The personalities of Ildurath: House Nae C'lshrian

La'eranthas Nae C'lshrian

Race: Moon Elf / Half-Dragon
Alignment: True Neutral
Character Level: 24
Classes: Druid (20); Sorcerer (1); Spellfire Channeler (3)
Deity: Chauntea; as Earthmother
Age: 96
Gender: Male
Height: 5'6”
Weight: 130 lbs
Eyes: Golden
Hair: Bright Yellow
Skin: Pale Silver / White

Homeland: Moonshae Isles, the continent of Gwynneth, Myrloch Vale – the hidden land of Synnoria, the city of Chrysalis

Companions: Ash'Khal (Mul Guardian) and Ah'mirrah (Elven Cath Shee – Faerie cat)

Father: Lorahlan Nae C'lshrian (Llewyrr Elf, Druid)

Mother: Drennandras (Ancient Gold Dragon, Wyrm), Drenna (in Llewyrr elf form)

Godfather: Laeroth Runemaster of Evermeet

Siblings: none

Character Overview:
La'eranthas (La'er) is an Llewyrr elf whose homeland can be found within the Moonshae Isles. He is tall for an elf and holds himself with dignity and respect, sometimes betraying his youth. He dresses in garbs of simple material with few patterns and little chroma. He prefers grayer tones that work in harmony with each other and layer well when necessary. In addition, he carries very little with him at any one point in time preferring to bring only what he deems absolutely necessary. Food and water is never carried, unless the situation demands it, with morning foraging rituals being performed for the day ahead and prayers of thanks come sundown. The one point of contrast to all of this is his hair and eyes, both the color of the sun – bright yellows and oranges, which betray part of his true nature.

La'er is an elf that puts his faith in the Earthmother, and the protection of the land, above all other concerns. He is motivated by his beliefs and not by precepts such as good and evil or right and wrong. He understands that these ideas exist, but he sees that there is usually another level to things that go beyond such standards and as such does not always allow them to affect his decision-making. He holds to his tenets first and foremost and does what is necessary to fulfill them; the rest is simply a matter of perspective.

La'er is first a druid striving to protect the lands in his charge, but a few skills have come to the surface that have in the past aided him well. La'er is a diplomat, a skill first taught to him by his father, and will often look at things from this perspective first. He is also somewhat of a linguist knowing almost all of the major languages spoken in Faerun.
La'eranthas Nae C'lshrian

Background:
{Among the Fair Folk there is a Calling that is a yearning to go west over the sea to Evermeet. Weary of mortal affairs, exhausted by warfare and care, the Retreat offered elvenkind a hope of lasting peace in a land beyond mortal reach. It is enough to know that for thousands upon thousands of years, as orcs and men spread and raged across Faerun, elves withdrew by portal and ship and far-faring magic westward to Evermeet.} - - Excerpt taken from “The Magic of Faerun” 3ed.

Centuries after the Calling began, it became obvious that while the utopian idea of an elven exile where the affairs of mortals held no sway was a dream come true to many of the Fair Folk, who for centuries endured persecution from many of the other races of Faerun, there would be those who would not, or could not, answer the Calling. For some it was duty that held them on the mainland, for some faith kept them there, and still others believed that they owed nothing to the Elven Court or to Queen Amlaruil and saw the Calling as nothing more than a Queen wishing to round up all of her people to come and live with her in an ideal that could not exist.

Regardless of their reasons, the Queen's motives were pure and all she wished to do was protect those she could. The idea that some of her people would not be safe, especially those who wished to come but could not, was unbearable to her. And so, throughout the centuries as the need arose, she would send out guardians to join with and protect those groupings of elves who did not answer the Calling. At the same time that her people were coming to her, she too would go to those who could not to aid in their struggles.

These guardians took many forms but always with an eye to preserving their identity for the Queen did not wish for them to be known. Always they had to blend in with the elves they sought to protect and become one of them never letting anyone know who they really were. This was done to preserve the values and traditions of those elves under the protection of the guardians. If they knew that they were being watched and protected they would act differently than they would normally and this would be contradictory to why the guardians were there in the first place.

