Kael'thas Sunstrider

Art by Nephiam

General

Titles
The Crimson King
The Phoenix King
King of the Sin'dorei
Species
San'layn
Gender
Male
DoB
Year 103
Height
6'00"
Eyes
Cerulean blue; bright crimson (vampyric)
Hair
Pale blonde; long, straight, and worn loose
Skin
Pale
Status
Undead

Known Languages Common, Nerglish (theoretical), Thalassian

Relatives Theo'remar Goldensword | Son

† Anasterian Sunstrider | Father
† Delana Sunstrider | Mother
† Nallorath Sunstrider | Half-brother

Kael'thas Sunstrider was the king of Quel'thalas and the last member of the Sunstrider dynasty following the murder of the rest of his family by Zul'jin in the event that triggered the Second Troll Wars. He was a generally well-loved leader, but struggled with the burdens of his title as he was never meant to become king before tragedy struck. However, after the invasion of Quel'thalas by the Horde, and his death at Deatholme which resulted in his revival as the first San'layn, he has since become viciously adamant about the survival of his people.

Description

Kael'thas was an attractive man even by elven standards and he possessed high cheekbones and piercing cerulean eyes that were synonymous with the Sunstrider family. While not particularly muscular, he had the lean build and grace of a skilled swordsman, which later further evolved into a supernatural, hidden strength after his ascension into vampyrism. He frequently used makeup selectively to accent his more prominent features, particularly different eye shadows and designs that would make his gaze more striking. His long hair was described as being the color of sun rays before undeath washed it out to a paler blonde, and it was normally worn loose.

Following his death and revival into undeath, very little about Kael'thas's appearance changed aside from his complexion generally paling, his nails lengthening into longer claws, and the growth of prominent fangs. However, he did acquire a prominent scar through his chest and back from where Frostmourne was driven through him, which had an otherworldly blue glow. He took pride in the scar as a symbol of the sacrifice he made for his people, and the color of the glow would shift to a bright crimson when he channeled anima or blood magic or otherwise entered an enraged state.

Kael'thas was a brilliant king who put his people's protection first and had been slightly more open for alliances beyond Quel'Thalas than his father was, though he still had the same elven superiority that appeared from time to time. His study in Dalaran had opened his eyes beyond the forests, however, and it showed.

He was proud, haughty, and confident, though such things were tempered by his bold, burning compassion for his people. His father was a legendary king, and he had every intention and desire to live up to that reputation.

Ascended Vampyr

During the assault on the Scarlet Monastery, Kael'thas's rage revealed an ability to take an ascended vampyric form quite unlike those of his other kin. It was speculated that this was due to his status as the first vampyr of a new line, and this form greatly resembled that of a bat-like gargoyle. He stood at around 8 feet tall, and had a set of large, clawed, webbed wings that sprouted from his back as well as a secondary, smaller pair of wings at his hips that primarily served to allow him to swerve quickly in the air. He had a long tail with a triangular-shaped tip, as well as digitigrade legs that ended in large claws. While he still possessed a certain regality, he had a more wild appearance with his hair becoming more like a mane, a set of crown-like deep crimson horns sprouting from his head, and more elongated fangs and a bat-like nose.

Biography

Kael'thas was the youngest son of King Anasterian of Silvermoon, and was actually born to the king's second wife, Delana, who he half-heartedly married several years after the death of his first. The marriage was primarily arranged at the urging of his advisors, as a new royal union could improve morale among their people, and while Anasterian had polite respect for Kael'thas's mother, they shared no true love. However, Kael'thas and his mother shared and incredibly deep bond. They existed in a strange place in the royal family, as while Delana was queen and Kael'thas was a prince, his elder half-brother, Nallorath, ultimately treated Kael like he would his grandchildren, and Delana was regarded with kindness, but an understanding there was no true place for her to assimilate fully into the family. Anasterian loved Kael'thas in his way, but he would never be Nallorath, nor a child of his first wife, and Kael'thas was perceptive enough to recognize the difference in his affection toward himself and his mother. Kael'thas reckoned with that difference well into his adult life, as part of him was always convinced he would never be good enough in his father's eyes.

Due to his magical acumen and the close friendship between Anasterian and Belo'vir Salonar, Kael'thas was personally tutored by the Grand Magister of the Magistrate. It was through this connection that he met Rommath Pyrewing, who Belo'vir had confided in him struggled to make friends. Kael'thas found such a thing to be unacceptable, and he set out to befriend the young man. Over time, the two of them became virtually inseparable.

