Famous Names

These are the names that are known throughout Volara, divided into three groups: contemporary names, historical names, and organizations.

These names include the rich, the powerful, the influential, and the infamous: the good, the bad, and the morally ambiguous.

While not every person on the planet has heard all these names, the average person (regardless of lifestyle) will know almost all the historical names, about half of the contemporary names, and all of the organizations. Most adventurers would know more of the contemporary names, depending on that adventurer’s field (obviously, a bard would know more names than a barbarian, but a fighter or mage may know just as many).

The entry for each name gives the common knowledge about that person/organization. Extra information may be given at character creation, based on the player’s choice of class, race, and knowledge skill (and if the player wants to know more).

Special thanks to GM, SJ, BP, and JJ. They know why.

This section is incomplete, more information is forthcoming.

Contemporary Names

Adian Adell

Some speak of Adian as though he were a master manipulator. Others speak of him as though he were a fierce warrior with a temper to match. Both may be true. He used to travel with Sir Astan von Herrick, but they’ve parted company in the last few years. Adian has since established himself as a key figure in Crandol.

Damon Aeary

There are some who suggest that Damon is a lunatic, that he flees from his own shadow. Seemingly an innocent and harmless scholar, he has fled numerous cities out of fear of a man called Simian. He is the most famous scholar on Volara, and some suggest that he must be braver than he seems, if his writings are true.

Al’therea

The queen of the Elven nation of Eltherean, the first country founded after the War of the Gates. She is the great-granddaughter of the first queen, Therea. She is growing old, and an heir will need to be announced soon. People say that she has a non-Elf among her key religious advisors, and that much of the populace is upset about this.

Ancelyn DeVir

A name spoken in shadows to frighten children of the nobility, DeVir is considered to be the epitome of a killer. It is whispered that even the assassin’s guild fears him. Though primarily operating in Asuris, he has been connected with deaths worldwide. Some suspect that he bears a link to Gamble, others think he is a mindless killer. The truth, whatever it may be, is unlikely to become public knowledge.

Callia Ellowyn

The only daughter of Dalen and Candara Ellowyn, Callia is famous for her beauty. She married into the Zekalan royal family when she was in her late teens. As a result, her activities are less known in Llafanwyr than the rest of her family.

Candara Ellowyn

The Queen of Llafanwyr, Candara is famous for her generosity. The daughter of one of Dofmariel’s lords (and a direct descendant of the Steeleye family), Candara came to Llafanwyr with some rough edges. There are some who suggest that she is the true power in Llafanwyr, that King Dalen makes no decisions without her permission. At the same time, she is very popular with the people, as many feel that Te’ralyn’s tolerant nature is a reflection of her personality and upbringing.

Dalen Ellowyn

The King of Llafanwyr, Dalen is famous for his justice. While some feel that he is merely a slave to his wife’s desires, others think that he must be strong to maintain such a potent nation. While Llafanwyr was successful prior to Dalen’s arrival on the throne, it has truly thrived in his 47 years on the throne. He is getting old, however, and many wonder how much longer he can hold on.

Davin Ellowyn

The heir apparent to the throne of Llafanwyr, Davin is the head of Llafanwyr’s military. He did much of his training in Lawesee, so few doubt his combat prowess. Those who did have been silenced, as he has proven formidable in border skirmishes with Crandol. He has proven approachable, even to commoners, and has been verbal in his denouncements of Gochanrall. He has a reputation for both loyalty and chivalry.

Durwin Ellowyn

The youngest of the Llafanwyr royals, Durwin has inherited his mother’s tolerance. Durwin, as a child, grew very fond of a Kender visitor to court. As a man, he was instrumental in setting up the Kender community that Te’ralyn is famous for. Rumours suggest that he even spent two years living on Kend’ran by choice. Some hate him for his desire to set up the Kender district, others respect what he has accomplished with introducing the concept of law to the Kender people.

Sir Astan von Herrick

Many speak of a wandering giant of a man who may or may not be a bounty hunter, who may or may not be from Lawesee, who may or may not be a real knight, and who may or may not be a shapeshifter. The only definites known about the man are his combat expertise and the name of his onetime companion: Adian Adell.

Shandalla Kareth

Details to come soon…

Simian Kris

There are some who suggest that Simian is a lunatic, that he chases his own shadow. He hates the man with his face called Damon, and will kill him if they ever meet. He has traveled to most of the world’s greatest cities hunting, but always just missing, his target. He has proven on numerous occasions that he is a man to be feared with the blade.

Lynx Maledetti

Details to come soon…

Gareth Nestor

People all over Volara speak of a man capable of healing the worst injuries, the direst illnesses, and the most insidious poisons. He travels on foot, helping those who are ailing. Those he helps know his name and his white attire, but he rarely stays for thanks or conversation.

