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#Post#: 648--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad Black Robe of Nuitari
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: November 17, 2023, 5:41 pm
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[center]Origin of Darius Desaad
Black Robe Wizard[/center]
Timeline
Dunbar Mastermate takes Caele Half-Elven in for a time and shows
him how to work on a sea-going vessel. Dunbar would begin
apprenticing Caele until one night, the Half-Elf made off with
scrolls and a couple of spellbooks into the night.
356 AC Dunbar Mastermate becomes Master of the White Robe
371 AC Darius is Eleven
Darius was a street urchin on the streets of the imperial City
of Gwynned, growing up with bard-told tales of the war of the
Lance and the heroes of the Lance. events that happened years
before Darius was born. Darius was Dark of skin of Northen
Erogth.
It was one fateful day that Darius was caught in an act of
larceny by the White Robe Wizard Dunbar Mastermate, who took
notice of him and treated him as something more than just a
thief or scavenger. He was put to work on his ship, and he
learned the ways of the sea.
Dunbar Mastermate was not the usual example of a typical Wizard
of Krynn. For one, he did not wear a Robe, but a symbol of
Solinari, the God of White Magic. He was very built; after years
of hoisting lines, scrubbing decks, and backbreaking work, he
was a chiseled specimen. That is not to say he never wears the
robes of his god when called into session at the Conclave of
High Sorcery
Darius was soon given a series of puzzles meant to test the
potential for magic at the Tower of Palanthas. He was given a
basic education and moved on to an elite educator, as his IQ was
very high, and he wanted to learn more. Soon, Dunbar moved him
into a magic boarding school. A fuse had been lit; he would try
to learn as much as he could.
In 380 AC Darius takes the Test of High Sorcery. Darius is
Twenty
The Test of Darius Desaad
The Test is just that, a test of how you would wield your power,
how well you wield that power, and what would happen if somebody
stood in the way of that power, set in a series of life-like
phantasmagoria*, that are shaped by the Dreamshapers and Test
Instructors. You find out more about yourself than you ever knew
before. The risk is death. The test, or your action in the test
if the wrong decision is made, the Test can bring about your
death or some other magical injury. Sometimes, it is done
intentionally to slow down a hell-bent wizard headed to his
self-destruction. Sometimes, it is done because the wizard is
too dangerous to live with. Whatever happened during the test,
he came out the overside and took the black robe of Nuitari.
Nuitari is the God of Black Magic.
Takes the Black Robe and is known as Darius Dark for a time.
383 AC The Summer of Flame-The Chaos War
The Gods disappear as does the Moons. They are replaced by one
pale moon that is different than Solinari.
Dunbar Mastermate perished in the Battle against Chaos. He left
much of his estate and holdings to Darius, including his ship.
Nearly all Magic in the world was gone
Scrolls produce an effect. Magical Items and the cannibalization
of Magical Items to cast spells. Potions still produced effects.
New Sorcery is discovered
Armed with new power, Darius goes to explore Krynn in his ship.
He sets out West.
Islands finds a treasure trove
Comes to Garagath. – Finds some interesting items
Discovering the Shattered Lands of the Dragon Throne, connected
to the Ice Wall. A Brutal and beautiful land. He learns their
customs to a degree. Trades with some of the merchants. Picks up
some souvenirs but senses the time for hospitality has ended,
and he sets out back to Ansalon.
Returns to Ansalon briefly before setting out again.
Coming across the Teeth of Chaos -Avoid at all costs. It is like
a pit to the Hells
The Dragon Isles- Orders a Ship to be built. It will take years
and an exorbitant sum. He says he has both.
The Spine of Taladas -Grouping of Islands, unremarkable, no
ports to speak of. Chased away from an Isle by a Red Dragon.
That was exciting.
The Continent of Taladas
The Imperial League of Minotaurs of Taladas. Located in the
Southwest region of Taladas, the Northern Reaches of Southern
Hosk, the Imperial League’s Capital City, Kristophan, in the
province of New Styrllia.
Staying a short time, taking in the cultures before heading
back. He picks up some souvenirs, this time in the form of maps
from a fabulous cartographer's shop in this vast Metropolis.
Taladas was intimidating. Talk of Civil War was in the air, and
there was unrest in some of the provinces. Time to leave.
Everything is so vastly different from Ansalon. One day, he
would like to return.
Darius returns to Northern Ergoth and carefully builds a
persona, a role to the public and in private. He attends
university, and soon after he graduates, he emerges as Darius
Desaad. He feels enlightened by his travels, and his exploits in
higher education satisfy his burning desire for knowledge. He
goes about collecting books to build his library.
In a very short time, Darius Desaad became one of the most
well-connected and regarded Dark Mages in Western Ansalon.
421 AC The War of Souls begins; Darius Dark is sixty-two years
of age.
Nuitari, the God of Black Magic, comes to Darius one night and
tells him to renounce Primal Sorcery, and he will restore his
magic and vitality of life to him.
Darius looks in the mirror the next day, and twenty years have
been wiped away. He feels great, energized, and renewed. Ready
to begin life anew and in earnest.
The following year, in 422 AC, Darius Desaad heeded the call to
the Conclave. For the first time in 40 years, the Moon Gods of
Magic were calling their followers to join together. He would
participate in the Battle of Wayreth.
With Dalamar the Dark being disqualified from leading the Order,
there was a question as to who among the Black Robes would take
the vacated mantle that had been held for so many years by the
Dark Elf.
Some voices started calling for Darius Desaad to come to the
fore, but that was only a segment of the Black Robe Order, those
mostly in Ergoth. Soon, other names were in contention, that of
the Dark Headmaster Selene from her School of the Dark Arts. A
consensus vote was nearing its time to be taken. A Dark Horse
candidate came to the fore with an endorsement from the God of
Dark Magic himself. Mistress Karnea will lead my Dark Order.
Most people in the know thought she had moved on from Krynn
forever until the Battle of Wayreth.
Within mere months, it would come to pass that the Tower that
was destroyed in the Cataclysm had been remade by the God of
Black Magic, and something had brought this remade Tower to the
surface on a new Island formation.
The Tower was now called the Tower of Blood Sea, and Karnea was
named Master of this Tower.
Nuitari comes to Darius and bids him to carry the Black Robes of
Northern Ergoth to the Island of the Tower for High Sanction In
a fortnight from now.
He is intrigued by this young woman. She appears even younger
than he does now, but he knows she was a presence in the
Conclave when he was coming up into the ranks. She is either
hiding her True Age or she has developed a spell or has some
amulet. Either way, he knows she was spoken about in hushed
tones when he was a young man. It is said she left Krynn during
the dark years without Magic. So, who knows how much more
powerful she is now?
He decides the best tactic is to become an ally to her in any
way he can. Who knows what she does with competitors? He does
not wish to look like an adversary in any way, as that would not
be beneficial in any future endeavors. No, the best move is to
become her ally and see how it all develops.
phantasmagoria* a sequence of real or imaginary images like
those seen in a dream.
#Post#: 651--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter One: The
Triumvirate
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: November 18, 2023, 7:42 am
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[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter One: The Triumvirate [/center]
Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Imperial Capital City of Gwynned
423 AC
Mid Fall-Set sometime after the Explorer’s Return to Port at
Gwynned after the Gathering
The Equinox approaches, and the Conclave will convene in the
next few days. Darius is a member of a conclave of Wizardry, he
is an interested party in the future of the Orders of Magic.
Darius occupies a seat of power, prestige, and a measure of
control at the Wizards Guildhall in Gwynned. Still, he is
interested in the direction the Conclave is taking. He finds the
new Highmaster, Mistress Jenna, to be quite interesting, the
same with the young new White Robe Master. But most especially
Karnea, his Order’s new Master of the Black Robe.
Their meeting greatly intrigued him at his first visit to the
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery. He of course heard of her from
back in the day. The whispers of a dark witch that was refusing
to be tested. Soon she was one of the Black Order's most ardent
supporters.
The Dark God of Magic Nuitari had instructed him to bring the
Black Robes of Northern Ergoth and ports on the way to the
calmed Blood Sea, to the Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery. It got
him a private meeting with Master Karnea. She exhibited both wit
and charm, all the while maintaining an air of lethality and
mysteriousness. It is at this private meeting at Darius invited
Karnea to journey to Northern Ergoth for the first time.
He invited her to a state visit to the Chapterhouse and to join
him as a guest to Manor House to discuss his travels and allow
him to show her a few pieces from his library that he was sure
she would be interested in. He would like her opinion on whether
either of the two pieces is of any value to further research.
The books potentially unlock secrets that have remained hidden
except to Wizards that explore the deeper mysteries and find the
boundaries, allowable by the laws of Magic.
What has kept him invested in maintaining a relationship is how
she already brought stability to the Black Robe. Her opening up
the Blood Sea Tower to the other Robes was a sign that Karnea
respected the Orders Laws and bylaws and was a willing partner
going forward
The Itinerary today lists three things on the agenda for today.
A meeting at the Chapterhouse Guildhall of Wizardry.
Darius Desaad makes one-third of the triumvirate over the
Chapterhouse, along with the White Robe Leila DiThon and the Red
Robe Fabian Hess
Leila DiThon is the Daughter of the White Robe Lord Bram DiThon
of the DiThon Fiefdom and it is said that perhaps her mother was
the Black Robe Dagamier. Her niece is a much closer ally to
Darius as she is the Black Robe Delilah DiThon
Ergoth once had a Tower of High Sorcery in the old Capital of
Daltigoth, until in the Age of Might and the Lost Battles came.
Seeds blessed by the Kingpriest would defeat the Guardian Forest
defenses of the tower of High Sorcery. Rather than let the magic
of High Sorcery be accessed by zealots and non-practitioners the
Wizards enacted a spell of great destruction, The mages
destroyed the Tower and a quarter of Daltigoth with it.
Daltigoth was on a leyline, (central point of Magical Power,
where these lines intersect.) The Wizards of Northern Ergoth
believe Gwynned may sit upon such a leyline, but as yet, there
has been no further movement on an exploratory commission being
formed to consider the proposal. It’s mostly understandable,
High Sorcery has only just returned, give it time, and perhaps
they will find an ally among the New Order Masters. And so, for
now, The Emperor of Ergoth allows the Wizards of High Sorcery to
maintain a Guildhall, located on the Avenue of Guild houses.
Emperor V put forth a proposition for the crown to pay for
Magical instruction and if they Tested and survived, they would
be bound to provide Five years of service to the Crown. After
that, they can move on and do as they like. The Guild is for the
most part committed to the security of the continuance of
Imperial Rule but the Wizards of High Sorcery’s first allegiance
is to Magic and the Order of High Sorcery.
