History for Elthieren Goldleaf

Second oldest son (but youngest of 5 children) of a Sun Elf noble family rank of father equivalent to a suke. From Evereska. He has grown up in all of the court intrigue but tried to remain apart and watch it for entertainment value although can fairly skillfully play the court intrigue games if he wants to.

As the younger son, his life’s path was more open although he was expected to take over the family’s business- winemaking. The Goldleaf feywine vintage is highly prized and sold as far away as Amn. He did enjoy the art of winemaking and the tradition passed down.  Although his relationship with his father and mother was always fine, his strongest was always with his uncle Telethrel (younger brother of his father). His uncle had returned to the family’s holdings when Elthieren was young (for an elf), bearing what he called battle scars, and trunks full of scrolls, artifacts, and knowledge. These were placed in repository in the kingdom’s library where he would often go to read. Elthieren joined him there and would marvel at his stories of travel, and adventure although he always seemed to downplay his own role in them.

Elthieren’s life changed forever one autumn as he was travelling with his uncle en route to pick up a shipment of a rare spice used in one of the wines the family produces. The journey was uneventful until they came upon the burning remains of the inn where they usually met the merchants. His uncle told him that from the looks of the structure, the event happened recently and given the tethered horses outside, anyone inside was likely dead. Just as they turned to leave- the seven drow appeared as a veneer of invisibility dropped.

“Ah- I see that we were able to arrange for this meeting after so many years- Tel’Quessiran Corellonan Ral’Meran. Did you not think killing a priestess of the eighth house would not have repercussions, even these 50 years past?”

“Well maybe, and I guess now I will have to apologize to Valress that I had to interrupt her murdering elven children.”

“It will be fitting that her daughter murders you and your son.”

“I guess we’ll see”

Elthieren believed his life was over. How would they face the drow war party? He had no skills in battle, and his uncle was a warrior of some sort but sorely outnumbered. And what had the priestess called him? A term for an ancient order of those elves that seamlessly blended magic and sword- a Bladesinger.

Elthieren did what was logical and froze- his uncle then calmly told him to start riding back and that they’d meet up in about 10 minutes or so. He did turn to ride away but looked back and just stared in awe as his uncle leapt from his horse unarmed, charged the nearest drow warrior, disarmed him as the drow struck, and beheaded him with the grace of a court ballet first slipper. He fought not one, but ALL of the warparty at once, blending spell and sword into a graceful deadly display that seemed to leap from the pages of the elder tales. Over the din of metal and yelling- a song seemed to lilt out and hearken back into the past. Within a minute- it was over.  Telethrel stood in the midst of the dead drow, breathing slightly heavy, finishing a final flourish with the blade taken from the first drow to challenge him.

Over the next few days, The uncle and nephew talked much about what had happened- both at the inn and in the years prior to Teletherl’s return.  It provided much for Elthieren to think about, and eventually led to him finding a focus for his life- he would become a Protector of the People as his uncle was.

Of course this didn’t go over too well with his family for a son of a duke to venture out and undertake a vow, however important instead of his proper place at court. But Elthieren persisted. Eventually he convinced his uncle to make inquiry into his admission to the order. Several weeks later- Telethrel let him know that his training had been secured.

“I called in an old favor that the Queen of Summer owed me, you’ll be journeying to Fey to train personally with her great-grandson for the next twenty years.”

The next twenty years passed by quickly- filled with training, memorization of lore, and more training. It all led to the ceremony during which he pledged his life to protecting the People and to emulate Corellon.

The last choice of a bladesinger was to select on which aspect of the People they would focus. Elthieren’s choice was to protect and recover elven lore and knowledge- thus he received the Mark of Lore.

As a new bladesinger he travelled with others in the Fey helping to drive back incursions of evil into the Summer realm.

Two months ago- He was attacked while travelling with two other initiate bladesingers by a group of something- they flitted in and out of vision while striking and wounding the 3 elves. Each had several bleeding wounds- Elthieren did expect that he would die here. But the Queen intervened- her grandson arrived, and the last thing he remembers is a pulse of magic and then waking up in a forest (actually the Neverwinter wood).

As he came to, he noticed his fellow companion, Gelen, laying wide eyed and bloodied on the ground. There was nothing to do except bury him in a makeshift grave. There was no sign of his other companion Aluraden (who admittedly he had come to fancy)- exhaling he realized she was likely dead as well. Taking stock of the situation he realized he was unarmed, and his leather armor had been damaged enough so as to not be very serviceable.  He stumbled onto a road and luckily the skyline of Neverwinter beckoned in the mid morning sun.

This was 2 months ago. Since then, Elthieren hired himself out as a swordfighting instructor to nobles in the town. He of course has not displayed or taught any bladesinging techniques. He has tried to keep his real identity a secret.  In some ways, he has enjoyed the anonymity, but feels bad about the worry that must be with his parents and family. He has managed to acquire a serviceable rapier, a ritual book (but no rituals yet) and leather armor as well as some basic adventuring goods. He has been able to secure steady lodging at a local inn from his salary teaching young nobles the sword, able to charge more given the mystery surrounding this elf that stumbled bloodied from the Wood. Of course he may have “changed” the details of the battle leading up to his appearance.

He bumped into Drew’s character at the city library and they struck up a friendship as Elthieren said he’d help him learn more about a “pact” that Drew’s PC had made.  They were riding together in the carriage on their way to …. Wherever it was that we decided as a group.

Mechanics-

Theme: noble    Background: sun elf        Class: Bladesinger