Vaniel was the high king of Irollan from 566 to 756 YSD. He inherited the throne when Brythigga, the Mother of Trees, was burned and High King Arniel slain during the Day of the Tears of Fire. The dark elves were blamed for the misdeed, but in a gesture of mercy, Vaniel offered Tuidhana and her followers safe passage out of Irollan. For one week, he promised to hold his armies back, but after that, he would cross the border into her kingdom and slay anyone that remained. Tuidhana urged her people to leave, telling her children to lead them away, but she herself remained with a handful of followers to stand against Vaniel. Tuidhana died defending her lands.