“The next man who questions my right to rule Ulfdinhar will do so within the reach of my sword.”
-Kael Vakveldir to the Imperial Court of Vierros Alzari.
| GENERAL Name: Kael Vakveldir Race: Ulfhar Born: 251 AE, Wolf’s Forge, Kveldir Mountain, Ulfdinhar Clan: Kveldir of Wolf’s Forge Pack: The Apex Hegemony Coronation: 268 AE, at the Great Erra Mountain Predecessor: General Lorik Vakveldir Patron Deity: Helvarr |
| TITLES Lord of Wolf’s Forge Paramount Lord of Kveldir Mountain General of Ulfdinhar Dominion Wolf of Ulfdinhar ALIASES The Adolescent King |
| FAMILY Father: Lord Rogvar Vakveldir Mother: Lady Yrsa Varra Siblings: Lady Delysse Vakveldir (elder-half sister) Lord Arrik Vakveldir (elder half-brother) Lord Draven Vakveldir (elder half-brother) Lady Yngva Vakveldir (elder half-sister) Spouses: Lady Thurga Varra Madame Maelynir Teak Lovers: Clan Mother Lembayung of Chrenatia Imperial Princess Avaras Alzari (rumored) Issue: Lysse Varra (stepdaughter,from Thurga) Kirvak Vakveldir (from Lembayung) Svana Vakveldir (from Thurga) |
Kael Vakveldir serves as the General of the Ulfdinhar Dominion and holds the distinction of being the youngest individual to assume the title of Wolf in the Dominion’s history. He is the fifth and youngest child of Lord Rogvar Vakveldir, born to his third wife, Lady Yrsa Varra.
Appearance
Kael is considered handsome by many; tall and well-muscled with an imposing posture, Kael stands just a little below two meters. He has pale skin and pale blonde hair typical of an Ulfhar. Kael has a sharp jawline, bright blue eyes with dark, vertical pupils, and clawed hands. He keeps his hair short and, much to his displeasure, is forced by his wives to keep his face clean-shaven.
Kael typically dresses in dark colors, favoring garments made of fur and leather. During court sessions or ceremonial functions, he dons a wolf pelt over his head and wears fingerless gloves. Occasionally, he braids strands of his hair.
Personality and Character
Kael does not speak much and is rather prone to outbursts. He is said to glare at people four times as much as he smiles, and is often described as ‘harsh’ and ‘unyielding’. Kael is quick to anger, slow to forgiveness, and never forgets a slight. Kael, like many Ulfhar, enjoys swordsmanship and martial training, often spending long hours perfecting his technique.
Even so, Kael deeply respects those he deems worthy. He appointed his first wife, Thurga Varra, to his council as an advisor. He is extremely loyal to those who have proven they deserve it, and he is a devoted father to his children. He can be rather promiscuous at times, but he respects his wives above all. Kael is dependent on his inner circle and does not like to be alone.
Rarely, he can be unexpectedly charming—particularly among the children of other kingdom leaders, with whom he gets along surprisingly well. Though he seldom shows it, Kael has a fondness for music and will occasionally play, but only in private.
History
Early Life
Kael was born to Lord Rogvar Vakveldir and his third wife, Yrsa Varra, in 251 AE. He grew up the youngest of five children and was often doted on by his mother and stepmothers. He was said to be a talented hunter from a young age. He was given his first sword, Claw Breaker, at the age of seven.
Kael spent his early childhood at Wolf’s Forge in the Kveldir Mountains, where he learned swordsmanship, penmanship, and war-bear riding. He developed a particularly close relationship with his sister Yngva, who sewed his clothes and crafted his first bear saddle.
The Battle of the Wolves
In 260 AE, General Roggi Vaelkyr passed away from an illness, causing the Throne of Ulfdinhar to be vacant after his death. Several contenders marched on — including Kael’s father, Rogvar Vakveldir, and his uncle, Lorik Vakveldir. A series of battles between the claimants to the throne of Ulfdinhar ensued. The ongoing battles brought Lorik and Rogvar face-to-face.
Aware of Rogvar’s superior strength, Lorik kidnapped Kael’s mother, Yrsa, and demanded Rogvar’s submission in exchange for her safe return. When Rogvar agreed to meet Lorik and submit, he was murdered without the promised combat.
