King Nivalis af Arallfyd
King of the Arallfyd and Lord of Tywyllen Nivalis
The Otherking of the realm of Arallfyd, Nivalis was once a fiery warrior and ally of mankind. He aided King Ceredin Gréine in constructing the magnificent walls of Ellandun and in war against the giants. The two former friends fell out and after the killing of his people by the men of Ellandun, Nivalis led his people away from the world of Men and to Arallfyd. Remaining there, Nivalis constructed the great city of Tywyllen for his people and it has remained their home ever since.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
King Nivalis is described briefly in Cylch y Brenin as "Fair of skin, with billowing locks of hair dark as night. The lord of the otherworld stands tall and narrow in body."
Special abilities
Virtually immortal
Enhanced perception, dexterity, and strength
Emotionless
Enhanced perception, dexterity, and strength
Emotionless
Specialized Equipment
Keeps the sword Tavelwyr
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Of the line of the Kings of the Mainar, Nivalis was the son of Eldrin, a Mainar prince and great-grandson of King Naevylan, and grand-nephew of King Galenden. However, from his mother's line he was of the Duinne, the Fae common people as his ancestor was Oeron Slaidan, the first Lord of Ahcre-Fionnsúil and who in the tongue of the Géadine was remembered as Cerewulf Elensrac. Since the days when Tirmagall had been destroyed and the realms of the Galerainil spread, the Mainar kings had contended against the Sureno whom they shared land, and had thus become disinterested in the ongoing wars with the giants in the east. King Galenden had isolated his people and dealt great harm to the Sureno who had aided in killing his grandfather Thallan An Teithdeadh.
Yet Nivalis the prince was roused with passion at the thought of battle as he had heard and loved the tales of an older age when the Mainar had marched alongside the Huldra in war. And so he marched along with the old King Ellan of the Tirdôla in his final war with the giant King Egdir. In this final war, the giants were victorious and Ellan was slain by the great fire striker, Hyrbautr who tore the king in two. Surviving the battle, Nivalis was saved in the melee by the slain king's son and successor Ceredin who fled back to the safety of Ellan's dwelling. It is then that a tense peace came upon the land as the old king Egdir died by the hand of his own kinsman, Arnir Avarin from the House of Horsade who next became king.
With the aid of Prince Nivalis and his Mainar sculptors and artisans, Ceredin began reassembling his forces and made ready to avenge his father. Rallying all the races of men, with aid from the Mainar and even from a few giant deserters, Ceredin began construction on a new citadel for his people in the Vale of Finbhar. It is said that the three races aided greatly in its construction, each lending their expertise in crafting this marvel. Once complete, the great fortress city of Ellandun rose high and shone out amidst the valley where it lay. Proud and thick walls, shining like marble and glistening in the moonlight by Fae hands, Ellandun would come to be the greatest seat of Men before the ending of the Age of War. Behind Ellandun's walls laid the reforged warriors of the Tirdôla, fresh forged weapons of giant craft were given to them, and their helms and armor were adorned with gold and silver runes.
It was then, after the final building of that great fortress that Nivalis the prince of the Mainar once more set out with his kingly friend to the lands of the Teaghaisí. A great bout there was held to celebrate the fair and fiery princess Annanara whose father King Caerill invited a great host of suitors for her hand. However, Ceredin and Nivalis both schemed for the hand of the radiant princess but each thought the other was to aid them. Meeting in the field designated by King Caerill, the suitors of Annanara boasted and competed in every contest imaginable while the princess watched with her father. All sorts of arrow games, javelin tosses, ferocious melees, riding races, footraces, and wrestling matches took place and to some's surprise, Ceredin of Ellan's domain was among the highest. Nivalis himself was bested by the Synir giant Kalgran who broke the fae prince's arm during their fight. In the final standings was this Kalgran and Ceredin and to many's surprises and the relief of the onlooking Annanara, Ceredin's valor overtook the raw might of the rowdy half-giant.
And so it was that King Ceredin won the hand of Princess Annanara, making her princess of the Teaghaisí and Queen of Ellandun. While not admitting it, Nivalis was scorned, he had fallen for the beauty of Annanara, and in his shame, he felt resentment toward his friend Ceredin and fled his court back to that of his grand-uncle and king, Galenden. There, the prince discovered that King Galenden had once more journeyed out and contended with the Sureno, and as he did he returned to Ydalvi dead, and the kingship now passed on to Nivalis.
