When darkness falls, and the shadow closes in, I will be there to bring the light.
Biography
“Our homes are burning!” “What are we supposed to do?” “The ground… it’s crumbling!” “Merciful gods… please, somebody, HELP US!”
The panicked cries echoed like thunder above the roaring maelstrom that ravaged the dying world. Flashes of lightning illuminated the blood red sky as meteors rained down upon a battered landscape of fallen trees, cloven mountains, and heaving seas. Through the darkness, a lone figure stood, his gleaming sword, a beacon of hope amidst the ensuing chaos.
“This way! Through the portal! It’s our only chance!”
Valfëa’s eyes snapped open, a frequent occurrence on most nights, his body drenched in a cold sweat. It didn’t matter how many he saved that fateful day, he would always be haunted by those he couldn’t.
ARRIVAL IN OSTERRA
Hailing from a world now known as The Shattered Lands, Valfëa witnessed firsthand what happens when hubris, avarice, and an unfettered lust for power is allowed to run rampant. It wasn’t just the demon-worshipping cults that plagued the countryside, ever tampering with the weave of magic; it was the corruption and complacency of the realm’s institutions that failed to see the signs of the impending catastrophe. Nature’s laws were being ignored, the leylines were taking a toll, and it was just a matter of time before the irresponsible abuse of the planet would bring about their reckoning.
Valfëa tried to stop it, of course, but his warnings often went unheeded. “What does a paladin know of these matters? Stick to guarding caravans and meddle not in the affairs of wizards if you know what’s good for you!”
Age: 536
Pronunciation: Val-fay-ah
Birthday: Rites of Spring 2023
Race: Elf
Affiliations: The Grove, The Order of Light
Path: Warrior, Healer Subclass (Paladin)
Homeworld: The Shattered Lands
Residence: Nomadic
Wherever he could, Valfëa, and his small group of companions, known simply as The Company, would thwart the plots of cultists who were using the leylines to open a network of portals to other worlds. But for every coven destroyed, two more took its place.
Eventually, the planet could take no more. The day of reckoning came – the Cataclysm, which tore asunder the very fabric of the world. During this apocalyptic doomsday, Valfëa led The Company, and as many survivors as he could, to the only escape route he could find – through one of the very same portals that was tearing the planet apart.
As the waves of pulsating magic washed over him, and the scenes of utter devastation faded from view, Valfëa prayed he had made the right decision. To his astonishment, the world that opened before him, which he came to know as Osterra, was not unlike his own before its violent downfall.
Lush fields, verdant forests, and blue skies welcomed him as if he had been given another chance at life. “Surely, I haven’t gone back in time?” he thought. But whatever this new world had in store for him, Valfëa vowed that he would do everything within his power to prevent it from succumbing to the fate of his former home.
However, to his dismay, not all of Valfëa’s companions made it through the portal. Had they arrived elsewhere on Osterra, or another plane entirely? Regardless, The Company was now effectively disbanded, leaving Valfëa to seek new alliances in this unfamiliar world.
It was at this pivotal moment that Valfëa discovered The Grove. Not only did this friendly conclave generously take in refugees from his home world, but they also stood stalwart in the face of those who would abuse nature’s gifts. In them, Valfëa sees the wisdom and respect for the natural world that so many others lack.
“From sorrow, to hope,” Valfëa whispered, an ever so slight smile dawning across his face. “Well, it looks like my work isn’t done yet,” he sighed, gently patting the ground.
Rising to his feet to face the morning sun, Valfëa breathed deeply. “Let’s try this again.”
Personality
A review of the character’s roleplay style and temperament and how to engage them
Oaths
As a paladin, Valfëa has sworn an oath to uphold a personal code of conduct. A paladin’s oath is not an unrealistic expectation of perfection. Rather, it is a series of principles that the paladin has voluntarily set for themselves to help guide them along the path of righteousness. While straying from the path does sometimes happen, there is a difference between an honest mistake and deliberately and consistently violating the oath.
The goal is to be a force for good in the world by forming and practicing virtuous behaviors, thereby cultivating positive energy that radiates out from the paladin. This positive energy manifests in a variety of ways, from healing the sick and injured, to bringing hope to those in despair, to defending the downtrodden from their oppressors. Kindness must not be mistaken for weakness. A paladin’s oath is therefore not a restriction but rather the source of their strength.
Key tenets of Valfëa’s oath are as follows:
Honor
One must strive to be honest, fair, and trustworthy in every word and deed. Lying, stealing, and cheating breaks down trust and is antithetical to cultivating positive energy and good karma. Context matters to a certain degree. A one-on-one duel is different from a massive field battle, just as withholding information or misleading foes to protect others is different than professing deliberate falsehoods for one’s own benefit.
Purity
The end does not justify the means. Sacrificing one’s morality, even for a good cause, is self-defeating. One must ensure that in the quest to defeat evil one does not become evil in turn. Through thoughtful and periodic introspection, one can guard against corruption. Likewise, the use of poison goes against the principle of maintaining purity for oneself and others. Forces that disrupt the natural order, such as demons, undead, and necromancy, must be opposed.
Selflessness
One must never forget thine mission. It is not about seeking glory for thyself. It’s about serving others, protecting the innocent, and standing up for what’s right. That isn’t to say one cannot be rewarded for completing certain tasks. Rather, one must not go into it for the sole purpose of expecting something in return. One must do what is right, regardless of whether there is a reward for it or not. On the contrary, one must be prepared to make personal sacrifices in order to fulfill one’s mission.
Appearance
Valfëa is a male elf of average height and athletic build. He has fair skin, brown eyes, long, dark hair, and pointed ears. He is often clad in earth tones: brown leather, green linen, and golden armor to blend in with the sun-dappled forest. His primary weapon is a longsword but he has also been known to wield a longbow with golden filigree indicative of his elven heritage.