Valkaenar Vaeari
| Alias(es): | Lucien de Brumenoir, Klaus von Nibelheim. Nicknamed "Little Fox". |
| Nickname(s): | — |
| Residence(s): | — |
| Status: | Alive |
| Species: | Ayldarzi |
| Nationality: | Born Unseelie, now Equinox. |
| Gender: | Male |
| Orientation: | Pansexual |
| Loyalty/Loyalties: | Family, the Rísieth, France, Tyrol. |
| Partner(s): | Malakai Blackwood (Bonded)
Yaria Vaeari (Bonded, Married) Elara Silverleaf (Romantically involved) |
| Birthplace: | Castle Brookhaven in the Winter Court |
| Birthdate: | 2/5/3496 (AotSL) 12:20 AM (3496th year of the Age of the Shifting Leaves) |
| Era / Age: | — |
| Title: | Lord Sovereign Valkaenar Vaeari, of the Twilight Throne, Sentinel of the Rísieth and Ambassador to the Winter Court |
| Role: | Tier One Lord under the King of Twilight, Enchanter, researcher, Swordmage (Archfey of the Dreamstate soon enough) |
| Combat Class: | — |
| Specialty: | — |
| Magic School: | — |
| Affinity/Affinities: | — |
| Notable Feat(s): | — |
| Education & Training | |
| Formal Prep: | — |
| Formal Scholastic: | — |
| Formal Martial: | — |
| Formal Arcane: | — |
| Formal Religious: | — |
| Informal Training: | — |
| Languages | |
| Fluent In: | — |
| Semi-Fluent In: | — |
House: Sovereign Lord of House Vaeari
Age: ~16,317 years
Swordmage, enchanter; political survivor; hidden master Dreamwalker, researcher, al chemist, wizard.
True Strengths: One of (if not) the most powerful living Dreamwalkers; skilled Swordmage.
Public Face vs. Reality
For most of his life, Valkaenar presented himself as a mild-mannered noble scholar—a man of alchemy, enchantment, and delicate craftwork, whose worth lay in the poisons, medicines, and rare magical items he supplied to others.
Former Public persona: Useful, non-threatening, “a doormat” to more aggressive lords.
Currently: Valkaenar has risen from the ashes of his former life, many of his former peers have no idea what to make of him. Obviously there is more to Lord Vaeari, as he went from a Tier 3 doormat to the right hand of the Rísieth.
Reality: A patient and calculating strategist, weaving plots in multiple realms (mortal, Feywild, and the Dreamstate). His greatest power—Dreamwalking—is unknown to most, and he intends to keep it that way, at least for now.
Combat skill: Very dangerous with a blade, especially when using it to channel magic. When necessary, he is capable of channeling Dreamstate energy into the Faerie realm, which is not something that anyone else can do.
Core Beliefs & Personality
Motto: “Family is everything.”
Values loyalty and legacy above politics, though politics are the battlefield he must navigate. He considers the Rísieth part of his family, and the cause of reuniting the fey under one banner is imperative to him.
Patient to the point of decades-long plans; prefers to move only when it benefits the long game. Vengeance, however, might be swift, though he will holds grudges for centuries if necessary, especially against those who hurt his family.
The primary rune on his crest (the vaguely Y shape) means Family.
Dislikes unnecessary cruelty to innocents, but will act ruthlessly when cornered. Ultimately, Valkaenar IS a sadist at his core. If he can 'play' with an enemy, he absolutely will.
Family History
Parents: Raena Vaeari and Soren Runavael. Deceased — killed in a carriage accident, leaving Valkaenar as sole surviving Vaeari heir. They had been married for 37 years when he was born.
Maternal Grandfather: Aethon Nyzreth — executed by Queen Mab for political reasons (friendship with someone she despised). This ignited Valkaenar’s initial hatred for the previous queen Mab. He has since reunited with the reincarnation of his grandfather.
Maternal Grandmother: Lady Calyenth “Callie” Vaeari. Assassinated by House Thaoris.
Paternal Grandparents: Raena and Soren had met while studying at a bard college in the Equinox ((Windsong Academy)). Though bardic talent ran in his blood—his mother had been one—Soren’s father disapproved of the path. After his mother’s death, The Runavael family considered barding an irresponsible career and disowned him.
