Category: Steal this Background

Across the many fantasy RPGs, there is a plethora of “divine” character types – cleric, paladin, war priest, avenger, shadow priest, and so on. The Night Priest is not another one of these classes, but an alternate, darker concept or template that can be applied to an already existing one. Its inclusion in the game is most definitely at the discretion of the DM.

Basically, a Night Priest is a royalty-sanctioned divine warrior, given the authority to seek out evil (in any form), and destroy it.  Only those members in the immediate royal family are exempt from the Night Priest’s judgement.

The Night Priest Origin

Over five hundred years ago, the reigning king was at odds with his kingdom’s most influential church.  Though he was king, the repercussions of him directly opposing the church would shatter the stability of the land, guaranteeing a civil war (the church really was that powerful).  The church, seeking more control than it had already, insisted on the king agreeing to several concessions, one of which was the formation of the Knight Priests (later to be termed Night Priests).

These Knight Priests were to be elite warriors of the cloth, though given the same level of authority as noble knights.  With that authority, they could better root out evil in all its forms.  This included demons, devils, the supernatural, and those who practiced one of a few dark magics.  This meant that they were allowed to investigate, judge, and execute internal enemies of the kingdom and church.  The king (and most of the noble class) did not like the idea of giving free reign to these religious knights, but considering other demands made by the church, it was too minor a concession to fight over.

Their true purpose, however, was to serve as a means for the church to affect and maneuver the noble class (which would, in turn, increase the church’s power and influence).  Much could be done in the political arena under the guise of “rooting out evil from the kingdom,” and the church carefully and methodically employed this tactic from time to time.  Certain  noble families or rich merchants, who never uttered a word of heresy in their lives, were suddenly targeted by the church and eliminated by the Knight Priests.  The church always made sure to provide damning evidence of the accused, and the Knight Priests dispenced justice swiftly.  Others in the kingdom applauded the tenacity and dedication of the Knight Priests – for ridding the land of such supposedly dark, demon-worshiping evil-doers.

However, within just a few years, the church took a turn for the worse.  Three Knight Priests came across a prominent church official secretly taking studies in the use of Necromancy.  The Knight Priests dispensed justice immediately, and very quickly the church all but fell as the king, his knights, and the Knight Priests tore through the rankings of the church.  It had no choice but to relinquish much of its power.

The Knight Priest’s Transition

With a severely weakened church, the kingdom has continued on to what it is today.  The various kings kept the Order of the Knight Priests in service as a symbol of justice, and as a reminder of the dangers of evil and temptation.  The divine warriors were often used as inquisitors for rooting out and destroying evil, and also as a reminder that the royal family supersedes any church.  With a crippled church, the Knight Priests were often looked to for spiritual guidance.  They were famous and admired, and welcome in most of the land.  For a while, the title of Knight Priest was quite a prestigous position to hold.

However, as the centuries counted on, many people began to care less of the past power struggle between royalty and church, or the past treachery of the church.  In fact, the church began to regain some of its past favor (though without the power).  People began to look toward the church for guidance, instead of the aging Order of Knight Priests.  With the position becoming less favorable, fewer and fewer men and women of the cloth took to it.  They began to receive less funding, and fewer celebrations in their name.

Knight Priests were eventually used less as leaders and inquisitors, and more as hunters (often as the first wave of force against any possible supernatural threat).  If demons, devils, undead, vampires, ghouls, and trolls were going to prey upon the citizens of the kingdom, the Knight Priests were sent in to deal with them first.  They typically have the means to deal with the supernatural, whereas real knights (noble men of birth) could be spared.  The Knight Priests were often sent out into the night – to deal with these night-time threats, oftentimes not coming back.

Their falling out of favor with the public was actually a benefit for the Order of Knight Priests.  In an effort to prove themselves still worthy and needed, they dove headfirst into their mission, taking oaths to forego most other personal needs.  This, and the nature in which the Knight Priests now operated (fighting evil head-on, facing death and chaos at every turn), turned them into highly dedicated and extreme warriors.   Over time, the overall look of the Knight Priest changed to match their demeanor – dark and foreboding.  When they walked the streets, people tended to mutter a quick prayer to their god, and move on.

Because of their mission, outlook, and grim nature, the Knight Priests eventually came to be known as Night Priests.  Most people believe it has always been this way.