The Three Guild Leaders mostly keep their order members in line
and keep dangerous magic and magical items out of the hands of
amateurs. They keep tabs on those who practice magic in Gwynned
and the Larger continental island of Northern Ergoth, whether
they be Order Wizards or Primal Sorcerers, and they keep their
eye out for Renegade Wizards that pose a danger to Magic and the
populace.
The chapterhouse provides legal assistance for the Wizards that
are attached to the Guild, as well as employs Thieves to
appropriate items that are too dangerous to be kept by
non-wizards. Darius has made several key allies in his time
building up his influence in Gwynned, as well as several
enemies. He has tried to minimize his exposure and profile when
dealing in areas they control.
The Three usually meet at night, but on occasion, a day journey
is called for. Darius boards his Carriage and his driver takes
him to the Chapterhouse.
The triumvirate gathers. Present, the White Robe Leila DiThon
and the Red Robe Fabian Hess
The Subject: The recent visit of the Minotaur merchants via
their sea-going vessel. It has put the emperor and people on
edge and has awakened them to the danger that exists, being out
here alone from mainland Ansalon, where not very much has
affected them thus far, but a possible attack from the Minotaurs
is a real threat they would be ill-prepared to meet should it
come any time soon. Though the people are open to trade with
anyone, the recent movements of Minotaurs have taken on a
sinister tone. The fear that even with trade, comes potential
acts of espionage of the defenses of the Imperial City.
The emperor wants to increase the navy by a hundred-fold. A
contract for the wood must be made with the woodsmen of
Kharolis. The emperor has asked us to make contact with the
woodsmen and procure a negotiated agreement for the timber for
the ships. The Red Robe Fabian Hess says that he knows of a man
in his order who may be able to set up the meeting.
Darius’s other meetings are on the agenda, He has to see the
Clockmaker, and following that, a meeting with an over-eager
patron that is surely chomping at the bit to get his revenge on
another by magical means.
He stays a little longer at the Guildhall and catches whatever
gossip that might be useful that comes in by the comings and
goings of various Wizards of the three orders before setting out
to his appointment with the Artificer.
#Post#: 660--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Two: The
Prized Artificer
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: November 23, 2023, 5:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]
Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Two: The Prized Artificer
Ranniker was created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman[/center]
Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Imperial Capital City of Gwynned
The Artificer is so close that Darius decides to walk to his
next destination from the guildhall.
Darius’s professional bodyguards are keeping their distance, but
keeping a close watch.
The Artificer’s shop is right down the road. There is never much
traffic around the Guildhalls, and this side street leads Darius
to his destination.
A bell dings with his entry. No one in the front showroom.
“Hello?” Darius calls out.
A distant sound calls out, “one moment. “
Darius smiles and turns to gaze upon the Chistine’s works. It
took a lot of incentive to get her to move here, things being
what they are here in one of the most backward societies in
existence. But she has been worth every coin thus far. He looks
over her magical clocks and other items of interesting design
and purpose.
Her great-aunt was known to have the touch, and her
great-grandfather was a genius artificer of the Ranniker Clan.
Christine insisted on living with this arrangement; we would
have liked for her to live at the Guild Hall. But she had it put
in her clause… Artists.
Soon an average-height young woman with short dirty blonde hair
walks into the front gallery wearing a leather smock over boy
clothing. “Darius.” She comes in and greets her guest, and then
has him follow her as they go back into the workshop.
“So, how are you doing Chris? Any problems lately? Darius asks.
She turns and smiles at him and says “you already know the
answer to that. Your guys roughed up the thieves I hear.” She
turns back around and continues into her workshop.
Darius answers “Yes, we got them, this time. I will have your
things returned…”
The young woman begins. “I know what you are going to say, but
I…”
“-Will get stifled in your creativity in the guild hall. Right,
still, it might save your life and your priceless works of art,”
Darius tells her. “I will have the abjurers come over later. We
will work something out.”
“That’s one of things I like about you Darius, you always have a
solution.” Christine turns his attention to her newest work of
art.
Darius looks down at it.
It is a springed wrist device with leather straps on her
crafting table.
“Is that?” Darius begins with dawning awe.
“Yes, per your request and specifications, you commissioned for
this a while back.”
“I had forgotten,” Darius says as he takes a closer look at the
device. “It works?”
Christine answers, “Yes, do you want to try it on and test it
out?”
“Absolutely,” Darius answers and rolls up his voluminous sleeve
to accommodate the fitting.
Christine picks up the device and straps it to Daruis’s forearm,
taking the time to show him what she is doing, every step of the
way. Darius helps her, and she tightens up the straps and fits
them securely into place.
She says, “This button activates the primer. Just keep your hand
out of the way; it will hurt if not applied correctly. Once the
button is primed, move your hand in this motion, and” A thin
dagger ejects forward with force and extends. “This motion and
its retracts.” The blade returns to the housing quickly and
silently. Christine looks up at Darius’s face, who is grinning.
Darius raves, “You have outdone yourself, simple, elegant, and
efficient. Thank you very much.” He begins to pull his money
pouch, and she stops him.
“Stopping those thieves and retrieving what was lost means a lot
to me. This one is from me to you, that’s it. You’ll want to
bring that in at least once a year to get it checked out; it
might freeze up on you over time. I can do maintenance for it if
it starts to give you trouble. I have tried to isolate the
priming button so that it is not easy to depress accidentally;
therefore, you will have to reach for it with this finger.
Darius becomes more confident and decides to wear it for the
rest of the day. Darius hugs her and thanks her for making it.
He tells her things should arrive shortly, along with the
abjurers. With business attended to, they say their goodbyes,
and Darius does a couple of tasks before heading to his last
meeting on the agenda—the Patron.
#Post#: 802--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Three: The
Patron
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: March 18, 2024, 11:10 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Three: The Patron [/center]
Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Imperial Capital City of Gwynned
After seeing to the details about the abjurers and Christine’s
stolen Items back to her, it takes up several hours out of his
day. He picks up Christine in his carriage, takes her out for an
expensive dinner, and drops her off at her living space above
her workshop before heading into the affluent district to meet
with one of the Patrons he does business with and for.
This client has been in some kind of feud that has been building
over the months and has been building in scale. His letter
sounded urgent, but told Darius to come after dark.
Darius has brought along his bodyguards,
The Dark Wizard gets out of his carriage and takes in his
surroundings. Quiet, but for the carriage going down the road.
Darius pushes down an eyelash into a bit of Arabic gum, and
speaks the words of magic for the spell, and becomes invisible.
He approaches his Patron’s flat and moves silently to the door.
It is open. Strange. Darius stands for a moment, considering the
situation. He decides to proceed inside.
Darius, still invisible, continues inside. The Fireplace
provides the only light in the front room. The patron is sitting
on the divan, but there is something off.
Darius becomes visible and begins speaking to his patron. When
he sees darkness painted over the patron's body, he walks closer
and sees it is blood.
Coming from a voice behind Darius, “Greetings, you must be
Darius Desaad, yes your patron had so much to say about you
before he expired.”
Darius takes in the menace in the room and feels the hairs on
his arms stand up. He might not make it through this one. Darius
might have just walked into his death. Darius thinks this
through and concludes. Darius speaks his thoughts aloud, “My
mark, my patron’s enemy was yours all along?” The way the dark
man is standing there, completely unafraid, he is something more
than human.
“Just so, this was nothing but a petty proxy war just under the
surface, and then he brought you into it.” The dark man answers.
“I want to clarify there is no way I am going to live though
this am I?” Darius asks
The dark man smiles a toothy grin. “Oh, you never want to count
yourself out too quickly, you might get lucky, but then again, I
might just finish the fight before it begins.
In the blink of an instant, Darius is picked up by his throat
and is slammed against the wall, and now Darius gasps for air as
it is being cut off.
“Just so we are clear, this is finished. You will seek no
recourse or a repeat meeting. This will be you only warning. We
let you shepherd over the magic and wizards of Ergoth.
Otherwise, Ergoth is ours. Step a toe out of line again we will
attack your vulnerable points of your underbelly. It would be a
shame if something were to happen to your precious clockmaker
for instance.”
Darius is about to lose consciences, but he understands the dark
man clearly.
Darius wakes up to his guards looking over him, helping Darius
get to his feet. Only the expired patron is in the room, The
dark man has left no trace of his exit.
They leave the townhouse to be picked up by his carriage and
check on the clockmaker just to be sure. Once Darius sees
Christine is alive, they head for the manor.
The celerity displayed, being unaccustomed to being manhandled
like he was nothing, Darius explains to his bodyguards that the
dark man threw Darius around like a rag doll like Darius was
nothing. Whoever it was they were superhuman. Darius tries to
grapple with the fear he felt, the sheer horror that was
gripping him. Supernatural, the dark man was supernatural. Later
in his vast library at his Manor house, he finds the book he was
looking for. He begins turning he searches through the book
until he comes to a set of drawings depicting the sharpened
canines of the subject. they matched precisely with his dark
man. Nosferatu, Vampire
#Post#: 804--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Four:
Another Sunrise
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: March 19, 2024, 2:41 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Four: Another Sunrise [/center]
Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Imperial Capital City of Gwynned
Though his bedroom drapes were drawn, and the light of another
sunrise showed through the windows, Darius was not getting out
of bed. The pain has led him to wonder if he has broken
something, but over the days, he thinks it was just his pride.
Never did he think he could be handled so. The whole experience
has made him question his life and his continued life in
Gwynned.
Darius’s main thought all day was what is he going to do about
it? Can he just sit with this new information and do nothing?
Does he risk doing anything for fear for Christine? One thing is
clear: he is being watched. That’s a problem. How? Agents
obviously. He is going to need more information than what was in
that book from last night. He finds himself holding his neck
several times over the course of the day. He came face-to-face
with his mortality.
The dark man has caused me to become more paranoid than I
already was. I am going to have to rethink my own contacts, my
own agents. Are any of them really his? This is going to drive
me crazy, and I’m not even fully committed to doing anything
about this yet. I will need a specialist for this sort of thing
to know if I have a ghost of a chance to combat this deadly foe,
though; he makes it sound like there are many of them. He does
not leave the residence for a couple of days. He just had a hard
time getting out of bed and has had to take pain medications to
allow him to sleep.