Partners
Yaria — Bonded, Married. Met ~5000 years ago. Married very shortly afterward. Her presence keeps him balanced and connected to his softer instincts.
Lord Malakai Blackwood -- Bonded. Met when both were about 400 years old, at a college party. Formed a fast close friendship with benefits, though were not outright lovers at that time. The bond was present but unknown and unrecognized at the time. As they are both sadists, at at the time both very Unseelie and dark, Valkaenar distanced himself from all of his friends, including Malakai, when Yaria entered his life- as she was upset by that behavior. He has recently reconnected with Malakai and the bond has ignited, burning hot. Valkaenar had since been pulled from his blacker behavior by Yaria and is now acting as a torch for Malakai, leading him out of the darkness as well.
(“Bonded” pairings are rare occurrences of true love where two souls are intertwined; usually, separation over time causes physical and spiritual harm to both. Valkaenar's mastery over the Dreamstate has nullified the harm, though separation isn't particularly pleasant overall. The likelyhood of a bond runs much higher in certain powerful bloodlines, and Valkaenar's is one of them.).
Elara -- Girlfriend/weird father-daughter relationship. Elara is bonded to Zeromaeus, so its sort of a threesome. Met about 3500 years ago, started as frenemies when Elara and Zeromaeus were in college. She is his "Sweet Summer Child", being originally Seelie, flighty, and naive. He means it affectionately.
Zeromaeus -- boyfriend-adjacent through Elara. Valkaenar is more of a mentor and confidant to Zeromaeus, very close friend with benefits.
Rynzel -- Former servant / very close friend with benefits / maybe more
Valkaenar's romantic and familial relationships are warm, each person an anchor in his life.
Bonds are kept 'secret' to avoid them being used as leverage. It is, however, obvious that he is deeply in love with both, negating most of the attempt at secrecy.
Descendants (in birth order)::
Daryndel: (eldest son)
Developed oppositional defiant tendencies early.
Resented his father’s authority and desired his position as Lord.
Also believed in “family is everything” but appeared to interpret it selfishly.
Eventually appeared to attempt to kill Valkaenar in a fit of rage during an argument; Valkaenar survived and killed him in self-defense. This remained one of Valkaenar’s deepest regrets until the truth was uncovered and remedied. Patricide was not Daryndel's intent, but to direct his father's attention onto forcing the truth of his secret son's existance out of him as he had vowed to stay quiet on the matter. It was an attempt to preserve his own honor in breaking under force, but went poorly. Instead, Valkaenar turned to walk away while Daryndel lunged, resulting in Valkaenar's impalement and Daryndel's opened throat.
Daryndel had a son in secret with Lady Renthelvar, who was the head of an enemy House (see Vey Renthelvar). Sworn to secrecy and uninvolvement in how the child was raised, this was the catalyst of his death as Vey was being abused and he was powerless without dishonoring himself. Daryndel needed his Valkaenar's help to save Vey and couldn't ask for it directly.
Daryndel has since been ressurected now that the truth has come out, and Valkaenar worked with Daryndel to be 'murdered' as Daryndel 'rose from the grave' and rested power, 'taking' the position of Lord Vaeari. What really happened involved Valkaenar using the above as a facade to flee the Unseelie Court and start anew in the Equinox, being 'ressurected' by Drenevyr. Wheras leaving outright was seen as betrayal to the crown, being rezzed in the Equinox was not as House Vaeari still existed in the Winter Court, with a 'more capable' Lord at its helm. Daryndel now has his father's former position and is now the top advisor to the new Queen Mab- the power Daryndel always wanted. And Valkaenar is safely free from the Winter Court's grasp, able to do as he pleases. Win-win.
Roah: (daughter)
Twin sister to Vaksenar. Executed by Queen Mab alongside her brother for forming an incestuous cult with him. Mentally unstable.
Vaksenar: (son)
Twin brother to Roah. Executed by Queen Mab. Also mentally unstable. Though he understood why and found it to probably be for the best, their deaths further deepened Valkaenar’s hatred for the former Queen Mab.
Estrelle: (daughter)
The youngest daughter, four years older than Drenavyr.
