Zaerion Shae'Quarn

Zaerion Shae'Quarn

Appearance

Zaerion's sharp, stoic features mirror those of a Drow noble — slate-blue skin, crimson eyes glowing faintly beneath white hair styled short and windswept. His robes blend noble finery with assassin practicality, layered in black and silver with web-patterned embroidery. Arcane sigils float around him when he channels his illusion magic, painting fleeting visions of deception and insight.

Personality

Cynical, composed, and perceptive. Zaerion rarely reveals his true thoughts, preferring to manipulate conversations from the shadows. Though outwardly detached, he is fiercely protective of his siblings and secretly admires Lyzzoreth's courage. He masks his compassion behind sarcasm and strategic distance, knowing that vulnerability is dangerous in both the Underdark and the Order of Necron.

History

Once the House's informant and illusionist, Zaerion specialized in espionage for the Drow courts. When Tzylaen joined Persephone's army, he followed her not out of faith, but to ensure his family's survival. His service under the Grand Order of Necron earned him influence but cost him peace — he witnessed firsthand the suffering Persephone's plague inflicted on innocent worlds. It was Lyzzoreth's restraint, not her blade, that finally convinced him to defect.

Synopsis

Now a trusted intelligence agent within Sovereign Cove, Zaerion acts as Yuna Snowfall's eyes and ears across the darker realms. His transition from spy to strategist has made him invaluable in mediating relations between Drow factions and Voidborn envoys. Though he remains wary of absolution, he strives to ensure that no one else is consumed by vengeance as Tzylaen was.

Trivia

Skilled card illusionist — uses enchanted tarot for communication and misdirection.

Once planted false prophecies in Lolth's temples to mislead enemy priests.

Occasionally disappears for weeks, only to return with critical intelligence and a smirk.

Known for speaking in riddles to test the perception of those he converses with.

He keeps a single broken mask once used during The Grand Army's infiltration missions, refusing to repair it as a reminder of deception's cost.

During his time under Persephone, he secretly released several captured Voidborn — acts of quiet rebellion never recorded in the archives.

Despite his disillusionment, Zaerion still maintains contacts within Xal'Vareth's shadow markets, feeding information to the Sovereign Cove.

He refuses to use illusions on children or the wounded, calling it 'a crime of cowardice.'

His illusion magic once fooled an entire Underdark tribunal into believing he had executed himself.

Zaerion's voice carries faint magical undertones, capable of inducing calm or suspicion depending on intent.

His favorite form of manipulation is truth spoken too precisely — a lie hidden in honesty.

Keeps a journal written in mirrored text; reading it backwards reveals his genuine thoughts.

Yuna Snowfall considers him 'a man whose loyalty is measured not in trust, but in silence.'

Zaerion sometimes leaves obsidian coins engraved with spider sigils at the graves of fallen spies — a Drow tradition to honor deceivers who died truthful deaths.

Despite his cynicism, he still celebrates the Shae'Quarn family's lunar festival alone each year, leaving one lantern unlit for Tzylaen.