AELRINDEL

**Aelrindel** was a Nalor, known chiefly for his tender and compassionate heart. In the early days of his existence, he sought often to encourage his brothers and sisters with words of kindness. Remaining always a steadfast servant of Ankor, he was positioned as Byssium's guard, with the key to its gates in his possession. Aluin, curious and longing to understand what lay beyond Byssium's locked doors, ordered Aelrindel to open them. The faithful Nalor obeyed his king and did so, but upon seeing the horrors chained within the dark dimension, he fled to the Eternal Throne and hid behind Ankor's feet. This eventually led to the demise of Aluin and the creation of Vulker, which Aelrindel partly blamed himself for. Not long after, he was deceived by Vulker, who, feigning his repentance, ordered the gates of Byssium be opened so that he condemn himself to hell. Aelrindel believed Vulker's sorrowful spirit to be genuine and did as he commanded. However, instead of keeping his word, the dark lord threw Aelrindel aside and unchained the Valikori, unleashing sin and death upon Anim. The Nalori lamented this hideous act, but it was Aelrindel who cried the bitterest of tears, for it was he who had fallen for Vulker's deception. For years, he did all he could to bring himself happiness; he sent fire to warm the ovta in the cold of night and even created the race of sundros, designed to heal Anim of all its pain and sorrow, but alas, nothing could satisfy his heartbroken soul. Finally, he begged Ankor for a human body, that he might suffer alongside men and women. Ankor obliged and Aelrindel, known to man as Elandor, aided Aldaros in fighting back Vulker's evil forces on Anim. During the II Battle of Kirim'ul, he drove a dagger into the thigh of Uroden, wounding him and allowing Aldaros to eventually defeat him. Afterwards, Aldaros explained his impending death and atonement for mankind to Aelrindel, who, understanding that sin and death would ultimately be defeated and that Ankor truly was sovereign over all things, felt peace for the first time in many years. Returning to the cosmos as a spirit, he delivered a weakened Vulker before Olnius, who cast him into Byssium seemingly once-and-for-all.

## **QUOTES**

*"O, if only I had never been born! Would Anim then prosper and death not have its power? Alas, the world has forgotten joy because of my own foolishness. O that I had never been born; lo, I have forgotten what happiness is.*

*I look down from my post in the heavens, what do I see? There is nothing but hatred, sadness, and death. The seas toss and turn in tempest, the earth shakes, the wind uproots the trees; all of creation groans under the weight of my failure. Nature itself reminds me of my act. Even man, the prize jewel of Ankor's crown, has fallen to the depths of depravity. No longer is there purity in my Father's world, but sin casts its shadow over every corner of the earth. Even the good in heart are evil in-and-through. There is no longer peace, but the world is covered in war, and their blood is on my hands."*

*Why did my Father create me? Have I served any other purpose but to bring ruin to what was once perfect? I have failed him; curse my birth! O, if only I had never been born!"*

~ Aelrindel's Lamentation

*"Let not grief overcome your heart. For from what Vulker willed for great evil in the days of old, Ankor brought forth even greater good. This is the beauty of His story that I now understand; for though He conceived not evil, He predestined its use to weave the most beautiful of tales - the redemption of the lost and those who wander away from the light."*

~ Aelrindel Upon Understanding His Purpose and Ankor's Will For Him