Now leading his people, Nivalis was contacted by his old friend to return to his side again as Ceredin began planning another war with the giants. With the sting of resentment still felt, Nivalis nevertheless answered the call to action and mustered his people to once again join man in arms. It was at this time that Nivalis forged for himself the sword "Tavelwyr" or Silencer. Answering the call of Ellandun, perhaps the mightiest army of the Mainar was led by their king and met the men of the north in time for the Battle of Buren. The host of men and fae were said to have numbered some 250,000 when they met the army of the giant Yrghal, the brother of King Arnir who sat alone to the east. The battle was a slaughter for both sides and so shocked was the fae king that as the battle had only just begun, the king sounded the retreat and upon spying far-off, the king of the Tirdôla and his former friend's response of bewilderment, Nivalis' resentment for him grew to such heights that he turned and he led his army away and abandoned Ceredin's men. The Battle of Buren was among the deadliest fought among the Tirdôla and their victory came at a dire price, a price that would not have been paid had the Mainar kept to their word. While a stinging betrayal, the King of Ellandun persevered and Ceredin won victory after victory against the giants, pushing them back to their own eastern lands. When a lull in the war came, with or without Ceredin's approval, the men of Ellandun descended on the Mainar and brutally butchered several of the northernmost villages of Thallan's folk. Some fought on, some fled, but nearly all those who had once thought these men their allies and friends now saw themselves at the end of their blades and their eyes mad with anger. Men went on and closer they came upon the lands of the Mainar and came upon the grove where Ydalvi lay, the sundered palace of King Thallan was discovered. Those who came feigned friendship, for those inside Ydalvi had not yet heard what they had done. A day passed, and as friends, they arrived, but in the night they donned dark cloaks and at the hour of Faen prayer amid night they revealed their intentions. Those who had gathered at the Aubeiri gardens of the king had been ambushed and slain without discrimination. At once the streets of the city were lined with armed men, and they came upon every Mainar home and either butchered those inside or put it to the torch. With the blood of his people still trickling in the city of their deliverance, King Nivalis became the last Mainar king to dwell in the world of Men. With those who had survived or had not been within the city, Nivalis ventured north and sailed off west. In using the same manner of unknown Faen magic that allowed them passage into this world, Nivalis, and his Mainar slipped from the sphere of the world and came to dwell in the land they named Arallfyd. With the last curse thrown toward the men of Ellandun, the Mainar fae left the world completely and found their refuge in this new land made for them. Nivalis' pride, rage, and grief masked his sorrow and loss, he set to work on building a new home for his people and they came upon the dark river Dŵeyd where the foundations of the new city Tywyllen were laid. As the Mainar settled in their new land, some did not find it so appealing as Nivalis' eldest son and his favorite Taliesin had come to spy far away, a woman of the world he had left. At the urging of his friend Esoldin, Taliesin sailed back across the sea to see her. This was Frinda, who unknown to the Mainar mariner, was the daughter of King Ceredin and Queen Annanara. Taliesin comes upon the walls of Ellandun and despite the fiery animosity felt for the Fae now among that place, he is granted an audience with the king, and in view of Frinda he plays a song so lovely that she becomes enamored with him. In every passage of the moon, Taliesin escapes back to Arallfyd, as Esoldin impersonates him in the court of Nivalis. Yet the lie is discovered inadvertently by Taliesin's brother Amaethyri, who alerts their father of Taliesin's disappearance. Thus upon a Mainar host, Taliesin is captured before he can sail to the world and be with Frinda. Nivalis imprisons his son in the central cell of Tywyllen's tallest tower and he never sees Frinda again, who is with child, giving birth to a son whom she names Saracel, or "secret" Yet as Taliesin rests in his imprisonment, he sings his fair song out its tall tower to the east, singing towards the shore and where he believes his love is awaiting him, unaware of the passage of time. Below, Nivalis the king broods alone in the Aerdomien, his shadowed palace, which he had built for himself and was supposed to belong also to his family. All have abandoned him and Nivalis' long life has left him cold and decrepit, far from the warmth of love, the Mainar king is but cold stone, and a stranger to all.