Due to them being viewed as a stigma instead of a status symbol, the king began to feel pressure to have the Order disbanded.  However, before that could happen, the Night Priests discovered that the king’s sister had been possessed by a demon.  Not allowed to confront the highest of nobles or royalty, the Night Priests were forced to make a decision: take the disbandment by the king, or defy their oath by going after the king’s sister.  For the benefit of the kingdom, the Night Priests killed the king’s sister, but not before taking heavy losses.  In the end, after the truth came to light, the few remaining Night Priests were released from prison, and reinstated to their posts.

The Night Priest Today

An official Order of Night Priests no longer exists, but the tradition of knighting a priest for the position still continues.  Today, a Night Priest has the same mission and oath as the once-standing Order, but with fewer resources and backing.  His position as a holy warrior still stands, and he still has authority over the common man, but with so few other Night Priests walking the land, he is largely left to his own devices.  As a Night Priest, he has the blessing of the crown, the authority to intrude into most places, and exemption from any wrongdoing as a result of dispencing justice.

However, while the Night Priest has been given authority, he does not usually have the means to enforce that authority.  How he is received in any given town or home largely depends on the people residing there.  Some will open their doors with open arms, while others will curse him in the street.  For the most part, though, a Night Priest is seen as a mysterious and dark authority, one who wanders the land in the name of the kingdom, intent on destroying all that is evil.  He can usually expect at least some cooperation from local authorities or nobles, although sometimes he runs into people who feel they don’t need to acknowledge his position.  Unfortunately, the death of a Night Priest is rarely investigated  or avenged.

In combat, he fights aggressively.  Everyone knows that the Night Priest has given his life to the crown, and shall know no fear in the face of death.  All or most of his abilities and skills are geared for destroying evil; not helping others.  He is a warrior priest of action, focusing on rooting out evil and destroying it.   It is not uncommon for him to temporarily gain command of a few soldiers, though that is largely dependent on the local’s view of him, and his ability to intimidate or persuade.

He is rarely affiliated with a particular god or deity, opting instead to occasionally revere several gods.  While he may pay respect to a local church, he is forbidden from forming close ties with any church.  In his travels, if he does not have the means to support himself, it is widely understood that various churches of the land will supply him with room and board and/or some modest travel money.  Inns and taverns will also sometimes accomodate a Night Priest.

Since evil is in the eye of the beholder, the Night Priest is free to pursue his mission how he sees fit.  Those he works with, those enemies he targets, and the strategies he employs, are all largely up to him.

His mission is to seek out and destroy evil.  If a Night Priest walks into town, it’s not because he’s there to heal the sick and injured, or help out at the local monastery.  Most people know better than to ask for his blessing.

Today, the Night Priest is an archaic tradition.  Very few are ever knighted and given the station.  While most people would not want that post, they understand the Night Priest’s duty, and respect his power.  His position is known by most (if not all), and he can immediately be recognized by his adornments and affectations – most notably, the skull of an evil enemy that he has slain, hanging off of his belt.

BACKGROUND/SETTING:

This family and history was created for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Third Edition) by Fantasy Flight Games. It can, however, be easily modified to fit Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, or any other fantasy setting. This background is meant for any Human character, particularly Reiklander Humans. This family history and background can be added to most characters and gives them an instant family history with characters and background hooks for both the player and game master. There are both positive hooks that can benefit the character and negative hooks that can challenge the character.

FAMILY:

You come from a large family with a respected name and family history in Altdorf. Most family members exist in the upper-middle class tier, or even dabble in low-level nobility. Your mother, Katarine, is a well-known Seer. It is said that all of the women in your family seem to have some ability to see the future (they possess the Magical Sight (INT) advanced skill). Almost all members of the family are fervent followers of Sigmar.

Father: Constantin (High-Level Politician in Altdorf) In his younger years, he was a Witch Hunter Captain. In his age, he has given up those days and settled in for the life of a politician. It is rumored that he rose quickly through the city’s government ranks and nobility due to his wife, Katarine, and her ability to see the future. He has many powerful friends, but also powerful enemies. Unbeknownst to you, Constantin has pulled strings to have several Witch Hunter associates keep an eye on you when it is convenient for them. They report back to him of your whereabouts and exploits when they come across you. He arranged this for several reasons, but primarily it is his best way to keep track of you when you are out adventuring.

