Brin and Roland
| Brin and Roland | |
|---|---|
| Rol (Roland) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Species | Human Raccoon |
| Job | Bonder |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Ikoria |
Brin and Roland (often called Rol) are a bonded human-monster pair from the monster-filled plane of Ikoria. First introduced during the conflict surrounding the Ozolith, the duo became key figures in uniting bonders and monsters against the threat of Lukka and his corrupted influence. Known for their close emotional bond and natural teamwork, Brin and Roland represented a hopeful vision for peaceful coexistence between humans and monsters in the aftermath of the siege of Drannith.
Description
Brin is a young woman, a teenager with a bright and earnest demeanor, marked by a sincere love for monsters and a deep concern for their well-being. Her wild, spiky hair and pink-accented leather clothing reflect both her personality and her bond with Roland, whose pink fur she emulates. She often comes across as idealistic and impulsively compassionate, unafraid to speak her mind even among more cynical or hardened warriors. Her intuitive connection with Roland has made her sensitive to the feelings of monsters, allowing her to act as a kind of mediator between humans and the wild.
Roland, or Rol, is a massive raccoon-like beast with thick, fluffy pink fur and a roly-poly build. Though he lacks speech, he communicates through a complex range of chirps, gestures, and expressive body language, often echoing Brin's emotions or reinforcing her arguments with a timely chirp or squeak. He is deeply loyal and affectionate, with a playful demeanor that masks his bravery in battle. While often underestimated for his cuddly appearance, Roland is fiercely protective, especially of Brin, and will fight with surprising ferocity when threatened.
History
Gathering of bonders
Brin and Roland first encountered Lukka and Vivien Reid at a remote crystal formation on the dry Egali plains of Savai. Brin revealed herself by calling out to the newcomers from high atop the crystal spire, then dramatically leaping down to land on Roland's belly in a display of trust and theatrical flair. She quickly introduced herself and Roland, explaining that they had intercepted the Leori's flight via the monsters' shared crystal-based communication. Brin, ever curious and concerned for monster welfare, had been trying to reach the Ozolith herself but had been driven back by strange black, many-eyed nightmares that now clustered around the crystal.
Suspicious at first of Lukka's Drannith uniform, Brin warmed up once he identified himself as an outcast. She explained that something at the Ozolith was affecting monster behavior, and she and Roland had been seeking others who shared their concerns. When Vivien and Lukka proposed joining forces to reach the Ozolith, Brin agreed to help — albeit with some teasing skepticism about Lukka's usefulness — and promised to call in other bonded pairs through the monster-connection network. Despite her youth, Brin emerged as a surprisingly pivotal figure, already in touch with other bonders and eager to coordinate a response to the growing threat.
Soon after, Brin and Roland joined the gathering of bonded pairs she had helped summon. Sensing a disturbance in the natural behavior of monsters, she brought together others like Abda and Rigi, Barrow and Zeph, and Lukka himself in the hopes of coordinating a response. Though others approached the problem with skepticism or self-interest, Brin's primary concern remained the safety of monsters, who she believed were being manipulated into attacking human settlements.
Brin proved to be an early believer in Vivien Reid, who revealed that another unnamed Planeswalker had tampered with the Ozolith. Brin's open mind and desire to prevent harm made her a key advocate for allying to confront the source of the disturbance. Her bond with Roland reinforced her natural empathy, positioning the pair as a moral compass within the larger group of reluctant allies.
Battle at the Ozolith
As the bonded group neared the Ozolith, Brin and Roland shared a ride on the flying Leori with the others, Brin joyfully clinging to the monster's neck and chattering with excitement. Her exuberance never dimmed, even as the eerie voice of the Ozolith pressed on their thoughts and the twisted nightmare shapes among the crystals came into view. Once the group dismounted, Brin gleefully slid off the winged cat and bounced onto Roland's plush back, ready for the fight.
The Battle at the Ozolith started when the nightmare creatures surged from the crystal field. Brin fought in perfect harmony with Roland, and dismounted as the fat raccoon-like beast charged forward, curling into a ball and slamming into a monstrous, six-limbed flea with the force of a boulder. Brin supported him from the rear, using a slingshot-like weapon to hurl sharpened stones at just the right moments to knock the nightmare off balance. Roland's agility and brute strength combined with Brin's quick thinking to keep the creature at bay, their attacks timed with instinctive precision. Despite their youth and less imposing stature, Brin and Roland proved themselves a formidable pair, using speed and ingenuity to outmaneuver a foe far larger than themselves.
Brin and her bondmate Roland were swept into the chaos at the foot of the Ozolith during a desperate clash between the bonders, an elite hunter team, and the crystal's guardian nightmares. Brin fought fiercely against a masked hunter while Roland flanked with bounding strikes — until he was caught in a snare. With her raccoon companion pinned, Brin was forced to fall back. Her situation turned critical until Abda intervened to save her. Brin quickly freed Roland, but the moment of relief was short-lived. A bolt from the skyship Vermilion struck Abda, killing her instantly. Brin's scream joined Rigi's, piercing the din of battle. Then, with a pulse from the Ozolith, the tide changed. The nightmares surged forward in coordinated fury, driven by some new force. Brin and Roland were pushed aside as the monsters overwhelmed the hunters, their coordinated attack suggesting an intelligence that defied nature. Brin could only watch as the enemy line collapsed and the skyship fell, coiled in the grasp of the great black snake. Above it all stood Lukka, bathed in the Ozolith's strange energy — no longer an ally, but something else entirely.
