Zell Drälsoni, Aasimar Celestial Warlock and Cleric; and Leliana Orwen, Aasimar College of Whispers Bard (plus long backstory!): Sketch (Patreon)

Hey all! 

So, here's a commission of two awesome characters by one of my Patreon supporters! They were so great and helpful and also sent me this great and detailed backstory that I know I have to post with the sketches and the illustrations!

So, here's the art, and here's the backstory as well. Enjoy! (I'll upload the full painting in a few days!)

Zell is the second of three siblings. Their father, Cidolfus, is the head of his Noble House and the Drälsoni Trading Empire. Zell showed such promise at a young age that he was given his own command of trading vessels at only eighteen years old. Three years later, Zell began to notice Cid's increasingly cruel behavior and his loss of sanity; he talked to someone who wasn't there, raving on about "Bringing the reins of history back to the hands of our House and cleansing the world of filth." 

Leliana Orwen - of House Orwen - is a childhood friend of Zell; naturally selfless and rebellious. She frequently stood up for citizens and races that were of 'lower' status, but disappeared suddenly. Leliana was seen as a nuisance in Cid's plans, which led Zell to believe Cidolfus had something to do with her disappearance. A terrifying thought, but ultimately what determined Zell's resolve. The only clue of this treachery was Leliana's signet ring, which was found and retrieved by one of Zell's followers. This strained their relationship until Zell could not stand the sight of his father. 

Zell's falling out with his father - combined with recent political events and the disappearance of Leliana - led to his sudden abandonment from home and duties. Upon leaving, Zell took one of the ships in his family's possession, along with a few of his servants and loyal followers. Since then, he has reinforced the ship and named it The Viärra.

=== Twilight Blessing of The Balancer ===

At the age of 17, Zell began to research the deeds of his family's history in great detail. He stumbled upon both enlightening and treacherous stories. Before House Drälsoni had fallen from royalty, they were closely aligned with many Celestial benefactors, which strengthened the foundation of Farrington, allowing the city to flourish for a few centuries. Several decades ago, a member of the bloodline made a deal with a Devil, which eventually led to their Guardian - an Archon - to break his oath. The power of this oath was so severe that it killed the angel.

Zell strived to reconstitute the connection with what Celestial entity would listen. Jazirian - awesome as he is mysterious - responded in a whisper, to Zell's plea. "Virtue untested is merely innocence. You are young and your heart devoid of cruelty; there is a Celestial presence within you, but that is not enough to restore the trust my kind placed in your ancestors. Perhaps you may yet redeem what has been forsaken, but you will be tested. Good must be tempered by temptation in order to become as steel. Serve me, and you will be given a blessing, one of sight, unburdened by the darkness. I hope it will aid you in the trials to come."

=== Celestial Pact with The Justicemaker ===

Zell, after leaving his home, happened upon an old man by the name of Alexander. This man claimed he liked to wander across the world and enjoyed being alongside kind folk. Zell decided to invite the old man on his ship, considering he was an adventurous soul; Alexander agreed and spent some time with Zell's crew. 

Along the ship's voyage, Zell saw Alexander teleport into the ship, and realized that this wasn't just a simple old man. Zell confronted him; Alexander apologized for the deception and explained who he was and that he wanders in this form frequently. He then said his real name was Bahamut. Bahamut saw something in Zell, enough for him to form a Celestial Pact with the young man. The result of the pact was incredible power and a physical mutation of Zell's left eye. His eye turned deep-blue and mutated into the likeness of Bahamut's, completely identical.

These boons came with a price; Zell's responsibility - as Bahamut directed - was to "Bring light and balance to wherever you go. Where you find despair and chaos, investigate it. Where there is abuse of power and law, confront those who are the oppressors." Additionally, Bahamut gave a parchment. On the document was a particular Dogma that Bahamut encourages his followers to strive for. Bahamut disappeared a few days later.

The Platinum Dogma:

- Justice and Good above all.

- Honor and Fealty to the King.

- Honor and Respect to Righteous Innocence.

- Honor and Duty to The Balancer, Her Mercy, and The Justicemaker.

- Honor and Protection to the Lesser Races.

- Honor and Correction to the Enemies of Justice and Good.

- Honor and Forbearance for oneself.

=== Campaign: Main Story === 

While visiting Delling and gathering information, Zell found himself in a casino dedicated to adventurers and their thrill of excitement satiated by temptations of gambling. Suddenly, he and four other patrons were kicked out of the establishment, accused of cheating. It turned out this was just an excuse for criminals posing as guards to take their leave as the casino abruptly went in flames. Zell decided he would find out who was behind this act and resolved to mitigate this city from further despair. His new companions were in agreement that they should work together.

Zell and his companions' investigation led them to the captain of the guard. He said the last group to have been known with a similar explosive substance was the Thieves' Guild, which had been recently disbanded and scattered by the city's guard. The captain said there were rumors of bandits hiding near farms in the outskirts of the city. The party then went to some farms where they encountered the small group of thieves. They took the bandits down and questioned them about the casino's destruction. They said that they had been hiding out since the Thieves' Guild had been dissolved and had no knowledge of the act, but they did give up a sample of the gunpowder that could've been used.

Zell didn't see cruelty in their eyes; just men lost and running from their past. He gave them an choice: keep being chased or agree to be employed under Zell's family as sailors; they took the latter. Upon further investigation on leads, the party followed rumors of livestock being stolen in the night, and trails of blood leading into the forest. It turned out this beast was a wolf; a companion of one of the deceased adventurers from the casino. The adventurers had a young woman with them that was coincidentally a friend of the deceased ranger. The wolf didn't attack her and she managed to calm and befriend the creature.

Investigation in Delling wasn't very successful, but another clue had been found. One of the barrels - not completely destroyed by the explosion - had an emblem of the Rosewood Company upon it. A company that was located in the city of Farrington. They decided to follow the lead and took Zell's ship to Farrington. The lead ended up being a distraction and the party decided to go back to Delling after they had dealt with some local issues in Farrington.

Two weeks after the incident, they finally discovered who was behind the casino's destruction. The Mayor, who also nearly poisoned the citizens of Delling during a festival, was interrupted by the adventurers. The vengeance paladin decided to kill the Mayor and relieve his head from his corpse. Zell didn't necessarily agree with this act, but allowed it to happen out of the greater good of the city. A city which was now unburdened by a tyrant hungry for control.

=== Presently ===

While following a directive from Bahamut to find a lost golden dragon egg, Zell has arrived at Anistol, a magic-college city of many wonders. Below is the Under-City of Anistol, hundreds of feet underground. The path to this ruined city is ridden with traps to keep the underground threats at bay. Despite the dangers of this place, Zell has found that not only is the golden dragon egg down here, but Leliana is imprisoned nearby. Both that cannot be ignored.

Zell found Leliana imprisoned and just a floor beneath where Zell and his companions fight the jailers. The wardens of this prison are servants of The Dark Lady, Tiamat. In the distance, observing the quarrel, are followers of the Maiden of Pain, waiting to strike when the odds are in their favor.

What do you think? :)