Mother: Katarine (Seer) Is a well-known Seer, even outside of her local area. High level military and nobility have been known to travel to Altdorf and seek her guidance. She never charges money, but will not help those she deems of an “impure heart”. This has caused problems in the past when she turned very powerful people away that she did not deem worthy. Your mother has told you that when you have had times of great stress, she sometimes gets a vision of what you have seen, heard, or otherwise experienced. Her ability to see things relating to you and your future is presumably more powerful due to the fact that she gave birth to you.

Brother: Sigmund (Physician) The educated and logical eldest brother of the family. He is the rock that everyone in the family comes to. An extremely successful, well-known, and wealthy physician. He is also a well-known philanthropist in the local community, often providing free medical care to those who cannot afford it.

Brother: Theodor (Merchant) A very successful merchant. Theodor owns or has an investment share in several inns and taverns located from Altdorf to Bogenheim, including areas such as Weissbruck, Trosreut. His trade partnerships also include businesses in major cities like Carroburg, Nadjagard, Auerswald, and smaller towns located on trade routes in between these major areas. He has many, many connections in the merchant world. Theodor and Leonore are fairly close as a brother and sister. Theodor often uses Leonore’s insight when he is crafting large trading deals or dealing with the merchant guilds.

Sister: Leonore (Priestess of Morr) Morr is the god of death, dreams, and prophecy. The Morrites are highly respected for their tending to the dead and offering insights and dream interpretation. Although not as “flashy” as the cult of Sigmar, the cult of Morr is nearly as well respected. Through this faith, Leonore has channeled her abilities to foretell the future in a different way than the rest of the women in her family. Leonore is a well respected Priestess throughout the city and country area. Her words carry weight within the community and Constantin will often use her as a public religious symbol that “God” has directed certain things to happen to the people.

Sister: Anneliese von Armin (Scholar) Exotically beautiful, cunning, and intelligent woman who married upward into the von Armin nobility. The family is another well-known noble family in the Altdorf area. Her exotic look and beauty are far different from that of her other sisters or brothers, which has led to rumors of possible infidelity between Constantin and Katarine. Rumors of such are quickly squashed and not talked about within the family. She seems to be missing the seeing skills that are strong in the women of the family, too.

You (Twin): Player Character You are one of the middle children in the family. You have a twin brother named, Johannes. You most likely are an adventurer of some sort and probably not bound to the ways of your family in and around the Altdorf area. Due to this, you are somewhat of a black sheep, but still loved and respected (depending on your class). Your father does his best to keep track of what you do, but this can be difficult with your adventuring and nomadic lifestyle.

Brother (Twin): Johannes (Acolyte of the Grey Order) The Grey Order are viewed as illusionists and tricksters who manipulate the winds of Ulga, and most people trust them even less than other wizards and magic users. The Grey Wizards often refer to themselves as the Grey Guardians, tasked with protecting the Empire from secrets and mysteries too terrible to know. Johannes is the true black sheep of the family. When the family learned of Johannes’ magical abilities, it was a tense subject in the house. Johannes left the family compound and did not come back for many years. When he did, he was not the same Johannes that his family knew. He was a much darker person. He is still welcomed back into the family with open arms for fear he may leave again. The only one he truly trusts though is you, his twin.

Brother: August (Dilettante) Perfectly happy being from a well-known upper class family, August makes his way in life by working for his dad, Constantin. He idolizes his dad and would do anything to build a family of his own that is as successful and well-known. He’s smart, has good ideas, and good plans, but his vices of women and alcohol always set him back. He tries extremely hard though not to be a disappointment to his father.

Sister: Corinna (Mystic) Looks very much like her mother Katarine and has honed her seer powers at a very young age. Even though she is the youngest sister, it appears she is being groomed to be the future Seer matriarch of the family. Constantin and Katarine are keeping her safeguarded with them. Their hope is to build her powers so she can guide the family after they are gone for generations to come.

