Virion Vendyros

> "The Dragon rules alone... All others will burn." *Virion Vendyros, The Plight of Steel, Chapter 25*
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Virion Vendyros is the patriarch of the Vendyros family and the king of Riverfall. He is known by many as *the Dragon of Deyeron* - a name derived from both his family's sigil, and his ruthlessness as a ruler. He feigned poisoning during the Plight of Steel for an unknown reason, allowing his daughter Cassara to ascend to the throne in his stead. This was short-lived, however, as he banished her once she questioned his motives.

## Biography

Virion is the son of Tidaeus Vendyros, who was shot by his brother on his coronation day. Because of this, Virion was given the crown at a young age. The pressure and importance of his role began to weigh on him, poisoning his mind and turning him bitter and hungry for complete domination of all. By the time he was eighteen years old, he had established himself as the object of fear for many, proving his skill in commanding armies to defend his kingdom from other rulers who sought to take it. This was later learned to be the result of his Reverie gift, which allowed him to predict the moves of his foes before they made them. During his time, he was the most powerful Reverie known to have existed in the history of the Known World.

After meeting his wife, Ashera, he concocted a plot to try and breed a perfect child who would be his equal in both power and skill in the gift of the Reverie, ensuring that after his death, there would be a child perfect to succeed him. He produced four children, Firion, Cassara, Balthier, and Seifer. Firion, he discovered, was gifted with the power of the Conjurys. Ashamed, the boy ran away from the castle to live in solitude. Balthier grew to be maniacal and jealous. Seifer was young and naive, and Cassara was too unsure of herself at times, and too proud at others.

Virion was responsible for the completion of Seaview Citadel, which his ancestor began construction of decades prior. He also allowed Nictus Sharpe into his council: a decision he would later regret. He carries a powerful longbow which he calls Aeyreo, an Elven word meaning *Firebreath*.

## Appearance

Virion is described plentifully in the Plight of Steel as a man standing close to seven feet in height, with crystal blue eyes tinted with magic. Short dark hair grows from his head, and a closely shaven beard accentuates his angular, dragon-like facial features. Like all of the Vendyros family, his skin is pale as snow.

Throughout the novel, he dresses in crimson doublets and overcoats, as well as black fur cloaks that seem to give off radiant red light. His cloak is often described as resembling the folded wings of a dragon, which unfurl when he walks. His Dragon Crown is his most prized possession, as it symbolizes his rule over his country, and can often be found placed carefully on his head, regardless of how heavy it weighs.

## Name Origin

Virion is a name utilizing the common Northern naming structure ending in "*irion",* which translates to *Demigod*, or *Divine Child*. Similarly, his son Firion was also named using this structure. The name is, of course, meant to allude to power and divine selection, as if Virion was placed on earth by the Gods themselves for a higher purpose.