Finrian Stardrake is a High Elven noble, marine, Dragonship captain and general, originally from the kingdom of Yvresse on Ulthuan, who now calls the Anurell Peninsula of Lustria home. Unlike most Lustrian colonists, who favour the safety of the archipelagos, Finrian owns an estate on the mysterious Culchan Plains. The general is an independent thinker with no qualms about defying conventional wisdom.[1a] Lord Finrian knows the Lustrian coast well, and is politically connected with both Lothern and the Citadel of Dusk.[1a]
History[]
When the Citadel of Dusk's construction was completed by the High Elves in the 1200s IC at the southern tip of Lustria, Finrian was assigned to an elite High Elven marine unit called the Trident Bearers that helped to garrison the new fortress. Over a service period spanning 1000 years, he conducted countless special missions around the peninsula. Though Finrian now leads a cavalry regiment and commands a mighty Dragonship, he has extensive prior experience with boarding actions, covert operations, and underwater combat. His old trident is kept in an armoury at his estate.[1a]
The Phoenix King Finubar promoted Lord Finrian to command a Dragonship during the Great War Against Chaos, then recalled him to Ulthuan several years afterwards. Finrian's first Dragonship, the Ingranion, was wrecked on the Vampire Coast by the Zombie Pirate Vampire Lord Luthor Harkon. However, the general led a brilliant escape manoeuvre against the Undead, delivering his precious cargo to the Citadel of Dusk overland instead. King Finubar recognised this achievement by appointing Finrian to captain another Dragonship, the Exelceron. Finrian returns to Lustria often for important missions, and to see his family.[1a]
Lord Finrian is a bold general, always aiming to seize the initiative in battle. He understands the value of allegiances with other species for the High Elves -- particularly the Lizardmen -- and treats Ylvathoi -- non-Elves -- almost as equals. Finrian can immediately sense whether someone is trustworthy. Trusted Human passengers are not blindfolded when his Dragonship approaches the Citadel of Dusk (though all Dwarfs are). Finrian's rank is apparent by the many jeweled combs in his waist-length auburn hair. He keeps a large collection of magic items at his Lustrian estate and usually carries the potent magical sword known as the Dragon Blade on his person.[1a]
Secretly Lord Finrian wishes that King Finubar would reassign him to the Citadel of Dusk, but Asur are judged by their loyalty to the wishes of the Phoenix Crown, and therefore he does not confess his homesickness. Finrian has come to resent the Everqueen's Decree after so many years of conducting Trident Bearer missions under its stifling restrictions. On multiple occasions, Finrian has flouted the decree or assisted citadel officers to cover up violations that he deemed were necessary.[1b]
In addition the serach for the legendary High Elven artefact of Lileath called the Amulet of Sunfire has became an obsession of Finrian's after countless diving missions searching shipwrecks as a Trident Bearer. His personal theory -- which several Trident Bearers share -- is that the lost amulet was only a facsimile of the original. The real Amulet of Sunfire, Finrian believes, is being kept under lock and key at the Fortress of Dawn. Finrian's open advocacy of this theory might have been partly responsible for his recall from Lustria by King Finubar.[1b]
Wargear[]
- Dragon Blade - The Dragon Blade is a magical sword in the High Elven style that grants the wielder inhuman reflexes such as the ability to riposte every blow received by an opponent even in the clash of battle.[1b]