San'layn
The san'layn (otherwise known as the Darkfallen) are vampyric quel'dorei that were first created by Frostmourne when it was claimed by Lana'thel Dawnseeker under the boughs of Thas'alah in the region now known as Deatholme. The first san'layn was Kael'thas Sunstrider.
History
Creation
Following the aftermath of the Sacking of Silvermoon, Kael'thas Sunstrider and several of his companions pursued the dreadlord Mal'Ganis and his associates in a race to claim the blade Frostmourne, which was believed to have been thrown into the Glade of of the Mother Tree when it was lost during the opening of the Dark Portal. It rested at the epicenter of a fearsome winter vortex, and in the aftermath of its arrival many of the elves in the surrounding area had been slain.
During the fight for the blade, Mal'Ganis sought to consume Kael'thas's soul so that he could then use the elf-king's body as a puppet to wield Frostmourne and guide the quel'dorei people to the yoke of the Legion. However, Lana'thel claimed the blade when Mal'Ganis was distracting, sacrificing her king in order to wield the power that would allow her to send the dreadlord back to the Twisting Nether.
Following the battle, she used Frostmourne to raise Kael'thas from death, and in the process enabled the birth of the first san'layn.
Appearance
San'layn mostly retain the appearance of their still-living kin and are able to blend in with other quel'dorei with a degree of ease. Many of them are much paler than they were in life, and it's not uncommon for the color in their hair to fade, or for them to retain scars of the wounds that resulted in their death—particularly if that death was gruesome. The most prominent indicator of a san'layn are their elongated fangs, and the tendency for their eyes to alight with red energy when they feel the urge of their new bloodlust.
While further mutations are possible, none have yet been observed.
Biology
San'layn have been mutated by the necromantic magics that have given them their unlife, thus much of their biology has been changed. Their bodies thrive solely on the life energy they derive from blood, thus feeding is the equivalent of both eating and breathing. Unlike other undead, their heart still beats, but only during periods of need, thus it's not uncommon for a san'layn at rest to have an almost nonexistent pulse.
Due to the unique role blood plays in their continued existence, a san'layn who does not feed for an extended time risks permanent damage to their mental state as their brain deteriorates from lack of sustenance. San'layn may become increasingly feral—the equivalent of a drowning person gasping for air—and may permanently become blood-thirsty monsters if starved for long periods as they fall back on their instinctual nature.
Culture
Organization
Presently, san'layn are dispersed throughout other elven organizations, though typically serve as specialized "shock troops" given their necromantically enhanced abilities. Blood Knights are san'layn operating in the Guardians of the Eternal Spring, while Dark Rangers are san'layn operating within the Farstriders.
Notable
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| Alleria Windrunner | Ranger-Captain of the Farstriders, Wielder of Thas'dorah | Undead |
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| Anya Eversong | Ranger-Captain of the Farstriders | Undead |
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| Dreven Morrowvein | Undead | |
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| Kael'thas Sunstrider | Crimson King of Quel'Thalas, Archmage of the Kirin Tor, Former member of the Council of Six, Member of the Convocation of Silvermoon | Undead |
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| Keleseth Graybrook | Lieutenant and Blood Knight of the Guardians of the Eternal Spring | Undead |
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| Koltira Swiftheart | Member of the Spellbreaker Legion | Undead |
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| Rommath Pyrewing | Grand Magister of the Elven Magistrate, Advisor to Kael'thas, Member of the Convocation of Silvermoon | Undead |
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| Sangrias Stillblade | Blood Knight of the Guardians of Eternal Spring | Undead |
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| Sigilith "Sig Nicious" Avernicious | Undead | |
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| Taldaram Evenstar | Lieutenant and Blood Knight of the Guardians of the Eternal Spring | Undead |
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| Valanar Graybrook | Lieutenant and Blood Knight of the Guardians of the Eternal Spring | Undead |
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| Velameestra Windrunner | Mage of the Kirin Tor | Undead |
Notes and Trivia
- San'layn are particularly attuned to the scent of blood and some are able to determine an individual's blood type by their scent.
- They are capable of walking up walls and on ceilings with no effort.
- San'layn are shapeshifters and can take the form of a cloud of mist or a vampiric bat.
