Vrandil I
... King of the Shadows and that which creeps at night.
Underking Vrandil I, ruler of Zendil and General Supreme of the Underarmy Vrandil Torath (a.k.a. Renor Velve)
Vrandil Torath the First, usually called by his full title, Underking Vrandil I of Webclaw, is the ruler of an upper layer of the Underdark known as Zendil and the General Supreme of the Army of the Underdark.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Body Features
Facial Features
Straight nose resting under two sharp eyes resembling amethysts, although they are slightly smaller than average and somewhat sunken in. His eyebrows are fine lines of pure moonlight in a perpetual frown, acting as a contrast to his full lips.
His entire face looks like the passion project of a master sculptor, chiseled and polished as if to reach a standard of beauty written into dreams. High cheekbones, a pointed chin with slightly hollow cheeks round up an air of royalty about him.
A slight blemish damages the appearance in the form on a shallow scar near his left ear.
Identifying Characteristics
Special abilities
- Magic Abilities: Vrandil is a practitioner of the arcane arts, and can cast medium to high level spells from his studies alone.
- Overlord: The sword of all Underkings, said to posses abilities that allow its user to go above and beyond their limits.
- Martial Prowess: Vrandil is a highly adept fighter capable of wielding most weapons.
Apparel & Accessories
Specialized Equipment
- Overlord: Vrandil's longsword, and an heirloom of the kingdom.
- Arrows of Slaying: Enchanted arrows made to bring certain death to all enemies.
- Hidden Blade: An infamous weapon used almost exclusively by high-ranking assassins.
- Crown of Calaun: Artifact which the Underking uses to control Calaun the Black.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Born in extreme poverty in a gutter of the capital city of the kingdom, T'lindhet, Vrandil survived on his wits and sheer force of will to continue living. Every day, he would return to a small hovel built of discarded pieces of wood and cloth with the day's meal and gaze upon the full splendor of Castle Zandösk, dreaming of being the king to put a stop to the horrible hunger he felt, and to save anyone else from this sort of upbringing.
Over the course of his youth, Vrandil learned the ways of the tools of war from stealing into fighting matches. The longsword being his weapon of choice. He became renown for his fighting matches in The Colosseum of Nymoj, with spectators quickly taking a following to his unorthodoz yet effective combat style. Victory saw an influx of money, however paltry a sum, which Vrandil quickly spent on food and upgrades for his hovel. The surplus was used to help children with hungry eyes and starving mouths.
It was nothing short of fate that on one occasion, after he was beaten down to a bloody pulp in a match stacked against him, he was chosen by G'eltha Webclaw, the matron of a politically influential family, to be her consort. She came to Vrandil, still breathing laboriously in the sand of the arena, and raised him up while chanting a spell that would bind him to her forever. His wounds healed and his eyes unbelieving, Vrandil tentatively took a knee.
Not too long after this, G'eltha began plotting to overthrow the then Underqueen Vordra VI through a complicated political game that saw the steady release of calamities and injustices committed by the ruler with a naive Vrandil at its center. Too late did he realize that he became the instrument to forward G'eltah's plans, a realization which caused Vrandil to lose much of his signature kindness and retreat into himself. Eventually, in what became known as The Waltz of the Palebark Grove, Vrandil overthrew Vordra after defeating her in single combat. His armor withstood the barrage of blows dealt by the battered queen, and even protected him from a flurry of poisoned arrows loosened from one of his sponsor's bows, although they were never truly identified. On her dying breath, Vordra mused and reflected on everything that had occurred with her at the helm of the kingdom, hoping Vrandil could absolve her from her sins as his first official decree Vrandil stated that he had no such power, but that he, as a child raised by the streets, forgave her. Witnesses to the battle say she clutched his head then and leaned in, whispering one final revelation and falling, dead. Immediately after, with his gaze lost, the new Underking set eyes on the heirloom of the past rulers: the black edge sword of certain destruction, Overlord.
It has been fifty years since the Waltz, and Vrandil kept true to his promises. Under him, the reign has prospered as much as it could, with children receiving basic education and never going malnourished or dying on the streets. More than two dozen assassination attempts have been thwarted by the king himself, with him allowing the would-be killers a chance to defend themselves properly. Most of them are cited with stating his compassion is weakness that is allowing Zendil to fester and concede territory to inhabitants of lower, deeper layers of the Underdark.
