Ghan Evotori was a man of average build for someone who is of Thailand decent, but taller than an average Asian. Being a talented summoner of Tao magic; Tao magic is a type the type of magic that needs to use cards to be activated. It takes much skill and studying of the Taoism Sorcery Manuscript, a large tattered book that only possessed by the Trion Titans. Ghan was not a fan of the feeling of helplessness, for himself and others. He has little respect of authority, other than the Doc and Romero. Feeling useless was always a large fear for a man who had lost his family at a young age. Heading down the road toward Grande Fresen, leaving the kingdom of Myd'raal for a simple vacation in the free state.

Ghan inherited his equipment from his father's family. One such artifact, the Sword of Avarice, was an imitation of his great grandfather's creation, the Sword of Rune. There were many mysteries that the King of Myd'raal still had to learn about his clan, even before he would be officially crowned King in the eyes of the rest of the continent of Theros' leaders. Ghan's original occupation was as a Death Hunter/Mercenary under command of the Death Hunter Corps. The peoples Ruler and King of Myd'raal. The deck of Tao Cards (aka ofuda's), and a Second deck from his mother's family, Living Elements; referred to LEs; were all that was left of the King's parents. His parents put him through Muay Thai and Thai Boxing/Kick Boxing training as he grew up. He became a Death Hunter only a few years back whenever the Death Hunter Corps was in its infancy, but he has been friends with the Doc and Romero since his youth.

Ghan went back over to Thailand, as a branch of the Death Hunters, with a fellow Deathunter Markus Alistar, his cousin. Ghan and his cousin organized and ran Death Hunters Corp in most of the Southern parts of Asia. Now Ghan returns to find his new partner, but is caught up in the recent events happening, now he has began working with the the Death Hunters faction in Theros, with Doc and Romero, even though he was considered the rookie to Death Hunter Corps, he has never let them down yet.

Jack Bruce was almost in eyesight of King Ghan and his company, the commander of the Dune Prowlers was familiar with Ghan's dealings with his nephew and would hopefully convince the Mad King to have a bit of fun at Jack's own little project, the Tournament of the Guard. It was bound to catch the attention of the well informed, especially one such King that enjoys a little bit of battle fun. The company had grown in size now, as they rounded the bend in the road. There was a whistle from the lead scout from the King's guard. Another whistle came back more sharply than the last, all members of the company from Myd'raal had slowed down to a walking march and stopped. Jack was within earshot and there was no going back, the seasoned veteran of the Dune Prowlers was ready to have some fun with the Mad King.

All pieces of Jack's grand Tournament of the Guard were in motion, the last puzzle piece was all he needed. "Say you! I must speak with your King." Jack stood firmly, and in a majestic stance. "Ghan Evotori of the lands of Myd'raal!" The scout headed back toward the midpoint of the company, where a large vehicle sat. It was the Mad King's Bronco. Well armed and extra plating to reduce any exterior damage to those inside, where Ghan sat. A moment later as the scout talked to him through the window, the door opened and out stepped the King of Myd'raal.

"Let us see if you speak truth, soldier!" Ghan showed some irritation after hearing the name of a former retainer being whispered into his ear. "He surely fits the description of the infamous Commander of the Dune Prowlers." Ghan began to approach the front of the company of guards he had with him. He could tell more readily that the man he was told truly stood before them, it has been decades since last communications between the kingdom of Myd'raal and Grande Fresen.

"Ahh I see your keen sense has not changed over the years, mi' lord." Jack responded, noticing that Ghan began to recognize him.

"Many tidings Master Bruce!" Ghan spoke cheerfully as he approached closer. "It is good to see you in better health, and still going strong I see."

"Yes mi' lord, I have not swayed from my path. Gotta keep you youngin's on yer' toes!" Jack responded heartily, remembering the days during his retainership.

"Very good! I'm always reassured a man of your stature keeps themselves busy. I hear there is an upcoming festival, that you are hosting?" Ghan asked as he could see the banners and festive markets begin to roll in.

"Yes! the very thing I wish to discuss with you mi' lord; I do believe you remember my nephew, Markus?" Jack replied as he was glad to hear his messengers had reached the highways and caravan routes. "We are expecting a great turn-out."

"Ahh yes... my associate from Death Hunter Corps, I have not seen him since we came back from the Kaiser Wars." Ghan had fond memories with his co-worker in the Deathunter's; Markus was a reliable partner even when he is left to his own devices. "I would like to have some coffee with him before we depart the free-state of Grande Fresen."

"That can very well be arranged sire; my boy is already back at Dune Prowlers Compound enjoying a pre-party before his rigorous training regime I have laid out for the Gatekeeper." Jack was hoping Ghan would find interest in seeing his old acquaintance in action after so many years.