Brother: Christoph (Agent of Sigmar) The youngest of the siblings, Christoph is still finding his way in life. He currently works as an Agent for the Church of Sigmar. He has voiced a desire to leave his profession and join the militia, something very undesired by his family. So far, he hasn’t gone against their wishes, yet…

PLOT HOOK: THE LETTER OF SAND

Your family is prominent and well known in Altdorf and throughout Reikland. Your parents, Constantin and Katarine have built up an astounding list of allies and enemies. Two years ago, you returned to Altdorf to participate in an annual family gathering. Participation in this event is open to both immediate and extended family that are able travel to Altdorf.

On the night of the celebration, dozens of family members gathered together at the family estate in Altdorf. The celebration was underway and you were there to enjoy the festivities. Anneliese, your sister, noticed that your Uncle Dietrich and Aunt Brunhilde had not arrived at the party. Knowing that they had arrived to the estate the previous day, both you and Anneliese went to the room where your uncle and aunt were staying. Inside, you found that your aunt and uncle had been slain.

The two had apparently been killed in their sleep. Their heads were covered with pillows and both of their throats had been slit. Of course, the local authorities were brought in, and the family celebration came to an abrupt end.

Upon investigation of the room and interviewing of the friends and family members associated with the party, the following was concluded. Uncle Dietrich and Aunt Brunhilde had arrived late the previous day. They said hello to family members and went promptly to bed. No family members recall seeing them awake the next day and they were first discovered by you and Anneliese. Their belongings were largely still packed, as it appeared they went to sleep shortly after arriving in their room.

Authorities suspect that more than one individual was involved, as it would have been improbable to cover the face of one and slit their throat without awaking the other. The sole clue left was an envelope closed with a red wax seal. The wax was sealed with a signet that contained an Old World religious symbol for the word, “Truth”.

The envelope was unopened and addressed to “Dietrich and Brunhilde”. Inside the envelope was found a fine, black sand, almost the consistency of powder. Examinations of the sand did not lead to any explanation of what it was or why it was there. The murders were never solved.

…..

The following year your brother, Theodor, had traveled to Bogenheim to check up on his inn and several other businesses in the area that he owned. While staying at his inn, a professional courier delivered a letter to him. Theodor looked at the envelope, saw his first name on the front, and a red wax seal with a religious symbol on the back. Manipulating the envelope with his hand, he could feel fine grains of sand within the envelope. He immediately called forth his bodyguards that were with him at the building and left Bogenheim. Theodor learned days later that his inn in Bogenheim had been destroyed in a fire.

Theodor returned to Altdorf. He kept the story of the letter a secret from the authorities and reported it to his family. Examination of the letter revealed a red wax seal. The wax seal contained an Old World religious symbol for the word, “Fate”. Inside the envelope was the fine, black sand.

Constantin and the family kept this information quiet and hired a private investigator to investigate what happened in Bogenheim. The investigator verified that the inn was burnt down shortly after Theodor left it. The source of the fire was not determined, but it happened quickly enough that several people within the inn were unable to escape, including close friends and associates of Theodor. The investigator also determined that the courier did not work for the courier agency he claimed to and was nowhere to be found.

…..

Constantin and his family are at a loss as to who is behind the letters and what exactly they mean. The family has enough enemies that one could only guess, but never have any of his family’s enemies resorted to outright attacking, much less killing them. All members in the family have been warned to be on guard. Constantin has hired extra bodyguards to protect particularly vulnerable members of the family. It has been almost a year since the most recent attack. Will there be another soon?

Minori was originally an NPC who appeared in a short lived Anime-style martial arts game. Her chi-based powers were designed around concepts like deception and poison. I wanted to create a character who, under the right circumstances, could end a fight without her opponent even realizing what had been done to them.

That’s where the modifiers came in. I made her main attack both subtle – meaning, difficult to notice the attack itself – and insidious – making the EFFECTS of the attack equally hard to detect. Further, on inspiration from the old Monk ability, “Quivering Palm,” I added the triggered modifier.

I now had a character who could attack without being noticed, and who could delay that attack several times to activate at a later point. She was the perfect enforcer and assassin, and her enemies wouldn’t always realize that they’d been singled out until after she walked away.

Conceptually, Minori was always tied closely to the snake. In addition to her poisonous chi, her more mundane skills and martial arts training were patterned after the snake as well. She studied snakes to get more ideas, too. Some would have called her cold-blooded. Her friends, though, knew her better.

