Eldain Mal'atre
Of all the men and women of the Twin Worlds, none are more well-known than the archmage and swordmaster Eldain Mal'atre. He is hailed far and wide as a hero and his deeds are nothing short of legendary.
Physical Description
Body Features
Despite his legendary status, he is rather unassuming. He is very slim, making him seem smaller than he really is. What he lacks in strength he more than makes up for in grace.
His face is smooth and ageless, as befits his elven heritage. His features are handsome, but not very memorable.
Apparel & Accessories
He dresses in sturdy black finery with silver trim, which is usually accompanied by a flowing black and silver cloak. He has a black glove on his left forearm enchanted to act in place of his missing hand. Both his spellbook and his sword hang from his belt, with the sword poking out from the cloak.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Many versions of Eldain's early life have been recorded. The most famous is the account of Vendil Dath'venn, which states that he grew up as a poor urchin on the streets of Sendil. Eldain, himself has used the words "hilariously inaccurate" to describe this version.
Based on the far more accurate account of one "Tinderloo of Lantan", he was born and raised among the druids of the Circle of Iv'arill. He, however, couldn't feel the inherent power of nature as his fellows did, leaving him completely unable to practice druidic magic. This left him shunned by his own people, and living under a disapproving father.
His life changed forever when he found a wizard in black wounded in the forest. This man was Saerin Len'kover, one of the Sentinels of Iv'arill, who was looking for a new recruit. As the young man nursed him back to health, he was allowed to examine the man's spellbook. It soon became very clear that he had found his new recruit.
Education
Eldain was quickly revealed to be nothing short of a magical prodigy, but he found no more acceptance among the Sentinels than he did among the druids. All prior Sentinels came from the ranks of Iv'arill's nobility, and they did not want an "uncivilized" druid in their company.
He quickly and easily passed the entry exams, but the Council of the Academy made it very clear that he had no future among them. When he received his sword, a symbol of the Sentinels' protection of their kingdom, he named it "Defiance" because he meant to prove to them that they were wrong.
He advanced to the top of his class with undeniable speed, and had an incredible repertoire of spells in mere months. He spent most of his time either in the library, filling his head with lore and magic, or with he academy enchanter, honing his natural gifts and putting his first enchantments on Defiance.
It was then he bound his familiar, Midnight, with a ritual he altered himself that the Council knew they had to act quickly if they wanted him gone. They gave him his first evaluation, which he passed with ease, and his second immediately after. He was forced to study night and day for three days, but he passed, if only just barely.
Still, his continued presence would not be allowed. He was given his third evaluation just as quickly, and that one he failed. He was uncermoniously expelled from the academy, but he swore that he would prove they were wrong about him. Thus, he threw himself into the perilous life of an adventurer.
Accomplishments & Achievements
While his life as an adventurer is well-known, specific deeds are far from common knowledge. Various alleged feats include slaying a dragon of every variety, surviving an encounter with a lich as a novice, rejecting an offer of godhood, staging an elaborate rescue from the Gnollmarket, and slaying every kraken in the oceans of Kirris. Naturally, many of these should be considered pure fabrication.
While legend would have him perform any number of outlandish feats alone, proper history records that he traveled with a number of faithful compapions, the most famous of them being Talm Six-String and the wizard's lover, Alda MacRaine.
The deed that granted him the well-deserved reputation for heroism was the discovery and defeat of the ancient tyrant Ansarien Ill'conter. An eccentric halfling scholar paid Eldain an his companions to protect him while he investigated the presence of the Ancient Elven Empire deep in The Wilderlands. The mysterious sphere they found was the magical prison of Ansarien.
Once free, the mad wizard immediately demanded obedience from the party, and went berserk when it wasn't forthcoming. Eldain barely escaped with his life. With the cave collapsed, the only thing he could do was return to civilization
Ansarien had survived, however, and wasted no time in his misguided attempts to restore the elves to their former glory. He took control of the Sentinels of Iv'arill, and used the evil powers of his glaive, Dominion to dominate the minds of so called "lesser beings". It was during this time that a diviner told him that he would meet his end "by the hand that wields Defiance".
In his mind, he could not allow such a thing to stand. He sent his forces against Eldain with little success, before finally taking care of matters personally. The madman felt death would be too easy for his rival and so banished his entire party to the depths of the Abyss. Eldain managed to escape the Abyss, though only by the selfless sacrifice of Talm. It took years traveling the Planes before he at last returned to the Twin Worlds.
When he returned, Ansarien had conquered Mandia and enlsaved all non-elves that lived within it. However, Eldain had grown greatly in both power and experience from his time on the Planes. He managed to raise an army of former slaves and rebels among the Sentinels.
He drove the tyrant from his capital in Whiteriver, and chased him to the island nation of Talran to the south. Ansarien barricaded himself inside the Talran Academy of Magic, the defense of which created a magical storm that sank a majority of the island. In a climactic duel at the top of the tower, a disarmed Eldain slew Ansarien with his own weapon, ending his threat forever.
In the wake of the battle, the wizards that fought by his side founded the Order of the Arcane Eye. The group became staunchly dedicated to prevent the misuse of magic, and declared Eldain their leader, granting him the title of "Commander of the Black".
Eldain does very little running the Order, preferring instead to fight evil as it comes, often working with less experienced adventurers or (rarely) his fellows in The Arcane Trinity. Officially, he has retired from adventuring, although his efforts often leave him taking up arms again.
Morality & Philosophy
Eldain believes very strongly in the worth of all mortal beings, regardless of race, sex, age, or social station. To him, everyone from an archmage to a pauper has value. As such, he takes his apprentices from all walks of life.
He also advocates the responsible use of magic. The school of Enchantment's power to influence minds is particularly abhorrent to him.
Wealth & Financial state
Both his time as an adventurer and his position as Commander of the Black has left him very wealthy, although none but he knows exactly how wealthy. He lives in an opulent mansion in Whiteriver. Few people dare to approach, mostly because of a sign on the door that reads "Here lives Eldain Mal'atre. Tresspassers will be given either a quick death or a potentially suicidal quest." Rumor states that this is not an idle threat.
He is also known to have a sanctuary somewhere in the multiverse. Stories tell of halls piled with more gold and jewels than a dragon's horde and magical items both wondrous and dangerous. Few have been there, and none but Eldain, himself know where it is.
Alignment
Neutral Good
Species
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Archmage, Swordmaster, Commander of the Black, Slayer of Ansarien, Savior of Mandia, Protector of the Twin Worlds
Birthplace
Iv'arill Circle of Druids
Children
Current Residence
Gender
Male
Eyes
Blue
Hair
Sliver
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale
Height
5 ft 10 in
Weight
120 lbs
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
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