Brin and Roland were present during the aftermath of the battle near the Ozolith, where Lukka emerged visibly altered by his contact with the structure. His coat was charged with energy, and the crystals embedded in it glowed orange, sparking with unnatural force. Brin was kneeling beside Abda's body in mourning, with Roland providing comfort. When Lukka arrived, Brin listened as he explained that the Ozolith had granted him control over the monsters. He claimed this power would allow him to serve Drannith by assembling a monstrous army.
Brin objected to Lukka's perspective, stating that Roland was her friend, not a tool to be controlled. She became visibly distressed when Lukka attempted to use his new powers to command Roland directly through the Ozolith. As Roland resisted the influence, Brin screamed and held onto him, recognizing that Lukka was forcibly overriding their bond. Vivien intervened by attacking Lukka, allowing Brin to flee. Brin and Roland escaped the area along with the other bonders and did not join Lukka's vision for the future.
Siege of Drannith
Following the Battle at the Ozolith, Brin and Roland regrouped with Vivien and Jirina outside the ruined Coppercoat encampment. The group traveled together toward Drannith, with Brin and Roland joining Barrow and Zeph for the journey. Upon arrival at the secondary wall, Brin expressed nervousness about entering the city, noting that she had never been in one before.
When the guards allowed Jirina to bring in her monster allies, Brin rode Rol through the gate, remaining wary of the unfamiliar surroundings. After their entry, she and Roland stayed close to Jirina's group as they moved through the outer parts of the city. At the main gate, Brin and Roland remained out of sight with the others while Jirina negotiated with Colonel Bryd. Once Bryd was relieved of command, Brin and Roland were accepted into the city alongside Zeph and Barrow as part of the city's defense against Lukka's approaching forces.
After reaching Drannith with Jirina, Barrow, Zeph, and Vivien, Brin and Roland accompanied the group to the Citadel to help plan the city's defense. Though she was not officially in command, Jirina was leading the response effort from the war room, relying on the support of her companions and the urgency of the situation to maintain control. Brin stood by as the group reviewed a city map and discussed Lukka's likely attack strategy. She announced that Vheen and other bonders had heard Barrow's magical broadcast and were on their way.
During the night, Brin remained close to Roland as Jirina oversaw the evacuation of the First Ring. As soldiers and civilians crossed through the gates, they were met with the unexpected sight of several bonded monsters—Zeph, Roland, and others who had answered Barrow's call. Brin reported that a walking tree larger than the city wall had arrived with a young bonder, and other strange creatures and riders began to appear as well. Although many guards were nervous, the growing number of monsters slowly normalized their presence.
At sunrise, Brin and Roland were stationed with the other bonded monsters inside the northern gate as the Siege of Drannith started. The defenders took position atop the bastion and the main wall, preparing for an unprecedented confrontation. As Lukka's vast army of monsters appeared across the First Ring, Brin joined Vivien behind Jirina to receive final instructions. Jirina directed Brin and the other bonders to focus on repelling any monsters that breached the walls and to avoid revealing themselves to Lukka. Brin confirmed that Barrow and the rest of the bonded allies were ready. When the signal to fire was given, Brin stayed near Roland, prepared to enter the fray if the enemy reached the interior of the city.
Brin and Roland were active participants during Lukka's siege of Drannith. Brin supported the defenders atop the bastion, fighting alongside Jirina and relaying critical messages. When monsters began to breach the inner city, Brin conveyed a warning from Barrow, explaining that some flyers and burrowers had bypassed the walls and were attacking civilians. She also informed Jirina of Barrow's suggestion to deploy the bonders to hunt down infiltrators, though the request was initially denied. Brin remained on the wall to assist Jirina and Vivien during the fiercest parts of the battle, despite suffering injuries in the chaos.
Later, after Jirina leapt from the back of the enemy's siege turtle and landed beside Rol in the open, Brin was among the first to reach her. She rode out from the main gate on Zeph's back with the other bonders and jumped down to reunite with Roland, who had broken her fall. As the bonders' counterattack unfolded, Brin and Roland remained close to Jirina and Zeph, fighting back against Lukka's remaining forces. The arrival of Vivien's summoned monstrosaur provided the turning point in the battle, and with their help, the bonders encircled Lukka and brought the assault to a close.
After the siege
Brin and Roland were among the bonders permitted to settle in the First Ring of Drannith after the city's defense. As reconstruction efforts began in earnest, Brin delighted in exploring the open markets and mingling with the townsfolk, her boundless energy a contrast to the still-cautious mood of the city. Roland remained close by, calm and attentive, serving as a comforting presence for his young bonder. Their bond had become symbolic of the alliance between humans and monsters, a living reminder of what had been accomplished during the siege. While tensions lingered, Brin and Roland helped bridge the gap between the citizens and the monstrous allies now living beside them, embodying the possibility of peaceful coexistence in the uncertain days ahead.
Story appearances
| Title | Author | Publishing date | Set | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths — Sundered Bond | Django Wexler | April 2020 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | Ikoria | Lukka, Epha, Gox, Gedra, Nik, Jirina Kudro, Seycho, Leori, Bryd, Kudro, Brez, Vivien Reid, Dogsbreath, Mzed, Toothcracker, Sedra, Nightshade, Tef, Narset, Falk, Brin and Roland, Abda and Rigi, Barrow and Zeph, Vheen, Johannes, Humron, Yidaro |
References
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