Elaureth's Backstory

(Note: Elaureth is a new character I plan on playing in the campaign; he will take the place of Malthus, and will be introduced most likely during the next session.)

Full Name: Elaureth Ravenlost

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 180 lb.

Age: 306

Eye Color: Black

Hair Color: White

Skin Color: Pale

Body Build: Solid

Distinguishing Feature(s): Keeps his ears covered with his hair; carries a raven's feather attached to the clasp of his cloak

Elaureth was born in Illuvanath, the Celestial City, a beacon of light in the Feywild known for its astronomers and its famous observatories built into the spires of some of the tallest buildings in the Feywild. Illuvanath is ruled by Vanathir, a member of the Summer Queen's Court known in Illuvanath as the "Ember King". Elaureth was a member of House Moonstride, a lesser noble house in Illuvanath. His father, Panendithas Moonstride, was one of the city's greatest astronomers, and his mother, Hollyatris Moonstride, one of its finest courtiers. They groomed Elaureth for a proper upbringing, and saw to it that he was trained as a Paladin of Corellon when he showed an acumen for battle. His older brother Elben, meanwhile, was groomed to become the next ruler of House Moonstride, and already had a stellar reputation in Vanathir's court.

The course of Elaureth's life was laid out before him, and he followed it diligently - at least until he met Princess Inastara of House Silvershade. Inastara, a daughter of Vanathir, was the considered the most beautiful of the women in Vanathir's court, and a very powerful one at that, considering her status as next in line to rule Illuvanath. House Moonstride was considered to have been granted a great honor when Elaureth was selected to serve as part of Inastara's personal guard. He took this honor quite seriously, and before long Elaureth began to harbor feelings for Inastara. These feelings made things quite complicated for him when Inastara, seeking an escape from the destiny set before her, declared that she was leaving Illuvanath, House Silvershade, and all her life behind. Most of her personal guard refused to follow, save for Elaureth & four others. 

When Elaureth told his parents of his intent to leave with Inastara, they banished him from their house and stripped him of his family name. The procession set forth from Illuvanath and headed to the Fey Gardens, the primary link between the Feywild and Titania. When they arrived in Titania, they found no home in the Wildwood; after a long journey, what was left of Inastara's host settled in Whitebough Forest, establishing the community of Silvershade.

In Silvershade, the eladrin of Inastara's host lived in harmony with the local elves. Though some of the elves wanted nothing to do with the eladrin to the point of hostility, most were welcoming, and the community flourished with Inastara as its leader. Elaureth served faithfully in her personal guard for many decades. One by one, Inastara's personal guard fell to age or to disease, until finally only Elaureth and one other, Lady Wandalyssa Harpsong, remained. These two were at Inastara's side during one of her walks through the snow-covered trees when they were met by the Prince of Frost, a powerful archfey & lord of the Winter Fey. Inastara died that day in the forest; Elaureth & Wandalyssa do not speak of what happened that fateful day, but the incident led to Elaureth being exiled permanently from Silvershade by Wandalyssa, who became the community's new leader. 

His love for Inastara ultimately unrequited, Elaureth sunk into the depths of despair. He renounced Corellon, and took on the path of the blackguard, living as a hermit in Whitebough Forest. He made a point of building his domicile very near to the tomb in which Princess Inastara and her host had been buried, so that he could stand guard over her still. Elaureth spent many years surviving alone in the forest, and seldom stirred but to chase away would-be defilers of his mistress's tomb. 

One day, Elaureth was awoken by the sound of the tomb door slamming shut. He rushed outside to find a robed figure disappearing into the mists. Furious, he swore revenge against those who would disturb his mistress's sleep, and began tracking the robed figure. His search eventually led him to Cairnmoor, cloaked in mist and silent but for the low discord of deathly moans...

Elaureth is a detached, stern, and fierce individual. He is single-minded in his pursuit of his goals, and only furthers other causes when they provide some benefit to his own. Elaureth carries with him a raven's feather, a magical object which can be attuned to a person, and turns blood red when that person dies. The feather is attuned to Inastara, a holdover from his days as part of her personal guard, and blood red in color. He keeps his elven ears covered with his hair, something considered a taboo among those of elven descent, as a sign of his exile and a sign to others to keep their distance. Elaureth adopted the family name "Ravenlost" after Inastara's death; the name signifies the new deity he began to worship when he abandoned Corellon, the Raven Queen, and also what he sees himself as: a raven in flight, lost and far from home. Though he is curious about what has happened to the noble house of his birth, he has no interest in returning with his task left undone.