Shadow Mage char background [Archive] - Wizards Community

Shadow Mage char background [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ahriman Tenebris
06-25-03, 10:29 PM This is a first draft of a character background for a shadow mage I'd like to play. Comments, advice, and feedback would be much appreciated.

Ahriman was born among the Marsh Drovers of the Farsea Marshes, descendants of Anauria, one of the few cities to survive the fall of high Netheril before succumbing to an orc horde in 111 DR. His mother was the tribal adept and fascinated him with legends of an age long past when their people dwelt in cities that hovered among the clouds and wielded magic to rival the Gods. According to his mother, the Gods became jealous of their arcane might, and in a venegeful rage destroyed their skycities in a great cataclysm.
As Ahriman began to mature it became apparent that he possessed sorcerous abilities, and his mother was only beginning to cultivate his talents when they were captured in a Thayan slaver raid.
While his mother was consigned to the Thayan mines, Ahriman became the house servant of a Red Wizard, but not before a circle magic ritual drained him of his sorcerorus ability, using the power to help fuel the creation of a fell artifact.
When his master was later slain in an internal dispute with a colleague, Ahriman was sold to an enclave. However, as the Slaver caravan was headed to the enclave, it was ambushed by a band of Harpers and Ahriman was freed.
Among the Harpers involved in the raid was an idealistic young Rashemi, Fyevarra Dyernina. Ahriman was quite taken with the mysterious young Hathran. Sensing arcane potential within him, and pitying his plight, she began instructing him in the rudiments of wizardry.
One evening, as Ahriman and his mistress were en route to Silverymoon, they were kidnapped by a band of Shadovar and taken to Shade enclave.
The Shadovar told him of his Netherese heritage, and manipulating his painful past, told him the young Harper sought to instruct him only to enslave him, as all Rashemi men of arcane talent were subservient to the witches.
As the young Hathran lay bound on an altar to Shar, the Shadovar handed Ahriman a ceremonial Chakram, telling him the only path to freedom was to embrace his heritage and punish those whom sought to oppress him. Ahriman's shadow awoke as he brought the chakram down upon the helpless young Hathran.
As Ahriman came to embrace the shadow weave and the doctrines of the Mistress of Night, he was sent forth to reconnoiter the lands below, another link in the web of spies aiding Shade enclave in their quest for dominion.
Mysteris
06-26-03, 03:23 PM Seems like a good start. But what are the goals of this character? He's obviously embraced the darker arts fully, but what does he want now? Money? Power? Fame? A position of importance within the Shade organization?
Ahriman Tenebris
06-26-03, 09:43 PM Given his background, he is cynical, brooding, and pessimistic, with a sardonic smile and sarcastic tongue. He is obsessed with power, from his perspective peace and security exist only when there is no one else with power over you. He is cold, calculating, and driven, if for no other reason than his belief that any alternative would be a dreadful fate. His goal? Nothing short of his own empire. But what truly terrifies him is the possibility that even this might not grant him inner peace. Yet he continues to pursue his course for he can sees no other path before him.
Snow Savant
06-26-03, 10:21 PM As you know from my C.O. board response, I really dig your character, Ahriman.

An interesting game-flavour mechanism that might interest you is making his Summon Monster spells (when not done via Shadow Conjuration/Shades spells) only capable of summoning creatures with the "Shadow" Template (from the MotP books). Similar to the way the Alienist PrC can only summon creatures with the "pseudonatural" template. The Shadow Template turns creatures into Magical Beasts, but since they are from the Plane of Shadow, and with 3.5 changes coming soon, I'm sure that would be changed/errataed to "Magical Beast [Extraplanar]", thereby making them legal to use for SM spells. Besides, the template is not overpowered and thematically .... it would fit your character like a glove. :)

Take care,
Snow
Ahriman Tenebris
06-27-03, 03:17 AM Originally posted by Snow Savant
As you know from my C.O. board response, I really dig your character, Ahriman.

