Zaundur Drevayn

“We're putting the fear of the gods in the non-believers!
”– Episode 19, "Dowry"[edit]
[edit]

Official portrait of Zaundur. Art by Comics-And-Coffee.

## **Background**

Zaun'dur kulg Maedren xund Karalyndri dal Drevayiin was born in a drow colony to his mother, Maedren, a bastard child fathered by a surface elf named Ashryn Amarillis, though he would not come to know his father's name until over a century later. His mother left without explanation when Zaundur was still young, and he had to fend for himself since then, living in servitude to other drow matrons, securing his place at the bottom rung of the social ladder. Zaundur was a sensitive child who never quite fit into drow society, and being of impure heritage, he was always mocked, looked down on, and abused, particularly by other males.

Determined to prove his worth, he frequently tried to win favor with matrons, but his various plans never worked out as intended. On one disastrous occasion, his face was clawed by an ettercap, leaving scars that were seen as a sign of Lolth's displeasure, a judgment that added a religious zeal to his regular bullying. His most important misadventure, however, ended with him accidentally knocking one of his matron's favorite slaves into a chasm. Terrified of retribution, Zaundur fled to the surface, vowing that he would return when he captured an even better slave as a replacement, though he would lose sight of this goal soon after meeting Gwendolyn and Finnigan Flannigan in episode 1.

## **Relationships**

#### **Gwendolyn Flannigan**

Zaundur's relationship with Gwen has been a complicated affair since the morning after they first met. After mysteriously waking up in bed together after a night of drinking, they first established a relationship of antagonism, which gradually developed into one of reluctant respect, and eventually veered into sexual tension. They started sharing a bed more deliberately for a while, though even that has become complicated.

Zaundur, for his part, is in love with Gwen, whether he admits it or not. He's almost certain that she doesn't love him back, so he tries not to let it show (except when he does). Furthermore, he believes he is the father of her unborn child, and he's prepared to raise it, if it comes to that.

#### **Finnigan Flannigan**

Finn, along with Gwen, was one of the first two people Zaundur met on the surface, and Zaundur considers him a good friend and a spiritual advisor. After being converted to the worship of Selune by Finn's teachings, Zaundur has looked to him for guidance on her will, and how to conduct himself as a 'Moon Knight'. Though Finn has presented the party with some questionable goals of late, Zaundur didn't hesitate to go along with it - he cares more about their friendship than any other convictions.

#### **Meena Moonbeam**

If Gwen has stirred his heart and Finn has guided his spirit, the firbolg Meena most definitely occupies a unique space somewhere between the two. Zaundur felt drawn to her early on, due to both of them hailing from insular communities and having no concept of the wider world. When he started believing in Selune, she was there to support his burgeoning faith alongside Finn. When he was broken-hearted over Gwen, she was there to pick him up. She seemed heaven-sent, and for a while he tried exploring his new feelings for her, even kissing her during a boat ride. As she started to spend more time with another firbolg, however, he felt her getting more distant, and he likewise began withdrawing out of fear.

Matters came to a head when Meena's long-lost brother was revealed to be one of the party's enemies, and after he threatened some of their lives a few times, Zaundur privately determined not to let it happen again. He killed Meena's brother, and in response, she left the party behind and went to live with the other firbolg, Graze. Zaundur thinks that she probably hates him now, but he hopes she can at least be happy.

#### **Neriad**

Zaundur underestimated Neriad at first, much like he did the other surface-dwellers when he first met them, but perhaps to an even greater extent. Dubbing the elderly human "Prune Man" for his wrinkly appearance, Zaundur has mostly regarded him as a curiosity, not learning much more about him compared to his other companions. However, after having his butt saved by Neriad more than once, and quite literally in one instance, he has developed a sense of respect for the old sorcerer, and regards him as a valuable friend.

#### **Matthias Huckleberry**

As someone who grew up accustomed to being shunned and disliked, and who is notoriously inept at concealing his own emotions or reading others', Matthias's earnest and forthright kindness resonated with him. Though Matthias tends to call everyone his best friend, Zaundur has more than once echoed the sentiment, finding his friendliness infectious. Though Matthias's youth hasn't made him the greatest conversation partner for deeper discussions, Zaundur hasn't minded letting Matthias ride his shoulders, and enjoyed teaching him the drow game of Sava.

After Matthias was petrified, Zaundur has been quietly saddened that the little mouse is no longer with them, but wouldn't want to take him away from his adventures in the Feywild.

#### **Lexi Windfall**

Lexi is a new addition to Zaundur's slowly-crumbling circle of friends, and he's not sure yet what to make of her. He's stunned that there's someone out there more dense than he is, and yet he still feels like she judges him, which annoys him to no end, as he personally feels like he's been living up to his old claims of being a great warrior. In fact, he may even feel a little threatened by her relative prowess in battle. Time will tell if they become friends.

#### **Ashryn Amaryllis**

Zaundur's feelings toward the elf who turned out to be his father are heavily conflicted, and for the time being, he prefers to avoid pondering them. His emotions are a  mixture of disappointment compared to the man he'd dreamed his father would be, anger at him for abandoning himself and his mother, relief that they were able to resurrect him after his murder, and a quiet, hopeful yearning - though for what, even Zaundur doesn't know. Gwen seems to admire Ashryn, and Zaundur hopes one day he'll be able to see what she's seen in him. For now, the jury is still out.

## **Quotes**

“What in the Nine Hells is that?!”– Episode 3, "Squeeze"[edit]“Jealousy isn't a color.
”– Episode 27, "Sins of the Father"[edit]“Listen, *rath'obsul* (asshole). I realize you don't get to indulge your pregnancy fetish very often, and when you're with a halfling is the only time your penis seems almost normal sized, but we're having a moment, and I need you to go contain your degeneracy in your deluxe tent.
”– Episode 27, "Sins of the Father"[edit]