News of Rogvar’s death reached Lady Brynliv Valyrei, his first wife, through a letter from Lorik that stated his intention to wed all of Rogvar’s wives. In response, Brynliv arranged for herself and all of Rogvar’s children to flee Wolf’s Forge.
By that time, the guards of Wolf’s Forge had already pledged loyalty to Lorik. Many had been swayed by promises of gold, higher rank, or out of fear of the chaos that followed Rogvar’s murder. With Arrik, Rogvar’s son and rightful heir, still a young lad of four-and-ten and the seat of Wolf’s Forge left vulnerable, Lorik moved swiftly to consolidate power—bribing key officers and exploiting uncertainty among the ranks.
When Brynliv and the children tried to escape, the newly turned guards killed Delysse and Arrik as the siblings bought time for Brynliv to flee with the younger children. Kael witnessed a guard decapitate Delysse in a single blow and was about to retrieve his sister’s head when Yngva pulled him away. Even to this day, Kael is still haunted by this event.
Brynliv took her husband’s remaining children, Draven, Yngva, and Kael, to the Isles of Helmeras. She sold all her jewels to pay Phyrozesathur warriors for a safe passage to the Isles. After arriving in the Isles, Brynliv pleaded the right of shield to Pactbearer Natheressir Ironwood and received asylum.
Kael subsequently grew up in the Isles of Helmeras, studying combat with the Valacar and politics with the Verdant of the Order. Following the coronation of Emperor Vierros Alzari in 261 AE, Kael was brought to God’s Chosen as a ward.
There, he formed a close bond with Emperor Vierros and was raised alongside the emperor’s daughter, Avaras. Vierros personally instructed Kael in law, governance, and history. Vierros quickly became a paternal figure to Kael, and he saw Kael as both a loyal subject and a valuable future ally. Kael, in turn, felt a deep sense of loyalty and gratitude toward Vierros.
The Wolf of Ulfdinhar
In truth, Kael had never forgiven Lorik for the murder of his father and his half-siblings, and had sworn to himself that he would seek revenge. By the spring of 267 AE, when he was ten-and-seven years old, Kael decided to leave God’s Chosen and return to Ulfdinhar.
Though the Emperor could not openly support Kael’s claim, he discreetly provided Kael with ships and men to quietly support his campaign.
Kael’s mother, Yrsa – at that time already the wife of Lorik – requested to meet him in Wolf’s Forge. She told him that Lorik is the new Wolf of Ulfdinhar, his uncle and the father of his new brothers, and that if he bends his knee to Lorik, he, Brynliv, and his half-siblings would be welcomed into court. To that, Kael told Yrsa that Lorik is a treacherous lecher and that Yrsa may have given birth to him, but he recognizes no mother but Lady Brynliv Valyrei.
Left with no choice, Yrsa ordered Kael’s imprisonment, but he killed her guards and took her hostage, bringing her to a cabin north of Wolf’s Forge. He arranged a meeting with his cousin, Lord Arthal Vakveldir—the ruler of Wolf’s Forge—and the guard who murdered Delysse, then locked them in the cabin before setting it on fire. Subsequently, Kael claimed Wolf’s Forge and declared himself the Wolf of the Kveldir Mountains.
Lady Varhild Varra, wife of Arthal Vakveldir, reported the arson and murders to the Order of Helmeras. Though with Kael’s close relationship to Pactbearer Natheressir Ironwood, it was clear no intervention would come. Kael imprisoned Varhild and her young children, who later died from illness in the dungeon.
As Lorik attempted to flee the Great Erra Keep, Kael shot his mount with poisoned arrows and burned Lorik alive. He then presented Lorik’s charred remains to his other wives, personally delivering them by tying the remains to his war-bear. Lorik’s wives were married off to other nobles of Ulfdinhar, while his daughters—Brea, Runahild, and Erika—were sent to Aschatava at Draven’s request.
According to the Laws of the Wolf, Kael became the new Wolf of Ulfdinhar by defeating Lorik. He was crowned atop the Great Erra Mountains, and the hunt god Helvarr appeared in the prayers he led during his coronation, thereby solidifying his position as General of Ulfdinhar.
Kael wrote to his surviving family to return to Ulfdinhar, but Yngva was already wedded, and Draven had been inaugurated as a Valacar of the Order of Helmeras, which meant they could not join his court. Brynliv decided to return to Ulfdinhar to accompany Kael.