One such guardian was sent to watch over the Llewyrr elven land of Synnoria. The Llewyrr elves believed that they owed nothing to the elven Queen and wished to stay in the Moonshaes and so did not answer the Calling. They had very close ties to the earth, and the Earthmother, and had pledged their lives to protecting the land.

When their decision became known to the Queen, she immediately sought to find a guardian that she could send to them. She understood their decision, but also knew that the Llewyrr were one of the oldest of the elven sub-races who had knowledge and wisdom and magic that existed nowhere else on Faerun. She saw the Llewyrr as a treasure that she felt she should try and protect.

With the guidance of Laeroth Runemaster, who had always held a deep respect for the elves of the Moonshaes, it was decided that the ancient Gold Dragon known as Drennandras would serve as guardian of the Llewyrr. Drennandras had been a friend of the elves of Evermeet since the Calling began and had served the Queen faithfully since she was a child. She was considered a personal friend of Queen Amlaruil and Laeroth Runemaster and was intimately familiar with the Moonshaes as she often visited the Isles. She even claimed to have a few friends among the Llewyrr Druids of Synnoria and said that they would welcome her return with open arms. It was decided that Synnoria would, from this point on, be Drennandras' home – a fate she gladly accepted.

Centuries passed and as the years went by the life Drennandras had prior to coming to Synnoria this last time slowly began to fade into the realm of memories and bedtime stories. She became one with the elves of Synnoria and considered them her family, as they did her. Eventually she came to know, and fall in love with, Lorahlan Nae C'lshrian a druid in Synnoria who was well respected for his clear head and his undying devotion to his people. He was a friend to her always and taught her much of the Druidic traditions and of the Earthmother – an idea that she too slowly found herself adopting. Drenna (her elven name) and Lorahlan eventually courted for some time and were finally married on the eve of the first day of spring amid all of their friends and family and the creatures of the wood. They would have a child whom they would name La'eranthas Nae C'lshrian.

********************

It was not long after the birth of La'er that the forces of Bhaal, the God of Death, would threaten the Moonshaes and it would take the efforts of many men and elves to thwart his evil machinations. La'er would be too young to remember any of the events that transpired though they involved both Synnoria and more directly his mother and father. In the end Bhaal did not leave without retribution, and the Druids would loose their Sacred Grove and the Moonwell that was kept therein. The grove would be destroyed and the Moonwell desecrated, and these incidents would serve as the beginning of a dark era amongst the elves of Synnoria and of the Druids of Myrloch Vale.

La'er would grow up to see his people in a shattered and worn state, their faith having been smashed, their land desecrated and destroyed. He would never get to know the golden age of his people that he was born into for by the time that La'er was able to begin to understand that which was around him it had already been taken away.

La'er grew up to be a symbol of hope in Synnoria. He was too young to remember any of the recent past and so was unaffected by the events that led to the dark times for his people. He was spared the tragedies and people saw him as a new beginning, both for themselves and for their faith.

La'er began studying the teachings of the Earthmother at a very early age, under the tutelage of his father and guidance of his mother. (Began around the age of 35 –40) He was a strong youth and aided where he could in the rebuilding and healing of the land and while he himself did not witness the tragedies that those around him spoke of, his people's suffering was very evident to him. The care and tenderness they showed each other and the land went far to show to him a great deal of respect for both. He learned from the past tragedy much about who he was and what the world expected of him. He also learned much about the state of his people as all around him he saw signs of worry and sorrow.

The loss of the Sacred Grove would be more than most of the Druids could handle, indeed some of them died with it so overcome with grief were they at the loss. He began to hear whisperings of how some believed that the Earthmother had abandoned them in their time of need. La'er could see the hopelessness growing by the day as his people became more and more despondent. It became part of their lives, the worry and the fear, which to any of the Fair Folk meant utter demise should it continue for an extended period. His people were one of happiness and reverence and respect and life, not of sorrow and loss and fear. These latter traits ate away at them like a disease, La'er could feel it.

