Lord Vandyan (died MS 5092) was a ruler of Eldenora, who seized power and began conquering its neighbours with the help of the Runes of Agarash. He was assassinated in MS 5092.
Biography[]
Around MS 5083, prior to the events of Rune War, Prince Lutha of Eldenora died, and Eldenora fell into civil war. In the chaos, Lord Vandyan seized power, despite not being of noble birth. Around this time, Vandyan had discovered the Runes of Agarash, and used them to summon the Vorka. Additionally, he began to hire mercenaries from Magador and Ogia, and falsely-accused Delden of violating Eldenoran territory, stationing these mercenaries at its border. When Delden mustered its army in response, Vandyan used this as an excuse to declare war under the guise of aggression. Eldenora crushed Delden in the ensuing war, and its people were enslaved. Vandyan then invaded Magador, already weakened by the very same mercenaries that Vandyan had hired, and by the summer, Salony fell as well. In all of these victories, the Vorka played a key role in the result. Vandyan's army then marched upon Lyris, and began sieging Varetta.[2]
During the events of Rune War, his forces were met with resistance by the Sages of Varetta and later the Order of the Kai, who marched to their help.[2] In secret, however, Lone Wolf sent Grand Master to infiltrate Vandyan's stronghold, Skull-Tor, to destroy the Runes of Agarash, which was the only way to secure a lasting victory.[3] Around this time, Vandyan was successful in summoning and binding Zorkaan the Soultaker to his cause, and set about summoning the Vaag, the most ruthless and deadly of all Agarashi.[4] Grand Master was able to infiltrate Skull-Tor, and destroyed all three Runes, destroying the Vorka and Vaag, although Zorkaan was instead trapped on Magnamund, and managed to kidnap Lone Wolf after the successful defence of Varetta.[5]
Despite the loss of the Runes of Agarash, Vandyan retained power in Eldenora. Delissa, who had helped Grand Master in their quest in MS 5083, led the resistance against Vandyan, sparking an uprising, aiming to put him on trial for his crimes. However, the Acolytes of Vashna opted to amplify the chaos instead, and assassinated Vandyan as a now-expendable pawn, and convinced King Loarn of Delden to invade Eldenora to seize its vast timberlands. The Acolytes of Vashna and their agents seized control of Eldenora, and Delissa was forced to flee to Varetta with the help of Gwynian the Sage.[1]
In the gamebooks[]
Vandyan is the main antagonist in Rune War, although he is not fought. After the destruction of the Runes of Agarash, he orders a manhunt of the player, as Grand Master, but is unsuccessful as he and Delissa manage to escape with the help of Banedon.
His fate may be revealed in Dead in the Deep, if the player meets Delissa, now in Helin, having been evacuated there after the death of Vandyan and ensuing chaos. To reach this section, when the player lands in Helin, they must make their way to Varettian Avenue.[6]