Captain Galadwen of House Arduval

Galadwen is an Elhan of the Belendale, the Elven lands to the north. She was born in the year 7997 Farlandish Reckoning to Ingmar of house Arduval (a captain of the Shadow Walkers under his nephew Leanorfin) and Halthala of house Meliane. Halthala foretold her daughter's doom; she named her Dauraira, "Solitary warrior against fear and anger, doomed to walk in shadow." Her mother knew that Galadwen's fate would be tied to that of her father's, that her path would ultimately lead her into the brotherhood of the Shadow Walkers. This prophecy proved true as Galadwen eventually immersed herself into the world of shadow, but not under the circumstances that her parents would have chosen.

Galadwen was born and raised in the Belendale, more specifically within the city of Gloralion. Many elves do not have the pleasure of growing up in the hidden city, and Galadwen knew how fortunate she was from a very early age. She learned to appreciate books, poetry, and beauty as do all elves, but Galadwen had a gift for learning. She spent her childhood studying history, geography, and nature and was deeply interested in monsters, a fascination that would prove valuable later in life. From a very early age, Galadwen developed an extremely close relationship with her father. She spent the majority of her time at his heals, that is when he wasn't off defending the Elven way of life. Although she was naturally gifted, her father helped her fine tune her skill with the bow. He was also responsible for her aptitude for stealth and awareness. Galadwen enjoyed this time with her father more than she enjoyed the expertise he was teaching her. She didn't have much interest in becoming a Shadow Walker, as she planned on spending her life in the Summervale studying, readying, and writing poetry.

After many years of passively learning the ways of the Shadow Walker through her father's example, Galadwen was approached by Leanorfin with the request to formally start training. Galadwen, although honored by this invitation, respectfully declined the offer as she had never intended on spending her life wedded to the Shadow Walkers. Upon hearing this news, Ingmar was furious. He had anticipated, based on her innate skill and seeming enthusiasm, that Galadwen would accept this invitation, not realizing her training was based on her love and adoration for him. When confronted by her father, Galadwen explained her desire to remain in the Belendale reading, writing, and studying, but Ingmar could not comprehend how someone so naturally talented would not want to contribute those skills to the good of the elves. Galadwen, apologetic but unwavering, refused to give up the life in the Summervale that she had come to love. Her father, frustrated and disappointed by the decision of his daughter, sought a mission to distract him from his emotions. He left the Summervale with Coress of house Levan, a captain of the Shadow Walkers second only to Leanorfin, to take on a perilous mission to the Kingdom of Farland.

Leanorfin had been looking for two Shadow Walkers to gather information about the Lord of Anger in the Kingdom of Farland. Although the mission was strictly one of reconnaissance, it was extremely dangerous, as the Lord of Anger is a very powerful pit fiend. Up to now, the only Shadow Walker that would undertake this mission was Coress, but as a result of the circumstances with Galadwen, Ingmar volunteered. Coress returned alone and not much was known of Ingmar's fate, but he was last seen in the hands of the Lord of Anger. According to Coress, he and Ingmar were hiding in the shadows when found by the Lord's Hobgoblin minions. Believing they could easily overcome these weak creatures, Ingmar and Coress began to fight. During the battle, the Lord of Anger unexpectedly appeared. Coress was able to shadow jump to safety, but Ingmar did not notice the Lord's presence in time and was last seen in his grasp. The last Coress heard of Ingmar was an aborted shout, and he smelled scorched hair.

Galadwen was shattered by the news of her father. Coress explained the circumstances in which he left Ingmar, but she refused to believe that he was dead. She felt she was to blame and knew that the only way she could ever forgive herself was to honor her father's wishes and become a Shadow Walker. This also allowed her to deprive herself of the life she wanted, a life of peace and study in the Belendale, a punishment she felt she deserved.

Leanorfin, sensing Galadwen's current state of mind, decided to extend the offer to her again. Galadwen immediately accepted and began her official training as a Shadow Walker. She proved to be everything her father thought she would, and during this time Galadwen realized that becoming a Shadow Walker way also the only was she could ever hope to sate her anger and avenge her father's death. She also knew that she was no match for the Lord of Anger, and doubted she would ever be. Not long after Galadwen became a Shadow Walker, Coress left the Summervale to search for the Stone of Silence, a quest that would mark the end of his time as a Shadow Walker.

After over a hundred years as a Shadow Walker, where she rose through the ranks to take Coress' old position as captain, Galadwen was approached by Leanorfin. He presented her with an opportunity that could benefit the elves and the Shadow Walkers, and she also immediately recognized how this chance could serve her own ambitions. She was to join the Lords of the West. The Stone of Silence had reappeared after these heroes had defeated the now-corrupt Coress, and Galadwen was to aid them in securing the stone for Valanduil. In addition, she was to gather as much information as possible for Leanorfin. And perhaps Galadwen has other objectives, but if so, she keeps her own council. In any case, she hopes that the path of the Lords of the West will eventually lead to the Kingdom of Farland where she can face the creature who took her father from her.