Darius makes a triumphant return to the Chapter House and sees
to his business ventures while he was away. He is walking with a
cane, but he does not know if that is making things better or
worse. He is slower than usual, but he is happy to be off his
back and on his feet again. Though he has put on a brave face to
go out, he has never been closer to retiring and leaving Gwynned
forever. Where would he go? Blood Sea? Could he live there? Is
that his destiny? He decides to make no rash judgments, but to
consider his future, free of things that go bump in the night.
His message sent at the Chapter House, Darius stands wondering
if the mail is safe. This has really changed everything. How can
he go on with his daily life knowing those monsters rule? How
far does it go up? This group just feasts on stragglers in the
night.
On the carriage ride home. The thought he was having set him on
a new line of thought about their feeding habits, their methods
of control, and their weaknesses. The carriage stops by the
Clockmaker’s residence, and he checks in Christine. She suggests
they get dinner. In a normal world, with how he feels, he would
say no, but because he is alive, he says “Yes!”
They eat at a high-end steakhouse and enjoy a very fine meal. He
honestly tries to be good company; Christine is just that kind
of person who thrives on good times and vibes, and she just
feels Darius is off. He is always stoic but can be funny, but
this is shaken. She asks, “What happened?”
Darius sees that this was a mistake. But he decides to answer
her all the same. He tells her he was jumped by a group of
rogues.
She is not sure she completely believes him but decides to just
let him off the hook by just answering if she is in more danger
than he is letting on.
Darius sees no other way to answer but to lie, but can he, her
shining self is too important. He can’t condemn her to darkness.
He looks at her and says "Let's just get through the week by not
doing anything different and we might just be fine. Any
deviations might tell these people something is off.”
“Who are they?” Chris asks
“Very rich and powerful enemies that had the gall to threaten
me, but that is neither here nor there. I might ask you if you
might be interested in going on a holiday somewhere, it is true,
I don’t want anything to happen to you and your life was
threatened.”
“Well, that's a lot to take. Christine says trying to put it in
perspective. “Does this happen usually to your associates?”
“It’s happened on occasion, though not in such a straightforward
manner.” Darius answers.
“Are you worried? And how worried are you? Should I leave
tonight?”
“No, definitely not at night, tomorrow morning would be better.”
They pay for their meal and depart and drop off Christine and
allow her to pack. Darius assures Christine about the store,
that the wards are in place, and “no one is getting in but her.”
He walks her into her place, and checks everywhere in the house,
and tells her to lock the door behind him. She hugs him, and he
leaves, and she locks the door. The rest of the night has her
scared out of her mind in her own house.
Darius checks on his carriage driver and recognizes his good
sense of humor and they are away. Darius judges his paranoia as
a value at this point rather than a failing.
They make it home and he crawls into bed after checking the
manor with his book about the undead. It's dated a bit but still
has some useful information. While he was at the Chapter House,
he placed an order for a newer tome on the subject. It is out
there in the ether now, this is the safest way, (He hopes). The
request to meet with the specialist went out as well, Darius
should hear something back in the next couple of days about
them. Darius reads over the abilities purported to be attributed
to vampires- speed, strength, the supremacy of magical ability,
flight, shape changing, wolves, green mist, or the ubiquitous
bat form. The art of making human and animal agents, Weaknesses,
unproven, sunlight, fire, holy symbols, holy water, crossing
bodies of water, must sleep in the dirt of their homeland, stake
through the heart and the taking of the head for final death.
#Post#: 830--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Five: The
Specialist
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: April 20, 2024, 7:04 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Five: The Specialist [/center]
Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Imperial Capital City of Gwynned
Darius saw Christine off the next morning on one of his ships.
Seeing her go brought a bit of sadness. They had grown close
working together over the last year. Though it was never
romantic, he felt a certain fondness for her and enjoyed their
many dinners together. She was a pleasant companion, and she is
perhaps the most important person on Krynn, though she and many
others might not know it. She intuitively understands her
grandfather’s magical works, a trait from her aunt carried down
through the generations. So it is that Christine’s life is
important to him on a personal level, but dwarfing that is her
value professionally. She has created magical works of art this
last year that are nothing short of astounding, and Darius would
like to see her live a good, productive life, free of winged
creatures in the night.
But with her safely beyond their immediate reach, she can
operate better with some peace of mind. He makes absolutely sure
his manor house is even more secure. Realistically speaking, He
knows if they want to come in, they will get in regardless of
whatever he is doing, but he is not going to make it easy for
them. He spends more time invisible when traveling the city,
conducting his affairs. He has lost some business since the
altercation (Nothing much in the grand scheme,) he wonders if
those patrons are connected in some way to the coven, as Darius
has started calling it. So, doubt he is being watched like a
hawk to see what he is doing and who he is talking to.
Darius tries to do the impossible thing and tries to act
normally throughout his day, not much of a deviation through the
coming days and weeks. His new tome about the undead arrives, an
updated new edition. Not that he needs an updated tome to
explain about vampires, but still, any new relevant information
might be helpful. The observations made at the end of the Rose
Rebellion were some of the greatest works about the study of the
undead. What the Necromancers there at the end in Ergoth created
was nothing short of desperate and masterful evil. But as far as
Darius is aware, no one is sure what brought vampires to the
world of Krynn. There are no prevailing theories on the subject.
Perhaps the Specialist will be more helpful in that regard.
