Jari

Overview

Group/Faction Affiliation: The Guardians

Status: Deceased

Jarilo, better known as Jari, was the founder of the Guardians and one of the most nature-oriented people to wander South Zagoria. Whether it was putting up tents near a random barn, collecting books, or promoting peace among groups in the area, Jari will probably be most remembered for his calm, accepting nature with the world and his family among the Guardians.

Origins

Born in Poland to a typical family, Jari had a very close relationship with his father due to being the only constant in his life. With his father's untimely passing, Jari eventually went on a trip to South Zagoria because his father had always told him of its natural beauty. En route, his train crashed and he wandered Takistan for months with a friend (later lover) Lada before making his way to South Zagoria. Near Sinistok, he was ambushed and Lada was murdered by a group of bandits. Jari continued east until he found the ocean, and admired the beauty of Northeast so much he gathered fellow survivors to look over it. Thus, the Guardians were born, and their camps began popping all over South Zagoria.

Actions

Taking up a library project left by the character Barnabas, Jari became famous for collecting books from houses and people alike. He would even consult bandit groups about collecting books, and it became a project that united the survivors of South Zagoria for many months.

Jari continued his work in the northeast, fighting off (often times unsuccessfully) bandits like the Gilligan Gang and Dark as Midnight and creating a haven for survivors in that area of the map with others like his close friend Tex Rockwolf. He also became close with the survivor Dixie, whom he considered his greatest love - besides the northeast, of course. You could often catch him or both people singing as they traveled across the northeast from camp to camp. He was a diplomatic leader, going to group leaders to settle differences rather than put Guardians in danger in open combat.

However, despite his care-free nature he still made enemies. The Gilligan Gang were long time enemies of the Guardians, as were Dark as Midnight. Eventually, Jari found out that a man named Koschei the Undead was responsible for the ambush and murder of Lada, and appeared to have direct knowledge of personal details about Jari, too.

Where are they now?

Eventually, a man named Michael - originally a part of an allied northeastern group called the Saviors of Svetlojarsk - approached Jari as a crazed, angered version of his former self. Both men got into an argument in front of Svetlojarsk’s church, where a gun battle broke out and Jari was killed. Buried next to Black Lake, Jari's legacy had a tremendous impact through his work to make the Northeast a safe place for all survivors, as well as promoting survival for all in a world where humanity seemed lost.