Avyndriel Aurë'naerï
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Avyndriel Aurë'naerï is a taller elf of immensely mixed heritage, known across elven circles as the Lady of the Sun. In the common age, she can be identified by her extensive red waves of hair embroidered with golden jewellery and chains, the golden disc engraved upon her brow, and the sleeve of teal Ithelanen markings that adorn her entire left arm. Avyndriel stands tall at roughly 6'4" with a toned frame, and often dresses in loose toga-like ensembles, or her signature golden platemail and crimson cape.
Biography
Axios
Avyndriel was born in 1588 of the First Age to Renn Vaeloryïs and Aenor Acaele'thil. Given the name Anya at birth, she was the last set of twins to be blessed upon her parents, with a brother by the name of Falco sharing in her charming features. The pair grew up near inseparable, with endless bouts of energy and a passion for exploring the lakebound city of Linandria and its surrounding forests. Following in the Calithil traditions, the young elfess excelled in her studies and developed a deep love for reading and writing, often being found tucked away in some corner of the library as she followed up on various elaborate topics. She often recorded her adventures and discoveries, and lined the shelves within the Calithil Manor with endless journals and anecdotes. As a result of her restless desire to learn and scribe, she often found herself under her Father's tutelage; learning combat skills, the art of smithing, and scholarly pursuits.
Her Mother also had a large hand in her education, gifting her with an expansive understanding of the Mali'ame culture and faith; Aspectism. However, being an incredibly curious and studious child, Anya found herself exploring more religions and faiths than simply that of the Mali'ame. While she acknowledged and followed the path of the Aspects, she learnt much of the other Aenguls acting upon the realm through their various Holy Magi followers. As she matured toward adulthood, Anya would begin travelling across the realm in pursuit of more knowledge on these topics - seeking out the various sects rumoured to linger upon the continents to learn more of their doctrines and faith.
Atlas
Upon Atlas, the young Elfess continued in her travels and exploration. With the new continents came new opportunities to explore vast, foreign landscapes. It wasn't until late Atlas that she returned to the flourishing Dominion during the reign of her own Mother as Queen, and sought out the remainder of her Seed only to find her eldest sibling, Kairn Ithelanen, on his lonesome. Here, she encountered the Clerical Order of Tahariae once more, and soon became a Clerical Student under Lefkos Amethil; quickly passing her trials and lessons to rise as a War Cleric within their ranks. However, Anya soon found herself enamoured with a fellow colleague Mae'lyrra. However, Mae's heart had proved too soft, resulting in the harbouring of a Shade in her own home to aid him with his parasite. The situation bred turmoil between the pair, as Anya struggled to understand Mae's kindhearted compassion toward the creature.
Unfortunately, Mae's disappearance soon after would result in Anya forming a deep regret over not revealing her feelings sooner. She embarked on a search that would last over two centuries across two realms, with not even Tahariae's revoking of the Clerical Gifts from the realm halting Anya's desperation. She would resume her service to Tahariae regardless of his abandonment, continuing to heal and mend with mundane methods in each location she came upon during the search for her lost beloved. Many darkspawn were felled by her blade, but even still, her beloved Mae was lost upon the winds - never to know of Anya's deep adoration.
Almaris
With the arrival of Almaris Anya resumed her search for decades to come, though in year 73 of the Second Age (1870 F.A.) Anya received summons from her kin that lead her to the Druidic Sect of Nevaehlen; The Vale. Here she began studying upon the Paths of Aspectism, and found a particular relevance to that of the Emerald Way; the Creed of Will and determination. With her original knowledge on the Aspects and Druidism becoming unwound and reshaped, it was only time before she began her own Dedicancy under Tailesin the Lynx. Throughout her time in the Vale, Anya faced the challenge of releasing her love for Mae'lyrra in order to move on, and learnt the truth of her Mother's well-meaning, yet dangerous choices made for the Druii's safety during her reign. She also could do very little but watch as her Father became consumed by the Vale and its community, remarrying and growing further absent and neglectful of his own daughter. Eventually, Anya would depart the Vale in search of a less exclusive home; Oswin of Elvenesse.
Alongside her Dedicancy blossomed a connection of a different kind. Completely enraptured at first glance, a friendship was quickly formed between herself and the Xannic Keeper of the Paladins; Alatáriel Athna. The pair grew immensely close in their shared understanding of unbreakable loyalty to an Aengul, acknowledging what it meant to be entirely duti-bound. With time, Anya came to the realisation that her admiration for Alatáriel was more than a shared kinship. Drawing the Keeper to a pond layered with lily pads, she began to express her dilemma. She had spent centuries with affections unreturned, and could not bear to do so once again. Yet, she could also not hide the rapid beating of her heart. After listening for some time, Alatáriel nodded her head and confessed that her feelings were shared, and the pair began what would become a wonderous, devoted union. Simultaneously, her dedicancy came to an eventual conclusion with her attunement to the gift of Druidism - taking on the totem of Sun, alongside the new name of Avyndriel Vaeloryïs in honour of her Mother.
