King Imathan Talviel is the king of the surviving elves of the fallen city of Molaesmyr, and the current and only elven monarch of the Diarchy of Uthodurn as of 843 PD.[2] As an NPC, he is played by Matthew Mercer.
Description[]
Appearance[]
King Imathan is described as graceful despite his old age.[2] He has long, almost waist-length hair parted in the center, and deep emerald green eyes. His crown has the appearance of tree branches curling upward almost three inches. He wore a silver-trimmed long deep blue robe.[3]
Personality[]
King Imathan is a candid, patient and stern man who shows a calm strength and wisdom to maintain the peace between his people and the dwarves that are their neighbors. He's also a devout man.[2]
Biography[]
Imathan was born in Molaesmyr, then a powerful elven nation. In his youth he became a priest of Corellon, one of the main deities of the nation.[2]
In 585 PD an object was brought to Molaesmyr from Aeor,[4] causing a cataclysm in which strange magic corrupted the city and the surrounding forest, creating what is now known as the Savalirwood. Molaesmyr fell, and some of its inhabitants managed to run away. Some of those elves fled westward, founding Bysaes Tyl, which was eventually taken by the Dwendalian Empire.[5][6] Imathan, however, went northward, and many elves followed his lead.[7] They survived the cold of the Flotket Alps, and when they arrived to Uthodurn, the dwarves took pity on them and allowed them to stay. By then, Imathan was considered the king of those elven survivors.[8]
Despite the initial kindness of the inhabitants of Uthodurn, as the years passed the tension with the elves increased, partly due to cultural differences, and also because of the impossibility of returning to Molaesmyr, since the origin and solution for its curse was unknown. The dwarven queen, Judessa Fruunast, was worried about the division that was forming between her subjects and the refugees, so she decided to meet with King Imathan Talviel, offering him, to the surprise of many, to establish a diarchy in Uthodurn. Imathan was in favor of the proposal, but months would pass before making it official, in which Judessa and he deliberated on the matter, discussing how to help the coexistence of the subjects of both monarchs, and how to adapt the city for that purpose.[9] Even after establishing this new system, the restructuring process would take many, many years, during which time Imathan and Judessa forged a deep friendship.[10]
Queen Judessa died in 794 PD, being succeeded by her daughter, Simone Fruunast, who maintained a good relationship with the king of the elves, continuing her mother's policy. Imathan acts as a mentor to her, advising her at times when she is led by her heart instead of her wits.[2]
By 835 PD, King Imathan continued to lead his people, maintaining his own small council to discuss political matters pertaining to the elves.[11] Although he no longer actively practices as a priest, he maintains his faith in the Archheart, and tries to share that faith not only with his subjects, but also with the dwarves.[2]
The adventure hook A Dreadful Bore in the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, set in 835 PD, describes a Kryn raid on Uthodurn with the intention of capturing the dual monarchs.[12]
Fan art of the meeting with the Diarchy, by Cha Cha Rae.[art 2]
During the apogee solstice of 843 PD the magic in Uthodurn started failing, and what until then was thought to be a statue adorning the throne room of the dual monarchs came to life, causing great destruction, as well as several deaths and injuries. Imathan and Simone were evacuated by their royal guards along with several politicians and inhabitants of the Grand Disk.[13] Soon after, when part of Bells Hells along with F.R.I.D.A. and Deanna Leimert managed to calm the celestial beast (named Umudara) and guide it out of Uthodurn, the king was among the onlookers in the streets.[14] He and Simone sent Sir Ludin, the royal page, to invite Bells Hells to a meeting the following day.[15] When Bells Hells came to the meeting the next day, after the dual monarchs were talking with Lord Desavon Kamash, Imathan was polite to the adventurers and very interested in the information they shared. He also talked to them about his past in Molaesmyr and his knowledge about Ludinus, supporting the idea of an expedition to the Savalirwood to investigate about the archmage.[16]