In adolescence, La'er would be indoctrinated as a Druid, following in his father's footsteps. He would continue to study under him, learning the ways of the Earthmother and of the history of his people, for the next 20 years. (69 – 89 years of age, indoctrinated at age 68) It was also during this time that La'er would grow to become intimately familiar with the Myrloch and the surrounding lands, learn of the history of the Moonshaes and of the other creatures (both friend and foe) that inhabited the isles, and come upon and be befriended by Ah'mirrah – a baby Faerie Cat that La'er would meet during many of his retreats out into the forests (Winterglen) to learn the Sylvan tongue. There were many wondrous and fascinating creatures in the forests of Myrloch Vale and La'er would spend days just walking about and being in their presence. It was intoxicating as he could feel the energies of the Earthmother surrounding him coursing through his veins. Most of the creatures he met during these retreats were very likable, some remarkable, and he would often spend much of his time in the forests with such creatures. Ah'mirrah however was different. From the very first time they met each other there was a connection there that neither of them could explain. They just fit well together, as if their being together somehow filled in a missing part of the other, and from then on every time La'er would come back into the forests – regardless of which part or which forest – Ah'mirrah would be there waiting for him.

********************

It was on eve of his 90 th birthday that La'er would be called to the Sacred Grove. The summons came from his mother, and all the way there he could not stop from wondering what was so important that he need be summoned to the great Grove itself – especially since it had not been a place that it was looked favorably upon to go since the desecration. The rebuilding was not over, the healing of the land not yet finished, and the elders of the druid circle had stated that no one was to go into the Grove until they could be assured by the Earthmother that it was once again a place of holiness and life. Before now he had only ever been in it once, and that was under the guidance of his father during one of his lessons on the ways of darkness.

La'er arrived in the grove to find a host of people waiting for him, he was surprised and a strange sense of urgency began to creep over him. In attendance he could see his mother and father, Ah'mirrah, a strange looking man dressed in armor of some kind, an older looking elf dressed in exotic robes with piercing blue eyes that spoke to the youth still inside him, and the Elder Druid himself. There were all standing at one end of the Grove in a half circle. Upon his arrival into the Grove, Drenna motioned him forward to stand in front of all of them.

“Do not be frightened my son”, Drenna began, “for you are among friends, some old and some new.”

“Allow me to introduce to you Laeroth Runemaster Archmage of Evermeet and principal council to Queen Amlaruil”, the elder elf in the exotic robes bowed slightly and walked forward toward La'er extending both of his hands. La'er extended his as well and they were quickly and warmly snatched up by Laeroth as he stepped close and gazed intently into the young elf's eyes, a smile on his old face.

“Ah, La'eranthas”, he began, “it is so good to see you again.” The old elf smelled of sweet and exotic spices mixed with the musty scent of old books. La'er looked inquisitively to Laeroth who smiled wider. “I had the honor of being present at your birth La'eranthas, it was a wonderful celebration. I regret to say though that I have not seen you since, it is good to look upon you again.

From behind them both Drenna called out, “La'er this is your Ae'lanae, your Godfather.”

La'er stared deeply into the eyes of the elf standing before him holding his hands and he could tell that what was said was the truth. He smiled and bowed slightly. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you Ae'lanae, my heart has missed you though my mind may have been absent.”

Laeroth beamed, “You have grown to be respected by your family, by your friends, and by your land.” He looked intently into the young elf's eyes one last time and then stepped back with the others.

“La'er”, Lorahlan began, “we have asked you here because it is time for you to begin to understand more about the land on which you live and of the events of the past. You have come to a point in your life in which there are decisions to be made. Quite simply, we are here to help you in becoming aware of those decisions and to offer any aid we can in making them.

