Zedra of Ivnaoth
Given name: Zedra
House: Ivnaoth
Father: Sir Zirin of Ivnaoth
Mother: Lady Emyrra of Rheianlas and Ivnaoth
Birthplace: Lazulian
Age: 112
Eyes: green
Hair: white with gold sheen
Skin: fair
Distinguishing features: wears reading glasses, large scars diagonally across back, runic blood mage scars along arms. Brand scar on chest.
Deity: Lunaro Moonscribe (culturally more than in practice)
Full Title: His Lordship Zedra, son of Zirin of the noble House Ivnaoth of Lazulian, Loyal subject of Naya, Queen of Frozen Night.
[For a time, Zedra was the Heir of House Ivnaoth after his elder brother Dakyr was disowned. This no longer applies now that Dak has been reinstated.]
Family and Background:
The Ivnaoth family hails from one of the first Fae cities, Lazulian. House Ivnaoth has called Lazulian home since before the actual city was built, and is considered one of its founding Houses. Zedra’s father, Zirin, is a retired officer from the elite ranks of the Sword Guard, and is a highly esteemed scholar of Arcane Arts. As head of House Ivnaoth, he also sits on the Council of Houses, Lazulian’s governing body. He is known for being serious, strict, and elitist. Zedra’s mother, Emyrra, is a priestess and much more approachable.
Zedra has an older brother, Dakyr, who is a skilled rogue. Dak left his family tradition of academics and magic behind to explore the Mortal Realm and was disowned for it, making Zedra heir. Zed kept some contact with his brother but had to hide the communication from their father.
Only a few years out of the Arcane College of Winter Stars, Zed’s human age equivalent would be approximately 25. His high intelligence and reserved manner make him seem older than he is. Zedra left home as a young man to step outside his father’s shadow, and be known for his own words and deeds. He resembles his father more than he is willing to admit – both in appearance and demeanor. Others view Zedra as somewhat boring company, as he tends to prefer reading to engaging in what most would consider “fun.” Highly social individuals tend to find him downright unpleasant.
• • •
“If I stayed in Lazulian, I’d have a secure future: my father’s future. I would never be able to explore my true potential, as I would live only to be his successor in both political and military positions. I’d be the new Zirin of Ivnaoth. Well, there is already a Zirin, and pardon my Common, but he’s kind of an asshole.” -Zedra, explaining his departure from home.
Obsidian “Sid” Longbeard
Given name: Obsidian
Nickname: Sid
House: Longbeard
Clan: Alebringer
Father: Vangold Longbeard
Mother: Sharin Rubymace
Birthplace: unknown
Age: 139
Eyes: red
Hair: black
Skin: dusk grey
Distinguishing features: various scars. notable: across bridge of nose and up into left eyebrow, left trapezius, a brand on the top of his left forearm depicting Clan Alebringer’s sigil above the Longbeard family sigil.
Deity: Vanahe
Family and Background:
Obsidian was found by a small contingent of dwarf mining scouts. He was a child, perhaps a few years old and clearly abandoned deep in the lattice of tunnels that sometimes ended up connecting the Shadow Realm with dwarf mines. The scouts called to kill the child, as much out of mercy as fear. The lead scout, however, took pity on the innocent and helpless kid. There was nothing by which to identify the child, and no sign of where he’d come from. The lead, Vingold Longbeard [eldest son of Vangold Longbeard, of Longbeard Mining] decided to bring the Ombran child home. His parents were less than thrilled, but felt the same pity. They raised the child as their own, calling him Obsidian for his grey skin.
“Sid”, as he was known to friends and family, was happy enough growing up with his brothers and sisters. It took many years for the other families and clans to accept Sid, but eventually they all gave up trying to drive him out and he was recognized as one of them, for most all intents and purposes. As he got older, however, it was readily apparent he was no miner, nor could he wield any respectable two-handed weapon. He instead cultivated his natural abilities in stealth and dexterity. (In addition to scouting, Sid acted as spy and saboteur for his family and clan on several occasions.)
It wasn’t until his parents had retired from the day to day of the mining business that tragedy struck. A rival family Sid had spied upon decided the Longbeards needed to be taught a lesson. They hired a few assassins to deal a blow to the family: both parents, three older siblings, and one younger were killed. Sid was devastated and decided to leave home, fearing for his remaining family’s lives, as well as his own.
• • •
“Let me tell ya something. You want Sid drunk. Cause if Sid ain’t drinkin’, Sid’s hungover. And you don’t want Sid hungover.” -Advice from Sid, for working with Sid
Élani
Given name: Élani
Title name: Truelight
Tribe: Dawnfollower
Father: Erakos
Mother: Reverie
Birthplace: Wildwood, Sangfaijro
Age: 37
Eyes: silver-blue (right has slit pupil and a rim of unnatural red)
Hair: black
Skin: warm reddish
Distinguishing features: large black curling horns, moderately thin tail
Deity: (beholden to The Timeless One)
Family and Background:
In her youth, Élani’s tribe recognized that she was attuned to magic. She was sent to train with the tribe’s wizard, but grew bored of all the reading and study. At 17, she’d learned enough to enter the Fae Realm, and was contacted by a powerful unknown being. She forged a pact with this creature without understanding the full implications. Élani meant to come back to her mentor, show off the new power, and make her proud. However, she was given an evil eye as part of the agreement. Her mentor shunned her for the transgression, her tribe banished her out of fear.
Élani found herself alone, and after years of wandering and struggling for a place and purpose, happened upon a monastery following The Way of the Long Night. The master there, Lucius Temperance, took in the wayward girl and taught her to calm the strife within.
• • •
“In the Fae Realm I searched. For a calling. For knowledge. For a new teacher, someone 'worthy' of my talent. I was found by an entity forgotten by time. This being, this 'thing' promised much, and asked little in return. I agreed." -Élani, in her own retelling of past events
Ferra Goldstone
Given name: Ferra
House: Goldstone
Clan: Copperflame
Father: Brondar Goldstone
Mother: Opal Emberglow
Birthplace: Kuprin's Cut Overlook
Age: 60
Eyes: hazel green
Hair: strawberry blonde
Skin: light tan
Distinguishing features: freckles from her time on the surface, a small scar above her left eyebrow.
Deity: non-religious
Title: shield guard subcommander for Clan Copperflame
Family and Background:
Born and raised in Kuprin's Cut Overlook. Eldest of 5 siblings. Ferra has always been the athletic one of the family and military/guard life was her aspiration. She enlisted as soon as she was allowed (age 40). She served proudly for several years, until the rumored massacres of mining families in Deepstrike was made known to the guard. Since Copperflame is an ally of Clan Alebringer, it was decided that a detachment would be sent to gather intel. During the investigation, Ferra became suspicious of the whole situation when her team was ordered to leave Skieholm entirely, under the pretense of scouting the border. The incident with the Ironstrike family led her to Galestone, Silvaire.
• • •
“Any old dispute, I can handle it. With words, or wiles, or warhammer.” -Ferra, explaining her methodology as an enforcer of law and order.