Aliana Von Derlant (Aly-anna Von Der-lant)

Aliana was born before the Asa'rai vanished near the end of the First Age. Her Wood Elf parents instilling within her a sense of purpose and a respect for the ancient places and magic of the world. As she grew older, they encouraged her fascination with per-migration artifacts and ruins, even nudging her towards the Naelean church as it would more closely align with her personality and interests. Despite her parents' own hope that she would grow into a protector of the woodlands as they were.   Aliana left the Irristal Timberland during her teenage years and traveled under the blessings of the Mage Queen, and her own parents, to Aeranas where she should would be quickly embraced by the Naelean clergy. Her curious nature and drive to learn more of the world around her, a welcome addition to the church. Divine duties however, would see her grow restless under the supervision of the priesthood. She would often neglect her tasks in favor of visiting the Whispering Catacombs below, and pouring through the tomes within. Often times while hiding from the priestess in charge of her clerical training. After several years of this, the commander of the Vault Seekers reached out to the high priestess of the church, pressing her to allow Aliana to join the order. He claimed that her talents as a Bladesinger would be more useful to the order than the clergy.   Stating: "The girl is clearly suffocating under your care. Allow her the freedom of the Seekers, I promise you she will flourish under our guidance."   Once being released to the Vault Seeker's care, Aliana grew more confident and more headstrong. The missions she would accompany veteran Seekers on, serving as a means to hone the Bladesinging traditions passed on to her by the Asa'rae. She very quickly rose through the Seeker ranks, completing the Trial of the Owl during her second year of training. Two years before the fastest recorded completion. She would come to rest comfortably as the High Seeker's advisor and eventually transitioning to the head of Vault Seeker training within the Catacombs. From this position she was able to pass along knowledge of the Blade Song to others, despite teaching of such techniques being strictly forbidden by the High Elves. Aliana viewed such a restriction as directly opposing the teachings of Naelea, and as such strove to pass as on much of her knowledge of the art as possible to her students.   Aliana's position as the High Seeker's advisor became more important than ever during the calamity of the Planar Confluence. It was from there she would direct the defense of the Naelean church, and indeed all the Catacombs. As Chaos crashed against the doors of the church, Aliana and her Bladesingers would come to be known as the saviors of the church. Supported directly by Naelea's clerics, they would drive back wave after wave of the monstrosities that looked to pillage the Vault of its secrets.   Now, during the relative calm of the Second Age, Aliana often ventures away from the Catacombs in search of the missing Asa'rae and the powerful relics they may have left behind. In part as service to the High Breaker and the waning numbers of the order, but also as a daughter in search of her parents. Her search for answers currently places her in Belacosta. Tasked with the retrieval of an orb hidden within an ancient temple beneath the mountains. Her work with the former ranger Merrik keeping her within the border town longer than she would like.