You have for some time now felt the pain and the heartache and the fear that our people are going through, that they have made a part of their daily lives. You know as well as I that should this continue the future of our people does not have a positive outlook. We are not people of fear and of death, but of hope and life. But the tragedy that has befallen this very grove and those that have sworn their lives to protect it may prove too much for them. The healing has only just begun and there is so much more to do but it is against a darkness that even now, in banishment, fights back struggling to maintain its hold. Slowly, this darkness is corrupting our people and Laeroth and the elders fear that this first incident was only a beginning. They fear that there is more to come, that the darkness has not abated but now only lies dormant waiting to build up enough strength to return again. We have seen first hand that we are not strong enough to defend against such an attack should the need ever again arise.

We (being myself, your mother, Laeroth and the elders) have spoken much on this and what it means for us and for the Moonshaes. We have also spent much time watching you La'er and have begun to realize things about you that perhaps even you have not yet discovered. The Earthmother has blessed you indeed with a strong bloodline that sets you apart from others of our kind. We have also noticed that while you have not been spared the feelings of loss from the desecration of the Grove, that it has not yet permeated your being, it is not a part of your life and we do not wish for it to become so.

Because of all of this, it is of our opinion that you should leave Synnoria and Myrloch Vale. First, because we do not wish for you to become corrupted by the darkness – that while you remain untouched by it you remain strong and our people need someone off fighting for them right now, more than ever. Second, because we believe that the answers that we seek may be found off somewhere in the rest of the world. There is so much out there to be found, much more than any of us could see from here, and you might be able to uncover something that would in the end help us to defend against this plague. You are the hope of our people, to grow strong and to find the answers we need.

Please understand that we did not come to this decision lightly, nor do we wish to force this task upon you. If you understand what it is that we are asking of you, you make take some time if needed to contemplate and then return with your answer. Also, know that regardless of your decision your mother and I are very proud of who you are and what you have come to stand for. It is because of these things that we are asking what we are; it will require much faith and much strength in many different ways.”

La'er took a moment to absorb all that he had just been told. The information was overwhelming, but what he must do was clear. There was no question, he must find a way to save the land that he had sworn to protect – even if that meant leaving for a time to find the answers he sought.

At length La'er looked up to the group of individuals standing before him. He smiled slightly. “I will go and do what it is you have asked of me. I need no time to understand what the right thing to do here is.”

“Then you will not go alone”, Laeroth spoke up and again walked forward slightly. There are many people and places in the world to see and as many as there are that would aid you in this task so to are there others that would try to stop you. To that end Ah'mirrah has agreed to accompany you to offer guidance and support on your journey, as has Ash'Khal – a warrior from a far off place who will serve and protect you for as long as you may need. He is honorable and just in his motives and you will come to learn to trust in him as I have. He is a formidable ally indeed.”

With this the warrior stepped forward and bowed down low to one knee before La'er. “My strength and my blade serve and protect you. I offer my duty, my honor, and my friendship young elf.”

“Lastly”, Laeroth began again as Ash'Khal rose and stood back, “I have a few items that may prove beneficial to you.” The old elf reached into his robes and produced two items: an old, withered, staff of oak and a small elven ring. “This”, he handed La'er the ring, “will allow you to communicate with Ash'Khal without the need for speech and it will allow him to know where you are at all times. And this”, he handed La'er the staff, “is the Staff of Rumathil, an item that may prove useful as your powers grow.”

Drenna sighed, “This is what we have to give to you, and the rest of what is needed lies in your heart and in your mind. Never forget what you have learned in your years here as a child, for they will prove to be some of the fondest memories you will ever have, and never stop longing to come home. We will all miss you and be waiting anxiously for your return.

********************

The next morning La'er left Synnoria walking north along the eastern edge of the Myrloch so as to pass one last time by the great Sacred Grove. So many memories he had been told were here amidst the trees and yet the only ones he could remember were those of last evening when his mother and father told him that he must leave his home of 90 years. He was to travel south through the vale and then out west towards the great port city of Caer Corwell, from there he would be able to get a boat to anywhere on Faerun.