Rafe Proctor III

The king of Praneya, the only nation to escape the War of the Gates intact. While little is known of the man, his name is known to almost everyone in Volara. He is the most recent in an unbroken line of monarchs that includes Bertolt Proctor, the man who negotiated the Treaty of Praneya ending the war. There are rumours that he is the only man to survive an assassination attempt by the man called DeVir.

Shockingly Beautiful

There are people who can be sought out if you want information. Shockingly Beautiful is the man they go to for information. Those who know about him believe that nothing escapes his notice. How he learns things is a question no one has ever dared to ask. Only those who have met him know why he has chosen his name. For some reason, they don’t talk about it.

The Cat

There once was a man with a hat (one cannot fail to mention the hat). Most people also mention the mice that he says speak to him. Some have heard him imply that he predates the War. Some think he’s irrepressible, some think he’s psychotic. Everyone thinks he’s mad, but is it true, or is it what he wants them to think?

Tzemekis

Everyone knows that if someone wants to become a mage, the best place to go is Salinar. Everyone knows that the world’s most powerful mages come from Salinar. Everyone knows that Tzemekis is one of the world’s most powerful mages. Everyone knows that he never went to Salinar. No one knows where he trained, but everyone wants to know. Currently based in Southern Llafanwyr, his home has been described as “one of the least inviting places on Volara,” and this despite all accounts that he is one of the friendliest mages in the world.

Vladimir

As the head of the assassin’s guild, Vladimir has the distinct misfortune of being the ‘other killer.’ While not as famous as Ancelyn, he knows his trade and arrived at the top of the guild by the only natural method. He has been the guild leader for a long time. Some suggest that it may be an unnaturally long time…

Historical Names

Andrien Daslar

Details to come soon…

Emperor Anshin

Details to come soon…

Alexis Donreyl

Details to come soon…

Jovan Donreyl

Details to come soon…

Morindas El’shalim

Details to come soon…

Endalan

Details to come soon…

Ilfallar

Details to come soon…

Modrock Ironhelm

Details to come soon…

Onsallar

Details to come soon…

Bertolt Proctor

The king of Praneya at the end of the War of the Gates, he somehow managed to end a war that had been waged for literally hundreds of years. Historical evidence suggests that this is one of the last times that Praneya is known to have directly influenced the politics of other countries.

Ragnar

Details to come soon…

Drakscar Steeleye

Details to come soon…

Falran Steeleye

Details to come soon…

Ulfscar Steeleye

Details to come soon…

Uthran Steeleye

Details to come soon…

Uthreya Steeleye

Details to come soon…

Organizations

Gamble

Gamble is the oldest known organization on Volara, with a recorded history going back to the War of the Gates. There isn’t a person on Volara who hasn’t heard of Gamble. They may be assassins, they are definitely thieves, and the worst part of it all is that no one knows any more than their name. They can enter magically sealed rooms, they can move the largest of items, and they have done both without ever being seen. There was a time, not too long ago, when children were told that Gamble would take them in the night if they weren’t good. Sometimes, it was true…

The Illuminant Order

Most of those who pursue good on Volara do so knowing that there is always some sort of balance.  The Illuminant Order does not feel that a balance is needed; they believe in the good, and only the good.  This attitude can result in annoyance or derision in honest citizens who find their lives overly investigated by members of the Order.  The Order is tolerated by most governments, though more than one member of the Order has found himself in state-run prisons for displaying too much zeal in the quest to eliminate the darkness.  The two Shadowbane groups represent the upper echelons of the Order.

The Magisters of Salinar

There are some who suggest that magic should be free for all. There are others who suggest that magic half destroyed the world in the War of the Gates. Time happened, and eventually, a group of like-minded mages decided to open a small school of magic. As they taught, these mages’ skills increased to the point where they were considered the best on Volara in their respective magic fields. The first Magisters of Salinar were powerful, but they were nothing compared to the current group. Each of the Magisters is a specialist in one of the magic schools. Together, they rule the operations of the great Kafre’en city of Salinar, where the rich or the dedicated go to learn magic. When people speak of learning magic, they speak of the Magisters in the same breath.

The Servants of the End

There are people who make a living by killing. There are soldiers, and there are thugs. Then, there is the assassin’s guild. The Servants of the End represent the pinnacle of the deadly arts. They are the assassins who bring down governments, end businesses, and begin wars. Their numbers are unknown, but their leader, Vladimir, is known across Volara. If they have a code, it is unknown; if they have a purpose, it remains hidden.

The University of Llafanwyr

The largest organized educational body on Volara, and the holder of the largest publicly accessible library, the University is a key reason behind Llafanwyr’s success.  In the relative peace  of the last 100 years, the University has grown to previously unknown levels.  It counts among its students not only men and elves, but is open to honestly studious pupils from all races and genders.  Some of the most popular lectures are given by retired or part-time adventurers, and some of the books from the University’s publishing arm have gone on to become international bestsellers.