T.J. Kleens was born at a very early age. So young, that he was not able to be put to work until the age of seven earth years. Upon finding himself at a working age, he began testing his mettle against the harsh environment by doing battle with the evil Crabgrass and his cohort the Saint of Augustine.
When not at war with the evil that grew near his abode, he braved the swarms of giant man eating dragonflies that sought to feed on the flesh of the young. His bravery was often rewarded with teachings from the old hermit who lived in a small cave nearby. It has been said that this is where T.J. learned to first put mallet to chisel thus setting the stage for the years ahead.
Unfortunately, our hero soon reached his years as an adolescent. Seeking to gain popularity with the female species and the admiration of his peers, T.J. delved into the wondrous tomes laid forth by Sir Gary of Gygax. However, no matter how much knowledge T.J. absorbed he was not able to gain the social status he longed for. He explored alternative paths, each with their own merits, but they only led him further into the depths of the ocean of life. Soon he found himself treading water with no land in sight. Swimming in every direction only led to exhaustion, and the will to give up and let the sea swallow up his pain seemed the only option. He said his goodbyes to the world and hoped that mother ocean would take pity on his tortured soul. His head dipped below the water line and as he began to exhale his final breath a hand plunged down and saved him from a deep watery grave.
Exhausted and delirious T.J. slept for many days. He woke to familiar sounds and the sight of a foreigner. The man was barely a decade older than T.J. but wise for his years. He told T.J. that he found him near land, but it was a land T.J. had lost sight of years ago, and had therefore not recognized it. Sitting up T.J. saw many of Sir Gary’s tomes, along with other wonders he had longed to learn of. T.J.’s rescuer told him that this was a school for all those who sought the teachings of Sir Gary.
After listening to T.J.’s story and aware of his potential, T.J.’s rescuer (whom he named Short Round for he could not pronounce his given foreign name) asked him to join him as a teacher at his school.
T.J. soon learned that there were other great teachers out there, and he became a student of the “Great Wisdom” as it was known at the school. He studied magic, and legends of rings. He learned from magi of the nation, and how to pilot mechanical warriors.
After years of study T.J. felt as though it was time that he set off and open his own school where he could pass on the “Great Wisdom” to others. With his masters blessing he embarked on this noble quest.
With a suitable plot of land chosen he built his school and soon he had many students of his own. His popularity grew and he was on the verge of something great. Unfortunately our hero would not see his dream come to full fruition. The bloated hag that ruled the land on which T.J. had built his school grew fearful of him and his disciples and had him banished.
Times were once again dark for our hero. The banishment left him penniless and unable to borrow money from a neighboring king to build another school, he was lost in a never ending moonless night.
He wandered the lands searching and begging. As time wore on his pace slowed and once again he began to lose hope.
But hope was not far away, (well her name was not hope). The fair maiden Lady Tasha had been for vying T.J.'s attention. Once a student at his school she wished for his companionship. Sought after by many of the other male students, the Lady Tasha had need only toss her hair or bat her eyelashes and gifts would be doted upon her by the male students. T.J. was always jealous of any attention she sent their way, but had difficulty reconciling his true feelings for her. After many moons of loneliness T.J. took a chance and offered his heart to the fair lady. She accepted it and soon they fell deeply in love.
After a lengthy courtship they decided to legally bind themselves to each other. It was a joyous event. As a wedding present she gave him a set of keys. He knew not what they went to, but she assured him that it would be revealed in time.
As the years blew by many great evils sought to tear them apart. One such evil found its way into T.J. The demons had their way with him making him terribly ill in his mind. Only the fair lady’s patience and love was able to save him. It was during these times that T.J. learned what doors the keys belonged to. Lady Tasha urged him to unlock the doors, and soon he found an endless number of doors that the keys would fit.
Recently, the old hermit gave our hero a wondrous gift. Like the mallet and chisel of days gone by, this new tool allows T.J. to create what he finds behind the doors. With further nudging by Lady Tasha, T.J. has found his work is sought after by many.
T.J. now studies in this new school of thought finding peace and happiness in what he does.
T.J. would like to thank.
His mom and dad for the tools, and know how.
