Difference between revisions of "Taan"

|books=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]

'''Taan''' wasis a sculptor from [[Arelon]] on [[Sel]],. also known as '''Aanden''' afterAfter being taken by the [[Shaod]], he took the name '''Aanden'''. Taan ruledrules one-third of the inhabitants of [[ElantrianElantris (city)|Elantris]] inhabitantsprior atto the startarrival of the events ofPrince [[Elantris|Elantris (book)Raoden]].

Taan was a short man "with a sizeable paunch."{{ref|name=Elantris10|Elantris Chapter 10}} While living in [[Arelon]], Taan made a name for himself as one of [[Kae]]'s finest sculptors.{{book ref|name=Elantris10Elantris|empty=true10}} He weathered the political turmoil in Arelon immediately following the [[Reod]] and lived for several years in [[Iadon]]'s fledgling kingdom. Taan was taken by the Shaod approximately a year before the [[Healing]]restoration byof [[Raoden]]Elantris.

It was after being cast into [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]] (as was custom) that Taan displayed his brilliance outside of sculpting. He assumed the name '''Aanden''', donned a long, drooping fake mustache{{book ref|name=Elantris10Elantris|empty=true10}} and created a new history for himself. Aanden claimed to have been a baron before taken by the Shaod.{{book ref|name=Elantris4Elantris|Elantris Chapter 4}} He leveraged this reputation as a baron to declare himself "Baron of Elantris."{{book ref|name=Elantris10Elantris|empty=true10}} Unable to establish a base in Elantris' palace - that section being held by [[Karata]]'s gang - Aanden began holding "court" in Elantris' libraryuniversity.{{book ref|name=Elantris4Elantris|empty=true4}}

Aanden showed great political acumen after his move, winning the allegiance of a third of Elantris' residents, with three deft moves. First, he deduced that the scrolls in the library were made of vellum, which could be boiled and consumed as a source of food. And, in Elantris, food was the only commodity. Secondly, Aanden spread persistent propaganda that he was on the verge of attacking Kae in order to free the Elantrians. Finally, for those followers that couldn't be won over with food nor with vengeance, Aanden made a practice of doling out mock trials with arbitrary punishments and executions.{{book ref|name=Elantris4Elantris|empty=true4}} It was widely known that Aanden, while devious, was not entirely sane.{{book ref|name=Elantris4Elantris|empty=true4}}{{book ref|name=Elantris10Elantris|empty=true10}}

Aanden's band was the second to join Raoden's [[New Elantris]] settlement. After joining, Aanden largely gave up leadership of the gang, reverting to his former role as Taan the sculptor. He spent his days quietly studying the masterful frescoes that existed throughout Elantris, uncovering artistic techniques that had been forgotten in the wake of the Reod.<ref>{{brefbook ref|elantris|cElantris|16}}</ref>