![[Elkane.png]] # Elkane _Half-Elf Paladin of [[Lathander]] | Leader of [[Force Grey]] | [[Waterdeep]]_ ## Summary Paladin of [[Lathander]] and current leader of [[Force Grey]], known as "The Shield." One of the [[Heroes of Waterdeep]] whose journey was defined by faith, catastrophic loss, a fall from grace, and hard-won redemption. Elkane's hometown of [[Beliard]] was destroyed by [[Marlos Urnrayle]] as petty vengeance for joining the heroes. He was captured and brainwashed into one of [[Baba Yaga]]'s Horsemen, during which he murdered [[Sunset Flickerflame]]. Abandoned by the party in the [[Abyss]], he fought as a gladiator in [[Baphomet]]'s [[Field of Brass]] until the Aasimar paladin Zywin helped him reconnect with [[Lathander]] and escape. Later convinced the [[Righteous Order of the White Flame]] to allow [[Dusk]]'s lich transformation — a debt of conscience for killing her sister. Fell to [[Graz'zt]]'s sword at [[Silverymoon]], his soul trapped in the Demon Lord's weapon. Eventually freed and resurrected after the heroes destroyed the [[Shard of Evil]]. Now leads [[Force Grey]] and protects [[Waterdeep]], haunted by his time in the [[Shard of Evil]] but resolute in his purpose. %% ## At a Glance Tall, muscular half-elf with dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. Armor bearing [[Lathander]]'s symbol, scratched and dented from countless battles. His eyes hold both unwavering determination and a shadow of doubt — the look of someone who has been to the worst places in the multiverse and dragged himself back. Touches [[Lathander]]'s symbol when making decisions. Never misses watching the sunrise. [[Titania|Queen Titania]] revealed that Elkane is the son of a human and a [[Summer Court|Summer]] Knight who abandoned their duties. He has never fully reckoned with what that means. Elkane carries more scars than anyone can see. The loss of [[Beliard]]. The murder of [[Sunset Flickerflame]] while under mind control. Being abandoned by his friends in the [[Abyss]]. Fighting as a gladiator for a Demon Lord. His soul trapped in [[Graz'zt]]'s weapon, experiencing what felt like an eternity of torment. Any one of these would break most people. Elkane survived all of them and came back to stand watch over [[Waterdeep]]. ## Personality Determined, compassionate, cautious, and carrying a bone-deep weariness that he refuses to let slow him down. Outwardly strong but privately haunted by doubts about his own worthiness — fears that his time in the [[Shard of Evil]] permanently tainted his soul. Balances faith with pragmatic necessities, which sometimes creates internal conflict. Takes special interest in mentoring younger heroes, seeing it as part of his ongoing redemption. His friendship with [[Dusk]] — a gnome lich necromancer — challenged everything he believed about good and evil, and he's a better leader for it. ## Quote _"Dawn always comes, but we must be vigilant through the night."_ ## Background **Early Days:** Joined the [[Heroes of Waterdeep]] during the Princes of the Apocalypse campaign, initially assigned to watch over the warlock [[Birel]] at [[Trollskull Manor]]. Proved himself immediately — smashing the altar to close the Air Portal and later fighting a [[Nightwalker]] from the back of a pegasus. **The Loss of Beliard:** [[Marlos Urnrayle]], the earth prophet, deliberately destroyed Elkane's hometown of [[Beliard]] as an act of petty vengeance for joining the heroes. Elkane learned of this when [[Lathander]] whispered to him: "I'm sorry, son. Your home is gone." **Baba Yaga's Horseman:** When [[Kali]] traveled to [[Baba Yaga's Dancing Hut]], Elkane accompanied her. Both were captured by [[Natasha]] the Dark, [[Koschei]], and [[Arkexes Woe]]. Through dark magic, Elkane's will was bent and he became one of [[Baba Yaga]]'s Horsemen — an enforcer for [[Arkexes Woe]]. During this time, he committed terrible acts under compulsion, culminating in the murder of [[Sunset Flickerflame]], [[Dusk]]'s sister. When the party freed him, the weight of his sins severed his connection to [[Lathander]]. **The Field of Brass:** When the party traveled to the [[Abyss]] to rescue King [[Oberon]]'s soul, Elkane stayed behind to guard [[Baba Yaga's Dancing Hut]]. The Demon Lord [[Baphomet]] invaded the Hut. Elkane fought bravely but was overwhelmed. Amused by his courage, [[Baphomet]] spared him and sent him to the [[Field of Brass]] as a gladiator. The party escaped the [[Abyss]] without him. **Zywin and Redemption:** In the [[Field of Brass]], Elkane met Zywin, an Aasimar paladin of [[Lathander]] and member of the [[Righteous Order of the White Flame]]. Zywin helped Elkane reconnect with his god. Together they escaped [[Baphomet]]'s maze. Elkane joined the [[Righteous Order of the White Flame|Righteous Order]]. **Dusk's Lichdom:** The [[Righteous Order of the White Flame|Righteous Order]] dispatched Elkane to the [[Feywild]] to stop [[Dusk]] from completing a lich transformation ritual. But Elkane — carrying immense guilt for murdering [[Dusk]]'s sister [[Sunset Flickerflame|Sunset]] — convinced the Order to stand down. He later defended this decision to the Lady of the Dawn, taking personal responsibility for ensuring the lich stayed on a moral path. An unlikely friendship grew from this act of conscience. **The Volcano:** Elkane survived falling into an erupting volcano in the [[Green Expanse]] by successfully banishing himself back to the Material Plane — arriving in [[Waterdeep]] to a joyful reunion with his friends. **Death at Silverymoon:** During the confrontation with [[Graz'zt]] at [[Silverymoon]], Elkane fell to the Demon Prince's sword. His body withered into a husk, his soul trapped within the weapon. Resurrection attempts by [[Silverymoon]]'s clerics failed. Like [[Mya]], his soul was imprisoned in [[Graz'zt]]'s [[Shard of Evil]]-forged blade. **Resurrection and the Shard:** When the heroes eventually destroyed the [[Shard of Evil]] and defeated [[Graz'zt]], Elkane's soul was freed and he was resurrected. The experience of torment within the weapon felt like an eternity, leaving deep psychic scars. **The Shield:** After resurrection, Elkane retreated to a [[Lathander]] shrine for quiet worship. But the call to protect others proved too strong. He returned to [[Waterdeep]] and took command of [[Force Grey]], adopting the moniker "The Shield." His trauma in the [[Shard of Evil]] gave him unique expertise in demonic threats — knowledge that makes him invaluable to [[Waterdeep]]'s defense. He watches the sunrise every morning without fail, reaffirming his bond to [[Lathander]] and his purpose. ## Stats **Base:** Oath of Devotion Paladin (high level). No standard stat block — build as needed for encounter. - Unique knowledge of demonic tactics from imprisonment in the [[Shard of Evil]] and [[Field of Brass]] - Connection to [[Lathander]] restored but privately fears it is fragile - Leadership of [[Force Grey]] gives him access to [[Waterdeep]]'s elite defenders %%