| Erilihn Autumnsong
"The Eventide" | |
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 Erilihn by nozomi-M | |
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Race |
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Born |
Windrunner Village, Quel'Thalas |
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Positions |
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Alias(es) |
"the Eventide" |
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Faction
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Residence |
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Status |
Alive |
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Pronouns |
They/she |
| “ | The heart of our people is what keeps blood flowing through the veins of Quel’Thalas. Blood which the Horde and the Alliance both would see us spill with our very hands under war banners that are not our own. Blood which we cannot spare. | ” |
–Erilihn Autumnsong | ||
Erilihn Autumnsong is a sin'dorei woman of common descent. They are a Farstrider ranger who serves their people as the leader of the Rising Wing division of the Dominion of the Sun. A practical woman, Erilihn often comes across as cold and stiff, and it is rare to evoke a visceral emotion from them.
A practiced wildbow, Erilihn can shoot down an enemy from afar with deadly precision, as well as handle magic with lethal potency. The two skill sets, when combined, are not to be underestimated. Both erudite and resourceful, Erilihn maintains a true balance of scholar and ranger. She has devoted herself to studying nature, not only as a scientific interest but also as a source of magic. Her efforts to explore her people's roots have paid off, and in recent years she has made steady and significant progress in her practice of druidism.
Appearance[]
Erilihn by saltmatey
Erilihn stands at an average height and weight for one of her people. Her skin is of a pale hue—the result of a life spent beneath the canopies—and her high cheekbones are lined with copious freckles, adding life to her pallid color. Always alert and calculating, their natural green eyes bear no hint of past fel use aside from the occasional glimmer within the depths of the iris—a cosmetic side effect of her life as a Farstrider. Their wavy silver-white hair is cropped short and left to gently curl around their jaw; it is well kept, and the luminous strands closest to her face are sometimes pulled into a small braid at the back of her head.
Their ears are pierced and often adorned with either a simple set of silver leaf-shaped studs or a pair of unassuming but dainty golden crescents that dangle from slim chains attached at the lobe. She has other earring holes that she keeps open, but she only ever uses them for formal occasions. She has little time for such frivolities on an everyday basis. The same goes for makeup, which they only put effort into for special occasions.
When it comes to scars, she has several, but most of them are almost entirely faded away or too small to be worthy of any note. The most prominent injuries visible on her person are the missing tip of her left ear, the lingering jagged marks of an old wolf bite on her upper right bicep, and a faint burn mark around her throat. However, this would not be visible unless it was left uncovered, and such an occurrence is rare.
History[]
Erilihn was born to a commoner family in Windrunner Village, and from a young age she was raised to highly value the legacy of the Windrunner rangers. They were her role models growing up, and her ability with a bow stemmed from her burning desire to follow in the footsteps of these elven heroes.
Erilihn by DerpQueenLily
As soon as she was old enough to learn how to shoot an arrow, it was all she devoted her free time to. They found great comfort in the natural world around them, and they wanted nothing more than to join the Farstriders and surround themself with that world.
It was soon discovered by her parents, however, that she seemed to have an innate aptitude for the arcane. There was no excess of money in her household, but her parents managed to scrape together enough funds to send her to school in Silvermoon City, so that she could become a proper arcanist. This did not last very long. Not wanting to devote their life to the path of the mage, but also not wanting to waste their education, Erilihn decided to follow their dream of becoming a ranger while also incorporating their skills with magic—thus becoming a spellbow. However, they chose to use runic magic, thereby making their weapons the primary conduits of power rather than their own body. As a result of her refusal to rely bodily upon the arcane and her preference for living off of nature above all, her addiction to magic was greatly lessened, as was the case with most of her Farstrider brethren. Consequently, she kept her fel consumption to a bare minimum following the Third War, as it felt unnatural and disturbing, and her withdrawal symptoms were mercifully negligible compared to those of many other sin'dorei.
Erilihn's study by nozomi-m
For many years, she served as a Farstrider stationed in Quel'Thalas, though there was a brief period when she requested permission to leave Thalassian land in order to assume a more forward role in the defense of Azeroth. As of now, however, they have returned and resumed their service of Quel'Thalas—this time, as a soldier of the Dominion of the Sun—in defense of their homeland and its people. She has spent several years now practicing druidism, as communion with nature has always been her passion. They no longer consider themself a spellbow; they prefer the term "wildbow," as it feels more accurate to their particular strain of magic.
Politics[]
Thrust into the political spotlight as a target of social injustice, Erilihn took the stage a few years ago as somewhat of an unofficial civic leader. Their position at the head of the Reformer party has cemented them as an outspoken elven rights activist, and their political opinions have become common knowledge to those who keep up with the news.
Banner of the Reformer party (art by Honorem)
Her main goals are as follows:
- To transfer power away from Lor'themar Theron and instead spread that power throughout a committee of governing individuals, hearkening back to the Convocation of Silvermoon.
- To welcome quel'dorei and ren'dorei back into Quel'Thalas.
- To allow the practice of illegal magics in Silvermoon, but ensure that this only takes place under proper supervision and with utmost discretion.
- To turn Quel'Thalas into a neutral nation.
The last point in particular has earned her many accusations of disloyalty from supporters of the Horde, as well as accusations of Alliance sympathy. However, she makes it abundantly clear that she dislikes the Alliance and has no desire to join its ranks. Rather, Erilihn has a great deal of respect and appreciation for the Horde and its members, and she would side with them over the Alliance any day, but she believes that the sin'dorei have paid their debts to the Horde with the lives of their brethren many times over. It would be in the nation's best interest, she insists, to maintain a friendly relationship with the Horde, but to disavow involvement in its wars. She is openly skeptical about the safety of her people, should another war start and the Alliance push north with little resistance after having left Lordaeron in such a state of (further) ruin.
Erilihn tortured while a prisoner of war during the "Shadows of Ashenvale" battle of the Fourth War.
Nevertheless, as the Fourth War raged across the map, Erilihn stood by their vow to serve their people on the field of battle. They may have disagreed with sending blood elven troops into war against the Alliance, but it is her sworn duty to fight where her people need her to fight, and so she did. They kept these misgivings private, however, so as not to discourage the soldiers fighting under their command. While she never did believe in the moral or ethical validity of this war, she knows that the difference between hope and doubt can be the difference between life and death. Therefore, she masked her true opinions on the matter from the general public, and instead took to sharing her thoughts behind the scenes in Silvermoon's political circles. For now, that is what she continues to do, as this is how she believes she can make the most difference.
Her service as a commander of the Horde allowed her to repair some of her damaged reputation, reestablishing herself as a loyal soldier, and therefore helping her words to carry more weight with those in power. Trust, she has realized, is necessary for enacting change; and if she must secure that trust by continuing to serve the Horde dutifully, then so be it. Such has been her mindset for the better part of a decade, since the days of the Fourth War.
Weaponry[]
Annalah'mindu[]
Annalah'mindu (by AnnettaSassi)
Erilihn's prized possession, Annalah'mindu—"Will of the Wilds"—is an intricately carved bow, imbued with ancient magic. Runes riddle the bow's length: mostly druidic, but there are traces of arcane (primarily evocation and illusion schools)—a lingering testament to her study of arcane runes in earlier years.
Arrows[]
Erilihn's quiver is full of expertly carved arrows, with more runes covering the length of each shaft. Because of the effort that goes into crafting them, Erilihn often will spend the few minutes following a battle collecting some of their used arrows and recycling them if possible.
Swords[]
Twin blue swords typically rest at her hips; they are curved and decorated with faint Thalassian engravings. A gentle aura of nature magic emanates from them, and they seem to glow from within like a light underwater.
Concealed Arsenal[]
Beneath their cloak and strapped to their person are various small blades, poisons, and other tools commonly used by members of the Rising Wing.
Notable People[]
Desstis Cloudfarer[]
Erilihn's friend and former partner, Desstis is a reckless and often arrogant man, but also a man of good intentions, courage, and loyalty. He was her first close friend upon joining the Dominion (though the two got off to a rocky start), and he remains her most trusted confidant to this day, even after their decision to end their relationship. Their backgrounds and personalities are rather opposite, but when the need arises, they can work together like a well-oiled machine.
Selestra Rosevale[]
Despite their incompatible political views, Selestra and Erilihn are good friends who always try their best to ensure that their positions as leaders of opposing parties do not get in the way of their relationship. Selestra's affiliation with the Blood Knights puts her in some often uncomfortable situations, particularly when Erilihn so often seems to run into trouble with them.
Erilihn, Selestra, Silvitri, and Valeorya (commissioned by Silvitri)
Valeorya Bloodweaver[]
Valeorya and Erilihn have had regrettably few chances to interact, given their vastly different social situations, but on the occasions where they have been able, the two have secured a friendly relationship. (( Rest in peace, Angel. I love and miss you every day. ))
Silvitri Emberblade[]
Erilihn and Silvitri are currently not on good terms. Their differing opinions on magical use and the Light have led them to clash in public, and they clearly do not think highly of one another. That being said, they have not had the chance to discuss matters in private together. Perhaps, with time, this could change.
Tendael Dawnlight II[]
Setrien Dawnlight—more commonly known as Tendael Dawnlight II—is both a leader and a friend to Erilihn. Her appointment as the acting leader of the Reformer political party—opposite to Setrien's own Loyalist persuasion—created somewhat of a rift between them, and even led to his order for her arrest on the grounds of treason. They eventually mended their fractured relationship, and their bond seemed to strengthen somewhat, but there is still an underlying tension between them.
Berenal Grayblade[]
The relationship between Erilihn and Berenal is one made entirely of animosity. They have commanded forces on opposite sides of the battlefield several times, and they bear nothing but loathing for one another. Erilihn has suffered greatly, both mentally and physically, by his doing. On the other hand, she killed his friend, Inas'thas Sunbrook. In short, neither of them have been kind to one another.
