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Chapter 68 - Eternal Vanguard

Within the dazzling expanse of the Eternal Dominion, Velkharion's greatest creations were not the spires, gardens, or treasure vaults but rather the souls that brought it to life: the NPCs. Each one was a labor of love, designed with meticulous care to embody a unique role while reflecting the unyielding vision of their creator. Among the thousands of denizens who served the Dominion, there existed an elite group—those who stood as Velkharion's generals, advisors, and confidants. These were the figures who shaped the Dominion's strength and identity, each one carrying a spark of Velkharion's ambition.

1. Isaril, the Crimson Warden 

Role: Supreme Commander of the Eternal Dominion, Overseer of All Divisions 

Race: Vampiric Entity 

Appearance: Isaril is a vision of elegance and lethal precision, her tall, regal frame clad in crimson armor adorned with frostfire engravings that shimmer faintly. Her long silver hair flows freely, a stark contrast to her crimson eyes that radiate sharp intelligence and unwavering loyalty.

Background: The first NPC Velkharion ever created, Isaril embodies everything he values—beauty, power, intellect, and loyalty. She is designed to lead with authority, managing the generals and ensuring the seamless operation of the Dominion. Her programming includes an insatiable drive for perfection, making her a strict yet compassionate leader to the other NPCs. 

Personality: Isaril is fiercely loyal to Velkharion, her demeanor blending grace and authority. She approaches her duties with the calculated precision of a chessmaster, always thinking several steps ahead. Despite her formidable presence, she exhibits a maternal protectiveness toward the other generals, guiding them with wisdom and care. 

Abilities: 

- Crimson Dominion: Enhances her power proportionally to the mana flowing through the Dominion's core. 

- Vampiric Requiem: A devastating ultimate skill that drains life force from all enemies within a radius and redirects it to heal allies. 

- Frostfire Dance: Combines elemental manipulation and blade techniques into a swift, deadly assault. 

Isaril's throne, positioned adjacent to Velkharion's Frostfire Throne, serves as a symbol of her authority within the Dominion. She ensures the estate runs like a well-oiled machine, handling both internal matters and external threats with equal poise. 

 2. Sythera, the Frostscale Tactician 

Role: Leader of the Tactical Division 

Race: Dragonkin 

Appearance: Sythera's draconic heritage is evident in her shimmering blue scales, which cover portions of her body like natural armor. Her eyes glow with a cold, calculating light, and her long tail, tipped with frost-covered barbs, sways as she moves. She wears intricate silver plate armor, inscribed with runes of strategy and foresight. 

Background: Sythera was crafted to be the master tactician of the Dominion, tasked with analyzing battles, crafting strategies, and ensuring victory through superior planning. Her mind is a living repository of tactics, constantly adapting and learning from past encounters. 

Personality: Cool and analytical, Sythera exudes an air of confidence and control. She rarely shows emotion, preferring to let her actions speak for her. However, her loyalty to Velkharion is absolute, and she sees every battle as an opportunity to prove the brilliance of his leadership. 

Abilities: 

- Glacial Strategem: Generates tactical illusions on the battlefield to confuse enemies and create openings for allies. 

- Chilling Precision: Enhances ranged attacks with ice-based magic, ensuring every shot hits a critical point. 

- Cryostasis Field: Temporarily freezes a segment of the battlefield, immobilizing enemies and altering terrain. 

Sythera spends most of her time in the Tactical Archives, surrounded by enchanted maps and scrying tools. Her reports to Velkharion are concise and insightful, reflecting her dedication to perfection. 

 3. Zelefar, the Rune Weaver 

Role: Leader of the Research & Development Division 

Race: Dark Elf 

Appearance: Zelefar's graceful frame is clad in robes inscribed with glowing runic patterns. His dark skin contrasts with his luminous, gold-flecked eyes, which seem to see beyond the material realm. Long, midnight-black hair cascades down his back, and his fingers are adorned with rings etched with intricate runes. 

Background: Zelefar was designed to be the intellectual core of the Dominion. As the head of R&D, he is responsible for deciphering complex magic, crafting adaptive technologies, and reverse-engineering elements from the new world. His mastery over runes is unparalleled, and his laboratory is a hub of innovation. 

Personality: Eloquent and curious, Zelefar exhibits an unyielding thirst for knowledge. He approaches his work with methodical precision, often losing himself in his experiments. Despite his scholarly nature, he holds a deep respect for Velkharion and sees his work as a means of honoring his creator. 

Abilities: 

- Runic Synthesis: Allows him to combine runes into unique enchantments, enhancing weapons or creating new spells. 

- Arcane Replication: Analyzes magical structures and recreates them with high precision. 

- Mana Construct Creation: Summons temporary magical constructs to assist in battle or research. 

Zelefar's laboratory within the Halls of Refinement is a labyrinth of glowing apparatus, shelves of rare materials, and enchanted workbenches. His innovations often provide the Dominion with cutting-edge advantages. 

 4. Miryss, the Veil Dancer 

Role: Leader of the Scouting Division 

Race: Nightshade Fae 

Appearance: Miryss is ethereal in form, her shadowy wings and translucent skin giving her the appearance of an apparition. Her violet hair flows like liquid silk, and her amethyst eyes seem to pierce through lies and illusions. She wears a fitted cloak that shimmers with enchantments, blending seamlessly into the shadows. 

Background: Created to be the ultimate scout, Miryss excels in espionage, infiltration, and intelligence gathering. Her division operates in the shadows, ensuring that the Dominion is always several steps ahead of its adversaries. 

Personality: Mysterious and aloof, Miryss speaks in a soft, almost musical voice that betrays little of her thoughts. She values efficiency above all else, executing her tasks with the precision of a phantom. Her loyalty to Velkharion is unshakable, but she prefers to operate independently, reporting directly only when necessary. 

Abilities: 

- Shadowmeld: Grants her temporary invisibility, allowing her to move undetected even in the brightest environments. 

- Illusionary Mirage: Creates duplicates of herself to confuse enemies and divert attacks. 

- Ethereal Strike: A swift, silent attack that bypasses physical defenses and strikes directly at the target's essence. 

The Phantom Wing, her division's headquarters, is a stealth fortress hidden within the Dominion's shadows. Miryss ensures that her scouts are always prepared to gather intelligence or strike without warning. 

 5. Kroxar, the Umbra Vanguard 

Role: Leader of the Guard Division 

Race: Shadow Demon 

Appearance: Kroxar's massive frame is cloaked in enchanted black armor, his crimson eyes glowing like embers within the shadows. His spiked tail and clawed hands add to his fearsome appearance, while the runes etched into his armor pulse with protective magic. 

Background: As the commander of the Guard Division, Kroxar is the first and last line of defense for the Dominion. His unyielding strength and imposing presence make him a figure of awe and fear among allies and enemies alike. 

Personality: Stoic and disciplined, Kroxar speaks only when necessary, his words carrying the weight of authority. He is fiercely loyal to Velkharion, viewing him as a beacon of purpose. His primary concern is the safety of the Dominion and its denizens. 

Abilities: 

- Umbral Wall: Summons a barrier of shadows to block incoming attacks. 

- Devouring Strike: A powerful melee attack that absorbs enemy energy on contact. 

- Aegis of the Eternal Flame: Temporarily enhances his armor with frostfire magic, making him impervious to most attacks. 

Within the Sanctum of Aegis, Kroxar trains the guards rigorously, ensuring they are battle-ready at all times. His dedication is a testament to the importance of his role. 

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