The Grand Tapestry

Masdrin De'Endar is one of the most powerful and influential figures in modern history. A former noble of the subterranean Drow city of Felynafay, Masdrin rose through the ranks of both noble society and the mercenary world, establishing himself as an unparalleled strategist, warrior, and leader. After his exile from the Underdark, he built a new life on the surface, eventually helping shape the kingdom of Emberstone and commanding the deadly elite force known as the Barra D’aron. Known for his precise, methodical approach to warfare and leadership, Masdrin is both feared and revered across the world.

Masdrin De’Endar was born into House De’Endar, one of the great noble houses of Felynafay, a vast underground Drow metropolis located six kilometers beneath the surface. He was the third son of the ruling Matron Mother Larynda De’Endar, a formidable and ruthless leader. His father, Dréoliatreksadurdrin (Durdrin), was the leader of the Barra D’aron, a powerful mercenary company that operated both within the city and on the surface.

Drow society, ruled by powerful matriarchs, saw little value in its noble-born males. However, Masdrin was an exception—he displayed an uncommon level of intelligence, charisma, and combat prowess from a young age. He was trained in the deadly arts of assassination, strategy, and war from childhood, becoming a Shadow Knight leader at just fifteen years old. His talents earned him a respected, if precarious, position in Felynafay’s deadly political landscape.

Masdrin’s early years were defined by brutality, betrayal, and power struggles. Unlike most noble Drow, he cultivated loyalty over fear, forging strong bonds with his closest allies, including his brother Vielyn De'Endar, and his elite warriors, the Shadow Nine. These relationships would define his future rise.

The Barra D’aron was a mercenary company feared across the Underdark, founded and led by Masdrin’s father, Durdrin. Under Durdrin’s leadership, the company maintained an intricate web of influence throughout Felynafay. As Masdrin matured, he was given greater responsibilities, eventually commanding elite operations and leading his own forces in covert missions.

However, the ruling council of Felynafay grew uneasy with Masdrin’s growing power. A combination of his political influence, military skill, and unconventional leadership style led to concerns that he and his father could become a threat to the established order. These fears culminated in a conspiracy—a coup to wipe out the Barra D’aron and remove Masdrin from power.

Betrayed by those he once called allies, Masdrin found himself exiled from Felynafay. His father, Durdrin, was forced into a last stand against the ruling houses, revealing his true nature as the ancient dragon Dréoliatreksadurdrin. As Masdrin’s home burned and his father waged war against an entire city, Masdrin’s loyalists dragged him to the surface against his will, ensuring the survival of the Barra D’aron’s legacy at the cost of leaving his father behind.

Arriving on the surface world, Masdrin had to rebuild from nothing. He found refuge in the small, backwater city-state of Mistwood, a place far removed from the cutthroat politics of the Underdark. Though initially out of his element, Masdrin quickly adapted, using his skills to carve out a position of power.

He established the De’Endar Estate, a 500-acre walled compound, serving as both a home and a fortress. The estate became a self-sustaining stronghold, with farmland, a private military, and hidden defensive systems. It also housed key figures in Masdrin’s growing organization, including Beocca and Katya Blackwood, his trusted Estate Guardians, and members of the Barra D’aron who had escaped Felynafay with him.

From Mistwood, Masdrin slowly rebuilt his power base, recruiting warriors, securing alliances, and leveraging his skills as a tactician and leader. It was in Mistwood that he met Robin, the ruler of the city-state, who would eventually become both an ally and one of the defining figures in Masdrin’s life.

(The article will be expanded to cover his rise to power in Emberstone, his leadership style, combat philosophy, and relationships with key figures in later sections.)