Ultimately, he finds nothing in the new edition that is helpful
to him. He is going to have to bring nothing short of the sun to
aid him in this fight. Mentally going through any spells that
might help, it is then that Darius considers a priest for the
first time since this all started, other than the vague thoughts
he gleaned from the old book, holy water, and the holy symbols.
He has made the acquaintance at one point or another of most of
the Heads of the Temples and churches in Gwynned, just another
thing Darius keeps track of in a book. He wonders about them,
who from among them would be the best to consult?
Just then, there is a knock at the door. He hears his butler
answer the door, and Darius walks closer, opening the door of
his study to hear. It is the Specialist; Darius tells the butler
that this man is expected and to bring him to his sitting room.
The Specialist’s name is Willard; he is short (5’6”) and stocky,
with dark hair, a goatee, and a single dagger earring, and
wrapped in a dark cloak. Sixty years old or thereabouts. Has
been connected with the Chapter House over the decades. He was
in training to be a wizard, then magic went away, and he became
a noted sorcerer in the fifth age until the Gods and the Moons
returned, and he gave his allegiance to the black moon when he
rejected sorcery. His special gift to the world is dealing with
the Undead (Specifically, Vampires). His studies and his
profession have taken him across Ansalon, and now to Darius’s
sitting room.
They have never been close, but Darius always respected the man.
Darius welcomes him to his home and directs him to have a seat
on a comfortable chair. Drinks are brought out, which the Hunter
refuses gracefully and shows his own flask, he pulls a swig
before replacing the lid and putting it back in his inside
pocket.
“I understand we have problems here in the Capital?” The hunter
begins.
Darius explains his experience and his suspected fears of how
much they might control. He has been personally threatened, and
that of his companions.
The hunter leans forward a bit and considers what he has heard
thus far. He has thought about the prospects and dangers of
vampirism on the island continent of Northern Ergoth before
this, but this just confirms the situation. “My best advice is
to go back to your life and be happy you still have it. I
understand your concern, these beings could be integrated deep
into the society here, perhaps since the cataclysm made Northern
Ergoth. How deep they go is an open question.”
“Then how might we rid ourselves of them?” Darius asks.
“It will be tricky and a long-term job.” The hunter tells Darius
the hunter will have to go undercover and have to assume
different identities. “We will not meet again for a while like
this, you do not want any of this coming back on you and yours.
I will only meet you at your chapter house, in disguise.”
Darius agrees to the terms and then wonders if there are any
among the chapter house who could be spies for the vampires.
The Hutner says, “That is something you will have to find out
for yourself.” He rises to his feet and tells Darius, “I will
speak to you in a few weeks at the chapter house. The hunter
departs into the carriage that whisks him off into the city as
Darius takes note of the position of the Sun, judging it to be
late afternoon.
#Post#: 851--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Six:
Understanding
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 5, 2024, 12:42 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Six: Understanding[/center]
With Christine away and out of danger, Darius is still
recovering from his introduction to the Vampire, but he has
started to embrace the advice of the specialist. To Live and
Learn and keep an extra eye open from now on. He knows he is
being watched, but he has not found a spy at the Chapterhouse of
Wizardry; he has yet to detect any spies among the wizards.
Constant vigilance from now on. Even if he has relaxed a little,
he is still on edge.
He buries himself in preparations to travel to the upcoming
Conclave. Once he has everything in order, he begins to wonder
about his effectiveness as a Triumvirate member. He might be
compromised. They may try to exert pressure to do their bidding.
Then again, I’m making judgments on not much to go on. Still, to
get away for a while and be safe. That is in my cards. I will
attempt to stick it out here, but if things go south for any
reason, he will travel to the Blood Sea Tower. It has been
calling him ever since he was last on the Isle. He will have to
get his ship, the Explorer, prepared to venture to the Blood Sea
Tower for their next meeting. Darius is tempted to move
Christine to the Island. He knows Karnea could and would protect
her. That is why he sent her away from Northern Ergoth, but
even now, he wonders about her safety.
In the next days, Darius is confronted by an emissary of the
undead outside of Christine’s closed shop. It is a Thrall, a
mortal vampire agent that is blood-bound to a vampire.
It would seem the Vampires are satisfied with Darius’s conduct
so far and that he should not have to worry about them again
unless he should falter in his silence on the matter.
Darius comes to an understanding with this emissary, and they go
their separate ways. Leaving Darius unnerved by the encounter.
He resolves to move her merchandise and tools to the Blood Sea
Isle, provided she goes along with it.
He brings out his hirelings, and they move everything in the
Store and the Workroom and load it on the Explorer.
He is going to leave for a while, he decides. Once her things
are loaded up, He has his crew sail for New Ports for them to
wait for him there. He closes up his house and has his staff
cover everything up to collect the dust. Once he is assured his
house is secure, Darius teleports to Wayreth and waits for the
Forest to reveal itself to him. He is a day early; they will be
having the social gathering this evening.
#Post#: 852--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Seven:
Conclave
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 5, 2024, 1:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Seven: Conclave
[/center]
Southwest Ansalon
South of Abanasinia
Wayreth Forest
Darius Desaad walks through the forest at sundown. It is an
eerie and unsettling trek through the forest for the mundane and
aspirants, but for Darius, he feels joy. He has come away from
the streets of Palanthas. he was not much for politics earlier
in his life, but his journeys west have made him more interested
in history, and now, he has become interested in taking part and
becoming more a part of it. He had the personal power to gain
influence and respect to represent the Black Robe, as a part of
the Triumvirate at the Chapterhouse in the capital of Northern
Ergoth, and now he has become a Conclave member for the Black
Robe. A large step, and a large commitment. He will have to find
an alternate to cover his vote if he is on a sea voyage. For the
next couple of months, he will be at sea.
