Yalph
King Yalph
The venerated lord of the Bronzebark Elves, King Yalph lives his twlight years in a lonely existence. Without an heir apparent, there is an undercurrent of concern as to what comes next when he should finally pass away
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Yalph descends from a noble line that have lead the Bronzebark Elves since the middle of the second age. Despite being predetermined for this role, he held little interest in the pageantry or authority of the role. Instead, he was interested in arts, nature, and faith. He was also greatly interested in Marowyn, an Elvish commoner that he held great affection for, and kept their passionate relationship a secret. Although she was his great joy, the two could never marry. Marowyn would be killed by humans shortly after taking the throne. Yalph's initial hesitance turned into swift and decisive response.
Having lost his true love, Yalph married a few years after the war. It was not lost on many people that Yalph, who had also felt restrained by the throne rather than enabled by it, did so out of obligation of his role as King than having found any true love. Still, the King and Queen had a child together, and the line of succession would continue.
Shortly after his daughters birth, the young Queen passed away from a mysterious illness, leaving Yalph to care for their daughter on his own. The King found fatherhood much to his liking and his natural calling. The young princess was well nurtured and encouraged to be a voracious reader, a gifter orator, and chronologer. As she gained in age, the princess became enraptured by ancient history, to a degree that even the Royal Library could not satiate. Without warning, the princess and heir to the throne vanished, never to be heard from or seen ever heard of again.
Reminding him so much of his true love, the loss of his daughter greived King Yalph deeply. He continued to govern well and justly, but in his solitude and with so much lost, it was clear that his mind and heart were filled with a melancholy dread. Turning this malaise into an empathetic spirit for others, the king's concern for others and his venerable years of dedication to the crown have allowed to him to be greatly respected by his subjects.
Respectful as they may be, many have eyes on the clock. With his daughter seemingly lost forever and with no possibility of a new heir, the question of who becomes the new king is unanswered. With the royal line traveling back to the Second Age, and with Yalph having no siblings, there are none among the nobility who can make a legitimate claim to the throne. When asked about the question, Yalph dismissively waves the question off, and refuses to name a successor. For all of his loneliness, the King of the Bronzebark Elves is still not ready to die.
Respectful as they may be, many have eyes on the clock. With his daughter seemingly lost forever and with no possibility of a new heir, the question of who becomes the new king is unanswered. With the royal line traveling back to the Second Age, and with Yalph having no siblings, there are none among the nobility who can make a legitimate claim to the throne. When asked about the question, Yalph dismissively waves the question off, and refuses to name a successor. For all of his loneliness, the King of the Bronzebark Elves is still not ready to die.
Failures & Embarrassments
The humans of Khartoum made an incursion into the Bronzebark Forests early in Yalph's reign as king. The land was rife with lumber and game, both of which the humans needed to fuel their industry and shipping. Yalph was reluctant at first to send a force to contend with them, feeling that diplomacy would rule out.
Before that could occur, Marowyn, who lived in the forests rather than in the capital city of Traity, was caught up in the mess and was killed by the humans for personally trying to stop them by the limited magical means she had available. Having discovered of her death, Yalph's reaction was viceral and decisive. All known or suspected to have been involved were killed by the elite soldiers of Bronzerbark. An ultimatum was made that humans must stop forever, or risk all out war. The humans subsided their incursion, though their barbaric means of harvesting the lands devestated the area, making them inhospitable for new growth to this day. The land has since been referred to as the remnants, a physical reminder of Yalphs reluctance. Marowyn is buried in the Remnant's still. Consumed by so much same and the inability to admit his relationship with her, she was given a shallow and swift burial.
Before that could occur, Marowyn, who lived in the forests rather than in the capital city of Traity, was caught up in the mess and was killed by the humans for personally trying to stop them by the limited magical means she had available. Having discovered of her death, Yalph's reaction was viceral and decisive. All known or suspected to have been involved were killed by the elite soldiers of Bronzerbark. An ultimatum was made that humans must stop forever, or risk all out war. The humans subsided their incursion, though their barbaric means of harvesting the lands devestated the area, making them inhospitable for new growth to this day. The land has since been referred to as the remnants, a physical reminder of Yalphs reluctance. Marowyn is buried in the Remnant's still. Consumed by so much same and the inability to admit his relationship with her, she was given a shallow and swift burial.
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