Although the king stood by his code, the threat of the other things lurking in the deeper layers of the Underdark was escalating, to the point where some creatures would actually venture into the streets of T'lindhet and other important cities and terrorize the people. Vrandil himself led a charge against them, pushing beyond the borders of the city and following a shadowy being to the bowels of the deep. The king was the only one to return, and he was far more solemn and quiet when he did. Whatever he saw, he would not share with anyone. The scars he bore could not be cured, and he would be heard screaming throughout the silent hours.
After an entire year of seclusion and silence, the Underking emerged, clad in full plate armor and with four unknown females behind him, one of which was white of skin. He summoned everyone to the castle's entrance and gave a rousing speech, where he claimed he would take back the surface in direct spite to the gods who cursed them to live underground. There was silence following it, but a spark of hope and fervor had stolen into people's eyes, and a roar started to emerge from the heart of the crowd until it was deafening.
Now, accompanied by his triumvirate of high ranking warriors, an unknown figure, the might of the Houses of Zendil and the entire force of fifty thousand soldiers, the Underking marches on the surface, emerging from forgotten caves and tunnels. And to think it all began with the firing of a single arrow...
Education
- Trained in weapon combat with the victors of the Colosseum of Nymoj.
- Learned of the ways of magic with G'eltha Webclaw, matron of House Webclaw.
Employment
Accomplishments & Achievements
- Champion of the Colosseum of Nymoj on multiple occasions.
Defeated Vordra VI in single combat.
- Led a successful campaigns against dissidents and other rebels.
- Unified Zendikar under one banner after Vordra's fall.
Failures & Embarrassments
Vrandil's greatest failure is and always will be the expedition to the depths of the Underdark, and the loss of countless hands in the process.
That isn't to say that he's never known defeat. Time and again, he would not see victory in the Colosseum, and would be brutally beaten down by other competitors.
The earliest embarrassment he can remember is when he still lived in his little hovel, where a group of wealthy children stole what little clothes he had, forcing him to wander naked during the night, searching for clothes.
Mental Trauma
Intellectual Characteristics
Morality & Philosophy
Since he was living in famine, he believed that the strong should always seek to protect the weak. This can be seen in the way he organizes everything to better ensure the citizens of the realm are protected.
Beyond that, Vrandil follows a code of honor born from his studies while in Webclaw Manor: "No combat shall ever be started with any foe who is unarmed, incapacitated or incapable of standing".
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
To protect his people and bring prosperity to his realm.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Horribly awkward at dealing with people one-on-one. Terrible at mathematics.
Skilled in history and literature.
Hygiene
Immaculate.
Social
Contacts & Relations
After placing the crown on his head, he reached out to them and started housing them inside Castle Zandöskar, and has kept them near him at all times, ensuring they don't get swallowed up by the political machine.
Family Ties
Religious Views
Social Aptitude
Mannerisms
Speaks Common fluently, but with a slight accent betraying his true origins. Also tends to be as verbose as possible avoiding contractions or more "modern" ways of speaking.
Treats people with utmost respect, regardless of their station, unless they show they don't deserve it.
Poised to start a philosophical debate as he is prone to start sprinting.
Hobbies & Pets
Speech
Normally speaks in the dialect found in the upper layers of the Underdark, with a slight accent when talking in other languages that can be hard to place upon first hearing it. Normally talks slowly, calmly and in a very deep tone.
Greetings:
The blessings of Nymoj , Lathander and all other gods lie upon your soul.
Come you here bearing tidings of woe? Be welcomed into the hearth to take their chill from your bones.
Hail, visitor.
Raise your head, visitor. You are no beggar while in my presence.
Phrases:
The silence of the whisperwood is more oft than not louder than those of an empty void.
The true enemy lurks both too far and too close for me to sleep soundly.
No longer do I stare upon these walls longingly. In their stead, the streets are where my gaze lies.
A legion of people are never meant to be used as stepping stones.
Farewells:
May your arms be ever strong in the face of adversity.
Go, then, and may your step never falter.
May all your days be pleasant for first light to last.
To a vanquished foe:
Can you stand?
Be at peace, knowing you gave it your all.
You have my respects.
Wealth & Financial state
Living in Castle Zandöskar means he never has to buy a house.
Most of the House Finances are managed by G'eltha and the Treasurer, but prefers to buy things rather than demand them due to his status as being the king.
Fluent in Common, Elvsih and Undercommon.
Proficient in Dwarvish, Sylvan and Infernal.
Knows a smattering of Draconic and Celestial.
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