He arrives at the great Tower of Wayreth
Coming from the East,
He pushes the gates open and enters and walks across the
courtyard to the forecastle entrance. He signs the guestbook,
then he continues through the door on the right and enters the
North Tower and climbs the stairs to find his room.
It is as he left it after the Battle of Wayreth.
He cleans up and dresses in an impressive black suit with a
clasp at his neck, cleans his shoes, and joins the gathering in
the South Tower, where Master Karnea has made an appearance
already. He finds her talking with Dagamier of Northern Ergoth.
He interjects and tells Karnea and Dagamier that he can bring
Dagamier to the next meeting. Karnea tells him she will be
having a dinner party the night before, and she wants them both
there. Karnea tells Darius she has cargo that needs to be
shipped to the Blood Sea Tower.
Darius tells her his ship will be in New Ports in a couple of
days, and he will be glad to ship it to Blood Sea Tower. He asks
if he can speak to her privately for a moment. Karnea agrees and
follows him away from the mass of people.
Darius informs Karnea about the prized artificer and her
importance. He has not secured her agreement, but Darius informs
Karnea of his intention to move Christine to the Island. He just
asks that she be protected for her artificing skills.
The summary Darius has told Karnea about Christine, his friend
and skilled artificer, and the more interested she becomes in
this girl coming to live on the other side of the artificers.
Karnea agrees to let her move to the island if Darius can secure
her agreement.
Darius tells Karnea he has discovered that covens of Vampires
live among the upper crust of society and have been there since
the cataclysm broke Northern Ergoth from the landmass of
Solamnia and made it an Island Empire. Darius tells her he has
calmed matters, but it flared up recently.
Karnea takes this information into consideration later. It is a
unique situation that she will have to think about how to
dismantle the covens if the times call for it.
The next day, Order business is managed behind closed doors and
in consultation with Master Karnea, and at the appointed hour,
he takes his place with the other Black Robe Conclave Members,
Dagamier, Inari Westbrook, Hestia, Willim the Black, and Dalamar
Argent.
Karnea follows the other Masters to her seat facing the half
circle in the Hall of Mages
The Conclave of High Sorcery begins-
Things play out in Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power Story
Two Chapter Thirteen: Conclave Part Three CONCLAVE
HTML https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/karnea-master-of-the-black-robe/karnea-master-of-the-black-robe-34/msg701/#msg701
#Post#: 916--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Eight: The
Charter
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 31, 2024, 4:20 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Eight: The Charter [/center]
Southwest Ansalon
South of Abanasinia
Wayreth Forest
Amidst the closing time at Wayreth, Karnea’s charter to Blood
Sea adds an Academician Wizard. At first glance, Mr. Winsome is
going to be a waste on the cruise, but after a message from
Highmage Jenna, he hesitates. It would seem Highmage Jenna is
going to move the Tower closer to New Ports. It reads: They
should be able to secure transport to the Port where your ship
is due to be docked in the coming days. Darius teleports ahead,
hires a wagon and loading crew, and secures a warehouse at the
docks where he can store the cargo until his ship can make port.
Darius awaits the arrival of the Forest. Some time passes, and
the Forest appears, but not where Darius expected. The Cargo is
not far into the Forest, along with the Academician, who has his
own large load. Trunks, Paintings, sketch boards, chests of
scroll cases, and personal items. The Cart is loaded up
carefully. Along with the Red Robe’s things, they leave the
forest and make their way to New Ports.
After everything is secure and away, Darius checks himself and
Mr. Winsome into the Roaring Griffon Inn for their stay for the
length of time until his ship arrives in port. The two wizards
get a booth and sit across from one another. Darius soon finds
that Arther Winsome might become his new best friend. He is
highly educated and has kept educating himself with every book
that has crossed his path. His grasp on the history of the world
is refreshing in that he has few interactions with an intellect
of his caliber.
They have many great discussions during their meals together
until The Explorer arrives five days later. The Ship is loaded
with the cargo, and Arthur Winsome is shown his quarters aboard
the ship. A very simple place. A desk, a chest with drawers,
space to hang up his robes, and a hammock to sleep in. He
thought he would hate it, but he fell in love with it in one
night. With all cargo and food goods aboard, Darius tells his
first mate to take the ship to Caergoth. I am going to get
Christine. With everything settled, they are due to set out the
next day. Darius tells Arthur his plans and that he will see him
in a few days.
Western Ansalon
Western Coastlund
Darius teleports to Starport, where he knows she has a house.
Darius comes to the door and knocks. A surprised face looks out
a window, and a dozen locks begin unlocking, and something
sounding heavy is moved from behind the door, enough that Darius
can slide through. Christine excitedly shuts the door and hugs
the big Black Robe unexpectedly. She says, “This old house
creeks, and I know you said they can not cross the ocean, still,
I have been a nervous wreck.”
“I am sorry you had to go through that, that I put you through
that. I am sorry. He comes away from her and says, “You are okay
then?”
“I guess, I have just been tolling around in the work room.”
