Lokyr Goldendale

A portrait from 36 IA.

Lokyr Goldendale is a male Elf Magus and Arcanist from formerly Kazorith now Babel.

## History

Lokyr is a member of the Goldendale family, the remnants of ancient elven clans whose ancestry traces back to well before the formation of the Verk Empire. Lokyr was one of the few elves to be born in Kazorith since the family's arrival. The Goldendales used their skill in combat and magic as mercenaries to win power and prestige amongst the nobility and bureaucracy. Manipulating the mayflies that were able to listen to reason and... removed the ones who weren't.

Lokyr grew up around the sons and daughters of department heads and lords of the empire. He was tutored by his mother, aunt, and grandfather in the etiquette expected of his station, entertaining the mayfly spawn with displays of natural elven grace or acumen. As Lokyr grew older, training began in the clan's martial tradition of swordplay and spellwork. His father, great uncle, and cousin taught him how to wield a blade and a spell at the same time, as well as the mystic rituals that were used to better align an elf's mind, body, and magic together.

The elven stripling spent over a century diligently working, meeting the obligations to his family. Lokyr was proud in the prowess he earned, able to defeat any noble dandy in every challenge proposed. While mingling with the mayflies was bothersome he took pleasure in studying eclectic subjects, learning a little bit about everything, from what kind of beasts stalked the Incandelth peninsula to how a fortress is properly constructed.

The decades passed away and the children Lokyr knew growing up became old men and women, as he carried on youthful as ever. Well established in society and known amongst his peers, Lokyr was content to spend the next century sharpening his skills in the safety of Kazorith while listening to stories of adventure in the taverns rather than experiencing it himself.

That all came to an end. Darrien Verk led to ruin in a few years what took a few centuries to build. The necromantic ritual he unleashed seemingly took most of the lives in Kazorith, his family among them. Lokyr seems to be the only one to escape, unable to find any relatives in the aftermath. In the destruction that followed, he lost all but a few personal belongings, with no friends or allies having survived. The elf could not do much more than grieving for what was lost in the months after.

But he was eventually able to pull himself back together. Pride would see it that he would bring the Goldendale back, to even greater heights than before. No longer content to sit behind the ruined walls of "Babel", Lokyr begins his life like his father before him did - a mercenary.

## Adventures

### Chapter 2

#### The Painted Dungeon

Lokyr, desperate for any work, decides to take the tavernkeeper up on his offer to kill a couple of rats in his basement. He, perhaps fortunately or unfortunately, doesn't find any rats. But he does hear whispering from a dark corner. Looking closer he sees an open trap door, a ladder leading down further. Did the rats go in there?

Stepping off the ladder, Lokyr turns to behold an unexpected sight. A life-like painting dominates the far wall, showing a beautiful forest scene. In the middle is a doorway, with warnings in several different languages scribbled next to it. The whispering comes from a certain part of the painting, a huldra frozen in the middle of prancing about. One that suddenly moves, waving at Lokyr like she was a real person! The painted maiden thanks Lokyr for coming down here, explaining that strange creatures entered the old tombs she was guarding. She pleads that Lokyr deal with them, though warns that these unknowns may be dangerous and that the ruins are filled with traps.

Entering the dungeon, after casting a simple light cantrip on his blade, crumbling walls and pillars greet the elven warrior. Strange wall paintings appear on random walls; different vistas like bright blue and sandy beaches, moonlit meadows, and more. The huldra flits between them with ease, though avoids some with mold growing on it. Before Lokyr can get a good look though, the deep shadows of the room begin to boil, disgorging wispy shadow creatures. They claw at the battlemage, but Lokyr’s blade of light seems to dissipate them with a solid hit. The fighting quickly ends, the huldra congratulating him on the swift victory.

As they push forward, it becomes clear that this place is dangerous to the unprepared. Skeletons of humanoids in peasant clothing seem to pop up every so often. Possibly wandering in here on accident from the crumbling holes leading into Babel’s sewers the duo occasionally finds. Some look like they were simply the work of time, but others look like someone took a hammer to it. Lokyr ends up traversing a part of the way through the sewer, much to his disgust.

Entering the next room, it seems like some sort of ritual room. The paintings on the wall look particularly disturbing, the huldra not showing up in any of them. Out of the shadows comes a seductive voice, playfully asking what and dashing adventurer was doing in a dreary place like this. The succubus quickly enthralls the elf promising wealth, power, and pleasure; his power-hungry hubris quickly crumbling. Closing in to steal a kiss that Lokyr readily accepts, the succubus suddenly vanishes. The elf is stunned for a moment, mind reeling, only to feel shadowy claws digging into his back.

With a curse, Lokyr is set upon by more shadow creatures. They tried to ambush him, but thankfully their power is no greater than the first time. Wincing with pain, Lokyr leaves the ritual room behind, rubbing his tender back. The huldra greets him, though Lokyr avoids any questions as to what went on in there. Thankfully there were no further obstacles, as the two are able to find the ancient storehouse the painted lady described. Mostly picked clean, some searching reveals some true gems. A masterwork elven thornblades and an elven silk ceremonial battle robe, along with a masterwork spellcraft toolset. After securing his prizes, the painted huldra shows him a secret level to reveal a tunnel leading back to the start of the dungeon. Congratulating Lokyr on finishing the trial, the hidden door will slide shut behind him.

#### Remember Us... Chapter 1, Part B

Lokyr was told that something is infiltrating Babel, that looked like people but aren't. Cutting oneself to show you bleed shows you aren't one of them. He meets up with fellow adventurers drawn into this mess. Smerk and Shakala, lizardfolk warriors. Halo and Seian, some kind of healers. They're shown the location of the creatures' hideout. It was some poor facsimile of a house, your perception warped every time you look at it. The creatures inside kept messing with our minds as we slay them, giving everyone false memories, tremendously taxing fight. But we push on further into the nest. We find writhing growths and pustules, attacking us if we draw close. We eventually find the central chamber, where whatever controls these things dwells. We tried to defeat it, but it quickly retreated after a few blows. It did something, causing a giant sinkhole to open up under the not-house and the neighborhood it stood in. Lokyr stopped to watch what was happening and was caught up in the wave of destruction. He survived, but he feels like something is crawling within him now. He plans to head to Shorewood to speak with an acquaintance, Bhelgra*.*