Alaric Ylyndar
Giantslayer Alaric Eldrin Ylyndar
Alaric Ylyndar, the grandson of Ylyndar Clan patriarch and founder of the Knights of Yggdrasil, served as the leader of the Knights of Yggdrasil through most of the Giant Wars. Known for his leadership, compassion, and his trusty companion Ylmari, Alaric earned the name Giantslayer after his battle with the Giant prince Krojak that brought victory to the Elven Kingdom during the wars.As the thick smoke of the fires cleared, the Knights of Yggdrasil looked on to see their leader bowed over the back of his white wolf, her fur caked in the dark colors of Giant blood. There was a collective silence as the Knights bowed their head in reverence, assuming the worst had occurred when Alaric had reached up to smite the Giant prince Krojak.
Slowly, the form of the wolf began to stir, a blackened hand still holding the sword that had been granted by the Elven King moving to his lap as he unfurled to his full stature. The other hand slowly rose above his head, catching the falling motes and watching them dissolve on his gloved hand. The Giant prince had fallen, and the war had ended, but the harsh reality of the battle at Krojak’s End could not be erased by the victory.
Alaric Ylyndar had slain the Giant prince Krojak using the sword Stormrender that had been granted by the Elven King. The Giant Wars were long and bloody, the battle that brought the Head Knight and the Giant prince together being the bloodiest of all. It is said that Alaric gained some recognition amongst the Giants for his victory, but whether this is true is unknown.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Young Alaric Ylyndar
Knighthood
This was meant to be my brother's place, his birthright, but his path was taken elsewhere and I must fulfill the duty in his stead.Upon his 250th birthday, Alaric swore his oath and joined the Knights of Yggdrasil as a Fey Knight. His training had served him well and he was easily able to keep up with the older members of his family that had been serving the Order for decades. For the first five years, his duties were simple, including things such as patrols of the Northern Outposts, strategy meetings with his father and brother, assisting the citizens of Yllvalion, and anything else that fulfilled the tenets of his Order. He had settled into the life of being second in command behind his brother as his father transitioned to retirement. A dark and horrible winter struck the edge of the Elven Forest one year, forcing those in the Northern Outposts to leave their homes for the safety of Yllvalion and the Ylmaris Citadel. Ryo Ylyndar led this movement, spending long days outside the city walls, leading the people to safety inside. As the days stretched longer and the wind and snow became more violent, Ryo was struck with fever, an illness that even the Cleric of the city could not cure. The winter continued for what seemed years, but when the snow finally broke at the beginning of Spring's Morning, Ryo was but a shell of himself. He could no longer fulfill the duty of Head Knight and was sent to Alfensil for his own health.
Yllvalion
The Giant Wars
Northern Outposts
Krojak's End
The final push of the Giants during the Giant Wars was toward the white city of Yllvalion. Many of the settlements and outposts of the Northern Outposts had long since been abandoned as the battles stretched throughout the area, often burning buildings and parts of the forest beyond recognition. As the Giants began their march towards the city, Alaric was gifted Stormrender, a blade enchanted by the Elven King in hopes of ending the war. The battle near Yllvalion would be the last stand of the Knights of Yggdrasil, otherwise, the white city would fall and many lives would be ended. Battle rang around them as Alaric and Ylmari moved across the open clearing towards Krojak, the Giant's deadly claymore covering the battlefield in blood. The Frost Steel sword gave off an ethereal glow and the duo moved towards the Giant, hoping to end the battle in a single strike. Both were already wounded from the hours that the battle had raged. Both sides had lost many people, the battlefield difficult to traverse. When the Giant moved to attack a group of Paladins, Ylmari le[t at him, sinking her teeth into the meat of his forearm. A howl of pain rang across the battlefield and Alaric used that moment to speak the words that would empower the blade with a divine smite. As Krojak attempted to shake Ylmari from his arm, Alaric attacked, smiting the Giant with his full power, shards of ice shattering around them as divine power filled the battlefield with a bright light. As the light faded, the broken claymore of Krojak lay next to his prone form. Alaric pulled himself into the saddle on Ylmari, his arm blackened by the power that had rung through his sword. When the smoke and snow cleared, the Knights looked at their leader, hunched over his wolf, and assumed the worst. As they looked on, Alaric rose up, their victory clear, but the reality of the death surrounding them removed the happiness of their final battle. A small settlement would eventually be built upon the site of the battle, serving as a shrine and burial place of those that had so graciously given their lives in the fight against the Giants. The shattered pieces of the Giant's claymore still rest in the ground, no one able to remove them from where Alaric had struck him down. The settlement and the remembrance were one of Alaric's final wishes, one that many wished to fulfill.![](/uploads/images/e01c640202d995293a38a430f11d204a.png)
This is such a great article. I love the detail that you have gone into about Alaric's life. He sounds like he was such an amazing man. I love his relationship with Ylmari, too. <3