I now present to you, “Minori, Mistress of the Unseen Serpent,” as a proper Power Level 10 PC. All she needs is a pair of complications suited to your game, and she can drop right in.

Enjoy!

Download the Mutants & Masterminds PDF Character Sheet: Minori, Mistress of the Unseen Serpent

Image from Greywulf.

How do you know who you are when you can be anyone?

This is the problem Nox continues to face day after day. A year ago, Nox was found on the outskirts of Wyvernfell by a local woman.  She knew nothing of how she got there, where she’d come from, or who she was. Being a changeling only made things that much more difficult for her (him?) – when you can change your face as easily as you change your shirt, it’s not easy to remember anything about who you were.

She learned fairly quickly that she knew how to do one thing, and do it well; she knew how to kill. The hunt came easy for her, and the first memory to surface was her intimate knowledge of poison. Also, the presence of law enforcement made her instantly uncomfortable. This all raised even more questions for Nox. Who was she before? And did she really want to know?

The truth was messier than even she could guess. Nox used to be the top assassin in Wyvernfell, before she uncovered a very nasty corrupted government.  This led the assassin’s guild (which was tied to the corruption) to set her up for a bad job.  She was caught, convicted, sentenced, and then forgotten. But all this was a lifetime ago, and Nox remembers none of it. How long will it take for her past to catch up with her – especially once she starts working again?

Regardless, she has a cause. Her friend and rescuer is in serious financial trouble, indentured to the local thieves guild. She began by setting up a network of false identities, and has now put herself out there for her first job. With her talent for assassination and espionage, she has the marketable skills to earn her friend’s freedom. While she’s at it, she might just be able to uncover her past – and maybe, just maybe, bring some positive political change to the region.

Wyvernfell is a mess, but it’s her home. It’s time for her to clean house.

Background:
Tal was born to a tribe of forest-dwelling Razorclaw Shifters. Though the members of her tribe all had tan skin and brown hair, Tal’s colorings were shades of gray and black. This might have simply been a natural genetic mutation, but the tribe believed it to be the mark of an evil god. Fearing a bad omen, they took the infant to a clearing on the other side of the forest, and left her there to die.

Whether by pure chance or divine intervention, the infant was found by a member of the Talons of Retribution, a reclusive order of religious assassins. A somewhat darker offshoot of the Harpers, the Talons are a multi-denominational cult, united by their common hatred of Bane.

The Talons also thought this strange baby was a sign from the gods, but unlike the Shifter tribe, they interpreted it as a good omen. And so they took her in and raised her, training her from infancy for one purpose – to seek out and destroy Bane worshipers.

Personality, Mannerisms, and Appearance:
Tal has a kind heart, but others often see her as rude and unapproachable. She is obsessed with her life’s mission, and has little use for hobbies or small talk.

When she shows a sense of humor at all, it tends toward insults and sarcasm, mostly because she holds her teammates up to her standards of discipline. When she fails at something herself, she obsesses over it internally, and will spend days replaying the event in her head and analyzing where she went wrong. Despite her single-mindedness, she has a soft spot for art and beauty.

Tal has catlike facial features, which become more pronounced when she is angry. While most members of her species have brown or tan skin and hair, Tal’s colors are more gray and black. She has bright green eyes, often her only visible feature when she’s in the shadows. She is missing part of her left ear, and has scars all over her body. Most are the result of a childhood spent in training. She has a small tattoo on her inner left wrist, the symbol of her religious order. She usually wears dark clothing.

Affyria is a descendant of one of the old houses of the great tiefling empire of Bael Turath. She’s studied the old stories closely, and is always looking to improve her knowledge concerning the old ways. This is important to her, as uncovering her legacy is needed to avoid repeating the mistakes of her ancestors.

Growing up on the streets of Wyvernfell wasn’t exactly easy, even with the help of her family. She learned to be both self-reliant and mistrustful (things she would later have to unlearn), but her natural charisma made her a leader – even when she wasn’t sure she wanted to be.

Unfortunately, members of her family started to turn up missing or dead. Affyria had to live out the last few years of her childhood almost entirely unsupported, and the murderer was never found. Why were they targeted, and are those responsible still looking for her? These are thoughts that never escape her.

