Blackwald

-"Nothing is eternal, not even death."

Blackwald

by Kerem Beyit

Amidst the north-most arduous mountain peaks of the seven kingdoms lies Winterreach; the ancient stronghold of arcane studies, magicka and mysteries. Within its dust covered libraries resides the amassed knowledge of aeons, and answers to countless mysteries from both mortal and astral plains. In the gloomy vaults beneath the tower walls lies dormant codices and scrolls older than humankind. Herein dwells tomes of spells powerful enough for city walls to crumble, and prophetical scrolls to make empires quake. Few are the living souls with whom has befallen the privilege of gaining passage to the written treasures of Winterreach. And rightly so. The admittance to this venerable facility is rigorous and sparse, and the occasional apprentice is slowly chosen through perilous trials and meticulous evaluation by the triumvirate of the arch-wizards. Many are those who have tried, and most have failed.
Blackwald was in his youth an eager novice at the Mages Guild in the city of Havenloft. Spending his days constantly scolded and performing mundane chores for the Conjurers of the guild, he always felt he was made for greater purposes. He borrowed what literature and spellbooks he could from the guild library, and spent his dreary nights reading fervently. Blackwald felt a growing discontent with the dearth of his advancement within the guild ranks, and had to often bite his lip to prevent him from acting out disastrous magical retribution upon the other members.
Finally, after several years of being pestered by his alleged tutors, he had the opportunity to travel as a courier to Winterreach. He there requested audience with the arch-wizards under the guise of a royal herald. Once before them, he seized the moment to vividly demonstrate his irrefutable potency, in which the triumvirate admitted Blackwald as an apprentice overnight - in spite of his rather fraudulent approach. Blackwald soon became one of the most diligent apprentices in the recorded history of Winterreach, and quickly rose in both hierarchy and reputation.
After many years of dedication, he found himself at the rank of Warlock, one which grants passage to the innermost vaults of Winterreach. Here, in the nether tunnels, Blackwald continued his studies in seclusion and solitude.
One exceptionally cold night, he was shambling about in the hallways, igniting more octarine lights to keep his warmth, when something on a dim lit shelf caught his eye. Something which he had not seen before. Wrapped in spiked obsidian chains, and humming with a low foreboding tone, lay a heavy tome. Written on its leather-bound cover in ancient black elven tongue was: “Awakening of the Netherworld and Incantations for the Inanimate”. Blackwald’s hands trembled as he lifted the tome from its place. His curiosity got the best of him, and after many efforts with uncurses and spells of unsealing, he managed to slowly pry the ancient book open. A new world was awakened. Shrieks of long lost spirits was unleashed, the howling of banshees filled the void, and octarine light glowing in the funereal shapes of forlorn souls danced in the shadows. He became obsessed with his new discovery, and absorbed every page, every word, every curse and every incantation within its pages.
Blackwald knew that meddling with necromancy was not something that was taken lightly by the Arcane Tribunal. Nonetheless, he continued his research and obsession. He summoned specters from the underworld, and secretly paid visits to the elder tombs to raise the remains of long passed brethren. He even went so far as to sacrifice rodents and lesser critters for his atrocious and abysmal deeds. Time passed, and with every day, Blackwald grew bolder and more fearless in his experiments and spellcasting. And consecutively, one day, inevitability intervened. He was exposed by one of his Warlock associates during a particularly potent undead ritual. The magicka surge rippled the fabric of mana even outside the secluded catacomb where Blackwald was situated. He was apprehended, and quickly brought before The Arcane Tribunal, where the Arbitrators of Magic unitedly excommunicated Blackwald from Winterreach, and banished him from ever serving at any Mage Guild in the seven kingdoms. Blackwald left the Tribunal, humiliated and in contempt, and wandered south to seek his destiny elsewhere. His current whereabouts are unknown, but his magic studies, benign and malignant, continues to this day.

Artifacts

Crystal of Time

Physical Description

Special abilities

Conjure Creature
Animate Dead

Specialized Equipment

Warlock's Staff of Vitriol
Wyvern Hide Armour
Cloak of Octarine Tempest
Moonstone Ring of Spellbinding
Amulet of Magicka Flux
Boots of Astral Shape

The Last Crystal Bearer

Blackwald:
"I have spent all these years
learning the simplest spells
But is there something more
something beyond death?"

There in the dark vaults
he found a magic tome
A book so long forgotten
A secret from the dark

Blackwald:
"What is this?
Magic from the netherworld?"

Spells of the night resurrecting the dead
Deep in the halls where his path has led
Dark magic curses surging through his veins,
but the power was too strong to contain

Wizard apprentice: "What is the meaning of this?!
I could see a light!
What are you doing here? In these dark vaults?
These are forbidden spells you fool!"

Blackwald:
"What have I done? I let curiosity get the best of me.
But the arcane forces were too strong. Too...enticing.
You do not know the powers of the dark!"

So he was brought before the guild - The Arcane Tribunal

The Arcane Tribunal:
"You have failed us!
You have betrayed us all"

So his time at Winterreach,
came to an end without warning
So he paid the price of meddling with necromancy
Condemnation he could not foresee

The Arcane Tribunal:
"Gather your belongings now
and leave this place behind
May you find your path again."

Broken and angered
he knew in his heart
He was destined for greater things to come
The Arcane Tribunal
banished him for good
But time had come to heed the call

The Arcane Tribunal:
- "Warlock, you stand here before us, for committing the unspeakable act of performing necromancy.”
- “We put our faith in you and your magic proficiency. We saw so much potential.”
- “This is a betrayal of cosmic proportions. Such treachery does not go unpunished."

Blackwald:
-"Your cowardice is pitiful!
You do not know the arcane powers of the dark realms! I have beheld them!"

The Arcane Tribunal:
-"Silence! We have heard it all before!
You are hereby excommunicated from the Arcane University.
Whatever wretched path you have chosen, may it not corrupt you further. Begone!"

Blackwald:
-"Curse you! I shall avenge this injustice and become more powerful than you could ever imagine! All shall tremble before me!"
Time went passing by
as he travelled far across the lands, until the day
when he found the prophecy

There was a way, for the kingdoms to be saved
Five heroes to be found
The Twilight Force

“He found them at last”
“They are gathered now”

Lynd, the bearer of the crystal of fate
"Death comes to us all. Sometimes when least expected."
Crystal of life in the hands of Born
"Every living thing has a voice. Just listen."
Allyon, with the Crystal of Kings
"The fate of the world, imbued in us all."
Crystal of Elements for Aerendir
"The wind and the sea. The whispers of truth."
De’Azsh possessing the Crystal of Souls
"That which has no will, has no power."

Blackwald:
-“They were the five heroes - and together with me, wielding the Crystal of Time,
became the Twilight Force.”

-“Nothing is eternal, not even death.”

Divine Classification

Warlock

Realm

Dhalarniah

Height

1.8m

Related Plots

• The Crystal Bearers