Elysian Vaelthorn

## Backstory

### Early Life

Elysian Vaelthorn, the enigmatic Tiefling sorcerer, carries the weight of a tragic past that has shaped his haunted demeanor. Raised into a humble refugee community within the treacherous depths of the Underdark, Elysian's early years were marked by both wonder and danger.

As a young boy, Elysian experienced a fateful encounter with the enigmatic and sinister Mind Flayers, also known as Illithids. While exploring the labyrinthine tunnels near his settlement, Elysian strayed too far from the familiar paths and stumbled upon a hidden enclave of these telepathic creatures.

The Mind Flayers, with their alien intelligence and insatiable hunger for brains, recognized the untapped potential within the Tiefling. Intrigued by his unusual mind, they subjected him to a series of probing experiments, seeking to unravel the depths of his psyche. Little did they know that their actions would have unintended consequences.

As the Mind Flayers delved into the recesses of Elysian's consciousness, they unintentionally awakened the dormant powers within him. Arcane energy surged through his veins, manifesting as psionic abilities and an as of yet unrealized connection to the aberrant forces that dwelled in the depths.

The young Tiefling, overwhelmed by the surge of power and the bewildering experiences within his mind, temporarily shattered the psyche of his Mind Flayer host, giving him enough time to escape. Haunted by the encounter and struggling to comprehend his newfound abilities, Elysian returned to his village with a lingering sense of awe and trepidation.

### Adolescence and the attack on his home (260 TC)

As Elysian grew older, his sorcerous abilities continued to develop and evolve. He dedicated countless hours to honing his telepathic and psionic powers, learning to channel and control the arcane energy that flowed within him. The whispers and visions that had once plagued him became sources of strength and insight.

It was during this period of self-discovery that tragedy struck his village. The malevolent followers of Lolth, the wicked Spider Queen and goddess of the Drow, descended upon the refugee community. In a nightmarish assault, they unleashed chaos and death, their blades cutting through most unsuspecting villagers, and capturing others.

Elysian, fueled by grief and an unyielding determination, fought valiantly against the Drow invaders. Drawing upon his awakened powers, he unleashed devastating psionic spells, turning the tide of battle in favor of his people. However, the Drow's superior numbers and dark magic overwhelmed him, and he was forced to retreat, not knowing the fate of his family.

Within the depths of Elysian's tormented soul, however, a spark of hope flickered. Despite the overwhelming loss and devastation he had endured, he clung to the possibility that his family might still be alive, held captive in the Drow strongholds. This glimmer of hope fueled his determination and fortified his resolve, driving him to face the darkest corners of the Underdark in search of his kin. Elysian believed that one day, he would reunite with his family, providing them the solace and freedom they deserved, and together, they would forge a brighter future out of the shadows of the Underdark as well as the shadow of their shared tragedy. With every step he took, he carried their memory, a beacon of hope that guided him through the treacherous labyrinth.

The harsh terrain tested his resilience, but his burning desire to reunite with, or avenge, his family pushed him forward. Along the way, he encountered others who had also suffered at the hands of the Drow, forming tenuous alliances with a goblin and gnomish stronghold referred to lovingly as “The Scrapyard”. He would settle here occasionally, between expeditions into the uncharted depths of the Underdark in his endless search.

### The expedition, the Far-Realm shard, and tentacles.

Stumbling upon a bustling city known as "The Scrapyard," a place teeming with the clanging of gears and the hum of arcane and mundane machinery alike, Elysian Vaelthorn found himself amidst a cacophony of life and industry. The Scrapyard was a haven for tinkerers, inventors, and those with a penchant for salvaging discarded treasures. It was here, in this labyrinthine metropolis of scrap and wonder, that Elysian's ears caught wind of a rumor that stirred embers of hope within him.

Amidst the clattering of metal and the hiss of steam, whispers echoed through the narrow alleys and among the huddled crowds. The rumor spoke of a newly uncovered ruin, hidden deep within the uncharted territory of the Underdark, said to hold secrets untold and possibilities unimagined. It was said that within the depths of this forgotten place, fragments of lost history awaited those brave enough to venture forth.

Elysian, his eyes bright with a mix of curiosity and longing, listened intently to the tales that flowed like a clandestine current through the Scrapyard's vibrant underbelly. Each whispered word stirred his heart, for he saw within this rumor a flicker of hope—a chance to uncover the truth and, just maybe, find a trace of his lost family. With a resolve kindled by the echoes of possibility, he embarked on a quest that would take him beyond the boundaries of the Scrapyard and into a realm of uncertainty and danger.

Drawing upon his ability to sway minds, Elysian sought out a band of Gnomish mercenaries renowned for their daring exploits and insatiable curiosity—the Scrapyard Reclaimers. These diminutive warriors, with their intricate contraptions and relentless spirit, were drawn to Elysian's promise of riches and wonders yet unseen. Intrigued by the allure of uncharted ruins and the mysteries they held, and eased by Elysians trustworthy presence, they joined him, their tinkering minds already envisioning the treasures they might uncover.

