Fflar Melruth

Fflar Starbrow Melruth, known posthumously as the Captain of True Valor, was the former captain of the Akh'Velahr, who served the city of Myth Drannor for a half-century leading up to the early 8 century DR. 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 his Myth Drannor once again, when terribly fiends threatened all of elven-kind in the late 14 century. Fflar protected his restored home for several generations,  having been given a second chance at a peaceful existence among the Tel-quessir.

"I am here, Aulmpiter! Your foul minions may have broken our walls and burned out homes, but you will not live to savor your victories! Today Keryvian will send you back to whatever black hells spawned you, monster!"

- Fflar, making his last stand, Flamerule 15 714 DR.

Description
Fflar was tall with broad shoulders, had russet hair and a broad, handsome face. He wore his hair in a braid. He had a notably grim-sounding voice.

Possessions
"I am Keryvian, last of Demron's blades. I will not fail in my strike, warrior."

- Keryvian, speaking in Fflar's mind.

Captain Fflar armored himself with a lacquered breastplate, a golden helm, and a stout kite shield.

For a period of 19 days, Fflar carried the elven baneblade Keryvian, also known as Foebane, that was sheathed within an enchanted scabbard.

Relationships
During his time as captain of the Akh'Velahr, Fflar was served well by his loyal lieutenant Elkhazel Miritar. He was married to Sorenna Alydyrrin at the age of 80, and together the two had a son named Arafel. Both fled before the city fell.

After his resurrection, Fflar rode atop a roan-coated stallion by the name of Thunder.

History
"I don't know of any legends. But I was captain of the Akh'Velahr in Myth Drannor's final days...I died on a summer afternoon...after that I walked in Arvandor for a time, though I do not now remember much of the Elvenhome."

- Fflar, Flamerule 25, 1374 DR.

Fflar was born in Myth Drannor in the. As a young elf in his first century of life, Fflar was already an incredibly skilled warrior, and was named as a captain in Cormanthyrean Akh'Velahr.

When Coronal Eltargrim Irithyl passed on to Arvandor in the, the city of Myth Drannor entered into a collective time of sorrow, known as the Mourning Days. After the untimely death of Etargrim's daughter two years later, a Claiming Ceremony was held to determine the next coronal. Absolute chaos broke out in the city. The young captain did his best to maintain order, but the city only came to peace upon the intervention of the legendary Srinshee.

Fflar married his first wife Sorenna in the, but briefly left Myth Drannor sometime after their marriage. to train elves at the School of Arms in Semberholme. Over the course of eight years, he gained the reputation as one of the school's finest martial instructors. Fflar eventually returned home to Myth Drannor, to attend his Sorenna as she gave birth to their first and only child, Arafel.

Weeping War
Fflar was one of one of several valiant elves that famously defended the city of Myth Drannor in the Weeping War, from the fiendish Army of Darkness in the. During the battle of Crownfrost Capture, Captain Fflar led some 400 elves in a successful retreat, ensuring that one third of the elves stayed alive. When Arms-Major Olortynnal fell in that battle, it was said that his spirit lived on in Fflar, after the Captain took up Olortynnal's blade, Keryvian.

Fflar was gathering his forces to make a last stand against the unholy beasts from the shadow realm. Though his army was ambushed, he fought on, and his forces dwindled. The conflict escalated to a single decisive battle, the Banes' Duel battle, between the Fflar's army and that commanded by the nycaloth general Aulmpiter. The battle raged on for two days, before the two generals faced off against each other in single combat.

Fflar and Aulmpiter slew each other the 15 of Flamerule as the city of Myth Drannor fell. Afterwards, Fflar's soul made its way to the elven afterlife on Arvandor. Some reports say that Fflar's body was never recovered, or was destroyed outright, while other accounts state he was buried in the Warrior's Tomb outside Myth Drannor.

Afterlife & Resurrection
"I think I know Corellon's will in this. You were not called back to live one hour, or one day, or one battle. You were called back to live, for as long as fate, chance, and your own heart allow."

- Seiveril Miritar, to Fflar.

Although he had departed for Arvandor, 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.

On the 20 of Ches of the, 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 invasion of Evereska and other elven cities of Faerûn.

It was during that conflict that the resurrected elven warrior met and joined forces with Araevin Teshurr, Ilsevele Miritar and others in the Elven Crusade. In a brief reprieve during the fighting, Fflar found some time to mourn his long-dead wife Sorenna.

This leaders of the Elven Crusade 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.

Commander of Myth Drannor
"Be welcome all of you...we need every sword, or Myth Drannor is doomed."

- Fflar, to Storm Silverhand and her allies.

In his second life, Fflar valiantly served as High Captain and commander of the army of restored Myth Drannor.

In the, the flying capital of the returned Empire of Netheril―known as Thultanthar―loomed over Myth Dranoor. Its dark arcanists sought to siphon away the magic of the city's mythal for their own ends. Numerous battles broke out, as the Netherese forces and their mercenary armies assailed the free people of Myth Drannor.

High Captain Fflar led the charge, taking on any allies that would come to the city's defense. 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. 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.

Rumors & Legends
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 elven bladesinger. At least one legend maintained that Fflar slew Aulmpiter with his bare hands.

Skilled students of the the School of Arms in Semberholme were referred to as "Fflarrens", a tribute to the captain's career as a martial instructor.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * The Last Mythal (Forsaken House • Farthest Reach • Final Gate) • The Herald
 * Video Games
 * Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor
 * Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
 * Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal