Viram Eldershade

Now that the PCs have been awarded the Barony of Red Spires (which went to Azareth, who now refers to himself as Baron Starsmiter), they’ve entered the prickly arena of politics among Cormyr’s nobility. And now they’ve met a character whom they simply cannot bring themselves to trust: Viram Eldershade.

The PCs have already met Lord Eldershade once before through the person of Ord, a fellow inmate at the city jail. Ord was  once Eldershade’s personal carriage driver, until he was thrown in the slammer for stealing a few gold pieces. Ord had described Eldershade as “a cheapskate” to the point of Ord needing to steal from his master to feed his family. Acantha hated him immediately.

Now, the PCs have actually met him–in the court of Princess Alusair, no less. Alusair described Eldershade as one of the few nobles who actually cooperates with the throne, but the recognition his name brought to Acantha and Azareth made them immediately suspicious of him. And who wouldn’t find him suspicious?

Dressed in a gaudy outfit of green velvet, emeralds, rubies and dripping gold chains, this man seems to show the worst in Cormyr’s nobility: arrogant, self-important, and cheap despite his wealth. But what is his agenda? What is he living for? Why is he important enough to materialize? We can only speculate.

And hope that our speculations are true, because political blunders in Cormyr might cost more than a few gold pieces.

Artwork: Cannith Wand Adept by Tom Giorello.

~ by J. R. R. Flores on February 5, 2008.