Since our current campaign keeps being ridiculously difficult I've spent some more time creating a more sturdy (I hope) character.

I would like to present to you Verdun Alohomora Vyshaan, an Elf Eldritch Knight.

Verdun was born to a minor noble family from the elven court in Cormanthor. His father is Finethril Elurel Vyshaan, a wizard specializing in Divination and his mother is Eanwel Nimrethal Vyshaan, a scholar specializing in exotic beasts.

Since the fall of Myth Drannor, Cormanthor was declining so his parents made the move to Silverymoon. The trip took a long time – more than a year. Verdun's parents thought that they had a better chance of rebuilding their family in a city closer to the Elven temperament they remembered than in the mostly human cities of Waterdeep or Neverwinter.
Now they are minor nobles in name only since the city has no true nobility. For the Elves, traditional people with long memories, the name and honor of their house still has meaning.

In Silverymoon his parents practice their craft aided by some trade in exotic reagents and rare books.

Verdun has a younger sister, Galyesar Elwil Vyshaan, who was born in Silverymoon. Only 60 years old she is still in school at the wizard's conclave.

Verdun had a pretty standard elven upbringing, first in the Cormanthor court and forest and later in and around the city of Silverymoon. He learned the ways of the rapier and the bow.

A weak child, he was a studious and observant. He appreciated intelligent solutions to problems over brute force.

Lacking an initial strong link to magic he went to the fighter academy where he excelled as a nimble, dexterous fighter.
He joined the city watch, the silverwatch, as an investigator and used his keen senses and observational skills to help solve crimes. He served under Captain Jamond Wardu, a human from the Anauroch Desert that served in the guard for most of his life.

Since the city favored magic and all political figures mastered magic of some sort he kept up on his reading and practicing to increase his magical potential. Over time his magical inclination grew to the point he could work a bit of simple magic along with his favored rapier.

Late last year he helped foil a scheme by a human faction to seize political power in the city. Knowing these people from Luskan had deep pockets and a long reach, Verdun and his family thought it might be a good idea if he left the city for a while and was less easy to get a hold of.

Verdun has a strong sense of justice but he's not above bending the law for what is right. He's more interested in knowledge and history than in material wealth.

Verdun has few spells as an EK. He would usually cast Mage Armor at the beginning of the day and use his unarmored meek appearance to fool opponents into underestimating him.

Verdun has a small owl as a familiar that he often uses for scouting.

Appearance: Verdun is slight of build and very thin. He doesn’t look imposing or powerful but he's incredibly fast with the thin blade of his rapier. He has pale skin and blond white hair, usually held in a tight braid. His eyes are bright blue and piercing. He's well-dressed for an adventurer. As an investigator he has a pair of black leather gloves that cannot get wet, particularly with blood. He developed a habit of wearing these gloves when inspecting a crime scene. He now wears them almost all the time. Verdun has a small gold ring with a blue stone (the color of his house crest) used as his arcane focus. The ring is usually hidden under his gloves.

Verdun has a habit of walking back and forth and quietly talking to himself when he's deep in thought.

I hope you've enjoyed learning about Verdun. Feel free to drop him into your game at any time – I think he’ll make an interesting NPC.

Images are the property of their rightful owners - I intend no infringement.