Unfortunately, Almaris, the realm upon which Avyndriel had finally begun to settle into a more stationary lifestyle, soon became overwhelmed with corrupt worshippers of Nemiisae; the Third Aspect. Sieges were laid upon every major city, several of which Avyndriel herself led the charge into battle with fellow Druii, Holy Knights, and Elves in her wake. Despite their best efforts, many lives were lost - including that of her mentor herself, Tailesin. Overcome with grief, Avyndriel sought comfort from others grieving from the same loss, only to be cast aside and left to the dark. Fortunately, the sun dawned once more in the embrace of the Riptide Druid - Zaelyn Arvellon. Locating Avyn in the ruins of Savoy, she revealed that before Tailesin's departure she had been sharing Avyndriel's name with other likeminded Druii - encouraging them to seek Avyn out and bring her into their fold. Thus, Avyndriel joined the ranks of the Asul'fiyem; The Druidic Circle of the Sun.
Aevos
As the continent of Almaris was consumed by hordes of cultists, the Descendants were thrust through dark caverns in a desperate attempt to flee. Eventually, they carved their way forth to the new realm of Aevos. Upon this continent, Avyndriel and Alatáriel were quick to reunite. The pair promptly set in motion plans for their wedding, following an engagement of two decades. Avyndriel, with her faith in the Order restored through her newfound Asul'fiyem brethren, quickly gained a footing upon the path she sought to lead. Within Amathine, following the trial of a darkspawn associate, she took his hand in punishment for crimes against the Druidic Order. Awaiting the return of a stolen staff from this same criminal, the Druidess attended the first moot of the Asul'fiyem and relayed her actions thus far - providing a discussion as to what was to be done with the staff once returned, for its owner had since been unattuned. Impressed by Avyndriel's profound faith in the Druidic Order, and the manner in which she led this controversial discussion, the position of Archdruid - Pillar of the Sun of the Asul'fiyem was thus bestowed upon her; one of few Druii to receive such a position before full mastery over their Druidic Gifts was achieved.
During her service as Archdruid, Avyndriel formed the Scholars of the Sun Circle; a group of scholars and scribes dedicated to restoring the lost knowledge and history of the Druii. She also constructed the Circle's grand library, and became the student of her two fellow Archdruii to finish her lessons - Zaelyn of the Riptide, and Elenora the Scorpion. Her stint as Archdruid would be fulfilling and impactful upon the Druidic Order, bringing to focus the lack of names of the Mother Circle's own fallen hierophants in their graveyards, yet short-lived. Following the aftermath of the Mori, and left to handle the many troubles caused by the Paladins of Xan, Alatáriel would seek a break from her active duties to calm her mind and rest. Avyndriel would join her wife, still healing from the pain endured from losing her mentor.
The pair were absent from the realm for many decades, until Avyndriel caught wind of her Father's absence from the Vale of Nevaehlen. Leaving her wife to rest, the Sun Druidess returned to civilisation to find the Vale's inhabitants living in an encampment outside Norland. Abandoned by their leadership, and Avyndriel's own Father, during the subjugation of the Silver State, Avyndriel rallied to the aid of her kin to serve where she could. She would quickly rise as a trusted advisor among the populace; a knowledgeable scholar, experienced warrior against undead, and an elder of the Aspectist Faith prior to the discovery of the Mani. Here, she made the difficult choice of casting aside the Acaele'thil in the wake of her Father's abandonment, and founded a new Seed oathsworn to their kin; the Aurë'naerï.
Notable Feats
Avyndriel achieved much in her long life, steadily rising as a notable figure within the Druidic Order and 'Ame culture;
- Ancient Nobility - Avyndriel comes from the Calithil Bloodline; a recognised Noble Seed during the era of the Dominion. Such an era has long-since ended, however.
- The First Aurë'naerï - The Founder of the Aurë'naerï Seed, Avyndriel was the first to swear the Sun's Oath and serve as Parriarch.
- Tailesin's Legacy - The last Druid to be attuned by Tailesin the Lynx, and the one she entrusted secret Druidic knowledge to in the form of various tomes following her death.
- Archdruid Prodigy - Granted the position of Archdruid of the Sun Circle after only a couple of lessons with her newfound Druidic gifts - recognised for her diplomatic experience, devotion to the Order, and strategic intelligence.
- Sea & 'Ame Unifier - Avyndriel played a pivotal role in the revival of the friendship and trust between the Vale of Nevaehlen and the Sea Elves of Amathine following a centuries-long rift. Her friendship with both Nations, and experience as ancient Dominion Nobility, permit her to organise and orchestrate the initial diplomatic meetings between the Matriarch of the Vale and High Princess of Amathine.
