Sylvalys, The Wood Elf Bard

DEEP in the forest of Marlogh, Sylvalys had learned about the origins of the Elven culture through ancient songs. He loved his culture above everything else, but he also knew that after the cataclysm, things would have to change, or that Wood Elves would vanish. He was one of these people who planned the future based upon a solid knowledge of the past, and he refused to let nostalgia take hold on him, as many of his kind sadly had.

Ganareth people hadn’t entered the forest for a long time. They said it was protected by some spell and that Wood Elves lived a secluded life there. This is why Sylvalys was surprised to hear a voice that didn’t sound like an Elf’s voice at all. As he walked closer, he discovered a good-looking young woman surrounded by a halo of light. The voice asked him to sit down. She spoke to him like the ancient Elves did. He came closer and listened to what Circéliane had to say. She told him about her arrival in Ganreth and the battles she fought against frightful dragons. She told him that among the Wood Elves, she had found a young learned one who would follow her. He understood she meant it was him, or maybe she implied it more directly; in any case, Sylvalys left his people without saying a word to anyone. Both traveled together from forest to forest.

Sylvalys gained knowledge about every Elven community, even about Dark Elves and the fact that some elements of Elven history had been hidden from him. His knowledge of Elven traditions and customs was eventually better than any other Elf.

Circéliane taught him the powers of every instrument he found or received. He owned wind instruments, stringed instruments, all very precious and wonderful. He owned a Dark Elf drum, a High Elf harp, a Half Elf horn upon which were carvings of impressive animals... Before she let him go, she gave him a glove that granted him with the power to play faster and to play several instruments at the same time. Sylvalys’ most beautiful instrument was his voice and he learned how to used it in order to create surprising effects.

Many long and terrible years passed before he could find time to craft more instruments, and he got help from the greatest Elven magicians in order to create these instruments that made him famous.