Infiltrated an enemy House by marriage. Whereas this was highly dishonorable and would involve her social ostrisization at best if found out, she was determined it was necessary to protect House Vaeari and would not say why. They found out and dosed her with Petals (a dangerous, highly expensive, addictive substance with no cure. Not recieving a steady supply causes violent madness). Valkaenar ended her life himself, to spare her from further suffering. He did not resurrect her, as the addition remains with the soul. Valkaenar found out nearly a millenia later that her soul had healed enough and since has done so, but she remembers nothing of her life past the age of 17 and sadly still can't tell him why she did what she did.
Drenavyr: (son)
Youngest child. Took the name Averon Silvaeari after he fled to the Equinox with his infant son, Rivvin. Rivvin was born only because Drenevyr had to pay Rivvin's mother (Raya Silverfern) a million gold to not abort him. This took place shortly after being pulled from bard college ((again, Windsong Academy)) in order to step up as the sole remaining Vaeari heir. At college Drenevyr had joined the Church of Ryn, which was highly illegal in the Winter Court and doing so had made him realize he did not want to raise his child in the cruelty that ran rampant there. Whereas Vaeari was full of love, the world of the Unseelie was not, and Family is Everything. Drenevyr chose his child's wellbeing over his parents wishes and disappeared, fearing his father's wrath at stealing Valkaenar's only known grandchild and leaving his legacy behind. Valkaenar, though extremely wounded by his son's actions, chose to let them go, hoping that one day he would return, and knowing that the Equinox was ultimately a better life for them both (At the time, Valkaenar believed that he could never follow, as he was literally magically bound to the house and could not leave it for more than 6 months at a time).
Averon married Lenya and had three more children: Erevan, Mera, and Rael.
The Hidden Grandchild
Vey Renthelvar (Vaeari): (grandson via Daryndel)
Son of Daryndel and Lady Renthelvar (enemy House).
Conceived to fulfill a prophecy (“Prophecy of the Eternal Flame”).
Not born under the intended celestial sign, causing his mother’s disappointment.
Disguised with magical glamours to hide his strong resemblance to Valkaenar.
Had never met his grandfather.
Grew up poorly treated after failing to fulfill a second prophecy at age 14.
Daryndel occasionally visited in secret; these visits ceased after his death when Vey was 16.
Vey was about a thousand years old when he fell in love with a golddigging commoner and produced a son, Noxtheris.
Two years after his son's birth, Vey was brutally killed and publicly displayed by Lady Renthelvar to appease a higher tier house and gain faction with the crown. Noxtheris's mother abandoned him, and the baby was at House Renthelvar's mercy, growing up knowing nothing but abuse.
Rivvin Silvaeari: (grandson via Drenevyr)
Son of Drenevyr Vaeari and Anya Silverfern. Rivvin was a child of lust and unwanted by his mother who demanded payment to not abort the child. His birth cost House Vaeari 1,000,000 gp and Anya Silverfern her entire social standing within her family. The Silverfern family is a merchant house of shapeshifters, and Rivvin inherited the gene from both sides, as Yaria also descends from the Silverfern pack through her father who was unknown to her mother. Most of the Silverfern pack can turn into wolves, though Rivvin is capable of turning into almost any mammal he has seen. Rivvin is neurodivergent and socially awkward, highly intelligent, and Family is Everything means just as much to him as it does Valkaenar. He is also handsome, strong, and powerful, which several women have found to be irresistable, netting him four of his five children. Sadly, those women were also fearful of him and wanted their children away from their father. However, as Silvaeari is a powerful force, three of them did allow Rivvin access to them on holidays. Amber was wholly unknown to Rivvin as her mother did not inform him of the child and she was killed by bandits. Thistle was a planned child and born to Rivvin's bondmate Vaith (who is usually male but wore an amulet to change his sex and allow him to conceive). Rivvin was also the first of Averon's children to forgive Valkaenar for his abduction of Erevan, as Family is Everything.
