Halaster Blackcloak

Hilather (a.k.a. The Mad Mage of Undermountain)

Halaster Blackcloak (formerly Hilather) was a very old and insane wizard who resided within his lair: Undermountain.
In his youth more than a thousand years ago, Halaster Blackcloak was known as Hilather, though where he spent his youth is the source of great speculation. Some sources place him in the ancient Empire of Eldoria. Whatever his nation of origin, it is known that he was more gregarious as a young man, creating and hosting magefairs and spellmoots, and taking many apprentices. However, as his power grew, he became more interested in aberrations and the Outer Planes, which led to growing paranoia and viciousness.
In 321 DB Hilather, now calling himself Halaster Blackcloak, arrived at the foot of Mount Waterdeep with his apprentices, collectively called "The Seven". Halaster summoned demons and other outsiders to construct Halaster's Hold and claimed the nearby lands as his own. Most likely he chose the location due to its magical importance as the alleged birthplace of Garenthar's only mortal child.
Halaster refused to release the monsters and demons after they constructed his Hold, instead sending them into the caverns to explore. This began Halaster's Hunts, a long series of journeys into the area now called the Underhalls, driving out the drow, duergar, and various monsters that lived there. By 685 Halaster had complete control over the near-endless tunnels and caverns and began constructing the largest and most deadly dungeon imaginable, Undermountain.
By that time, Halaster had become completely mad and wanted nothing to do with the outside world. He left his hold to live in Undermountain itself, allowing the keep to fall into ruin. Several of his apprentices came looking for him; he slew two before demanding the rest help him fortify his dungeon even more. One refused and managed to escape. Jhesiyra Kestellharp would later become Magister and would provide what little history there is about Halaster, the Mad Mage.

Physical Description

Special abilities

A wizard with the power to altar reality at his whim.

Mental characteristics

Accomplishments & Achievements

Creation of Undermountain. The most massive dungeon in Korrisian history.

Mental Trauma

Is quite insane. While in Undermountain, Halaster seems constantly distracted, always chuckling and muttering to himself over people and happenings only he can discern. He also has difficulty holding the thread of any conversation.

Intellectual Characteristics

Immensely intelligent, one of the most powerful and dangerous spellweavers to ever exist in Korrisia.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Halaster's Apprentices

Trobriand

Called "the Metal Mage", Trobriand has a gift for building metal constructs and monstrosities. Perhaps the most lucid and focused of Halaster's apprentices, he nonetheless has moments where sanity fails him.

Muiral

Called "the Misshapen", Muiral was originally a great warrior who served as Halaster's bodyguard. He later became an apprentice to the Mad Mage and used his growing power to augment his considerable strength and fighting prowess. Finally, as the madness of Undermountain overcame him, he changed himself into a centaur-like creature, but with a scorpion for a body. Though he is now a monstrosity, Muiral remains Halaster's most enthusiastic apprentice.

Arcturia

Much like Muiral, Arcturia's madness leads her to experiment with bodies, both hers and others. Perhaps Halaster's most ambitious apprentice, she is known for her cruel experiments with polymorphing others to suit her whims.

Jhesiyra Kestellharp

One of Halaster's most gifted and powerful apprentices. It is said that she defied Halaster and left Undermountain for a time. When she became a Magister in the City of Waterdeep, she helped scholars craft the history of Halaster Blackcloak.

Alignment

Chaotic Evil

Year of Birth

1254 DB 2430 Years old

Circumstances of Birth

Some say that Hilather was the bastard son of Myrddin, the Mage Lord of Eldoria, but there are no sources confirming this.

Birthplace

The City of Eldor

Current Residence

Undermountain

Eyes

Red, one eye constantly squinty. Outside of Undermountain his eyes are a crystaline blue

Hair

Long and unkempt, moves as if there is no gravity surrounding it.

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale white, wrinkly

Height

5'9"

Weight

120 lbs

Known Languages

Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Undercommon