revised shadow mage background [Archive] - Wizards Community

revised shadow mage background [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ahriman Tenebris
06-29-03, 09:52 PM Here's the revised background for my shadow mage char. Critiques and advice welcome and appreciated.

Ahriman is the scion of House Tenebris on the distant island of Nimbral. Long ago, early in Halruaa's history, a small group of dissidents whom venerated Leira migrated westward settling the island of Nimbral. Although all the Lords of Nimbral publically espoused Leira there was, within their number, a cabal of shadow adepts biding their time and cultivating their power. Among the leaders of this covert faction was the archmage Meleghost, progenitor of House Tenebris.
When Leira and Mystra perished in the time of troubles, and the weave was resultingly destabilized, the shadow lords seized the opportunity with a coordinated magical onslaught directed at each rival House simultaneously. Overnight, the old order was destroyed and the Shadow Lords reigned unopposed.
Having consolidated their power on Nimbral, the Shadow Lords looked to spread their influence elsewhere. They first sent spies and infiltrators into their ancestral land of Halruaa, where they have successfully established a coven of shadow adepts whose power and influence is on the rise.
Ahriman was a precocious youth with a talent for magic and an affinity for illusion. Unlike his siblings, learning magic was neither a chore to complete or a task to be done, but a labor of love and a passion. Many would remark that it seemed to be the only thing which drew any emotion out of him at all. For otherwise his personality ranged from sardonic cynicism to utter indifference.
Now that Ahriman has matured he has been tasked with traveling to Faerun to gather intelligence, unearth relics of ancient magic, and recruit converts and allies for the coming war.
The arrival of the Shades, which corresponds to the prophecies of Kalistra, Nimbral's High Priest, Divine Oracle of Shar, indicates that the weave war is close at hand. The foretold age of shadow draws nigh.
Snow Savant
06-29-03, 10:43 PM It's a stunning story and build (at the CO board), Ahriman. Makes me look forward to reading my EA: Illusionism book - still no time, I'm on the road!

Glad you liked the Summon Monster idea ... and thanks for the comment about my NarD/Blackguard build. :)

Keep in mind, there are some more Illusion [Shadow] spells in the Magic of Faerun book as well.

I'd be curious too, to see an entry in your story that relates to your characters viewpoint on the ascent and influence of the Shadovar out in the Anauroch desert. Their sphere of influence and blind devotion to Shar would seem to indicate that their paths have crossed Ahriman's at some point in time.

Just an idea. Good luck!

Snow
Ahriman Tenebris
06-29-03, 11:14 PM As the Lords of Nimbral and the Shadovar both are shadow magic practioners whom venerate Shar they are tentative allies whom are working together but suspicious and distrustful of one another (comparable to the alliance between Red China and Russia prior to the death of Stalin) My DM liked the concept of Nimbral and he's having m draft a few pages on "the Isle of the Shadow Lords." Essentially, I see it as a meritorious magocracy, led by nine noble families (three of whom are disposed to illusion, enchantment, and necromancy each) with the most power magic-user of each house regardless of age or gender holding that houses seat on the council of Lords. Shar of course is the state religion of Nimbral. The common houses of the land comprise the priests, soldiers, infiltrators, merchants, artisans, and laborers, although it is not uncommon for commoners of arcane talent to be "adopted" into one of the noble families. There is also a monastery of Dark Moon Monks on the Island. The level of treachery and intrigue lies somewhere between Thay and Menzoberranzan and NE is the predominant alignment. One thing I forgot to mention earlier is Ahriman's personal sigil, a setting moon with a spectral maw rising to devour it from below. :devil:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ahriman Tenebris 06-29-03, 09:52 PM	Here's the revised background for my shadow mage char. Critiques and advice welcome and appreciated. Ahriman is the scion of House Tenebris on the distant island of Nimbral. Long ago, early in Halruaa's history, a small group of dissidents whom venerated Leira migrated westward settling the island of Nimbral. Although all the Lords of Nimbral publically espoused Leira there was, within their number, a cabal of shadow adepts biding their time and cultivating their power. Among the leaders of this covert faction was the archmage Meleghost, progenitor of House Tenebris. When Leira and Mystra perished in the time of troubles, and the weave was resultingly destabilized, the shadow lords seized the opportunity with a coordinated magical onslaught directed at each rival House simultaneously. Overnight, the old order was destroyed and the Shadow Lords reigned unopposed. Having consolidated their power on Nimbral, the Shadow Lords looked to spread their influence elsewhere. They first sent spies and infiltrators into their ancestral land of Halruaa, where they have successfully established a coven of shadow adepts whose power and influence is on the rise. Ahriman was a precocious youth with a talent for magic and an affinity for illusion. Unlike his siblings, learning magic was neither a chore to complete or a task to be done, but a labor of love and a passion. Many would remark that it seemed to be the only thing which drew any emotion out of him at all. For otherwise his personality ranged from sardonic cynicism to utter indifference. Now that Ahriman has matured he has been tasked with traveling to Faerun to gather intelligence, unearth relics of ancient magic, and recruit converts and allies for the coming war. The arrival of the Shades, which corresponds to the prophecies of Kalistra, Nimbral's High Priest, Divine Oracle of Shar, indicates that the weave war is close at hand. The foretold age of shadow draws nigh.
Snow Savant 06-29-03, 10:43 PM	It's a stunning story and build (at the CO board), Ahriman. Makes me look forward to reading my EA: Illusionism book - still no time, I'm on the road! Glad you liked the Summon Monster idea ... and thanks for the comment about my NarD/Blackguard build. :) Keep in mind, there are some more Illusion [Shadow] spells in the Magic of Faerun book as well. I'd be curious too, to see an entry in your story that relates to your characters viewpoint on the ascent and influence of the Shadovar out in the Anauroch desert. Their sphere of influence and blind devotion to Shar would seem to indicate that their paths have crossed Ahriman's at some point in time. Just an idea. Good luck! Snow
Ahriman Tenebris 06-29-03, 11:14 PM	As the Lords of Nimbral and the Shadovar both are shadow magic practioners whom venerate Shar they are tentative allies whom are working together but suspicious and distrustful of one another (comparable to the alliance between Red China and Russia prior to the death of Stalin) My DM liked the concept of Nimbral and he's having m draft a few pages on "the Isle of the Shadow Lords." Essentially, I see it as a meritorious magocracy, led by nine noble families (three of whom are disposed to illusion, enchantment, and necromancy each) with the most power magic-user of each house regardless of age or gender holding that houses seat on the council of Lords. Shar of course is the state religion of Nimbral. The common houses of the land comprise the priests, soldiers, infiltrators, merchants, artisans, and laborers, although it is not uncommon for commoners of arcane talent to be "adopted" into one of the noble families. There is also a monastery of Dark Moon Monks on the Island. The level of treachery and intrigue lies somewhere between Thay and Menzoberranzan and NE is the predominant alignment. One thing I forgot to mention earlier is Ahriman's personal sigil, a setting moon with a spectral maw rising to devour it from below. :devil: