Rionna Meorzchtenn

''Statuesque with high cheek bones and piercing blue eyes this woman has the air of a poised mountain cat; wild, strong and graceful. Her proud face is framed by a mane of windswept dark hair, loosely braided back out of her eyes.''

General Rionna Meorzchtenn is the commander of the armies of the Domain of Thorn, assuming the role after her predecessor, Eruanna Silveroak, fell under a debilitating curse.

The cousin of Rinolic Meorzchtenn her father was the chieftain of a small tribe dwelling within the region of Old Iobaria. As is often the case with the remaining Iobarians her tribe had a long standing emnity with a rival tribe, often leading to battles between them. Battles often led by Rionna. Rionna's father eventually decided to stop the bloodshed and make a truce with their enemies.

To cement the new peace Rionna was to marry the son of the rival tribe's chieftain. However she was already carrying the child of her secret lover, Borias. After confessing this to her father she was told that she would have to go through with marriage anyway. Borias was quietly slain and Rionna was told that her child would be taken from her when it was born.

Heartbroken she sought the council of her grandmother. Reading the portents within her runes the wise old woman told her that she would be safe in Stagshelm with her cousin Rinolic. Fearing that in her grief Rionna would turn her considerable strength against her own kin who had wronged her, her grandmother urged her to leave.

On her journey to Stagshelm she met a priestess of Pharasma, named Arisa, beset by bandits. Heavy with child she was able to slay them and free the young priestess. The two travelled together quickly forming a close bond and both seeking a new life where they would be free. On the road to Stagshelm, with Arisa's aid Rionna gave birth to her son Tanis.

It was decided that in order to keep him safe from her tribesmen should they discover Rionna, Arisa would claim to be Tanis' mother. Rionna would masquerade as Arisa's half-sister in order to explain the frequent visits she would make to the infant. Upon arriving in Stagshelm they sought out the then High Baroness, Euranna Silveroak and confided their peril with her. The kind-hearted Eruanna offered both Arisa and Rionna new homes.