The
Baelnorns, also known as
baelnorn liches, are unique
Elves who defied the natural elven cycle of departing to the afterlife. Driven by an unwavering sense of duty, they embraced a path akin to lichdom, but with a distinct purpose.
These elves choose to extend their mortal existence far beyond its natural limits, not for selfish pursuits of power, but to serve and safeguard. They act as protectors of their families, communities, and treasured elven sites. Their commitment transcended the limitations of a single life, ensuring the well-being of their kin and the preservation of elven heritage for generations to come. Essentially, they become immortal guardians, wielding a power similar to liches but guided by a noble purpose.
Personalities
Unlike traditional liches fueled by greed and power, Baelnorns are bound by a different code. They belong to any non-evil alignment, but most often adhere to a strictly lawful good ethos. Their dedication to their chosen duty remained absolute, even in their transformed state.
While retaining the physical capabilities of living elves, Baelnorns' motivations and the unease their undead nature cause in others limited their social interactions. Most spende their days within the structures they guard or work in, rarely venturing out. Public appearances are often cloaked in secrecy, with Baelnorns wearing hoods to conceal their true form.
A Baelnorn protector might spend centuries vigilantly maintaining a network of defenses, prepared to face any threat. However, despite their enhanced capabilities, Baelnorns generally prefer to avoid conflict if possible, seeking peaceful solutions whenever they can. Their primary focus remain the fulfillment of their oath, not the pursuit of battle.
Acceptance in Elven Society
Baelnorns walk a unique path. Unlike their monstrous counterparts, they embrace undeath not for personal gain, but for a higher purpose. Though technically undead, they aren't viewed by elven society with the same level of revulsion. In fact, some even considered them sacred.
Roles
Baelnorns often receive titles reflecting their duties:
- Watchnorns act as watchful guardians of public spaces or family lands.
- Lorenorns serve as esteemed tutors, librarians, or students dedicated to preserving elven knowledge and artistry.
- Guardnorns and Wardnorns become formidable protectors of crypts, secured valuable items, or act as guardians of powerful magic.
Becoming a Baelnorn
Becoming a Baelnorn is a solemn act of selflessness. It means surrendering one's future, personal happiness, and the ability to influence one's own fate. This sacrifice is made not just for one's clan, but for the greater good of all elves. The decision to create a Baelnorn is reserved for extraordinary circumstances – a clan desperately needing a lorekeeper, a settlement requiring a vigilant guardian. Transformation only occurrs with the approval of the Coronal, High Mages, and clan elders, ensuring the decision is made with utmost care. Ultimately,
The Seldarine, holds the final say in whether an elf could become a Baelnorn. These transformations are incredibly rare, happening only a handful of times over millennia.
Abilities
Most Baelnorns retain their magical prowess and mental faculties even after embracing their transformed state, with some exceptions. Fueled by potent magic, younger Baelnorns often maintain their youthful appearance, though they might stand a touch taller. However, subtle signs betray their undead nature: their eyes gleam with an eerie white light, and their skin, though seemingly unchanged, feel faintly withered and developed a translucence that grew more pronounced with age.
As centuries passed, older Baelnorns shed their hair, lost muscle mass, and even their skin begin to recede, leaving them akin to animated skeletons. However, this skeletal form seems to represent their physical limit, for further decay do not occur. The exact lifespan of a Baelnorn remains a mystery, with no documented instances of them enduring for millennia.
Baelnorns retain all the memories, personality traits, and skills they possessed in life. However, their extended lifespan granted them an unparalleled opportunity to refine and elevate their abilities. With a near-infinite amount of time to dedicate to magical study, Baelnorns inevitably become formidable spellcasters, their magical prowess far exceeding that of most living elves.
Furthermore, Baelnorns possess a unique talent – the ability to project an ethereal replica of themselves. This wraith-like form allowed them to interact with others, hold conversations, and even scout dangerous areas from a distance. Notably, these projections are resistant to traditional magic used to banish or control undead entities. Their range of operation extended for a full mile, granting Baelnorns a significant advantage in reconnaissance and communication.
While Baelnorns possessed a power rivaling that of liches, they lack the chilling aura of dread that can paralyze lesser beings. Unlike traditional undead, they inspire respect rather than fear. However, their transformed state grants them an array of unnatural abilities.
Baelnorns may induce a state of suspended animation in mortals with a mere touch, effectively mimicking death. Their mastery of powerful magic allows them to summon and even command lesser undead creatures. Additionally, their bodies are remarkably resilient, shrugging off physical punishment and impervious to disease, poison, and fatigue.
Interestingly, the magic that bound a Baelnorn to their duty also render them immune to attempts at turning them into traditional undead. This ensure their unwavering dedication to the task they had sworn to fulfill, protecting them from being manipulated by outside forces.
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