Tarie Beyworth: A Fantasy Healer Character of Light, Faith, and Compassion
Artwork of Tarie Beyworth, done by me.
"Disease is my opponent of choice!"
The Shadow threatens all life within the Cosmic Dominion, and a fantasy healer character rises to meet it. Enter Tarie Beyworth, a man of slight build with a large heart. Tarie challenges wickedness in his own way, one that will change the Cosmic Dominion forever.
A character of many virtues, Tarie's journey blends faith, light, and compassion in his journey to heal others.
Who is Tarie Beyworth?
Tarie is the childhood friend of Pepper Slyhart and is one of the central protagonists of the Dragonsoul series. Tarie is Pepper's foil, a gentle anchor to her fiery temper. His dry wit softens her tension and adds relief throughout their adventurers. Their relationship deepens in interesting ways over the series.
Beginnings
Born to the healers Reneriel Beyworth and Celestina (Dawnlight) Beyworth, Tarie is a Wulfthren who grew up in the Fer'tal Crescent. He enrolled in the Church of Lumas at age six, earning his clerical degree years later at Lightworth Abbey and growing into a fantasy healer character.
During a missionary trek at age 17, he lost his parents to Imperial soldiers. The crime? Healing Half-Draconytes slaves who were wounded in a battle.
The Imperials arrested Reneriel and Celestina, imprisoning them in the Imperial City of Dargath abroad. They threw Tarie into the slave camps, where they branded his forehead as a "traitor" to Atläs. They released him from bondage at age 20, with the brand intact to remind others of his crime.
Like Pepper, Tarie holds a grudge against the Draconyte Empire, but in a different light. He defies the Empire through compassion for others, healing the needy, and by teaching Lumas's Gospel of Light.
Attributes
Full name: Tarieriel (Tarie) Lucius Beyworth
Race: Wulfthren
Homeland: Fer'tal Crescent, Atläs
Age: 22 (Dawn of Dragons), 24 (Whispers of Dragons), 26 (Blade of Dragons)
Hair: Long blond hair with a neat part on top
Monikers: "Lumï of the Church", "Cleric of Sunlight", "Tar-Tar"
Eyes: Green
Build: Fairly tall, wiry
Celestial Sign: Sun
Closest bonds: Pepper Slyhart (childhood friend), High Priest Jlight, High Priestess Jaylyn
Abilities: Light shyfting (light magic), first-aid, clerical rites, staff fighting
Virthrall: Lumasil
Persona: Dry humor, compassionate, self-sacrificing, thoughtful
Job/role: Central Protagonist, abbey cleric, healer, priest
Fantasy Healer Character Themes: Light, Faith, and Compassion
Tarie developed his dry sense of humor during his enslavement at the Imperial slave camps. It helped keep him sane, he claimed, amid the horrible atrocities the taskmasters inflicted upon other prisoners. Tarie could do little but offer clerical aid and small favors to the prisoners to keep their spirits up. Minor acts of kindness to keep the Lightmother in their hearts.
A Soul of Light
Tarie sees all life as sacred, from the birds and insects to the Aspects themselves. However, because of his Imperial confinement and that of his parents, he struggles with forgiving the Draconyte Empire. Unlike Pepper, Tarie's hatred is righteous indignation; hers is a raging inferno that flares then winks out, and his is a small, but steady flame that always burns. He frequently feels held back by this inner fire that attempts to smother his light.
Throughout the Dragonsoul series, Tarie meets his father and mother again, and their relationship takes this inner tension to a new level.
Found Family: Earthly versus Heavenly Parents
Tarie's perspective on life shifts throughout the story. It tests his faith. He questions the Lumas Church and where it's leading him, whether he's better off leaving the Light behind or embracing it fully in his heart.
Just as Tarie is the anchor for Pepper's raging emotions, Pepper becomes a rock for Tarie's faith. Despite being gnostic herself, Pepper offers practical wisdom on family and living. A perspective that Tarie lacks. She encourages him through the hard times, and gives him the conviction he needs to return to the Light.
Dawn of Dragons: Tarie's Beginnings
At age 22, Tarie joins Pepper on her quest in the prologue story, Dawn of Dragons. He serves as a support character here, offering bits of scripture to her when appropriate, and healing her wounds. The Shadows are an insult to the Light, Tarie believes, and that this journey is more than just coincidence.
Whispers of Dragons
Later, at age 24, Tarie returns in the interlude prologue Whispers of Dragons, again as a support character. His dry wit and occasional banter is refreshing for Pepper and it keeps her spirits up at Hymnfoot Tavern during her work.
[[Whispers of Dragons download page coming soon…]]
The Legacy Of A Fantasy Healer Character
Tarie's role as a primary protagonist begins in Blade of Dragons, book one of the Dragonsoul series. If you'd like to follow this project, consider joining the Cosmic Dominion Guild, a fellowship of faith-driven fantasy readers eager to explore the universe of the Cosmic Dominion.
Cross-References & Further Reading
- Magic System & Spiritual Hierarchy of the Cosmic Dominion
- Pepper Slyhart: A Dragon Heroine Fantasy Forged by Wind, Fire, and Faith
