Backstory of Eldrin the Wise
Eldrin Henzrow Vale (Eldrin the Wise)
Background:
Full Name: Eldrin Henzrow Vale
Alias: Eldrin the Wise
Birthplace: Town of Redmod
Parents: Nyantha and Henzrow Vale
Siblings: Annisa Vale
Early Life: Eldrin was born into a family of simple farmers in Redmod. His childhood was marked by a dark turn when his baby sister, Annisa, began suffering from night terrors. The family discovered that they had been cursed by a local witch, Tabithina Crow, after their dog killed two of her chickens. Despite Tabithina being banished, the curse persisted, affecting all the Vales. Seeking a cure, the family moved to Wintershiven.
Journey to Wintershiven: In Wintershiven, the Vales integrated into the community, finding work and attending the Temple of Pholtus regularly. Eldrin's life changed dramatically when he witnessed the divine power of the clerics at the temple during a service. An adventurer's plea for help for a fallen comrade led to a miracle on the altar, igniting Eldrin's desire to wield such power. Despite his fervent prayers and dedication, he never received the call to join the clergy, leaving him feeling betrayed.
Academic Pursuits: Turning away from the divine, Eldrin immersed himself in scholarly pursuits. His path led him to Master Thaddeus Blackwood's classroom, where he discovered the world of arcane magic. A fateful night in the restricted stacks of the school's library revealed to him his secret passion: Necromancy. Recognizing the taboo nature of his interest, Eldrin kept his studies hidden from those who might condemn him.
A New Companion: During his studies, Eldrin learned the spell Find Familiar. In a secret ritual, he successfully cast the spell, summoning a weasel as his familiar. He named the weasel Wesley. Wesley became more than just a magical assistant; he was a companion and a confidant, aiding Eldrin in his clandestine necromantic studies and providing a measure of comfort in his solitary pursuits.
Current Life: Eldrin continues to aid his family while secretly delving deeper into necromantic studies. He finds a morbid beauty in the bones and crypts beneath the temple, a place he still visits despite his sense of abandonment by Pholtus. Eldrin's quest for knowledge now drives him, filling the void left by his unmet divine aspirations.
Needfest 588
While the rest of the village gathered for the Needfest celebrations, filling the night with laughter, music, and the warm glow of festive lights, Eldrin saw an opportunity. Cloaked in shadows, he slipped away from the revelry, making his way to the secluded entrance of the ancient crypt beneath the temple. The icy air of the crypt greeted him, a stark contrast to the warmth above.
With a lantern in one hand and his spellbook in the other, Eldrin navigated the labyrinthine passages, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and determination. He moved deeper into the crypt than he had ever ventured before, guided by a sense of purpose and the whispers of forgotten magic.
In the furthest reaches of the crypt, hidden behind a collapsed wall, he discovered an untouched chamber. Dust and cobwebs shrouded the room, undisturbed for centuries. At the center of the chamber lay a stone sarcophagus, its lid adorned with intricate carvings and arcane symbols that had faded with time. Eldrin's heart raced as he carefully pushed the heavy lid aside, revealing the remains of a long-deceased sorcerer.
The skeletal figure was draped in tattered robes, its bony fingers clutching a wand of black iron. The wand was unmistakably magical, its surface covered in runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. Eldrin's breath caught as he gently lifted the wand from the sorcerer's chest, feeling the latent power thrumming within it.
He examined the wand closely, noting the socket at the end designed to hold a tooth. Realizing its potential, Eldrin knew this discovery was monumental. The wand, crafted for necromantic purposes, could amplify his studies and bring him closer to mastering the dark arts he so fervently pursued.
As he stood in the crypt, the echoes of celebrations faintly reaching his ears, Eldrin felt a profound sense of destiny. The wand was not just a tool; it was a key to unlocking greater power and knowledge, a symbol of his defiance against the divine and his embrace of the arcane. With a renewed sense of purpose, Eldrin returned to the surface, the wand securely in his grasp, ready to delve even deeper into the mysteries of necromancy.
Traits:
Alignment: Neutral, leaning towards Neutral Evil
Class: Wizard (Necromancer)
Personality: Intelligent, secretive, and driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and power.
Appearance: Eldrin has a scholarly appearance, often seen with ink-stained fingers and dark circles under his eyes from sleepless nights of study. He has a stern expression, with piercing eyes that seem to see through people.
Motivations:
Short-Term: Continue his studies in necromancy and uncover new secrets.
Long-Term: Gain enough power to lift the curse from his family and prove his worth.
Quirks:
Eldrin often mutters arcane phrases under his breath.
He has a habit of tapping his fingers rhythmically when deep in thought.
Despite his necromantic pursuits, he is still drawn to the temple, conflicted by his past longing for divine acceptance.
Connections:
Family: Nyantha, Henzrow, and Annisa Vale, still in Wintershiven.
Mentor: Master Thaddeus Blackwood, an influential figure in Eldrin's academic life.
Enemy: Tabithina Crow, a Rhennee (Rhenn-folk) witch who cursed his family, still a lingering threat in his mind.
Familiar: Wesley, a weasel summoned through the spell Find Familiar, who aids Eldrin in his studies and provides companionship.
Eldrin’s Route to Rakervale