Kael'thas eventually moved to Dalaran with Rommath where he created his own identity away from the royal family, and through his trials to be named an archmage, he sacrificed the bond with his bird of paradise familiar in order to summon and bind a phoenix that he came to call Al'ar. The stunt was unprecedented in Dalaran, and earned him the title of archmage, and later on, his skill in both magic and diplomacy also would lead to him holding a seat on the ruling Council of Six of the Kirin Tor. During his time in Dalaran, Kael'thas became enamored with fellow mage Jaina Proudmoore. However, she did not return his affections, and while he was disappointed, he respected her decision, and the two of them remained amicable acquaintances.

Unfortunately, Kael'thas would receive news of a tragedy back in Silvermoon. The efforts of the Amani warlord Zul'jin had resulted in the assassination of the entire Sunstrider line in addition to king Terenas Menethil and, supposedly, Thoras Trollbane, in an event that would set off the Second Troll Wars. With the heir to the throne dead, along with the rest of his line, Kael'thas relinquished his position in the Council of Six, recommended Aethas Sunreaver to replace him, and returned to Silvermoon to take on the mantle he was never supposed to have.

The funeral and his coronation was little more than a dissociative blur as the loss of his family, especially his mother, struck Kael'thas deep to his core. However, his people were in chaos and they needed a king to lead them in the brewing war, thus he focused his attention entirely on his new responsibilities instead of ever fully addressing the loss he had experienced. Rommath became an immediate member of his court, and in the turmoil, Kael'thas also met a man named Dar'khan Drathir. Dar'khan's support in Kael's time of need rapidly elevated him to a cherished friend, and he also joined Kael'thas's court as the honorary master of ceremonies given his skill in performance and the raw charisma he possessed.

Also during the time following his ascension to king, Kael'thas sparked a relationship with an intriguing half-elf courtesan that had come to work in the palace by the name of Finnall, though she had used a false last name to obfuscate her connection to the Seeker of Wisdom Kilnar Goldensword. She did not carry herself like the other courtesans and had a certain roughness to her that drew Kael's attention, and it seemed the interest was mutual. Unfortunately, without explanation or warning, their relationship abruptly went south, as Finnall made the accusation that Kael'thas was only interested in her because she was Jaina Proudmoore's half sister. It was a fact Kael'thas had not even known, but Finnall ultimately disappeared before he could attempt to figure out what had happened. Ultimately, Kael'thas once more turned his attention toward his people.

Eventually, once the Second Troll Wars had come to its conclusion, Kael'thas decided to take an apprentice in the form of Varden Dawngrasp. Varden became a close friend of Kael's over the years, and one that he came to subconsciously treat like something of a younger sibling he never had the chance to have.

Chapter One: Rise of Zalazane

Kael'thas was active in the investigations into the rising troll threat as well as the rise of warlock activity around Silvermoon and the surrounding elven lands. He was ultimately one of the member of the Convocation that gave Gilveradin Windrunner leave to meet with the Darkspear Tribe in order to try and broker a temporary truce so that the greater threat of Zalazane could be dealt with, even though the death of his father at the hands of trolls was still an open wound.

In the meanwhile, he continued to try and uncover more information on the warlock activity that was threatening his city.

WIP

Chapter Three: The Scales Tip

WIP

Chapter Four: Homecoming

Chapter Five: Civil War

During the showdown between Uther Menethil, Velameestra Windrunner, and their companions with the rogue bronze dragon Thaxdormu, the conflict dove through snippets of the timeline as it was "supposed" to be. One of these scenes showed Rommath Pyrewing, Lor'themar Theron, Aethas Sunreaver and a contingent of other blood elves as they broke into a Magister's Terrace that was in complete disarray to face down Kael'thas at the height of an extreme degree of fel corruption at the head of the Sunwell from whence he was attempting to summon a powerful demon. However, this scene was one that had not come to pass in the present timeline.

The real Kael'thas, however, was deep within the political dealings of Northrend as he navigated negotiations toward an alliance with the newly awakened Dragonflayer Clan and their King Ymiron. Lana'thel Duskseeker had opted to invite the simulacrum of Velameestra Windrunner to the negotiations as she had felt the young arcanist's skills would be of use, and Kael'thas was delighted at the decision, as it gave him an opportunity to get to know the woman better given their responsibilities frequently kept them too busy to do so otherwise. It was during the trek to Utgarde Keep that the simulacrum had presented an idea to utilize the recently discovered anima manipulation in the construction of runic blades that could absorb and store the anima from those they injured—effectively creating a means to harvest sustenance for their vampyric kin. Kael'thas was ecstatic at the possibilities, and expressed a desire to make such a revolution possible through whatever means he could.

