Yarrun Firetamer was the chief mage of Gold Ridge from around 1025 KF until late autumn 1035 KF, following his father to this post. He was a mage who was very confident in his abilities to keep Gold Ridge free of forest fires, but was also very jealous of mages like Niklaren Goldeye-who had achieved greatness through his magic-, and viewed the world as a cruel place for most mages.

He only appears in Daja's Book.

BiographyEdit

Yarrun was born around 980 KF^[1] as the son of Ulmerin Valeward, Gold Ridge's chief mage at that time. Yarrun began his studies in magic around 995 KF and continued studying for ten years^[1] at the University of Lightsbridge^[2]. When he was younger he would travel trying to find great work after he graduated, also applying for a teaching position at Lightsbridge once, which he was denied^[3]. After twenty years of traveling and trying to become one of the great, reputed mages^[4] he eventually joined his father at Gold Ridge and continued to work there under the patronage of Lady Inoulia until his death.

At first he had a strong grip on fires, not letting even letting grassfires break out.He was even able to focus his power so specifically as to only extinguish fires in one room^[5]. However, by 1035 K.F. Gold Ridge was suffering from a three year drought, and wild fires were plentiful. Yarrun tried to maintain his attitude and stop the fires from spreading. He even disputed over it with Rosethorn, who was there as part of Duke Vedris' company, because Rosethorn was of the opinion that the situation would soon escalate. Indeed, the fires continued to spread and in the end Firetamer overtaxed himself, using more and more stimulants (Yanjingi tea with foxglove), and died trying to put out the starting forest fire that would later trapped Daja and Tenth Caravan Idaram in late autumn of 1035 KF. He was buried in the small castle cemetery on the third day after the forest fire. Rosethorn and Briar planted a tree at the head of his grave.^[6]

Physical descriptionEdit

Yarrun dressed similar to Niko in fine silk and velvet clothes. However, the rest of his appearance wasn't as nice. By autumn of 1035 KF his white skin looked sallow and his "large, moist brown eyes sported bags on bags". His short hair had gone gray, and he was leaning on a staff decorated with bright enamels. He used perfumes and shaved his face.^[7] He had discolored teeth.^[8]

Yarrun had a habit of putting on humourless and "false-looking smiles", which made Sandry very uneasy and unable to have faith in his words. This was increased more by the lack of strength in his eyes.^[9]

Personality and traitsEdit

Firetamer was very impressed with both himself and his abilities, being confident that he could master any fire. He was also very proud and didn't accept other opinions easily, even more when other opinions were voiced by people who--according to Yarrun--had less experience or wisdom in the matter than himself^[1]. Thus he disputed with Rosethorn and didn't even really consider her arguments saying that the situation in Gold Ridge was nearing a catastrophe. His pride also extended to his high standing in Lady Inoulia's castle. Once he stopped all the fires in the kitchen when he suspected the cook of serving him the nobles' leftovers^[5]. To stress this he wore fine embroidered clothes. He couldn't understand why Sandry, who was a noble of the House Toren, weaved--a chore he considered beneath her dignity--rather than pursuing fine needlework^[1]. His way of looking at things and his behavior came from the fact that he, as an "ordinary" mage, normally felt inferior to powerful and famous mages like Niko, whose abilities and exploits garnered more attention. Yarrun spent a majority of his life trying to find similiar work-- and praise..^[4]

Notes and referencesEdit

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Daja's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 77; Scholastic paperback) [age estimated from his statement about his experiences in magic]
2. ↑ Daja's Book, Cp. 3 (p. 53; Scholastic paperback)
3. ↑ Daja's Book, Cp. 8 (p. 147; Scholastic paperback)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Daja's Book, Cp. 9 (p. 159; Scholastic paperback)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Daja's Book, Cp. 11 (p. 196; Scholastic paperback)
6. ↑ Daja's Book, Cp. 13 (p. 221/222; Scholastic paperback)
7. ↑ Daja's Book, Cp. 3 (p. 54; Scholastic paperback)
8. ↑ Daja's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 76; Scholastic paperback)
9. ↑ Daja's Book, Cp. 7 (p. 117; Scholastic paperback)

See alsoEdit