"Really now! I did make this trip simply to enjoy the festivities!" Ghan signaled to his company of men and rounded them all up. "Shall we go, master? I hope to see your home's growth since last I saw it."

"Very good, Ghan! Let me accompany your group and we shall enter the compound in style!" Jack had a huge grin on his face, hoping to have all pieces of Markus' training regime within reach. Off they headed to the north-east of Grande Fresen. It would only be a short while before they were upon the gates of the Dune Prowler's Compound.

The Dune Prowler's were well trained in handling Commander Jack Bruce's unconventional tactics, and knew their duty once their leader arrives with new guests. The bell tower at the gate rang, signaling Jack's return, with a horn in the distance all members of the Dune Prowler's snapped to attention and welcomed their leader and the King of Myd'raal, none of Dune Prowler's members were ever uninformed about their commander's actions. This would be due to the many decades of service the senior officers had endured. Leading the company from Myd'raal was Jack and King Evotori, followed by the Myd'raal Royal Guard. They were a very decorated organization that served directly under the King himself. With the rest of the band of merchants and craftsmen that followed the Myd'ian King. As they rounded the main road, bypassing the hangars and headed to the headquarters' building. Jack had pride in his compound and the headquarter building was one of his crown achievements. A mix of a guild, community hall, and local entertainment with the built in pub and bar facility.

There were many members of the Dune Prowler's outback of the main hall. In the courtyard they were hard at work on make-shift stands, lighting, and presenter's booth. The main stage was a large slab of stone that sat in the middle of all the constructions. Markets and food-carts were build just adjacent to the stands and were filling up quickly with merchants, artisans, and entrepreneurs. It was going to be an event for the ages, The Tournament of the Guard. As the company from Myd'raal spread throughout the compound, as members of a royal court would do, securing the area and working with their partners from the Dune Prowlers; since it was their homeland. With all essential workers at their posts, King Ghan would step out of his Bronco, and follow his former retainer into his compound. Terrance was readily available ever since the bell tower had sounded off. The senior administrative staff of the Dune Prowler's were once again assembled and at attention as their commander had opened the main door to the compound.

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"Welcome Commander and Chief Jack Bruce, as well as the Great King of Myd'raal, Ghan Evotori!" Terrance had stepped forward and introduced his master and his apprentice with a short bow. "Good to see you again, Lord Evotori."

"Good tidings! Terrance! I hope Master Bruce has been treating you well?" Ghan replied, having remembered the days when Terrance was but a boy at the side of Master Bruce back in the days of the Kaiser Wars.

"As always, Mi' lord. " Answered Terrance, humbly. "I am indebted to Master Bruce, I only wish to serve."

"Hahaha, good to see your loyalties haven't changed!" Ghan replied, with a jolly tone. "I hear you had played a major role in organizing this great Tournament of the Guard?"

"Yes Mi' lord, Master Bruce has entrusted me with many aspects of the tournament. I have enjoyed myself these past few days." Terrance truly was happy, being able to organize a cultural event instead of battle scenarios.

"I look forward to enjoying your handy work, Terrance!" The King complimented the now young man. "I was wondering do you have a short list of participants collected yet?"

"Yes, the submission due date is in 3 weeks. We have a training exercise organized to keep the competitors busy and at their best." Terrance was proud of the line-up of participants. "It is a very diverse list to see, Mi' lord." Terrance stepped back behind his reception desk and pulled out a form from the top drawer. "Would you like to see the interim list of submissions for the Tournament of the Guard?"

"Why yes I would!" Ghan always loved the oversight of such events, he too wanted to organize such festivities when he finished his vacation. Terrance stepped back from his desk and handed the list to Ghan. The King of Myd'raal would take the list and sit down on one of the armchairs in the reception hall, he began to read:

Guards of the Gatekeeper: Tournament of the Guard-

Yuri Helsriche - Half-Demon - Power of Hellfire abilities

Carter Wilhelm - Tortugan/Draconi - Mastery of Earth/Water abilities

Helena Tremere - High-Elf - Mastery of Wind/Water abilities

Jasper Wedgewood - Highland Dwarf - Mastery of Enforcement & Enchantment Abilities

Rosco Le'Mystyrio - Ursanthrope - Mastery of Disguise & Infiltration Abilities

David White - Lycanthrope - Mastery of Ice/Spatial Abilities

Baubari Caitsithe - Felinoid - Power of Shadow Abilities

Drake Ymirnathezar - North Draconi - Power of Sub-Zero Abilities

Mystery Competitor - Half-Celestial - Power of Divination/Destruction Abilities

After a few moments of silence as the King of Myd'raal studied the document, Jack spoke up, knowing all too well who were the tentative participants. All with the exception of the Mysterious competitor. "Terrance! Report! Explain why there is one participant who wished to be anonymous." Jack gave out the order in a stern voice, he was not a fan of those from the unknown.

