The Srinshee
{{Character|
fgcolor=#fff|
bgcolor=#000|
| image=
| name=The Srinshee
| aliases=Oluevaera Estelda
| gender=Female
| race=Gold Elf, Baelnorn, Moon Elf
| parents=Unknown
| dob=Unknown
| pob=Unknown, possibly Cormanthor
| occupation=Cor'Selu'Taar (Grand Mage of the High Mages of Cormanthor), leader of the Srinshinnar (and thus her commonly known title), Wardnorn of the Vault of Ages, the Lorenorn for the armathors and her last status, High Court Mage of Myth Drannor, Chosen of Mystra.
| affiliations=Cormanthyr, the Srinshinnar, the Ak'Velar, the Ak'Faern, Mystra
| siblings=Unknown
| spouse=Unknown
| children=Unknown
| class=Arch-Wizard
| alignment=Unknown
}}
The Srinshee (born Oluevaera Estelda') is one of the most famous baelnorn of all time. In her time she was many things: the Senior Cor'Selu'Taar (Grand Mage of the High Mages of Cormanthor), leader of the Srinshinnar (and thus her commonly known title), Wardnorn of the Vault of Ages, the Lorenorn for the armathors and her last status, High Court Mage of Myth Drannor. She aided three following Cormanthyran Coronals in order of their rule: Miirphys, Tannivh, and Eltargrim. She helped raise the Mythal over the once great elven capital, Myth Drannor in 261 DR.Appearance
During much of the Coronal Eltargrim's rule, she was a baelnorn, guardian of the Coronal's most precious treasures, and teacher to many of the Court's mages. However, shortly before the Opening, she was inexplicably restored to life and youth (though rumors persist that the Lady of Mysteries, the human goddess Mystra, had a hand in this); within a few
mere decades, she stood among the other mythal-casters as a fresh-faced (but still agedly wise) elven maid of only 200 winters.
From that time she walked Myth Drannor as an adult, her lustrous sapphire-blue hair nearly two feet longer than her own height and her ivory-skinned beauty in a fullness unseen in more than a millennia.
Personality
Since the time of the Fourth Rysar of Cormanthyr, the Srinshee was a fixture at Court and among those who frequented Castle Cormanthor. As the Coronals Miirphys, Tannivh, and Eltargrim all trusted her implicitly, so did the majority of Cormanthyrans; still, with all her mysteries, nearly all feared her (or at least her hidden power), especially those who worked intrigues against their Coronals from the alleged safety of noble Houses. As a survivor of countless machinations (some of her own making), the Srinshee merely found these shadow plays either amusing (having seen over 3,000 plots to rise to power repeat themselves evermore) or exasperating (as one long-lived as she can see that elves are just as prone to rash and silly 'reasoning' as the humans they disdain).
In her time as advisor to the Coronals, she has never been as close to her leader as she was to Eltargrim, whom she watched grow up as a warrior and later grow under her tutelage as a High Mage. While some newcomers hinted that the young woman in the constant company of the Coronal must be his mistress, she saw herself as a proud grandmotherly teacher with her one pupil who listened with care to what she had to teach.
History
The true age of the Srinshee was virtually unknown, as is much about this mysterious and powerful woman; like many of great age and experience, misdirection and duplicity are essential for protecting her secrets. As many doubt her stories of being a young lass among the boughs of Sharrven as believe them. However, it is known and proven that one of her homes was among the elves of Yrlaphon before it fell to the orcs of Vastar, making her among the oldest elves ever to walk Toril. She was also the last matriarchal ruler of Clan Srinshee over the elven settlement of Srinshinnar in the northwestern forest; she is the sole survivor of her clan and among the few who survived the settlement's slaughter by drow during the Shadow Wars, leading them safely to Cormanthor.
The Srinshee played a vital role in the creation of the Mythal of Myth Drannor in 261 DR amid the ruins of the shattered court of the Coronal after she ended the madness the Starym-led attack (which was an attempt to hinder the plans of Coronal Eltargrim). Finally Mythanthor, the Srinshee, Coronal Eltargrim Irithyl, Lady Ahrendue Echorn, Lord Earynspieir Ongluth, and another ten mages begun to create the pride of Myth Drannor.
The year 661 DR marked the death of Coronal Eltargrim. He left only one heir behind, Aravae Irithyl, who also passes in 664 DR, leaving a ruling vacuum behind her. In 666 DR there is an unrest amongst the Noble Houses to determine the next Coronal of Myth Drannor and Cormanthyr. After fourty elves and the Rule Tower itself were destroyed, the Srinshee stepped in, easily swinging the elfblade free of its perch.
''Peoples, attend me. Look ye upon your works and deign to despair. A great gift was given to ye, and it lies ashambles. A gift given freely is to be treasured, but one scorned and abused is a gift undeserved. Two score have lit the heavens and scored the Weave in their arrogance. Two score have tried to uphold peace and unity but were found wanting of peace and unity in their own hearts. The spurned gift might have allowed one to rise above to truly become Coronal and rule well. Instead, the Coronal's Rule lies ruined under my feet. In time, ye shall understand what has been lost. In time, ye shall either forget or learn a lesson of it. I reach for the responsibility, for my slight shoulders can more bear its weight. Carry not I the onus of yore. Should I prove less than worthy, the Claiming shall continue. The gift and ye earn their own fates thereafter. Should I prove worthy, I would make ye so. Should I prove worthy, I shall give ye hope.
As it is brandished before her, the golden light of the blade crystallizes around her and a quartet of High Mages in a massive diamond-shaped energy field that engulfs and restores the Rule Tower. The Srinsshee said her last teachings to all the inhabitants of Cormannthyr about brothership and hope:
I have proven worthy, but... Coronal I will not be. I shall not rule from the Throne but from the Heart. Look not for me to rule the realm, people, or Court. Look for me to rule war and hate with peace and love. When the dream truly becomes your own, I shall return. When elf and N'Tel'Quess alike truly accept the gift, I shall return. When Oacenth's Vow is fulfilled in the stars above and below, I shall return. When I am wanted truly, I shall return. When I am needed truly, I shall return. Peoples, attend me. Look ye upon my work and dare to hope.''Finally, with a whirl of magic, the golden diamond magical field, the Srinshee herself, the four High Mages, and the Rulers' Blade, Ar'Cor'Kerym disappeared.
The Srinshee was not seen again until 1377 DR. It was then that she returned to a rejeuvenated Myth Drannor and offered Ilsevele Miritar the Ruler's Blade. 711 years after she disappeared, waiting for a coronal to rule her realm, a worthy one appears.
