Chancellor Vael

Appearance
Chancellor Vael is a refined Elven noble with long, flowing silver hair and robes made of iridescent Kigum silk that shift colors like a soap bubble. He carries a staff of white ash topped with a massive, clear crystal that seems to hold a swirling, miniature thunderstorm within its depths.
Personality
Eloquent, diplomatic, and seemingly the voice of reason in the Kigum Senate, Vael exudes a calm, fatherly authority. He is a master of the "long game," using his charisma to build consensus and isolate his political opponents without ever raising his voice.
Secret Motives
Vael is a high-ranking thrall of Vermithrax the Void-Walker. He uses his considerable political influence to systematically de-fund the Archive of Truth and escalate the Cold War with Steamfort. His goal is to push the world toward a catastrophic conflict that will generate enough magical resonance to shatter the ancient seals keeping the First Brood imprisoned.
Combat Tactics
A high-level enchanter and illusionist, Vael avoids direct physical combat. He manipulates the perceptions of his enemies, making them see their allies as monsters or the environment as a terrifying void. He uses Mass Suggestion to force groups to stand down or turn on one another and can vanish into a cloud of silver mist as a reaction when attacked.