Ygwain Vaelorin

Early Life Ygwain was born to humble beginnings on the outskirts of Duxton, a bustling trade town where rolling farmland met the edges of the wilds.   His family owned a small but thriving farm, known for its rich soil and hardy crops. Life on the farm was simple but fulfilling. His father passed away when Ygwain was just twelve, leaving him and his mother to tend to the fields.   By the time he came of age, Ygwain had embraced the responsibility, taking over the farm entirely and earning the respect of the townsfolk for his diligence and kindhearted nature.   Though life was often solitary, Ygwain was content, finding joy in the rhythm of the seasons and the quiet beauty of his surroundings. His mother often told him that life’s true treasures were found in the people we hold dear, words that would later echo painfully in his heart.   Love and Loss One fateful autumn day, Ygwain’s life changed forever when he met Aelindra Vaelorin, a traveler from the elven capital of Neuvoterre.   Aelindra was no ordinary visitor; she was a retired Echo Knight, her lineage steeped in the mystique of the Duskwalkers. Despite her radiant composure, there was an unmistakable sadness in her eyes, a shadow cast by the loss of her Echo—her mother’s spirit—during a mission gone awry.   Aelindra had come to Duxton seeking solace, hoping to leave behind the echoes of her past. What she found instead was Ygwain. The two were drawn to each other like stars in a constellation, their connection immediate and profound.   Aelindra, who had long been searching for peace, found it in Ygwain’s unshakable steadiness and gentle soul. Ygwain, in turn, was captivated by her strength and quiet grace.   They married within a year and built a life together on Ygwain’s farm. Over the next eight years, they welcomed a son, Kaelen, into their lives. Those were Ygwain’s happiest years—a time of love, laughter, and family, though he always sensed that part of Aelindra’s heart still lingered in the shadows of her past.   The Night of No Sleep   In the year 1457, during the eerie phenomenon known as the False Sleep Moon, tragedy struck.   On that fateful night, a group of Uloon Dwed—strange, grey-skinned dwarves from the wastes—descended upon Duxton. These mysterious raiders, rarely seen beyond their desolate homeland, launched a sudden and brutal assault.   As the townsfolk rallied to fend off the attackers, Aelindra’s instincts as a former knight surfaced. While others defended the town’s perimeter, she noticed a pair of dwarves slipping away toward the law courts.   Unwilling to let them endanger the town further, Aelindra pursued them alone. In the darkness, she confronted them in a desperate battle, single-handedly driving them off.   By the time Ygwain and the others discovered her, she was mortally wounded. Aelindra’s final words to Ygwainwere a plea for him to protect their son and remember the strength they had shared together.   But fate was crueler still. Returning to the farm after the battle, Ygwain found it in ashes. His elderly mother and young son had been slain, likely caught off guard by the raiders during the chaos. Grief consumed him.   The Aftermath   The attack left Duxton reeling, and speculation about the Uloon Dwed spread like wildfire. Why had they attacked? Would they strike again? The townsfolk began researching the wastes, their fear driving them to prepare for another incursion.   For Ygwain, however, there was no solace in their collective efforts. His family was gone, and his home had become a graveyard of memories. With nothing left to tether him to Duxton, Ygwain made a decision that would change his life.   He journeyed to the elven capital of Neuvoterre, carrying with him the weight of his loss and the memory of Aelindra’s unwavering strength. There, he sought out the Elven Guard, claiming the name Vaelorin to honor his wife and therefore taking on her mantle to become a Duskwalker.   He swore himself to their service, driven by a desire to forge meaning from his suffering and to understand the legacy Aelindra had left behind.   The Path to the Duskwalkers   Ygwain’s resolve and martial skill quickly earned him respect within the Guard. Despite being human, he was embraced by the elves for his dedication and sincerity. Over the course of a year, he rose through the ranks, proving himself to the Duskwalkers. They saw in him the potential to walk their storied path—though rare, humans were not unheard of among their order, provided they could form the sacred bond with an Echo.   For Ygwain, the prospect of becoming a Duskwalker was both an honor and a burden. The echoes of the past haunted him still, and the idea of forming a connection to the spirit realm stirred both hope and fear.   Yet, he saw it as a way to not only honor Aelindra and Kaelen but also to find strength in the pain he carried.