Velun

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Velun, also known as the Juniper Prince is an green greatwyrm of near-incomparable age, having claimed to have lived a dozen lifetimes on the Material Plane, and a hundred more in the Feywild.

## Description

Velun has only ever been encountered in his humanoid form, accompanied by a large finch-like bird companion similar in appearance to a Great Tit, albeit with antlers.

   *"The figure’s approach is preceded by the chirp and flutter carried by the motions of a large finch, awash of yellow and brown, yet curious in the pair of antlers adorned atop its brow. With a whistle, it circles back to the outstretched arm of the druid, clad simply compared to the splendour of Xelzintarth. Wreathed in leaf and feather and bone, woollen tunic, cape and gown trail with mud and silt, a rich herbal smoke wafting from a smouldering leather pouch at his side."*

It is uncertain exactly by which means Velun is capable of transforming his form, as it is a trait most commonly innately associated with metallic dragons instead of chromatic. Although other exceptions to this fact are known to exist, it is speculated that in the case of the Juniper Prince, this talent comes from his extensive druidic knowledge and associated arcane skill at shapechanging.

## History

Named the Watcher of the Woods, Velun stands as a curiosity amongst the Eight. Delighting in the company of all manner of sentient creatures, goblinoids and ettercaps commonly, but most often so creatures of fey-lineage - and none so more than hags - Velun claims to be the oldest living Chromatic Dragon, and that they were responsible for persuading the hags of Covengrove to first inhabit the lands of Ahlus.

Legends report that Velun's hatching outdates even Aita's Second Gift, and if the stories are to be believed, does so by many hundred years. With this in mind, it is said that Velun's age may be in truth in excess of fifteen hundred years - and in these years much attention has been granted to the study of the Feywild. Shortly after this research began, Velun would meet the Weald Witch, the pair quickly falling into an enthralling verve of passion. By means of ancient blood and unfettered arcane presence new beings were created, many of which that followed Velun back to the lands of Ahlus when he returned, in time becoming the hags that haunt the forests of the continent - but none in so great density as those of Covengrove, the domain of the Hallowed Circle - a coven made up of Grey Marjorie, Glaring Freda and Crooked Dolores Tallowstumble.

The relationship between Velun and the Weald Witch has proved to be as tumultuous as the lands in which they first met. Decades - lengthened into centuries or compressed to mere seconds by the nature of the timewarp of the plane - pass with hatred and distrust between the pair, before being mirrored in eons of chaotic fanaticism and fervour. This has spawned further change into a sea of furore, for the Weald Witch is a being of many names. Beings of all kind pledge themselves to her with cries of victory to the Weald Witch, Mistress Willowjoint, Sister Soilhands, The Nightbaker and the Scalebreaker, but all serve the same creature. Most commonly though, for the times of great passion for the Watcher of the Woods are frequent and long-lived, she mirrors his own name, introducing herself as Granny Juniper in mimickry of her first and favourite daughter Magnhild's own title of Aunt Juniper and Velun's own moniker as the Juniper Prince.

## Encounter in 9WD, Pinnul-Greencrown

Velun was present at the Fey Dinner Party hosted by the Greatwyrm Xelzintarth, at which he renounced all previous ties with both the Creed of Kaleios and the Weald Witch before an Inevitable of the Greater Deity Yaldin.

Reporting that he had first encountered the Weald Witch when she was trapped within a Domain of Dread called The Dirgevale, he state that he had, through a heightened understanding of trickery both innately skilled from his Green Dragon heritage and his long-standing fascination and involvement with the mischief of the Feywild, beguiled the Dark Powers into believing that the Weald Witch had been redeemed, and thus was no longer worthy of imprisonment. Velun was confident they would not again be deceived, and so if she was banished back to the domain, it would be a permanent fixture.

Likewise, he denied his involvement with the Creed of Kaleios, claiming they had enrolled him without his charge or permission. Though admitting that his actions had sometimes aligned with their desires and intentions, he seemed forthright and genuine in these remarks.