Fflar Starbrow Melruth, known posthumously as the Captain of True Valor,[1] was a captain of the Akh'Velahr who served the city of Myth Drannor for half a century in the late 7th and early 8th centuries DR.[10][page needed] He famously sacrificed his life in defense of his home city—earning himself a place in Myth Drannan legend. He was resurrected hundreds of years later to serve Myth Drannor once again, when terrible fiends threatened all of elven-kind in the late 14th century.[7][3] Fflar protected his restored home for several generations,[3][11][12] having been given a second chance at a peaceful existence among the Tel-quessir.[13]
Description[]
Fflar was tall with broad shoulders, with russet hair and a broad, handsome face.[7] He wore his hair in a braid.[15] He had a grim-sounding voice.[12]
Possessions[]
Captain Fflar armored himself with a lacquered breastplate,[17] a golden helm, and a stout kite shield.[17]
For a period of 19 days at the end of the Weeping War[1] Fflar carried the elven baneblade Keryvian,[18] also known as Foebane, that was sheathed within an enchanted scabbard.[19]
Relationships[]
During his time as a captain of the Akh'Velahr, Fflar was served well by his loyal lieutenant Elkhazel Miritar.[10]
Fflar was married to Sorenna Alydyrrin at the age of 80,[20] and together the two had a son named Arafel; both fled the besieged Myth Drannor before the city fell.[21]
After his resurrection, Fflar rode atop a roan-coated stallion by the name of Thunder.[22][page needed]
History[]
Fflar was born in Myth Drannor in the Year of the Turning Leaf, 590 DR.[6] As a young elf in his first century of life, Fflar was already an incredibly skilled warrior,[24] and was named a captain in the Cormanthyrean Akh'Velahr.[10]
When Coronal Eltargrim Irithyl passed on to Arvandor in the Year of the Bloody Tusk, 661 DR,[25] the city of Myth Drannor entered into a collective time of sorrow, known as the Mourning Days.[26][27] After the untimely death of Etargrim's daughter two years later, a Claiming Ceremony was held to determine the next coronal.[25] Absolute chaos broke out in the city. Alongside the Arms-Major, the young Captain Fflar did his best to maintain order,[4][page needed] but the city only came to peace upon the intervention of the legendary Srinshee.[25]
Fflar married his first wife Sorenna in the Year of the Many Floods, 670 DR,[23][page needed] but briefly left Myth Drannor sometime after their marriage.[6] to train elves at the School of Arms in Semberholme. Over the course of eight years, he gained a reputation as one of the school's finest martial instructors.[24] Fflar eventually returned home to Myth Drannor, to attend Sorenna as she gave birth to their first and only child,[24] Arafel.[6][note 3]
Weeping War[]
Fflar was one of one of several valiant elves who famously defended the city of Myth Drannor in the Weeping War, fought against the fiendish Army of Darkness and culminating in the Year of Doom, 714 DR.[2] During the Battle of Crownfrost Capture, the last major engagement of the war, Fflar led some 400 elves in a successful retreat, ensuring that one third of the army survived its defeat. Arms-Major Olortynnal fell in that battle and it was said that his spirit lived on in Fflar[5] after he took up Olortynnal's blade, Keryvian.[16][page needed]
Fflar rallied what was left of the Akh’Velahr to make a last stand against the Army of Darkness as the beleaguered city was evacuated. He fought on as his forces dwindled. The conflict escalated to the Banes' Duel between the remnants of Myth Drannor's forces and those commanded by the supreme commander of the Army if Darkness, nycaloth general, Aulmpiter.[14][page needed] The battle raged for two days before the two generals faced off against each other in single combat.[2][5][27][28] Fflar and Aulmpiter slew each other on Flamerule 15, after which the last of the city’s defenders were slain defending the portals being used in the retreat to Semberholme as the city finally fell.[2] Fflar's soul made its way to the elven afterlife in Arvandor.[7] Some reports say that Fflar's body was never recovered[2] or was destroyed outright,[29] while other accounts state he was buried in the Warrior's Tomb outside Myth Drannor.[30]
Afterlife & Resurrection[]
Although he had departed for Arvandor,[7] the ghost of Fflar Starbrow remained on Toril, haunting the north center of the second floor of the Warrior's Tomb. Unfortunately, he wasn't aware of his undead, ghostly state. Fflar mistook anyone who ventured into the tomb as an intruder, and attacked them, unless he was given direct proof that he had perished.[30]
On Ches 20 of the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR, 666 years after the fall of Myth Drannor, Fflar Starbrow Melruth was resurrected by Seiveril Miritar. Captain Fflar was needed so that he could take up Keryvian in battle against the daemonfey assault on Evereska and other elven cities of Faerûn.[7][32]
It was during that conflict that the resurrected elven warrior met and joined forces with Araevin Teshurr, Ilsevele Miritar, and other heroes in the Elven Crusade.[7] In a brief reprieve during the fighting, Fflar found some time to mourn his long-dead wife Sorenna.[33][page needed]
The leaders of the Elven Crusade. Fflar included, were instrumental in the defeat of the daemonfey and the reestablishment of the realm of Cormanthyr. These events also led to the eventual betrothal of Fflar and Ilsevele Miritar, ending her previous betrothal to Araevin Teshurr.[7]
Commander of Myth Drannor[]
In his second life, Fflar valiantly served as High Captain and commander of the army of restored Myth Drannor.[3]
In the Year of the Rune Lords Triumphant, 1487 DR, the flying capital of the returned Empire of Netheril―Thultanthar, known as Shade―loomed over Myth Drannor. Its dark arcanists sought to siphon away the magic of the city's mythal for their own ends.[34] Numerous battles broke out as the Netherese forces and their mercenary armies assailed the free people of Myth Drannor.[11][12]