They further discussed the matter of the Scarlet Crusade that had emerged on the Eastern Kingdoms, and the simulacrum expressed that she felt her Primary would have liked to be present at Kael'thas's planned meeting with the rest of the Convocation where the existence of undead amongst the sin'dorei was going to be formally revealed, as the conversation would almost certainly include her aunt Sylvanas. Kael'thas agreed he would do what he could to arrange it.

The two spent a surprising amount of time together during the ten-day trek to Utgarde Keep between the simulacrum personally showing Kael'thas how to utilize the anima manipulation she had learned to feed, and general conversations where they were able to exchange idle musings and interests. Kael'thas had shown an interest in trying ice skating when Velameestra's simulacrum mentioned it was a hobby of her's, and he also took note of the fact she seemed to be fond of the light shows of the aurora borealis that sometimes emerged over Northrend. While he understood that she was not the real Velameestra, Kael'thas offered her the chance to get closer to the lights via a ride on Al'ar, which the simulacrum accepted, and it resulted in an accidentally tender moment between the pair as the simulacrum was gripped in awe at the sight of the lights all around them. It was an experience that had made the king's heart flutter.

When the entourage arrived at Utgarde Keep, they were met by Ingvar and Skadi, two of Ymiron's warriors, who was tasked with escorting the group to the throne room. Ingvar wasted no time in throwing insults at Kael'thas and his people. The Crimson King displayed surface restraint in response to such disrespect, but he seethed over the telepathic bond erected by Velameestra between himself and his companions. This bubbled to the surface during the actual meeting with Ymiron, as the vrykul king had opted to neglect a mutual alliance and instead demanded for Kael'thas to kneel before him as an honored servant. Kael'thas couldn't help but throw barbed remarks back at the other king, having recognized negotiations would go nowhere if that was the thanks his people received for their efforts in awakening Ymiron and his people, and a conflict swiftly broke out where he killed Ingvar with a flurry of animated blades. Ymiron himself, however, was slain by his queen, Angerboda, and following her claim of the throne, Kael'thas instead opened up negotiations with the Dragonflayer's new ruler, which proved to be much more equitable.

He said his farewell to Velameestra's simulacrum, as she had planned to continue onto the saronite mines in order to further her research into the properties of the saronite ore that had been discovered, but had offered to carry a missive to her Primary which contained notes on her findings and activities on Northrend. She accepted the offer and provided a small parcel of documents before stating that she would see him soon.

Kael'thas, along with Alleria Windrunner and Rommath Pyrewing, arrived on the Eastern Kingdoms a week later, and Alleria reached out to her niece to make arrangements to meet. However, when the sending reached the arcanist, Velameestra reported that they were in the midst of a raid of a necromancer's lair, and that she would contact them once the task was completed. It was decided, primarily by Alleria and Kael'thas, that they would simply go help Velameestra and her companions, and utilizing scrying they were able to teleport directly into the necropolis of Naxxramas after Kael'thas sent of a telepathic message to inform Velameestra they were on their way.

However, they arrived just in time to see Velameestra beheaded and reduced to mist by Jackson Razuvious. While it was understood that the arcanist was a fellow vampyr and the blow had not killed her, Kael'thas was enraged and swiftly took to decimating the forces around him as Alleria focused on hunting Razuvious. After the battle concluded and Razuvious was killed, Velameestra reconstituted into her human form and Kael'thas rushed over to ensure she was alright. He explained that after Velameestra had informed her aunt that they were attacking the base of a necromancer, they had decided to watch their progress via scrying, but upon realizing they were in the midst of a conflict they decided they would come to aid them.

After he was satisfied that Velameestra was not permanently harmed, he abruptly noticed the presence of Zagarra. He made his distaste in her presence known, but ultimately relented it was not the time nor the place for such animosity, and after receiving a quick debriefing of the situation from the party, he, Rommath, and Alleria set off to handle one of the other wings of the Naxxramas. As he left, he noticed the presence of Thal'ena Dawnseeker, Hedanis Poisonbloom, and Sigilith Avernicious and quickly expressed his delighted surprise at seeing such a talented group of songsters present, and he hoped to talk to them all once the situation was handled.

Powers and Abilities

Appeared In

Chapter Three: The Scales Tip

Chapter Four: Homecoming

Chapter Five: Civil War

Trivia

Categories: Chapter Five | Convocation Of Silvermoon | High Elves | Kirin Tor | Mages | Male Characters | NPCs | Sanlayn | Undead