With the aid of Prince Nivalis and his Mainar sculptors and artisans, Ceredin began reassembling his forces and made ready to avenge his father. Rallying all the races of men, with aid from the Mainar and even from a few giant deserters, Ceredin began construction on a new citadel for his people in the Vale of Finbhar. It is said that the three races aided greatly in its construction, each lending their expertise in crafting this marvel. Once complete, the great fortress city of Ellandun rose high and shone out amidst the valley where it lay. Proud and thick walls, shining like marble and glistening in the moonlight by Fae hands, Ellandun would come to be the greatest seat of Men before the ending of the Age of War. Behind Ellandun's walls laid the reforged warriors of the Tirdôla, fresh forged weapons of giant craft were given to them, and their helms and armor were adorned with gold and silver runes.
It was then, after the final building of that great fortress that Nivalis the prince of the Mainar once more set out with his kingly friend to the lands of the Teaghaisí. A great bout there was held to celebrate the fair and fiery princess Annanara whose father King Caerill invited a great host of suitors for her hand. However, Ceredin and Nivalis both schemed for the hand of the radiant princess but each thought the other was to aid them. Meeting in the field designated by King Caerill, the suitors of Annanara boasted and competed in every contest imaginable while the princess watched with her father. All sorts of arrow games, javelin tosses, ferocious melees, riding races, footraces, and wrestling matches took place and to some's surprise, Ceredin of Ellan's domain was among the highest. Nivalis himself was bested by the Synir giant Kalgran who broke the fae prince's arm during their fight. In the final standings was this Kalgran and Ceredin and to many's surprises and the relief of the onlooking Annanara, Ceredin's valor overtook the raw might of the rowdy half-giant.
And so it was that King Ceredin won the hand of Princess Annanara, making her princess of the Teaghaisí and Queen of Ellandun. While not admitting it, Nivalis was scorned, he had fallen for the beauty of Annanara, and in his shame, he felt resentment toward his friend Ceredin and fled his court back to that of his grand-uncle and king, Galenden. There, the prince discovered that King Galenden had once more journeyed out and contended with the Sureno, and as he did he returned to Ydalvi dead, and the kingship now passed on to Nivalis.
Now leading his people, Nivalis was contacted by his old friend to return to his side again as Ceredin began planning another war with the giants. With the sting of resentment still felt, Nivalis nevertheless answered the call to action and mustered his people to once again join man in arms. It was at this time that Nivalis forged for himself the sword "Tavelwyr" or Silencer. Answering the call of Ellandun, perhaps the mightiest army of the Mainar was led by their king and met the men of the north in time for the Battle of Buren. The host of men and fae were said to have numbered some 250,000 when they met the army of the giant Yrghal, the brother of King Arnir who sat alone to the east. The battle was a slaughter for both sides and so shocked was the fae king that as the battle had only just begun, the king sounded the retreat and upon spying far-off, the king of the Tirdôla and his former friend's response of bewilderment, Nivalis' resentment for him grew to such heights that he turned and he led his army away and abandoned Ceredin's men. The Battle of Buren was among the deadliest fought among the Tirdôla and their victory came at a dire price, a price that would not have been paid had the Mainar kept to their word. While a stinging betrayal, the King of Ellandun persevered and Ceredin won victory after victory against the giants, pushing them back to their own eastern lands. When a lull in the war came, with or without Ceredin's approval, the men of Ellandun descended on the Mainar and brutally butchered several of the northernmost villages of Thallan's folk. Some fought on, some fled, but nearly all those who had once thought these men their allies and friends now saw themselves at the end of their blades and their eyes mad with anger. Men went on and closer they came upon the lands of the Mainar and came upon the grove where Ydalvi lay, the sundered palace of King Thallan was discovered. Those who came feigned friendship, for those inside Ydalvi had not yet heard what they had done. A day passed, and as friends, they arrived, but in the night they donned dark cloaks and at the hour of Faen prayer amid night they revealed their intentions. Those who had gathered at the Aubeiri gardens of the king had been ambushed and slain without discrimination. At once the streets of the city were lined with armed men, and they came upon every Mainar home and either butchered those inside or put it to the torch. With the blood of his people still trickling in the city of their deliverance, King Nivalis became the last Mainar king to dwell in the world of Men. With those who had survived or had not been within the city, Nivalis ventured north and sailed off west. In using the same manner of unknown Faen magic that allowed them passage into this world, Nivalis, and his Mainar slipped from the sphere of the world and came to dwell in the land they named Arallfyd. With the last curse thrown toward the men of Ellandun, the Mainar fae left the world completely and found their refuge in this new land made for them. Nivalis' pride, rage, and grief masked his sorrow and loss, he set to work on building a new home for his people and they came upon the dark river Dŵeyd where the foundations of the new city Tywyllen were laid. As the Mainar settled in their new land, some did not find it so appealing as Nivalis' eldest son and his favorite Taliesin had come to spy far away, a woman of the world he had left. At the urging of his friend Esoldin, Taliesin sailed back across the sea to see her. This was Frinda, who unknown to the Mainar mariner, was the daughter of King Ceredin and Queen Annanara. Taliesin comes upon the walls of Ellandun and despite the fiery animosity felt for the Fae now among that place, he is granted an audience with the king, and in view of Frinda he plays a song so lovely that she becomes enamored with him. In every passage of the moon, Taliesin escapes back to Arallfyd, as Esoldin impersonates him in the court of Nivalis. Yet the lie is discovered inadvertently by Taliesin's brother Amaethyri, who alerts their father of Taliesin's disappearance. Thus upon a Mainar host, Taliesin is captured before he can sail to the world and be with Frinda. Nivalis imprisons his son in the central cell of Tywyllen's tallest tower and he never sees Frinda again, who is with child, giving birth to a son whom she names Saracel, or "secret" Yet as Taliesin rests in his imprisonment, he sings his fair song out its tall tower to the east, singing towards the shore and where he believes his love is awaiting him, unaware of the passage of time. Below, Nivalis the king broods alone in the Aerdomien, his shadowed palace, which he had built for himself and was supposed to belong also to his family. All have abandoned him and Nivalis' long life has left him cold and decrepit, far from the warmth of love, the Mainar king is but cold stone, and a stranger to all.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Aided greatly in the creation of Ellandun's great walls
Allied with King Ceredin in war with the giants
Allied with King Ceredin in war with the giants
Failures & Embarrassments
Failed in the tourney for Annamara's hand
Mental Trauma
Lost love for Queen Annamara
Lost friendship with King Ceredin
Lost his son Taliesin
Lost friendship with King Ceredin
Lost his son Taliesin
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Remove himself from the affairs of men and secure peace and prosperity for his own people
Virtues & Personality perks
Shrewd
Valorous
Dutiful
Resourceful
Resilient
Valorous
Dutiful
Resourceful
Resilient
Vices & Personality flaws
Cunning
Prideful
Arrogant
Envious
Wrathful
Controlling
Prideful
Arrogant
Envious
Wrathful
Controlling
Social
Family Ties
Son of Eldrin and Oiecem
Great-Grandson of Naevys, daughter of King Naevylan
Father of Taliesin, Ereia and Amaethyri
Husband of Queen Dywera, daughter of Foriael and Fiondril of Eregrinel
Grandfather of King Saracel, Queen Finalva and Queen Falenuara
Great-Grandson of Naevys, daughter of King Naevylan
Father of Taliesin, Ereia and Amaethyri
Husband of Queen Dywera, daughter of Foriael and Fiondril of Eregrinel
Grandfather of King Saracel, Queen Finalva and Queen Falenuara
Social Aptitude
In brighter days, Nivalis was known as Nivalis "Tafod Teg", Nivalis the Fair Tongued for his beautiful singing voice. Nivalis is now known simply as the king of the otherworld, a figure of great standing to his people yet an unknowable figure devoid of all pleasure and devoid of all passion. Due to the location of Arallfyd, outside the standard flow of time, Nivalis and his people have enjoyed life far longer than that experienced by many Fae in the world. Despite this, Nivalis' long life has given him a faint and fleeing memory of who and what he once was. Gaps have formed in his memory, and the memory of his son Taliesin, of his friend Ceredin, and love for Annanara has slipped from him, yet the feeling of resentment, anger, and pain have not evaded the king.
Speech
Monotone and flat in speech, Nivalis has had all the emotion and pitch taken from him as well as his once fair singing voice. While never conveying such a thing, Nivalis' speech hides his inner grief over a long life wrought with pain and hardship, both personally and for his people who suffered greatly before arriving in Arallfyd.
Relationships
Species
Ethnicity
Spouses
Queen Dywera
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Light Brown
Hair
Long, Wavy, Black
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Fair
Height
7 ft
Quotes & Catchphrases
"I do not remember her face, nor the sweetness of her voice, nor the sounds she made in joy, only the stinging of her gaze towards me and the look I gave her in reply that sealed her displeasure with me, better to not remember then.
Ruled Locations
Character Prototype
Arawn of Annwn
Comments