Overview
Astheron Valeis of Soltheris is a level eight cosmic mage, a former mentor to Aurion, and an advisor in the Soltheris royal court. Known as a master of stars, he later serves Daryas, travels abroad on Soltheris's behalf, teaches temporarily at Jazarel Magic School, and fights with Garrik's coalition in Valrindor.
Appearance and Personality
Astheron is silver-haired and pale-eyed, and wears star-trailed robes. He is formal, composed, dryly witty, and competitive. After Eira defeats him, Astheron returns to serious training and repeatedly volunteers for dangerous work when cosmic magic is needed.
Abilities, Skills & Magic
Astheron specializes in cosmic barriers, beams, missiles, rays, glyphs, light, and projection. He can layer starfield shields around himself, allies, skyships, and nearby forces, use barriers for movement or support, and strengthen his body with cosmic glyphs. He also uses cosmic light for long-distance illumination and can project maps or layouts during planning.
His strongest magic often comes through barriers. During the Maraveth War, he studies Thalena's constellation-patterned shield technique and adapts it into a stronger version of his own. His offensive magic also grows substantially after the Xalmyrran tournament: in Jazarel, he duels Eira again, fights Jin to a draw, and defeats Kaelion in a one-core match; at Cyndarel, his beams become dangerous enough for Virel to redirect into Gabriel.
Background & History
Therion taught Astheron directly, and Astheron later trained Aurion in cosmic magic. He was part of the Soltheris court around Aurion, Isrynn, Kaelric, and Daryas as Aurion's advisor and former cosmic-magic mentor from Zeydrith. Astheron's wife and daughter live in Zeydrith, and he backs Soltheris's defense even after calling Aurion dangerous.
At the Xalmyrran tournament, Astheron enters as a celebrated cosmic mage and fights Eira. She pushes him to defeat, Cassian forces him to yield, and Astheron acknowledges that he underestimated her. After the loss, he returns to harder training and continues challenging Eira as a respected rival.
During Soltheris's defense against the Land of Darkness, Astheron joins planning for evacuations, northern routes, and military responses. He and Aurion drain essence while defending southern villages from harbingers. When Brynor forms the expedition into the Land of Darkness, Astheron joins Brynor, Mirael, Orin, Khoradyn, and Kaelric as Soltheris's cosmic mage. He lights the route through the corrupted terrain, examines the gate and dead temple, then carries Lirien out under Brynor's orders in a cosmic barrier.
Astheron later travels into Valrindor with Khoradyn and Rhalyn. He meets leaders in Stormpeak, trains in Kaldaryn, visits Garrik and Isrynn near Maraveth, and teaches cosmic magic for a time at Jazarel Magic School. When the Maraveth War and the pressure on Omberion intensify, he joins Garrik's side, directs Soltheris mages during the pressure on Omberion, and raises barriers for Garrik's forces.
During the attack on Kaldaryn, Astheron and Splin shield Kaelion and Drendyll's skyship from Azarion and Eliona. Astheron survives the fall with Splin, attacks Azarion and Eliona afterward, and returns to the front after Isrynn's death. At Cyndarel he fights Gabriel beside Aldar, Garrik, and Virel. His cosmic beams detonate Gabriel's ice into steam, Virel redirects later beams into Gabriel, and Astheron's glyphs empower Garrik against the advancing ice wall. After the Battle for Cyndarel breaks apart around Zorath and Azarion's hurricane, Virel and Splin recover him and bring him safely to Kaldaryn.
Relationships
- Family: Astheron has a wife and daughter in Zeydrith.
- Soltheris: He serves the royal court and works closely with Aurion, Daryas, Kaelric, Isrynn, and Kaelion.
- Allies: His allies include Khoradyn, Rhalyn, Garrik, Brynor, Mirael, Orin, Lirien, Virel, Splin, Aldar, and Eira.
- Rivals and enemies: Eira is the dueling rival he keeps challenging after his tournament loss. His battlefield enemies include Eremion, Gabriel, Zorath, Azarion, Eliona, and the forces threatening Soltheris, Kaldaryn, and Garrik's coalition.