When she came of age, Affyria studied the bardic arts to gain the flexibility to make her way in the world, as well as the tools she would need to uncover more of her history. As part of these efforts, Affyria has rediscovered the lost arts of the Turathi sword-masters, making them her own. Her spells, songs, and swordplay have kept her alive over the last few years, and her new friends have helped, too. Affyria hasn’t told them much of her past, or about her ambitions, but they’ve still managed to earn each other’s trust.

There is very little I can remember of my past. I have gone by my self-given name for so long now, that my birth name is lost to the winds. I have only fleeting images of the place I once called home – the Eldeen Reaches are beautiful in the spring. The trees waving gracefully in the breeze, the forests were a comfort in my early childhood. I can still see my father’s emerald green eyes – I could have been lost in the depths of his love. For as far back as the tribe’s history is written, my family had produced a spiritual leader every generation. That all ended with me.

The only thing that stands out to me vividly to this day was a prophecy handed down through the generations of my family’s existence. “There will be one born to the tribe that will be its ruin. Beware the spirit of the eldest of races.” Little did I realize the implications of this prophecy.  Like every other spiritualist in my family, I began to commune with the spirit world at a young age. Unlike my father, and his father before him, I could speak with Eberron itself. Spirits of all the elements began to tell me the secrets of the dragons themselves. Many times I had visions of a far away island shrouded in mystery and mist. Strange symbols floated before my very eyes, and they began to make sense.

My thirteenth year of life was to be my happiest. I was summoned before the circle of elders, and my father as their leader. “You will be taken to the sacred grove to begin your journey as the next tribe leader,” my father said to me. His eyes fairly gleamed with pride and love. I was taken to our holiest of places, the circle of Indurai. There my father painted my skin with symbols of all the elements. I sat in the grove and began my search for the spirit that would help me lead the tribe for the coming years. As I think back on this sad time I can’t help but remember the ease in which I summoned him. I opened my mind to Eberron itself and was answered immediately by Arechion. The elders watched in stunned silence as he coalesced into being. Earth raised itself and was surrounded by the spirits of water, air, and fire. Soon it took the form of the spirit that would be my connection to the spirit world… the form of a drake.

I sat there, elated with what I had brought forth. As I stood and faced my father, my happiness was dampened immediately, the look of fear and hatred on his face stopped the very beating of my heart. His face contorted with rage as he told me, “The prophecy has come to fruition in my very family.  Leave this sacred place and never return upon pain of death.” Dumbstruck, all I could do was nod and walk away. How could such a perfect companion such as Arechion be the downfall of my tribe? I never could understand why they exiled me.

The years passed by as I wandered the Reaches in search of my destiny. Arechion was my constant companion and my only friend. It seems as though my moods shaped his very element of being. When I was angry he took the form of earth or fire, when I was sad he became more the essence of air or water. Fear brought out the very shadows themselves to fuel his form. The visions began to become stronger and stronger. I began to feel a pull to the lands outside the Reaches, and the prophecies of Eberron itself began to unfold before me. Soon enough, I began to journey in search of those who could teach me to unravel these mysteries.  Arechion was my guide into the Draconic Prophecies, glimpses appeared to me through his very essence. “We must begin the long journey to Argonessen to fulfill the destiny Eberron has set for you,” was all he said.

Malik approaches life head-on with a sense of raw, unbridled enthusiasm. Although he has never really “fit in” anywhere and has oftentimes been the subject of scorn, ridicule, and hostility, Malik still approaches everyday with zest, zeal, and the desire to live life fully. Although an optimist at heart, years of wandering and seeing the evils wrought by both man and creature have left him outwardly withdrawn, stoic, and morose. Only travel, seeing new places and meeting new people seems to lighten his mood and make him feel like “himself.” Malik’s mood and demeanor are noticeably improved when he sees “good” things happen or is able to help make a difference for those in need.

Although 65 years old, Malik’s infernal heritage gives him the look and health of a man in his 30’s, only the weariness in his eyes betrays his true age. Malik’s Mark of Passage is on his left inner wrist but he normally keeps it under wraps and hidden from view, just like the other tattoos that cover his body and tell the story of a lifetime of occupations, adventures, and travels. When he uses his arcane or racial abilities, Malik’s Dragonmark glows with a burning, violet energy causing him pain and discomfort.

