Malachi
Malachi Shadowhorn is a tiefling Death Domain Cleric from Ustalav. His master, a lamia matriarch necromancer from Xin-Shalast named Chalishia, challenged him to come up with a way to amass greedy souls to feed to the runewell of Karzoug, the Runelord of Greed. Malachi used a cursed tome believed to have belonged to Tar-Baphon to create a plague that could be spread via contract with specifically marked Sihedron gold coins. This was the birth of the Red Death Plague.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
In the land of Ustalav, a land steeped in ancient legends and undeath, there existed a tiefling named Malachi Shadowhorn. Tall and imposing, his horns shimmered with an ominous shade of midnight black. However, not his appearance alone struck fear into mortals' hearts; it was his insatiable thirst for power and his twisted fascination with death.
Malachi had delved deep into the forbidden arts of necromancy, a realm where most feared to tread. He yearned to control the very essence of life and death, to bend it to his will. With his knowledge and dark sorceries, he devised a sinister plan to feed his hunger for souls.
He concocted a dreadfully potent plague, which he named the Red Death. This vile sickness spread through the realms like wildfire, infecting anyone unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. The agonizing suffering it inflicted was unimaginable, reducing vibrant cities to desolate wastelands. Malachi revelled in the chaos and despair that plagued the land, finding twisted pleasure in the cries of anguish that echoed through the air.
As the Red Death claimed countless lives, Malachi stood atop his tower, watching the devastation unfold. From his vantage point, he relished the sight of people succumbing to his creation, their souls ripe for his collection. Every soul added to his power, heightening his control over necromantic forces.
But amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged. A group of brave adventurers, led by a valiant knight named Sir Roland, rose to challenge Malachi's reign of terror. A shared purpose united them: to end the Red Death and free their land from its grip.
Sir Roland and his companions embarked on a perilous quest to find the ancient Book of Cleansing, rumoured to hold the key to curing the Red Death. With unwavering determination, they ventured into treacherous dungeons, battled sinister creatures, and endured countless hardships.
Their journey led them to a forgotten temple deep within the heart of Eldoria's haunted forest. There, they discovered the hidden chamber holding the Book of Cleansing. As they deciphered its cryptic pages, a plan began to take shape.
Guided by the ancient knowledge, the group set out to confront Malachi in his lair. With spells of protection and weapons honed with magic, they braved the perils of his tower. At last, they stood before the malevolent dragonborn, their eyes filled with defiance.
A fierce battle ensued as Malachi summoned his undead minions to defend him. The air crackled with powerful spells and the clash of swords. Each blow struck by the adventurers weakened the tiefling's hold on the necromantic energies.
In a desperate final act, Malachi channelled all his remaining power into a devastating spell, seeking to annihilate his foes. But Sir Roland, driven by unwavering courage and fueled by the hope of saving his people, countered with a mighty strike. The knight's sword pierced Malachi's heart, shattering the necromancer's dark magic.
As Malachi fell, a wave of relief washed over the land. The Red Death began to wane, and the people started to rebuild their shattered lives. The souls captured by Malachi were released from his grasp, finding solace in the afterlife.
Ustalav rejoiced as the sun's warmth returned, banishing the lingering darkness that Malachi had brought upon them. The memory of the tiefling necromancer would forever be etched in their history as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who fought for the light, even in the face of the darkest of shadows.
With Malachi defeated, the county began to heal. The people mourned their losses but found solace in the knowledge that their land was no longer under the grip of the Red Death. They celebrated the bravery of Sir Roland and his companions, honouring them as heroes who had saved their world from certain doom.
The once-devastated cities slowly regained their vibrancy, and children's laughter echoed through the streets once more. As the scars of the past faded, Ustalav thrived, its people cherishing the gift of life and the bonds that held them together.
After their victory, Sir Roland and his companions took on new roles within the realm. Some became respected leaders, ensuring justice and prosperity for their people. Others pursued further adventures, eager to protect Ustalav from any future threats.
