Ancient Kingdoms of Ljós
Vaelwyn
Prime Adeptus of the Álfur
Vaelwyn is young for one of the High Elves, and incredibly powerful in her elemental magic—but does she feel worthy of her new elite status? And what about the jealousy of the older Prime Adepti?
Vaelwyn stands 5’11” tall and slender, with an athletic build and an ample chest. Her long silver hair is worn in a braid, she has strong facial features with green eyes, and her pointed ears emerge slightly from her hair. Vaelwyn carries a smooth white rune staff, shoulder height, that is engraved with silver runes. She wears a white tunic and a black cloak with a heavy silver brooch at her left shoulder. Vaelwyn also wears a heavy gold ring with red ruby on her right hand and a gold necklace with a deep green emerald around her neck. She has a regal presence, exuding strength, intelligence, and authority. Vaelwyn controls situations with her commanding voice, but always remains calm, confident, and unflustered.
Emrhys
Caomhnoir of the Breacadh an Lae, warrior-prince from a tribe of giant warriors
Emrhys is widely admired as the leading exemplar of his people’s warrior ethos—but he carries the heavy burden of his brother’s historic betrayal of all followers of the Light.
Emrhys is 8’ tall; muscular, but surprisingly fast and fluid for such a large warrior. He has long shaggy blonde hair with blue eyes, and rounded ears. Emrhys wears a black cloak with brown fur collar, clasped by a heavy silver brooch at left shoulder in triquetra shape. He wears a black fitted tunic, black leggings, and crisscrossed brown leather baldrics for the sword and battle axe on his back. Emrhys wears tall, well-worn black boots, with weapons on both his hips, and knives hidden in his boots. A heavy gold ring is worn on his right hand.
Bedwyr
Young Briton warrior from kingdom of Powys in Terra
Bedwyr is a fearsome young swordsman—and a steadfast friend with a wry sense of humor. But can he ever control the bloodlust that has consumed him since his family was slaughtered?
Bedwyr stands 6’2” tall with a warrior’s build; lean, but more muscular than the elves. He has dark hair, brown eyes, and human ears. Bedwyr wears a sword on one hip, and a long knife on the other hip. His dark brown fitted tunic and leggings, and his dark brown boots give him a nondescript appearance. But the heavy silver medallion worn around his neck is unusual and its faint blue glow is even more unusual.
Alantir
Young female archer, a woodland elf from Clun Forest in Terra
Alantir is an unusually talented archer—who is surprised to find she has royal elven ancestry that could make her immortal. But what about Bedwyr? And her family?
Alantir is 5’6” tall, and her slender build makes her look almost boyish. She wears her brown hair in a long braid and has bright gray eyes. Alantir wears a dark green fitted tunic and leggings, brown moccasins, with a bow on her back and a quiver of arrows on her hip. She also carries a long ivory knife on the other hip, and a heavy silver medallion with a faint green glow is worn around her neck.
Dark Fae
Description from the book:
“Myrkur is a dark, cold, and forbidding realm,” he continued. “It is a land littered with the lifeless remains of trees that used to be green and alive long, long ago. Lakes, ponds, now swamps all full of putrid water. Desolate.”
“Sounds very un-tempting,” Alantir said, trying to lighten the mood.
“There are many creatures that live and thrive in Myrkur,” Emrhys rumbled on. “One large city where the Dark Fae live, which is built into the ring of jagged mountains surrounding the Dark Henge, located at the center of their lands. Forbidding towers and dungeons infest the city where fissures split the ground. Below them, endless fires that burn, blowing noxious fumes above. Yet the land is cold. Those fires bring no warmth; everything there is soulless.”
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“The Dark Fae have many fell creatures that serve them in Myrkur,” interjected Vaelwyn. “Hordes of goblins and trolls, pursuing their blood lust together. Both detest humans, but they have a special hatred for the Álfur. In turn, we view them as vermin that should be exterminated, like rats or roaches.”
“The most dangerous things that live in Myrkur, however,” Emrhys said. “Are the living shadows and their masters, the Vålnad. Fortunately, there are only a limited number of Vålnad, but they are protected by vast living shadows. We believe they are the shades of former victims; scant spirit remains of humans and Álfur now condemned to serve their Vålnad masters.”
Bedwyr shuddered at the thought of how the living shadows came to be. Horrific.
“And let’s not forget those damned gölge yürüteç,” spat out Vaelwyn. “The Six. Traitors to the rest of Ljós. Once the most honored and talented of the Álfur, now serving at the right hand of Shadow. They disgust me!”
“What of the Dark Fae themselves?” asked Alantir. “Were they always evil?”
“It is said that they were much like the Álfur at the dawn of creation,” said Vaelwyn. “But they were more interested in rocks and gems and exploring the dark spaces beneath the ground. Soon, the sunshine began to matter less, fresh air, and green things growing on the surface were taken for granted, then dismissed, and finally … reproached.”