Terrance was well rehearsed for this situation. "Yes sir, this man has asked to remain a mystery due to their origins from the unknown lands west of Grande Fresen." Terrance began spinning the tale, in a very convincing manner.

"The Unknown Kingdom?" Retorted Jack, "Very well, these are unusual times as there are rumors of the Dark Lord Kunjiro making his way east."

"Yes as you can see, the man is under severe circumstances, being a refugee from a foreign land while still being very skilled." Terrance added as the mysterious competitor's back story.

"Very good, best not to strike panic through the citizens of Grande Fresen." Jack would leave the matter at that, yet he still would like to question such a person.

"My thanks Master Bruce." Terrance bowed in a thankful manner. "Now Mi' lord of Myd'raal, you have a unique opportunity here. Would you like to enroll as well in the Tournament of the Guard?"

"It has crossed my mind." Ghan commented, after seeing such a diverse group of individuals looking to find their own little claim to glory. "I could be seen as a much riskier prize, Terrance. I have communed with the spirits and have been blessed by the Tao."

"All the more to motivate the competitors, they simply are only looking for their place in the world as well." Terrance was hopeful that King Evotori would join in on the festival.

"How about this... I shall be an exhibition match for those who wish to find more purpose if they find out that this tournament is more of a recruiting event." Ghan had delved deep enough to know the preconceptions of ancient lore; the Guardian of Sion was in town. "I shall even test the Gatekeeper's dedication to the Creators."

"Excellent! Mi' lord!" Jack spoke up, wanting to ensure that Ghan will participate in his nephew's training regime. "Markus would enjoy training with you once more. He has grown in skill as well."

"I look forward to seeing my old acquaintance from Death Hunter Corps, we had great memories in those days!" Ghan reassured Master Bruce that he would help out with Markus' training.

All the pieces of Jack's grand plan have come together; his nephew will be able to grow as his destined friends will be thoroughly tested over the next few weeks. Markus was still at the pub with Jasper singing karaoke without a care in the world, and clueless that the King of Myd'raal was just upstairs. Jack wanted his nephew to release his stresses before they begin the festivities, since it was also partially in honor of Markus and his destiny. Terrance could read the atmosphere that had conspired, after receiving the tentative list for the tournament he scribbled another competitor onto the list:

King Ghan Evotori, Ruler of Myd'raal - Human - Mastery in Divine/Holy Energies, Power of the Tao Spirits.

The King of Myd'raal was put into a secondary tree in the tournament based on progression, Terrance would place the Mad King Evotori as the exhibition match to decide the final duo for the Protectors of Sion. This would add a more competitive atmosphere in the festivities, bringing in markets that have been separated by thousands of kilometers, to simply enjoy a Tournament of the Guard. As the discussions ended for the evening and the final contracts submitted for the tournament, King Evotori and his company took up refuge in one of the empty hangars on the compound. This would become the base of operations for the Myd'raal Kingdom for the next month. Being a supporter and financial backer to the festival, this would show good will with the free-state of Grande Fresen; one of the many layered plans that the Mad King had incorporated as the events would unfold. It would not be till the day after their initial arrival that Markus would find out who had joined in the festivities.

After a long relaxing night celebrating with Jasper he felt refreshed, even after so many lagers. It must have something to do with the Dwarven aura that allowed the Gatekeeper to feel so invigorated. He was ready to take on the day, Markus was ready for uncle Jack's special training regime. It would be a relaxing morning for Markus as the members of the Dune Prowlers ran around fixing up the last minute duties before the festival was to officially begin. After walking through the market stalls set up for the tournament, Markus was able to fix up a breakfast that gave him the energy to take on the day. Next objective was for Markus to meet up with his uncle Jack and begin the training regime; Markus nearly forgotten to meet up with Terrance the night before, so he headed over to the headquarters and entered the reception to rendezvous with Terrance. It was not much of a huge deal, since Terrance had spun the tale about the mysterious competitor from the Unknown Kingdom. Markus was well aware of the story, since the tentative list had been posted publicly to stir more interest in the tournament. Terrance handed Markus a satchel that contained his costume for the tournament, all Markus had to do was keep it in his quarters and wait for the night of the event. After a short interaction with Terrance, Markus would head out behind the back of the compound and into the training grounds that consisted of mostly empty land that was under the protection of the Dune Prowlers. This would become the training ground for the Gatekeeper.