Maelis Thornwell

Maelis Thornwell’s journey to becoming the High Sigilkeeper of the Order of the Shaded Sigil is marked by a fierce resolve shaped by tragedy, sacrifice, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Born in a remote village in the Kingdom of Novaria, Maelis was the eldest daughter of a simple farming family. Her childhood was peaceful until the day a rogue mage visited her village. This mage, once a revered scholar, had turned to dangerous, forbidden magic to extend his life. In his search for power, he began experimenting on unwitting subjects, leaving chaos in his wake. Maelis’s village became one of his test grounds, where he cast powerful mind-altering spells to enslave the townsfolk, using them to harvest magical reagents and enforce his will. Maelis was only fifteen at the time, but she resisted his magic longer than most, showing a natural resilience that would later define her.
After three grueling months, the Order of the Shaded Sigil intervened. A team of Sigilhunters led by the legendary Inquisitor Quint Longrun launched an investigation and eventually subdued the mage, freeing Maelis and the surviving villagers. Though her family was safe, Maelis felt the scars of the mage’s influence and had witnessed the effects of magic gone astray. Longrun noticed her strength and offered her a place within the Order.
Maelis accepted, leaving her village behind to train at the Estranium Lyceum. Her strong will, intellectual acumen, and determination to prevent future tragedies fueled her rise through the Order’s ranks. She specialized in arcane countermeasures and psychological defense, focusing on spells that protect and fortify the mind. By the age of thirty, she had become an Inquisitor and one of the Orders most trusted investigators, frequently called to handle cases involving mind-affecting magic and rogue mages who tampered with consciousness.
Years later, Maelis earned the title of High Sigilkeeper, the youngest in the Orders history. In her leadership, she has reshaped the Order to focus on preventative measures as much as investigative work, establishing strict protocols for monitoring magical practices and enforcing higher scrutiny on certain arcane studies within the Lyceum. Though some see her methods as draconian, her background and unwavering dedication make her a formidable leader.
To this day, she keeps a memento from that fateful encounter in her youth—a small, enchanted crystal left behind by the rogue mage that reminds her of what unchecked magic can do. Maelis views her work as a personal vow, a promise that the horrors she endured will not befall others. Her determination to protect the people of Aeyirah, even if it puts her at odds with powerful magic users, has earned her a fierce respect—and a fair share of enemies—across the continent.

Honorary & Occupational Titles

High Sigilkeeper of the Order of the Shaded Sigil

Age

34

Current Residence

Sigil Hall, Estranian Lyceum

Sex

Female

Eyes

Green

Hair

Red, tied back in a braid

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Caucasian

Height

5'8"

Weight

125 lbs

Aligned Organization

Order of the Shaded Sigil

Other Affiliations

• Estranian Lyceum