Christine says, sitting back in a chair, she offers him the
divan. “How about you? Have you fixed our little problem yet.”
“I think I am going to leave Northern Ergoth for the winter, or
until I have a better handle on the situation. I will visit and
maintain my affairs, but I think I am moving to another Island,
located in the Blood Sea. Would you like to join me for the
winter at least?”
She exhales slowly. He has come to adore her facial features.
“Thinking about it, she says, well, what island, aren’t they all
occupied by minotaurs and pirates?”
“There is an Island, where the Tower of High Sorcery of Blood
Sea sits above a small city. It is maybe 30% occupied by bakers,
blacksmiths, tanners, and a dairy. Its plumbing system is
revolutionary, it is a walled Island. There is a port. My master
is eager to meet you. Already there is a grandfather and
grandson artificers living in house, and workroom that will be
nearby you, should you agree. We don’t have to stay long. I am
going to lease a large villa if I can barter with my master for
the space. I wish to hold symposiums and hold dinners with
exciting up-and-commers and the old guard who still have much to
teach us before they pass on."
Darius pushes on, "Maybe I will bring a guest speaker for a
night, a philosopher, or a playwright. There might be great
opportunities, maybe that is not readily apparent, this might
not be Northern Ergoth, but the clientele has just shot upwards
if you decide to come with me.”
Lots of things went through her head. Christine’s eyebrows draw
together and she asks, “I not going to be strictly working for
the black robe, am I?”
Darius hoped this would not become a sticking point. “Not
strictly speaking, I know that there are red Robes and a white
robe at the tower. This is early, there will be more. This Town
was not here in the spring. Things will grow. I think exciting
things are going to happen there and I want you to be a part of
it, not just for the black robe, for all of wizardry.”
Here we go again, Christine thinks almost aloud, “Okay, you have
sold me, but all of my things are back in Gwynned. I don’t want
to start over.”
Darius looks at his feet, and Christine notices, “You packed up
my things already, didn’t you?” Christine asks the big black
robe, who is still avoiding her gaze.
He finally looks at her, right in her eyes. “I hoped I could be
convincing enough and if not, I would have returned you things
and would ask your forgiveness for wasting your time.”
She should be furious, but she saves her energy and tells him
not to don’t do it again.
He hesitates to give her any promises. He offers to buy her some
drinks, and he is hungry; he offers dinner and a couple of
drinks, and he will escort her home.
Christine agrees and gets her jacket. The winds are picking up.
They walk out into the night towards the lights of town, with
leaves sailing on the wind currents after them.
#Post#: 1069--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Darius Desaad: Dark Wizard of Gwynned Chapter Nine: At
Sea
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: March 30, 2025, 9:45 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Darius Desaad
vol. I
Story One
Chapter Nine: At Sea [/center]
Heading West
Turbidus Ocean
They have been at sea for twenty days. They have rounded Tanith
Horn and are well on their way east. Leaving the Sirrion Sea
behind and fair into the Turbidus Ocean. Destination: the
Courrain Ocean, looking to enter the Blood Sea.
Arther Winsome, the Academician Wizard that Desaad is
transporting to the Tower, has been a good conversationalist on
a host of subjects, many crossing into areas that Darius has an
interest in, such as history, philosophy, and magical history.
Some of the conversations Christine has taken part in. They have
had time to themselves, and they have gathered to talk, and eat,
then to play card games and even attempt to play Khas.
Brutal storms harry the Explorer, and the ship is being tossed
around. Darius tells them to put on their life preservers and
stand by in their rooms, unless I call you out, and with that,
Darius left them to do as he asked. The ship is rocked by
violent waves. Darius uses magic to calm things and gets the
ship out of the storm the fastest way possible, judging the
shifting wind currents and looking for any point of reference
from the stars or a lighthouse. Second, guessing himself, he
sails back to the storm to avoid possible landfall.
The next day, they are on the edge of the storm, past it, just
getting some rain.
Disaster averted. The crew can relax a bit, and the passengers
get some more sleep and have a late Breakfast with Captain
Darius.
Weeks later
Stopping in Nordmaar, Darius sees the Trading Company
representative in this part of the world, as he is also from
Northern Ergoth. Darius uses authority due to his shareholder
stake in the company and suggests that when the Dark Tower comes
to make a deal, "We need to listen to them. I am going there
now, The Master of the Tower has a vested interest in good
trading relationships that keep the goods moving in and out of
the island and is happy to make a deal with the company as she
is not looking to grow larger, just something to keep the
coffers of the island and the Tower happy. We do not want the
Master of the Tower as an enemy. We should go out of our way to
protect her ships. Let’s find a deal with Saifham and bring the
Tower into the fold. They have strong controls in Flotsam and,
therefore the mainland. Flotsam is important to us and Saifham.
When all is said and done."
The representative sends word to the bosses in Northern Erogth,
that it will be some weeks before they will get a response.
Darius responds, “I just wanted it on the record, with your name
on the document. He asks what that means, and Darius leaves him
guessing.
After spending time reprovisioning the ship stores and gally.
They are soon to their destination. Darius puts in order for a
lot of wine, brandy, and beer, and a host of other things that
might useful, including general store supplies that he can sell
to the Shops on the Tower Island.
Once commerce has ended and all is aboard, the Explorer sets out
across the Blood Sea of Istar.
*****************************************************
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