writing and simping for the old Snow Elf

Finally, he took a comb and carefully worked through Vyrthur’s hair, untangling the knots with a tenderness that belied the weight of the moment. As he smoothed the strands, A fleeting wish crossed his mind — that his hair were longer, like it had been in the past when he would sporadically grow it out, he could braid his brother’s one last time, a final gesture of kinship and care. The thought lingered, bittersweet, as he completed his task, preparing Vyrthur for the rites that would soon carry him to his rest.

~~

B — Bond — Do they balance friendship and romance or do they forsake one aspect of the relationship for the other?

Given the solitude of his situation, it is all but ineluctable that his romantic partner would also become his closest companion and confidant. This would not distress him in the least, for the friendship they share would, in truth, be one of the very foundations upon which any deeper affection would take root within his heart. Thus, he would tend to both facets of their bond, seeing them as inseparable and intertwined. Should his partner, however, choose to sever or distance one aspect of their relationship, he would find himself puzzled. Without the comfort of their friendship, he would feel an insurmountable need to withdraw, unable to lay his heart bare. Likewise, should his lover (wholly averse to romantic gestures — not simply shy, nor first expecting him to earn such expressions) seek to remove the romantic element from their union, he would find it difficult to grasp the appeal of such a relationship, and would, in turn, propose to redefine the very nature of their bond.

J — Jealousy — Are they jealous? How do they handle it?

Though typically reserved and composed, Gelebor is not immune to jealousy. It manifests subtly, for it is no easy feat to provoke such feelings, but should his beloved grow overly familiar with another, a gnawing unease would begin to stir within him. Confrontation is far from his nature; he would never interrupt or curtail the interaction directly. Instead, he would remain rooted in his place, watchful yet silent — his gaze intently fixed upon the hands and faces of those involved. He would scrutinize every nuance, searching for the faintest sign of discomfort or unease, ever prepared to intervene and shield his beloved if needed.

"Dragonborn," he greeted, inclining his head with quiet reverence. "I did not foresee your return. What brings you once more to Auri-El’s Chantry?"

He beheld the familiar, weary smile gracing the Bosmer’s cheeks, and an unexpected sense of kinship stirred within him, perhaps even a gentle solace. The mortal had extended to him an unexpected kindness, and though Gelebor had scarcely recognized its significance in that ephemeral moment, their brief communion had alleviated, if only momentarily, the oppressive burden of his solitude. He had all but forgotten the profound comfort of conversing with another soul who, even if merely in fragment, comprehended his plight.

"I trust your travels have been… eventful?" he added, his gaze taking in the Dragonborn’s worn yet resolute frame, noting the subtle scars of battles faced and conquered.

____________

"I've noticed they like to rest by the running water of the Dwemeri fountains." He said after a moment. It follows logically, there's an undisputed practicality to this habit.

"They probably prefer to hear a soft but constant noise for easier echolocation." The Knight-Paladin pointed out.

"It may be so, but... the way they seem so serene listening to the streams reminds me of the hydro rituals the Chantry has. Maybe there is a link."

O — Office — What is their job, what duties they have, what privileges and licenses they have?

Each Paladin must be ordained with the most basic holy orders, allowing them to officiate wedding ceremonies and conduct funeral services. The head of the Chantry’s Paladins is permitted to bless mer, men and beastfolk without an occasion and celebrate Mass, though Knight-Paladins only perform these sacraments if no other priest of Auri-El is available, particularly during missions with other Paladins away from the operating sanctuary. Members of the security branch of the Chantry of Auri-El are not required to take oaths of celibacy, but the sacred atmosphere of the temple strongly encourages everyone to abstain from sexual relationships. The absence of villages in the immediate vicinity prevents the Paladins from meeting potential partners to settle down with. Consequently, when it is time for their retirement, they often choose to assume the role of a priest and officially take a vow of chastity.

His duties as a Knight-Paladin are simple at their core: he is required to patrol the sacred grounds, defend the holy site from encroachment and defilement, and assist stationing Prelates if needed. When the Forgotten Vale was ultimately cut off from the outside world during the conflict with the Atmorans, the Paladins were expected to hunt game for the Chantry.

He managed a small group of Paladins, ten mer, most of them younger than he. He supervised their training sessions and was responsible for maintaining their discipline. He was chosen by the previous Knight-Paladin just before his retirement as the most suited and devoted warrior, and he accepted the trial that led to his final promotion. He cherishes the memory of the toast raised in his honor by his fellow Paladins, cleric friends, and his brother when they commemorated his successful completion of the exams — one on the study of their faith and the other on the art of combat.

Q — Quirkiness — What are some eccentric little habits they have?

When alone, Gelebor has a habit of quietly singing hymns dedicated to Auri-El or gentle melodies, sometimes even without realizing it. His voice is soft and reverent, and it helps him maintain his spiritual connection during his long hours of solitude.

In moments of restlessness, he compulsively tidies up his surroundings, even if his camp or the Chantry just has been cleaned. Should he share a living space with a companion who happens to be a bit disorganized, he would quietly take it upon himself to tidy up after them, as long as their messiness remains within reason.

G — Grief — How do they process grief?

It is said that Auri-El could do naught but teach the Elvenfolk to suffer with dignity.

This paraphrase might not completely fall in line with the Falmer doctrines of faith, but the theme of being ennobled by martyrdom is common, starting with the very initiation to enlightenment undertaken in the pilgrimages to the Chantry of Auri-El.

True to his beloved culture, perhaps even influenced by it, he tends to mourn quietly. The Knight-Paladin seldom weeps openly. He harbors no desire for pity, for he believes a guardian ought to remain silent about his own sorrows. To impose his emotions upon another strikes him not only as inappropriate but profoundly selfish.

Therefore, he does not showcase the level of hurt he's under — a subtle display of melancholy at most. To be exact, he refrains from presenting strong emotions whatsoever, whether they're positive, negative or ambivalent.

K — Knowledge — Do they like learning new things? Do they possess any piece of wisdom unknown to others, or is perhaps forbidden?

Needless to say, he possesses boundless knowledge of the old ways and Nirn from the dawn of the First Era, which would prove a miraculous source of information for today's scholars but probably not to anyone else. He is willing to share everything about the functioning of the Snow Elven Empire, Falmeri Pantheon, Falmereth’s traditions and convenances. He doesn’t necessarily have any forbidden knowledge, he has always strayed far from all wicked branches of magic (unlike him …).

He loves learning new things, always intently listening to any intel from adventurers if they would ever want to share a piece of their wisdom with him. The few books he took with him to the Darkfall Cave he reread countless times and on rare occasions a soul would graze him with new information about the outside world. Bit by bit, he learned of the change of the end of Atmorans’ active slaughtering of the Snow Elves, Chimer to Dunmer transformation, the disappearance of the Dwemer, the Oblivion crisis… 

If the Dragonborn would allow him so, he would politely inquire about all interesting questions that would pop in his mind on a guard for centuries. To be frank, any new information would be fascinating to him. Socioeconomic news, geopolitical landscape, developments in technology, or something about culture and arts — all he will lap up with utmost attention.

There are, of course, certain facts he is better off without being aware of. He certainly would fare far more peacefully without being notified about the existence of such pieces of art like “The Slaying of the Falmer Princes” or “Conquest of the Falmer”... Only Auri-El knows how the stoic Knight-Paladin might react to those obscene literary works.