At his first Imperial Summit as the Wolf of Ulfdinhar in early 268 AE, Kael met Clan Mother Lembayung of Chrenatia and engaged in a brief romance, resulting in the birth of his son, Kirvak Varra, in the winter of 268 AE. In the spring of 269 AE, he married his warrior’s widow, Thurga Varra, and named her Lady of Ulfdinhar.
The Uma’aina Extinction Program
In 274 AE, Kael supported Clan Mother Lembayung’s controversial proposal to hunt the Uma’aina toward extinction. He joined the program and sailed across open seas and coastlines with others in the program. During one of these hunts, Kael was gravely wounded, and he was left barely alive, his recovery seeming all but impossible.
The news of Kael’s grave injury reached Ulfdinhar quickly, prompting the council of the wolves to propose names for the ritualistic battle over the wolf throne. At Kael’s request, Nagor Ardeyi immediately took Thurga and the children to Phyrozes.
Yet Clan Mother Lembayung refused to let Kael succumb to his wounds. She appointed her most skilled healer, Maelynir Teak, to attend to Kael’s injuries. Maelynir, who had been infatuated with Kael since their first meeting, quickly agreed. After twelve days of unconsciousness and nearly two months of recovery in God’s Chosen, Kael could finally return to Ulfdinhar.
Upon regaining his strength, Kael asked Maelynir how he could repay her, expecting a customary request for gold, land, or status. Instead, stated that she wished to become his wife.
Kael honored Maelynir’s request, and in early 275 AE, after introductions to Thurga and his children, Kael wedded Maelynir in The Wolf’s Grove in Ulfdinhar, where she was formally recognized as his wife. However, in accordance with tradition and his personal choice, Kael retained the title Lady of Ulfdinhar solely for Thurga.
Trivia and Miscellanelous
Trivia
- Kael’s favorite dish is roasted venison steak with fermented lichen garnish.
- Kael knows how to play the fiddle decently.
- Kael’s favorite color is indigo.
- Kael wears gold ornament on his fangs every now and then as a fashion statement.
- Kael sees Vierros as a father figure.
- Kael once battled Prince Arezei Aegrei for four days and three nights, and stopped only when the High Priest Aegyr Birch arrived to bring Prince Arezei back home to Zi’fen.
- He addresses Lysse in formal documents as his daughter, not stepdaughter.
- Kael has a close bond with Emperor Icairros Alzari and Pactbearer Natheressir Ironwood. One scrollhand testified that Natheressir often addressed Kael as her son in her letters.
Quotes by Kael Vakveldir
- “Dear uncle, I had hoped you were dead. No matter… I have time to kill you tonight.”
-Kael to Lorik Varra - “If I cannot make it to the next day, take Thurga as your wife and bring her and my children out of Ulfdinhar… they will not be safe in Ulfdinhar. Let the stones of Rughavar shield them, I beseech you.”
-Kael to Nagor Ardeyi - “In truth, princess, your name is what I whisper when lust keeps me awake at night.”
-Kael to Avaras Alzari - “I wonder how different would I be if you had been my father instead. Would it be sinful of me to entertain the thought?”
-Kael to Vierros Alzari - “I will not die, my lady. I won’t unless you tell me to. Only then will I die.”
-Kael to Thurga Varra - “Come home, mother. Sit by my side, for your son is young and foolish and in need of counsel, for the good of your people and your old home.”
-Kael’s letter to Brynliv Valyrei - “Your rugha killed six of my warriors. They had good deaths.”
-Kael to Rakai Ardeyi
Behind the Scenes
Kael was one of the first characters I created in Ederav universe. I drafted him in 2013 and his appearance mostly remained the same. Back then, I named him Nikolai Varra and he had a right-hand man named Kael Vaelkyr. I decided to erase Kael Vaelkyr and gave Nikolai the name Kael as I thought it suited him more.
In my draft, he was supposed to end up with an Aqsha exile named Senna after he defeated High Priest Aegyr in combat, and became the new ruler of Ederav, replacing Vierros, who, in my original draft, committed suicide after Cianantiras’ death.
I have always wanted the Ulfhar to have a male-centric polygamy like lions. In my newer draft, he was supposed to wed only Maelynir, but I found it too quirky for him to be the only Ulfhar who does not have multiple wives, so I added Thurga into the mix.
I will not disclose whether Kael is the father of Prince Aelirros Alzari or not… but he was there during the conception, tagging along in the process.
Want to hear Kael’s voice? Search for Helvegen by Wardruna. The opening is what he sounds like.
