Galiena Erenaeth’s Backstory

The sound of an infant crying rang through the silent woods, drawing the attention of some of the more mysterious residents of the Cormanthor Forest, including Pixies and Sprites who looked at each other quizzically as the infant continued to cry. There was no sign of the infant’s mother or father nearby.

“She is doomed to die,” came a mystical voice behind the gathered fey, who jumped and were startled by the presence of the creature who spoke.

“Draíocht,” one of the Pixies looked at the magnificent unicorn, whose soft purple eyes gazed down at the infant, “you would allow this innocent infant to perish?”

Draíocht, the unicorn, whose mane blew gently in the wind, looking as if it were made of wispy clouds simply said, “Her parents have abandoned her. They care nothing for her. Why should we?”

“She is but an infant,” Beag, the small, female Pixie pleaded. “She’s done no wrong in this world.”

“Human blood courses through her veins,” Draíocht said matter-of-factly. “By their very nature alone, humans are often more trouble than orcs and goblins, because we repeatedly trust them, simply to be betrayed again and again.”

“But!” Beag exclaimed, pulling black the blanket around the infant’s head, “Elf blood courses through her veins too, see her ears?”

Draíocht nudged the infant with his white nose. “What am I to do with a child? How can I care for one? None of you can. You would get bored or lose interest or grow frustrated once the infant began crying.”

“The Feywild,” Beag offered. “Take her to the Feywild.”

“The Feywild,” Draíocht seemed to laugh at the notion. “And what?”

“The Satyrs and the like could raise her,” Beag suggested, fluttering her wings proudly.

“The Satyrs,” if Unicorns could laugh, Draíocht would have done so. “You have been away from the Feywild too long. The Satyrs would simply sing and dance and forget to tend to the infant.” There was a long pause before Draíocht finally said, “But I see if I do not help tend to this child, all of you will never forgive me. I will take this infant to the Feywild.”

The child, named Galiena Erenaeth, meaning “lost child of the woodlands” was brought to the Feywild. Brought before the Dryad, Álainn, Galiena was left to her care. Almost immediately, a Faerie Dragon named Dearbhán took immediate interest in the infant, cuddling on top of her as if she were a sleeping bed. Álainn did not discourage Dearbhán’s behavior. As Galiena grew older, the Fey of the Feywild took interest in her, teaching her things about the Feywild, as well as the world where she had originally come from, filling her mind with endless wisdom; all the while she and Dearbhán grew closer and closer, until they had become inseparable.

Sixteen years growing up in the Feywild had exposed her to magic. Seeking to learn how to wield such powers drew some concern from the Feywild; as they’ve seen too many times, where humans with powerful magic had used it for darkness. Though a Half-Elf, the human side of her blood had always been a concern.

Álainn who had been taking care of her called upon Draíocht, the mystical and powerful Unicorn who protected the Dalelands and explained Galiena’s interest in magic, and expressed her concern for the young child learning such power.

Draíocht, who had been secretly checking on Galiena almost daily since leaving her in the Feywild with Álainn did not share the Dryad’s concern. If anything, like Dearbhán, the Faerie Dragon, Galiena had grown on Draíocht.

The magnificent beast approached her and explained that he could bond with her and unlock magic that coursed in her veins; but there would be a cost. The secret of the magic within her and the process of the bond would bind her soul to Draíocht, which meant that if Draíocht needed her, she would be forced to answer her patron’s calls.

Galiena agreed.

The process had been unexpectedly painful. With a cut from Draíocht’s horn, their blood and souls bound to one another in a magical, mystical, process that left Galiena on the ground vomiting wildly for hours. When she was finally able to regain her composure, Draíocht explained as a part of the process, in the presence of great evil that threatened nature, or was unnatural, Galiena’s eyes would glow a soft, purple hue, similar to Draíocht’s own eyes. Draíocht also offered her a main of his wispy white hair to tie to her quarterstaff. The strand of hair would always allow Draíocht to know where she was, no matter what plane of existence she was on.

Galiena explained that she wanted to return back to Faerûn and see if she could find out why she had been abandoned by her parents. Had they been killed? Was she abandoned for another reason? It had been something that chewed at her soul since she had learned the truth.

Draíocht smiled, and with a nod of his magnificent main, had teleported her back to Kne’Urth…