An interesting game-flavour mechanism that might interest you is making his Summon Monster spells (when not done via Shadow Conjuration/Shades spells) only capable of summoning creatures with the "Shadow" Template (from the MotP books). Similar to the way the Alienist PrC can only summon creatures with the "pseudonatural" template. The Shadow Template turns creatures into Magical Beasts, but since they are from the Plane of Shadow, and with 3.5 changes coming soon, I'm sure that would be changed/errataed to "Magical Beast [Extraplanar]", thereby making them legal to use for SM spells. Besides, the template is not overpowered and thematically .... it would fit your character like a glove. :)

Take care,
Snow

That's a great idea, I haven't read MotP in a while and I had forgotten about that template. I'm sure the DM will approve as it fits the character and isnt unbalanced. On a side note, one of my fellow party members liked your Blackguard/Nar Demonbinder concept so much he's ditched his other idea completely and decided to play it.
Ahriman Tenebris
06-29-03, 02:33 AM Ok I've decided to redo his entire background. Having read about the sect of Halruaans whom venerated Leira and defected from Halruaa to Nimbral early in its history, I decided that would be the perfect home region for an illusionist. I'm going to post the new background as soon as I finish a few minor details. As always feedback will be welcome.
Ahriman Tenebris
06-29-03, 04:38 AM Ok, here's a summary of my idea for the revised background. Any feedback or advice on this would be appreciated.

