Laern

Laern is an eladrin knight and father of Saphir. As a NPC, he is played by Goldseer, with development notes by KeruFaye.

Appearance
Tall, muscular, and clad head to toe in armor, Laern boasts an intimidating physique. Under his helm, he has long black hair, tan skin, blue eyes that glow with spring sunlight, and shining freckles. He wields dual longswords, gleaming blue blades inlaid with silver.

Personality
Laern is a stalwart, serious man. He takes his duty as a protector very seriously, to the point of challenging people to honor duels to resolve slights against his loved ones and innocents. His sense of justice comes second only to his family.

Background
Many years ago, Laern was a member of the Spring Court and served as the Monarch's champion. He protected the Monarch and their citizens, facing threats to the fey kingdom with his squire Grahmine by his side. One such tale of his deeds, as told by Grahmine, describes the two knights tracking a green dragon through the woods. A long and brutal fight ensues. The dragon's acid breath destroyed Laern's right eye, but he plunges his blades into the dragon's heart and fells the beast.

Legend has it that the swords he carries were plucked from a fallen star, earning Laern the title Knight of the Star Blades.

He had a bitter rivalry with a fellow eladrin and dealt a grievous blow to his pride. This eladrin left the Court and became the dullahan known as Torl Shal.

Laern left the Spring Court when he received a calling to seek the Godslost. According to the Monarch themself, he was their greatest knight, and they could not replace him after he left.

However, he was granted permission by Pelor to abandon the quest when he fell in love. Laern married a dark elf woman, Phyrra, and the couple had a son whom they named Ymille.

For reasons unknown, Laern and Phyrra were forced to flee from Curanna. They took refuge in Everrise and settled into a quiet life raising their baby boy. The peace, however, was short-lived. One fateful night, some months after Ymille's birth, the forces of Nyl invaded their home, an attack Laern presumes that his rival Torl Shal orchestrated. Despite Phyrra's and his best efforts, a Quickling kidnapped Ymille. The couple scoured the lands for their lost son. Laern attempted to track Torl Shal, but after about thirty years of desperate searching, no sign of Ymille turned up. They had to presume their child dead or otherwise permanently lost.

Laern continues to be the subject of stories as a hedge knight. Locals of Curanna report seeing him at the side of a seer. The two are known to pass through the Dales on occasion, providing assistance to the citizenry.

Session 4/23
In Daledyun, Laern is stopped on the road to his and Phyrra's caravan by Saphir. The rogue, who names himself as Ymille, aggressively confronts the eladrin. Assuming that he's lying, Laern drops the groceries he was carrying and draws his swords. Rylee attempts to deescalate, but the two men continue to shout over her. In response to Saphir's demands, Laern removes his helm to reveal his face. He casts Zone of Truth upon Saphir to dispel any illusions upon him, though Saphir has none.

Laern, realizing Saphir is telling the truth, demands to know what happened to him and remarks that the Outriders took Saphir for a reason beyond causing himself and Phyrra pain. Having nothing else to say, Saphir attempts to leave, but Rylee stops him with Mold Earth. Phyrra emerges from the caravan to offer Saphir empathy, and tells him she won't make him stay. Laern rushes inside to comfort her, leaving Saphir in the street with his friends.