblade was the High Mage of the city of Silverymoon, having succeeded Alustriel when she took the office of High Lady, and member of the Council of the Marches.

"Show me Alustriel's will, and I'll firmly label it the right way — for so it is, and can only continue to be."

- Taern speaking before the Council of the Marches

Description
Taern was tall and gray-bearded, appearing grave and thoughtful most of the time.

Personality
Although reckless in his youth, in his later years Taern preferred to avoid confrontations. By striving for consensus where possible and working hard at building friendships, Taern tended to reach decisions through alliance with others.

Abilities
A powerful Evoker, Taern's nickname, "Thunderspell", was earned during his early Magefair duels where his mastery of potent battle-spells became known. During his tenure among the Spellguard he showed his prowess in defense of Silverymoon by facing off against a dracolich.

Relationships
Taern had a deep and abiding love of Alustriel.

Possessions
Taern's signature weapon was his namesake longsword Hornblade, which is a famous and heavily enchanted blade. It had a number of magical properties that are extremely useful to Taern, as well as being a potent weapon in its own right. It had the sending ability, allowing messages to be sent to multiple recipients; the power to store two spells within it, rather that one; and an attunement with the ward initiates if Silverymoon, requiring their grasp to function correctly.

Taern had a rat familiar called Vesk.

History
Born in 1204 DR  Taern earned his nickname, "Thunderspell", early in his life from attending magefair duels and showcasing his deadly battle-spells. He is also a longtime member of the Harpers.

Taern founded the Spellguard of Silverymoon in 1255 DR as a bodyguard unit to protect Alustriel.

In 1361 DR, Taern and Alustriel defeated two archmages of the Cult of the Dragon that had arrived outside Silverymoon. However while Alustriel was drawn away from the city, Taern and his Spellguard were forced to battle a Dracolich that had assaulted the southern walls.

Sometime before 1372 DR, Thunderspell created cloaks of protection versus chaos in preparation to defending his some, Silverymoon, from an army of deadly and chaotic orcish army. Many of these cloaks were given out to the defenders of the city, its rangers and fighters. With years passing, many of these enchanted cloaks found their way into many places along the Sword Coast.

Before taking over the supreme office of the city he was the leader of the Spellguard of Silverymoon.

During the 1480s DR, the leader of Luruar Methrammar Aerasumé sent Taern, who remained in good health thanks to potions of longevity, as his delegate at the Council of Waterdeep, formed to deal with the emergent Cult of the Dragon. Methrammar selected Taern for his high diplomatic skills.

Activities
Hornblade sat as a Peer on the Council of the Marches representing Silverymoon, though he followed Alustriel's wishes whenever they were expressed.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Rise of Tiamat
 * Storm King's Thunder
 * Novels
 * When a Good Man Loses His Head
 * Ghostwalker
 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter Nights
 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter Nights
 * Neverwinter Nights