Nebez Queenshadow

Nebez Cloudpeak, called the Queenshadow, was the fifth Poet-Errant of Khûm. Appointed during the last days of Havhed the Hammer's reign, he served as Poet-Errant for three dwarven monarchs, the most of any Poet-Errant of Khûm.

Appearance

In 68 2A, Nebez Queenshadow was still rather young for a dwarf of his office. He wore no mustache on his moon of a face but instead a chin beard that wrapped around his jaw. When traversing the wild country with the dragonslayers, Nebez frequently wrapped himself in a thick white pelt, not entirely devoid of ink spots. His fingernails too, like many poets before and after him, were frequently stained black behind the cuticles.

History

When Havhed prepared to march to war in 899 1A, he informed Zedroq Graybeard, his current Poet-Errant, that he'd be accompanying him overseas and that he must choose his apprentice. Having only begun the search for his replacement, Zedroq convened a grand competition in Truethrone, calling for any who thought themselves worthy to be the next Poet-Errant. Of the hundreds who auditioned, only one – the shy and unassuming Nebez Cloudpeak – was selected.
Born into Castle Cloudpeak's quiet luxury in 857 2A, Nebez showed little aptitude for much of anything but was now appointed to one of the most important positions in the kingdom – that of royal historian. With only a month's guidance from his predecessor, Nebez was given access to the Durloq Dor and expected to educate himself on the ancient tradition of sacred poetry.
Young Nebez spent much of the Night Wars in isolation behind the Durloq Door, studying the Prayer to Umbor alone and attempting to master its form. Only when reports of Havhed's heroic death in 30 2A – and Dûnya Truesilver's coronation – reached him did he emerge and seek out the new monarch.
From that day forth, Nebez Cloudpeak, Poet-Errant, was never far from Dûnya's side. At first, she found him to be an irritation but, as her dragonslaying career began and his verses began to appear, praising her own heroics, did her opinion change. Nebez was soon a vital part of her retinue, earning the nickname Queenshadow.

Personality

Nebez Queenshadow was, above all else, quiet. Years of silent study taught him the importance of listening and learning. Many who knew him well had never once heard him speak but all trusted the words that he wrote. As befits the Poet-Errant, he was the type to reserve judgment before coming to any conclusions.

Poetry

In contrast to his quiet and reserved personality, the verse that Nebez Queenshadow wrote was often bombastic, in favor of sweeping language and romantic metaphor. The heroes of his verses – most often Dûnya herself – were typically lionized for their courage, craftiness or sheer strength in arduous situations. Buried beneath the grand heroics, though, a keen listener could detect subtle lines of social critique, implying Nebez was more than simply a propagandist.

Campaign

The Menagerie

• Khûm: The Commander's Tent met Nebez Queenshadow on their march from Ovma Terminal to Tyrodax's in the Range of Sovereigns (Chapter 5). Nebez accompanied Dûnya and the merecenaries in their failed attempt to delay and distract the Mystriarchy force (Chapter 6). Captured by the Mystriarchy and held in the Sanctum in Stone, only Nebez Queenshadow, among all the imprisoned dragonslayers, was permitted to leave and accompany Dûnya north to Snowperch (Chapter 13).

Name: Nebez Cloudpeak
Epithet: Queenshadow
Ancestry: Dwarf
Born: 857 1A (Castle Cloudpeak, Khûm)
Height: 4'2"
Weight: 165 lbs
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Alignment: Neutral
First Appearance: Khûm – Chapter 5