Less than a month later, the Dual Monarchs attended a meeting in the Platinum Sanctuary of Vasselheim along with many other influential figures to discuss the invasion of the Hellcatch Valley by inhabitants of Ruidus through the Bloody Bridge created by Ludinus Da'leth's Malleus Key.[17]
Relationships[]
Judessa Fruunast[]
Imathan respected Queen Judessa's authority and appreciated the consideration she and her people offered the survivors of Molaesmyr in times of need. They worked together to create a proper home for their people, and through the years they became very good friends. When Judessa died, Imathan honoured her memory by being a support for her daughter and successor.[18]
Simone Fruunast[]
Imathan acts as a mentor figure for Simone, offering guidance and clarity whenever she needs advice,[2] honouring the friendship he had with her mother.[10] Since they spend so much time together ruling the city they sometimes display similar mannerisms.[19]
Character information[]
Abilities[]
Elf abilities[]
Unless otherwise noted, the following abilities are assumed from the standard Dungeons & Dragons materials:
- Darkvision
- Fey Ancestry
- Trance
- Keen Senses
Cleric features[]
- Spellcasting
Appearances and mentions[]
- Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, mentioned only (first mentioned)
- Campaign Three: Bells Hells
- "Ripples" (3x53) (first appearance)
- "Treacherous Toys" (3x54), mentioned only
- "Hope Within History" (3x55)
- "Escape From The Past" (3x58), mentioned only (unnamed)
- "Reunited" (3x64), mentioned only
- "A Path of Vengeance" (3x65), mentioned only
- "Cages" (3x103), non-speaking
- "The Cradle's Convocation" (3x104), non-speaking
Trivia[]
- Laura Bailey really likes his name.[20]
- It is unknown if Imathan has a designated heir or heiress.
- Although it is unclear if he was the active ruler of the elves of his nation before its corruption, he was part of the clergy of the Arch Heart, and it is known that religion (including Corellon's cult) was very influential in Molaesmyr.[23][24]
- King Imathan is the oldest known monarch, except for Leylas Kryn and Tz'Jarr.
- However, since the Bright Queen has had several lifetimes and the Iron Emperor's clerics have used blood magic to extend his natural life, Imathan is the oldest by natural means.
- His throne is made of a type of wood that could be found in the Veluthil Forest, with a pale gray and maroon coloration, and adorned with rubies, emeralds and runes.[25]
- Expeditions from Uthodurn to the ruins of Molaesmyr are likely made at the request of the elven king.[26]
References[]
- ↑ Imathan is considered an elder king, so he has presumably lived more than half of his life.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 50.
- ↑ See "Hope Within History" (3x55) at 0:31:28.
- ↑ See "Critical Role Campaign 2 Wrap Up" (Sx56) from 2:52:03 through 2:54:49.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 96.
- ↑ See "Clay and Dust" (2x72) at 2:01:34.
- ↑ See "Clay and Dust" (2x72) at 2:01:34.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 48. When Imathan arrived to Uthodurn he was considered a throneless king, but he isn't explicitly called the king of Molaesmyr, so it is unclear if he was the ruler of the city when it fell, or if he simply became the leader of some of its survivors.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 48.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 49.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 120.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 121.
- ↑ See "Ripples" (3x53) at 1:54:02.
- ↑ See "Ripples" (3x53) at 3:50:35.
- ↑ See "Treacherous Toys" (3x54) at 0:11:44.
- ↑ See "Hope Within History" (3x55) from 0:31:28 through 1:12:56.
- ↑ See "Cages" (3x103) at 3:45:12.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, pp. 48–50.
- ↑ See "Hope Within History" (3x55) from 0:44:09 through 0:48:40.
- ↑ See "Hope Within History" (3x55) at 1:31:32.
- ↑ See "Hope Within History" (3x55) at 1:05:01.
- ↑ See "Hope Within History" (3x55) at 1:05:10.
- ↑ See "Hope Within History" (3x55) at 0:51:13.
- ↑ See "Escape From The Past" (3x58) from 2:29:36 through 2:43:45.
- ↑ See "Ripples" (3x53) at 3:55:50.
- ↑ See "Manifold Morals" (2x74) at 3:16:43.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of King Imathan Talviel, by Punto (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of the meeting with the Diarchy, by Cha Cha Rae (source). Used with permission.