Nace Col

And Talon said unto her, "You are an elf. Why do you not condemn me as many of your folk have done?" To this the shimmering Nace Col replied, "Holy Yeno knows the true enemy is not the children of Ashtyr. You face Chaos and battle it wherever you find it. This is my goal. I am unstoppable in the face of darkness. Your flames of vengeance and my cold blade of the moon will cause terror in our enemies. For Cadash to be saved, you need me and I need you."

- Book of the Shield

Summary

One of the more popular figures in the legends of Red Talon is the life and adventures of Nace Col, the fearsome paladin who was undaunted in the face of any peril. When she arrives at Red Talon's camp, she is already dressed in gleaming armor and wields a blade often referred to as "the sliver of the moon". Her confidence appeals to Red Talon and the two become fast friends.
Nace has many adventures along side Red Talon, the two coming to each other's aid frequently. In many cases Nace will take half of Red Talon's party and act as a leader of the smaller group. And while Nace is blessed by Yeno, she never once attempts to wrest control of the group from Red Talon - she is loyal to a fault.
Unfortunately Nace Col was not on accursed island when Red Talon fell the first time, and many sources declare that she felt immense guilt at being unable to save her friend. Still the battle against the remnants of the Chaos Elves continued even after the fall of Red Talon. Nace Col joined forces with the Tyrian Knights and would often act as a general for them in large battles.
It is said she fell protecting the The Guild Islands from an attack by a fearsome oceanic foe. Much like her famous companion, she defeated her foe and died of the wounds it inflicted.
Her husband Xelios built her tomb in the isles and is said to have mourned long for her, until he vanished into history on the The Accursed Island.

Historical Basis

Like many of the tales around Red Talon, little physical evidence of Nace Col actually exists. Word of her tomb being on an island is a legend and while some sailors have claimed to have seen it, no one has gathered proof. The devout followers of Ashtyr, Yeno and Red Talon do believe she was a real person. In fact many elven warriors see Nace Col as a kind of patron or semi-religious figure in her own right.
Rumors from the Rift have come that Nace Col's name has been found on artifacts and buildings in the remains of the ancient city of Tyr.

Spread

Nace Col is a popular figure among knights, warriors with a strong sense of honor and Elves. But she is known among most people in Cadash.

Variations & Mutation

An interesting development is that Nace Col is now considered her full name, but elder elven scholars know that Nace is her actual name and Col is an ancient title, coming from the First Age, and given by Kor to especially valiant heroes. How Nace received this title is lost to history, but it has carried over and become tied to the hero's name.

In Literature

Nace Col appears in the Book of the Shield quite frequently as a devoted companion to Red Talon. But her origins are not discussed and neither his her relationship to the famous wizard Zelios. 
However elven cultures in the area of the Rift and the Theosian Empire do have additional tales of her origin and exploits before she met Red Talon.  In those tales she is often the hero with Red Talon acting as the supportive companion as they battle the The Chaos Elves.

Related Ethnicities

• Wood Elves

Related Species

• Elves