Erevan Silvaeari: (grandson via Drenevyr)
The first of Averon's children with Lenya
Mera Silvaeari: (granddaughter via Drenevyr)
Rael Silvaeari: (grandson via Drenevyr)
Venril Silvaeari: (great grandson via Rivvin)
Rathevar Silvaeari: (great grandson via Rivvin)
Lillawyn Silvaeari: (great granddaughter via Mera)
Winnowill Silvaeari: (great granddaughter via Rivvin)
Raven Silvaeari aka Raven Nevermore: (great grandson via Erevan)
Asura Silvaeari: (great granddaughter via Mera) deceased
Vasta Silvaeari: (great granddaughter via Rael)
Eravael "Vale" Silvaeari: (great grandson via Rael)
Noxtheris "Nox" Renthelvar (Vaeari): (great grandson via Vey)
Nox has a small frame and has a streak in his hair much like Yaria. He was sent by his grandmother to a fighter school in the Equinox at 16 that he was wholly unfit for, told that if he graduated there, he would have a chance at going to a 'better' school in the Winter Court and using the Renthelvar name openly. Knowing that he would be an embarrassment (and for that matter probably die), they had Nox use the Vaeari surname.
This proved to be a fatal mistake. Nox clearly did not belong there, and thus drew attention onto himself from Quetzal, Raven Silvaeari's fiance. Quetzal sat at Nox's table at lunch as the boy was clearly the one 'most in need of a friend', and Quetzal wanted to help. When all the evidence fell into place, Valkaenar destroyed House Renthelvar, Vey was ressurected, the truth of Daryndel's attempted 'patricide' came out and he too was ressurected.
Nox has since graduated fighter school out of sheer stubbornness, to prove the ghosts of his abusers wrong.
Amber Silvaeari: (great granddaughter via Rivvin)
Thistle Silvaeari: (great granddaughter via Rivvin)
---
Key Events in Valkaenar’s Life
Carriage accident: Loss of parents; thrust into leadership early.
Execution of Aethon: Mab kills his maternal grandfather; solidifies Valkaenar’s animosity.
Friendship with Malakai
Midgardian experiences as Lucien and Klaus.
Meeting Yaria: A rare happiness, kept hidden from political enemies.
Children’s fates: Multiple children lost to Mab’s politics, one to addiction, and one in a violent confrontation.
House strategy: Chose to play the part of the meek, overly useful lord to avoid threats while consolidating influence quietly.
Dreamwalking mastery: His most dangerous skill; capable of altering dreams, traveling within them, and influencing both the mind and the Wyrd through them.
Enemies
The previous but now deceased Queen Mab — Blamed for much of his personal loss; Valkaenar’s patience in plotting against her was measured in millennia and he was immediately involved in her downfall.
House Renthelvar — Historical rivals; complicated by Vey’s existence. Destroyed.
Political Standing
Supports Zeromaeus, the prophesied King of Twilight, and has pledged loyalty to him.
Secrets Only Trusted Allies Know
He is a Dreamwalker without peer.
Can shift between combat-capable swordmage and manipulator of the dreamscape.
Lady Yaria Vaeari and Lord Malakai Blackwood are his Bonded mates— emotional and magical anchors.
Klaus and Lucien:
Klaus is a persona where he can flamboyantly do whatever he wants without damaging Valkaenar's reputation (though in the World of Iron/Midgard/Earth he is a bit more careful as his reputation there is still important), and exists both in the feywild and on the World of Iron/Midgard/Earth. In the feywild, he is an eccentric wizard in Valkaenar's service, doing research and a travelling merchant. On the World of Iron/Midgard/Earth he is the Wolf Lord of Tyrol, a darling of the church.
Lucien is a white knight, oathbound to protect the land of the Franks. Said to Charlemagne, a fae oath freely given:
“Familia est omnia, Karol. Per sanguinem et spiritum me obligo: quandiu hunc mundum ambulo, nomen tuum ut fratris servabo, et terram Francorum in fide teneam — montem et campum, flumen et agrum similiter. Gladius meus tuus sit, sicut erit post mille annos et ultra. In memoria et in iuramento non frangam, nisi ubi vires maiores me cogant.”
(Family is everything, Karol. I bind myself by blood and spirit: as long as I walk this world, I will keep your name as a brother, and hold the land of the Franks in faith — mountain and plain, river and field alike. My sword shall be yours, as it will be after a thousand years and beyond. In memory and in oath I will not break, except where greater forces compel otherwise.”)
Current Goals
Protect his family.
Support the rise of the Rísieth and the restoration of faerie influence over the Dreamstate.
As Klaus and Lucien- save the World of Iron/Midgard/Earth from the ecological destruction and ultimate death of the planet. He can't protect France if there is no Earth.