His lovely wife for her love, undying affection and the encouragement to pursue
his dreams.
His mother in law for the space to work. (8/2012-3/2019)
When not at war with the evil that grew near his abode, he braved the swarms of giant man eating dragonflies that sought to feed on the flesh of the young. His bravery was often rewarded with teachings from the old hermit who lived in a small cave nearby. It has been said that this is where T.J. learned to first put mallet to chisel thus setting the stage for the years ahead.
Unfortunately, our hero soon reached his years as an adolescent. Seeking to gain popularity with the female species and the admiration of his peers, T.J. delved into the wondrous tomes laid forth by Sir Gary of Gygax. However, no matter how much knowledge T.J. absorbed he was not able to gain the social status he longed for. He explored alternative paths, each with their own merits, but they only led him further into the depths of the ocean of life. Soon he found himself treading water with no land in sight. Swimming in every direction only led to exhaustion, and the will to give up and let the sea swallow up his pain seemed the only option. He said his goodbyes to the world and hoped that mother ocean would take pity on his tortured soul. His head dipped below the water line and as he began to exhale his final breath a hand plunged down and saved him from a deep watery grave.
Exhausted and delirious T.J. slept for many days. He woke to familiar sounds and the sight of a foreigner. The man was barely a decade older than T.J. but wise for his years. He told T.J. that he found him near land, but it was a land T.J. had lost sight of years ago, and had therefore not recognized it. Sitting up T.J. saw many of Sir Gary’s tomes, along with other wonders he had longed to learn of. T.J.’s rescuer told him that this was a school for all those who sought the teachings of Sir Gary.
After listening to T.J.’s story and aware of his potential, T.J.’s rescuer (whom he named Short Round for he could not pronounce his given foreign name) asked him to join him as a teacher at his school.
T.J. soon learned that there were other great teachers out there, and he became a student of the “Great Wisdom” as it was known at the school. He studied magic, and legends of rings. He learned from magi of the nation, and how to pilot mechanical warriors.
After years of study T.J. felt as though it was time that he set off and open his own school where he could pass on the “Great Wisdom” to others. With his masters blessing he embarked on this noble quest.
With a suitable plot of land chosen he built his school and soon he had many students of his own. His popularity grew and he was on the verge of something great. Unfortunately our hero would not see his dream come to full fruition. The bloated hag that ruled the land on which T.J. had built his school grew fearful of him and his disciples and had him banished.
Times were once again dark for our hero. The banishment left him penniless and unable to borrow money from a neighboring king to build another school, he was lost in a never ending moonless night.
He wandered the lands searching and begging. As time wore on his pace slowed and once again he began to lose hope.
But hope was not far away, (well her name was not hope). The fair maiden Lady Tasha had been for vying T.J.'s attention. Once a student at his school she wished for his companionship. Sought after by many of the other male students, the Lady Tasha had need only toss her hair or bat her eyelashes and gifts would be doted upon her by the male students. T.J. was always jealous of any attention she sent their way, but had difficulty reconciling his true feelings for her. After many moons of loneliness T.J. took a chance and offered his heart to the fair lady. She accepted it and soon they fell deeply in love.
After a lengthy courtship they decided to legally bind themselves to each other. It was a joyous event. As a wedding present she gave him a set of keys. He knew not what they went to, but she assured him that it would be revealed in time.
As the years blew by many great evils sought to tear them apart. One such evil found its way into T.J. The demons had their way with him making him terribly ill in his mind. Only the fair lady’s patience and love was able to save him. It was during these times that T.J. learned what doors the keys belonged to. Lady Tasha urged him to unlock the doors, and soon he found an endless number of doors that the keys would fit.
Recently, the old hermit gave our hero a wondrous gift. Like the mallet and chisel of days gone by, this new tool allows T.J. to create what he finds behind the doors. With further nudging by Lady Tasha, T.J. has found his work is sought after by many.
T.J. now studies in this new school of thought finding peace and happiness in what he does.
T.J. would like to thank.
His mom and dad for the tools, and know how.
His lovely wife for her love, undying affection and the encouragement to pursue
his dreams.
His mother in law for the space to work. (8/2012-3/2019)
