Vaelin Sunshadow

Vaelin Sunshadow was the eldest son of Matron Xyndra, ruler of the powerful drow noble house known as House Sunshadow, based in the Darklands city of Zirnakaynin. A prodigy of blade and magic, Vaelin held the esteemed position of Head of House Security, an unusual but not unprecedented role for a male in drow society, underscoring both his martial prowess and the absolute trust granted him by his formidable mother.   Trained from an early age in both stealth and swordplay, Vaelin was considered a master arcane swordsman, favoring curved blades and precision-based tactics enhanced by magic. His role as both tactician and enforcer placed him at the heart of House Sunshadow’s military strength. His leadership during the war against the serpentfolk (sekmin) earned him accolades and deep respect within Zirnakaynin’s military circles. Over the course of the conflict, he led numerous successful raids into enemy territory, disrupting sekmin strongholds and annihilating key commanders.   Vaelin's hatred for the serpentfolk was deeply personal. He lost siblings and close companions to their cruel and calculated assaults—grievances that drove him to pursue vengeance with increasing intensity. Yet despite his victories, the sekmin’s relentless resurgence pressed House Sunshadow to the brink of collapse, leaving Vaelin desperate to find a path to survival.  

The Faceless One and the Fall

In his final days, Vaelin sought the aid of a mysterious entity known only as The Faceless One—an enigmatic figure cloaked in shadow and steel, whose motives remained inscrutable. Their alliance was uneasy, born of desperation rather than trust. In exchange for a powerful relic, the Dragonsoul Crucible, Vaelin was given a jar containing six necrotic worms, said to be capable of exterminating the serpentfolk menace.   The worms succeeded—but not as Vaelin intended.   Upon unleashing them, Vaelin watched in horror as they ravaged not only the sekmin but also his own forces. The so-called cure proved worse than the disease. Betrayed, Vaelin confronted the Faceless One in a final, furious confrontation. Though he landed a mortal blow, the Faceless One proved to be far more than he appeared.   Vaelin died that day—not by sword or spell, but through the raw and terrible force of psychic annihilation. His body collapsed in the Faceless One’s sanctum, his brain liquefied by a power few could resist.