Difference between revisions of "Taan"

Taan was a short man "with a sizeable paunch."{{ref|b|e|c|10}} While living in [[Arelon]], Taan made a name for himself as one of [[Kae]]'s finest sculptors.{{ref|b|e|c|10}} 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]] by [[Raoden]].▼

It was after being cast into [[Elantris]] (as was custom) that Taan displayed his brilliance outside of sculpting. He assumed the name '''Aanden''', donned a long, drooping fake mustache{{ref|b|e|c|10}} and created a new history for himself. Aanden claimed to have been a baron before taken by the Shaod.{{ref|b|e|c|4}} He leveraged this reputation as a baron to declare himself "Baron of Elantris."{{ref|b|e|c|10}} Unable to establish a base in Elantris' palace - that section being held by [[Karata]]'s gang - Aanden began holding "court" in Elantris' library.{{ref|b|e|c|4}} ▼

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.{{ref|b|e|c|4}} It was widely known that Aanden, while devious, was not entirely sane.{{ref|b|e|c|4}}{{ref|b|e|c|10}} ▼

Aanden's band was the second to join Raoden's [[New Elantris]]. 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|b|e|c|16}}▼