Armed with their ingenuity, the Scrapyard Reclaimers and Elysian set forth, venturing into the unknown, their destination shrouded in the mists of uncertainty. Guided by the rumors that danced on the tongues of traders and artisans, their journey led them through treacherous terrain and perilous encounters, until they stumbled upon an enclave of mind flayers lurking within the shadowed depths of the ancient ruin.

What began as a daring expedition soon transformed into a desperate battle for survival. The mind flayers, malevolent beings with insidious psychic powers, proved to be formidable adversaries. Their sinister tentacles sought to ensnare the minds of Elysian and his companions, to bend their wills and feed on their very essence.

In the midst of the chaotic skirmish, Elysian's latent powers erupted abruptly, seemingly responding to an unknown force lurking nearby. From his outstretched hands, tendrils of raw energy tore through the fabric of reality, snaking and coiling like ethereal tentacles. Snaring and strangling his foes. The mind flayers, caught off guard by this unforeseen eruption of power, faltered for a moment out of confusion and a hint of fear, providing a fleeting advantage to Elysian and his comrades.

It was only in the aftermath of the battle, amidst the scattered remnants of their fallen foes, that Elysian discovered the true source of the mysterious energy that had surged within him. Nestled amidst the gore and wreckage, he found a shard—a twisted fragment of the Far Realm itself. The mind flayers had been utilizing it as a conduit for their vile psionic energy, not fully understanding the depths of the power the shard possessed..

Moved by a mix of curiosity and an instinctive desire to control the enigmatic forces at play, Elysian claimed the Far Realm shard. With a careful hand and a hint of trepidation, he secured it atop his roughly fashioned staff. The shard's eldritch energy hummed in harmony with his sorcerous essence, instilling him with an enigmatic bond to realms yet unknown.

No sign of his family emerged from the depths of the ruin, yet Elysian knew that his journey had not been in vain. His powers had grown, awakened by the chaotic clash with the mind flayers and fueled by the Far Realm shard. As he clutched his staff, its rustic appearance now adorned with the twisted shard, he pondered the whispers that seemed to emanate from its core. The shard whispered to him in Deep Speech, a language that was once alien but now stirred something deep within his soul. The mysteries it held and the paths it beckoned him toward were yet to be revealed, urging him to explore the uncharted territories that lay ahead.

And so, with the Shard whispering cryptic secrets in his mind, Elysian set his sights on new horizons. The Scrapyard, once a haven of industry and invention, now served as a launching pad for his journey into the unknown. The clanging of gears and the hum of arcane machinery mingled with the hushed whispers of the shard, propelling him toward a destiny intertwined with forgotten histories and untold wonders. With each step, Elysian embraced the uncertainties that lay ahead, driven by an unwavering determination to unearth the truth and reunite the fragmented pieces of his shattered past.

### An unlikely encounter (263TC)

After trading with the Scrapyard merchants one day, Elysian’s path took an unexpected turn when he saw a nobleman hailing from the city of Luracia flanked by a group of odd looking travelers. The sight of this representative from the very city that had once denied his family refuge stirred a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within him. Memories of the past flooded his mind—the pain of rejection in his mothers face, and the gleaming city that had left his family with nowhere to turn but to the depths of the Underdark.

Yet, despite the wounds that still lingered, a spark of hope ignited within Elysian's heart. The nobleman's presence offered the possibility of an unlikely ally, a connection to the world above that could potentially aid him in his quest against the followers of Lolth. Though Luracia had turned its back on his family in their time of need, Elysian understood that Luracia’s involvement would surely turn the tide, and stem the steady expansion of Drow aggression. He magically disguised himself as a goblin and lingered nearby.

Once the man and his party had gone, Elysian decided on his next steps: Revisit his childhood home, where everything started, and then head to the surface for the first time in years, in order to find the fabled floating city that he remembered so clearly…….

## Trivia

Elysian's mismatched eyes, one golden and the other a deep crimson, are not merely a physical curiosity. They reflect his inner turmoil and the duality of his existence as a tiefling sorcerer with an aberrant mind.

Despite his haunted demeanor, Elysian possesses a wry sense of humor. He often uses cryptic phrases and riddles to express himself, leaving others both intrigued and perplexed.

Elysian's staff, adorned with the Far Realm shard, has become an extension of his identity. It is both a symbol of his resilience and a conduit for his sorcerous powers, intertwining his fate with the mysterious forces that reside beyond mortal realms.

Elysian's fascination with the arcane arts goes beyond his own powers. He possesses an insatiable thirst for knowledge and is often found delving into ancient tomes, deciphering forgotten scrolls, and seeking answers to the mysteries that shroud his world.

While Elysian's ultimate goal is to find his family and uncover the truth of their fate, he has become a beacon of hope for those who suffer in the face of darkness. He often finds himself drawn to helping others, offering a glimmer of light amidst the shadows that haunt him.