How surreal the past days events seemed, La'er thought to himself as he walked, his two companions by his side. He almost couldn't bring himself to believe that this was the last time he would look upon the land of his people. How would it change, he thought, in the many years that would pass before he would have the chance to come back again? How would he know when it was safe to come back? His parents had not told him the answers to these questions. He said a quiet prayer to The Earthmother asking her for courage and guidance.

Eventually, as the three companions neared the Grove, La'er stopped and for many minutes just spun around slowly taking in everything one last time. Ash'Khal merely stood silently by his side as Ah'mirrah sat down on the soft earth to watch.

La'er looked to the west, out across the Myrloch, to the surrounding hills that almost completely encircled the vale and just let his eyes softly brush over the distant rock as he let his mind remember the many days spent in their presence. He looked up north to the forest (Winterglen) where he would often go for training or meditation and remembered his days there with Ah'mirrah and how the two of them came to be companions. Finally La'er looked to the east and the densely packed trees and shrubs that stood not more than a hundred paces in front of him. How he longed to go back into the Grove, to see the remains of the Moonwell and the Elder Druid's temple and to perhaps grasp just a small part of the history that was unknown to him yet so direly affected his life. But he could not, for the evil powers that were the cause of the Grove's current state of ruin were said to linger within waiting for the chance to again return.

In the end La'er turned to the south where he could see the road ahead of him, the gap in the hills far on the horizon that led to the human city of Caer Corwell. He had the opportunity once to accompany his father on a diplomatic trip down to the great city, at the time he thought it would be somewhat of an adventure, but in the end it proved nothing more than an example of the shortness of temper and cruelty of the human race. Caer Corwell was more trusting than most of the cities in the Moonshae's but being brought up in the wilderness of the Myrloch, La'er had found little patience for the barren walls and stark surroundings of man made structures. Even this, a city that practically catered to those wishing solitude - indeed many of the druids of the region visited Caer Corwell often for the temple or the wares that could be found - held little interest for him.

The one thing that La'er did get out of it, however, was an understanding of the ways of dealing with other people, especially those one distrusted or disliked. The art of diplomacy was something that would always be with him thanks to his father and the many trips that he took with him to far off cities and towns all on the behalf of his people – the Druids of Myrloch Vale.

It was this last thought that La'er kept with him as he made off south, with his two companions, towards Caer Corwell. He felt it a fitting memory for the day ahead, one of friends and family and of people and places that he would yet meet.

The journey south, while lengthy, proved rather uneventful and the three travelers found themselves within the walls of the great city having procured a place of rest and passage upon a boat that was headed east. La'er did not even ask to where specifically the vessel was headed when he booked the passage, he knew very little of the rest of the world and decided that he had just as good a chance of starting off in the right place this way as making a more definitive decision about it. Within a week of their arrival into the city they were already making for the piers to begin boarding for their voyage east. It was decided days out from Caer Corwell while the companions were still traveling through the gap in the Vale that their stay here would be brief if at all possible.

Their persons and their meager belongings aboard they were off for destinations unknown. It was to be an odd experience for La'er, and the others, for it was the first time any of them had been on a boat and they did not know what to expect. The crew had clamored on board, well before the companions had arrived, and had settled in tending to the rigging and the ropes. And it was shortly after that the rest of the passengers slowly drifted on board, a motley crew that La'er had decided would be best to avoid. He and the others found a nice room below deck where they could fit comfortably and while away the potential months that this journey could take.

It was not until about the second week out that they were even spoken to or acknowledged and when they were it was in a panic as late one night screaming could be heard from down the hall. Moments later there was a loud knock on their cabin door that Ash'Khal rose to answer. A terrified, frightened man was standing in the doorway and spoke in hushed, hurried tones to the warrior. At length Ash'Khal turned to the rest of the companions, motioned for them to stay where they were, and left the room quietly closing the door behind him.

Hours passed and Ash'Khal had not returned. La'er bided his time trying to pray and put faith in his newfound companion. Another few hours passed and there was another loud knock at the door. Quietly saying a word of thanks to The Earthmother La'er rose to get the door thinking his prayers heard. He knew that Ash'Khal would have some answers into this disturbing series of events.