Malik has tanned red skin, deep yellow eyes with smoldering red pupils, and wears his jet-black hair pulled back into a pony-tail. Two thin braids hang from just behind his upturned horns. Malik is fond of jewelry (a leftover from his days as a pirate), and has various beads and baubles woven into his braids. He also has a few pieces of jewelry on his tail, hanging from his ears, and an amulet he never removes, given to him by the dragonborn barbarians of Seren,  representing the symbol for eternal life.

Malik tends to dress in simple, functional clothing, preferring loose fitting long-sleeved shirts and leather breeches. Over his shirt he wears a black sleeveless, waist length chainmail coat given to him by the dwarves of the Mror Holds. He wears leather wraps on his lower legs and forearms for both protection and to hide his mark. He also wears a very utilitarian leather bandoleer full of pockets of various sizes for all manner of things that he picks up and carries with him. Rounding out his clothing is the ankle-length, dusty gray, hooded cloak that Malik wears when he is “on the road.” Malik carries two weapons with him at all times; a matched pair of short swords known as An-une’esh (elven for Fate and Destiny) that were given to him by a Valenar chieftain in Taer Shantara.

As the black sheep in an otherwise respected family, Amearus Omaron never really had a sense of “belonging.”  Unusually fearful of entering the Last War, he waited as long as possible until he could no longer hide among the children.  However, in his very first battle involving the Cyrians, he found comfort with an apparent lack of emotion when felling his first combatant.  He immediately realized the source of his fears all those seasons prior, and went on to become a highly respected, yet feared Valenar Warrior.

Stories tell of “Desolation” Amearus Omaron, a young soldier who rose through the ranks ranging over 100 battles in the 100 Years War.  That he has seen over 100 battles  (reaching Paragon status) is not the reason alone for his acquired name, it’s that in all of the battles he has been in, all of the opponents that he has bested have died.  Of all of the enemies that he has faced and brought down, none have healed from their wounds.  This is not to say that he has won every fight, only that every fight that he has won ended in the death of his opponent.

And so it is fitting that in the last great battle in the 100 Years War, involving thousands of Valenar and Cyrian warriors, he finally fell.  As a fallen hero, he was given a proper cremation, where his ash embers scattered to the winds, and through the memories of his peers he has attained immortality (something the Valenar elves revere).  Unfortunately, over a year after his death, the winds brought back his ash and reformed his body to an almost identical, though darker likeness.

To say that his emergence stirred quite a few emotions and concerns would be an understatement –  Valenar elves revere their dead great warriors, not those who come back from the dead.  Not being exactly sure of what his emergence means, the Valenar leaders sent Desolation to their ancestral homeland, Aerenal, where the Undying Court resides.  There, the ruling undead elves told Desolation that he is neither dead or alive, but that his situation was a mystery of significance.

When Desolation asked if he was to become part of the Undying Court, he was given no straight answers.  He was told, however, that his path had been laid out before them, and in order to achieve the immortality he seeks, he must walk it.  Of course, Desolation had already achieved immortality by way of the Valenar beliefs, and was disturbed that it had been taken away from him.  Not only that, but he was unsure of his destiny lying with Undeath, as the Aerenal ancestors possess.  What he did know was that he did not like the memory of his existence in limbo after his death.  The darkness there tore at his soul like a thousand poisonous leeches.

At present, he is torn between his desire to regain his reputation, exalted deeds, and immortal status among his fellow Valenar brothers, and his desire to embrace Undeath with his Aerenal cousins.  He feels lost from his brothers, and that he might perhaps be just a puppet in the hands of the Undying Court.  As an elf revenant, he is not used to the feeling of urgency, or the sense of impatience.  He knows that he is on borrowed time, and fears his answers may never reach him.

For the time being, he has agreed to the direction of the Undying Court, because of their combined, accumulated millennium of wisdom.  He feels he has already achieved greatness, and that this unlife is an unnecessary path to his final destiny.

Suggestion: As a revenant, Desolation now gains power from the shadows.  It fuels his abilities.  Where he once ran through battles using Warlord and Ranger fighting skills, he now possesses darker abilities akin to shadow assassins.  He understands this change, though dislikes it immensely.  He absolutely does not consider himself an assassin, but never-the-less, it is now how he fights.