Valend, God of Skill and Victory

Silverhand, Dragonbane, The Great Smith, Lord of Victory, Father of Vlaams

Valend has been silent since the Long Night and, like his father Llyr and sister Yrsa, is believed by many to be dead. This has come as a great shock to his worshippers since they believed he could never be defeated. He was a hero and a warrior champion, but also the greatest blacksmith who ever lived; he always wore the strongest armour and wielded the finest weapons, made by his own hands.

He was a popular god of both kings and commoners, above all else a god of the people, protector of family and clan. In ages past he wed the mortal queen Sindra, and from their union were born the tribes of Vlaams. Sindra is long since dead, and he has since fallen in love with the fey fugitive Fenya. To save her life he gave her the divine food of the gods so that she would forever be beyond Arawn’s reach.

Valend’s victories are too numerous to chronicle, but a few bear mention. He was central to the defeat of the Giants in ancient times. Although Llyr led the rebellion of the gods, it was Valend’s tactics and strategies that won the day. He also rid the mortal world of dragons, slaying half of them one by one in single combat, and driving the others into a dark realm. It is said that the surviving dragons will return from this exile to take part in the Last War and have their revenge upon Valend and his people.

In the times before the Long Night when Llyr would abdicate his responsibilities, it was Valend who stepped up to take his father’s place as temporary King of the Gods, much to his uncle Svarog’s anger. Despite their rivalry, these two warrior gods have never fought each other since Valend has been able to turn events to his advantage or divert Svarog’s aggression towards their shared enemies.

Valend appeared as a middle-aged man, clad in shining armour and finery. He most often wielded the magical sword Drakanvel and the enchanted shield Eldenskar.

Portfolio: Blacksmithing, Champions, Clan, Heroes, Kings, Skill, Swiftness, Victory
Domains: None; formerly Artifice, Earth, Glory, Protection, War
Subdomains: None; formerly Defense, Duels, Heroism, Honor, Metal, Tactics
Anathema: N/A; formerly Spells which instill negative emotions (e.g. doom, murderous command)
Favored Weapon: Longsword
Holy Symbol: A Golden Face
Associated Animals: Falcon
Superstition: Don’t rely on Valend to solve your problems, believe in yourself as Valend believes in you.
Dwelling: Aelwyth Arwyr, Hearth of Heroes, Valend’s castle in the Otherworld