Vakas “The Bridge” Eplear (Born 9,500) stands immortalized here, in his own words “far bigger than I deserve to be, but far smaller than my father would prefer me be”. The smallest of the Eplear clan, noted for their half born status and maligned by the others of the city; Vakas is the first half-elf to serve as a member of the Kirin Tor. Known well for his work in breaking down the walls around the native peoples of Dalaran and the perceived “outsiders” and for helping forge the Triad Covenant with the dwarves of Gemstone Haven and the gnomes of Gnomereagan. Standing only 4 foot 10 he was one of the foremost practitioners of Dunamancy of his time, achieving great breakthroughs in the art of collective focus; and to that point crafted the Eye of Dalaran, one of the most powerful artifacts in the history of Dunamancy.

                Born several weeks too early, Vakas found himself struck with many health problems from birth, resulting in a difficult home life due to the vast difference in stature and disposition between himself and his much larger human father and 7 older siblings. Despite this, Vakas excelled at his schooling. Originally bullied by his peers; their ire was soon drawn instead to a classmate of Vakas’; none other than Theo’Thas “The Wall” Morningstar. While happy to be free of his previous torment; he found himself horrified watching as Theo’Thas took beating after beating from their classmates without raising a single hand to his own defense. Vakas, betraying his quiet nature began to come to the larger boy’s defense; leading to Theo’Thas raising his hand to his tormentors for the first time in defense of Vakas. A bond formed between Vakas and Theo’Thas; where Vakas would conquer his anxious nature to speak up in defense of his friend, and Theo’Thas would challenge his passive soul to defend his friend as well.

                By the end of his schooling Vakas was known as both the most intelligent and the most talkative of his class. Graduating top of the class he offered a rousing speech to his peers about the power of perseverance and discovering one’s strengths. He proceeded to throw himself into magical studies; determined to use the gift of his mind to assist the people of Dalaran in the same way his friend Theo’Thas used his strength. He quickly rose to prominence in the field of collective focusing, and to that end created The Eye of Dalaran to facilitate the mass casting of single spells to greatly increase their potency. The Eye of Dalaran allowed practitioners of Dunamancy to do incredible things to both help and defend the city of Dalaran; from assisting the growth of crops in droughts to even allowing the city to fly into the air in order to protect it from attack during assaults.

                After receiving great renown as a wizard and breaking down barriers previously raised against those of half born elf lineage in Dalaran; Vakas was selected by unanimous decision to become a member of the Kirin Tor in the seat of city-wide defense and foreign relations; where his sharp wit and humble nature quickly endeared him as the ambassador to both the dwarves of Gemstone Haven and the gnomes of Gnomereagan, resulting in the creation of the Triad Covenant. Vakas spoke to the similarities of the hearts and souls of all the free peoples; and for his work in creating the Covenant earned himself the nickname of “The Bridge” to most all the peoples of Northrend.

                Vakas served well in his role as the Nerubians continued their campaigns of cruelty and violence across Northrend; and once the violence even took the life of his beloved friend Theo’Thas he redoubled his efforts; speaking at Theo’Thas’ funeral of the strength of the all the peoples of Northrend; no longer drawing distinctions of race or city. He urged us to move as one, and under his stewardship the Triad Covenant fought the Nerubians into a surrender, effectively ending the greater conflict. Some small groups of Nerubians have attempted attacks on Crystalsong; but thanks to the work of the Triad Covenant their forces are scattered and unorganized. Finally, feeling his friend avenged and his people saved; Vakas Eplear died on (insert date) at the surprisingly young age of 163. All were shocked at his seemingly early death, but as his extensive journaling came to light it revealed that Vakas was never able to quite shake the health problems caused by his early birth. Seemingly clinging desperately to life only in order to make certain the safety of his people was assured, Vakas had died mere days after the surrender of the Nerubian forces. Vakas represents the best of the people of Dalaran’s indomitable will, and we hope his example will continue to encourage you to maintain in Vakas’ own words “A mind open enough to accept and understand our differences and a heart full enough to see what makes us all the same.”