Shortly after the death of Leira, a cabal of Shadow mages staged a coup for control of Nimbral. A civil war ensued and the shadow mages, vastly outnumbered, were defeated by the Lords of Nimbral. May of them fled, but those whom were caught were tried for treason and executed. Thereafter, it was declared that shadow weave magic was prohibited on Nimbral and any transgression punishable by death. Ahriman's father, Uregaunt was a Nimbral Lord and had been instrumental in defeating the shadow coup. Ahriman was a precocious youth with an affinity for magic whom discovered the shadow weave early in his training and was seduced by its power. When his father learned of his transgressions, rather than face the embarassment of his own son being executed for treason, he ordered him into exile and placed him on a vessel bound for Athkatla. . .Anything I should add or do differently here? How might I flesh this out?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ahriman Tenebris 06-25-03, 10:29 PM	This is a first draft of a character background for a shadow mage I'd like to play. Comments, advice, and feedback would be much appreciated. Ahriman was born among the Marsh Drovers of the Farsea Marshes, descendants of Anauria, one of the few cities to survive the fall of high Netheril before succumbing to an orc horde in 111 DR. His mother was the tribal adept and fascinated him with legends of an age long past when their people dwelt in cities that hovered among the clouds and wielded magic to rival the Gods. According to his mother, the Gods became jealous of their arcane might, and in a venegeful rage destroyed their skycities in a great cataclysm. As Ahriman began to mature it became apparent that he possessed sorcerous abilities, and his mother was only beginning to cultivate his talents when they were captured in a Thayan slaver raid. While his mother was consigned to the Thayan mines, Ahriman became the house servant of a Red Wizard, but not before a circle magic ritual drained him of his sorcerorus ability, using the power to help fuel the creation of a fell artifact. When his master was later slain in an internal dispute with a colleague, Ahriman was sold to an enclave. However, as the Slaver caravan was headed to the enclave, it was ambushed by a band of Harpers and Ahriman was freed. Among the Harpers involved in the raid was an idealistic young Rashemi, Fyevarra Dyernina. Ahriman was quite taken with the mysterious young Hathran. Sensing arcane potential within him, and pitying his plight, she began instructing him in the rudiments of wizardry. One evening, as Ahriman and his mistress were en route to Silverymoon, they were kidnapped by a band of Shadovar and taken to Shade enclave. The Shadovar told him of his Netherese heritage, and manipulating his painful past, told him the young Harper sought to instruct him only to enslave him, as all Rashemi men of arcane talent were subservient to the witches. As the young Hathran lay bound on an altar to Shar, the Shadovar handed Ahriman a ceremonial Chakram, telling him the only path to freedom was to embrace his heritage and punish those whom sought to oppress him. Ahriman's shadow awoke as he brought the chakram down upon the helpless young Hathran. As Ahriman came to embrace the shadow weave and the doctrines of the Mistress of Night, he was sent forth to reconnoiter the lands below, another link in the web of spies aiding Shade enclave in their quest for dominion.
Mysteris 06-26-03, 03:23 PM	Seems like a good start. But what are the goals of this character? He's obviously embraced the darker arts fully, but what does he want now? Money? Power? Fame? A position of importance within the Shade organization?
Ahriman Tenebris 06-26-03, 09:43 PM	Given his background, he is cynical, brooding, and pessimistic, with a sardonic smile and sarcastic tongue. He is obsessed with power, from his perspective peace and security exist only when there is no one else with power over you. He is cold, calculating, and driven, if for no other reason than his belief that any alternative would be a dreadful fate. His goal? Nothing short of his own empire. But what truly terrifies him is the possibility that even this might not grant him inner peace. Yet he continues to pursue his course for he can sees no other path before him.
Snow Savant 06-26-03, 10:21 PM	As you know from my C.O. board response, I really dig your character, Ahriman. An interesting game-flavour mechanism that might interest you is making his Summon Monster spells (when not done via Shadow Conjuration/Shades spells) only capable of summoning creatures with the "Shadow" Template (from the MotP books). Similar to the way the Alienist PrC can only summon creatures with the "pseudonatural" template. The Shadow Template turns creatures into Magical Beasts, but since they are from the Plane of Shadow, and with 3.5 changes coming soon, I'm sure that would be changed/errataed to "Magical Beast [Extraplanar]", thereby making them legal to use for SM spells. Besides, the template is not overpowered and thematically .... it would fit your character like a glove. :) Take care, Snow
Ahriman Tenebris 06-27-03, 03:17 AM	Originally posted by Snow Savant As you know from my C.O. board response, I really dig your character, Ahriman. An interesting game-flavour mechanism that might interest you is making his Summon Monster spells (when not done via Shadow Conjuration/Shades spells) only capable of summoning creatures with the "Shadow" Template (from the MotP books). Similar to the way the Alienist PrC can only summon creatures with the "pseudonatural" template. The Shadow Template turns creatures into Magical Beasts, but since they are from the Plane of Shadow, and with 3.5 changes coming soon, I'm sure that would be changed/errataed to "Magical Beast [Extraplanar]", thereby making them legal to use for SM spells. Besides, the template is not overpowered and thematically .... it would fit your character like a glove. :) Take care, Snow That's a great idea, I haven't read MotP in a while and I had forgotten about that template. I'm sure the DM will approve as it fits the character and isnt unbalanced. On a side note, one of my fellow party members liked your Blackguard/Nar Demonbinder concept so much he's ditched his other idea completely and decided to play it.
Ahriman Tenebris 06-29-03, 02:33 AM	Ok I've decided to redo his entire background. Having read about the sect of Halruaans whom venerated Leira and defected from Halruaa to Nimbral early in its history, I decided that would be the perfect home region for an illusionist. I'm going to post the new background as soon as I finish a few minor details. As always feedback will be welcome.
Ahriman Tenebris 06-29-03, 04:38 AM	Ok, here's a summary of my idea for the revised background. Any feedback or advice on this would be appreciated. Shortly after the death of Leira, a cabal of Shadow mages staged a coup for control of Nimbral. A civil war ensued and the shadow mages, vastly outnumbered, were defeated by the Lords of Nimbral. May of them fled, but those whom were caught were tried for treason and executed. Thereafter, it was declared that shadow weave magic was prohibited on Nimbral and any transgression punishable by death. Ahriman's father, Uregaunt was a Nimbral Lord and had been instrumental in defeating the shadow coup. Ahriman was a precocious youth with an affinity for magic whom discovered the shadow weave early in his training and was seduced by its power. When his father learned of his transgressions, rather than face the embarassment of his own son being executed for treason, he ordered him into exile and placed him on a vessel bound for Athkatla. . .Anything I should add or do differently here? How might I flesh this out?