High Captain Fflar led the charge, taking on any allies that would come to the city's defense.[11] In one battle, Fflar and Coronal Ilsevele stood against a contingent of Sembian mercenaries, along with a few brave elven knights, having ordered most of their soldiers to reinforce another of the city's wards.[12] Fflar was spared a second death defending his city, when he, Ilsevele, and what remained of their people were magically portalled away from Myth Drannor to Semberholme by the Srinshee, moments before Thultanthar came crashing down atop Myth Drannor, destroying the city for a second time.[13]
Rumors & Legends[]
Skilled students of the School of Arms in Semberholme were referred to as "Fflarrens", a tribute to the captain's career as a martial instructor.[24]
Following his death in the Weeping War, the true identity of Fflar Starbrow Melruth became lost to the ages. Some tales told of a stalwart human paladin who slew the nycaloth general of the Army of Darkness, while others insisted he was a half-elven ranger, or an elven bladesinger.[9] At least one legend maintained that Fflar slew Aulmpiter with his bare hands.[35]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ In Final Gate, Fflar states he was just over 130 years old when he died in 714 DR. This is impossible given his birth year, the Year of the Turning Leaf, 590 DR. Fflar's age as of 1487 DR includes the years Fflar spent alive in Faerûn, not those that passed while his spirit remained in Arvandor, as stated by the character in that same novel.
- ↑ Fflar married his wife around 670 DR, at age of 80 years. Some time later he traveled to Semberholme for eight years. Arafel was said to be born a "few years" after Fflar and Soernna's marraige. The earliest Arafel could have been born was 678 DR.
- ↑ According to Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves, Captain Fflar returned home to attend his wife in 335 DR. This date was later retconned to a later date in the novel Final Gate, as the timeline of Fflar's life was expanded upon.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- The Last Mythal (Forsaken House • Farthest Reach • Final Gate) • The Herald
- Video Games
- Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor
- Referenced only
- Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Steven E. Schend (1998). The Fall of Myth Drannor. Edited by Cindi Rice, Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 52. ISBN 0-7869-1235-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Steven E. Schend (1998). The Fall of Myth Drannor. Edited by Cindi Rice, Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 19. ISBN 0-7869-1235-9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 156. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Richard Baker (June 2006). Final Gate. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. prologue. ISBN 0-7869-4002-6.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Steven E. Schend (1998). The Fall of Myth Drannor. Edited by Cindi Rice, Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 40–41. ISBN 0-7869-1235-9.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Richard Baker (June 2006). Final Gate. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 53. ISBN 0-7869-4002-6.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 187. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ Richard Baker (June 2006). Final Gate. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 339. ISBN 0-7869-4002-6.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Steven E. Schend (1998). The Fall of Myth Drannor. Edited by Cindi Rice, Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 63. ISBN 0-7869-1235-9.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 1. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Ed Greenwood (June 2014). The Herald. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 7, p. 114. ISBN 978-0786964604.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Ed Greenwood (June 2014). The Herald. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 12, p. 210. ISBN 978-0786964604.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ed Greenwood (June 2014). The Herald. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 19, p. 352. ISBN 978-0786964604.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. prologue. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 201–202. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Richard Baker (July 2005). Farthest Reach. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. prologue. ISBN 0-7869-3756-4.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 202. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 3. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ BioWare (June 2001). Designed by Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ Richard Baker (June 2006). Final Gate. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 32. ISBN 0-7869-4002-6.
- ↑ Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 281. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ Richard Baker (June 2006). Final Gate. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 3. ISBN 0-7869-4002-6.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Richard Baker (June 2006). Final Gate. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 3. ISBN 0-7869-4002-6.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 92. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 94. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1998). The Fall of Myth Drannor. Edited by Cindi Rice, Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 0-7869-1235-9.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 128. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1998). The Fall of Myth Drannor. Edited by Cindi Rice, Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-1235-9.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Strategic Simulations, Inc. (1993). Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
- ↑ Richard Baker (July 2005). Farthest Reach. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 1. ISBN 0-7869-3756-4.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 155. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Richard Baker (July 2005). Farthest Reach. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. epilogue. ISBN 0-7869-3756-4.
- ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 39. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.